CompTIA 220-1201 Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

CompTIA 220-1201 Online Questions & Answers

• Question 501:

  A help desk technician needs to work on a high-volume printer. Users have reported occasional paper jams and smudges appearing on printed documents.

  Which of the following steps should the technician do next to address these issues?

  A. Perform a full factory reset.
  B. Check and clean the rollers.
  C. Change all the ink or toner cartridges.
  D. Replace the fuser.
  B. Check and clean the rollers.

  ---

  Explanation

  Paper jams and smudging in high-volume printers are often caused bydirty or worn rollers. Rollers are responsible for feeding the paper through the printer. Over time, they accumulate dust, toner residue, or wear out, resulting in misfeeds or jams. Cleaning or replacing them typically resolves this issue. Option A (Factory reset):A full reset does not directly address mechanical issues like dirty rollers or smudging. It's a last resort and more relevant to configuration or software-related issues.

  Option C (Change toner cartridges):While toner quality can affect print quality, it won't usually cause jams or widespread smudging unless the cartridge is leaking - which is less likely across multiple users

  Option D (Replace the fuser):A damaged fuser could cause smudging, but this is typically after extensive use and is not the first thing to check. Fuser issues also usually present more persistent, uniform smudges.

  References:

  Objective 3.7: Given a scenario, troubleshoot common printer problems.

• Question 502:

  A technician recently updated the firmware on a dual-BIOS motherboard. Following the update, the system has been stuck in a boot loop and cannot start an OS from any internal or external device. The technician cannot access the UEFI menu either.

  Which of the following should the technician do next?

  A. Enable the secondary configuration.
  B. Downgrade the firmware via USB.
  C. Start a warranty repair of the motherboard.
  D. Reapply thermal paste to the CPU.
  A. Enable the secondary configuration.

  ---

  Explanation

  Dual-BIOS motherboards contain two firmware chips. If theprimary BIOS becomescorrupted, the system canfailover to the secondary BIOS. Most boards allow manual enabling of the secondary BIOS via a physical switch or jumper.

  Option B:Downgrading firmware may not be possible if the system won't POST or access UEFI.

  Option C:Not necessary until both BIOS chips are non-functional.

  Option D:Thermal paste affects heat dissipation, not BIOS/boot behavior.

  References:

  Objective 3.5: Given a scenario, troubleshoot problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPU, and power.

• Question 503:

  An administrator is investigating a misuse of printer resources. The administrator suspects an employee.

  Which of the following will help the administrator verify the source of misuse?

  A. Secure printing
  B. Print counter
  C. Audit logs
  D. User authentication
  C. Audit logs

  ---

  Explanation

  To verify the source of printer misuse, the administrator needs detailed records showing who performed specific actions and when. According to CompTIA Core 1 (220-1201) printer management and security objectives, audit logs provide a historical record of printer activity, including user IDs, timestamps, document names, and print volumes. These logs allow administrators to trace printer usage back to a specific user or device, making them the most effective tool for investigating misuse. Secure printing requires users to authenticate at the printer before jobs are released, which helps prevent unauthorized access but does not provide historical evidence of past misuse. A print counter tracks the total number of pages printed but does not identify individual users or specific print jobs. User authentication ensures that only authorized users can access the printer, but by itself it does not provide detailed usage tracking unless combined with logging.

  CompTIA emphasizes audit logging as a critical component of accountability and security across systems, including printers. When investigating policy violations or misuse, audit logs are the primary source of verifiable evidence.

  References:

  CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Official Study Guide - Printer Security, Monitoring, and Management

• Question 504:

  A technician is configuring the router for a small business network.

  Which of the following settings should the technician configure first?

  A. DHCP
  B. UPnP
  C. MAC filtering
  D. VPN
  A. DHCP

  ---

  Explanation

  When configuring a router for a small business, the first setting a technician should configure is DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). DHCP is responsible for automatically assigning IP addresses to devices on the network, which is essential for enabling communication within the network. Without DHCP, devices would not receive the necessary IP configurations to communicate effectively.

