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Question 181
A workstation suddenly powers off during CPU-intensive tasks, but the power supply fan continues spinning. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Overheating CPU
B) Wrong toolbar color
C) Incorrect folder layout
D) Faulty text icon
Answer: A
Explanation:
An overheating CPU is the most likely cause when a workstation powers off specifically during CPU-intensive tasks while the power supply fan continues running. When the CPU overheats, the system initiates thermal protection shutdown to prevent permanent damage. This can occur due to dried thermal paste, a clogged heatsink, an obstructed fan, poor airflow, or a malfunctioning cooling system. The power supply fan continuing to spin indicates that the system is not losing overall power; instead, the motherboard is shutting off the CPU due to temperature thresholds being exceeded. The shutdown occurring only under heavy CPU load strongly supports a thermal issue rather than a power delivery problem.
Wrong toolbar color affects only the visual theme of the interface. It has no interaction with hardware temperatures or CPU thermal protection mechanisms. Appearance changes cannot trigger system shutdowns related to high processing loads.
Incorrect folder layout refers to file organization preferences. This pertains exclusively to how files are displayed in the operating system and does not affect physical temperature, airflow, or CPU cooling. System shutdowns caused by folder layout changes are not plausible, as these settings do not influence hardware stress.
Faulty text icons impact visual elements such as font rendering or icon representation. These UI-related issues cannot directly interfere with the motherboard’s temperature sensors or CPU thermal response. Visual glitches cannot cause hardware to power off under stress.
Given that shutdowns occur only during processor-heavy tasks and the power supply remains active, overheating of the CPU is the most accurate explanation. Thermal protection is designed to respond precisely under these circumstances, making this the correct answer.
Question 182
A user reports that their monitor randomly goes black for a second and then returns to normal while they are using multiple displays. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Loose DisplayPort cable
B) Wrong UI scaling
C) Incorrect taskbar font
D) Faulty icon grid spacing
Answer: A
Explanation:
A loose DisplayPort cable is the most likely cause when a monitor briefly goes black and recovers on a multi-display setup. DisplayPort connectors rely on firm seating to maintain signal integrity. If the locking mechanism isn’t engaged or the cable is worn, even minor vibrations can cause momentary signal drops. Because multi-monitor configurations often demand higher bandwidth, the signal becomes more susceptible to interruptions when cables are not tightly connected. A brief blackout followed by normal operation is characteristic of transient signal loss due to a loose cable.
Wrong UI scaling affects only interface magnification and cannot cause a display to lose video signal momentarily. This setting changes the size of text and windows but leaves the physical cable connection and video output untouched.
Incorrect taskbar fonts relate entirely to appearance. Changing font style does not affect monitor signal stability or cable behavior. Visual modifications cannot cause monitors to black out or recover.
Faulty icon grid spacing affects desktop arrangement only and has no bearing on multi-monitor bandwidth or connection quality. Visual spacing settings are not involved in physical video transmission.
Because the issue aligns perfectly with signal interruption patterns, a loose DisplayPort cable is the correct explanation.
Question 183
A laptop’s fan becomes very loud when a second external monitor is connected. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Increased GPU workload
B) Wrong desktop theme
C) Incorrect folder sorting
D) Faulty icon color filter
Answer: A
Explanation:
Increased GPU workload is the most likely cause when connecting a second external monitor results in louder fan activity. Driving additional displays requires the GPU to render more content and manage higher output bandwidth. This increases heat production, prompting the cooling system to ramp up fan speeds. Laptops, due to limited cooling space, are particularly sensitive to increased thermal load when multiple displays are connected. The immediate rise in fan noise following the addition of another monitor confirms greater GPU heat output.
Wrong desktop themes modify only the system’s visual appearance. Themes have no impact on GPU processing load, display output, or thermal production.
Incorrect folder sorting deals only with how files are arranged. It has no connection to how external displays affect GPU behavior and cannot influence cooling system performance.
