220-1201 Practice Test 50 — 15 Questions

Question 1

A user reports that their computer intermittently freezes for a few seconds during normal use. The technician checks Event Viewer and finds 'WHEA-Logger' errors related to the CPU. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Unstable CPU overclock or insufficient voltage. WHEA-Logger errors often indicate hardware issues, particularly with the CPU or its voltage. This can stem from an unstable overclock or insufficient power delivery.

Answer

Outdated graphics driver

Answer

CPU overheating

Answer

Faulty hard drive

Question 2

A technician is selecting a CPU for a compact home theater PC (HTPC) that will be passively cooled. Which CPU characteristic is most critical to ensure reliable operation without a fan?

Accepted Answer

Low TDP. Passive cooling relies on low heat output. TDP (Thermal Design Power) directly indicates the amount of heat a cooler must dissipate. A low TDP CPU is essential for fanless operation.

Answer

High clock speed

Answer

Integrated graphics

Answer

Large L3 cache

Question 3

A technician is troubleshooting a system that randomly restarts under load. The CPU temperature never exceeds 75°C, and the power supply is rated at 750W. Which of the following should the technician check next?

Accepted Answer

Check the CPU voltage settings in BIOS. When thermal and power supply are ruled out, voltage regulation becomes a suspect. The CPU's Vcore voltage may be set too low in BIOS, causing instability under load.

Answer

Replace the CPU cooler

Answer

Update the network driver

Answer

Replace the RAM

Question 4

A technician needs to install a CPU that supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a new motherboard. The motherboard manual lists support for only DDR5. Which of the following is the best course of action?

Accepted Answer

Install DDR5 RAM as the motherboard supports it. Memory controllers are integrated into the CPU, but the motherboard's memory slots and BIOS determine which type is supported. If the board only supports DDR5, using a CPU that supports both will still require DDR5 modules.

Answer

Install DDR4 RAM because the CPU supports it

Answer

Update the BIOS to enable DDR4 support

Answer

Use a different CPU that only supports DDR5

Question 5

A technician is diagnosing a system that fails to boot after a CPU upgrade. The old CPU worked fine. The new CPU is installed correctly, but the system beeps repeatedly (1 long, 3 short). Which of the following is the most likely issue?

Accepted Answer

The motherboard BIOS does not support the new CPU. Beep codes are diagnostic indicators. 1 long, 3 short beeps from an AMI BIOS typically indicate a memory or graphics issue, but in this context, it often points to the CPU not being fully supported or a BIOS incompatibility.

Answer

The CPU is not receiving power

Answer

The RAM is incompatible with the new CPU

Answer

The CPU cooler is not installed properly

Question 6

A customer reports that their desktop PC randomly shuts down when playing a graphically intensive game. The system has a 500W power supply, a high-end GPU, and a CPU with a 125W TDP. What is the most likely cause of the shutdowns?

Accepted Answer

The power supply is undersized for the system's peak power demands.. The random shutdowns under load suggest the power supply cannot deliver enough wattage to sustain peak power draw from the GPU and CPU. A 500W PSU may be insufficient for a high-end gaming system, causing voltage drops or thermal overload protection to trigger. Upgrading to a higher-wattage PSU with adequate +12V rail capacity would resolve the issue.

Answer

The GPU is overheating due to poor case airflow.

Answer

The motherboard's VRM is failing due to age.

Answer

The RAM is faulty causing memory errors during gaming.

Question 7

A technician is building a new workstation for video editing and needs to ensure the power supply can handle dual GPUs and multiple hard drives. Which specification is most critical to check when selecting a PSU?

Accepted Answer

The combined amperage on the +12V rail(s).. The +12V rail provides power to the CPU, GPUs, and drives; its combined amperage determines how much power can be delivered to these components. For high-power builds, a single +12V rail with high amperage or multiple rails with sufficient combined capacity is essential. Neglecting this can lead to instability or shutdowns under load.

Answer

The total wattage rating of the power supply.

Answer

The number of SATA power connectors.

Answer

The physical form factor (ATX, SFX, etc.).

Question 8

A user reports that their computer does not power on at all. The technician verifies the power cord is connected and the wall outlet works. When the PSU is turned on, no fans spin and no LEDs light up. What should the technician check first?

Accepted Answer

Check if the power supply's on/off switch is set to the '1' (on) position.. The power supply switch is a simple but common oversight; if it is in the off (0) position, no power reaches the system. Always verify this before more complex troubleshooting. Other steps like testing the PSU with a multimeter or paperclip test come after confirming the switch is on.

Answer

Replace the CMOS battery.

Answer

Reseat the RAM modules.

Answer

Test the PSU with a multimeter.

Question 9

A technician is replacing a power supply in an office desktop. The new PSU has a 24-pin main connector, but the motherboard has a 20-pin socket. What should the technician do?

