Visit here for our full CompTIA 220-1101 exam dumps and practice test questions.
Question 121
A technician finds that a desktop PC’s case fan is spinning but no air is being pulled through the system. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Fan installed backwards
B) Wrong folder sort type
C) Incorrect taskbar color
D) Faulty cursor animation
Answer: A
Explanation:
A fan installed backwards is the most likely cause when the fan spins but airflow is not moving through the system. Case fans are directional, meaning air must flow from the correct side to provide cooling. If installed backward, air is pushed in the wrong direction, causing turbulence or preventing air from circulating effectively. Although the fan is running, the cooling effect is nearly zero, leading to heat buildup. This problem is very common after hardware servicing or cleaning where the fan orientation is accidentally reversed. Because airflow direction is essential to cooling, a backwards-installed fan aligns perfectly with the described symptoms.
Wrong folder sort type changes only how files appear in a file explorer window. It has no connection to hardware airflow, physical cooling, or fan performance.
Incorrect taskbar color affects only visual interface customization. It does not interact with hardware components or cooling systems.
Faulty cursor animation influences the appearance of mouse pointers. It cannot affect airflow, fan direction, or system cooling.
The symptom clearly involves physical airflow failure despite proper fan movement. This strongly suggests reversed fan orientation, making it the correct explanation.
Question 122
A user reports that their Wi-Fi connection drops only when they are in a specific room of the house. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Signal obstruction
B) Wrong volume mixer settings
C) Incorrect display orientation
D) Faulty print queue
Answer: A
Explanation:
Signal obstruction is the most likely cause when Wi-Fi connectivity issues occur only in one room. Wi-Fi signals weaken significantly when passing through barriers such as thick walls, metal objects, appliances, or reinforced concrete. Sources like water pipes, large mirrors, and even furniture placement can reduce coverage. If the connection drops specifically in a single location, this strongly indicates that obstacles in that room are blocking or weakening the signal. Because Wi-Fi is highly susceptible to physical interference, the pattern of location-based disconnection is a hallmark of signal obstruction.
Wrong volume mixer settings relate only to audio playback. They cannot affect wireless networking, signal quality, or router communication.
Incorrect display orientation changes how the screen is rotated but does not influence signal behavior or radio frequency propagation.
A faulty print queue affects only printing tasks and has no impact on wireless stability or coverage.
Because the disconnects occur only in one physical area, structural or object-based interference is the clearest explanation.
Question 123
A technician notices that a laptop makes a high-pitched whining noise only when the CPU is under load. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Coil whine
B) Wrong screensaver timeout
C) Incorrect caching mode
D) Faulty icon arrangement
Answer: A
Explanation:
Coil whine is the most likely cause of a high-pitched noise that appears when the CPU is under load. Coil whine occurs when electrical components such as inductors vibrate at high frequencies as current flows through them. When the CPU is busy, power draw increases, causing the coils in the VRMs or other power circuits to oscillate audibly. This sound can resemble a whine, squeal, or hiss. It is harmless but annoying and is most noticeable during high workloads, which matches the described behavior exactly.
Wrong screensaver timeout affects only how long it takes for the screensaver to activate. It cannot generate physical noises or influence CPU power circuitry.
Incorrect caching modes relate to storage performance but will not create audible whining. They might affect system speed but cannot cause electrical components to vibrate.
Faulty icon arrangement concerns only desktop layout. It cannot produce physical noise or relate to CPU load.
Because the noise correlates with CPU load and is characteristic of electrical vibration, coil whine is the correct answer.
Question 124
A workstation’s NIC link light flickers rapidly, but the user reports extremely slow network speeds. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Duplex mismatch
B) Wrong default browser
C) Incorrect recycle bin settings
D) Faulty menu animation
Answer: A
Explanation:
A duplex mismatch is the most likely cause of slow network speeds despite active link light activity. Duplex settings determine whether communication occurs one-way (half-duplex) or both ways simultaneously (full-duplex). If one device is set to full-duplex and the other to half-duplex, collisions occur, causing retransmissions, slow performance, and inconsistent speeds. Although the link light still flickers to indicate activity, throughput becomes heavily degraded. This issue is common when one device is manually configured and the other uses auto-negotiation.
Wrong default browser only affects which program opens web links. It has no impact on NIC settings or network performance.