Faulty icon color filters relate only to graphical appearance and have no relevance to GPU usage changes when additional monitors are being driven.
Since adding a second monitor directly increases GPU demand and heat, the increased workload is the correct answer.
Question 184
A technician finds that a wireless keyboard frequently drops input when the user is seated far from the desk. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Weak signal range
B) Wrong color saturation
C) Incorrect icon spacing
D) Faulty theme animation
Answer: A
Explanation:
Weak signal range is the most likely cause when a wireless keyboard drops input only when the user sits far from the desk. Wireless keyboards have limited range based on their transmission technology, often 2.4 GHz or Bluetooth. Distance, obstacles, and interference degrade signal strength. Dropped keystrokes, delayed responses, or unregistered input when moving further away from the receiver are typical signs of exceeding the effective range. The issue disappearing when closer to the receiver further supports this conclusion.
Wrong color saturation affects the appearance of the display but does not influence wireless transmission strength or communication stability.
Incorrect icon spacing relates to desktop arrangement only and has no impact on wireless device range, signal strength, or performance.
Faulty theme animations pertain to aesthetic transitions and cannot affect hardware-level wireless input or signal reliability.
Because the symptom is distance-dependent, weak signal range is clearly the correct explanation.
Question 185
A user’s computer reports “No Boot Device Found” after moving the PC to a new desk. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Loose SATA power or data cable
B) Wrong taskbar gradient
C) Incorrect UI outline
D) Faulty icon glow
Answer: A
Explanation:
A loose SATA power or data cable is the most likely cause when the system reports “No Boot Device Found” after being physically moved. Transporting or repositioning a PC can shift internal components, especially if cables were not firmly seated. SATA connectors are known to loosen slightly when systems are bumped. Once disconnected, the BIOS cannot detect the drive, resulting in the boot error. The timing immediately after relocation strongly suggests that movement caused the cable to loosen.
Wrong taskbar gradients influence theme appearance only and cannot affect hardware drive detection.
Incorrect UI outlines modify graphical borders but do not impact BIOS functions or drive connectivity.
Faulty icon glow affects desktop appearance and has no connection to boot device enumeration or physical cabling.
Given the symptoms following movement, a loose SATA cable is the correct explanation.
Question 186
A technician notices that a laptop battery drains unusually fast only when connected to a 4K external monitor. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Higher GPU and CPU power consumption
B) Wrong wallpaper size
C) Incorrect text shading
D) Faulty icon border
Answer: A
Explanation:
Higher GPU and CPU power consumption is the most likely cause of rapid battery drain when using a 4K external monitor. Rendering high-resolution output requires significantly more processing power. The GPU must push more pixels, and the system may activate additional high-power modes. This increased workload draws more energy from the battery, leading to accelerated drain. The battery lasting longer without the external monitor confirms the relationship.
Wrong wallpaper sizes impact only the desktop image and do not change system power consumption significantly.
Incorrect text shading relates to font appearance only and cannot affect GPU output workload or battery usage.
Faulty icon borders influence only the look of application icons and have no effect on energy consumption.
The direct correlation between high-resolution external output and increased power usage makes higher GPU and CPU load the correct explanation.
Question 187
A user complains that their laptop touchpad stops responding intermittently whenever the system is under heavy load. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Driver latency issues
B) Wrong theme color
C) Incorrect icon angle
D) Faulty menu brightness
Answer: A
Explanation:
Driver latency issues are the most likely cause of intermittent touchpad responsiveness during heavy system load. When the CPU and system bus are saturated, input drivers may struggle to process data in real time. Delayed interrupts or high deferred procedure call (DPC) latency can cause touchpad freezes or slow response. The symptom occurring only under heavy load strongly suggests that driver processes are not receiving enough system resources.
Wrong theme colors affect appearance only and do not interact with input drivers or hardware interrupt handling.
Incorrect icon angles are purely cosmetic and have no relationship to touchpad responsiveness or system resource availability.
