CompTIA 220-1201 Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

CompTIA 220-1201 Online Questions & Answers

• Question 251:

  An end user is able to send emails but not receive them.

  Which of the following settings should a technician check first on the user's laptop to troubleshoot the issue?

  A. DNS
  B. SMTP
  C. IMAP
  D. DMARC
  C. IMAP

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  Explanation

  If a user can send email but cannot receive email, the most likely issue is with the incoming mail configuration rather than the outgoing mail configuration. SMTP is primarily used for sending mail from a client to a mail server (and between mail servers), so working outbound email strongly suggests SMTP settings are correct. To receive email, the client must connect to an incoming mail service such as IMAP (or POP3). Therefore, the first setting to verify on the laptop is the IMAP configuration, including the incoming server address, port number, encryption method (SSL/TLS), and authentication credentials. If any of these are wrong, the client may fail to synchronize the mailbox, making it appear that mail is not arriving even though messages exist on the server.

  DNS can affect both sending and receiving because clients must resolve mail server hostnames, but when the symptom is specifically "send works, receive fails," checking the dedicated incoming protocol settings is the most direct and likely fix. DMARC is an email authentication policy used at the domain level and is not a laptop-side setting the technician would check first for a single user's inbound mail problem.

• Question 252:

  While configuring a new network printer, a technician observes that the router cannot use a specific static IP address due to security restrictions.

  Which of the following should the technician use to ensure the printer always gets the same IP address even if the router is restarted?

  A. Reservation
  B. Scope
  C. Lease
  D. Exclusion
  A. Reservation

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  Explanation

  When configuring a network device like a printer, assigning it a static IP address ensures that it always uses the same IP address. If a static IP cannot be set due to security restrictions, the next best solution is to configure a reservation in the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server. This reservation ensures that the device (in this case, the printer) always receives the same IP address based on its MAC address, even if the router restarts.

  Reservation: A DHCP reservation ties a specific IP address to the MAC address of a device, ensuring it always receives the same IP address from the DHCP server.

  Why the other options are incorrect:

  Scope: A DHCP scope defines the range of IP addresses that can be assigned to devices. It doesn't ensure that a specific device always gets the same IP. Lease: A lease refers to the length of time a device is assigned an IP address from the DHCP server. It doesn't guarantee that the same IP will be re-assigned after the lease expires.

  Exclusion: An exclusion in DHCP configuration excludes specific IP addresses from being assigned dynamically. This is used to prevent certain addresses from being given out but doesn't ensure a device will always get the same IP.

  This topic is covered under the Networking domain of the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam.

• Question 253:

  A recently installed printer is incorrectly aligning printed documents.

  Which of the following should the technician do first to fix this issue?

  A. Run the maintenance application.
  B. Clean the rollers
  C. Upgrade the firmware
  D. Reinstall the drivers
  A. Run the maintenance application.

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  Explanation

  Most modern printers include a built-in maintenance application that can calibrate the print heads and correct alignment issues. Running this tool is the first step to address misalignment.

  Incorrect Options:

  Option B: Clean the rollers: Cleaning rollers is typically done to resolve paper feed or jamming issues, not alignment problems.

  Option C: Upgrade the firmware: While updating firmware is beneficial for performance improvements, it is not the first step for fixing alignment.

  Option D: Reinstall the drivers: Misaligned printing is usually hardware-related, not a driver issue.

  Key Takeaway: The maintenance application should be run first to resolve alignment issues in a newly installed printer.

  References:

  CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam Objectives (220-1201), Domain 5.5 - Printer troubleshooting.

• Question 254:

  A user connects a PC to a projector and configures the projector to use HDMI. However, when the user tries to use the projector, the projector shows a black screen with the message "HDMI2 no signal found." The user reports that the projector worked properly during a previous meeting.

  Which of the following should the user do to fix the issue?

  A. Replace the bulb.
  B. Swap the video cable.
  C. Change the input source.
  D. Update the video drivers.
  C. Change the input source.

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  Explanation

  The error message "HDMI2 no signal found" indicates that the projector is set to an input source that is not currently receiving a video signal. According to CompTIA Core 1 (220-1201) display and troubleshooting objectives, input source selection is one of the first items to verify when an external display shows a black screen but powers on correctly.

  Many projectors have multiple HDMI ports (HDMI1, HDMI2, etc.). If the PC is connected to a different HDMI port than the one currently selected, the projector will display a "no signal" message even though the cable and device are functioning properly. Changing the input source to match the connected HDMI port resolves the issue quickly.

  Replacing the bulb would not fix a "no signal" message, as the projector is clearly powered on and displaying text. Swapping the video cable is a valid troubleshooting step, but the explicit HDMI2 message points to an incorrect input selection.

  Updating video drivers is unnecessary when the device worked previously and the issue is isolated to input detection.

  CompTIA emphasizes verifying correct input selection as a primary step when troubleshooting external display issues.

