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CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 (220-1201) — Questions 976–1020

1020 questions total · 14pages · All types, answers revealed

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976

MCQeasy

A user reports that their laptop screen flickers intermittently, but the flickering stops when they adjust the screen angle. What is the most likely hardware issue?

A.A failing backlight LED

B.A defective graphics chip

C.A loose or damaged display cable

D.Incorrect display refresh rate setting

AnswerC

Movement of the screen can temporarily reconnect or disconnect the internal ribbon cable, causing intermittent flickering.

Why this answer

Flickering that changes with screen angle is a classic symptom of a damaged or loose display cable (LVDS or eDP ribbon) that connects the screen to the motherboard. This is common in laptops due to hinge wear. The correct answer identifies the cable as the likely culprit.

Full explanation →

977

MCQmedium

A technician is configuring a new VM for a developer who needs to test software on Windows 10. The host runs Hyper-V on Windows Server 2019. The developer requests that the VM have 8 GB RAM and 4 virtual CPUs. After creating the VM, the technician finds that the VM will not start and displays an error: 'The virtual machine could not be started because the hypervisor is not running.' What is the most likely solution?

A.Install the latest Windows updates and reboot the host.

B.Enable Intel VT-x or AMD-V in the host’s BIOS/UEFI settings.

C.Change the VM’s generation from Generation 2 to Generation 1.

D.Reinstall the Hyper-V role from Server Manager.

AnswerB

Hyper-V requires hardware virtualization extensions to be enabled. If they are disabled, the hypervisor cannot start, and enabling them resolves the issue.

Why this answer

Hyper-V requires the Windows Hyper-V role to be installed and the hardware virtualization features (VT-x/AMD-V) to be enabled in the BIOS. If the hypervisor is not running, it is often because virtualization is disabled in BIOS or the Hyper-V role is not properly configured. The correct answer addresses enabling virtualization in BIOS.

Full explanation →

978

MCQeasy

A technician is setting up a new file server with four 4 TB SATA SSDs. The customer requires maximum read performance and fault tolerance for up to two drive failures. Which RAID level should the technician choose?

A.RAID 0

B.RAID 1

C.RAID 5

D.RAID 6

AnswerD

Correct. RAID 6 uses dual parity and can survive two simultaneous drive failures, with excellent read performance.

Why this answer

RAID 6 stripes data and uses dual parity, allowing up to two drive failures while maintaining good read performance. This question tests knowledge of RAID levels and their fault tolerance capabilities.

Full explanation →

979

MCQhard

A user complains that their external monitor connected via VGA shows a slightly blurry image with faint horizontal lines. The monitor works perfectly with another computer using the same VGA cable. What is the most likely cause?

A.The monitor's resolution is set too high for VGA

B.There is a ground loop between the computer and monitor

C.The VGA port on the computer has bent pins

D.The graphics driver is corrupt

AnswerB

A ground loop can cause interference in analog VGA signals, resulting in blurriness and horizontal lines.

Why this answer

VGA is an analog signal, and blurry images with horizontal lines often indicate interference or a ground loop issue. Since the monitor and cable work elsewhere, the problem is likely with the computer's VGA output or electrical interference from the computer's power supply. A ground loop can introduce noise into the analog signal.

Full explanation →

980

MCQeasy

A customer reports that their computer beeps three times, pauses, then repeats, and nothing is displayed on the screen. What does this POST code typically indicate?

A.CPU failure

B.Memory error

C.Graphics card failure

D.Power supply failure

AnswerB

Three beeps commonly indicate a memory issue, such as a bad or unseated DIMM.

Why this answer

Three beeps in many BIOS versions (especially AMI and Award) indicate a memory error, such as a faulty or improperly seated RAM module. This is a standard POST diagnostic code. The question tests basic familiarity with beep codes.

Full explanation →

981

MCQmedium

A user reports that their monitor displays a distorted image with wavy lines. The monitor uses a VGA connection. The technician checks the cable and finds it is not fully tightened. After securing the thumbscrews, the image is still distorted. What is the most likely cause?

A.The monitor's refresh rate is set too high

B.The VGA cable has a broken pin

C.The graphics driver needs to be updated

D.The monitor's power cable is loose

AnswerB

A broken or bent pin in the VGA connector can cause signal loss or interference, leading to distorted images.

