CompTIA 220-1201 Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

CompTIA 220-1201 Online Questions & Answers

• Question 451:

  A user's laptop keyboard is distorted and no longer flat.

  Which laptop component most likely failed?

  A. Battery
  B. RAM
  C. Keyboard
  D. HDD
  A. Battery

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  Explanation

  CompTIA A+ highlights that swollen or expanding batteries especially lithium-ion batteries can physically warp the laptop chassis, keyboard, or trackpad. This happens when internal chemical reactions cause the battery to swell. Distorted keyboards, bulging trackpads, and lifted chassis panels are classic symptoms of battery failure.

  RAM and HDD issues do not cause physical deformation. A broken keyboard may malfunction electronically, but it will not bulge upward unless forced by something underneath typically an expanding battery.

  The A+ safety domain also warns technicians not to puncture swollen batteries and to replace them immediately due to fire hazards.

  Therefore, a failing (swollen) laptop battery is the most likely cause.

• Question 452:

  A new directive mandates the use of a security component to securely allow users to authenticate to systems, access sensitive data, and enter the office. The component must provide an additional factor of authentication alongside user accounts and cannot be something the user knows.

  Which of the following components best meets these requirements?

  A. Fingerprint reader
  B. Smart card
  C. Secure token
  D. NFC scanner
  B. Smart card

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  Explanation

  A smart card provides an additional factor of authentication by storing secure credentials, such as certificates, that cannot be guessed or replicated. It complements user accounts and is "something you have".

  Why Not A (Fingerprint reader): This is "something you are", but the scenario specifically requires a physical token.

  Why Not C (Secure token): Secure tokens are also valid but may not integrate as seamlessly into multi-factor authentication for physical and system access.

  Why Not D (NFC scanner): An NFC scanner is a device and not a token itself; it reads cards or other credentials.

  References:

  Core 2 (220-1102), Section 2.5, access controls.

• Question 453:

  Which of the following is an isolated virtual machine?

  A. Sandbox
  B. Hypervisor
  C. Container
  D. VDI
  A. Sandbox

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  Explanation

  A sandbox is an isolated virtual environment, often used for testing code or software safely without affecting the host system.

  From CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Official Study Guide, Objective 3.7 -Virtualization:

  "A sandbox provides an isolated environment, often implemented as a virtual machine, to safely test applications or code."

  Verified Source:

  CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Official Study Guide, Chapter 3: Virtualization CompTIA Exam Objectives 220-1101, Domain 3.7

• Question 454:

  A technician is troubleshooting issues occurring on a user's mobile device. Applications and the OS have slow response times, even when performing simple tasks, such as writing an email. Additionally, new applications occasionally fail to launch.

  Which of the following should the technician do next?

  A. Move the device to a room with a colder temperature.
  B. Close unnecessary programs.
  C. Reset to factory default settings.
  D. Check the battery health of the device.
  B. Close unnecessary programs.

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  Explanation

  The symptoms -- slow response and failed app launches -- indicate that thedevice's memory or processing resources are overutilized. Closing unnecessary apps can free up RAM and CPU resources, improving performance.

  Option A:Overheating may cause sluggishness, but that's not indicated here.

  Option C:Factory reset is a last resort, not the next logical step.

  Option D:Battery health would affect uptime, not system speed.

  References:

  Objective 1.6: Given a scenario, configure basic mobile device network connectivity and application support.

• Question 455:

  A systems administrator deploys BitLocker to all devices. However, one of the desktop PCs is not able to encrypt the boot drive.

  Which of the following should the administrator check?

  A. TPM
  B. CPU
  C. RAM
  D. HDD
  A. TPM

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  Explanation

  BitLocker Drive Encryption in Windows requires aTrusted Platform Module (TPM) to encrypt the boot drive securely. The TPM is a dedicated microcontroller designed to secure hardware through integrated cryptographic keys. It validates system integrity during boot and securely stores the encryption keys. If BitLocker cannot find a TPM or it is disabled in BIOS/UEFI, drive encryption cannot proceed.

  BitLocker can function without TPM using a USB startup key, but this compromises some security and is not recommended for managed enterprise environments.

  References:

  "CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Eleventh Edition" by Travis Everett and Andrew Hutz - Chapter 13, page 536-537.

  "CompTIA A+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs" by Mark Soper - Chapter 13, page 446-447. "CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide" by Quentin Docter - Chapter 1, page 36-38.

• Question 456:

  Which of the following RAM characteristics allows for the most data bandwidth?

  A. CAS latency
  B. ECC
  C. High clock speed
  D. Dual channel
  D. Dual channel

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  Explanation

  The correct answer is D. Dual channel.

