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220-1201 Practice Question: A customer complains that their LCD monitor has a…
A customer complains that their LCD monitor has a persistent faint shadow of the previous image visible on the screen, even after changing applications. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
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
✓
Image persistence due to static content
This describes image persistence or burn-in, common in LCD panels left on static images for extended periods. Unlike dead pixels or backlight issues, this is a temporary or permanent ghosting of static content. The correct answer identifies the root cause as static image retention, which can sometimes be reversed with screen refreshers.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A failing backlight inverter
Why it's wrong here
A failing backlight inverter primarily affects the illumination source of an LCD panel, which is typically a CCFL or LED array. When an inverter malfunctions, it can lead to symptoms such as screen dimness, flickering, or a complete loss of display illumination, as it fails to provide the necessary high voltage to the backlight. However, this issue does not cause the pixels themselves to retain previous image data or display ghost images, as the problem lies with the light source, not the image-forming liquid crystals.
- ✓
Image persistence due to static content
Why this is correct
Image persistence, often referred to as ghosting or temporary image retention, occurs on LCD monitors when static content is displayed for extended periods. This phenomenon results from the liquid crystals within the pixels becoming 'stuck' or slow to realign after prolonged exposure to a consistent electrical charge, causing a faint outline of the previous image to remain visible. While often temporary, severe cases can lead to more permanent ghosting, directly matching the customer's complaint.
- ✗
A damaged video cable
Why it's wrong here
A damaged video cable primarily disrupts the transmission of digital or analog video signals from the computer to the monitor. Such damage can manifest as signal loss, resulting in a blank screen, or data corruption, leading to visual artifacts like flickering, incorrect colors, horizontal lines, or distorted images. These issues stem from intermittent or incomplete signal delivery, which is distinct from the display panel itself retaining a persistent ghost image of previously rendered content.
- ✗
Incorrect color calibration settings
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect color calibration settings primarily affect the accuracy and consistency of colors displayed on the monitor, influencing aspects like brightness, contrast, gamma, and color temperature. While poor calibration can lead to colors appearing washed out, oversaturated, or inaccurate, it does not cause the display's pixels to physically retain or 'remember' previous image states. The issue of ghost images is related to the physical state of the liquid crystals, not the software-defined color profiles.
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Key term
Backlight
A backlight is a light source behind a liquid crystal display (LCD) that illuminates the screen so you can see the images and text.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1201
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 technician is troubleshooting a display that shows a 'ghost' image of a previous screen that fades slowly. The monitor is a 4-year-old IPS panel. What is the most likely cause?
hard- A.The monitor's response time setting is too low.
- B.The video cable is causing signal interference.
- C.The monitor's refresh rate is set incorrectly.
- ✓ D.The LCD panel has image retention or burn-in.
Why D: Ghosting or image retention on an IPS panel is often due to burn-in or temporary image persistence. This occurs when static images are displayed for long periods, causing the liquid crystals to not fully relax. It is a hardware defect that may be irreversible.
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.