Accepted Answer

Separate the detachable 4-pin section from the 24-pin connector and use the remaining 20-pin part.. Modern ATX power supplies often have a 24-pin connector that is backward compatible with 20-pin motherboards; the extra 4 pins can be slid or snapped off. This allows the PSU to work without modification. Forcing the 24-pin into a 20-pin socket could damage the board.

Answer

Use a 24-pin to 20-pin adapter.

Answer

Force the 24-pin connector into the 20-pin socket.

Answer

Return the PSU and buy one with a 20-pin connector.

Question 10

A technician is troubleshooting a PC that emits a high-pitched whining noise under load. The noise is coming from the power supply area. The system is stable and temperatures are normal. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The PSU is experiencing coil whine due to electrical resonance.. Coil whine is a common phenomenon in power supplies and other components when electrical current passes through inductors, causing them to vibrate at audible frequencies. It is typically harmless and does not indicate a defect, though it can be annoying. If the system is stable, no replacement is needed.

Answer

The PSU fan bearing is failing.

Answer

The PSU is overheating and the thermal protection is activating.

Answer

The PSU has a loose internal component rattling.

Question 11

A technician is installing a new power supply in a high-end gaming PC. The PSU has two +12V rails rated at 20A each. The GPU requires a single +12V rail with at least 30A. What potential issue could arise?

Accepted Answer

The GPU may cause overcurrent protection to trip on one rail, causing shutdowns.. Multi-rail PSUs split the +12V output across separate rails, each with its own overcurrent protection. If the GPU draws more than 20A from one rail, it can trip the protection, causing shutdowns. Using a single-rail PSU or ensuring the GPU is connected across both rails (if the PSU allows) would avoid this.

Answer

The PSU will automatically combine the rails to provide 40A to the GPU.

Answer

The PSU will deliver stable power as long as the total wattage is sufficient.

Answer

The GPU will automatically draw power from both rails equally.

Question 12

A small business has several PCs that intermittently reboot or fail to start. The building's electrical system is old, and the technician suspects power quality issues. Which device should the technician recommend installing to protect the computers?

Accepted Answer

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS).. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides battery backup and voltage regulation, protecting against surges, sags, and brownouts that can cause reboots or failures. A surge protector only guards against spikes, not low-voltage conditions. A UPS is the appropriate solution for unstable power.

Answer

A power strip with a surge protector.

Answer

A line conditioner (voltage regulator).

Answer

A dedicated circuit from the breaker panel.

Question 13

A technician is upgrading a server's power supply to support additional drives. The current PSU is a 750W unit with a single +12V rail rated at 62A. The new drives will add 5A to the +12V load. The total calculated +12V load is 58A. Is the current PSU adequate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because 58A is less than 62A, so it is within specifications.. The PSU's +12V rail is rated for 62A, and the total load after adding drives is 58A, which is within the rating. However, it is good practice to leave headroom (typically 10-20%) to avoid running the PSU at maximum capacity, which can reduce efficiency and lifespan. In this case, the PSU is technically adequate but marginal.

Answer

No, because the PSU should not be loaded above 80% of its rating.

Answer

No, because the total wattage of 750W is insufficient for the new drives.

Answer

Yes, but only if the PSU is 80 Plus Gold certified or higher.

Question 14

A technician is troubleshooting a PC that shuts down randomly after a few minutes of use. The technician measures the +12V rail with a multimeter and gets 11.2V. The +5V rail reads 4.9V, and the +3.3V rail reads 3.2V. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

The power supply is failing and needs replacement.. The +12V rail is significantly below the ATX specification of ±5% (11.4V minimum), indicating a failing power supply. The other rails are within tolerance but the +12V is critical for CPU and GPU power. A failing PSU can cause random shutdowns as voltage drops under load. Replacement is necessary.

Answer

The motherboard voltage regulator is failing.

Answer

The system is drawing too much current, causing voltage drop.

Answer

The AC input voltage is too low.

Question 15

A technician is selecting a power supply for a workstation that will run 24/7 in a dusty environment. The PSU will be installed in a case with limited airflow. Which PSU feature is most important to prioritize for long-term reliability in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

A fan with a fluid dynamic bearing and a dust filter.. In dusty environments with limited airflow, a PSU with a high-quality, sealed bearing fan (e.g., fluid dynamic bearing) and a dust-resistant design (e.g., honeycomb grill, dust filters) is critical. Additionally, a higher efficiency rating (e.g., 80 Plus Gold or better) reduces heat output, easing thermal stress. The most important single feature is the fan's reliability and the PSU's ability to handle particulate ingress.

Answer

A high total wattage rating to ensure headroom.

Answer

A modular cable design for easier cable management.

Answer

An 80 Plus Bronze efficiency rating.