Incorrect recycle bin settings relate only to file deletion behavior and cannot cause slow networking or duplex errors.
Faulty menu animations affect how menus appear. They do not influence hardware communication standards.
Since duplex mismatch causes exactly the symptoms described—active but slow connection—it is the most likely cause.
Question 125
A technician finds that a user’s laptop battery takes significantly longer to charge than before, even when plugged into the original charger. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Battery degradation
B) Wrong wallpaper size
C) Incorrect keyboard theme
D) Faulty browser bookmark
Answer: A
Explanation:
Battery degradation is a gradual decline in a device’s ability to hold a charge, caused by the natural wear of its internal components. Over time, frequent charging, high temperatures, and heavy usage reduce battery efficiency, making the device drain faster and require more frequent recharging. Wrong wallpaper size can also affect the overall visual experience of a device. When an image does not match the screen’s resolution, it may appear blurry, stretched, or improperly cropped, reducing the quality of the display. Selecting appropriately sized wallpapers ensures a clean and sharp appearance. Another common issue is an incorrect keyboard theme, which can disrupt typing comfort and visual consistency. A theme with low contrast, poor color choices, or mismatched style may slow down typing or make keys harder to distinguish. Adjusting the theme to a more suitable one improves both usability and the typing experience. Finally, faulty browser bookmarks occur when saved links become outdated, broken, or incorrectly entered. These bookmarks fail to open the intended pages, leading to frustration and wasted time. Regularly reviewing and updating bookmarks helps maintain quick and reliable access to frequently visited sites.
Question 126
A user reports that their desktop computer randomly disconnects from Bluetooth devices while Wi-Fi works normally. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Bluetooth interference
B) Wrong display color profile
C) Incorrect file naming
D) Faulty taskbar grouping
Answer: A
Explanation:
Bluetooth interference is a common problem that affects the stability and quality of wireless connections. It often occurs when multiple wireless signals overlap in the same area, causing disruptions between a Bluetooth device and the device it is connected to. This can lead to audio lag, frequent disconnections, or weak signal strength. Interference can come from Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, or even other Bluetooth accessories. Reducing obstacles, minimizing distance, or switching to less crowded wireless channels can help improve performance.
Wrong display color profile is another issue that impacts visual accuracy on screens. When the display uses an incorrect profile, colors may look faded, overly saturated, or too warm or cool. This becomes particularly noticeable in tasks like photo editing, movie watching, or gaming, where accurate color representation is important. Adjusting the color profile to match the display’s specifications ensures more natural and consistent visuals.
Incorrect file naming can create confusion and disrupt productivity. Files with vague, inconsistent, or overly complex names are harder to locate and organize. This may lead to misplaced documents, version errors, or time wasted searching for the correct file. Implementing clear and structured naming conventions helps maintain a cleaner and more efficient workflow.
Faulty taskbar grouping is an interface-related issue that occurs when application windows fail to group properly or group in ways the user does not prefer. This can clutter the taskbar, make multitasking more difficult, and slow down productivity. Tweaking taskbar settings or restarting the system interface often resolves the issue and restores a smoother, more organized workspace.
Question 127
A technician discovers that a desktop fails to start because the power supply fan is not spinning. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Failed power supply unit
B) Wrong icon spacing
C) Incorrect screensaver choice
D) Faulty recycle bin link
Answer: A
Explanation:
A failed power supply unit is one of the most critical hardware issues a computer can experience, as it provides the necessary electrical energy for all components to function. When the power supply begins to fail, users may notice symptoms such as sudden shutdowns, failure to boot, strange noises, or even burning smells. A malfunctioning unit can also damage other internal parts if left unresolved, making timely diagnosis important. Wrong icon spacing, on the other hand, is a cosmetic but still frustrating visual issue. When icons on the desktop are spaced too far apart or too close together, it can disrupt the layout and make the screen feel cluttered or uneven. Adjusting the display or personalization settings usually restores comfortable spacing. Incorrect screensaver choice may seem minor, but it can affect the overall experience of using a device. A screensaver that is too bright, too distracting, or incompatible with system settings may consume unnecessary resources or fail to activate when needed. Choosing a simple or system-optimized screensaver often improves stability and reduces visual clutter. Lastly, a faulty recycle bin link occurs when the shortcut becomes corrupted or does not properly connect to the system’s actual recycle bin directory. This may prevent users from accessing deleted files or managing storage. Repairing or recreating the shortcut typically resolves the issue and restores normal functionality.
