220-1201 Practice Exam 54 — 20 Questions

Question 1

A company's network uses a 10.0.0.0/8 private IP scheme. A remote user connects via VPN and gets an IP of 172.16.0.5. They can access the internet but cannot reach internal servers at 10.1.1.50. What is the most likely cause?

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

Accepted Answer

The VPN client is using split tunneling and no route to 10.0.0.0/8 is defined.. The VPN client receives a different subnet (172.16.0.0) than the internal network (10.0.0.0). This is a routing issue—the VPN client's traffic to the internal network may not be routed correctly, or split tunneling is misconfigured. The most common fix is to ensure the VPN routes include the internal subnet.

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The internal server's firewall is blocking the VPN IP range.

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The VPN server's DHCP scope is exhausted.

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The user's DNS server is set to a public DNS like 8.8.8.8.

Question 2

A technician is installing a new network-connected laser printer in a conference room. After connecting the Ethernet cable and power, the printer's control panel shows an IP address of 169.254.3.18. What is the most likely issue?

Accepted Answer

The printer's Ethernet cable is faulty or not connected properly.. An IP address starting with 169.254 indicates the printer failed to obtain an address from a DHCP server and assigned itself an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address. The network connection or DHCP server should be checked.

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The printer is configured with a static IP address.

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The printer's toner cartridge is empty.

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The printer's firmware needs to be updated.

Question 3

A user reports that their inkjet printer produces output with horizontal white lines through text and images. The printer has been used heavily for months without maintenance. What should you do to resolve this issue?

Accepted Answer

Run the printer's printhead cleaning cycle. Horizontal white lines on inkjet output indicate clogged printhead nozzles. Over time, dried ink can block nozzles, preventing ink from being deposited. Running a printhead cleaning cycle uses the printer's built-in routine to clear clogs. If that fails, a manual cleaning or replacement may be needed.

Answer

Replace the fuser assembly

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Perform a printhead alignment

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Replace the pickup rollers

Question 4

After replacing a CPU in a desktop, the system powers on but shows a black screen with no POST. The old CPU worked fine. Which BIOS-related step should be taken first?

Accepted Answer

Update the BIOS to a version that supports the new CPU. Many motherboards require a BIOS update to support newer CPU microcode. Without it, the system cannot initialize the CPU. This question tests knowledge of CPU compatibility and the role of firmware updates in hardware support.

Answer

Reset the CMOS by removing the battery

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Check the CPU power cable connection

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Enable legacy boot mode

Question 5

A user complains that their computer boots slowly and shows a 'Press F1 to continue' message every time. The firmware settings appear to have lost their configuration. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The CMOS battery is failing. A failing or depleted CMOS battery cannot retain BIOS settings, causing defaults to load and often requiring user intervention at boot. This is a common issue that leads to the 'Press F1' prompt. The question tests understanding of CMOS battery function in maintaining firmware settings.

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The boot order is incorrect

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The hard drive is failing

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The BIOS version is outdated

Question 6

A technician is deploying a new server that requires RAID 10 for data redundancy and performance. The motherboard has an onboard RAID controller. After configuring the RAID array in the UEFI RAID utility, the technician installs the OS, but the RAID volume is not visible in the OS installer. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The RAID driver is missing from the OS installation media.. After configuring the RAID array in the UEFI RAID utility, the most likely reason the volume is not visible in the OS installer is that the RAID driver is missing. Operating system installers often do not include third-party RAID drivers, and loading the driver is required for the installer to recognize the logical volume.

Answer

The RAID array was not properly initialized in the UEFI RAID utility.

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The SATA mode is set to AHCI instead of RAID in the UEFI.

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The UEFI boot mode is set to Legacy, which does not support RAID.

Question 7

A technician upgrades a workstation from Windows 10 to Windows 11, but the installation fails with an error that the system does not support TPM 2.0. The CPU is compatible. What must the technician do in UEFI to resolve this?

Accepted Answer

Enable the TPM device in UEFI security settings. Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, which may be disabled in UEFI by default. The technician must enable the TPM device in the security settings. This tests knowledge of TPM configuration and its role in system requirements.

Answer

Enable Secure Boot and set it to Windows UEFI mode

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Disable CSM and set boot mode to UEFI only

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Update the UEFI firmware to the latest version

Question 8

A technician is configuring a new server and needs to ensure that only signed operating system bootloaders can be loaded. Which UEFI feature should be enabled?

Accepted Answer

Enable Secure Boot. Secure Boot enforces cryptographic verification of bootloaders, preventing unauthorized code from running during boot. This is a key security feature in UEFI. The question tests understanding of Secure Boot's purpose and implementation.

Answer

Enable Fast Boot

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Enable Legacy Boot

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Enable Boot from USB

Question 9

A technician is troubleshooting a server that randomly resets the time and date to 2000 after being powered off for a few hours. The system otherwise boots and runs normally. Which component is most likely failing?

Accepted Answer

The CMOS battery needs replacement. The CMOS battery maintains the real-time clock and UEFI settings when power is off. If it fails, the time resets and settings may be lost. This tests the ability to distinguish between battery failure and other hardware issues.

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The power supply unit is failing

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The motherboard clock crystal is defective

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The UEFI firmware has a bug

Question 10

A user reports that their laser printer is producing pages with vertical black streaks. The streaks appear in the same position on every page. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

A scratched drum. Vertical black streaks on laser printer output are typically caused by a damaged or scratched drum. The drum rotates and transfers toner, so any defect creates a repeating mark. Cleaning or replacing the drum usually resolves the issue.