Why this answer

VGA is an analog signal and can suffer from interference. Damaged or loose pins in the VGA connector can cause distortion even if the cable appears secure. The pins may be bent or broken.

Full explanation →

982

MCQeasy

A technician needs to install Windows 10 on a new PC with a 2 TB hard drive. The motherboard supports UEFI with GPT. Which partition scheme and boot mode should be used to support the full drive capacity?

A.UEFI with MBR

B.Legacy BIOS with GPT

C.UEFI with GPT

D.Legacy BIOS with MBR

AnswerC

UEFI with GPT supports drives over 2 TB and is the required configuration for modern Windows installations.

Why this answer

UEFI requires GPT partition table to boot, and GPT supports drives larger than 2 TB. Legacy BIOS with MBR cannot address beyond 2 TB. This question reinforces the relationship between UEFI and GPT for large drives.

Full explanation →

983

MCQmedium

During a deployment of a new multifunction printer, the technician needs to ensure the device can scan documents directly to a shared network folder on a Windows server. Which protocol must be configured on the printer to support this?

A.FTP

B.SNMP

C.SMB

D.SMTP

AnswerC

SMB is the protocol Windows uses for file and printer sharing; configuring it on the printer allows direct scanning to a shared folder.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of network protocols used for scanning to a network folder. SMB (Server Message Block) is the standard protocol for file sharing in Windows environments. FTP or email would require additional services, and SNMP is for management only.

Full explanation →

984

MCQmedium

A user reports that their internet connection is extremely slow, and they notice the modem's 'DSL' light is blinking. They have a DSL connection. What does the blinking DSL light indicate?

A.The modem is receiving data.

B.The modem is not connected to the phone line.

C.The modem is trying to establish a DSL sync.

D.The modem has a firmware error.

AnswerC

A blinking DSL light means the modem is in the process of synchronizing with the DSLAM.

Why this answer

A blinking DSL light typically indicates that the modem is trying to synchronize with the ISP's DSLAM. This can be due to line noise, distance issues, or a faulty filter. A solid light means sync is established.

The other options are not standard indicators for a DSL sync light.

Full explanation →

985

MCQeasy

A user reports that their wired connection is intermittent. They are using a Cat5e cable connected to a 1000BASE-T switch. The link light on the switch port is blinking rapidly. What is the most likely cause of the intermittent connection?

A.The switch port is set to half-duplex

B.The cable is damaged or has a loose connector

C.The network card is configured for 10 Mbps

D.The switch is overloaded with traffic

AnswerB

A damaged cable or loose connector can cause intermittent connectivity, leading to rapid link light blinking as the link drops and re-establishes.

Why this answer

A rapidly blinking link light typically indicates traffic activity, but if the connection is intermittent, it could be due to a faulty cable or improper termination. However, the question specifies the link light is blinking rapidly, which is normal for active traffic. The intermittent issue might be from electromagnetic interference or a loose connection.

The correct answer is a faulty cable, as it's the most common cause of intermittent wired connections.

Full explanation →

986

MCQhard

A technician is configuring a router with two interfaces: WAN (DHCP from ISP) and LAN (static IP 10.0.0.1/24). The technician sets the LAN subnet mask to 255.255.255.0. A workstation is assigned IP 10.0.0.100/24 and can ping the router, but cannot access the internet. The router's WAN interface has IP 203.0.113.5/30. What is the most likely missing configuration?

A.The workstation's default gateway is set to 10.0.0.1.

B.The router lacks a default route pointing to the ISP's gateway.

C.The WAN subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0.

D.The LAN subnet mask should be 255.255.0.0.

AnswerB

Without a default route, the router does not know where to send traffic destined for the internet, even though it has a WAN IP.

Why this answer

The workstation can reach the router, so the LAN is fine. The router has a WAN IP, but without a default route (or NAT), traffic from the LAN cannot be forwarded to the internet. The /30 WAN subnet only has two usable IPs, so the router needs a route to the ISP's next hop.

This tests routing and NAT concepts.

