220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Test 12 — 15 Questions

Question 1

A technician is troubleshooting a printing issue. A user can successfully ping the network printer (IP: 192.168.1.100) from their workstation on the same subnet, but when sending a print job, the printer does not respond. The printer's web interface shows it is online and ready. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Printer driver on the workstation. The user can successfully ping the printer and the printer's web interface shows it is online and ready, confirming Layer 3 (network) connectivity and that the printer itself is operational. Since the print job is not reaching the printer despite network connectivity, the issue most likely lies in how the workstation communicates the print job to the printer, which is handled by the printer driver. A corrupted, missing, or incompatible printer driver can cause the print job to fail even when basic network connectivity is fine.

Answer

Print spooler service on the workstation

Answer

Firewall settings on the printer

Answer

Network cable to the printer

Question 2

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that powers on for about two seconds and then immediately shuts down. The case fans spin briefly, the CPU fan starts, then everything stops. The technician has tested the power supply with a multimeter and all voltages are within specification. The technician has also removed all add-on cards, disconnected all drives, and reseated the RAM and CPU power cables. The problem persists. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Short circuit in the case or motherboard. The symptom of powering on for about two seconds and then immediately shutting down is classic for a short circuit protection mechanism. When the power supply detects a short (e.g., from a standoff in the wrong hole, a loose screw, or a damaged motherboard trace), it triggers overcurrent protection (OCP) or short-circuit protection (SCP) and cuts power to prevent damage. Since the technician verified the power supply voltages are good and reseated all connections, the most likely remaining cause is a short circuit in the case or motherboard.

Answer

Faulty power button

Answer

Failing CPU

Answer

Incompatible RAM

Question 3

A user reports that their network printer is not responding to print jobs sent from their Windows workstation. The technician can successfully ping the printer's IP address (192.168.1.50) from the user's computer. The printer's web interface shows it is online and ready. The technician checks the print queue on the workstation and sees documents stuck with an 'Access Denied' error. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Verify printer permissions and ensure the correct driver is installed.. The 'Access Denied' error in the print queue indicates a permissions or driver mismatch issue, not a connectivity problem. Since the printer is reachable via ping and its web interface shows it is online, the network and printer hardware are functional. The next logical step is to verify that the user has the necessary permissions to print and that the correct printer driver is installed, as an incompatible or corrupted driver can cause access errors.

Answer

Replace the Ethernet cable connecting the printer.

Answer

Restart the Windows Print Spooler service.

Answer

Assign a static IP address to the printer.

Question 4

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop PC that intermittently loses network connectivity. The technician has replaced the network cable with a known-good cable and verified that the switch port link light is solid. The issue still occurs. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Update or reinstall the network adapter driver. Since the cable and switch port link light are verified good, the issue is likely software or driver-related. Updating or reinstalling the network adapter driver can resolve intermittent connectivity caused by driver corruption, power management conflicts, or incompatibility with the network stack. This is the next logical step after ruling out physical layer problems.

Answer

Check for an IP address conflict on the network

Answer

Change the DNS server settings on the PC

Answer

Adjust the firewall settings on the PC

Question 5

A user reports that their desktop computer emits a series of long beeps when powered on, and the screen remains blank. The technician reseats the RAM modules and the video card, but the problem persists. The motherboard has four RAM slots, and two modules are installed in slots A1 and A2. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Install the RAM modules in slots A2 and B2 for dual-channel configuration.. The series of long beeps typically indicates a memory-related POST failure. Since reseating the RAM did not resolve the issue, the next logical step is to verify the correct slot configuration. Installing the modules in slots A2 and B2 (or A1 and B1) enables dual-channel mode, which is often required for proper memory initialization on many motherboards; using adjacent slots in the same channel (A1 and A2) can cause instability or failure to POST.

Answer

Replace the power supply unit.

Answer

Verify the monitor cable is securely connected.

Answer

Update the motherboard BIOS.