Faulty menu brightness relates only to UI adjustments and cannot interrupt hardware-level touchpad communication.
Given that responsiveness issues coincide with workload spikes, driver latency problems are the correct explanation.
Question 188
A workstation’s PSU fan spins, but none of the system components receive power. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Failed PSU rails
B) Wrong display tint
C) Incorrect icon spacing
D) Faulty theme pattern
Answer: A
Explanation:
Failed PSU rails are the most likely cause when a power supply fan spins but components receive no power. The fan runs on a separate low-voltage rail that may still function even if the primary rails (such as 12V or 5V) have failed. If these main output rails are damaged, the motherboard, CPU, and other components cannot receive the necessary power, leading to a dead system despite the fan spinning. This symptom is a known sign of PSU partial failure.
Wrong display tints affect only the monitor’s color adjustments and have no relation to power delivery.
Incorrect icon spacing modifies graphical arrangement only and cannot influence PSU rail health.
Faulty theme patterns impact appearance only and do not interact with internal electrical systems.
Because the fan running alone indicates partial PSU function failure, damaged rails are the correct explanation.
Question 189
A user reports that their laptop connects to Wi-Fi but cannot reach any websites. Other devices work fine. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Incorrect DNS settings
B) Wrong background tint
C) Incorrect cursor size
D) Faulty window decoration
Answer: A
Explanation:
When a user reports that their laptop connects to Wi-Fi but cannot reach any websites while other devices on the same network work fine, the most likely cause is incorrect DNS settings. The Domain Name System (DNS) is responsible for translating human-readable website addresses, like www.example.com, into IP addresses that computers can use to route traffic over the internet. If the DNS settings on the laptop are misconfigured, the system can successfully connect to the network but fail to resolve website addresses, making it appear as though the internet is not working. This situation can occur due to manually configured DNS addresses, software changes, malware, or corrupted network profiles, and it specifically affects name resolution rather than overall connectivity.
DNS misconfiguration can manifest in various ways. The laptop may still be able to ping IP addresses directly, indicating that the physical network connection and routing are functional, but attempts to browse websites using domain names will fail. Users may also experience delays, timeouts, or error messages in web browsers. Troubleshooting involves checking the network adapter’s DNS settings to ensure they are set to obtain DNS addresses automatically from the router or configuring reliable public DNS servers, such as those provided by Google or Cloudflare. Flushing the DNS cache and restarting the network adapter can also resolve temporary misconfigurations. Ensuring the DNS client service is running correctly within the operating system is another important step, as this service manages DNS resolution requests for applications.
The other options—wrong background tint, incorrect cursor size, and faulty window decoration—are entirely cosmetic settings within the operating system. Background tint affects the visual color overlay on windows, cursor size changes the appearance of the mouse pointer, and window decoration adjusts the look of window borders and controls. These settings influence only the visual experience and have no effect on network connectivity, IP routing, or DNS resolution. Adjusting them cannot prevent a system from accessing websites or communicating with DNS servers.
Given the symptoms, the most logical and technically accurate explanation is that incorrect DNS settings are preventing the laptop from resolving domain names. This directly accounts for the ability to connect to Wi-Fi while being unable to access websites and aligns with the fact that other devices on the same network function normally. Correcting the DNS configuration restores full internet functionality and allows the laptop to browse websites successfully.
Question 190
A technician observes that a workstation takes an unusually long time to shut down, often several minutes. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Background processes not terminating
B) Wrong theme reflection
C) Incorrect icon shading
D) Faulty scroll behavior
Answer: A
Explanation:
When a workstation takes an unusually long time to shut down, often several minutes, the most likely cause is background processes not terminating properly. Modern operating systems manage numerous applications and services running in the background, including antivirus programs, system updates, file synchronization tools, and other utilities. During shutdown, the operating system sends a termination signal to all active processes to ensure that data is saved and resources are released correctly. If any background process fails to respond, hangs, or takes an excessive amount of time to close, the shutdown sequence is delayed, causing the system to remain active for several minutes before powering off. This behavior is particularly common with resource-intensive applications, poorly coded software, or processes that are waiting for network responses or file access, such as cloud storage or network drives.
