220-1101: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 1

Question #: 51
Topic #: 1
The IT department at an insurance brokerage needs to acquire laptops that have built-in fingerprint readers in order to create a more secure environment. Which of the following would be the MOST secure way to implement the fingerprint readers?

A. Grant all registered employees access to each machine.
B. Restrict device access to only the user to whom the laptop is assigned.
C. Limit device access to departments and guest users.
D. Give each team member a USB drive that bypasses the reader to allow guest users to log in.

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 52
Topic #: 1
A technician receives several error alerts on a server after an unexpected reboot. A message states that one or more disks are in a degraded state. When the technician advances to the next error message, it indicates the OS is missing. Which of the following are the MOST likely causes of these errors? (Choose two.)

A. Missing drives in the OS
B. RAID failure
C. Bootable device not found
D. Data loss
E. Controller failure
F. CMOS corruption
G. TPM malfunction

Selected Answer: BC

Question #: 53
Topic #: 1
A technician is commissioning a workstation that is required to have mirrored storage, utilizing two 4TB drives that support one failure. Which of the following
BEST meets these requirements?

A. RAID 0
B. RAID 1
C. RAID 5
D. RAID 10

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 54
Topic #: 1
A laptop’s external webcam software is running, but it shows no image or video. Which of the following should a technician perform FIRST?

A. Research new webcam firmware.
B. Restart the computer and run system diagnostics.
C. Reseat the webcam.
D. Reinstall the webcam software and drivers.

Selected Answer: C

Question #: 55
Topic #: 1
An engineer is experiencing unexpected reboots on a graphics workstation when rendering complex 3-D models. The workstation is configured with a 115V power supply that is rated at 200W and connected to a UPS. The central processing unit contains 16 hyperthreaded cores, and a discrete graphics solution utilizing an 8- pin power connector is installed in a PCI Express x16 slot. Which of the following indicates where the technician should begin troubleshooting?

A. The UPS, as 115V is insufficient for the configuration and should be increased to 220V
B. The power supply, as 200W is insufficient when the GPU is heavily tasked
C. The graphics card, as it is the component that triggers the unexpected reboots
D. The motherboard, as only standard PCI slots should be used for high-end graphics cards, not PCI Express slots

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 56
Topic #: 1
Which of the following technologies can allow multiple networks to traverse a switch?

A. VLAN
B. VRRP
C. VPN
D. DHCP

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 57
Topic #: 1
An end user reports that the time and date on a desktop resets after shutdown, and subsequently, the device reboots. The next day, the desktop does not load the
OS and is stuck at a black screen with the following message:

Date/Time Not Set –

Press F1 to Run Setup –
Which of the following would be the BEST action to take next?

A. Change the motherboard.
B. Reseat the motherboard power connections.
C. Replace the CMOS battery.
D. Restore the BIOS to factory default settings.

Selected Answer: C

Question #: 58
Topic #: 1
A user reports that a PC occasionally fails to boot. The user reboots the PC, but the performance is degrading. The technician hears a strange, repetitive, ticking noise coming from the PC. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST?

A. Try to extract data.
B. Reseat the RAM modules.
C. Inspect the fan.
D. Check the CD tray.

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 59
Topic #: 1
A technician is upgrading a faulty motherboard that was ordered by an end user for an old, high-end desktop computer. However, the technician is unable to install the CPU into the socket. Upon closer inspection, the technician notices the pins on the CPU do not line up with the socket. Which of the following would be the best course of action for the technician to take NEXT?

A. Try to set as many pins as possible.
B. Install an adaptor to create a universal socket.
C. Verity the socket type and manufacturer.
D. Find a compatible motherboard for the CPU.

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 60
Topic #: 1
A remote user reports connectivity issues with the local internet provider. Even after a technician reboots the modem supplied by the ISP, the issue persists.
Which of the following would BEST establish the connection in minimal time?

A. Radio frequency ISP
B. Neighbor’s WI-FI
C. Mobile hotspot
D. Fiber optic

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 61
Topic #: 1
A company wants to give third-party developers access to the corporate network through desktop environments that the company can control. Which of the following can BEST achieve these requirements?

A. Sandbox
B. VDI
C. Private cloud
D. SaaS

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 62
Topic #: 1
A technician needs to fix a Cat 5 cable issue. The cable, which is connected to a network jack, fails when it is moved around. Which of the following items must the technician use to fix the issue? (Choose two.)