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Low toner cartridge

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A dirty corona wire

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A faulty fuser

Question 11

During a printer deployment, a technician installs a network laser printer and configures it with a static IP address. Users can print from their computers, but the printer's web interface is unreachable from any browser. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The printer's embedded web server is disabled. If printing works but the web interface is inaccessible, the printer's network settings are likely correct, but the web server service may be disabled or blocked by a firewall. Many printers have a separate setting to enable the embedded web server. Checking the printer's menu or documentation is the next step.

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The printer's IP address is on a different subnet

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The printer driver is outdated

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The printer's firmware needs updating

Question 12

A user complains that their laser printer is picking up multiple sheets of paper at once, causing jams. The paper tray is full of standard 20 lb bond paper. Which component is most likely causing this issue?

Accepted Answer

The separation pad is worn. Multiple sheets feeding into the printer is typically due to worn or dirty separation pads, which are designed to separate one sheet from the stack. Over time, these pads lose friction. Cleaning or replacing the separation pad usually fixes the problem.

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The pickup roller is worn

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The paper is too thin

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The fuser is overheating

Question 13

A technician is tasked with selecting a CPU for a small form factor (SFF) office PC that must run quietly and efficiently. Which CPU characteristic is most important for this build?

Accepted Answer

Low thermal design power (TDP). In SFF builds, heat dissipation is limited, so a CPU with low TDP generates less heat, allowing for smaller, quieter cooling solutions. This tests understanding of how TDP impacts system design and noise levels.

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Highest possible clock speed

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Integrated GPU

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Support for overclocking

Question 14

A user complains that their PC is running slowly and the fan is constantly running at high speed. Task Manager shows the CPU is consistently at 100% usage even when idle. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

A background process is consuming CPU cycles, such as a mining script or system update. High CPU usage at idle is often due to background processes, such as malware or a runaway application. The constant high fan speed indicates the CPU is generating excess heat from this activity.

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The CPU is overheating due to dried thermal paste

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The power supply is failing and cannot provide enough power

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The CPU has been overclocked beyond its limits

Question 15

A user reports that their external monitor connected via HDMI displays a 'No Signal' message, though the monitor power LED is lit. The laptop's built-in display works fine. Which of the following should be checked FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Ensure the HDMI cable is fully seated at both ends. This question tests the systematic approach to display troubleshooting. The monitor is powered on (LED lit) but not receiving a signal, so the most common cause is a loose or faulty cable connection. Always check physical connections before moving to more complex settings or hardware replacements, as this is the quickest and simplest fix.

Answer

Update the graphics driver

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Replace the monitor

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Adjust the screen resolution in Windows settings

Question 16

A customer complains that their LCD monitor has a persistent faint shadow of the previous image visible on the screen, even after changing applications. What is the most likely cause of this issue?

Accepted Answer

Image persistence due to static content. This describes image persistence or burn-in, common in LCD panels left on static images for extended periods. Unlike dead pixels or backlight issues, this is a temporary or permanent ghosting of static content. The correct answer identifies the root cause as static image retention, which can sometimes be reversed with screen refreshers.

Answer

A failing backlight inverter

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A damaged video cable

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Incorrect color calibration settings

Question 17

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop PC that powers on but shows no display on the monitor. The monitor's power LED is amber (standby). The PC has an integrated GPU and a discrete GPU. Which step should be taken FIRST to isolate the issue?

Accepted Answer

Check that the monitor cable is plugged into the discrete GPU, not the motherboard. An amber LED indicates the monitor is not receiving a signal. The most common oversight is connecting the cable to the wrong video port (motherboard vs. GPU). The correct first step is to verify the cable is connected to the discrete GPU's ports, as integrated graphics are often disabled when a dedicated card is installed.

Answer

Reseat the RAM modules

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Replace the CMOS battery

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Test the monitor on another computer

Question 18

A technician is setting up a dual-monitor workstation. One monitor is connected via DisplayPort, the other via DVI. The DVI monitor is not detected. The DisplayPort monitor works fine. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The DVI cable is loose or the monitor is not powered on. Many graphics cards require that the DisplayPort monitor be the primary display or that the DVI port is disabled when a DisplayPort is active in certain configurations. However, the most common issue is that the DVI cable is not fully seated or the monitor is not powered on. The correct answer focuses on checking the DVI connection and power, as these are simple to verify.

Answer

The DVI port on the graphics card is faulty

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The graphics card does not support mixed DisplayPort and DVI outputs

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The DVI monitor's resolution is set too high

Question 19

A user's projector displays a very dim image, even with the brightness setting at maximum. The lamp hour counter shows 1500 hours, and the projector is three years old. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The projector lamp is reaching end of life. Projector lamps dim over time and typically need replacement after 2000-4000 hours. A dim image with max brightness and moderate lamp hours indicates the lamp is nearing end of life. The correct answer identifies lamp aging as the primary cause, not filters or cables.

Answer

The projector's air filter is clogged

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The video cable is damaged

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The input source is set to low brightness

Question 20

A technician is replacing a CPU in a server that uses a LGA 1151 socket. After installing the new CPU and applying thermal paste, the system fails to post. The technician notices the CPU cooler is not making full contact with the CPU. What is the most likely consequence of this poor contact?

Accepted Answer

The CPU will overheat and the system will shut down to prevent damage. Poor contact between the CPU and cooler prevents effective heat dissipation. The CPU will quickly overheat, triggering thermal protection that shuts down the system to prevent damage. This is a common issue after improper cooler installation.

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The CPU will operate at a lower clock speed but still function

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The system will boot but display a warning about high CPU temperature

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The CPU will be permanently damaged immediately