Comp-Tia A plus certification practice test study guide

A user is configuring an email client application and decides to use a TCP/IP suite protocol that stores all messages on the email server so that they can be synchronized across a laptop, a smartphone, and a web email client. In addition, this protocol stores the email messages on the email server until the user explicitly deletes them. Which of the following TCP/IP port numbers will the client application typically access while using this protocol to contact the email server?

143 Explanation The TCP/IP suite protocol that stores email messages on a server so that they can be synchronized across multiple devices is Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP). IMAP typically uses port 143. FTP uses port 21. HTTP uses port 80. POP3 uses port 110.

Your Windows workstation has Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) implemented with default settings. Which of the following TCP/IP addresses could you automatically assign to the system, should your DHCP server go down or become inaccessible?

169.254.1.26 Explanation In the event that a DCHP server is not available, Windows workstations can use APIPA to automatically provide themselves with an IP address. The default address range used by APIPA is 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.254. Of the options presented, only 169.254.1.26 falls within this range.

An administrator configures a server to run the TCP/IP suite protocol that allows users to download files contained in specific directories on the server and also protects access to those files by requiring user authentication. Which of the following TCP/IP port numbers allow this protocol to work properly? (Select two.)

20 21 Explanation The TCP/IP suite protocol that allows users to download files from a server and protects access to the files by requiring user authentication to access specific directories on the server is FTP. FTP uses ports 20 and 21. DNS uses port 53. HTTP uses port 80. POP3 email clients use port 110.

To assist a user, a help desk technician is able to take advantage of a Windows proprietary network protocol that allows the technician to open a graphical interface to connect with the user's Windows computer. Which of the following TCP/IP port numbers is the default port used by this protocol?

3389 Explanation The Windows proprietary network protocol that allows the technician to open a graphical interface to connect with the user's Windows computer is Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). By default, RDP uses port 3389. HTTP uses port 80. HTTPS uses port 443. IMAP email clients use port 143.

Which of the following sampling rates is normally used for digital TV and DVD movies.

48 kHz Explanation 48 kHz is normally used for digital TV and DVD movies. 44 kHz is normally used for CD-quality sound and can cover the full range of human hearing. 22 kHz is radio-quality sampling. 96 kHz is used for DVD audio.

Which of the following are valid IPv6 addresses? (Select two.

6384:1319:7700:7631:446A:5511:8940:2552 141:0:0:0:15:0:0:1 Explanation An IPv6 IP address is a 128-bit address listed as eight 16-bit hexadecimal sections. Leading 0s can be omitted in each section. 6384:1319:7700:7631:446A:5511:8940:2552 is a valid IPv6 IP address. A single set of all-zero sections can be abbreviated with two colons (::). 141::15:0:0:1 would also be a valid way of writing that address. Digits in a hexadecimal system range from 0 to 9 and A to F. H is not a valid hexadecimal number. 343F:1EEE:ACDD:2034:1FF3:5012 is too short, having only six sections instead of eight.

A computer's power supply converts main AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components. You are building a new computer, and you are deciding which type of power supply to install. Which of the following definitions BEST describes a valid type of power supply?

A dual-rail power supply provides separate rails (PCB traces) to balance the power load between multiple circuits (this prevents any one circuit from becoming overloaded). Explanation The best description of a valid type of power supply would include a dual-rail power supply to balance the power load between multiple circuits in order to prevent circuit overload. A voltage rail refers to a single voltage that is provided by the power supply unit (PSU). A high-capacity power supply is designed to deliver all of its power over a single rail, which can melt the insulation from the wires and cause a fire.

As the technician for a data logging center, you order a box of continuous computer paper for your printer. Which of the following components needs to be included in the printer for the ordered paper to work properly?

A tractor feed Explanation A tractor feed (included in a dot matrix printer) ensures that the continuous computer paper is fed through the printer at a consistent rate. This type of printer and paper is ideal for data logging. Laser printers, Inkjet printers, and thermal printers do not use a tractor feed system, which is required for using continuous computer paper.

You have recently purchased a toll pass for a bridge that you cross each day on your way to work. Which of the following wireless technologies is MOST likely being used for this pass?

Active RFID Explanation Active RFID tags have on-board batteries and can send signals over a long distance. Toll passes in vehicles use active RFID. Passive RFID tags are not powered and rely on the energy transferred by the scanner to transmit data. These tags are seen in ID badges, credit cards, and other similar devices. Near Field Communication (NFC) is a newer technology that is built on RFID. NFC requires devices to be within 2 inches of each other. Bluetooth is designed to allow devices to communicate within a personal area network (PAN) of close proximity. However, the devices must be paired, which would make a Bluetooth connection difficult to use as a toll pass for a bridge.

You are assisting Ann, who reports that the display on her company-issued smartphone is too dim to read in a dark room, even after she adjusts the brightness setting. Which of the following actions should you perform FIRST? (Select two.)

Adjust the battery saver setting. Adjust the adaptive or automatic brightness control. Explanation Before replacing hardware, you should try adjusting the settings that control display brightness, including adjusting the adaptive or automatic brightness control and adjusting the battery saver setting. Replacing the battery may affect screen brightness, but is not the first action to take. A faulty display may be the cause, but replacing it is not the first action to take. Too many running apps is not likely to be the problem in this scenario.

Joe, a frequent visitor to a branch office, attempts to connect his tablet to the office wireless network, but is unable to connect to the internet, even though he has verified that the SSID and password are correct. Joe attempts to connect to a coworker's hotspot, but is still unable to connect to the internet. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this issue?

Airplane Mode has been set on his tablet. Explanation When a mobile device has no wireless connectivity, the most frequent reason is that Airplane Mode has been set on the device. The tablet could not connect to the internet from either the office wireless access point or from a coworker's hotspot. This indicates a problem with the tablet, not a problem with the branch office network. The tablet would not be able to connect to the branch office wireless network if MAC filtering was enabled and the tablet was not on the approved list. If the tablet was on the approved list, MAC filtering would not affect internet connectivity. While full device encryption may affect a tablet's performance, it does not affect internet connectivity.

