The correct answer is a bent pin inside the VGA connector causing poor contact. VGA is an analog interface where each of the 15 pins carries a specific signal, such as red, green, blue, or horizontal sync; when a pin is bent, it fails to make solid electrical contact with the port, leading to intermittent signal loss that manifests as flickering. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding that VGA connectors are physically fragile and prone to damage from repeated plugging or cable strain, making bent pins a classic troubleshooting scenario. A common trap is to blame the cable or driver first, but the key clue here is that the monitor works fine with another computer, isolating the issue to the laptop’s connector. Memory tip: think “VGA = Very Gentle Analog” — those pins are delicate, so a single bent pin can break the analog signal path.
220-1201 Connectors Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of connectors. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
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?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
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.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The monitor's resolution is set too high for the VGA cable.
Why it's wrong here
While high resolutions can cause issues, flickering is more often due to physical connection problems than resolution settings.
✗
The laptop's VGA port is not providing enough power.
Why it's wrong here
VGA does not carry power; it only transmits video signals, so power is not the issue.
✓
A bent pin inside the VGA connector is causing poor contact.
Why this is correct
Bent pins are a common cause of intermittent flickering in VGA connections.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The VGA cable is not compatible with the laptop's graphics card.
Why it's wrong here
VGA is a standard analog interface; incompatibility is unlikely unless the graphics card lacks VGA support, which is rare.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Connectors — This question tests Connectors — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. 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?
medium
✓ A.The DVI cable is loose or damaged
B.The graphics card driver is outdated
C.The monitor's refresh rate is set too high
D.The DVI port is incompatible with the cable
Why A: 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.
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Question Discussion
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