220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user on Windows 10 reports that a 64-bit application crashes immediately after launch with the error 'The procedure entry point could not be located in the dynamic link library'. The technician has already reinstalled the application and run System File Checker (SFC) with no issues. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often jump to repairing system files or performing a repair installation, but the specific 'procedure entry point' error points directly to a missing DLL function, making a dependency analysis tool the most appropriate next step.
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 Dependency Walker or a similar tool to identify the missing DLL.
The error 'The procedure entry point could not be located in the dynamic link library' indicates that a required function is missing from a DLL that the application depends on. Since reinstalling the application and running SFC did not resolve the issue, the next logical step is to use a tool like Dependency Walker to identify which specific DLL is missing or corrupted. This targeted approach avoids unnecessary system-level repairs and directly addresses the root cause.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Perform a Windows 10 repair installation using the 'Keep personal files and apps' option.
Why it's wrong here
A Windows 10 repair installation (in-place upgrade) reinstalls the operating system while retaining personal files and installed applications. This is a heavy, time-consuming procedure that resets core Windows components, but it does not specifically address a missing DLL entry point in a third-party application's dependency chain. The error is caused by the application expecting a particular function from a particular DLL version, and unless that DLL is part of the Windows image itself (which is often not the case for third-party runtimes like MSVC redistributables), a repair installation is unlikely to correct it. It is best reserved as a final troubleshooting step after targeted dependency analysis has failed.
- ✗
Use the System File Checker (SFC) with an offline scan.
Why it's wrong here
SFC has already been run online without issues. An offline scan scans the same system files and is unlikely to find different results; the problem is likely with the application's dependencies, not core system files.
- ✗
Run the application in Safe Mode to isolate driver conflicts.
Why it's wrong here
Running the 64-bit application in Safe Mode loads a minimal set of drivers and background services, which can help determine whether a driver conflict or system service is interfering with the application. However, the reported crash is due to a missing DLL entry point, which is a static loading or dependency resolution failure, not a runtime conflict caused by drivers. In Safe Mode, the application either still crashes because the required DLL/entry point is absent, or it happens to run because Safe Mode temporarily alters the DLL search path (e.g., by disabling certain registry redirects or third-party services) — but this does not fix the underlying dependency. It is a diagnostic step that may mask the problem, not a resolution, and cannot identify which DLL is missing.
- ✓
Use Dependency Walker or a similar tool to identify the missing DLL.
Why this is correct
Dependency Walker can analyze the application's import table to find which DLL is missing the required entry point, allowing the technician to fix the specific dependency (e.g., reinstall the correct version of a runtime or library).
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Troubleshoot: Android Common Issues
Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
Key term
Windows
Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft that manages computer hardware and software, providing a graphical user interface for users to interact with their devices.
About these practice questions
This 220-1102 question is part of Courseiva's 925-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 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 220-1102 exam.