220-1201 Practice Exam 52 — 20 Questions

Question 1

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?

Choose an answer to begin — your selection is scored in the full session.

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 2

A customer reports that their laser printer is producing pages with faint, streaky text and occasional blank spots. The toner cartridge is new, and the printer's maintenance kit was replaced last month. Which component should be inspected next?

Accepted Answer

Imaging drum. Faint, streaky text and blank spots on a laser printer with a new toner cartridge and recent maintenance kit replacement typically point to the imaging drum. The drum transfers toner to the paper; if it is worn or damaged, it cannot hold a proper charge, causing these symptoms. The fuser assembly would cause smudging or toner not fused, the transfer roller would cause misalignment or poor transfer, and the pickup rollers would cause paper jams or misfeeds.

Answer

Fuser assembly

Answer

Transfer roller

Answer

Pickup rollers

Question 3

A technician is setting up a new network printer in a conference room. The printer has an RJ45 port for wired networking, but the only available wall jack is labeled with a different room number. The technician needs to connect the printer to the network. What is the best approach?

Accepted Answer

Use a tone generator and probe to trace the wall jack to the patch panel. The wall jack may be connected to a different network drop. The technician should use a tone generator and probe to identify which port on the patch panel corresponds to that wall jack, ensuring correct connectivity.

Answer

Connect the printer directly to the router using a long Ethernet cable

Answer

Assume the jack is functional and connect the printer

Answer

Use a WiFi adapter for the printer instead

Question 4

A technician is tasked with connecting a legacy projector that only has a VGA input to a modern laptop that has only HDMI and USB-C outputs. Which adapter should the technician use?

Accepted Answer

HDMI to VGA active adapter. Since VGA is analog and HDMI is digital, an active converter is needed. A USB-C to VGA adapter can work if the laptop supports video over USB-C, but an HDMI to VGA adapter is also an option if the laptop has HDMI. The best answer is an HDMI to VGA active adapter, as it directly converts the digital signal to analog.

Answer

USB-C to VGA passive adapter

Answer

VGA to HDMI cable

Answer

USB-C to HDMI adapter

Question 5

A technician is installing a new server in a data center and needs to connect it to a 10GbE switch. The server has an SFP+ port, and the switch also has SFP+ ports. The technician has a selection of cables: Cat6a, Cat7, multimode fiber with LC connectors, and single-mode fiber with SC connectors. Which cable should the technician use?

Accepted Answer

Multimode fiber patch cable with LC connectors.. This question tests knowledge of 10GbE connectivity options. The correct answer is multimode fiber with LC connectors, as SFP+ ports typically use fiber or DAC cables, and multimode fiber with LC is common for short-range 10GbE in data centers.

Answer

Cat6a cable with RJ45 connectors.

Answer

Cat7 cable with RJ45 connectors.

Answer

Single-mode fiber patch cable with SC connectors.

Question 6

A technician is installing a new VoIP phone for a user. The user's desk already has a Cat6 wall jack, but the phone requires both network connectivity and a separate power source. The technician has a limited number of power outlets nearby. What is the simplest solution?

Accepted Answer

Use a Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector between the wall jack and the phone.. This question tests knowledge of Power over Ethernet (PoE) as a cabling-related concept. The correct answer is to use a PoE switch or injector, which sends power over the Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for a separate power adapter.

Answer

Run a new power extension cord from the nearest outlet.

Answer

Replace the Cat6 cable with a USB-C cable for power.

Answer

Install a wireless bridge to eliminate the cable.

Question 7

A user reports that they cannot access a cloud-based CRM application from their office, but they can access it from home. The technician checks the office firewall and finds that outbound HTTPS traffic is allowed. What should the technician investigate next?

Accepted Answer

DNS resolution for the CRM's domain. If outbound HTTPS is allowed, the issue may be with DNS resolution, which can be blocked or misconfigured by the office network. The CRM's domain name might not resolve correctly, preventing the connection. The technician should test DNS resolution for the CRM's URL.

Answer

The user's browser cache

Answer

The cloud provider's service status

Answer

The user's account permissions

Question 8

A technician is upgrading a client's laptop from 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM. After installing the new module, the laptop powers on but the screen remains black, and the system emits a series of short beeps. What is the most likely issue?