A. Scissors
B. Network tap
C. Magnetized screwdriver
D. Tone generator
E. RJ45 connector
F. Crimper

Selected Answer: EF

Question #: 63
Topic #: 1
A user acquired a new workstation and is attempting to open multiple large Excel files simultaneously. The user is not experiencing the expected performance when executing such large requests. Which of the following should a technician do FIRST?

A. Increase the swap partition.
B. Upgrade the CPU in the workstation.
C. Upgrade the power supply in the workstation.
D. Upgrade the RAM in the workstation.

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 64
Topic #: 1
Which of the following utilizes TCP ports 20/21 and transfers data in cleartext?

A. SNMP
B. SSH
C. FTP
D. Telnet

Selected Answer: C

Question #: 65
Topic #: 1
An organization is looking to upgrade the processing ability for its computers. Most users report that whenever multiple applications are being utilized, the system’s response time slows down drastically. When only one application is open, the response time is acceptable. Which of the following should be upgraded
FIRST?

A. SSD
B. CPU
C. HDD
D. RAM

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 66
Topic #: 1
Client-side virtualization guest machines have security requirements similar to physical machines, but they also need to ensure separation from other guest machines. Which of the following BEST describes this client-side guest security requirement?

A. Isolation
B. Authentication
C. Hardening
D. Authorization

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 67
Topic #: 1
A user connects a smartphone to a laptop. Which of the following types of networks has the user created?

A. PAN
B. MAN
C. WLAN
D. LAN

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 68
Topic #: 1
Recently, an organization received a number of spam emails that passed through the spam gateway. These emails contained generally the same information, but the sending domains were different. Which of the following solutions would BEST help mitigate the issue?

A. Updating the keyword filtering
B. Editing the sender policy framework
C. Contacting the gateway vendor
D. Verifying DMARC is enabled

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 69
Topic #: 1
Several users who share a multifunction printer in an office have reported unintended, thin, vertical lines that cover the entire height of every page printed from the printer. Which of the following steps should a technician complete in order to MOST likely resolve this issue?

A. Replace the printer paper with a new ream.
B. Clear the print spooler on each computer.
C. Reinstall the printer driver on each computer.
D. Perform the drum-cleaning procedure.

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 70
Topic #: 1
Which of the following should the data center hardware technician implement to ensure maximum uptime for customers’ virtual machines?

A. Line conditioner
B. AC voltage regulator
C. Uninterruptible power supply
D. Cloud storage backup

Selected Answer: C

Question #: 71
Topic #: 1
A technician needs to improve a workstation’s overall response time for frequently used applications and data without removing the current hard drive. Which of the following storage devices should the technician install to BEST accomplish the objective?

A. M.2
B. SAS
C. HDD
D. SCSI

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 72
Topic #: 1
A technician is setting up a device to use two-factor authentication. Which of the following meets this requirement?

A. Thumbprint/retinal scan
B. Password/password
C. Password/thumbprint
D. Password/PIN

Selected Answer: C

Question #: 73
Topic #: 1
Which of the following BEST describes the main function of a web server?

A. Storing files and controlling user access
B. Setting up personal mailboxes and calendars
C. Providing IP addresses and printing services
D. Hosting home pages and business portals

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 74
Topic #: 1
A user brings an older laptop to the help desk and reports issues with the keyboard. Upon inspection, the technician does not see any external damage but notices that many keystrokes do not register in a word processor. The laptop works fine when the technician tests it with an external keyboard. Which of the following actions would MOST likely resolve the issue?

A. Disable the sticky keys feature.
B. Clean the keyboard.
C. Reset the BIOS settings to default.
D. Charge the laptop.

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 75
Topic #: 1
An administrator is configuring a corporate-owned smartphone for a new manager. The company requires the ability to wipe the phone’s data remotely in the event of loss or theft and the capability to approve applications installed on the phone. Which of the following tools would BEST meet this need?

A. Tethering to a corporate-owned laptop
B. WPA2-Enterpise wireless
C. Corporate enterprise email
D. Mobile device management

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 76
Topic #: 1
A user reports that printed receipts have black smudges over the entire image. The text is still present but is very dark and sometimes illegible. Which of the following are the MOST likely cause and solution for the printer issue?

A. The ribbon is jammed and is rubbing on the paper. Clear the bad ribbon and feed it through properly.
B. The printhead is too hot. Adjust the temperature down and retry printing.
C. The printer is loaded with the wrong type of paper. Replace the receipt paper with carbon paper.
D. The blue ink cartridge was loaded with black ink. Put in the correct ink and clean the printhead.

