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220-1102 Practice Question: A customer complains that their computer emits a…
A customer complains that their computer emits a strong chemical smell and is unusually hot. After inspection, you find the power supply is failing and leaking a brown, oily substance. How should you handle the power supply disposal?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that cleaning or disassembling e-waste makes it safe for normal disposal, when in fact any leaking or damaged power supply must be treated as hazardous e-waste and never opened by a technician.
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
✓
Put the power supply in an anti-static bag, seal it, and label it as hazardous e-waste.
A failing power supply leaking a brown, oily substance (typically from swollen or ruptured capacitors) is classified as hazardous e-waste due to toxic materials like lead, cadmium, and electrolyte fluids. Placing it in an anti-static bag prevents short circuits during transport, and labeling it as hazardous ensures proper disposal per environmental regulations such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or local e-waste directives.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Place the power supply in a standard trash bag and throw it in the dumpster.
Why it's wrong here
This action is strictly prohibited and environmentally irresponsible. Computer power supplies, especially those with leaking components like capacitors, contain hazardous materials such as heavy metals and corrosive electrolytes. Disposing of them in a standard dumpster violates e-waste regulations and can lead to severe soil and water contamination, posing risks to public health and ecosystems.
- ✓
Put the power supply in an anti-static bag, seal it, and label it as hazardous e-waste.
Why this is correct
This is the correct and safest procedure for handling a compromised power supply. An anti-static bag provides a protective barrier, containing any further leakage of potentially corrosive or toxic capacitor electrolytes and preventing contamination of the surrounding environment. Sealing and clearly labeling it as hazardous e-waste ensures that specialized recycling facilities can process it according to environmental regulations, safely neutralizing or reclaiming its components.
- ✗
Clean the power supply with isopropyl alcohol and then recycle it normally.
Why it's wrong here
Cleaning a leaking power supply with isopropyl alcohol is ineffective and potentially dangerous. While alcohol might clean surface residue, it does not neutralize the hazardous chemicals within the leaking capacitors, which remain a significant environmental and health risk. Furthermore, "normal" recycling streams are not equipped to handle components with active leaks or hazardous materials, requiring specialized e-waste processing to prevent contamination.
- ✗
Disassemble the power supply to remove the leaking capacitor and then dispose of the rest.
Why it's wrong here
Disassembling a power supply, especially one that has failed, is extremely dangerous and should only be performed by trained professionals. Capacitors within a power supply can retain a lethal electrical charge even after being unplugged, posing a severe shock hazard. Additionally, leaking electrolytes are corrosive and toxic, requiring specialized personal protective equipment and ventilation to handle safely, which an untrained individual typically lacks.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Data Destruction and Disposal
Key term
Recovery
Recovery is the process of restoring systems, data, and operations after a security incident, failure, or disaster to return to normal functioning.
Key term
Proper disposal
Proper disposal is the secure and environmentally responsible process of destroying, recycling, or discarding IT equipment and data-bearing devices to prevent data breaches and comply with regulations.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.