Which of the following accurately describes a hypervisor? (Select two.)

Allows virtual machines to interact directly with the hardware. A layer of software that resides between the virtual operating system and the hardware. Explanation A hypervisor is a thin layer of software that resides between the virtual operating system and the hardware. A hypervisor allows virtual machines to interact with the hardware without going through the host operating system. The hypervisor does not allocate the storage space for a virtual machine, control the number of virtual machines a host can accommodate, or manage access to software programs on the host.

Which Blu-ray standard defines rewritable discs?

BD-RE Explanation BD-RE is the Blu-ray standard that defines rewritable discs. BD-ROM is the read-only standard, and BD-R is the recordable standard. R/RW is used to designate rewritable CD and DVD discs, not Blu-ray discs.

To improve system performance, you have configured a motherboard to run with a higher multiplier than what the CPU is specified to use. Since doing this, the system has become unstable and crashes frequently. Which of the following should you do to restore system stability?

Back off on the overclocking settings until the system runs in a stable manner. Explanation Configuring a motherboard to run with a higher multiplier than what the CPU specifies is called overclocking. If the system becomes unstable and crashes frequently, the multiplier may be set higher than the CPU can handle. To resolve this issue, lower the overclocking multiplier until the system becomes stable again. The real-time clock on the motherboard is not a factor in this scenario and has no role in overclocking. If the power supply is set to the wrong voltage, system components can be damaged, but not cause the behavior described in the scenario. BIOS firmware is not a factor in overclocking issues.

Which of the following devices would you add to a computer if you needed to take inventory at a retail store by scanning the UPC symbols on products?

Bar code reader Explanation Installing a bar code reader will allow you to take inventory at a retail store by scanning the UPC symbols on products. A scanner is used to scan documents. A touch screen is an interactive monitor for a computer. A trackball is a type of mouse.

Which of the following devices authenticates users based on their physical features?

Biometric scanner Explanation A biometric scanner is a device that captures a retina, fingerprint, face, or heartbeat for authentication purposes. A barcode reader is specifically for tagged physical goods, not people. An NFC (Near Field Communication) device is not associated with individual people, but with devices. A VR (virtual reality) headset typically has no authentication functions based on a user's physical features.

You need a type of wireless connection that can transfer data between your phone, PDA, and laptop. You are transferring sensitive information. Which of the following is the BEST choice for this wireless connection?

Bluetooth Explanation A Bluetooth connection is the best choice because it automatically detects Bluetooth-enabled devices and creates a wireless PAN between them. Bluetooth can be used for both voice and data signals, and it also provides 128-bit encryption to protect sensitive information in transit. Infrared is a line-of-sight medium, so it may be difficult to maintain connectivity. Infrared also does not provide encryption. Cellular WAN provides very little security for information in transit and requires a cellular connection for each device. Wireless Ethernet is used to transfer data, not to connect devices.

You have just purchased a smart watch to track your fitness statistics and health. To change the interface or update the firmware, you need to use an app on your smartphone. Which of the following connection technologies will you MOST likely use to communicate between your watch and the app?

Bluetooth Explanation A smart watch by itself has a limited set of functionality. They are designed to connect to smartphones using Bluetooth. Doing so enables additional functionality, such as reading texts or changing settings. While a type of USB cable may be provided for charging your smart watch (or transferring data), the majority of smart watches use Bluetooth to connect to a phone app. E Ink is a special technology that creates a high-contrast, black and white display on an E-reader tablet. A Wi-Fi connection is often used with devices such as tablets, digital cameras, laptops, and other portable devices to access the internet. However, Bluetooth is the most likely technology that you'll use for communicating between your smart watch and the app on your smartphone.

You are purchasing a computer for a new administrative assistant in your company. Administrative assistants primarily uses word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and a web browser to complete their job assignments. Which of the following BEST describes the reason to choose unbuffered instead of buffered memory for this new computer?

Buffered memory is more expensive and slower than unbuffered memory. Explanation Unbuffered memory is sufficient for most desktop computers since reliability isn't as important, and it is less expensive than buffered memory. For this scenario, the administrative assistant would only need unbuffered memory. Buffered memory is more expensive and slower, but it is highly reliable. So, buffered memory is mostly used for servers and applications where it is more important to have reliability regardless of the price and slower performance.

You work as the IT administrator for a small corporate network. Sam, an employee in the support department, wants to run a virtual machine on his computer for troubleshooting customer issues, and he needs a very stable computer from which to work. You need to decide whether to install buffered or non-buffered RAM in his computer. Which of the following BEST describes the reason to choose buffered instead of unbuffered memory for this new computer?

Buffered memory reduces the load on the memory controller and allows the system to be more stable. Explanation To have a stable system from which Sam can test his virtual machines, it would be best to use buffered memory. Buffered memory reduces the electrical load on the memory controller and allows the system to be more stable. Each read or write is buffered for one cycle between the memory bus and the DRAM, so the registered RAM can be thought of as running one clock cycle behind the equivalent unregistered DRAM. However, this one cycle delay does not make buffered memory less stable. Buffered memory does not increase the load on the memory controller and is more expensive than non-buffered memory.

You have a friend who is offering to sell the monitor and video card from his gaming system along with several PC games. The games have fast-moving graphics, and you want to be able to play them on your own home system. The monitor he is selling is an LCD TN with a 144-Hz refresh rate. The video card he is selling supports a max refresh rate of 144 Hz. You're sure you want to buy the games, but you have a couple of other choices when it comes to the monitor and the video card. The monitor in your current system has a 60-Hz refresh rate. The video card has a max refresh rate of 75 Hz. This configuration has always worked fine for watching videos. You're also looking at new 60-Hz LCD IPS monitors and several high-end video cards with max refresh rates of up to 240 Hz. Which of the following will MOST likely allow you to play the games on your home system with the best gaming experience possible?