Background processes can become unresponsive due to a variety of reasons. Software conflicts, corrupted system files, or pending updates can prevent processes from closing properly. In some cases, malware or poorly optimized applications may continuously run in the background and resist termination, extending the shutdown time. The operating system usually waits for these processes to finish before completing the shutdown to prevent data loss or corruption, which is why the system may appear frozen during the process. Troubleshooting this issue often involves examining running processes using task management tools, updating or reinstalling problematic software, ensuring all system updates are completed, and checking for malware. Disabling unnecessary startup or background applications can also reduce shutdown delays and improve system responsiveness.
The other options—wrong theme reflection, incorrect icon shading, and faulty scroll behavior—are purely cosmetic settings within the operating system’s user interface. Theme reflection affects visual styling of windows and menus, icon shading influences how desktop icons appear, and scroll behavior changes the movement of scrollbars in applications. None of these settings interact with system processes, memory management, or shutdown procedures. Adjusting cosmetic or interface features cannot cause background processes to hang or delay the operating system’s ability to power down.
Given the symptoms of prolonged shutdown times and the fact that the system eventually powers off, the most logical and technically accurate explanation is that background processes are not terminating properly. This explanation aligns with the behavior observed and is consistent with how modern operating systems manage process termination during shutdown. Addressing unresponsive or resource-heavy background processes typically resolves the issue, restoring normal shutdown times for the workstation.
Question 191
A user reports that their laptop’s display flickers only when running on battery power but is stable when plugged in. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Power-saving display settings
B) Wrong desktop icon view
C) Incorrect menu outline
D) Faulty theme border
Answer: A)
Explanation:
Power-saving display settings are the most likely cause when a laptop’s screen flickers only while running on battery but remains stable while plugged in. Many laptops automatically reduce refresh rates, dim backlights, or adjust adaptive brightness to conserve battery power. These dynamic adjustments can sometimes result in visible flickering, especially on older panels or LEDs that react poorly to rapid brightness modulation. When the system switches to AC power, these energy-saving features are disabled, leading to stable display output. The symptom’s clear dependence on power source strongly suggests automatic power profile–related behavior.
Wrong desktop icon views only affect how items appear on the desktop. Whether icons are small, medium, or large does not influence refresh rates, voltage regulation, or backlight control. Modifying icon view options has no connection to flickering tied to battery operation, making this unrelated.
Incorrect menu outlines refer to stylistic UI elements such as borders or highlight effects. These affect visual style but cannot cause physical screen flickering, nor do they behave differently on battery versus AC power. The type of issue described—panel flicker under specific power conditions—cannot be explained by UI outlines.
Faulty theme borders also belong purely to user interface styling. Border colors, shapes, or animations do not modify panel voltage, refresh behaviors, or power regulation algorithms. Thus, such settings cannot generate display flicker that changes with power source.
Because the flickering occurs exclusively on battery and resolves instantly on AC, the cause must be a behavior that changes based on power profile. Power-saving display settings fit this perfectly, as they modify brightness curves, adaptive contrast algorithms, and refresh parameters when conserving energy. Therefore, power-saving display settings are the correct explanation.
Question 192
A desktop computer emits a short beep repeatedly and fails to boot after new RAM was installed. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Improperly seated memory
B) Wrong window size
C) Incorrect dock color
D) Faulty sidebar theme
Answer: A
Explanation:
When a desktop computer emits a short beep repeatedly and fails to boot after new RAM was installed, the most likely cause is improperly seated memory. Memory modules, or RAM sticks, must be installed correctly into the motherboard’s DIMM slots to establish proper electrical contact. If the RAM is not fully inserted or aligned properly, the motherboard cannot communicate with the memory, which prevents the system from completing the Power-On Self-Test (POST). The POST routine checks essential hardware components before loading the operating system, and when it detects memory errors, the BIOS signals the issue through a series of beep codes. Short, repeated beeps are a common indication that the motherboard cannot detect usable RAM.
