220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A technician is supporting a service-desk jump box. The immediate goal is to start Windows with minimal drivers to isolate a startup problem. Which tool, control, or procedure is the best fit?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse Safe Mode with System Restore, thinking that reverting to a previous state is the same as isolating a driver issue, but Safe Mode directly controls the driver load set without altering system history.
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
✓
Safe Mode
Safe Mode (option C) is the correct choice because it starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services, which is exactly what the technician needs to isolate a startup problem. By loading only essential drivers (e.g., standard VGA, basic storage, and system services), Safe Mode bypasses third-party drivers and startup programs that could be causing the issue, allowing the technician to determine if the problem is driver-related.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
System Restore
Why it's wrong here
System Restore reverts files, drivers and registry settings to an earlier point; it does not load Windows with a minimal driver set. It is tempting for undoing a bad change, and would be correct when a recent update or driver install caused the fault and rollback is acceptable.
- ✗
Event Viewer
Why it's wrong here
Event Viewer only reads logged events after the fact; it cannot alter which drivers load at boot. It is tempting because it diagnoses startup errors, but Safe Mode (or msconfig's minimal boot) is the tool that actually starts Windows with minimal drivers.
- ✓
Safe Mode
Why this is correct
Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and services, letting the technician determine whether a third-party driver or startup service causes the failure. This isolation directly satisfies the stem's goal of minimal-driver startup for diagnosing a startup problem.
- ✗
Local Users and Groups
Why it's wrong here
Local Users and Groups manages account membership and credentials; it has no role in controlling which drivers load at startup. It is tempting as a familiar administrative console, and would be correct when granting or removing local account permissions on the jump box.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Windows Startup Items and Services
Key term
Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in operating systems that loads only essential drivers and services, allowing users to troubleshoot and fix problems caused by non-critical software or hardware.
Key term
Video Graphics Array
Video Graphics Array (VGA) is a standard analog display interface used to connect computers to monitors, projectors, and other display devices.
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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.