Buy your friend's games, monitor, and video card. Swap out both your video card and monitor. Explanation The LCD TN monitor with the 144-Hz refresh rate along with the video card with a max refresh rate of 144 Hz will give you the best gaming experience compared to the other options. Remember that in order to achieve a specific refresh rate, the following components must all support the same maximum refresh rate: Display device Video card Display cable Fast-moving graphic applications, such as games, perform best with a refresh rate of 120 Hz or higher, which is covered by this option. Also, LCD TN panel monitors have a much faster response time, which makes them superior for gaming when compared to LCD IPS panel monitors. The newer video card with a max refresh rate of 240 Hz has some advantages over the older card, but not in combination with the LCD IPS panel monitor. Either option where you keep the 60-Hz monitor, the 75-Hz card, or both will limit system performance to the rate of the slowest component, which will not be sufficient for the fast-moving graphics in the games.

Which of the following accurately describe a Type 2 hypervisor? (Select two.)

Can run on any OS. Acts as a software application. Explanation A Type 2 hypervisor acts as a software application. It is run on any OS and can run several operating systems on virtual machines. A Type 1 hypervisor acts as an OS on a physical host machine. A Type 2 hypervisor does not manage access to software programs on the host. Integration services (IS) dramatically improves the performance of a Windows virtual machine.

Which of the following BEST describe a community cloud? (Select two.)

Commonly hosted externally by a third party. Designed to be shared by several organizations. Explanation Two main characteristics of a community cloud is that it is:: Commonly hosted externally by a third party. Designed to be shared by several organizations. A private cloud only allows access to users within a single organization. A public cloud makes platforms, applications, and storage available to the general public. A hybrid cloud provides a combination of cloud resources from different service providers.

A customer who uses a Windows computer purchased an Inkjet printer from your store. He recently called to complain that the colors in the photos he prints on his new printer do not match the colors in the original photos. Which of the following actions will MOST likely resolve the issue? (Select two.)

Download and install the latest printer drivers. Use the Color Management tab of the printer driver to calibrate the driver's color settings. Explanation You should download and install the latest printer driver and then use the Color Management tab to adjust the driver's color settings. Many times, installing the latest driver alone will fix color issues. If not, you can manually adjust the color settings until they match the original settings. Educating the customer on the limitations of Inkjet printers or instructing him to purchase a color laser printer will not solve the current issue. The FIXCOLOR utility does not exist in Windows. Using Driver Rollback is not likely a solution, as the printer is new to the customer and there are probably no previous versions of the driver on the workstation.

A user sends a print job to a network printer, and it prints page after page of random characters. He calls the help desk, and a technician discovers that the wrong printer driver had been loaded on the user's workstation. The technician loads the correct driver, verifies that the system works correctly, and documents the resolution. Which of the following actions should the technician perform next?

Educate the user as to how the problem was resolved and verify that they are satisfied with the results. Explanation After resolving any incident, you should spend a few minutes with the user or customer, explaining how the problem was resolved and verifying that they are satisfied with the results. You can then formally close the incident in any tracking tool. Writing an email to the user's supervisor insisting on training is not your responsibility. Disabling the network printer or upgrading to a newer printer are not actions that are part of the action plan or solution.

Employees complain to the company IT division that they are spending considerable time and effort discarding unwanted junk email. Which of the following should the IT division implement?

Email filtering Explanation While email filtering can be implemented by each user, it can also be enabled for incoming email services to reduce spam and other unwanted email by blocking based on sender address or content. Antivirus software can protect computers from viruses found in emails, but it is not used to filter email content. Firewalls are placed between the company network and the internet to filter network traffic at the IP level. Normally, they do not filter email based on content. Multi-factor authentication combines a strong password with at least one other form of authentication before granting access. Multi-factor authentication does not filter email.

What is the recommended size of the paging file under normal circumstances on a Windows 11 system with 16 GB of RAM installed?

Equal to the amount of physical RAM. Explanation Unless you are running applications that require large amounts of swap file space, the optimal setting for virtual memory swap file size is about the same size as the amount of physical RAM in the computer. In this case, 16 GB of memory is sufficient to simply have a paging file equal to the amount of physical RAM. Systems that have a very small amount of physical RAM installed may require a paging file that is twice the size of the installed RAM. Systems with a moderate amount of physical RAM installed may require a paging file that is about one and a half times the size of the installed RAM. Systems with very large amounts of physical RAM installed typically don't require a large paging file. If the paging file is too small, the system will spend excess time swapping memory data into and out of the swap file. This condition is known as thrashing, where system performance (particularly usability) becomes very poor, but hard drive activity is almost constant.

Which storage device uses aluminum platters for storing data?

Hard disk Explanation Hard disks use magnetic disks and platters. Optical drives, such as DVD or CD-ROM drives, use a reflective surface that is read by an optical reader. Flash devices, such as SD cards, store information using programmable non-volatile flash memory. DLT drives use magnetic tape.

After arriving in a new city, a sales team member calls you, stating that his wireless connection no longer works. He has checked the wireless configuration, and he knows it to be correct because it was working yesterday. Which of the following is the FIRST step you should tell the employee to take to resolve the issue?

Have the use verify that the wireless card's hardware switch is in the On position. Explanation Have the user verify that the wireless card's hardware switch is in the On position. Many built-in wireless cards can be turned off and on through a switch on the laptop case. Because this is a likely problem and easy to check, you should verify the switch's placement before trying other solutions. While the remainder of the suggested steps might be valid in resolving the issue for this scenario, the first (and easiest) step is to check the hardware switch position.

While you are answering help desk calls, a field customer calls and complains that he cannot print to a workgroup laser printer. Which of the following should be the first question you ask?

