CompTIA 220-1201 Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

CompTIA 220-1201 Online Questions & Answers

• Question 431:

  An end user reports that their laptop has a blank screen. A technician observes the keyboard lights are on, and the fan is running.

  Which of the following should the technician do next?

  A. Check the display ribbon cable.
  B. Contact vendor support
  C. Replace the inverter
  D. Connect to an external monitor
  D. Connect to an external monitor

• Question 432:

  Which of the following connectors supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP)?

  A. DVI-A
  B. F-type
  C. VGA
  D. DisplayPort
  D. DisplayPort

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  Explanation

  DisplayPort is a fully digital video interface that supports HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), a digital rights-management protocol used to protect copyrighted content such as movies, streaming video, and Blu-ray playback.

  The CompTIA A+ study guide notes that DisplayPort and HDMI support HDCP, while analog connections like VGA and DVI-A do not support HDCP because analog signals cannot enforce digital content protection.

  F-type connectors are used for coaxial cabling (cable TV, satellite), not digital video output. DisplayPort's support for encrypted high-definition video streams makes it the correct answer and aligns with CompTIA's coverage of display connectors and digital content protection technologies.

• Question 433:

  A technician is evaluating how to connect a power-redundant server to the outlets of a rack.

  Which of the following is the best way to provide electricity to the server?

  A. Using only one power outlet, as the system will provide energy to the redundant source
  B. Leaving one of the power supplies disconnected for use in case the other fails
  C. Identifying available power outlets in different UPSs and distributing the connection between them
  D. Connecting the device to one dedicated battery backup to provide continuous energy
  C. Identifying available power outlets in different UPSs and distributing the connection between them

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  Explanation

  A power-redundant server typically has two power supplies so the system can continue operating if one power supply or one power feed fails. To gain the full benefit of redundancy, each PSU should be connected to independent power sources-commonly separate PDUs that are backed by different UPS units (and ideally separate circuits). This design removes a single point of failure: if one UPS

  Comprehensive and Detailed 150 to 250 words of Explanation From CompTIA Core 1 Knowledge trips, fails, or is taken offline for maintenance, the other UPS still provides power and the server stays online.

  Option C is best because it explicitly describes distributing the connections across different UPSs, which is the correct redundancy practice in a rack environment.

  Option A defeats redundancy because a single outlet /UPS failure would still bring the server down. Option

  B also wastes redundancy and can cause immediate downtime if the connected PSU fails, since the second PSU isn't actively providing standby power. Option D still leaves a single UPS as the single point of failure. Therefore, splitting the two PSU power cords across separate UPS-backed outlets is the best approach.

• Question 434:

  A user accidentally spills liquid on a laptop. The user wants the device to be fixed and would like to know how much it will cost.

  Which of the following steps should the technician take NEXT to verify if the device is repairable before committing to a price? (Choose two.)

  A. Remove the case and organize the parts.
  B. Document the screw locations.
  C. Search the Internet for repair tutorials.
  D. Consult colleagues for advice.
  E. Place the device in rice for a few days.
  A. Remove the case and organize the parts.
  B. Document the screw locations.

• Question 435:

  A desktop support technician is building a new desktop that features the fastest internal storage.

  Which of the following BEST suits this request1?

  A. SATASSD
  B. SATA HDD
  C. M2PCIeNVMeSSD
  D. PCIe SATA HDD
  C. M2PCIeNVMeSSD

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  Explanation

  M2PCIeNVMeSSD. M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs are the fastest internal storage devices available for desktops.

  They are faster than SATA SSDs and PCIe SATA HDDs12.

• Question 436:

  A shared printer frequently jams, especially when printing double-sided documents. The paper size is standard office A4. The printer is used regularly throughout the day.

  Which of the following actions should the technician take to address the paper jamming issue?

  A. Clean the feed rollers
  B. Use a different paper weight
  C. Replace the fuser unit
  D. Change the toner cartridge
  A. Clean the feed rollers

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  Explanation

  The correct answer is A. Clean the feed rollers.

  According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 objectives under Printers:

  Frequent paper jams, particularly in high-use shared printers, are commonly caused by dirty or worn feed rollers.

  Cleaning the feed rollers removes dust, paper debris, and toner residue that can prevent smooth paper feeding, especially when printing double-sided documents.

  This is a standard preventive maintenance procedure that improves reliability and extends the printer's operational life.

  Why the other options are incorrect:

  B. Use a different paper weight: A4 standard paper is appropriate; changing paper weight is unnecessary unless the paper is damaged or incompatible.