Improper seating can occur due to several factors. The RAM might not be fully pressed into the slot, the retaining clips on the sides of the DIMM may not have locked in place, or dust and debris inside the slot can interfere with the connection. Additionally, using incompatible RAM modules in terms of type, speed, or voltage may also trigger POST errors. Technicians resolving this issue usually remove the RAM, inspect the module and the slot for debris or damage, and carefully reinstall the memory, ensuring that the retaining clips click securely into place. Once the memory is properly seated, the motherboard should recognize the RAM, the POST will complete successfully, and the system will boot normally.
The other options—wrong window size, incorrect dock color, and faulty sidebar theme—are purely cosmetic settings within the operating system. Window size affects the display of applications on the desktop, dock color controls the appearance of the application launcher or taskbar, and sidebar theme adjusts the visual style of interface panels. None of these settings have any effect on hardware initialization, memory recognition, or POST behavior. Adjusting cosmetic or interface options cannot prevent a system from detecting RAM or stop it from booting.
Given the symptoms—repeated short beeps immediately after new RAM installation—the most logical and technically accurate explanation is that the memory modules are improperly seated. This hardware-level issue directly prevents the system from completing POST and aligns perfectly with the timing of the problem, immediately after RAM installation. Ensuring correct installation of memory resolves the issue and allows the desktop to boot normally.
Question 193
A technician notices that a hard drive makes a clicking noise and the system freezes frequently. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Failing mechanical drive
B) Wrong font outline
C) Incorrect icon label spacing
D) Faulty wallpaper effect
Answer: A
Explanation:
A failing mechanical drive is the most likely cause of clicking noises accompanied by system freezes. The clicking sound, often called the “click of death,” occurs when the drive’s read/write head repeatedly attempts to recalibrate but cannot find the proper position. As the drive struggles to read data, the operating system stalls while waiting for responses, leading to freezing, slow performance, or failure to load applications. These symptoms strongly indicate mechanical degradation or imminent failure.
Wrong font outlines affect text display only. They do not interact with drive mechanics, magnetic platters, or head movement. No visual interface setting can produce clicking noises from hardware or cause system freezes due to I/O delays.
Incorrect icon label spacing influences only how text appears beneath desktop icons. This cosmetic adjustment cannot impact drive performance, head alignment, or mechanical behavior. Therefore, it is not relevant to this type of system failure.
Faulty wallpaper effects relate solely to desktop backgrounds and transitions. These do not stress the drive or cause mechanical issues. Even animated wallpapers rely on CPU and GPU resources, not mechanical drive operations.
The combination of audible clicking and system instability strongly suggests a failing hard drive, making this the correct explanation.
Question 194
A laptop overheats quickly after the user installed a new bottom case. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Blocked ventilation openings
B) Wrong desktop scaling
C) Incorrect cursor design
D) Faulty text animation
Answer: A
Explanation:
Blocked ventilation openings are the most likely cause of rapid overheating after replacing a laptop’s bottom case. Bottom covers often contain critical air channels, vent holes, and fan intake pathways. If the replacement case lacks proper openings, has misaligned vents, or was installed without removing protective films, airflow becomes severely restricted. This prevents hot air from escaping and cool air from entering, causing temperatures to rise quickly even under light workloads. The timing—overheating immediately after replacing the bottom cover—strongly confirms airflow blockage.
Wrong desktop scaling simply affects the size of interface elements and is unrelated to cooling efficiency, airflow, or internal thermals. Scaling settings cannot increase the temperature or impede fan operation.
Incorrect cursor designs modify pointer graphics only and have no connection to hardware cooling. These visual preferences do not influence air intake, fan speed, or thermal dissipation.
Faulty text animations relate to interface aesthetics such as menu transitions. These have no relationship to airflow patterns or hardware temperature.