Have you ever successfully printed to that printer? Explanation When a customer reports a problem, it's important to ascertain the extent of the problem. The fact that the user cannot print to a particular printer should first be approached from the standpoint of determining if they ever could and, if so, what has changed since then. Checking cables and restarting the printer are all actions that could be taken to resolve the issue. However, you should first identify the extent of the problem before attempting solutions.

Your company currently has an on-premises cloud solution that provides services to its employees. However, the company would like to begin offering some services to the public from the cloud. Which of the following cloud computing solutions would BEST meet your company's new cloud computing requirements?

Hybrid cloud Explanation The best solution would be to implement a hybrid cloud model, which would accommodate the private on-premises cloud solution and also allow public access to company services. A public cloud solution is designed to be accessed by anyone. This cloud service solution would not address the need for a private on-premises cloud solution. A private cloud solution is designed to be accessed by a single organization and only to users within that organization. It would not allow the general public to access a set of company services from the cloud. A community cloud is designed to be shared by several organizations. However, your on-premises cloud solution is designed for all employees. In addition, a community cloud would not allow access to services for the general public.

Which of the following features BEST allows a single processor to run two threads in parallel instead of processing single threads linearly when using Intel chips?

Hyper-threading Hyper-threading allows a single processor to run threads in parallel, as opposed to processing threads linearly. Dual core is a type of processor that offers better performance by combining two or more independent processors into a single integrated chip. Overclocking causes the processor to operate at a higher speed. Multi-processing is an operating system's ability to use multiple CPUs.

A technician is configuring the static TCP/IP settings on a client computer. Which of the following configurations are needed for internet communications? (Select three.)

IP address with a subnet mask (IPv4) or subnet prefix length (IPv6) Default gateway address Explanation At a minimum, you must configure three TCP/IP settings properly for a client to communicate with the internet. These are an IP address (including a subnet mask), a gateway, and a DNS server. A DHCP server address is not configured on a client. An APIPA address is only assigned if DHCP does not assign an IP address or if there is no static address assigned. An alternate IP address is not required in this scenario. A WINS server supports NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT), which is not used for internet communications.

You are responsible for managing client workstations for your company. A frantic user calls you one morning exclaiming, "Nothing is working!" Which of the following actions should you perform FIRST?

Identify the problem. Explanation Currently, you have no idea the problem that the user is having. The first step is to identify the problem. You need to ask questions to identify what the problem and its symptoms are. You can find out what has changed only after you know a bit more about the problem. Before taking any actions, back up the system to protect user data. Establish a theory and a plan of action only after you know what the problem is.

Which of the following are advantages of using fiber optic cabling for a network, as opposed to other types of cabling? (Select two.)

Immunity to EMI Greater cable distances without a repeater Explanation Compared to other types of cabling, fiber optic cabling allows greater cable distances without a repeater and is immune to EMI (electromagnetic interference). On the other hand, installation costs more and takes longer. In addition, fiber optic cabling is much less flexible than other cabling.

One of your customers has a long range wireless network that connects two company office buildings together. The buildings are several hundred yards apart. You have licensed a frequency range of 3.65 GHz to transmit signals between the buildings. However, the wireless connection is not performing ideally, and it sometimes drops connections. Which of the following is the BEST immediate solution to try to resolve this issue?

Increase the power to the access points. Explanation Some wireless access points allow the power to be increased. Increasing the power allows the access point to transmit a longer distance and possibly resolve transmission issues. However, doing so can lead to overheating and instability. Licensing a different frequency range can be expensive, take time, and may not resolve the issue. An unlicensed 801.11 frequency standard does not provide the transmission distance to cover several hundred yards (maximum range is up to 300 feet). A dual-band access point only provides transmissions at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, which does not provide sufficient transmission distance

You have installed a new computer with a quad-core 64-bit processor, 6 GB of memory, and a PCIe video card with 512 MB of memory. After installing the operating system, you see less than 4 GB of memory showing as available in Windows. Which of the following actions would MOST likely correct this issue?

Install a 64-bit version of the operating system. Explanation In this scenario, the most likely cause is that the operating system is a 32-bit operating system. You must use a 64-bit operating system to use memory above 4 GB. The AGP aperture is a method for sharing system memory with an AGP video card instead of PCIe. With shared memory, some of the memory is used by the video card and is not available for the system. Flashing the BIOS does not have an impact on the amount of memory available in Windows. You do not update memory controller drivers.

You notice that your applications are loading and running slowly when you switch between them. You also notice that your hard disk drive light is constantly lit. Which of the following is the BEST option to stop this problem from happening frequently on your system?

Install more physical RAM. Explanation The hard disk driver staying lit constantly, applications loading slowly, and applications running slowly are symptoms of disk thrashing. The recommended fix for disk thrashing is to install more physical RAM. Rebooting the system will not fix a disk thrashing problem. Installing a larger CPU will not fix a disk thrashing problem. Configuring a larger paging file on the HHD will improve the performance of the virtual memory, but will not prevent disk thrashing. If you have inadequate physical RAM for what you are continuously using your system for, the kernel will constantly swap, which will cause disk thrashing. So installing more physical RAM would be the best choice.

Which of the following BEST describes how a switch functions?

It connects multiple cable segments or hosts and forwards data packets to the appropriate host. Explanation Switches have multiple ports and can connect multiple cable segments or hosts. The switch forwards data packets to the appropriate port and then on to the appropriate host. Switches function similarly to hubs, except that instead of sending data packets to all ports, switches send packets only to the destination computer's port.

What does the term cloud mean when referring to cloud computing?

It is a metaphor for the internet based on the basic cloud drawing used to represent a telephone network Explanation The term cloud is a metaphor for the internet based on the basic cloud drawing used to represent a telephone network. It is now used to describe the internet infrastructure in computer network diagrams. Virtual environments are part of the Infrastructure as a Server (IaaS) cloud model. Data storage is provided as part of some cloud service models (such as SaaS or PaaS), but it is not a metaphor for cloud computing. Cloud is not the name of an operating system used to provide cloud services.