  C. Replace the fuser unit: Fuser problems generally cause smudging or incomplete fusing, not frequent paper jams.

  D. Change the toner cartridge: Toner issues affect print quality (light or streaky prints), not paper feeding or jamming.

  References:

  CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Exam Objectives - Printers: "Given a scenario, troubleshoot common printer problems including paper jams, feed issues, and maintenance tasks." Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+ Certification Guide, 13th Edition, Chapter on Printer Troubleshooting and Maintenance.

• Question 437:

  Which of the following DNS records is used to point to a mail server?

  A. TXT
  B. AAA
  C. A
  D. MX
  D. MX

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  Explanation

  An MX (Mail Exchange) record in DNS specifies the mail server responsible for accepting email messages on behalf of a domain. It is a vital component of the email delivery process, directing email to the correct server based on the domain part of the email address. Without properly configured MX records, a domain's email system cannot function correctly.

• Question 438:

  Which cloud characteristic allows local folders to contain updates made by users or other devices?

  A. Network share
  B. Synchronization
  C. Availability
  D. Metered utilization
  B. Synchronization

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  Explanation

  Cloud storage platforms--such as OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox--use synchronization to ensure that files updated on one device automatically update on all connected devices. CompTIA A+ defines synchronization as a key cloud characteristic that keeps local folders and cloud-stored versions consistent, enabling seamless multi-device collaboration.

  Synchronization allows users to:

  Modify files offline and have them sync once online

  Access identical data on laptops, desktops, and mobile devices

  Ensure real-time updates across multiple users or clients

  Maintain version consistency and conflict resolution

  A network share (A) is local to an organization and does not automatically sync across devices. Availability (C) relates to uptime and reliability, not file updates. Metered utilization (D) refers to cloud billing models where usage is tracked, not data syncing.

  Thus, synchronization is the capability that ensures local folders update dynamically whenever changes occur.

• Question 439:

  A developer wants to protect critical data from hard drive failure. Their workstation has two hard drives.

  Which RAID level should they use?

  A. RAID 0
  B. RAID 1
  C. RAID 5
  D. RAID 10
  B. RAID 1

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  Explanation

  RAID 1, also known as disk mirroring, duplicates data identically to two drives, ensuring full redundancy if one drive fails. Because the workstation only has two drives, RAID 1 is the only RAID level that provides fault tolerance under this constraint, exactly as described in the CompTIA A+ study guide.

  RAID 0 offers no redundancy, RAID 5 requires at least three drives, and RAID 10 requires at least four drives.

  RAID 1 is the recommended configuration for small environments or workstations that rely on data integrity and quick recovery, matching CompTIA's guidance for redundancy in systems with limited drive availability.

• Question 440:

  A user brings a laptop to work every morning, correctly seats it in the docking station, and then opens the laptop to begin work with no issues. After the user left the laptop at home during a two-week vacation, the laptop is no longer working.

  Upon returning to the office, the user reports that the keyboard and display are no longer working.

  Which of the following should the technician ask the user to do first?

  A. Ensure the docking station is plugged in.
  B. Press and release the laptop power button.
  C. Plug the laptop in and let it charge overnight
  D. Connect the laptop directly to the network.
  B. Press and release the laptop power button.

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  Explanation

  Reasoning: Many docking stations provide power and functionality only when the laptop is properly powered on. If the laptop was powered off (e.g., during the vacation), docking it will not automatically turn it on. The technician should first ensure the laptop is powered on by pressing the power button.

  This is a common troubleshooting step when laptops in docking stations appear non-functional.

  Relevance to CompTIA A+ Core 1: This falls under Objective 5.2, which covers diagnosing and resolving common laptop and mobile device issues.

  Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

  Option A: Ensure the docking station is plugged in: While ensuring power to the docking station is important, the scenario specifies that the issue occurred after a vacation. The likelihood of the docking station losing power coincidentally during the vacation is low. Verifying the laptop's power state should be the first step.

  Option C: Plug the laptop in and let it charge overnight: There is no indication the laptop's battery is drained. While charging could resolve a dead battery, the user is more likely experiencing an issue where the laptop is powered off but docked, so charging overnight is not the best first step.

  Option D: Connect the laptop directly to the network: A network connection will not resolve the primary issue of the keyboard and display not working. Addressing the laptop's power state is a higher priority.

  Practical Example:

  If a user returns from a vacation and places a powered-off laptop into a docking station, it may not automatically power on. Pressing the power button ensures the laptop is operational and communicating with the docking station.

  References:

  Objective 5.2: Troubleshooting common laptop issues, including power, display, and peripheral connectivity.