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 77
Topic #: 1
A user requested upgrades to a company-issued laptop to increase its performance while working with a large database stored on drive C: Which of the following tasks should a systems administrator complete to BEST meet this goal? (Choose two.)

A. Configure RAID 1.
B. Install a hybrid drive.
C. Upgrade to 1GB NIC.
D. Increase the RAM.
E. Migrate to a SSD.
F. Upgrade the power supply.

Selected Answer: BD

Question #: 78
Topic #: 1
A developer is requesting permission to utilize client-side virtualization. The developer would like to write code in a setting isolated from other infrastructure to avoid negative impacts of experimental code. Which of the following provides the BEST solution for the developer?

A. Cross-platform functionality
B. Software compatibility
C. Test case development
D. Sandbox environment

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 79
Topic #: 1
A user takes a tablet to a technician because the cursor on it keeps drifting. The technician notices the screen does not appear to be damaged. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the cursor issue?

A. The screen is physically damaged.
B. The screen rotation is incorrect.
C. The touch-pen battery is depleted.
D. The screen needs to be recalibrated.

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 80
Topic #: 1
A user reports issues with a smartphone after dropping it. The icons on the screen all look normal, but when the user touches the email icon, for example, nothing happens. Which of the following is MOST likely the cause?

A. Digitizer issues
B. Overheating
C. Broken screen
D. Malware

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 81
Topic #: 1
Which of the following options provides correct information about 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless frequencies? (Choose two.)

A. 2.4GHz has less interference. 5GHz transmits in lower speed.
B. 2.4GHz penetrates solid objects more effectively. 5GHz provides faster data connections.
C. 2.4GHz has a higher data rate. 5GHz has 23 channels.
D. 2.4GHz has 11 channels. 5GHz has no data interference.
E. 2.4GHz has a higher coverage area. 5GHz has higher bandwidth.
F. 2.4GHz has a higher bandwidth. 5GHz has lower transmit power.

Selected Answer: BE

Question #: 82
Topic #: 1
A technician is tasked with upgrading a laptop’s RAM. Which of the following steps should the technician take FIRST?

A. Confirm that both the current and new memory are from the same brand.
B. Run a diagnostic test on the current memory.
C. Verify the memory requirements of the motherboard.
D. Connect an electrostatic discharge strap.

Selected Answer: C

Question #: 83
Topic #: 1
A startup is looking to immediately expand its data center but does not have the personnel or space to manage everything internally. The organization has multiple small offices and remote users with large computational and storage-solution requirements. Funding is not an issue for the company. Which of the following can
BEST accomplish the company’s goals?

A. SaaS
B. IaaS
C. ISP
D. SDN

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 84
Topic #: 1
A technician is configuring a new CAD workstation that has four large hard drives. The workstation will be used to edit large, critical files, so the storage configuration should be both fast and redundant. Which of the following RAID levels BEST meets these requirements?

A. 0
B. 1
C. 5
D. 10

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 85
Topic #: 1
A technician receives a ticket that states a mobile payment device is having issues with its contactless payment feature. The device is not detecting payment options. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the issue?

A. NFC
B. Bluetooth
C. Wi-Fi
D. Lightning adapter

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 86
Topic #: 1
A technician is troubleshooting an old desktop system that randomly shows a Windows BSOD or powers off unexpectedly. All system temperatures are within normal limits. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?

A. Visually inspect the motherboard capacitors.
B. Verify all case fans are operational.
C. Check that the BIOS version supports the installed CPU.
D. Compare the software requirements with the installed RAM.

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 87
Topic #: 1
A user calls the help desk for assistance configuring an Android phone with a new NFC-enabled speaker that will be used for an upcoming conference call. The user was unable to direct the phone’s audio to the NFC speaker. Which of the following sequences should the help desk technician walk the customer through to accomplish this task?

A. Enable NFC on the speaker. Ensure the speaker is less than 33ft (10m) from the Android phone. On the phone’s Bluetooth settings menu for Connected Devices, select Pair New Device. Tap to accept the connection to the speaker when the prompt is displayed on the phone’s screen.
B. Enable NFC and Bluetooth on the Android phone. From the Android phone’s Bluetooth settings menu for Connected Devices, select the Previously Connected Devices option. Select a listed device that most closely matches the speaker. Tap to accept the connection to the speaker when the prompt is displayed on the phone’s screen.
C. Enable NFC and Bluetooth on the Android phone. Tap and hold the Android phone to the spot on the speaker where the NFC logo is displayed. Accept the connection to the speaker when the prompt is displayed on the phone’s screen.
D. Enable Wi-Fi on the speaker. Enable Wi-Fi on the Android phone. Tap and hold the Android phone to the spot on the speaker where the NFC logo is displayed. Accept the connection to the speaker when the prompt is displayed on the phone’s screen.