Which of the following display technologies require backlighting? (Select two.)

LCD LED Explanation Edge-lit white LED (EL-WLED or WLED) displays use white LEDs along one edge (usually the top) of the LCD and a light diffuser to backlight the screen. Modern LCDs use an array of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) to backlight the screen. OLED monitors and plasma monitors do not require a backlight. Plasma displays use millions of small cells that contain electrically charged ionized gasses. The cells light up when electrically charged and do not need any backlighting. A DMD is a small chip that contains millions of tiny mirrors that can redirect light inside of DLP projectors.

Which of the following battery types offers the greatest storage capacity in the smallest amount of space?

Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) Explanation Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries offer the greatest storage capacity in the smallest amount of space. Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries take up more physical space than Lithium Ion batteries. Carbon batteries are small, but they have significantly less charge than Lithium Ion batteries. Carbon batteries are commonly used in remote controls, flashlights, toys, or transistor radios where the power drain is not too heavy.

Which of the following battery types is the MOST expensive?

Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) Explanation Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) is the most expensive battery type. All the other batteries are less expensive, with Lead-Acid being the least expensive of all.

You have recently purchased a 3D resin printer. After printing out a few 3D objects, the printer begins producing grinding noises. What is the MOST likely cause of the issue?

Loose printer screws Explanation On a 3D resin printer, the most common fix for grinding, clicking, and knocking noises is to tighten any loosened screws. Printer drums are a component of laser printers, not 3D printers. A misaligned printer head would not cause a grinding noise on a 3D printer.

Which type of wireless technology increases bandwidth for a home wireless network by using multiple antennae for both the transmitter and receiver?

MIMO Explanation MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) increases bandwidth by using multiple antennae for both the transmitter and receiver. Channel bonding combines two non-overlapping 20 MHz channels into a single 40 MHz channel, resulting in slightly more than double the bandwidth. A long-range wireless network is typically set up to connect two buildings together on the same network. Depending on the distance between the network locations, different solutions are available. Radio waves are the basic technology for all wireless networks and do not reflect a method for increasing bandwidth.

You're trying to connect a new USB device to your computer. You install the driver and then connect the device to an open USB port. The device does not work. Which of the following troubleshooting steps is the BEST to try first?

Make sure the USB device is plugged in properly. Explanation The first thing to check is whether the USB device is plugged in properly. If that doesn't correct the problem, you might try a different USB cable before doing more extensive troubleshooting. You should only replace the device or install a new USB controller card after verifying where the problem lies. For example, if you try the device on another computer and it still doesn't work, you might assume that the device is defective. If the device works on a different computer, the USB ports on the first computer might be defective.

You have just installed an SSD drive in your older Windows workstation. However, after you start Windows, you do not see the SSD drive listed in Windows Explorer. What should you do FIRST?

Make sure the power connectors on the SSD drive are plugged in all the way. Explanation Because you have just made a system change, you should check items related to the change you have made. In this case, check to make sure that the power connectors are plugged in to the SSD drive. Jumpers are pins on the back of some older hard drives and are used to enable specific types of settings. These do not apply to an SSD drive. Replacing the power supply is one of the last steps you should take, especially if the power supply is new and seems to be working. Using the voltage switch to go from 110 to 220 volts does not normally impact whether or not an SSD drive is working.

As an IT technician, you are often asked to work on laptop computers that included internal wireless network cards. Which of the following is the MOST commonly used type of card for these internal wireless adapters?

Mini-PCI Explanation Most internal wireless network cards in laptops connect using a mini-PCI interface. USB, FireWire, and ExpressCard are external buses for external devices.

You have just installed a wireless network, but the network is experiencing slow speeds, especially when accessing the internet from your workstation. Which action should you try FIRST to resolve the issue?

Move the wireless access point. Explanation Slow wireless speeds can be caused by weak signal strength. If weak spots are found, the easiest and least expensive first step would be to move the wireless access point. You could also try adding a network extender, but this solution would mean an additional cost. Moving your workstation closer to the wireless access point could involve a lot of work (if it is even an option). Resetting your wireless router to the factory defaults could cause other issues and probably won't resolve the issue with slow speeds.

Which of the following protocols is non-routable and requires another protocol to enable internetwork communications?

NetBIOS Explanation NetBIOS is a non-routable protocol. It is often combined with IPX or IP to enable internetwork communications. NetBIOS was used in earlier versions of Windows but is rarely used today because nearly every operating system supports IP. IP is the protocol suite used on the internet and is supported by all major operating systems. IPX is the protocol suite used by legacy NetWare servers. AppleTalk over IP is the protocol used to allow older AppleTalk computers to use IP for internetwork communication.

A company is purchasing new laptops for their graphic artist division. Which of the following display technologies provides better contrast and deeper blacks, resulting in better picture quality?

OLED Explanation Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays don't require a backlight. While this means that they do not perform as well as LCD displays in lighted areas, they have a much better contrast ratio with deeper blacks. Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) dominate the laptop display market, but require a backlight and have a lower contrast ratio. Digital light processing (DLP) is used in projectors. While plasma display panels have a better contrast ratio than LCD displays, the technology is not suitable for laptop displays because of their smaller size and larger power consumption.

When an Inkjet printhead fails, you can often solve the issue by cleaning the printhead. Which of the following issues MOST likely indicates that cleaning the printhead is the solution to a printhead failure?

One color of ink is not printing. Explanation If a specific color is not printing, cleaning the printhead is the most likely solution. Failure of the carriage to move the printhead back and forth during a print job does not indicate the blockage of a print color. The rollers tightly pinch the paper and move through the printing process. A failure of the rollers to advance the paper does not indicate the blockage of a print color. The duplexing assembly is an optional printer attachment that automatically turns over the paper and reroutes it back through the printer for two-sided printing. Failure of the duplexing assembly to work properly does not indicate the blockage of a print color.