  DHCP: Configuring DHCP first ensures that all devices on the network receive their IP addresses automatically.

  Why the other options are incorrect:

  UPnP: UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is used for simplifying device connectivity, but it is not a critical setting to configure first. MAC filtering: MAC filtering is a security feature that limits which devices can connect to the network based on their MAC addresses, but it should be set up after basic network configuration.

  VPN: VPN (Virtual Private Network) settings are for secure remote access, and should be configured after the essential network settings like DHCP are in place.

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

• Question 505:

  Which of the following describes the difference between routers and switches?

  A. Routers are programmable; switches are not programmable.
  B. Switches connect devices within a network; routers connect networks.
  C. Switches are programmable; routers are not programmable.
  D. Routers connect devices within a network; switches connect networks.
  B. Switches connect devices within a network; routers connect networks.

  ---

  Explanation

  The correct answer is B. Switches connect devices within a network; routers connect networks.

  According to the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 networking objectives:

  Switches operate at the Data Link layer (Layer 2) and sometimes Layer 3, connecting multiple devices within the same local area network (LAN). They manage data traffic between devices by using MAC addresses to forward frames only to the intended recipient. Routers operate at the Network layer (Layer 3) and connect different networks together, such as connecting a LAN to the internet. They use IP addresses to determine the best path for forwarding packets between networks.

  Why the other options are incorrect:

  A. Routers are programmable; switches are not programmable: Both devices can have programmable configurations in enterprise environments, so this is not a defining difference.

  C. Switches are programmable; routers are not programmable: Same reasoning as above; not accurate.

  D. Routers connect devices within a network; switches connect networks: This reverses the actual roles and is incorrect.

  References:

  CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Exam Objectives - Networking: "Given a scenario, install and configure network devices including switches and routers and describe their primary functions." Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+ Certification Guide, 13th Edition, Chapter on Networking Devices.

• Question 506:

  A user is setting up a gaming PC with multiple GPUs to play highly advanced games. The user ' s primary concern is that the power supply is sufficient to support these tasks while allowing for future upgrades.

  Which of the following power supply configurations should the user select?

  A. Redundant
  B. Non-modular
  C. Low wattage
  D. Multiple-rail
  D. Multiple-rail

  ---

  Explanation

  For a gaming PC with multiple GPUs, the power supply must safely deliver high current on the 12V rails, since GPUs and CPUs draw most of their power from 12V. A multiple-rail power supply divides the 12V output into separate rails protected by overcurrent protection (OCP). This configuration helps prevent a single rail from being overloaded and can provide safer distribution when several high-draw components (multiple GPUs, high-end CPU) are installed. From a CompTIA A+ Core 1 perspective, selecting PSU characteristics that match system load and expansion needs is key, and multi-rail designs are directly related to supporting multiple high-power devices with better protection controls. The other options do not meet the goal. Redundant PSUs are typically used in servers for uptime, not consumer gaming builds, and they don't inherently address GPU power distribution. Non-modular only affects cable management and airflow, not power capability or scalability. Low wattage directly conflicts with the requirement for multi-GPU performance and future upgrades.

  Therefore, the best choice given is multiple-rail.

• Question 507:

  Which of the following is an advantage of using VDI?

  A. Authentication is not required on a domain.
  B. Licensing costs are minimized.
  C. Less manual configuration is needed for each workstation.
  D. A virus is automatically contained locally.
  C. Less manual configuration is needed for each workstation.

  ---

  Explanation

  Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) hosts desktop environments on centralized servers. This allows rapid deployment and consistent configuration across multiple users, minimizing manual setup and easing IT management.

  Option A:VDI still uses standard authentication methods.

  Option B:Licensing can actually be more expensive due to virtualization software and backend servers.