Because overheating occurs immediately after installing a new bottom case, and ventilation is directly influenced by case design, blocked vents are the correct explanation.
Question 195
A user reports that their USB microphone produces crackling sounds during voice calls but works fine during recording. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Insufficient USB bandwidth during streaming
B) Wrong wallpaper stretch
C) Incorrect window border thickness
D) Faulty folder highlight
Answer: A
Explanation:
When a user reports that their USB microphone produces crackling sounds during voice calls but works fine during local recording, the most likely cause is insufficient USB bandwidth during streaming. USB microphones rely on the USB interface to transmit audio data to the computer in real time. During local recording, the operating system may prioritize audio processing and allow the device to write data directly to disk, which often requires less continuous bandwidth and is less sensitive to timing interruptions. However, during voice calls or streaming, audio data must be transmitted in real time over the USB bus while also being processed by conferencing software, network layers, and possibly other active USB devices. If multiple devices are competing for bandwidth or the USB controller cannot handle simultaneous high-speed transfers, audio packets may be delayed or dropped, resulting in crackling, stuttering, or distorted sound.
USB bandwidth limitations can occur for several reasons. The microphone may be connected through a USB hub shared with other high-demand devices such as external drives, webcams, or additional audio interfaces. Similarly, older USB standards like USB 2.0 have lower data throughput compared to USB 3.0, which can exacerbate the problem when multiple devices are active. System drivers, power management settings, or background applications that intermittently access the USB controller can also contribute to insufficient bandwidth. Addressing this issue often involves connecting the microphone to a dedicated USB port, preferably one that supports higher-speed data transfer, minimizing simultaneous high-bandwidth USB activity, and updating audio and USB drivers to ensure optimized data handling.
The other options—wrong wallpaper stretch, incorrect window border thickness, and faulty folder highlight—are purely cosmetic interface settings that affect only visual elements on the desktop. Wallpaper stretch changes how images fill the screen, window border thickness affects the appearance of application windows, and folder highlight modifies the visual indication for selected items. None of these settings interact with hardware interfaces, USB data transfer, or real-time audio processing, and therefore cannot cause crackling or stuttering during live voice calls.
Question 196
A workstation experiences sudden shutdowns whenever the user turns on a high-powered space heater in the same room. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Electrical circuit overload
B) Wrong menu accent
C) Incorrect theme scale
D) Faulty desktop shadow
Answer: A
Explanation:
When a workstation experiences sudden shutdowns whenever the user turns on a high-powered space heater in the same room, the most likely cause is an electrical circuit overload. Electrical circuits in homes or offices have a maximum current rating, usually determined by the gauge of the wiring and the circuit breaker installed. High-powered devices such as space heaters can draw significant amounts of current, often exceeding 1500 watts, which can place a heavy load on a single circuit. If the workstation is connected to the same circuit, the combined load of the computer, monitor, and other electronics plus the space heater can exceed the circuit’s safe capacity. When this happens, the voltage supplied to devices may drop suddenly or the circuit breaker may trip, causing the computer to shut down unexpectedly. This explains why the shutdown occurs only when the space heater is turned on, as the system is otherwise stable.
Electrical circuit overloads are a common problem when multiple high-demand devices are connected to the same outlet or branch circuit. Even modern power supplies can tolerate some fluctuations, but a significant drop in voltage or sudden interruption of power will force the workstation to shut down to protect internal components. Repeated occurrences can risk damage to sensitive parts such as the motherboard, power supply unit, and storage devices. The solution typically involves redistributing the electrical load by plugging high-powered devices into separate circuits, using dedicated outlets for computers, or employing surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) that can help buffer sudden voltage drops. Ensuring that each circuit is not overloaded also prevents overheating of wires, which could pose a fire hazard.
The other options—wrong menu accent, incorrect theme scale, and faulty desktop shadow—are purely cosmetic interface settings within the operating system. Menu accents influence colors, theme scale adjusts the size of interface elements, and desktop shadows affect the visual appearance of windows or icons. None of these settings interact with electrical circuits, voltage delivery, or hardware power requirements. They cannot cause sudden shutdowns, voltage fluctuations, or circuit overloads.