  References:

  CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Official Study Guide - Display Devices and Troubleshooting

• Question 255:

  Which of the following server types can dynamically assign primary and secondary DNS?

  A. DHCP server
  B. Global catalog server
  C. Web server
  D. Name server
  A. DHCP server

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  Explanation

  A DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server is a server type that can dynamically assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to clients, such as primary and secondary DNS (Domain Name System) servers.

  DNS servers are responsible for resolving hostnames to IP addresses and vice versa. A global catalog server, a web server, and a name server are not involved in DHCP operations.

  References:

  [CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220- 1101) Certification Study Guide], page 30.

• Question 256:

  Which of the following networking devices is used to create a mesh network?

  A. Modem
  B. DSL
  C. Access point
  D. ONT
  C. Access point

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  Explanation

  Mesh networks rely on multiple access points (or mesh nodes) to create a seamless, self-healing network. Each access point communicates with others to extend coverage and improve reliability without requiring a wired backbone for each

  AP.

  References:

  CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 1 Objectives -Domain 2.0 Networking -Objective 2.4:

  Compare and contrast wireless networking protocols.

• Question 257:

  A technician upgrades a CPU heat sink with a higher-performing model. While stress testing the computer, the technician finds that the CPU temperatures have drastically increased.

  Which of the following is most likely causing the issue?

  A. Decreased CPU voltage
  B. Higher fan RPM
  C. Airflow interruption
  D. Missing thermal paste
  D. Missing thermal paste

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  Explanation

  Whenever a CPU heat sink is removed or replaced, thermal paste must be reapplied. Thermal paste fills microscopic gaps between the CPU heat spreader and the heat sink, ensuring efficient heat transfer. Without it, there is a significant air gap, which acts as an insulator, causing CPU temperatures to rise dramatically even under light load. CompTIA A+ stresses thermal compound application as a key step in CPU cooling installation.

  The scenario indicates that temperatures increased drastically after upgrading to a better heat sink. A higher-performing heat sink should improve temperatures, not worsen them--unless a critical installation step was missed. Missing thermal paste is the most common cause of this symptom and easily explains the sudden overheating.

  Decreased CPU voltage would lower temperatures, not raise them. Higher fan RPM increases cooling efficiency, not reduces it. Airflow interruption is possible but less likely in a simple heat sink upgrade scenario unless the technician installed the CPU cooler incorrectly; however, the most direct and common cause described by CompTIA is missing thermal paste.

  Thus, D is the correct answer.

• Question 258:

  Employees are concerned about sensitive data being printed on a shared multifunction printer located in a high-traffic hallway.

  Which of the following should a technician do to address this concern?

  A. Set up a PIN for user authentication at the printer
  B. Relocate the printer to an unused office space
  C. Configure printing of sensitive data through a specific tray
  D. Schedule print jobs to be released at certain times
  A. Set up a PIN for user authentication at the printer

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  Explanation

  Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

  PIN printing (also known as secure printing) ensures that documents are held in a queue until the authorized user enters a PIN directly at the printer. This prevents unauthorized viewing of confidential documents.

  References:

  CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 Official Study Guide, Section: Printer SecuritySecure printing with PIN authentication ensures only the document owner can release sensitive print jobs.

• Question 259:

  Which of the following is a characteristic of an NVMe drive?

  A. M.2 interface
  B. 3.5in (8.9cm) external
  C. 7,200rpm
  D. Molex connector
  A. M.2 interface

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  Explanation

  NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) drives commonly use the M.2 interface and provide the highest performance for SSDs.

  From CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Official Study Guide, Objective 3.2 -Storage devices:

  "NVMe drives connect via the M.2 slot and provide the fastest data transfer rates available for storage devices."

  Verified Source:

  CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Official Study Guide, Chapter 3: Storage Technologies CompTIA Exam Objectives 220-1101, Domain 3.2

• Question 260:

  Which of the following is used to verify that an emailer is allowed and designated to send emails from a particular IP address?

  A. CNAME
  B. SPF
  C. DKIM
  D. DMARC
  B. SPF

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  Explanation

  SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is the mechanism used to verify whether a sending mail server's IP address is authorized to send email on behalf of a specific domain. SPF works through a DNS record (typically a TXT record) published by the domain owner. When a receiving mail server gets an email claiming to be from a domain, it checks the SPF record for that domain and compares the source IP of the sending server against the list of permitted IP addresses or permitted sending services. If the IP is listed (or matches an allowed range /mechanism), SPF passes;

  if not, SPF fails. This directly matches the question requirement: "verify that an emailer is allowed and designated to send emails from a particular IP address."

  The other options do not focus on authorizing an IP to send mail. DKIM uses cryptographic signatures to verify message integrity and that the message was signed by a domain's private key, not to authorize a sending IP. DMARC is a policy framework that tells receivers what to do when SPF and/or DKIM fail and adds alignment rules and reporting. CNAME is a DNS alias record and is not an email authorization control.