220-1201 Connectors — 20 Questions

Question 1

A technician is setting up a dual-monitor workstation for a financial analyst. The PC has one HDMI port and one DisplayPort. The monitors have HDMI and DVI inputs, respectively. Which cable combination will allow both monitors to display?

Accepted Answer

HDMI to HDMI and DisplayPort to DVI (with adapter). The correct answer is D because HDMI to HDMI connects the first monitor, and DisplayPort to DVI (or HDMI) connects the second, using an adapter if needed. This tests understanding of common video connector conversions and that DisplayPort can drive DVI or HDMI with a passive adapter.

Answer

HDMI to DVI and DisplayPort to HDMI

Answer

Two HDMI cables, using a splitter

Answer

DisplayPort to HDMI and VGA to DVI

Question 2

A customer reports that their new external SSD, which uses a USB-C connector, is not being detected by their Windows laptop. The laptop has USB-C ports that support USB 3.2 Gen 2. The SSD works fine on another computer. Which connector-related issue is most likely the cause?

Accepted Answer

The laptop's USB-C port does not support the USB 3.2 Gen 2 protocol.. The correct answer is D because USB-C ports can support different protocols (USB 3.x, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort), and if the laptop's USB-C port does not support the USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard required by the SSD, the device may not be detected. This tests understanding that USB-C is a physical connector shape, not a guarantee of a specific protocol or speed.

Answer

The SSD uses a USB-A to USB-C cable, which is incompatible.

Answer

The laptop's USB-C port is damaged and needs replacement.

Answer

The SSD requires a Thunderbolt 3 connection, which the laptop lacks.

Question 3

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop PC that will not boot. The motherboard has a 24-pin ATX power connector and a 4-pin CPU power connector. The power supply has a 20+4 pin main connector and an 8-pin CPU connector. What is the correct way to connect the power supply?

Accepted Answer

Use the 20+4 pin connector as a 24-pin, and split the 8-pin CPU connector into a 4+4 pin to use only 4 pins.. The correct answer is A because the 20+4 pin connector can be used as a 24-pin by combining the 20-pin and 4-pin sections, and the 8-pin CPU connector can be split into a 4+4 pin to fit the 4-pin CPU power header. This tests understanding of modular power supply connectors and their flexibility.

Answer

Connect the 20-pin portion only and leave the 4-pin unconnected; use the 8-pin CPU connector as is.

Answer

Use the 20+4 pin as a 24-pin, and connect the 8-pin CPU connector to the 4-pin header by forcing it.

Answer

Replace the power supply with one that has a dedicated 24-pin and 4-pin connector.

Question 4

A technician is upgrading a server's storage and needs to connect multiple SATA SSDs. The motherboard has only four SATA ports, but the technician needs to connect six drives. Which connector solution should be used?

Accepted Answer

Install a PCIe SATA controller card with extra ports.. The correct answer is B because a SATA expansion card adds additional SATA ports via a PCIe slot, allowing more drives to be connected. This tests knowledge of expansion cards and SATA controller limitations.

Answer

Use a Y-splitter cable on one SATA port to connect two drives.

Answer

Use eSATA to SATA adapters on the external ports.

Answer

Replace the motherboard with one that has six SATA ports.

Question 5

A user reports that their USB 3.0 external hard drive is transferring data at very slow speeds, around 30 MB/s, when connected to a front-panel USB port. The same drive works at expected speeds (over 100 MB/s) on a rear USB port. Which connector-related issue is most likely?

Accepted Answer

The front-panel USB port is only USB 2.0, limiting speed.. The correct answer is A because front-panel USB ports are often connected via internal headers that may only support USB 2.0 speeds, especially in older cases. This tests understanding that USB 3.0 requires a blue port and proper internal cabling for full speed.

Answer

The USB cable is damaged and needs replacement.

Answer

The external hard drive is not compatible with USB 3.0.

Answer

The front-panel USB port is not receiving enough power.

Question 6

A user complains that their external monitor flickers intermittently when connected via a VGA cable to their laptop. The laptop has a VGA port, and the monitor works fine with another computer. Which connector-related issue is most likely?

Accepted Answer

A bent pin inside the VGA connector is causing poor contact.. The correct answer is C because VGA connectors have pins that can bend or become loose over time, causing intermittent signal loss. This tests knowledge that VGA is an analog connector susceptible to physical damage and signal degradation.