The processor you have just purchased has a series of pins in an array on the underside of the processor package. You notice that the pins insert into corresponding receptacles within the processor socket on the motherboard. Which type of socket is this processor configured to use?

Pin grid array (PGA) Explanation You have purchased a processor that inserts into a pin grid array (PGA). PGA processors have a series of pins in an array on the underside of the processor package. The pins insert into corresponding receptacles within the processor socket on the motherboard. A land grid array (LGA) socket moves the connecting pins from the processor package to the socket. Conducting pads on the bottom of the processor contact the protruding pins from the processor socket. A zero insertion force (ZIF) socket is an evolution of PGA. The pins are carried by the microprocessor and insert into the socket connectors. A lever acts as a safety device so that no force is exerted when installing or removing the processor. A ball grid array (BGA) socket is technically not a socket because the microprocessors are permanently mounted in this socket. Since copper balls are soldered directly to the motherboard, a ball grid array socket is impossible to upgrade or replace. Ball grid array sockets are used in laptops, mobile devices, memory chips, and other small electronic boards.

Which component in a laser printer prepares the photosensitive drum for writing by causing the drum to receive a negative electrostatic charge?

Primary corona Explanation The primary corona (also called the main corona or the charge corona) prepares the photosensitive drum for writing by causing the drum to receive a negative electrostatic charge. Depending on the printer, the primary corona is either wires or rollers. The organic photoconductor (OPC) drum is just another name for the photosensitive drum. The transfer corona (sometimes called the secondary corona) charges the paper to attract the toner. Fusing rollers attach the toner to the paper by pressing and melting the paper.

Which of the following is true about RFI?

RFI is caused by nearby devices, such as cordless phones or microwave ovens. Explanation RFI (radio frequency interference) is caused by nearby wireless devices using the same channel, cordless phones, or microwave ovens. EMI (electromagnetic interference) is caused by motors, heavy machinery, and fluorescent lights. Use shielded twisted-pair cables to protect signals sent on Ethernet twisted-pair cabling. If necessary, use fiber optic cables to eliminate the effects of interference. Wireless networks that use the 2.4 GHz frequency range (801.11b and 802.11g) are susceptible to RFI.

Which kind of connector do you use to connect a modem to a standard telephone line?

RJ-11 Explanation A standard telephone line connector is an RJ-11. RJ-45 jacks are used for Ethernet twisted-pair cables. RG-58 is used for 10Base2 Ethernet networking (also called Thinnet). Video cards and monitors with a built-in TV tuner use an F-type video connector.

Which connector is used with unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cabling?

RJ-45 Explanation An RJ-45 connector is used with unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cabling. BNC and AUI are used with coaxial cables. DIX is an Ethernet protocol.

A company has subscribed to a cloud service that offers cloud applications and storage space. Through acquisition, the number of company employees quickly doubled. The cloud service vendor was able to add cloud services for these additional employees without requiring hardware changes. Which of the following cloud concepts does this represent?

Rapid elasticity Explanation Rapid elasticity describes a cloud provider's ability to increase or decrease service levels to meet customers' needs without requiring hardware changes. Measured service refers to the way cloud services are measured or metered for billing purposes or according to a service-level agreement. An on-demand cloud service is available to users at any time. Cloud service providers use resource pooling to supply services to multiple customers through shared physical resources.

You have an Inkjet printer attached to the laptop computer in your home office. With a document ready to print, you select the Print option from your word processor. Unfortunately, shortly after the job has started, the printer stops printing. You turn the printer off. Which of the following actions should you perform to fix the printer?

Remove the jammed paper following its regular path. Explanation When paper gets jammed, you should first power the printer off and then locate where the paper is. Gently pull the paper in the same direction it would have traveled had it not become jammed. This is critical because most printer components are designed to follow a certain path when in operation. When they get stuck, it is better for them to complete whatever cycle they were on. Going against the pathway of the paper may cause these components to backtrack as well, which is not recommended. The other reason for following the paper path is that going against the normal pathway may result in tearing the paper. If a stuck sheet tears, it is that much harder for you to deal with the problem, as you may need to open certain modules to access the torn paper bits. Attempting to start a new print job will most likely fail, as the printer will have already stopped working due to the initial paper jam. Restarting the printer will not clear the jam. In most cases, you must remove the paper manually.

Your older notebook LCD display often goes dim or sometimes blank. Which of the following would be the BEST first step to resolve this issue?

Replace the CCFL inverter Explanation If the display on your older notebook often dims or goes blank, it is probably an indication that your LCD screen is using a CCFL inverter to backlight the LCD display. The CCFL inverter needs to be replaced. Replacing the inverter is much less expensive than replacing the LCD display. The video ribbon is probably not the cause of a dimming screen. The bezel is the frame around the LCD display. The bezel does not hold the actual screen in place. Tightening down the bezel screws would have no impact on a dimming screen.

While servicing your laptop, you notice that your Lithium Ion battery is swelling. What is the BEST action you can take to resolve the situation?

Replace the battery. Explanation Lithium Ion batteries suffer from swelling and eventually catching fire. Should the battery swell, stop using your device and replace the battery. By the time you check the battery again in a few days, it may have already swollen to the point that it catches fire. Cooling the battery down is not a viable solution. Once you place it back in the laptop, it will continue to heat and swell. Checking the voltage of the battery is not a viable solution. The battery will probably continue to swell and most likely catch fire.

An employee calls to complain that their computer is behaving erratically. Some days, it functions correctly, and other days, it crashes frequently. Sometimes, the system won't boot at all. You open the system case and notice the following: Two of the mounting screws are missing from the system hard disk drive. The system uses memory modules from several different manufacturers with mismatched capacities. Several capacitors on the motherboard are bulging and have a brown liquid oozing from them. The chassis fan on the front of the case is oriented to blow air into the system. What should you do?