Full explanation →

987

MCQmedium

A small office has an all-in-one printer that supports scanning to email, but users report that scanned documents are not being delivered. The printer's network settings show a valid IP address, and the SMTP server address is correct. What should the technician check next to resolve this issue?

A.Verify the printer's DNS settings

B.Check the SMTP authentication credentials configured on the printer

C.Replace the printer's toner cartridge

D.Reboot the network switch

AnswerB

Incorrect SMTP credentials will prevent the printer from authenticating with the mail server, blocking email delivery.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of multifunction device network configuration, specifically scanning to email. The most likely cause is incorrect authentication credentials for the SMTP server, as the printer must log in to send email. Checking network connectivity or DNS would be secondary if the IP is valid and the server address is correct.

Full explanation →

988

MCQeasy

A customer says their external hard drive is not recognized by their laptop. The drive uses a USB-C connector and the laptop has both USB-A and USB-C ports. Which connector type should be used to ensure the fastest possible data transfer?

A.USB-A to USB-B cable

B.USB-C to USB-C cable

C.USB-A to USB-C adapter

D.Micro-USB to USB-C cable

AnswerB

Using a USB-C to USB-C cable connects the drive directly to the laptop's USB-C port, supporting the fastest data transfer speeds.

Why this answer

USB-C supports faster data transfer rates (up to 10 Gbps or more) compared to USB-A's typical 5 Gbps, and it is the correct connector for the drive. Using a USB-A port would require an adapter and may limit speed. This question tests knowledge of USB connector generations and their performance capabilities.

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989

MCQhard

A company deploys tablets for inventory management. The tablets need to connect to a Bluetooth barcode scanner and also sync data to a cloud server over Wi-Fi. The Bluetooth connection drops every few minutes. What is the most likely cause?

A.The barcode scanner's battery is low.

B.The tablets are too far from the barcode scanner.

C.Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are interfering because both use the 2.4 GHz band.

D.The cloud server is not responding to sync requests.

AnswerC

Both operate in the same frequency; heavy Wi-Fi traffic can cause Bluetooth packet loss and disconnections.

Why this answer

Co-channel interference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on the 2.4 GHz band is a common issue. If the Wi-Fi network is heavily used, it can disrupt Bluetooth. Changing Wi-Fi to 5 GHz or using Bluetooth 5's enhanced features can help.

Full explanation →

990

MCQmedium

A user reports that they can send emails but cannot receive any. The email client is configured with SMTP for outgoing and POP3 for incoming. The server is reachable. Which port is most likely blocked on the firewall for the incoming mail protocol?

A.Port 25

B.Port 110

C.Port 443

D.Port 53

AnswerB

Port 110 is the default port for POP3, used for receiving email; if blocked, incoming mail fails.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of default ports: POP3 uses port 110 (or 995 for SSL). If sending works (SMTP on port 25/587) but receiving fails, the firewall likely blocks port 110 (POP3) or 995.

Full explanation →

991

MCQmedium

A technician is troubleshooting a network drop where the link light on the switch port is solid but the computer shows 'Unidentified Network'. The cable run is 80 meters and uses Cat5e. The technician tests the cable and finds that pins 1 and 2 are swapped with pins 3 and 6 at one end. What is the most likely result?

A.The cable will work at 100 Mbps but not at 1000 Mbps.

B.The cable will not work at all because it is a crossover cable.

C.The cable will cause intermittent connectivity.

D.The cable is wired as a crossover, which may cause the 'Unidentified Network' if Auto-MDIX is disabled.

AnswerD

A crossover cable can cause network issues if the switch does not have Auto-MDIX enabled, leading to an 'Unidentified Network' error.

Why this answer

This question tests understanding of Ethernet wiring errors. The correct answer is that a swap of pairs 1-2 and 3-6 creates a crossover cable, which may still work with Auto-MDIX, but if not, it can cause a 'No Link' or 'Unidentified Network' error.

Full explanation →

992

MCQhard

A company's file server uses a RAID 5 array with five 4 TB hard drives. One drive fails and is replaced. During the rebuild, the server crashes and the RAID controller reports that the array is 'Failed'. What is the most likely reason for this catastrophic failure?

A.The new drive was not properly formatted before installation.

B.The RAID controller cache battery is dead.