Question 6

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that powers on but the monitor displays 'No Signal.' The PC fans spin and the power LED is on. The technician has already reseated the graphics card and tried a different monitor and cable. The motherboard has integrated graphics, but the CPU does not support integrated graphics. The technician checks and finds that the graphics card's power connectors are not all plugged in. The card requires both a 6-pin and an 8-pin PCIe power connector, but only the 6-pin is connected. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Connect the 8-pin PCIe power connector from the PSU to the graphics card. The correct next step is to connect the 8-pin PCIe power connector because the graphics card requires both a 6-pin and an 8-pin connector to deliver sufficient power for operation. Without the 8-pin connector, the card may not initialize properly, causing the 'No Signal' issue despite the system appearing to power on. Since the technician has already verified the monitor and cable, and reseated the card, the missing power connection is the most likely root cause.

Answer

Replace the graphics card with a known-good unit

Answer

Remove the graphics card and use the motherboard's integrated graphics

Answer

Update the graphics card driver from the motherboard manufacturer's website

Question 7

A technician runs a new Cat6 Ethernet cable between a switch in the server room and a workstation in an office. The cable run is approximately 120 meters long. The workstation shows a 'Network cable unplugged' error and the switch port LED does not light. The technician confirms the cable is properly terminated with T568B on both ends and the switch port is enabled. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the issue?

Accepted Answer

The cable length exceeds the maximum allowable segment length. The maximum segment length for a Cat6 Ethernet cable is 100 meters (328 feet) for reliable 1000BASE-T operation. At 120 meters, the signal attenuation exceeds the IEEE 802.3ab specification, causing the link to fail. The 'Network cable unplugged' error and unlit switch port LED indicate a physical layer issue, which is most likely due to the excessive cable length.

Answer

Electromagnetic interference from nearby power cables

Answer

The switch does not support auto-MDIX

Answer

A poor crimp on one of the RJ45 connectors

Question 8

A technician is troubleshooting a user's workstation that experiences intermittent network disconnections. The technician has replaced the network interface card (NIC) and the Ethernet cable with known-good components. The switch port link light remains solid when the connection is up, but the problem still occurs. Upon inspecting the switch's interface statistics, the technician notices a high number of CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) errors on that port. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the issue?

Accepted Answer

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) from nearby power cables or lighting fixtures affecting the Ethernet cable. CRC errors indicate that frames are being received with incorrect frame check sequences, which typically points to physical-layer issues like signal degradation. Since the NIC and cable have been replaced with known-good components, the most likely remaining cause is electromagnetic interference (EMI) from nearby power cables or lighting, which can corrupt the signal on the Ethernet cable without breaking the link entirely.

Answer

The switch port is faulty and needs to be replaced

Answer

An incorrect VLAN assignment on the switch port is causing mismatched network traffic

Answer

A duplex mismatch between the workstation and the switch

Question 9

A technician upgrades a workstation's RAM from 8GB to 16GB by installing two matching 8GB DDR4-3200 modules in the correct dual-channel slots (A2 and B2) on the motherboard. The system boots, but the POST beep code indicates a memory error. The technician tests each module individually in slot A2 and both modules work fine. When both modules are installed in A2 and B2, the error returns. The technician has confirmed the motherboard supports 32GB total and the modules are on the manufacturer's Qualified Vendor List (QVL). Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

One of the DIMM slots is defective. The correct answer is C because the technician tested each module individually in slot A2 and both worked, but the error occurs only when both slots A2 and B2 are populated. This isolates the problem to slot B2, indicating it is defective. A faulty DIMM slot prevents the dual-channel memory configuration from initializing correctly, triggering the POST memory error.

Answer

The memory controller is faulty

Answer

The BIOS needs an update to support the new RAM

Answer

The power supply is insufficient for the additional RAM

Question 10

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that shuts down unexpectedly after about 15 minutes of running a graphics-intensive application. The computer operates normally during light use, such as web browsing and word processing. The technician has verified that all cooling fans are spinning and that the CPU and GPU temperatures are within normal ranges. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the issue?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient power supply capacity. The symptom of a computer shutting down under heavy GPU/CPU load after a consistent time interval, despite normal temperatures and fan operation, strongly points to the power supply unit (PSU) being unable to deliver sustained peak current. Graphics-intensive applications draw high transient power spikes; if the PSU's rated capacity is insufficient or its 12V rail is degraded, the overcurrent protection (OCP) or undervoltage protection (UVP) will trip, causing an abrupt shutdown. The fact that light workloads run fine confirms the issue is load-dependent, not a thermal or component failure.

