220-1202 Security Practice Question
A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop frequently displays a message that the battery is not charging and the system clock keeps resetting to an earlier date. The laptop is plugged into a known-good power outlet. Which of the following should a technician check first?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is focusing on the battery charging issue and immediately suspecting the power adapter, while overlooking the clock reset as a clear sign of a dead CMOS battery.
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 CMOS battery
The CMOS battery maintains the system clock and BIOS settings when the computer is unplugged. When it fails, the clock resets and sometimes power management settings are lost, which can affect battery charging. The power adapter, hard drive, and RAM do not cause the clock to reset. Therefore, the CMOS battery is the first component to check.
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 power adapter
Why it's wrong here
The power adapter is already known to be connected to a good outlet, but it could still be faulty. However, a faulty adapter would not cause the system clock to reset. The clock reset points to a CMOS battery issue, so checking the adapter first is less efficient. The adapter might cause charging problems, but not the time reset.
- ✗
The hard drive
Why it's wrong here
A failing hard drive would not cause the system clock to reset or the battery to stop charging. Hard drive issues typically manifest as slow performance, errors, or boot failures. The symptoms described are unrelated to storage. Therefore, checking the hard drive first is not appropriate.
- ✗
The RAM
Why it's wrong here
RAM problems usually cause system instability, blue screens, or memory errors, not clock resets or battery charging issues. While faulty RAM can cause various odd behaviors, the specific combination of clock reset and battery not charging is not typical. Checking RAM would not address the primary symptom.
- ✓
The CMOS battery
Why this is correct
A failing CMOS battery commonly causes the system clock to reset and can also affect power management, sometimes leading to battery charging issues. Since the laptop is plugged into a good outlet, the CMOS battery is a logical first check. Replacing it often resolves both symptoms. This is the correct answer because the clock reset is a classic indicator of a dead CMOS battery.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.