C.A second drive failed during the rebuild process.

D.The rebuild was attempted while the server was under heavy load.

AnswerC

RAID 5 can only tolerate one drive failure. If a second drive fails during rebuild, the array loses redundancy and fails completely, resulting in data loss.

Why this answer

In RAID 5, a single drive failure is survivable, but during rebuild, the remaining drives are under heavy read stress. If another drive fails or has an unrecoverable read error, the array fails. This is known as a 'double fault' during rebuild, a common risk with large-capacity drives.

Full explanation →

993

MCQmedium

A user complains that their new laptop only sees 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks, not the 5 GHz network that was previously visible on their old phone. The router is dual-band and configured to broadcast both bands. What is the most likely reason the laptop cannot see the 5 GHz network?

A.The router’s 5 GHz radio is set to a channel not supported by the laptop

B.The laptop’s wireless adapter does not support 5 GHz frequencies

C.The 5 GHz SSID is hidden

D.Interference from microwave ovens is blocking the 5 GHz signal

AnswerB

If the adapter only works on 2.4 GHz, it will never see 5 GHz networks, regardless of router settings.

Why this answer

5 GHz networks require compatible hardware. If the laptop’s wireless adapter does not support 5 GHz (e.g., only supports 802.11b/g/n), it will not detect that band. The router is broadcasting both, so channel or SSID mismatch is less likely.

Interference is not the cause of complete invisibility.

Full explanation →

994

MCQmedium

A technician is troubleshooting a smartphone that can send and receive text messages but cannot make or receive phone calls. The device shows full signal bars. Which network setting is most likely misconfigured?

A.The device's data roaming is turned off.

B.The device's preferred network type is set to 'LTE only' and VoLTE is disabled.

C.The device's Bluetooth is enabled.

D.The device's airplane mode is turned on.

AnswerB

On some networks, 'LTE only' without VoLTE prevents voice calls because the network doesn't fall back to 3G/2G for voice.

Why this answer

Text messages use the data channel (IMS) or signaling, while voice calls require a circuit-switched or VoLTE connection. If VoLTE is disabled but the carrier requires it, calls may fail while texts work.

Full explanation →

995

MCQhard

A large organization uses multiple network printers. One printer consistently prints pages with a faint ghost image of the previous page's content. The printer has been recently serviced with a new toner cartridge and drum. What component is most likely causing this ghosting?

A.The transfer roller is worn

B.The fuser assembly is failing

C.The toner cartridge is low on toner

D.The paper path has a buildup of toner

AnswerB

A failing fuser can leave residual toner on the drum, which then transfers to the next page as a ghost image. This is a common cause of ghosting.

Why this answer

Ghosting—a faint duplicate of a previous image—is often caused by a failing fuser that does not properly clean residual toner from the drum or by a worn cleaning blade. Even with new consumables, the fuser or cleaning assembly may be worn. The fuser's heat and pressure can cause toner to stick and transfer later.

Full explanation →

996

MCQmedium

A company is deploying 10 Gigabit Ethernet in a data center and needs cabling that supports this speed over a distance of 50 meters. Which cable type should be selected?

A.Cat5e

B.Cat6

C.Cat6a

D.Cat3

AnswerC

Cat6a supports 10 Gbps up to 100 meters, making it the best choice for 50-meter runs in a data center.

Why this answer

Cat6a supports 10 Gbps up to 100 meters, making it suitable for this distance. Cat6 supports 10 Gbps only up to 55 meters, so it would also work but with less margin. Cat5e is limited to 1 Gbps, and Cat3 is for voice.

Full explanation →

997

MCQeasy

A hospital needs to connect multiple buildings across a large campus to share patient records and imaging data. The network must be private, high-speed, and cover the entire campus. Which network type should be implemented?

A.Local Area Network (LAN)

B.Wide Area Network (WAN)

C.Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

D.Personal Area Network (PAN)

AnswerC

A MAN is ideal for connecting multiple buildings within a campus or city, providing high-speed private connectivity.

Why this answer

A MAN is designed to cover a campus or city-sized area, providing high-speed connectivity between multiple buildings. A LAN is too limited to a single building, a WAN is for much larger distances (often across cities/countries), and a PAN is for personal devices. The hospital campus scenario fits a MAN.

