220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that a Windows 10 application crashes when trying to save a file to a network drive. The application works fine when saving locally. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse 'network connectivity issues' with 'outdated network driver' (Option D), but the driver is less likely to cause a crash specific to saving to a network drive, whereas connectivity issues directly affect the SMB session required for the save operation.
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
✓
Network connectivity issues
The application crashes specifically when saving to a network drive, but works fine locally, which points to a communication problem between the client and the network share. Network connectivity issues (e.g., intermittent packet loss, SMB session timeouts, or incorrect DNS resolution) can cause the save operation to fail or hang, leading to an application crash. This is the most likely cause because the symptom is isolated to network-based file operations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Insufficient local disk space
Why it's wrong here
Insufficient local disk space would cause failures for any save operation, including to the local disk itself. Since the application only crashes when saving to a network location, local storage capacity is not the limiting factor. Also, an application's temporary files are typically stored locally, so a full local disk would manifest as errors even before the network save is attempted.
- ✓
Network connectivity issues
Why this is correct
Saving to a network share requires a stable connection, valid authentication, and write permissions on the share. A transient disconnection, slow link, or incorrect access rights can cause the application to throw an unhandled exception when the write operation times out or is rejected. Because local saves rely on the local file system only, they remain unaffected, isolating the issue to the network path.
- ✗
Corrupted application files
Why it's wrong here
Corrupted application files typically produce crashes during startup, when loading modules, or during unrelated file operations, not exclusively when a save targets a network drive. If the application's binaries were corrupt, local saves would also fail, as they execute the same code path and depend on the same functions. The observed behavior is specific to the network destination, which indicates a problem with the environment or the network stack rather than the application's integrity.
- ✗
Outdated network driver
Why it's wrong here
An outdated network driver can cause a range of connectivity issues, but it is not the most immediate suspect when a save to a network share crashes. Basic connectivity problems—such as an unplugged cable, incorrect IP configuration, or unreachable share—are far more common and should be tested first. Additionally, a faulty driver would typically disrupt all network activity, not just a single save operation, making it a less precise explanation for this symptom.
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Linux Users and File Permissions
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
SMB
SMB is a network file-sharing protocol that allows applications to read, write, and request services from server programs in a computer network.
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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.