Question 128
A user reports that their smartphone constantly loses cellular signal only inside a specific building. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Building material interference
B) Wrong alarm tone
C) Incorrect font setting
D) Faulty sound mixer
Answer: A
Explanation:
Building material interference is a common issue that affects wireless signals inside homes, offices, or large buildings. Thick walls, metal structures, reinforced concrete, and dense insulation can weaken or block Wi-Fi, cellular, or Bluetooth signals, leading to poor connectivity and slow performance. This can cause devices to disconnect frequently or experience delays in communication. Rearranging the placement of routers or devices, or using signal boosters, often helps reduce the impact of obstructive materials. Wrong alarm tone is another problem that can affect daily routines more than expected. An alarm tone that is too soft, too similar to background sounds, or overly soothing may fail to wake someone or alert them at the needed time. On the other hand, a tone that is extremely loud or harsh may create unnecessary stress. Selecting an alarm sound with clear, distinct frequencies improves reliability and ensures the alert is noticed. Incorrect font setting can disrupt readability across apps, documents, or user interfaces. Fonts that are too small, overly stylized, or poorly spaced can strain the eyes and make information harder to understand. Adjusting font size, style, and spacing helps restore comfort and clarity. Faulty sound mixer issues occur when audio levels, device outputs, or application channels do not function correctly. This can result in muted programs, uneven volume, or audio playing through the wrong device. Resetting the mixer settings or updating drivers typically resolves the problem and restores balanced, consistent sound output.
Question 129
A technician observes that a desktop PC’s CPU temperature spikes rapidly as soon as a workload begins. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Improperly seated heatsink
B) Wrong browser default zoom
C) Incorrect file path
D) Faulty theme selection
Answer: A
Explanation:
When a computer or device begins to show symptoms only when workload increases, such as freezing, throttling, sudden shutdowns, performance drops, or loud fan noise, the most likely cause is a hardware-related thermal issue. In this context, the scenario strongly points toward improperly seated heatsink, making option A the most probable cause. A heatsink is responsible for pulling heat away from the CPU or GPU, allowing the system to maintain safe temperatures even under heavy load. If the heatsink is loose, unevenly mounted, or missing proper thermal paste, it cannot effectively transfer heat. As a result, temperatures spike rapidly as soon as demanding tasks begin. This leads to thermal throttling—where the processor slows down to protect itself—or sudden shutdowns to prevent damage. Improper heatsink seating can also cause long-term component stress, reduced lifespan, and intermittent instability that only appears under stress tests, gaming, editing, or multitasking.
Wrong browser default zoom, option B, is a much less serious issue and would not directly correlate with problems caused by increased workload. A faulty zoom setting may distort webpage appearance or text size, but it has no impact on hardware performance and would not cause system slowdowns or crashes. This issue affects only visual presentation and user experience, not overall functionality.
Incorrect file path, option C, typically leads to software errors such as “file not found,” “missing directory,” or failed program launches. While frustrating, it does not cause workload-dependent symptoms. File path issues remain consistent regardless of the load the system is under. They do not trigger performance drops, overheating, or instability, meaning they have no relationship to the workload-related behavior described.
Faulty theme selection, option D, is also an unlikely culprit. Themes involve appearance changes—colors, icons, wallpapers, window styles—and have minimal impact on processing performance. Although a poorly optimized theme could slightly increase memory usage, it would not cause severe failures when the system is placed under stress. Any symptoms from a theme problem would appear consistently, not specifically during high workloads.
Given the scenario, the overheating and performance instability associated with high demand make an improperly seated heatsink the most plausible and technically accurate cause, as it directly affects how well the system handles increased thermal output during intensive tasks.
Question 130
A user states that their laptop frequently disconnects from the external monitor when the lid is slightly moved. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Loose video cable connection
B) Wrong scrollbar style
C) Incorrect language setting
D) Faulty notification icon
Answer: A
Explanation:
A loose video cable connection is one of the most common causes of display-related problems, especially when a monitor suddenly flickers, loses signal, or shows intermittent distortion. When the connection between the computer and the monitor is unstable, even slight movements of the desk or cable can cause the screen to briefly go black or produce visual glitches. This issue becomes more noticeable during high-resolution tasks or when the system refreshes the display rapidly. Reseating the cable firmly or replacing a damaged cord usually resolves the issue quickly, ensuring a stable and consistent video output without interruptions.
