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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is tasked with upgrading the RAM in…
A technician is tasked with upgrading the RAM in an all-in-one (AIO) desktop. The AIO has a sealed back cover with several screws. After removing the screws, the cover still does not come off. What should the technician do next?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume all fasteners are screws and overlook the common use of hidden plastic clips in AIO chassis, leading them to choose forceful prying or unnecessary heat application instead of using a proper spudger to release the clips.
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
✓
Use a plastic spudger to gently pry the cover along the seam to release clips.
All-in-one (AIO) desktops often use plastic clips along the seam in addition to screws to secure the back cover. After removing all visible screws, a plastic spudger is the proper tool to gently release these clips without damaging the casing or internal components. Forceful prying with metal tools or applying heat can crack the plastic or damage the display panel.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the cover off forcefully.
Why it's wrong here
Using a metal flathead screwdriver forcefully to pry open a device is highly discouraged in computer repair. Metal tools can easily scratch, dent, or crack the plastic or metal casing of an All-in-One (AIO) PC, causing irreversible cosmetic damage. Furthermore, applying excessive force can damage internal components, break delicate plastic clips, or even cause the tool to slip and injure the technician or short-circuit exposed circuitry.
- ✗
Check if there are hidden screws under rubber feet or stickers.
Why it's wrong here
While some electronic devices do incorporate hidden screws beneath rubber feet or stickers, this step is typically considered after initial attempts to open the device by releasing clips have failed, especially when all *visible* screws have already been removed. For most All-in-One (AIO) PCs, once all visible screws are gone, the primary mechanism holding the back cover in place is a series of internal plastic clips that require careful prying, not a search for additional hidden fasteners.
- ✓
Use a plastic spudger to gently pry the cover along the seam to release clips.
Why this is correct
A plastic spudger is the appropriate tool for safely disassembling electronic devices, including All-in-One (AIO) PCs, after all visible screws have been removed. Its non-marring material prevents cosmetic damage to the casing, while its wedge-shaped tip is designed to gently separate the cover along the seam. This action precisely targets and releases the internal plastic clips that secure the back panel without breaking them, allowing for non-destructive access to internal components.
- ✗
Apply heat to the back cover to soften any adhesive.
Why it's wrong here
Applying heat to the back cover of an All-in-One (AIO) PC is generally unnecessary and potentially damaging, as AIO covers are typically secured by screws and internal plastic clips, not adhesive. While heat is used to soften adhesive on devices like smartphones or tablets for screen removal, it can warp plastic components, damage sensitive internal circuitry, or degrade thermal paste in an AIO. This method introduces significant risk without addressing the actual fastening mechanism.
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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.