Answer

The monitor's resolution is set too high for the VGA cable.

Answer

The laptop's VGA port is not providing enough power.

Answer

The VGA cable is not compatible with the laptop's graphics card.

Question 7

A user reports that their new Thunderbolt 4 external GPU (eGPU) is not recognized by their laptop, which has a Thunderbolt 4 port. The eGPU works on another laptop. Which connector-related issue is most likely?

Accepted Answer

The cable used is a passive USB-C cable, not an active Thunderbolt 4 cable.. The correct answer is B because Thunderbolt 4 requires an active cable for full functionality, and a passive USB-C cable may not carry the PCIe signal needed for eGPU operation. This tests understanding of Thunderbolt cable requirements and the difference between passive and active cables.

Answer

The laptop's Thunderbolt 4 port is disabled in BIOS.

Answer

The eGPU requires a Thunderbolt 3 port, not Thunderbolt 4.

Answer

The laptop's Thunderbolt 4 port is not providing enough power.

Question 8

A user is setting up a new monitor that uses a DisplayPort connection, but their desktop PC only has an HDMI port. They have an adapter. Which adapter type will allow the monitor to display correctly?

Accepted Answer

HDMI to DisplayPort adapter. The correct answer is B because DisplayPort and HDMI are both digital video standards, and a passive adapter can convert between them without signal loss. This tests knowledge that DisplayPort and HDMI are electrically compatible for video, unlike VGA (analog) or USB-C (which may require active conversion).

Answer

HDMI to VGA adapter

Answer

DisplayPort to USB-C adapter

Answer

DVI to HDMI adapter

Question 9

A user wants to connect a laptop to a 4K projector for a presentation. The laptop has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, and the projector has an HDMI input. Which cable or adapter is required?

Accepted Answer

USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable. The correct answer is C because USB-C to HDMI cables or adapters are designed for this exact scenario when the USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. This tests understanding of USB-C Alt Mode and the need for compatible cables.

Answer

USB-C to USB-C cable

Answer

HDMI to HDMI cable

Answer

DisplayPort to HDMI cable

Question 10

A technician is installing a new graphics card in a desktop PC. The card requires two 8-pin PCIe power connectors, but the power supply only has one 8-pin and one 6-pin connector. What is the best solution to power the card?

Accepted Answer

Use a 6+2 pin PCIe power cable on the 6-pin connector.. The correct answer is A because a 6+2 pin PCIe power cable can be used to convert the 6-pin connector into an 8-pin by attaching the additional 2 pins. This tests understanding of modular power supply cables and PCIe power connector compatibility.

Answer

Use a Molex to 8-pin adapter on one of the connectors.

Answer

Plug the 6-pin connector into the 8-pin slot; it will work with reduced power.

Answer

Replace the power supply with one that has two 8-pin connectors.

Question 11

A technician is setting up a conference room and needs to connect a laptop to a projector that only has a VGA input. The laptop has an HDMI output. Which adapter should the technician use?

Accepted Answer

HDMI to VGA adapter. HDMI to VGA adapters are common for connecting modern laptops to older projectors. VGA is an analog signal, so the adapter must be active to convert digital HDMI to analog VGA. This question tests knowledge of legacy connector compatibility.

Answer

HDMI to DVI adapter

Answer

USB-C to VGA adapter

Answer

DisplayPort to VGA adapter

Question 12

A user reports that their USB 3.0 external SSD is only achieving USB 2.0 speeds when connected to a front panel port. The technician checks the motherboard and finds the front panel header is connected to a USB 3.0 header. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the slow speed?

Accepted Answer

The front panel USB cable is damaged or not fully seated. A damaged or poorly connected front panel USB cable can cause the port to fall back to USB 2.0 speeds. The motherboard header is correct, so the issue is likely with the cable or connection. This tests advanced troubleshooting of USB 3.0 connectivity.

Answer

The SSD is formatted with FAT32

Answer

The motherboard BIOS needs updating

Answer

The SSD is connected via a USB 2.0 hub

Question 13

A user reports that their new monitor, which uses a DisplayPort connection, shows no signal. The technician finds the monitor is connected to the PC's HDMI port via a passive adapter. What is the most likely issue?

Accepted Answer

The passive adapter cannot convert HDMI to DisplayPort. Passive DisplayPort to HDMI adapters often require an active adapter to convert the signal properly, especially if the source only outputs HDMI. This tests understanding of signal conversion and adapter types. The monitor's DisplayPort input needs a compatible signal from the PC's HDMI output.