Accepted Answer

The RAM module is not fully seated in the slot.. A series of short beeps on a laptop usually indicates a memory failure, such as incompatible or improperly seated RAM. The most common cause is that the new RAM module is not fully inserted into the slot, causing a poor connection. The technician should reseat the module firmly until it clicks into place.

Answer

The new RAM module is incompatible with the laptop's chipset.

Answer

The laptop's battery is dead.

Answer

The RAM is installed in the wrong orientation.

Question 9

A technician is building a new workstation for a video editor who needs to run memory-intensive applications. The motherboard supports DDR4 RAM and has four DIMM slots. The editor wants 32 GB of RAM. Which configuration should the technician choose for optimal performance?

Accepted Answer

Two 16 GB sticks of RAM.. Using dual-channel memory (two matched sticks) provides a performance boost over a single stick because it allows the memory controller to access both modules simultaneously. For 32 GB, two 16 GB sticks are the best balance of performance and capacity.

Answer

One 32 GB stick of RAM.

Answer

Four 8 GB sticks of RAM.

Answer

One 16 GB stick and two 8 GB sticks.

Question 10

A technician is replacing a failed motherboard in a desktop PC. The original motherboard had an LGA1151 socket. The replacement motherboard has an LGA1200 socket. The technician attempts to install the original CPU but finds it does not fit. What is the most likely reason?

Accepted Answer

The CPU has a different number of pins. LGA sockets are keyed for specific generations of CPUs. LGA1151 is used for 6th/7th/8th/9th gen Intel, while LGA1200 is for 10th/11th gen. The physical pin count and keying are different, so a CPU designed for LGA1151 cannot be inserted into an LGA1200 socket. The chipset is irrelevant to physical fit, and the power connector is unrelated.

Answer

The CPU is incompatible with the new motherboard's chipset

Answer

The power supply connector is different

Answer

The CPU is an AMD processor

Question 11

A technician is upgrading a workstation by adding a second high-end GPU. The current power supply has a single +12V rail rated at 40A and two 6+2 pin PCIe power cables. What is the most important factor to check before proceeding?

Accepted Answer

The total power draw of the system does not exceed the PSU's +12V rail capacity.. The +12V rail's current rating determines how much power it can deliver to GPUs and CPU. A single rail at 40A provides 480W, which may be insufficient for two high-end GPUs. The technician must verify total system power draw against the PSU's capacity.

Answer

Whether the motherboard has enough SATA power connectors.

Answer

The physical clearance inside the case for the second GPU.

Answer

The operating system supports dual GPUs.

Question 12

A user reports that their computer will not boot and the motherboard's diagnostic LEDs show a CPU error. You reseat the CPU and check for bent pins, but the error persists. Which of the following should you check next?

Accepted Answer

The CPU power cable is not fully connected. A CPU error LED can indicate several issues, including power delivery problems. The 8-pin CPU power connector is often overlooked; if it is loose or not connected, the CPU will not receive power, triggering the error. This is a common mistake during builds or after cleaning.

Answer

The RAM modules are in the correct slots

Answer

The motherboard's BIOS is corrupted

Answer

The CPU cooler is installed incorrectly

Question 13

A technician is configuring a new workstation and needs to ensure the system can address more than 4 GB of RAM. The motherboard supports 16 GB of DDR4 memory. Which UEFI setting must be verified to ensure the OS can use all installed memory?

Accepted Answer

Enable the 'Memory Remap' feature in the UEFI.. For systems with more than 4 GB of RAM, the OS must be 64-bit, and the firmware must have memory remapping enabled. This feature allows the UEFI to reassign memory addresses previously reserved for PCI devices, making the full RAM capacity available to the OS.

Answer

Set the boot mode to Legacy BIOS instead of UEFI.

Answer

Disable the integrated graphics in the UEFI.

Answer

Change the SATA mode from AHCI to RAID.

Question 14

A technician is troubleshooting a VM that cannot connect to the internet. The host has a single NIC and uses a Type 2 hypervisor. The VM's virtual switch is set to 'NAT'. Other VMs on the same host can access the internet. What is the most likely reason for the connectivity issue?