Wrong scrollbar style, on the other hand, is largely a cosmetic interface issue. It involves changes in how the scrollbar appears—whether narrow, thick, overlay-style, or always visible. Although it may cause slight confusion or make navigation feel different, it does not affect system performance or hardware behavior in any way. A simple adjustment in settings or browser preferences typically restores the preferred look.
Incorrect language setting can affect user interaction by displaying menus, messages, and keyboard inputs in an unexpected language. This can cause confusion, reduce efficiency, and lead to misinterpretation of system functions. However, it does not affect system stability, hardware performance, or display connectivity. Switching to the correct language in system settings fixes the issue immediately.
A faulty notification icon occurs when an icon fails to update, disappears, or shows incorrect information in the system tray. While it can be inconvenient—especially if it relates to battery status, network connectivity, or security alerts—it remains a superficial problem. It does not disrupt hardware function or cause display failures. Refreshing the taskbar, restarting the application, or resetting icon cache usually resolves it.
Among the options given, a loose video cable connection stands out as the issue most capable of producing noticeable screen disruptions or signal loss, making it the most significant and likely cause in a scenario involving display instability.
Question 131
A technician finds that a user’s desktop PC occasionally freezes only when copying large files between two internal drives. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Failing SATA cable
B) Wrong display theme
C) Incorrect text size
D) Faulty recycle bin image
Answer: A
Explanation:
A failing SATA cable is often responsible for intermittent storage-related problems such as slow file transfers, random system freezes, failed boots, or drives that disappear and reappear without warning. Because the SATA cable carries data between the motherboard and the storage device, any damage, loose fit, or internal break can interrupt communication. These interruptions may cause corrupted files, disk errors, or even system crashes. Users may notice that the computer struggles to load programs or that the operating system occasionally reports drive-related warnings. Replacing the SATA cable with a new, high-quality one usually resolves these issues immediately and restores stable drive performance.
Wrong display theme, in contrast, is mostly an aesthetic concern. A mismatched theme may change colors, backgrounds, or window shapes in ways that feel unpleasant or inconsistent with the user’s preferences. While it may reduce comfort or readability, it does not affect system performance, storage integrity, or overall functionality. Adjusting the theme settings in the personalization menu rectifies the issue easily.
Incorrect text size can impact the clarity and usability of the interface. If the text is too small, users may strain their eyes; if too large, the layout may appear cluttered or misaligned. Although this affects comfort and accessibility, it does not cause technical failures or impact hardware communication. Adjusting the text scaling in display settings typically solves the problem.
A faulty recycle bin image is a minor visual glitch where the icon appears corrupted, outdated, or fails to change based on its contents. While this can be annoying, it has no effect on the file system itself. Refreshing the icon cache or reverting theme settings generally restores the correct appearance.
Among the listed options, a failing SATA cable is clearly the most serious and impactful, as it directly affects data integrity, drive reliability, and system stability, unlike the other primarily cosmetic or usability-related issues.
Question 132
A user reports that their laptop randomly resumes from sleep while inside a backpack. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Lid sensor malfunction
B) Wrong pointer scheme
C) Incorrect browser theme
D) Faulty image viewer
Answer: A
Explanation:
A lid sensor malfunction is one of the more significant hardware issues a laptop can experience because it directly affects how the system interprets whether the lid is open or closed. The lid sensor—often magnetic or mechanical—signals the device to enter sleep mode, wake up, or adjust display behavior. When this sensor malfunctions, the laptop may randomly go to sleep while you are using it, refuse to wake when the lid is opened, or repeatedly turn the screen off and on. These symptoms can cause data loss, workflow interruptions, and frustration. In more severe cases, the device may appear completely unresponsive despite being powered on, simply because the system incorrectly believes the lid is closed. Repairing or replacing the sensor, or recalibrating the internal components, usually restores normal operation.