  Option D:VDI centralizes the desktop environment - viruses would affect the virtual session, not be "contained locally."

  References:

  Objective 4.1: Compare and contrast cloud computing concepts.

• Question 508:

  An administrator for a wireless network is planning the company ' s floor plan using a heat map.

  Which of the following types of networks is the administrator configuring?

  A. SAN
  B. PAN
  C. MAN
  D. WLAN
  D. WLAN

  ---

  Explanation

  The correct answer is D. WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).

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

  A WLAN is a wireless network that covers a limited area such as an office, building, or campus.

  Using a heat map helps administrators determine optimal placement of access points, identify areas of weak signal, and plan coverage for employees' devices.

  Why the other options are incorrect:

  A. SAN (Storage Area Network): Connects storage devices over a network; not used for wireless coverage.

  B. PAN (Personal Area Network): Covers a very small area, such as a single person's devices (Bluetooth, USB, etc.), not a whole office.

  C. MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Covers a city or large geographic area; too large for a floor plan.

  References:

  CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Exam Objectives - Networking: "Given a scenario, configure wireless networks including site surveys, heat maps, and access point placement." Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+ Certification Guide, 13th Edition, Chapter on Wireless Networking.

• Question 509:

  Which of the following services are typically provided by a networked host to facilitate file sharing across different OSs? (Select two).

  A. NTP
  B. SMB
  C. IMAP
  D. FTP
  E. ROP
  F. LDAP
  B. SMB
  D. FTP

  ---

  Explanation

  Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation

  To enable file sharing across different operating systems , CompTIA A+ emphasizes the use of:

  # SMB (Server Message Block)

  The primary file-sharing protocol used by Windows.

  Also supported on macOS and Linux (via Samba).

  Allows shared folders, printers, and network browsing.

  # FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

  A cross-platform file transfer service supported by all major OSs.

  Commonly used to upload/download files between systems of different types.

  These two protocols are explicitly listed in CompTIA objectives under network protocols and file services.

  Why the other options are incorrect

  A. NTP -Time synchronization, not file sharing.

  C. IMAP -Email protocol, not related to file sharing.

  E. ROP -Not a file-sharing protocol (Return-Oriented Programming = security exploit).

  F. LDAP -Directory service for authentication, not file sharing. Final Answer: B, D

• Question 510:

  A user ' s new computer is exhibiting issues after a couple hours of use. The screen freezes and typed characters do not appear for several seconds, if at all. The computer unexpectedly restarts while the user is reading an email. A technician runs diagnostics and verifies that no components show any errors. All hardware meets or exceeds recommendations.

  Which of the following should the technician do next?

  A. Check for swollen capacitors.
  B. Replace the power supply with a higher wattage rating.
  C. Increase the amount of RAM.
  D. Change the CMOS battery.
  A. Check for swollen capacitors.

  ---

  Explanation

  Intermittent freezing followed by unexpected restarts after the system has been running for a while often points to a hardware stability problem that worsens with heat and time, rather than an immediate configuration or "not enough resources" issue. When diagnostics show no errors, the next CompTIA A+-style step is to look for physical signs of failing components. Swollen or leaking capacitors on the motherboard or in the power delivery area can cause unstable voltage regulation as the system warms up, leading to input lag, lockups, and spontaneous reboots even during light tasks like reading email. A visual inspection can quickly confirm this failure mode and is an appropriate next troubleshooting action when software and basic diagnostics are inconclusive.

  Replacing the power supply with a higher wattage is not the best next step because the workload described is not high draw, and the symptom is not clearly tied to peak load; if a PSU is suspect, the usual step is testing with a known-good PSU of correct specs, not simply "higher wattage." Increasing RAM is unnecessary because the system meets requirements and this would more commonly cause persistent slowness, not sudden restarts. A CMOS battery issue typically causes time resets or BIOS setting loss, not freezing and random reboots after hours.