Full explanation →

998

MCQmedium

A technician is troubleshooting a network where a user cannot access the internet. The user's workstation has an IP of 192.168.1.15, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, and default gateway 192.168.1.1. The technician pings 192.168.1.1 successfully but cannot ping 8.8.8.8. What is the most likely cause?

A.The workstation's subnet mask is incorrect.

B.The router's WAN connection is down or misconfigured.

C.The DNS server is not configured on the workstation.

D.The workstation's IP address is a duplicate.

AnswerB

Correct. Since local connectivity works but external fails, the router likely has no internet connection.

Why this answer

Successful ping to the gateway indicates local network connectivity is fine. Failure to ping an external IP like 8.8.8.8 suggests the router cannot reach the internet, possibly due to an ISP issue or misconfigured WAN settings.

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999

MCQmedium

A technician is configuring a new email server for a small business. Employees need to send and receive email from their desktop clients (Outlook) and also access email via a web browser. Which combination of protocols should the technician configure on the server to support both client types?

A.SMTP, POP3, and HTTP

B.FTP, SMTP, and DNS

C.IMAP, SNMP, and HTTPS

D.DHCP, SMTP, and POP3

AnswerA

SMTP sends email, POP3 receives it on clients, and HTTP provides webmail access.

Why this answer

This question tests knowledge of email protocols: SMTP for sending, POP3/IMAP for receiving, and HTTP/HTTPS for webmail. The correct combination is SMTP (for sending from clients) and either POP3 or IMAP (for receiving), plus HTTP/HTTPS for web access.

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1000

MCQmedium

A technician is installing a new network switch in a server room. The switch has 48 ports and needs to connect to the existing network backbone via fiber optic cable. The technician has a 10GBASE-SR SFP+ module. Which type of fiber optic cable should be used to ensure compatibility?

A.Single-mode fiber (OS2)

B.Multimode fiber (OM3)

C.Cat6a twisted pair

D.Coaxial cable

AnswerB

10GBASE-SR is designed for multimode fiber, and OM3 supports 10 Gbps up to 300 meters.

Why this answer

10GBASE-SR is designed for multimode fiber (MMF) over short distances, typically up to 300 meters. Using single-mode fiber (SMF) would not work because the transceiver is optimized for multimode. The correct answer is multimode fiber (OM3 or OM4).

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1001

MCQhard

A technician is repairing a tablet that has a cracked digitizer. The LCD panel is intact and displays correctly. After replacing the digitizer, the touch input is unresponsive. What is the most likely oversight?

A.The digitizer is not compatible with the tablet model.

B.The digitizer flex cable is not fully seated in the connector.

C.The LCD panel was damaged during the repair.

D.The tablet's touch controller needs to be calibrated.

AnswerB

A partially seated cable will prevent touch input while the display works. Reseating the cable usually fixes it.

Why this answer

The digitizer connects via a separate flex cable that must be properly seated. If the LCD works but touch does not, the digitizer cable is likely not fully inserted or the connector is damaged. This is a common error during digitizer-only replacements.

Full explanation →

1002

MCQeasy

A user reports that their Android smartphone's touchscreen is unresponsive after they dropped it. The screen is not cracked, and the device powers on normally. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the touchscreen issue?

A.The LCD panel is damaged

B.The digitizer is damaged

C.The battery is swollen

D.The operating system is corrupted

AnswerB

The digitizer is the touch-sensitive layer; a drop can separate or break it, causing unresponsiveness even if the glass is intact.

Why this answer

A drop can easily damage the digitizer layer, which is responsible for detecting touch input, even if the glass display remains intact. The LCD/OLED panel may still function for display, but without a working digitizer, touch input will not register.

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1003

MCQeasy

A user has an iPhone that will not install a new app from the App Store, displaying a message that the app is 'unable to be installed'. The device has plenty of free storage. What should a technician check first?

A.Check if the app is compatible with the iOS version.

B.Verify that the Apple ID is not locked or restricted.

C.Reset the phone's network settings.

D.Perform a factory reset of the device.

AnswerB

Correct. A locked or restricted Apple ID can prevent app installations, even with free space.

