A+ 1101 PM B 69-90

A system administrator has just received a laptop previously sent out for repair. However, after powering on the computer, the laptop no longer responds to the stylus. Which of the following is the MOST likely reason for this issue?

• The GPU requires an updated device driver

• The display needs a new inverter

• The display needs to be paired to the laptop motherboard

• The digitizer is faulty

Answer explanation

The Answer: D. The digitizer is faulty

The digitizer converts the touch of a finger or a stylus to digital signals used by the computer. If the digitizer is not operational, then the screen will not be able to interpret the input from a stylus.

The incorrect answers:

A.  The GPU requires an updated device driver

Updating an existing device driver will not generally provide additional features or functionality such as finger or stylus input.

B.  The display needs a new inverter

The inverter in a CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is used to convert DC (Direct Current) power to AC (Alternating Current) for the backlight. If the laptop had a bad inverter, the information on the screen would be almost impossible to read because of the missing backlight.

C.  The display needs to be paired to the laptop motherboard

A laptop display is physically connected to the rest of the laptop and does not require any separate pairing process to use touch or stylus input.

More information:

220-1101, Objective 5.5 - Troubleshooting Mobile Devices https://professormesser.link/1101050501

 

A graphics designer has noticed that small dots on their screen remain a solid black color, even when the image should display a different color. Which of the following would describe this issue?

• Burn-in
• Non-native resolution

• Incorrect data source

• Dead pixel

Answer explanation

The Answer: D. Dead pixel

A dead pixel is a single dot (pixel) on the screen that always remains black and does not change with the image.

The incorrect answers:

A.  Burn-in

If a display shows a single image over a long period of time, it's possible for the image to remain visible on the screen when the output changes. This ghosting effect can sometimes be permanently "burned-in" to the display.

B.  Non-native resolution

Using an LCD monitor at a non-native resolution will cause the image to appear skewed or blurry. A non-native resolution setting would not cause a single pixel to appear black.

C.  Incorrect data source

Many monitors can support video input from different sources. If the source is not set correctly, the screen will often be completely black or a message will appear stating an input signal is not active on that interface.

More information:

220-1101, Objective 5.4

Troubleshooting Video and Display Issues https://professormesser.link/1101050401

A gaming enthusiast has upgraded his home computer from integrated graphics to a separate video adapter card. The computer operates as expected for web browsing and word processing applications. However, playing a game results in the system shutting down after a few minutes of operation. Which of the following would be the MOST likely component causing this issue?

• CPU

• Power supply

• RAM

• SSD

Answer explanation

The Answer: B. Power supply

Adding additional components to a computer can often increase the power usage, and video adapter cards are one of the most power-hungry devices you can add to a computer. If a system is displaying errors or shutting down during periods of heavy use, then the issue is commonly related to heat or power.

The incorrect answers:

A. CPU

A common symptom of a bad CPU (Central Processing Unit) would be application and operating system errors. A faulty CPU would not commonly cause the entire computer to shut down.

C.   RAM

Faulty RAM (Random Access Memory) can cause application and operating system errors, and it's common to see Windows Stop errors randomly appear with bad RAM. Bad memory would not commonly cause a computer to completely shut down.

D.   SSD

A bad SSD (Solid State Drive) would show file system errors in the operating system or application. A problematic SSD would not commonly cause a computer to shut down.

More information:

220-1101, Objective 5.2

Troubleshooting Common Hardware Problems https://professormesser.link/1101050201

A network administrator has just installed a new access point in a downtown office building, but now users are reporting intermittent connectivity to the Internet. Which of the following would be the FIRST thing to check?

• SSID broadcast option

• Firmware version

• MAC filter

• Channel interference levels

Answer explanation

The Answer: D. Channel interference levels

In areas with many different organizations located near each other, it's possible that the frequencies used on different wireless access points could conflict with each other and cause interference with wireless communication. In busy areas, it's recommended to perform an analysis of the frequencies in use before installing a new access point.

The incorrect answers:

A.  SSID broadcast option

The SSID (Service Set Identifier) broadcast is used to populate the list of available wireless networks. Enabling or disabling the SSID broadcasts would not cause intermittent connectivity over the wireless network.

B.  Firmware version

A firmware update in the access point might offer a performance modification, security patch, or a bug fix. However, most normal wireless operations would not be changed through a firmware update, and a firmware update would most likely not resolve an issue with intermittent connectivity.

C. MAC filter

MAC (Media Access Control) filters are used to administratively control physical devices from accessing the wireless network. A MAC address would not cause intermittent connectivity for existing devices, however.

More information:

220-1101, Objective 5.7 - Troubleshooting Networks https://professormesser.link/1101050701

 

A company would like to advertise a list of email servers authorized to send messages on their behalf. Which of the following would be the BEST way to provide this information?

• APIPA

• Proxy server

• UTM

• SPF record

Answer explanation

The Answer: D. SPF record

An SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record is part of a DNS (Domain Name System) server configuration, and it lists all servers authorized to send emails for a particular domain.

The incorrect answers:

A.  APIPA

An APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing) assignment is used to provide a link-local IP address when no other IP address configuration is available. The APIPA process is not associated with email authorizations.

B.  Proxy server

A proxy server is a device that makes requests to a service on behalf of a user. The proxy performs the request and provides the results back to the client. Proxy servers are not used to advertise a list of authorized  email servers.

C. UTM

A UTM (Unified Threat Management) device is the precursor to the modern NGFW (Next-Generation Firewall), and they often include many different functions in a single device. UTMs are not commonly used to advertise a list of authorized email servers.

