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220-1201 Practice Question: That their computer is running very slowly and…
A user reports that their computer is running very slowly and they hear a repetitive clicking sound from the case. The technician checks the SMART status of the primary hard drive and sees a 'Reallocated Sectors Count' value that is critically high. What should the technician do next?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests the priority of data backup when hardware failure is suspected. Candidates might be tempted to try software fixes like defrag or disabling paging, but the exam expects you to recognize imminent hardware failure and prioritize data preservation.
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
✓
Back up all important data immediately.
A critically high Reallocated Sectors Count in SMART indicates that the hard drive has a significant number of bad sectors that have been remapped, which is a strong sign of imminent drive failure. The repetitive clicking sound, often called the 'click of death,' further confirms mechanical failure. The immediate priority is to back up all important data to prevent loss, as the drive could fail completely at any moment.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Run a disk defragmentation to improve performance.
Why it's wrong here
Running a disk defragmentation on a drive with a high reallocated sectors count is counterproductive and dangerous. Defragmentation involves intensive read/write operations across the entire disk surface, which places significant stress on physically degrading hardware. This increased activity can accelerate the failure process, potentially leading to complete drive failure and irreversible data loss before any recovery efforts can be made.
- ✓
Back up all important data immediately.
Why this is correct
A high reallocated sectors count, reported by SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology), is a critical indicator of physical degradation and impending hard drive failure. These sectors are areas of the disk that have become unreliable and have been replaced by spare sectors. Therefore, the immediate priority is to back up all important data to prevent permanent loss, as the drive's operational lifespan is severely compromised.
- ✗
Replace the SATA cable and power connector.
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the SATA cable and power connector addresses potential external connectivity issues, but it will not resolve an internal hardware failure indicated by SMART data. The reallocated sectors count is a diagnostic metric reported by the drive's firmware itself, directly reflecting the physical health of its platters and read/write heads. This internal issue cannot be remedied by changing external cabling.
- ✗
Disable the paging file to reduce disk activity.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the paging file (virtual memory) might reduce some routine disk activity, but it does not address the fundamental problem of a physically failing hard drive. The high reallocated sectors count signifies hardware degradation that requires data preservation and eventual drive replacement, not a software configuration adjustment. Focusing on software changes distracts from the critical need to secure data from the failing hardware.
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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 220-1201 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.