Why this answer

This scenario tests basic iOS troubleshooting. When an app fails to install despite free space, the most common cause is a network restriction or Apple ID issue. Checking the Apple ID account status is the first logical step.

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1004

MCQmedium

A company's web server is hosted internally and must be accessible from the internet using the domain name www.company.com. The public IP address of the router is 203.0.113.5. Which two network services must be correctly configured to make this work?

A.DNS and DHCP

B.DNS and NAT

C.NAT and ARP

D.DHCP and NAT

AnswerB

DNS resolves the domain to the public IP, and NAT (with port forwarding) directs traffic to the internal server.

Why this answer

DNS must resolve the domain name to the public IP, and NAT (specifically port forwarding) must translate that public IP to the internal web server's private IP. DHCP and ARP are not directly involved in internet-facing access.

Full explanation →

1005

MCQeasy

A user complains that text on their new 27-inch 4K monitor appears very small and hard to read. The display is set to its native resolution. What is the most effective way to make text readable without sacrificing image quality?

A.Reduce the screen resolution to 1920x1080

B.Increase the display scaling percentage in OS settings

C.Replace the monitor with a lower-resolution model

D.Adjust the monitor's physical sharpness setting

AnswerB

Scaling enlarges text and UI while keeping native resolution, maintaining clarity.

Why this answer

Adjusting the display scaling in the operating system increases the size of text and UI elements while keeping the native resolution, preserving sharpness. Lowering resolution would make text larger but blurry.

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1006

MCQeasy

A user reports that their new SSD is not recognized by the system. The drive is properly connected and powered. Which UEFI setting should be checked to ensure the drive is detected?

A.Enable Secure Boot

B.Set SATA mode to AHCI or RAID as appropriate

C.Disable the TPM chip

D.Change boot order to list the SSD first

AnswerB

The SATA controller mode must match the drive's requirements; incorrect mode can cause the drive to be invisible.

Why this answer

The correct answer is to check the SATA configuration mode. If the SATA controller is set to RAID or AHCI when the drive requires the other, or if it's disabled, the drive may not be detected. This tests understanding of how UEFI/BIOS settings affect hardware enumeration.

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1007

MCQhard

A server motherboard in a data center fails to boot after a power outage. The system has dual power supplies and ECC RAM. When power is restored, the motherboard's POST beeps continuously in a pattern that does not match any known code for that manufacturer. Which component is most likely causing this issue?

A.One of the power supplies is faulty

B.The motherboard's VRM has been damaged by a power surge

C.The ECC RAM has detected an uncorrectable error

D.The CMOS battery has been depleted

AnswerB

A damaged VRM can cause irregular power delivery to the CPU and other components, resulting in non-standard beep codes and failure to boot.

Why this answer

Continuous beeps that do not match standard codes often indicate a power-related issue, such as a failed voltage regulator module (VRM) on the motherboard. Power surges can damage the VRM circuitry, leading to erratic POST behavior. The dual PSUs may be fine, but the motherboard's power regulation has failed.

Full explanation →

1008

MCQmedium

A small office has a desktop PC that will not display any video. The motherboard has an integrated VGA port and a PCIe x16 slot that is empty. The system powers on, fans spin, but the monitor connected to the VGA port shows 'No Signal'. What is the most likely cause?

A.The monitor is faulty

B.The CPU lacks integrated graphics

C.The RAM is not properly seated

D.The motherboard's CMOS battery is dead

AnswerC

Without working RAM, the motherboard cannot complete POST, and no video output is generated, even if the CPU and integrated graphics are functional.

Why this answer

If no dedicated GPU is installed and the integrated graphics are not working, the issue could be that the CPU does not have integrated graphics, or the integrated graphics are disabled in BIOS. However, the most common cause when the system powers on but no video is that the RAM is not properly seated or is faulty, as the system cannot complete POST without working memory.

Full explanation →

1009

MCQeasy

A company wants to consolidate five physical servers into one host to reduce power and cooling costs. Each server runs a different operating system. Which virtualization technology should be used to achieve this?

