- (Topic 4)
A user has been having issues charging a laptop after turning it on and has noticed the laptop screen is dim. Which of the following components most likely needs to be replaced?
Correct Answer:
D
An inverter is a component that converts DC power to AC power for the backlight of an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen. If the inverter is faulty, the screen may appear dim or dark, even if the brightness settings are adjusted. Replacing the inverter may fix the issue. The LCD itself, the video card, and the digitizer are not related to the screen brightness problem.
Reference: [CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Certification Study Guide], page 17.
- (Topic 4)
A technician is troubleshooting a computer that has a loud system fan and randomly freezes and reboots. Which of the following is the most likely cause of these issues?
Correct Answer:
D
An overheating processor is the most likely cause of a computer that has a loud system fan and randomly freezes and reboots. A processor generates heat when it performs calculations, and if the heat is not dissipated properly, it can damage the processor or cause it to malfunction. A loud system fan indicates that the fan is working harder to cool down the processor, but it may not be enough to prevent overheating. A computer that freezes and reboots randomly is a common symptom of an overheating processor, as the system tries to protect itself from further damage by shutting down or restarting.
The other options are not as likely to cause these issues. A failing hard drive may cause data loss, corruption, or slow performance, but it does not affect the system fan or the processor temperature. A defective power supply may cause the computer to shut down unexpectedly, but it does not cause the system fan to be loud or the processor to overheat. Incompatible hardware may cause the computer to fail to boot, display errors, or crash, but it does not cause the system fan to be loud or the processor to overheat.
To troubleshoot and resolve an overheating processor issue, the technician should check and clean the air vents, provide proper ventilation, apply thermal paste, replace the fan or the heat sink, or upgrade the processor if necessary. The technician should also update the BIOS and the device drivers, adjust the power settings, and monitor the system temperature using diagnostic tools.
References:
✑ CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 1 Objectives1
✑ The Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 Student Guide (Exam 220-1101) eBook2
✑ How to Troubleshoot Fan Issues | Dell US3
✑ Why your laptop fan is loud and how to fix it | Asurion4
✑ HP Notebook PCs - Fan is noisy and spins constantly (Windows)5
- (Topic 4)
A printer displays an error message even after a paper jam is cleared. Which of the following should a technician do to fix the issue?
Correct Answer:
A
A paper path is the route that paper takes through a printer from the input tray to the output tray. A blocked sensor is a sensor that detects paper jams or other errors in the paper path but fails to clear after the problem is resolved. A blocked sensor can cause a printer to display an error message even after a paper jam is cleared. The technician should check the paper path for any debris or obstructions that may trigger the sensor.
- (Topic 4)
A new VolP solution is being implemented at a corporate office for more than 200 users.
The new VolP devices do not require AC adapters at the users' desks. Which of the following network devices should a technician purchase?
Correct Answer:
C
The correct answer is C. PoE switch.
A PoE switch is a network device that can provide both data and power to other devices over an Ethernet cable. PoE stands for Power over Ethernet, which is a technology that allows electrical power to be transmitted along with data on twisted pair Ethernet cabling. This eliminates the need for separate power supplies or AC adapters at the users’ desks, as the VoIP devices can receive power from the PoE switch12.
A firewall is a network device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules. It does not provide power to other devices1. A power injector is a device that adds electrical power to an Ethernet cable for a single device. It is not suitable for a large number of devices, as it would require one power injector per device1.
A router is a network device that connects multiple networks and forwards data packets between them. It does not provide power to other devices1.
- (Topic 1)
A technician is receiving reports that the entire office sporadically loses network connectivity throughout the day. The technician determines the root cause to be EMI. Which of the cable mediums would be the MOST cost effective without sacrificing system performance?
Correct Answer:
B
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is unwanted noise or interference in an electrical path or circuit caused by an outside source. Hence shielded Cat 6 is better
If a technician determines that the root cause of sporadic network connectivity issues is EMI, the most cost-effective cable medium that can be used without sacrificing system performance is shielded Cat 6 cable. Shielded cables protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). References: CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Tenth Edition by Mike Meyers (Page 548)