Given the symptoms, the most logical and technically accurate explanation is that the workstation experiences shutdowns due to electrical circuit overload when the space heater is turned on. This aligns with the timing of the problem, the high power consumption of the heater, and the behavior of the computer under reduced voltage conditions. Addressing the circuit load resolves the issue and restores stable operation for the workstation.
Question 197
A user’s NIC link light is on, but the system cannot obtain an IP address. Other devices on the same cable work fine. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Corrupt network driver
B) Wrong color grading
C) Incorrect title bar curvature
D) Faulty icon blur
Answer: A
Explanation:
When a user’s NIC link light is on, but the system cannot obtain an IP address while other devices on the same cable work fine, the most likely cause is a corrupt network driver. The link light indicates that the physical layer of the network connection is functioning, meaning the network interface card (NIC) is detecting a proper electrical connection to the switch or router. However, IP address assignment is part of the software and protocol layers, managed by the operating system through the network driver and the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) process. If the NIC driver is corrupted, outdated, or incompatible, the system may fail to request or receive an IP address, even though the hardware connection appears normal.
Network drivers act as intermediaries between the operating system and the hardware. A corrupt driver can prevent proper initialization of the NIC, mismanage DHCP requests, or fail to handle incoming network responses. This situation may occur after system updates, accidental file corruption, malware infection, or installation of incompatible driver versions. Because the issue is isolated to a single device on a known good cable, hardware issues such as a damaged NIC or faulty cabling are less likely. Troubleshooting typically involves uninstalling and reinstalling the NIC driver, updating it to a compatible version from the manufacturer, or rolling back to a previous version that functioned correctly. These steps restore proper communication between the operating system and the NIC, allowing the DHCP process to succeed and the system to obtain an IP address.
The other options—wrong color grading, incorrect title bar curvature, and faulty icon blur—are purely cosmetic settings affecting the user interface. Color grading affects how colors are displayed on the screen, title bar curvature changes the visual shape of application windows, and icon blur modifies the appearance of desktop icons. None of these settings interact with network hardware, drivers, or the operating system’s ability to obtain an IP address. Therefore, they cannot cause connectivity failures or DHCP issues.
Given that the NIC hardware link is active and other devices function properly on the same network, the most logical and technically accurate explanation is a corrupt network driver. This software-level issue prevents the NIC from properly negotiating with the DHCP server, leading to a failure in obtaining an IP address. Resolving the driver corruption restores network functionality, aligning with the observed symptoms.
Question 198
A technician observes that a user’s laptop battery drains even when the system is completely powered off. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Faulty battery cells
B) Wrong text smoothing
C) Incorrect theme rounding
D) Faulty dock highlight
Answer: A
Explanation:
Faulty battery cells are the most likely cause of battery drain even when the laptop is powered off. Damaged or aging lithium-ion cells can lose charge due to internal leakage, chemical degradation, or micro-shorts within the battery pack. These issues persist regardless of the system’s power state, meaning the battery continues to drain even when the laptop is not in use. This is a classic sign of battery failure, especially if the drain is rapid or inconsistent.
Wrong text smoothing affects only how fonts render onscreen and cannot cause a powered-off laptop to lose battery capacity.
Incorrect theme rounding affects only interface appearance and has no relationship to physical battery chemistry.
Faulty dock highlights relate to cosmetic animation or visual effects and cannot influence power draw when the system is off.
Since the drain occurs even with the device fully shut down, faulty battery cells are the correct explanation.