A.Install a Type 2 hypervisor on each physical server

B.Use a Type 1 hypervisor like VMware ESXi on a single host

C.Migrate all applications to a single OS using compatibility layers

D.Use containerization instead of virtualization

AnswerB

A Type 1 hypervisor runs directly on hardware, allowing multiple guest OSes to run efficiently on one physical server.

Why this answer

Server consolidation uses a Type 1 hypervisor (bare-metal) to run multiple VMs directly on hardware, maximizing resource utilization. This is the standard approach for data center virtualization.

Full explanation →

1010

MCQmedium

A user reports that their PC boots to a black screen with a blinking cursor after installing a new SSD. The BIOS detects the SSD, but the system does not load the operating system. What is the most likely cause?

A.The SSD is not compatible with the motherboard.

B.The boot order in BIOS is set to the old drive first.

C.The SATA cable is faulty.

D.The SSD needs to be partitioned.

AnswerB

Correct; if the boot order still points to the old drive (which may have been removed or is empty), the system will not boot from the new SSD.

Why this answer

A blinking cursor after POST often indicates the system cannot find a bootable operating system. This commonly happens when the boot order is incorrect or the new SSD is not set as the first boot device.

Full explanation →

1011

MCQmedium

A technician is troubleshooting a Samsung Galaxy tablet that has a cracked screen but still responds to touch. The user wants to transfer data to a new tablet. The technician connects the tablet to a PC via USB, but the PC does not recognize the device. What is the most likely reason?

A.The USB cable is defective

B.The tablet is in USB charging-only mode and cannot be changed due to the cracked screen

C.The tablet's USB port is damaged from the drop

D.The PC lacks the proper Samsung USB drivers

AnswerB

Android devices often default to 'Charging only' when connected via USB. Changing to 'File transfer' requires screen interaction, which is difficult with a cracked screen.

Why this answer

When a device's screen is cracked, the digitizer may still work, but the user might not be able to change USB settings from 'Charging only' to 'File transfer' if the touch input is needed for that selection. This is a common scenario where the default USB mode prevents data access.

Full explanation →

1012

MCQhard

A technician is upgrading a workstation from a 500 GB HDD to a 1 TB SSD. After installing the SSD, the system boots into the old OS from the HDD instead of the new SSD. The boot order in UEFI shows only the HDD. What is the most likely reason?

A.The SSD is not connected to the fastest SATA port

B.The SSD is not partitioned with GPT or lacks an EFI system partition

C.The HDD has a higher priority in the boot order

D.The SSD needs a firmware update

AnswerB

UEFI requires a GPT disk with an EFI system partition to recognize it as a bootable device.

Why this answer

The SSD may not be initialized with a GPT partition table or may lack an EFI system partition, making it invisible to the UEFI boot manager. The technician should check the partition style and ensure the SSD is properly formatted for UEFI boot. This question tests advanced knowledge of UEFI boot requirements.

Full explanation →

1013

MCQmedium

A client reports that their new IoT smart bulb can be controlled from a smartphone app only when the phone is within 10 meters of the bulb. The bulb does not connect to the home Wi-Fi. Which network type is the smart bulb using?

A.Wireless local area network (WLAN)

B.Metropolitan area network (MAN)

C.Personal area network (PAN)

D.Wide area network (WAN)

AnswerC

A PAN uses short-range wireless like Bluetooth, matching the 10-meter range and lack of Wi-Fi.

Why this answer

This describes a PAN (Personal Area Network), typically using Bluetooth or Zigbee, which has a short range (around 10 meters). PANs are designed for personal device connectivity without a central network infrastructure. The lack of Wi-Fi connectivity confirms it is not a WLAN.

Full explanation →

1014

MCQmedium

A user reports that their smartphone's wireless charging pad stops charging after a few minutes. The phone charges fine with a cable. The charging pad works with another phone. What is the most likely cause?

A.The charging pad is defective.

B.The phone's battery is faulty.

C.The phone case is too thick or contains metal.

D.The phone's wireless charging coil is damaged.

AnswerC

Thick cases or those with metal components can interfere with wireless charging, causing it to stop after a few minutes due to overheating or misalignment.

Why this answer

Wireless charging requires proper alignment and can be disrupted by thick cases or metal objects. Since the pad works with another phone, the issue is likely with the phone's case or placement. The correct answer is the phone case is too thick or contains metal.