Selected Answer: C

Question #: 88
Topic #: 1
A user wants a second monitor installed on a laptop. The VGA/DVI or HDMI cables have already been connected. Which of the following should the technician do to configure the laptop to show both screens?

A. Power cycle the laptop.
B. Plug in the monitor to the USB port.
C. Adjust the monitor display settings.
D. Power cycle the monitor.

Selected Answer: C

Question #: 89
Topic #: 1
A technician is troubleshooting intermittent fuzzy video on a computer using a VGA to DisplayPort adapter to connect to a monitor. The monitor with a VGA connector was previously working fine for another user. The technician replaces the adapter; however, the issue persists. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?

A. Use another brand of VGA to DisplayPort adapter.
B. Research the issue further and formulate a new hypothesis to test.
C. Ask the user additional clarifying questions regarding the issue.
D. Document the action taken and the outcome.

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 90
Topic #: 1
A user on the marketing team uses various multimedia applications that consume a lot of memory. The user needs to install more RAM to run these applications effectively. When the user opens the computer case, the user sees four slots in two sets of colors. Which of the following memory types is MOST likely required?

A. Dual-channel
B. Triple-channel
C. Single-channel
D. Quad-channel
E. Error correction code RAM

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 91
Topic #: 1
Which of the following allows all VMs in a virtual environment to have RAM allocated for use?

A. Measured service
B. Containerization
C. Synchronization
D. Resource pooling

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 92
Topic #: 1
Which of the following 802.11 standards supports both 5GHz and 2.4GHz channel frequencies?

A. 802.11a
B. 802.11ac
C. 802.11b
D. 802.11g

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 93
Topic #: 1
A hardware technician is configuring a laptop, and the network administrator requires the network settings to be static. The technician successfully pings the servers by IP address but cannot ping the UNC path. Which of the following is the cause of this issue?

A. Domain Name System
B. Gateway
C. Subnet
D. IP address

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 94
Topic #: 1
A technician has set up a new conference room with a TV and a video soundbar. The technician wants to test the system with a conference call. During the test, the TV speaker produces sound, but the soundbar does not. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the issue?

A. The volume on the TV needs to be turned up.
B. The conference call needs to be unmuted for audio.
C. An incorrect HDMI cable is being used.
D. The TV’s HDMI-ARC port is not being used.

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 95
Topic #: 1
A technician is setting up a projector for a videoconferencing system. When the user attempts to connect a laptop to the system, the system displays the following error message: no source found
The user tries multiple cables and inputs on the projector. Which of the following should the user try NEXT?

A. Check the bulb on the projector and replace it with a new one.
B. Check the display settings on the computer and set them to extend/duplicate.
C. Replace the projector with another known-good one and try again.
D. Replace the video card on the machine that is plugged in to the projector, as it has gone bad.

Selected Answer: D

Question #: 96
Topic #: 1
Which of the following is a method that can be used to securely connect a remote user’s laptop to a corporate server?

A. WAN
B. VPN
C. SSL
D. DHCP

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 97
Topic #: 1
A technician is inspecting a projector that is displaying fuzzy images. Which of the following actions would provide the BEST solution?

A. Adjusting the lens
B. Changing the filter
C. Replacing the video cable
D. Reseating the lamp

Selected Answer: A

Question #: 98
Topic #: 1
An end user discovered that the touch-screen features on a Windows device have stopped working. Which of the following should a technician check?

A. Performance monitor
B. Tablet/PC settings
C. System configuration
D. Display settings

Selected Answer: B

Question #: 99
Topic #: 1
A help desk technician has been tasked with installing an IP phone in a small office with an unmanaged switch. When connected to an RJ45 receptacle, the phone does not boot. Which of the following is the QUICKEST way to resolve this issue?

A. Upgrade the Ethernet cable to the latest specification.
B. Replace the phone.
C. Install a PoE injector.
D. Change ports on the switch.

Selected Answer: C

Question #: 100
Topic #: 1
Which of the following network services allows a networked device to always be assigned the same IP address based on the device’s MAC address?

A. DHCP
B. LOAP
C. UTM
D. DNS

Selected Answer: A