  In the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) hardware objectives, memory bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transferred between RAM and the CPU in a given amount of time.

  Dual channel memory architecture increases bandwidth by:

  Allowing the memory controller to access two memory modules simultaneously

  Effectively doubling the data transfer rate compared to single-channel configurations

  Improving overall system performance, especially in memory-intensive tasks

  Why the other options are incorrect:

  A. CAS latency CAS latency measures the delay before data is available after a request. Lower latency improves response time, but it does not significantly increase total bandwidth.

  B. ECC ECC (Error-Correcting Code) improves reliability by detecting and correcting errors, but it does not increase data transfer bandwidth.

  C. High clock speed Higher clock speed does increase bandwidth, but not as significantly as enabling dual channel, which allows parallel data transfer paths and provides a greater overall increase. Final Answer:

  D.

  Dual channel

• Question 457:

  Which of the following is a benefit of using a VLAN?

  A. It minimizes collision domains.
  B. It provides private access to cloud resources.
  C. It increases network address space.
  D. It enables secure network segmentation.
  D. It enables secure network segmentation.

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  Explanation

  A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) segments a physical network into separate logical networks, enhancing security by isolating traffic.

  Why Not A (Minimizes collision domains): VLANs manage broadcast domains, not collision domains.

  Why Not B (Provides private access to cloud resources): VLANs operate within a local network, not cloud-specific.

  Why Not C (Increases network address space): VLANs do not affect address space.

  References:

  Core 1 (220-1201), Section 2.6, VLAN concepts.

• Question 458:

  Which of the following tools will a technician most likely use to identify an unlabeled network connection?

  A. Network tap
  B. Loopback plug
  C. Cable tester
  D. Toner probe
  D. Toner probe

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  Explanation

  To locate or identify an unlabeled network connection , the tool most suited for tracing cables through walls, ceilings, or patch panels is a toner probe (also called a tone generator and probe kit). CompTIA A+ describes this tool as essential for cable identification: the technician attaches the tone generator to one end of the network cable, and the probe detects the signal on the other end, even across long distances or through bundled wiring.

  This makes the toner probe ideal for environments where cables are unlabeled, routed through structured cabling systems, or mixed with other wires. It allows the technician to listen for the distinctive tone, confirming the cable's termination point.

  A cable tester (C) verifies wiring integrity and pinouts but cannot trace a cable through physical pathways. It is used after identification, not during it. A loopback plug (B) is used for port testing and NIC diagnostics, not cable tracing. A network tap (A) is used for traffic monitoring, security analysis, and packet capture; it does not help locate cables.

  Therefore, the toner probe is the correct tool for identifying and tracing an unlabeled network cable, aligning with CompTIA's recommended cable management and troubleshooting procedures.

• Question 459:

  Which of the following translates a hostname to IP addresses?

  A. AAA
  B. DHCP
  C. DNS
  D. UTM
  C. DNS

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  Explanation

  DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is a network service that translates hostnames to IP addresses. Hostnames are human-readable names that identify devices or services on the Internet, such as www.google.com or mail.yahoo.com. IP addresses are numerical identifiers that specify the location of devices or services on the Internet, such as 172.217.14.206 or 98.137.11.163. DNS allows users to access websites or services by using hostnames instead of IP addresses, which are easier to remember and type. DNS also allows hostnames to change their IP addresses without affecting the users, which can improve performance and security.

  References:

  The following web search results provide more information about DNS and how it translates hostnames to IP addresses: What is DNS? | How DNS Works | Cloudflare: This article explains the concept of DNS, its components, its functions, and its benefits. Hostname vs. IP - address - Stack Overflow: This answer compares the differences between hostnames and IP addresses, and how DNS resolves them. How DNS Works: Domain Name System (DNS): This article illustrates how DNS works with diagrams and examples.

• Question 460:

  Which of the following could a user employ to maximize module bandwidth when selecting memory for a high-end gaming computer?

  A. Error correction
  B. RAM voltage
  C. Channel configuration
  D. Physical module size
  C. Channel configuration

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  Explanation

  Channel configuration(e.g.,dual-channel,quad-channel) determines how memory modules communicate with the memory controller. Using matched pairs in dual-or quad-channel setup scan significantly increase memory bandwidth, improving performance - especially for gaming and video-intensive tasks.

  Option A (Error correction):ECC RAM is used in servers for reliability, not performance or gaming.

  Option B (RAM voltage):Affects compatibility and overclocking but not bandwidth.

  Option D (Physical size):Refers to module form factor (e.g., DIMM, SO-DIMM) and does not impact bandwidth.

  References:

  Objective 3.2: Given a scenario, install RAM types.