Question 199
A desktop PC repeatedly loses connection to an external hard drive connected through a USB hub, but works fine when the drive is plugged directly into the computer. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Insufficient hub power
B) Wrong icon corner style
C) Incorrect background blur
D) Faulty theme grid
Answer: A)
Explanation:
When a desktop PC repeatedly loses connection to an external hard drive connected through a USB hub but works fine when plugged directly into the computer, the most likely cause is insufficient hub power. Many external hard drives, especially high-capacity or high-speed models, require more power than a standard USB port can provide. USB hubs, particularly unpowered or bus-powered hubs, rely on the host computer to supply electricity to all connected devices. When multiple devices are connected simultaneously, or when a device demands higher current, the hub may not supply enough power to maintain stable operation. This insufficiency can result in intermittent disconnections, data transfer failures, or the device not being recognized at all.
External hard drives draw power to spin the drive platters and operate the internal circuitry. If the power supply from the hub is inadequate, the drive may initialize but fail under load, causing the system to lose the connection. Plugging the drive directly into the computer provides it with the full power available from the host USB port, eliminating the intermittent connectivity problem. This scenario highlights a common limitation of bus-powered USB hubs, which are convenient for low-power peripherals like keyboards, mice, or flash drives but may struggle with devices that require higher currents, such as mechanical or portable hard drives.
The other options—wrong icon corner style, incorrect background blur, and faulty theme grid—are purely cosmetic interface settings. These options only affect the visual appearance of windows, backgrounds, and themes on the desktop. They have no interaction with hardware, power delivery, or USB communication protocols. Adjusting them cannot cause an external drive to disconnect, interfere with data transmission, or affect device recognition. The problem described is clearly related to physical hardware behavior and power limitations rather than visual customization.
Technicians resolving this issue often recommend using a powered USB hub, which has its own external power supply, ensuring each connected device receives sufficient current. This prevents disconnects and allows multiple high-power devices to operate simultaneously. Alternatively, connecting the external drive directly to a host USB port guarantees stable operation without relying on the hub.
Question 200
A laptop’s Bluetooth stops working whenever airplane mode is toggled off and on. A full reboot restores functionality. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Bluetooth service failing to restart
B) Wrong color overlay
C) Incorrect taskbar glow
D) Faulty icon border width
Answer: A)
Explanation:
When a laptop’s Bluetooth stops working whenever airplane mode is toggled off and on, but a full reboot restores functionality, the most likely cause is the Bluetooth service failing to restart. Bluetooth functionality on a laptop depends on both hardware and software components working together. When airplane mode is enabled, the system disables all wireless communications, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Disabling airplane mode should signal the operating system to restart the Bluetooth service and reinitialize the adapter. However, if the service fails to restart properly due to driver issues, miscommunication between the operating system and hardware, or temporary software glitches, the Bluetooth adapter remains inactive even though airplane mode is off. This prevents the laptop from detecting or connecting to Bluetooth devices until the service is fully reset during a reboot.
Bluetooth services are managed by background processes in the operating system, and these services handle the communication between hardware and software applications. Problems can arise if the service becomes unresponsive, conflicts with other system components, or encounters errors during the toggling of airplane mode. Such issues are often observed after driver updates, operating system updates, or changes in network management settings. Restarting the service manually or performing a system reboot forces the service to reload, reinitialize the hardware, and restore normal Bluetooth functionality. Monitoring event logs or using troubleshooting tools can help confirm that the service is failing to restart correctly, which matches the pattern where toggling airplane mode temporarily breaks Bluetooth until the system is rebooted.
The other options—wrong color overlay, incorrect taskbar glow, and faulty icon border width—are purely cosmetic interface settings. They control the visual appearance of windows, taskbars, or icons and have no effect on hardware operations or system services. Changing these visual elements cannot interfere with the Bluetooth adapter, its drivers, or the services that manage wireless communication. Visual adjustments only affect aesthetics, not functionality, and cannot explain why Bluetooth stops working specifically when airplane mode is toggled.
Therefore, the most logical and technically accurate explanation is that the Bluetooth service fails to restart when airplane mode is toggled. This directly accounts for the observed behavior, and restoring the service through a full reboot or manually restarting the Bluetooth service resolves the issue.
