220-1201 Mobile Device Hardware Servicing Practice Test 2 — 15 Questions

Question 1

A technician is servicing a smartphone with a non-functional earpiece speaker during calls, but the loudspeaker works fine. After testing, the earpiece speaker itself is determined to be good. Which component is most likely faulty?

Accepted Answer

The mainboard audio IC (codec).. This question tests understanding of audio routing in mobile devices. The audio IC or codec manages which speaker is used. If the earpiece speaker is good but doesn't work, the audio IC may be damaged, or the connection traces are broken. The loudspeaker working suggests the audio path for that output is intact.

Answer

The charging port flex cable.

Answer

The SIM card slot.

Answer

The battery connector.

Question 2

A user complains that their smartphone's battery drains quickly even when idle. You run diagnostics and find the battery health is at 82%. The device is two years old. Which hardware servicing action is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Replace the battery with a new OEM battery.. This question tests battery replacement thresholds. A battery health below 80-85% often indicates significant degradation, causing poor runtime. Replacing the battery restores normal battery life. Software optimization may help but is secondary to hardware replacement.

Answer

Calibrate the battery by fully draining and recharging.

Answer

Update the operating system to the latest version.

Answer

Disable all background apps and notifications.

Question 3

A customer brings in a smartphone with a cracked glass digitizer that still responds to touch, but the LCD underneath is intact. They want the cheapest repair that restores full functionality. Which component should you replace?

Accepted Answer

Replace only the digitizer.. This question tests knowledge of mobile device component layers and repair options. The digitizer is the touch-sensitive layer; if it's cracked but the LCD is fine, replacing just the digitizer is the most cost-effective solution. Replacing the entire screen assembly would be more expensive and unnecessary.

Answer

Replace the entire screen assembly (LCD + digitizer).

Answer

Replace only the LCD panel.

Answer

Apply a glass screen protector and ignore the crack.

Question 4

You are deploying 50 tablets for a school and need to secure them in kiosk mode so students can only access a specific learning app. Which hardware servicing step is essential before configuring the software?

Accepted Answer

Charge each tablet to at least 50% and apply all system updates.. This question tests understanding of device preparation for deployment. Before any software configuration, you must ensure the device has a full charge and is updated to avoid interruptions. Kiosk mode is set via software after the device is ready.

Answer

Install a screen protector on each tablet.

Answer

Remove the SIM card from each tablet.

Answer

Replace the stock ROM with a custom firmware.

Question 5

A laptop's built-in webcam is not recognized by any application. You have checked Device Manager and the camera is not listed. The webcam ribbon cable appears intact. Which component should you suspect next?

Accepted Answer

The webcam module or motherboard USB controller has failed.. This question tests knowledge of internal USB device enumeration. The webcam is typically connected via an internal USB header on the motherboard. If the camera is not detected at all, the motherboard's USB controller or the camera module itself may be faulty. A loose cable would cause intermittent detection, but the cable is intact.

Answer

The webcam driver is outdated.

Answer

The laptop's BIOS has the webcam disabled.

Answer

The operating system needs to be reinstalled.

Question 6

A user reports that their smartphone's charging port is loose and the cable falls out easily, making it difficult to charge. The technician inspects the port and sees no visible debris. What is the most likely cause and the appropriate repair?

Accepted Answer

The charging port has worn-out pins; replace the charging port assembly.. A loose charging port is typically caused by worn or bent internal pins from repeated plugging and unplugging. The correct repair is to replace the charging port assembly, as the pins cannot be individually repaired. Cleaning would not help if the pins are physically damaged.

Answer

The charging cable is defective; replace the cable.

Answer

Use compressed air to blow out the port.

Answer

Apply a small amount of super glue to the port to tighten it.

Question 7

A technician is tasked with upgrading the RAM in an all-in-one (AIO) desktop. The AIO has a sealed back cover with several screws. After removing the screws, the cover still does not come off. What should the technician do next?

Accepted Answer

Use a plastic spudger to gently pry the cover along the seam to release clips.. Many AIO designs use plastic clips in addition to screws to secure the back cover. The technician should carefully pry along the seam with a plastic spudger to release the clips without damaging the casing. Forcing the cover can crack the plastic.

Answer

Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the cover off forcefully.

Answer

Check if there are hidden screws under rubber feet or stickers.

Answer

Apply heat to the back cover to soften any adhesive.

Question 8

A technician is replacing the display assembly on a laptop. After installing the new display, the laptop powers on but the screen remains black. The technician has verified the display cable is fully seated at both ends. What should the technician check next to diagnose the issue?

Accepted Answer

Check the backlight voltage or inverter board (if applicable).. The technician should check the inverter or backlight circuit if the laptop uses a CCFL backlight, or the LED backlight voltage on newer models. A black screen with power on often indicates a backlight failure, not a complete display failure. The technician can shine a bright light at the screen to see if there is a faint image, confirming the backlight is the issue.