Answer

Failing memory module

Answer

Corrupt operating system files

Answer

Faulty motherboard

Question 11

A technician relocates a workstation to a different office. The workstation's link light on the NIC is solid green, and the switch port link light is also solid. The workstation shows a valid IP address but cannot ping any other devices on the network, including the default gateway. The technician verifies that the IP configuration is correct and that other devices on the same switch can communicate. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The switch port is configured for a different VLAN. The link lights are solid on both the NIC and switch port, indicating Layer 1 (physical) connectivity is intact. A valid IP address but inability to ping any devices, including the gateway, while other devices on the same switch communicate normally, points to a Layer 2 segmentation issue. The most likely cause is that the switch port is configured for a different VLAN, which isolates the workstation's broadcast domain and prevents it from reaching devices outside that VLAN, including the default gateway.

Answer

The Ethernet cable is faulty

Answer

The workstation has a duplicate IP address

Answer

The subnet mask is incorrect

Question 12

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that randomly reboots under heavy CPU load. The technician has verified the CPU cooler is properly seated with thermal paste, run memory diagnostics (no errors), replaced the power supply, and updated all drivers. Running a CPU stress test causes the system to reboot after approximately 10 minutes. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Check the CPU voltage settings in BIOS. The technician has already ruled out overheating (cooler seated with paste), memory errors, power supply issues, and driver conflicts. Under heavy CPU load, the system reboots after a consistent 10 minutes, which strongly suggests the CPU is not receiving stable voltage under load. Checking and adjusting the CPU voltage settings in BIOS is the next logical step because incorrect or insufficient vCore can cause the CPU to crash or trigger a thermal/voltage protection reboot when the CPU draws high current during a stress test.

Answer

Replace the CPU

Answer

Update the motherboard BIOS

Answer

Replace the motherboard

Question 13

A technician installs a new discrete graphics card into a desktop computer that previously relied on integrated graphics. After installation, the monitor remains black with no display, and no POST beep codes are heard. The system fans spin, and the power LED is on. The technician reseats the graphics card and verifies that the PCIe power cables are connected. The monitor and cable are known to work with other computers. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Connect the monitor to the integrated graphics port.. Option C is correct because the monitor remains black and no POST beep codes are heard, indicating the system may be defaulting to the integrated graphics output. By connecting the monitor to the integrated graphics port, the technician can determine if the system is actually booting and displaying video through the onboard GPU, which would isolate the issue to the discrete graphics card or its configuration. This step follows the standard troubleshooting methodology of verifying basic functionality before replacing components.

Answer

Replace the graphics card with a known-good unit.

Answer

Reset the CMOS by removing the battery.

Answer

Update the graphics card driver using safe mode.

Question 14

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that was functioning normally before a power outage. After the outage, pressing the power button causes the fans to spin briefly (about 1-2 seconds) and then stop. The power LED also lights momentarily. The technician has replaced the power supply unit with a known-good unit of the same wattage, but the symptom persists. The technician has verified the new PSU outputs correct voltages on all rails with a multimeter. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?

Accepted Answer

B. The symptom of fans spinning briefly and then stopping, even after replacing the PSU with a known-good unit that outputs correct voltages, strongly indicates a short circuit or grounding issue on the motherboard. The PSU's overcurrent protection (OCP) or short-circuit protection (SCP) is triggering, causing it to shut down immediately to prevent damage. Since the PSU is verified good, the next logical step is to inspect the motherboard for physical damage, such as bulging capacitors, burn marks, or a short caused by a loose standoff screw.

Answer

A

Answer

C

Answer

D

Question 15

A technician presses the power button on a desktop computer. The power LED turns on, all fans spin, but the monitor remains black and no POST beep codes are heard. The technician reseats the RAM modules into their slots and then the computer boots normally. Which of the following was MOST likely the cause of the issue?

Accepted Answer

B. The symptom of fans spinning and power LED on but no POST beep codes and a black screen indicates the CPU is not executing the POST routine. Reseating the RAM resolved the issue, meaning the RAM was not properly seated or making contact, preventing the CPU from accessing the memory controller and completing POST. Without RAM, the system cannot initialize the video output or generate beep codes, as the BIOS cannot proceed past the memory initialization step.

Answer

A

Answer

C

Answer

D