Wrong pointer scheme, by comparison, is a purely cosmetic and functional preference issue. It affects how the mouse cursor looks, but not how it behaves or how the system performs. An unusual or low-contrast scheme may make the pointer harder to see, but it does not cause operational failures.
Incorrect browser theme changes only the appearance of web browser elements such as colors, buttons, and backgrounds. A mismatched theme might reduce readability or look unappealing but has no impact on hardware behavior or overall system stability.
A faulty image viewer is a software-related issue where pictures fail to open, display incorrectly, or appear distorted. While inconvenient, it does not cause system-wide problems and can usually be fixed by reinstalling the viewer or using a different application.
Among the options, a lid sensor malfunction is clearly the most impactful and technically significant, as it directly affects core system behavior rather than just appearance or software preferences.
Question 133
A technician notices that a workstation reboots whenever a high-power USB device is connected. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Overloaded USB power rail
B) Wrong wallpaper scale
C) Incorrect taskbar height
D) Faulty folder icons
Answer: A
Explanation:
An overloaded USB power rail is the most serious and likely issue when problems occur with connected devices, especially when multiple peripherals stop working, disconnect randomly, or fail to receive enough power. USB ports share a limited power budget supplied through the motherboard. When too many high-draw devices—such as external hard drives, LED accessories, webcams, or microphones—are plugged in simultaneously, the total demand can exceed what the rail can deliver. This overload may cause devices to reset, flicker, or fail to initialize. In some cases, the system may even disable ports temporarily to prevent damage. Overloading can also indicate a deeper electrical issue, such as a failing power regulator on the motherboard, making it important to reduce the load or use a powered USB hub to supply additional current.
Wrong wallpaper scale, by contrast, is merely a display preference issue that affects how the background image fits the screen. It may appear stretched, cropped, or pixelated, but it does not interfere with hardware functionality. Adjusting the wallpaper settings easily resolves it.
Incorrect taskbar height affects only the layout of the desktop environment. An overly large or small taskbar may look awkward or reduce screen space, yet it has no effect on system stability or device operation.
Faulty folder icons occur when icon files become corrupted or mismatched. While visually irritating, this issue remains purely cosmetic and does not impact system performance or hardware behavior.
Among the options, an overloaded USB power rail clearly stands out as the most impactful, as it directly affects device power delivery and overall system reliability.
Question 134
A user reports that their smartphone’s touchscreen works intermittently, only after applying firm pressure. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Loose digitizer connection
B) Wrong alarm sound
C) Incorrect ringtone volume
D) Faulty folder arrangement
Answer: A
Explanation:
A loose digitizer connection is the most significant and likely issue when a device begins experiencing touch-related problems such as unresponsive areas, ghost touches, delayed input, or intermittent touch functionality. The digitizer is the component that translates touch into signals the device can interpret. If its connection to the main board becomes loose—due to drops, bending, device aging, or manufacturing defects—the touch layer cannot consistently communicate with the system. As a result, the screen may respond unpredictably, register touches that weren’t made, or stop responding entirely in certain regions. This type of hardware issue often worsens over time and typically requires reseating the connector or replacing the digitizer assembly to restore normal performance.
Wrong alarm sound, by contrast, is a minor preference problem. While an unsuitable alarm tone may be too quiet, too gentle, or simply unpleasant, it does not interfere with core system functions and is easily fixed by choosing a new sound in settings.
Incorrect ringtone volume affects only incoming call volume and does not cause functional issues beyond being hard to notice. It does not relate to touch performance, display behavior, or device stability.
Faulty folder arrangement is a simple organizational issue where apps or files are placed in the wrong folders or appear disorderly on the home screen. It is purely cosmetic, does not cause hardware malfunction, and has no effect on touch accuracy beyond user preference.
Among the four options, a loose digitizer connection is clearly the most serious and technically relevant cause when touch functionality is compromised.
Question 135
A gaming PC shuts down immediately when the GPU reaches high load, but CPU temperatures remain normal. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) GPU overheating
B) Wrong file explorer style
C) Incorrect app menu size
D) Faulty window border design
Answer: A
Explanation:
GPU overheating is the most likely cause when shutdowns occur under heavy graphics load while CPU temperatures remain stable. GPUs produce significant heat, and if cooling is inadequate—due to dust, failed fans, dried thermal paste, or airflow issues—they can reach critical temperatures. Modern hardware includes safety mechanisms that power off the system to prevent damage. Because the shutdown occurs only during GPU-intensive tasks, the GPU is clearly the overheating component.