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1015

MCQmedium

A customer calls to say their new smart TV can see the 2.4 GHz network but not the 5 GHz network, even though the router is dual-band. The technician checks the router settings and confirms both bands are enabled and broadcasting. What is the most likely reason the TV cannot see the 5 GHz network?

A.The 5 GHz SSID is hidden

B.The TV’s wireless adapter does not support 5 GHz

C.The 5 GHz channel is set to a DFS channel

D.The router’s 5 GHz radio is faulty

AnswerB

If the TV only has a 2.4 GHz radio, it cannot detect 5 GHz networks at all, explaining the symptom.

Why this answer

Many older or budget smart TVs only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If the TV’s wireless adapter lacks 5 GHz capability, it will never see that network. The router is working correctly, so the issue is device compatibility.

Channel or SSID settings are less likely causes.

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1016

MCQmedium

A technician is building a new PC for a video editing workstation. The selected components include an Intel i9-13900K, an NVIDIA RTX 4080, 64GB DDR5 RAM, three NVMe SSDs, and six case fans. What is the minimum recommended power supply wattage for this build?

A.750W

B.850W

C.1000W

D.1200W

AnswerC

1000W provides adequate headroom for the combined power draw of a high-end CPU and GPU, plus peripherals, ensuring stable operation.

Why this answer

High-end CPUs and GPUs like the i9-13900K and RTX 4080 can draw over 300W each under load, plus other components. A 1000W PSU provides sufficient headroom for peak power spikes and ensures stability during intensive tasks.

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1017

MCQmedium

A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that will not charge. The battery is removable, and the power adapter works on another laptop. When the battery is inserted, the laptop powers on but shows '0% available (plugged in, not charging)'. What is the most likely cause?

A.The battery is defective and needs replacement.

B.The charging port is loose.

C.The power management driver is outdated.

D.The CMOS battery is dead.

AnswerA

A battery that cannot charge despite being detected is typically failed; replacing it resolves the issue.

Why this answer

The 'plugged in, not charging' message often indicates a failed battery that cannot accept a charge, even though the system detects it. A defective battery cell will prevent charging. The power adapter and charging circuit are likely fine since the laptop powers on.

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1018

MCQeasy

A technician is upgrading a server CPU and needs to select a processor that supports ECC memory. Which CPU feature is required for ECC support?

A.Integrated GPU

B.Hyper-Threading

C.Memory controller

D.Overclocking capability

AnswerC

The memory controller must support ECC; many consumer CPUs lack this feature.

Why this answer

ECC memory requires support from the CPU's memory controller. Not all CPUs support ECC; it is typically found in workstation or server-class processors. This question tests knowledge of CPU features beyond just speed and cores.

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1019

MCQmedium

A technician is troubleshooting a network where a user cannot access a web server at 10.0.0.50. The user's workstation has an IP of 10.0.0.25 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. The technician pings 10.0.0.50 and gets a reply, but the web page does not load. What should the technician check next?

A.Verify the default gateway on the workstation.

B.Check if the web server's firewall is blocking HTTP/HTTPS traffic.

C.Change the workstation's IP address to a different subnet.

D.Replace the network cable between the workstation and switch.

AnswerB

Correct. A firewall can block specific ports while allowing ICMP (ping), so checking port access is appropriate.

Why this answer

Since ping succeeds, Layer 3 connectivity (IP) is working. The issue is likely at Layer 4 (transport) or above, such as a firewall blocking the web port (80/443) or a misconfigured web server.

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1020

MCQeasy

A technician is asked to set up a network for a new branch office that will connect back to the main headquarters using a leased line. The branch has 50 employees who need access to centralized databases and email. Which network type best describes the branch office's internal network?

A.Wide area network (WAN)

B.Metropolitan area network (MAN)

C.Local area network (LAN)

D.Personal area network (PAN)

AnswerC

A LAN connects devices within a limited area like an office, providing high-speed internal connectivity.

Why this answer

The branch office's internal network is a LAN (Local Area Network) because it connects devices within a single geographic location. The leased line to headquarters creates a WAN link, but the question specifically asks about the internal network. LANs are designed for high-speed local connectivity.

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