More information:

220-1101, Objective 2.6 - DNS Configuration https://professormesser.link/1101020601

A company assigns IP addresses automatically to each device, and those addresses will remain on the device for a minimum of 8 hours. Which of the following BEST describes this configuration?

• Subnet mask

• Lease

• SDN

• Reservation

Answer explanation

The Answer: B. Lease

A lease is used in DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to automatically associate an IP address configuration with a specific device for a certain amount of time. The device usually has the option to renew the lease to extended the configuration settings for another interval.

The incorrect answers:

A. Subnet mask

A subnet mask is used in conjunction with an IP address to associate a network device with a particular IP subnet. Subnet masks are not used to define the lease time for automatically assigned IP addresses.

C.   SDN

An SDN (Software Defined Network) provides a method of implementing the functions of a physical infrastructure product into software. This process focuses on creating a software-based networking infrastructure in a cloud environment.

D.   Reservation

An IP reservation is used by DHCP to always assign the same IP address to a specific device. DHCP reservations match the MAC (Media Access Control) address of a device to a reserved IP address.

More information:

220-1101, Objective 2.6 - DHCP Configuration https://professormesser.link/1101020602

 

 

Users in the marketing department are reporting that one network printer is not working. There are many print jobs in the queue, but none of the jobs are printing. A test print from the printer's front panel does not print any pages. What is the MOST likely reason for this printing issue?

• Printer drivers need to be updated

• Network is disconnected

• Printer hardware has failed

• Print spooler needs to be restarted

Answer explanation

The Answer: C. Printer hardware has failed

If the printer was operational, then a printer test from the front panel should provide some output. The test print bypasses the network and print spooler and provides a check for print quality. If the local test print isn't working, then the printer itself has some type of hardware failure.

The incorrect answers:

A.  Printer drivers need to be updated

The printer drivers are loaded on client workstations to properly format a print job for the printer. An incorrect printer driver would not prevent the test print from working properly.

B.  Network is disconnected

A disconnected network would certainly cause all of the print jobs to be waiting in the print queue, but it would not prevent the printer from processing a test print from the front panel of the printer.

D. Print spooler needs to be restarted

A failed print spooler would be another reason for jobs to be stuck in the queue, but the test prints should still work properly from the printer's front console panel.

More information:

220-1101, Objective 5.6 - Troubleshooting Printers https://professormesser.link/1101050601

 

 

A member of the accounting department would like to work remotely while attending a conference in another city. Which of these technologies would BEST provide this functionality?

• VLAN

• 802.11

• VPN

• PAN

Answer explanation

The Answer: C. VPN

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) would allow a remote user to connect to the corporate office over a secure encrypted tunnel.

The incorrect answers:

A. VLAN

A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a common way to segment devices on a switched network. VLANs do not provide any remote access functionality. B. 802.11

802.11 wireless networks are commonly used at conferences and hotels, but the wireless network itself does not provide any remote access capabilities. A VPN would operate over a wired or wireless network to provide a secure remote access connection.

D. PAN

A PAN (Personal Area Network) is commonly associated with devices located in close proximity of each other. For example, the connection to a Bluetooth headset is a PAN.

More information:

220-1101, Objective 2.6 - VLANs and VPNs https://professormesser.link/1101020603

 

 

In which of the following situations would you be MOST likely to use a network tap?

• Attach an RJ45 connector to the end of an Ethernet cable

• Capture packets from a network link

• Test packet loss on a router interface

• Locate a specific workstation connection on a punch-down block

Answer explanation

The Answer: B. Capture packets from a network link

A network tap provides a physical connection for intercepting network traffic. The tap can send a copy of the intercepted traffic to a packet capture device or security tool.

The incorrect answers:

A. Attach an RJ45 connector to the end of an Ethernet cable

A crimper is used to attach connectors to the end of a cable. A network tap does not attach connectors to a cable.

C. Test packet loss on a router interface

A loopback cable or loopback connector can be used to troubleshoot problems with a physical interface. When data is sent out of the interface, the loopback cable redirects the signal back to the same interface.

D. Locate a specific workstation connection on a punch-down block Finding the needle in a haystack of cables is made much easier by using a tone generator and an inductive probe.

More information:

220-1101, Objective 2.8 - Network Tools https://professormesser.link/1101020801

 

 

A digital graphics department has been using a SAN to store their image files. The team now reports that all of the files on the SAN are no longer accessible. Which of the following should be the FIRST thing to check on the SAN?

• RAID array status

• CPU utilization

• Input voltage

• Cache hits

Answer explanation

The Answer: A. RAID array status

A SAN (Storage Area Network) is a network-connected storage array. If the SAN is unavailable, then it's possible that the drive array is having a technical issue. The first thing to check on the SAN is the RAID array health and network connectivity. Once those are verified to be working, the troubleshooting can continue.

The incorrect answers:

B. CPU utilization

A high amount of CPU utilization on the SAN could cause the system to perform slowly, but the drive array would usually still be available on the network. A SAN is usually a single-purpose system, and it would not be common to experience high utilization.

C.   Input voltage

The input voltage of a device is determined during the installation process, and it would be very unusual for the voltage to change. A power-related issue on a device might be a power supply failure or an issue with the power cable. An input voltage issue would not commonly be the first thing to check.

D.   Cache hits

Caching is designed to improve performance when reading or writing to a drive. A caching problem may cause performance to suffer, but the data would still be available to users.

More information:

220-1101, Objective 5.3 - Troubleshooting Storage Devices https://professormesser.link/1101050301