Wrong file explorer styles affect only interface appearance and cannot trigger thermal shutdowns.
Incorrect app menu size influences UI scaling but does not interact with GPU cooling or temperature regulation.
Faulty window border designs impact cosmetic UI elements only, not hardware behavior.
The symptom pattern directly aligns with GPU thermal issues, making overheating the correct answer.
Question 136
A technician discovers that a user’s laptop displays flickering horizontal lines only when the screen is adjusted to a certain angle. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Damaged display ribbon cable
B) Wrong dock icon
C) Incorrect taskbar grouping
D) Faulty audio encoder
Answer: A
Explanation:
A damaged display ribbon cable is the most serious and technically relevant issue among the options, especially when a device shows symptoms such as flickering, horizontal or vertical lines, intermittent blackouts, or a screen that reacts when the lid or display is moved. The ribbon cable carries crucial video signals from the motherboard to the screen, and because it flexes every time the device is opened or closed, it is prone to wear and tear over time. If the cable becomes pinched, partially torn, or otherwise damaged, the signal becomes unstable. This can cause the display to malfunction intermittently or fail completely. In laptops, this problem often worsens gradually, starting as a minor flicker and eventually turning into full display failure unless the cable is replaced.
Wrong dock icon is a much simpler issue that affects only the appearance of application shortcuts. While it can look confusing or out of place, it does not interfere with system performance, hardware operation, or screen behavior.
Incorrect taskbar grouping affects how open windows are organized on the taskbar. It may make multitasking feel less convenient or cluttered, but it has no impact on hardware or display signals and is easily adjusted through taskbar settings.
A faulty audio encoder affects sound processing, causing distorted playback, incorrect audio formats, or export errors. However, it has nothing to do with the display, and it cannot cause visual glitches or screen failures.
Among all the listed options, a damaged display ribbon cable remains the most likely cause of display instability or visual malfunction.
Question 137
A workstation’s hard drive LED stays solidly lit, and applications take a long time to open. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Drive nearing failure
B) Wrong theme font
C) Incorrect icon scaling
D) Faulty screen color filter
Answer: A
Explanation:
A drive nearing failure is the most serious and likely issue when a system begins showing symptoms such as slow loading times, frequent freezes, clicking or grinding noises, corrupted files, or sudden crashes. As a storage drive ages—especially mechanical hard drives—its internal components wear down, leading to bad sectors and unreliable data access. The operating system may struggle to read or write information, causing delays, failed boots, or warnings about disk errors. Even solid-state drives can exhibit failure signs when their memory cells degrade, leading to disappearing files or inconsistent performance. If not addressed promptly, the drive can fail completely, resulting in data loss. Running diagnostic tools, backing up important files, and replacing the drive early can prevent severe damage and ensure system stability.
Wrong theme font is a purely cosmetic issue and affects only how text appears within menus and windows. While an unsuitable font may look awkward or reduce readability, it does not slow the system, cause crashes, or damage hardware.
Incorrect icon scaling affects the size and clarity of icons on the desktop or interface. If scaling is set too high or too low, icons may look blurry or disproportionate. This is a visual preference issue and does not impact device performance or data integrity.
A faulty screen color filter involves incorrect color adjustments, often resulting in tinted displays such as yellow, blue, or grayscale. While visually disruptive, it does not cause system-wide performance problems and is usually fixable by adjusting accessibility or display settings.
Among all the options, a drive nearing failure stands out as the most critical and impactful cause, as it directly affects system stability, data safety, and overall functionality.
Question 138
A user complains that their desktop PC no longer wakes from sleep when the mouse is moved, but the system does wake when the power button is pressed. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Wake-on-USB disabled
B) Wrong cursor size
C) Incorrect display zoom
D) Faulty wallpaper slideshow
Answer: A
Explanation:
Wake-on-USB disabled is the most technically meaningful issue among the choices, especially in situations where a computer fails to wake from sleep when a keyboard, mouse, or other USB device is used. Wake-on-USB is a system feature that allows connected peripherals to send a wake signal to the computer’s motherboard while it is in a low-power state. If this feature is disabled—either in the operating system, BIOS/UEFI settings, or through driver configurations—USB devices will appear unresponsive during sleep, even though they function normally when the system is awake. This can cause confusion, as users may assume the peripherals are faulty when the real problem is simply a disabled wake function. Re-enabling the option usually restores proper behavior immediately.
