easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A customer complains that their desktop computer…
A customer complains that their desktop computer loses network connectivity every time a large file is transferred. The issue does not occur during normal web browsing. What hardware component is most likely at fault?
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 network interface card (NIC) is failing.
This is a classic symptom of a failing or overheating network interface card (NIC). High data throughput generates heat, and a marginal NIC may fail under sustained load, while low-bandwidth tasks work fine.
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 CPU is overheating.
Why it's wrong here
A CPU experiencing critical overheating typically triggers thermal throttling, leading to significant performance degradation across all applications, or initiates an emergency shutdown to prevent damage. It would not selectively impact only network transfers while other system functions remain stable, nor would it cause intermittent network disconnections without broader system instability or reboots. Therefore, CPU overheating is a general system issue, not specific to network drops during file transfers.
- ✗
The power supply unit is underpowered.
Why it's wrong here
An underpowered power supply unit (PSU) struggles to deliver sufficient wattage to all components, especially under peak load, resulting in system instability, unexpected reboots, or failure to power on. While network components draw power, an underpowered PSU would manifest as general system unreliability affecting multiple subsystems, rather than specifically causing only network connectivity loss during high-bandwidth activities. This would lead to more widespread and random system failures.
- ✓
The network interface card (NIC) is failing.
Why this is correct
A failing Network Interface Card (NIC) often exhibits intermittent issues, particularly when subjected to high data throughput, such as during large file transfers. Under increased load, a defective NIC may struggle to process packets efficiently, leading to dropped connections, significant packet loss, or complete network disconnections as its internal components (e.g., controller chip, transceivers) overheat or fail to keep up. This specific symptom points directly to a component responsible for network communication under stress.
- ✗
The Ethernet cable is too long.
Why it's wrong here
An Ethernet cable exceeding its maximum specified length (e.g., 100 meters for Cat5e/6) primarily causes signal attenuation and increased electromagnetic interference, leading to consistent packet loss and reduced link speed. This degradation would be evident across all network activities, not just during large file transfers, and would typically result in a constantly unstable or slow connection rather than intermittent drops only under high load. Cable length issues are usually persistent, not load-dependent.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Laptop Hardware and Components
Key term
Network Interface Card
A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware component that allows a computer or device to connect to a network and communicate with other devices.
Key term
Throughput
Throughput is the rate at which data is successfully transferred from one point to another over a network, typically measured in bits per second.
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JA
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.