Accepted Answer

The VM's IP address is configured as static and does not match the NAT subnet. NAT mode typically works for internet access, but if other VMs are working, the problem is likely within the VM's network configuration. A misconfigured IP address or gateway can prevent connectivity even when the virtual switch is correct.

Answer

The virtual switch is set to 'Internal'

Answer

The host's firewall is blocking all outbound traffic

Answer

The hypervisor needs to be reinstalled

Question 15

A technician is setting up a new multifunction printer for a department. The device supports duplex printing, but the driver installation wizard does not show the duplex option. Users need to print on both sides of the paper. What should the technician do first?

Accepted Answer

Check if the duplex unit is installed and properly connected.. The duplex unit is often a separate accessory that must be physically installed and enabled in the driver. The most logical first step is to verify the hardware is present and properly connected, as the driver may not detect it automatically.

Answer

Update the printer firmware to the latest version.

Answer

Reinstall the printer driver using the manufacturer's full driver package.

Answer

Configure the duplex setting in the printer's web interface.

Question 16

A technician is troubleshooting an impact printer that is producing faint characters on multipart forms. The ribbon is new, and the print head is clean. The forms are properly aligned. Which adjustment should be made?

Accepted Answer

Adjust the platen gap to bring the print head closer to the paper. Faint characters on multipart forms with a new ribbon and clean print head indicate insufficient impact force. Impact printers have a platen gap adjustment that controls the distance between the print head and the platen. If the gap is too wide, the pins cannot strike through all layers effectively.

Answer

Increase the print head temperature

Answer

Replace the platen

Answer

Change the paper thickness setting to a thicker setting

Question 17

A customer brings in a laptop that will not charge. The technician checks the AC adapter with a multimeter and gets 19V output. When the adapter is plugged into the laptop, the charging LED does not illuminate. What should the technician check next?

Accepted Answer

Test the DC jack for continuity. Since the AC adapter is outputting correct voltage, the issue is likely in the power delivery path. The DC jack is a common failure point due to mechanical stress or broken solder joints. Testing continuity at the jack is a logical next step.

Answer

Replace the laptop's battery

Answer

Update the laptop's BIOS

Answer

Replace the AC adapter with a universal one

Question 18

A user’s laptop is connected to a Wi-Fi network with a strong signal, but the user cannot access any network resources. The IP configuration shows an address of 192.168.1.50 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 and a default gateway of 192.168.1.1. The technician pings the gateway successfully. What should the technician check next?

Accepted Answer

Check the DNS server settings on the laptop.. Since the gateway is reachable, the issue is likely beyond the local network. DNS is the most common cause of being unable to access resources by name when basic connectivity exists. Checking DNS resolution is the logical next step.

Answer

Replace the Wi-Fi adapter.

Answer

Verify the SSID is correct.

Answer

Disable the firewall temporarily.

Question 19

A user complains that their laptop's built-in webcam is not working in video conferencing apps. The device manager shows the camera as 'disabled'. The technician enables it, but the camera still shows a black screen in apps. What should the technician do next?

Accepted Answer

Check for a physical privacy shutter on the webcam and verify Windows camera privacy settings. Even if the camera is enabled in Device Manager, the privacy shutter or a privacy setting in the OS (like Windows Camera privacy settings) can block the camera. Checking the physical shutter and OS privacy settings is the logical next step.

Answer

Uninstall and reinstall the camera driver

Answer

Replace the webcam module

Answer

Update the laptop's BIOS

Question 20

A technician is upgrading a client's older PC from 8 GB to 16 GB of DDR3 RAM. After installing the new modules, the system boots but only recognizes 8 GB in the BIOS and Windows. The technician has tried reseating the RAM and swapping slots. What should the technician check next?

Accepted Answer

Check if the motherboard supports 16 GB of RAM.. Since the BIOS also reports only 8 GB, the issue is hardware-related, not an OS limitation. The most likely cause is that the motherboard or CPU does not support 16 GB of RAM. The technician should check the system's maximum supported RAM and the compatibility of the new modules.

Answer

Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version.

Answer

Verify that the operating system is 64-bit.

Answer

Test each RAM module individually in a known working system.