CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 practice test

A customer reports that their laptop's touchpad is unresponsive after they spilled a small amount of liquid on the keyboard. The laptop still powers on and the keyboard works. What is the most likely issue?

Trap 1: The touchpad driver is corrupted.

Driver corruption is possible but less likely immediately after a liquid spill; hardware damage is the primary concern.

Trap 2: The battery is swollen and pressing on the touchpad.

A swollen battery might cause a bulging trackpad but not sudden unresponsiveness after a spill.

Trap 3: The touchpad is disabled in the BIOS.

A BIOS setting change would not occur spontaneously from a liquid spill.

A
The touchpad driver is corrupted.
Why wrong: Driver corruption is possible but less likely immediately after a liquid spill; hardware damage is the primary concern.
B
The touchpad ribbon cable is damaged or disconnected.
Liquid can corrode or short the touchpad's ribbon cable, causing it to stop working while the keyboard (on a different circuit) still functions.
C
The battery is swollen and pressing on the touchpad.
Why wrong: A swollen battery might cause a bulging trackpad but not sudden unresponsiveness after a spill.
D
The touchpad is disabled in the BIOS.
Why wrong: A BIOS setting change would not occur spontaneously from a liquid spill.

Question 2easymultiple choice

A technician is replacing a cracked screen on a smartphone. After removing the old screen, they notice a small, flat, rectangular component with a metal shield is loose near the battery connector. What should they do?

Trap 1: Discard it as it is not needed for the screen replacement.

The component is part of the phone's hardware; discarding it would cause a loss of functionality.

Trap 2: Solder it back onto the motherboard.

The vibrator motor is not soldered; it connects via a flex cable or contacts, and soldering would damage it.

Trap 3: Leave it loose; it will not affect screen operation.

Leaving it loose can cause rattling and vibration failure, leading to customer dissatisfaction.

A
Discard it as it is not needed for the screen replacement.
Why wrong: The component is part of the phone's hardware; discarding it would cause a loss of functionality.
B
Reattach it using double-sided adhesive tape.
The vibrator motor is typically held in place with adhesive; using new adhesive ensures it stays secure.
C
Solder it back onto the motherboard.
Why wrong: The vibrator motor is not soldered; it connects via a flex cable or contacts, and soldering would damage it.
D
Leave it loose; it will not affect screen operation.
Why wrong: Leaving it loose can cause rattling and vibration failure, leading to customer dissatisfaction.

Question 3easymultiple choice

A user complains that their tablet's battery drains very quickly, even when not in use. The device is one year old and was working normally until last week. Which hardware component is most likely failing?

Trap 1: The charging port is loose.

A loose charging port would cause intermittent charging, not rapid battery drain when not in use.

Trap 2: The power management IC is faulty.

While possible, a faulty PMIC is less common than battery degradation; battery issues are more typical after a year.

Trap 3: The screen brightness is set too high.

High brightness drains battery during use, but not significantly when the device is idle.

A
The charging port is loose.
Why wrong: A loose charging port would cause intermittent charging, not rapid battery drain when not in use.
B
The battery has degraded or is failing.
A failing battery cannot hold a charge and will discharge quickly, even in standby.
C
The power management IC is faulty.
Why wrong: While possible, a faulty PMIC is less common than battery degradation; battery issues are more typical after a year.
D
The screen brightness is set too high.
Why wrong: High brightness drains battery during use, but not significantly when the device is idle.

Question 4easymultiple choice

A technician is installing a new SSD into a customer's laptop. After removing the bottom cover, they see the existing hard drive is held in place by a metal bracket and a single screw. What is the correct next step?

Trap 1: Pull the drive straight out with force to disconnect it.

Forcing the drive can break the SATA connector or the drive itself.

Trap 2: Use a plastic spudger to pry the drive from the connector.

Prying can damage the connector; the drive should be lifted after removing the bracket.

Trap 3: Remove the battery first to avoid electrical shock.

While removing the battery is a safety best practice, it is not the immediate next step for drive removal.

A
Remove the screw and bracket, then gently lift the drive out of the SATA connector.
This is the correct method to safely remove the drive without damaging the connector.
B
Pull the drive straight out with force to disconnect it.
Why wrong: Forcing the drive can break the SATA connector or the drive itself.
C
Use a plastic spudger to pry the drive from the connector.
Why wrong: Prying can damage the connector; the drive should be lifted after removing the bracket.
D
Remove the battery first to avoid electrical shock.
Why wrong: While removing the battery is a safety best practice, it is not the immediate next step for drive removal.

Question 5mediummultiple choice

A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that will not charge. The battery is removable, and the power adapter works on another laptop. When the battery is inserted, the laptop powers on but shows '0% available (plugged in, not charging)'. What is the most likely cause?

Trap 1: The charging port is loose.

A loose port would cause intermittent charging or no power at all, not a consistent 'not charging' status.

Trap 2: The power management driver is outdated.

Driver issues can cause charging problems, but a hardware failure is more likely given the battery's age and symptoms.

Trap 3: The CMOS battery is dead.

A dead CMOS battery affects system clock and BIOS settings, not main battery charging.

A
The battery is defective and needs replacement.
A battery that cannot charge despite being detected is typically failed; replacing it resolves the issue.
B
The charging port is loose.
Why wrong: A loose port would cause intermittent charging or no power at all, not a consistent 'not charging' status.
C
The power management driver is outdated.
Why wrong: Driver issues can cause charging problems, but a hardware failure is more likely given the battery's age and symptoms.
D
The CMOS battery is dead.
Why wrong: A dead CMOS battery affects system clock and BIOS settings, not main battery charging.

Question 6mediummultiple choice

A customer brings in a smartphone with a broken charging port. They want the port replaced. During disassembly, the technician finds that the charging port is soldered directly to the main board. Which tool is essential for this repair?

Trap 1: A heat gun with a narrow nozzle.

A heat gun is used for reflowing BGA chips, not for desoldering a small port; it may overheat the board.

Trap 2: A Phillips-head screwdriver.

A screwdriver is used for screws, not for soldered components.

Trap 3: A plastic spudger.

A spudger is for prying and disconnecting cables, not for soldering.

A
A heat gun with a narrow nozzle.
Why wrong: A heat gun is used for reflowing BGA chips, not for desoldering a small port; it may overheat the board.
B
A soldering iron with a fine tip.
A fine-tip soldering iron allows precise desoldering and soldering of the small pins on the charging port.
C
A Phillips-head screwdriver.
Why wrong: A screwdriver is used for screws, not for soldered components.
D
A plastic spudger.
Why wrong: A spudger is for prying and disconnecting cables, not for soldering.