Replace the motherboard. Explanation The motherboard in this scenario has distended capacitors. This is evidenced by their bulging shape and the brown fluid leaking from them. The best way to solve this issue is to replace the entire motherboard. The fan in this scenario is pushing air in the correct direction. Installing matching memory modules may improve system performance, but this will not remediate the system's instability problem. Using additional mounting screws on the hard disk drive will not improve system stability. Replacing individual leaking capacitors on the motherboard is extremely difficult and could further damage the motherboard.

When you print from your laser printer, the paper contains faint images from previous printouts. Which of the following components is MOST likely the cause? (Select two.)

Rubber scraper Fluorescent lamp Explanation After a page is printed, a rubber scraper removes any remaining toner from the OPC drum. A fluorescent lamp removes any remaining electrical charge. If images from previous print jobs show up on the page, check these two components. The primary corona charges the drum prior to writing the image. The secondary corona charges the paper to attract the toner. If these two components are faulty, the current image might have streaks or missing parts. If the toner is not sticking to the paper, check the transfer roller.

A technician is tasked with adding a valid certificate to a mobile device so that encrypted emails can be opened. Which of the following email protocols is best for the technician to use?

S/MIME Explanation S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is a protocol that is used to encrypt emails. S/MIME allows the sender to digitally sign and encrypt emails. An encrypted email server encrypts emails between the server and an email client, but the encrypted email server stores the emails in an unencrypted form. A proper certificate must be used to encrypt and decrypt S/MIME emails. POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) is an email protocol that downloads and deletes emails from an email server. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is an email protocol that can synchronize emails between multiple email clients on multiple devices. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a number that a manufacturer assigns to a mobile device.

Which protocol is used to send email messages from a mail client to a mail server?

SMTP Explanation SMTP sends email from a mail client to a mail server. FTP provides a generic method for transferring files. SNMP is used in network management systems to monitor network-attached devices for conditions that warrant administrative attention. POP3 and IMAP are both email protocols used by mail clients to retrieve email from a mail server. However, they can't be used to send mail from the client to the server.

Which of the following protocols can encrypt emails on a mobile device?

SSL Explanation SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, can encrypt emails on a mobile device. IMAP and POP3 are email retrieval protocols. SMTP is the protocol that is used to route emails through the internetwork.

While creating a virtual machine, you decide to set it up to use an external network. What else do you need to do to enable the eternal network configuration?

Select a NIC using the virtual switch manager. Explanation If you choose an external network configuration, you need to use the virtual switch manager to select a NIC. Matching the RAM on the host and configuring the virtual machine to use RDP are not requirements for enabling an external network configuration. A Type 1 hypervisor acts as an OS on a physical host machine. The type of hypervisor (Type 1 or Type 2) does not impact the external virtual network configuration.

Which of the following is the slowest RAID method implementation?

Software Explanation Software RAID uses a driver and the system CPU for controlling RAID operations. This is the slowest RAID method implementation. Hardware RAID uses a special controller card that includes a RAID processor. While it's the most expensive solution, is provides much better performance and is more reliable than other RAID methods. Operating system RAID uses RAID features within the operating system. Performance is typically better than software RAID because of integration with the operating system. Mirrored RAID is a type of RAID volume that you can create (RAID 1). It is not a basic RAID method implementation.

You are troubleshooting a malfunctioning laptop computer. Nothing appears on the LCD display when the system is powered on. When you connect an external monitor to the system, the Windows desktop is displayed on the monitor properly. Which of the following is MOST likely causing this problem? (Select two.)

The LCD assembly is malfunctioning. The display output has been redirected to the external monitor port using an fn key. Explanation If the display appears on an external monitor but not the built-in display, the problem could be a malfunctioning LCD assembly, or it could be due to the display output being redirected to the external monitor port using an fn key. You know that the video card and driver are working properly if the video shows on an external monitor. The BIOS has little or no impact on the display issue in this scenario.

Your company's graphic designers were given laptop computers several months ago. The laptops have a 500-GB SSD drive for the operating system and applications and a 1-TB hard drive for storing media files. Now, a few of the graphic designers are complaining about slow performance on their SSD drives. What is the MOST likely cause of the slow performance?

The designers are storing media files on the SSD drive. Explanation The most likely cause of the slow performance is that the graphic designers are storing all their media files on the SSD drive (instead of the hard drive) for faster access to the files. When an SSD is too full (90% or more), performance decreases significantly. It is likely that the SSD drives are at least 90% full. Because these are newer laptops, the file systems are most likely optimized for SSD, and the firmware probably does not need to be updated yet. Also, the SATA connection is newer, which means that the transfer speed is working properly.

An employee is trying to log in to Windows on their notebook computer. The employee enters the correct password for the user account, but the system won't let the employee authenticate, claiming the wrong password has been entered. Which of the following is MOST likely causing this problem?

The employee has turned Num Lock on, causing the keyboard to register numbers instead of letters. Explanation The most likely cause of the employee's problem is that the Num Lock key sequence for the notebook system has been pressed, causing the keyboard register numbers rather than letters. Turning Num Lock off should fix the problem. When Intruder Detection is enabled, no logon attempts are allowed, even if the correct password is used. Power Save mode would not interfere with entering a password. Scroll lock has little to do with typing characters. It could be that one or more keys on the keyboard are malfunctioning, causing a wrong password to be entered. However, it is most likely that the Num Lock key is engaged.

A user generates printouts consisting of several pages of seemingly random characters every time he prints to a network printer. The printer seems to work fine for all other users. What is the MOST likely cause of the problem?

The user is using an incorrect printer driver. Explanation In this case, the problem is limited to a single user, so target that user's configuration. Several pages of seemingly random characters is a classic symptom of the use of a PostScript printer driver on a non-PostScript printer. Switching to the correct driver will resolve the issue. Insufficient network privileges or incorrect network settings do not result in garbled printing. It may, however, prevent a user from printing a document. A defective network cable to a printer would result in all users having issues. In this scenario, only one user is impacted.

