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220-1201 Practice Question: That their monitor displays a distorted image…
A user reports that their monitor displays a distorted image with wavy lines. The monitor uses a VGA connection. The technician checks the cable and finds it is not fully tightened. After securing the thumbscrews, the image is still distorted. What is the most likely cause?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The VGA cable has a broken pin
VGA is an analog signal and can suffer from interference. Damaged or loose pins in the VGA connector can cause distortion even if the cable appears secure. The pins may be bent or broken.
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 refresh rate is set too high
Why it's wrong here
Setting a monitor's refresh rate beyond its supported capabilities typically results in an "out of range" error message or a completely blank screen. The display controller cannot synchronize with the incoming signal, leading to a loss of image rather than a distorted, wavy pattern. This is a fundamental timing mismatch, not a signal integrity issue that would manifest as distortion.
- ✓
The VGA cable has a broken pin
Why this is correct
A VGA (Video Graphics Array) cable transmits analog video signals, including separate red, green, and blue color channels, along with horizontal and vertical sync signals. A broken or bent pin can interrupt one or more of these critical signal paths, leading to a loss of color information, incorrect synchronization, or signal interference. This disruption directly manifests as a distorted image, such as wavy lines, color shifts, or ghosting, because the monitor receives an incomplete or corrupted video stream.
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The graphics driver needs to be updated
Why it's wrong here
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers typically manifest as display artifacts, application crashes, system instability, or incorrect resolution settings. While driver problems can certainly affect display output, they are less likely to produce a consistent pattern of wavy lines across the entire screen, especially if the issue persists after physically securing the video cable. Such distortion is more indicative of a physical signal integrity problem rather than a software-level rendering error.
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The monitor's power cable is loose
Why it's wrong here
A loose or faulty power cable primarily affects the monitor's ability to receive consistent electrical power. This typically results in the monitor intermittently turning off, flickering, or failing to power on at all. It does not directly interfere with the video signal integrity to cause specific visual distortions like wavy lines, as the power supply issue would either prevent the display from operating or cause a complete loss of image, not a corrupted one.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.