Answer

The HDMI cable is faulty

Answer

The monitor is set to the wrong input source

Answer

The graphics driver is outdated

Question 14

A technician is tasked with connecting a legacy printer that uses a parallel port to a modern laptop that only has USB ports. Which adapter is required to make this connection work?

Accepted Answer

USB to parallel adapter. A USB to parallel adapter allows a modern laptop to communicate with a legacy parallel printer. This requires an active adapter that converts USB signals to parallel. This tests knowledge of legacy connector adaptation and the need for active conversion.

Answer

USB to serial adapter

Answer

USB to PS/2 adapter

Answer

USB to VGA adapter

Question 15

A technician is installing a new graphics card that requires additional power. The PSU has a 6+2 pin PCIe power connector. The graphics card has an 8-pin power input. How should the technician connect the power?

Accepted Answer

Attach the 2-pin portion to the 6-pin to make an 8-pin connector. The 6+2 pin PCIe connector is designed to be used as either a 6-pin or 8-pin by attaching the extra 2-pin section. This tests understanding of modular PSU connectors. Incorrect use of other connectors could damage the card.

Answer

Connect only the 6-pin portion

Answer

Use a Molex to 8-pin adapter

Answer

Connect a SATA power cable to the card

Question 16

A technician is replacing a failed hard drive in a server. The new drive has a SATA III connector, but the server's backplane only supports SATA II. What will be the result of using this drive?

Accepted Answer

The drive will operate at SATA II speeds. SATA III is backward compatible with SATA II, so the drive will work but at SATA II speeds (3 Gbps). This tests knowledge of SATA generation compatibility and performance limitations. The drive will not be damaged but will not achieve its maximum speed.

Answer

The drive will not be recognized

Answer

The drive will operate at SATA III speeds

Answer

The drive will be damaged

Question 17

A technician needs to connect a new router to a cable modem using an Ethernet cable. The modem has an RJ45 port, and the router has an RJ45 WAN port. Which cable type should be used for this connection?

Accepted Answer

Straight-through cable. A straight-through Ethernet cable is used to connect different device types, such as a modem to a router. Crossover cables are for connecting similar devices like two computers. This tests knowledge of Ethernet cable standards and their applications.

Answer

Rollover cable

Answer

Crossover cable

Answer

Fiber optic cable

Question 18

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop PC that will not power on. The power supply unit (PSU) has a 24-pin main connector and a 4+4 pin CPU connector. The motherboard has a 24-pin ATX connector and an 8-pin EPS connector. How should the technician connect the CPU power?

Accepted Answer

Combine the 4+4 pin into an 8-pin EPS connector. The 4+4 pin CPU connector can be used as an 8-pin EPS connector by combining the two halves, which is standard for modern motherboards. This tests knowledge of PSU connector configurations and motherboard compatibility. Incorrectly using a 6+2 pin PCIe connector could damage components.

Answer

Connect the 4+4 pin as a 4-pin connector only

Answer

Use a 6+2 pin PCIe power connector

Answer

Leave the CPU power unconnected

Question 19

A user complains that their external monitor flickers intermittently. The monitor is connected via a DVI cable to a graphics card that has both DVI-I and DVI-D ports. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the flickering?

Accepted Answer

The DVI cable is loose or damaged. A loose or damaged DVI cable is a common cause of intermittent flickering, as poor contact can disrupt the signal. DVI-I and DVI-D are compatible, so port type is less likely the issue. This tests troubleshooting skills for display connection problems.

Answer

The graphics card driver is outdated

Answer

The monitor's refresh rate is set too high

Answer

The DVI port is incompatible with the cable

Question 20

A customer says their external hard drive is not recognized by their laptop. The drive uses a USB-C connector and the laptop has both USB-A and USB-C ports. Which connector type should be used to ensure the fastest possible data transfer?

Accepted Answer

USB-C to USB-C cable. USB-C supports faster data transfer rates (up to 10 Gbps or more) compared to USB-A's typical 5 Gbps, and it is the correct connector for the drive. Using a USB-A port would require an adapter and may limit speed. This question tests knowledge of USB connector generations and their performance capabilities.

Answer

USB-A to USB-B cable

Answer

USB-A to USB-C adapter

Answer

Micro-USB to USB-C cable