Which of the following is the type of printer that uses pins as tiny heating elements to produce an image on the paper?

Thermal printer Explanation Thermal printers use a printhead that is made of rows of many tiny pins that are like miniature heating elements. Inkjet, laser, and dot matrix printers use a variety of methods to produce images on paper (such as dots of ink on the page), but these types of printers do not use a thermal printhead with heating elements.

You want to create a virtualization environment that runs directly on the host machine's hardware to manage the virtual machines. Which of the following virtualization types should you use?

Type 1 hypervisor Explanation A hypervisor is a virtualization component that allows virtual machines to interact with hardware on the host machine. Type 1 runs directly on the host machine's hardware to manage the guest VMs. Type 2 runs on an operating system to manage the guest VM(s) and does not run directly on the host machine's hardware. A VDI (virtualization desktop infrastructure) is designed to be the end user's main computer system, which can be accessed from something like a tablet or thin client. In addition, a VDI can be hosted by a cloud service provider. A VDI does not run directly on the host machine's hardware. Container virtualization is focused on providing a virtual environment for a single application and requires a host machine operating system to run.

You are walking through a shopping mall. Your smartphone frequently displays a message that additional information is needed to log in. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this message?

Unintended Wi-Fi connections Explanation Many mobile devices, by default, are configured to access any wireless connection based on signal strength. Secure Wi-Fi connections request additional information to log in. For better security, disable automatic Wi-Fi connectivity on mobile devices. Cellular services do not require login information. A weak or dropped cell signal is not a cause of this message. Leaked personal files can be the results of poor security. This is not a cause of this message. Unauthorized location tracking may present messages, but they are not likely to ask for additional login information.

You are building a new computer from both new and used parts. The video card is a PCIe video card that requires an 8-pin power connector. However, your power supply does not have an 8-pin PCIe power connector. Which of the following solutions would be the least expensive option for your system?

Use an adapter cable to connect two 4-pin Molex connectors to the 8-pin PCIe connector Explanation Using an adapter cable to connect two 4-pin Molex connectors would be the least expensive option. You can typically purchase adapters for PCIe video, SATA power, or processor power cables. There is no 8-pin processor cable. That is why you are looking for a solution. Purchasing a new power supply or video card would work, but would be more expensive than using an adapter.

While changing the toner cartridge in your laser printer, you accidently spill toner in and around the printer. Which of the following is the BEST method for cleaning up the spilled toner?

Use an anti-static micro-filtering vacuum. Explanation Excess toner should be removed from a laser printer with an anti-static and micro-filtering vacuum designed for toner spills. A regular household vacuum will build up an electrostatic charge from the toner, which could shock you, damage the printer, or damage your vacuum. Using any kind of liquid to clean up a toner spill could cause damage to the printer and may permanently adhere the toner to the printer. Although you should try to collect as much of the toner as possible using some type of scoop, doing this and wiping the spilled toner will not clean the printer thoroughly. If you do use a cloth, it should be a static-free cloth.

You have purchased a refurbished Windows laptop and have just plugged the power adapter into the wall socket to begin charging the battery. However, after several hours of charging, the laptop does not turn on. What is the MOST likely cause of the power issue?

You have been given the incorrect adapter. Explanation The most likely cause of your power issue is that you were given the wrong adapter for the laptop. Most adapters are not interchangeable between laptops, as they require varying amounts of voltage and amperage. Even if the plug for the laptop is the correct size, the adapter may not be generating sufficient power to charge the laptop battery. A faulty operating system, memory, or hard drive could be the issue. However, because the laptop has been refurbished, it has probably gone through a series of tests to make sure that all three were operating correctly before shipping the laptop to you.

Which of the following statements about cleaning LCD monitors and display devices is true?

You should power off your monitor and clean it with a lint-free dry cloth. Explanation In general, an LCD monitor is best cleaned using a dry cloth with the monitor turned off. Cleaning cloths should always be lint-free. Cleaning a monitor or display device with the unit powered on often hides places on the screen that need cleaning (such as spots or smears). Always avoid using cloths with lint and glass cleaner. The glass cleaner can cause damage to the monitor's surface. While many newer monitors do have certain automatic calibration features, self-cleaning is not one of them.

Which of the following are the MOST likely signs that your computer might need more memory? (Select two.)

Your hard drive light on the system case is on for long periods of time. Your hard drive is constantly operating as you work. Explanation You may need to add more physical memory to your computer if: You hear the hard drive constantly operating as you work. The hard drive light on the front of the system case stays illuminated for long periods of time. If your system boots, but the display remains blank, it could be that a card is not seated properly or you have unsupported memory. It is not a likely sign that you need more memory. An exception error is normally caused by a software bug, not a lack of memory. If your memory count is incorrect, it is likely that the POST failed to recognize all of your installed memory due to an unseated or incompatible memory problem. This is not normally an indication that you need more memory.

Your company relocated you from the United States to their United Kingdom office in London. You brought your personal computer with you, and you are in the process of setting it up. Your computer was previously configured to receive 115 VAC, but the electricity in London uses 230 VAC. Which of the following would allow your computer to run on 230 VAC?

nspect the power supply unit for a manual voltage switch and move it to 230 VAC. Otherwise, no action is necessary. Explanation Most power supplies have the capacity to receive either 115 and 230 volts of power just by toggling a switch on the power supply case. However, modern power supplies generally support automatic voltage switching with no action required. You can use this switch when using the power supply in other countries. The 115 volts setting is used in the United States. 230 volts is used in Europe. Because most power supplies support both 115 VAC and 230 VAC, you probably don't need to purchase an external voltage converter. BIOS does not provide a voltage input setting to switch from 115 VAC to 230 VAC.