Answer

Replace the LCD panel again, assuming the new one is defective.

Answer

Update the graphics driver from the Windows Recovery Environment.

Answer

Reseat the RAM modules to ensure proper boot.

Question 9

A customer reports that after a recent fall, their smartphone's screen is completely black, but the device still vibrates when calls come in. The technician suspects the display cable is loose. What is the correct sequence of steps to access and reseat the display cable?

Accepted Answer

Remove the back cover, disconnect the battery, then reseat the display cable.. To access the display cable, the technician must first remove the back cover, then the battery (if not integrated), and disconnect the display cable from the motherboard. This sequence ensures safe access without risking a short circuit from a live battery. The display cable is typically a thin ribbon cable near the motherboard.

Answer

Remove the battery first, then the back cover, and reseat the display cable.

Answer

Reseat the display cable by inserting a spudger through the charging port.

Answer

Perform a factory reset to rule out software issues.

Question 10

A customer complains that their laptop battery no longer holds a charge and the laptop only works when plugged in. The technician confirms the battery is removable. What is the most appropriate first step in servicing this issue?

Accepted Answer

Power off the laptop and remove the battery.. The correct first step is to power off the laptop and remove the battery. This ensures safety and prevents electrical shorts or damage during replacement. After removal, the technician can install a new battery.

Answer

Update the battery driver in Device Manager.

Answer

Run a battery calibration utility from the manufacturer.

Answer

Replace the AC adapter to see if the charging circuit is faulty.

Question 11

A user brings in a smartphone with a cracked screen that is still responsive to touch. The device is an older model, and the user wants the screen replaced rather than buying a new phone. After powering off the device and removing the SIM and SD cards, what is the next step in the screen replacement process?

Accepted Answer

Apply heat to the edges of the screen to soften the adhesive.. The correct first step after powering off and removing removable components is to carefully heat the edges of the screen to soften the adhesive that holds it in place. This prevents cracking the glass further or damaging the frame. Attempting to pry the screen off cold can cause additional damage.

Answer

Use a spudger to pry the screen off starting from the bottom.

Answer

Remove the battery using a plastic pry tool.

Answer

Insert a guitar pick under the screen to separate it from the frame.

Question 12

During a laptop keyboard replacement, a technician accidentally dislodges a small ribbon cable from the touchpad connector. The touchpad is now unresponsive. The technician has never worked on this model before. What is the best course of action to resolve the issue?

Accepted Answer

Consult the service manual to identify the correct connector and reseat the cable.. The technician should consult the device's service manual to locate the correct connector and properly reseat the ribbon cable. This ensures the cable is aligned and locked in place, restoring touchpad functionality. Guessing or forcing the cable can damage the connector.

Answer

Use tweezers to gently push the ribbon cable into any nearby empty connector.

Answer

Reboot the laptop to see if the touchpad driver reloads.

Answer

Replace the entire keyboard assembly since the touchpad cable is likely broken.

Question 13

A technician is replacing a cracked screen on a tablet. After removing the digitizer and LCD assembly, they notice the home button flex cable is torn. The tablet still has a physical home button. What should the technician do to ensure the repair is complete and the home button functions?

Accepted Answer

Replace the home button flex cable with a new one.. The torn flex cable must be replaced because it is essential for the home button to communicate with the motherboard. Simply reconnecting a torn cable will not restore function. The technician should order a replacement home button flex cable and install it.

Answer

Solder the torn ends of the flex cable together.

Answer

Use electrical tape to hold the torn cable together.

Answer

Ignore the tear and reassemble the tablet.

Question 14

A technician is replacing the battery in a slim laptop where the battery is glued inside the chassis. After removing the bottom cover, the technician sees the battery is firmly attached with adhesive. What is the safest method to remove the battery without damaging the laptop?

Accepted Answer

Apply isopropyl alcohol around the battery edges to weaken the adhesive, then gently pry with a plastic spudger.. The safest method is to apply isopropyl alcohol along the edges of the battery to dissolve the adhesive, then gently pry with a plastic spudger. This minimizes the risk of puncturing the battery, which could cause a fire or chemical leak. Using metal tools or excessive force is dangerous.

Answer

Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the battery out forcefully.

Answer

Heat the battery with a heat gun to soften the adhesive.

Answer

Use a suction cup to pull the battery straight up.

Question 15

A technician is servicing a tablet that will not power on. The technician has confirmed the battery is charged by testing it with a multimeter (voltage within spec). The power button feels normal when pressed. What is the most likely hardware component that has failed, and how should it be addressed?

Accepted Answer

Reseat or replace the power button flex cable.. If the battery is charged and the power button is functional, the most likely cause is a faulty power button flex cable or a loose connection. The technician should open the tablet, locate the power button flex cable, and reseat or replace it. This cable can wear out or become disconnected over time.

Answer

Replace the LCD screen assembly.

Answer

Replace the motherboard.

Answer

Perform a hard reset by holding the power and volume buttons for 30 seconds.