Wrong cursor size, by comparison, affects only visual comfort and usability. If the cursor is too large, it may feel distracting; if too small, it can be hard to see. While this affects the user’s experience, it does not impact system performance, power states, or hardware communication.
Incorrect display zoom alters the scale of text, windows, and interface elements. This can make items appear tiny or oversized, potentially reducing readability. However, it does not affect device functionality or wake-from-sleep behavior and is easily corrected through display settings.
A faulty wallpaper slideshow causes issues such as backgrounds not changing, incorrect timing, or improperly displayed images. This is purely cosmetic and unrelated to power management or system waking functions.
Overall, wake-on-USB disabled is the only option capable of causing operational issues involving sleep and wake behavior, making it the most likely and technically relevant cause when USB devices fail to wake the system.
Question 139
A user reports that their laptop’s trackpad becomes unresponsive only when the device is connected to an external monitor. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Driver conflict
B) Wrong audio theme
C) Incorrect folder grouping
D) Faulty font download
Answer: A
Explanation:
A driver conflict is the most likely and most technically significant cause among the options, especially in situations where a system begins to behave unpredictably, experiences crashes, shows hardware malfunctions, or displays inconsistent performance. Drivers act as the communication layer between the operating system and hardware components. When two or more drivers attempt to control the same device, or when an outdated or incompatible driver is installed, the system may struggle to determine which instructions to follow. This can lead to symptoms such as sudden freezes, audio or video failures, device disconnects, repeated error messages, or poor overall performance. Driver conflicts can appear after system updates, hardware changes, or the installation of certain applications. The solution often involves rolling back a problematic driver, updating to a compatible version, or removing duplicate or conflicting entries. Proper driver management is essential for stable and reliable system operation.
Wrong audio theme, on the other hand, is a minor cosmetic setting that affects only the sound scheme used for notifications or events. While it may create unfamiliar or unwanted tones, it does not interfere with hardware, cause system instability, or generate conflicts.
Incorrect folder grouping is purely an organizational or UI preference issue. It affects how folders or items are arranged in a file manager but has no impact on system functionality, performance, or hardware communication.
A faulty font download typically results in text that appears corrupted, missing, or incorrectly styled. Although it may disrupt document readability or interface appearance, it remains a software-level issue that does not affect system drivers or device stability.
Among all the presented options, a driver conflict stands out as the only one capable of causing major operational or hardware-related issues.
Question 140
A technician observes that a desktop PC loses its time and date settings every time it is unplugged from power. What is the MOST likely cause?
A) Dead CMOS battery
B) Wrong dock position
C) Incorrect DPI scaling
D) Faulty icon pack
Answer: A
Explanation:
A dead CMOS battery is the most significant and technically impactful issue among the choices, especially when a computer begins to show symptoms such as losing the correct date and time, forgetting BIOS settings, failing to boot properly, or displaying repeated configuration errors on startup. The CMOS battery provides a small but essential power supply to the motherboard’s firmware, allowing it to retain hardware settings even when the system is powered off. When this battery dies, the BIOS resets to default values every time the machine is shut down. This can cause hardware detection problems, incorrect boot order, fan misbehavior, and inconsistent system performance. Users may notice that the clock resets to an old date, the system insists on entering BIOS setup, or hardware settings fail to save. Replacing the CMOS battery is simple and typically restores normal behavior immediately, ensuring the computer retains its essential configuration.
Wrong dock position is a minor usability issue affecting only the placement of the dock or taskbar on the screen. While it may look unusual or make navigation feel awkward, it does not impact system performance or BIOS-level behavior.
Incorrect DPI scaling affects how large or small text and interface elements appear, which can cause readability issues or misaligned layouts, but it has no effect on hardware memory settings or boot behavior.
Faulty icon pack is a purely cosmetic problem, often causing distorted or mismatched icons. It may look unappealing or confusing but does not influence system configuration or startup behavior.
Given these considerations, a dead CMOS battery is clearly the most important and likely cause when a system repeatedly loses settings or experiences irregular startup behavior.
