Pass the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 Questions and answers with CertsForce

Choppy or unintelligible audio is typically caused by issues with the microphone, such as poor quality, hardware defects, or misconfiguration.

Why Not A (Webcam): The webcam handles video, not audio.

Why Not B (Digitizer): A digitizer relates to touchscreens, not audio.

Why Not C (Inverter): Inverters manage power for displays, not audio.

CompTIA A+ Exam Reference: Core 1 (220-1101), Section 3.6, audio troubleshooting​.

Category 7 (Cat 7) cables provide the best performance with the least Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) due to their enhanced shielding. Cat 7 cables are designed to support higher speeds and bandwidth while reducing interference compared to Cat 5 or Cat 6.

Why Not A (Cat 5): Cat 5 cables have limited shielding and are prone to EMI, making them unsuitable for high-performance requirements.

Why Not B (Cat 6): Cat 6 offers better shielding than Cat 5 but less than Cat 7.

Why Not D (Coaxial): While coaxial cables are resistant to EMI, Cat 7 offers better performance overall for networking applications.

CompTIA A+ Exam Reference: Core 1 (220-1101), Section 3.1, cable types and their performance characteristics​.

A modular power supply allows a technician to connect only the power cables that are needed, reducing clutter and improving airflow. This is ideal when aiming for a clean build with minimal visible internal cables.

Option A (SATA drive connections): Still require both power and data cables, adding to cable count.

Option B (Liquid cooling): May reduce some bulk from large air coolers, but adds tubing and still needs cabling.

Option D (Wireless NIC): Adds wireless capability but has no relation to internal cabling cleanliness.

CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam Objective Reference:

Objective 3.3: Given a scenario, apply the appropriate PC configuration.

To adjust the VLAN configuration, the technician needs to configure the switch. VLANs are configured on switches to segment network traffic logically, even if the devices are connected to the same physical network. By adjusting the VLAN settings on the switch, the technician can ensure that the sales department has access to the marketing department's network resources.

C. Switch: VLANs are configured on switches to logically separate or combine network segments.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Network card: A network card is a hardware component that connects a device to a network, but it does not configure VLANs.

B. Patch panel: A patch panel is used to organize and manage network cables but does not play a role in VLAN configuration.

D. Server: A server may host resources, but VLANs are managed at the switch level.

E. Hub: A hub is a basic networking device that simply forwards traffic; it cannot be used to configure VLANs.

This falls under the Networking domain in the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam​.

Printers that use PostScript drivers are designed to handle complex printing tasks, including detailed graphics and images in PDF files. However, if the printer's PostScript driver is outdated, incompatible, or improperly configured, it may struggle to process and print PDF files containing images. Updating or reinstalling the PostScript driver, or choosing a different driver compatible with the printer and document type, can resolve this issue.

Testing the power supply first ensures that the correct voltage is reaching all components, which is a common cause of boot issues. Modifying BIOS settings is not possible without a POST. Checking PCIe cards or replacing the motherboard are secondary steps if the power supply is functional. CompTIA A+ Core 1 objectives cover power supply testing as an essential troubleshooting step in system startup issues.

To clean sticking keys on a laptop keyboard, using compressed air is the most effective and safest method. Compressed air can dislodge and remove crumbs, dust, and other debris from under the keys without risking damage to the keyboard's electronic components or the keys themselves. This approach is non-invasive and widely recommended for keyboard maintenance.

A docking station connects to a laptop’s proprietary port or USB-C/Thunderbolt, providing access to multiple additional ports (USB, Ethernet, video, audio, etc.). It allows users to transform a laptop into a full desktop workstation.

Option A (NFC adapter): Used for short-range communication, not port expansion.

Option C (Port replicator): Similar to a dock but usually less powerful and often lacks charging or video output.

Option D (USB dongle): Adds a single function (like Wi-Fi or storage), not full port expansion.

CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam Objective Reference:

Objective 1.4: Given a scenario, configure settings and use cases for laptops and mobile devices.

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In DNS (Domain Name System), the AAAA record is used to map a domain or device to an IPv6 address. IPv6 addresses are 128-bit addresses, and the AAAA record is specifically designed for handling these larger addresses.

C. AAAA: This record is used to associate a hostname with an IPv6 address in DNS.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. A: An A record maps a domain to an IPv4 address, not an IPv6 address.

B. CNAME: A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is used to alias one domain name to another but does not map to an IP address directly.

D. MX: An MX (Mail Exchange) record is used to direct email traffic to the correct email servers, not to map devices to IP addresses.

This falls under the Networking domain of the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam​.

To terminate an RJ45 port, a technician should use a punchdown tool. This tool is specifically designed to insert and cut (terminate) the wires into a patch panel, keystone jack, or a network surface mount box. The punchdown tool ensures that the wire is properly seated in the terminal block and that the connection is secure. It also trims the excess wire during the termination process, which is not a function that cable testers, toner probes, or cable strippers are designed to perform.

In Platform as a Service (PaaS), the cloud provider manages the hardware, operating system, and middleware, while the customer is responsible for managing data and applications.

Why Not B (SaaS): In SaaS, the provider manages all layers, including applications and data, leaving no responsibility for the customer.

Why Not C (IaaS): In IaaS, the customer manages the OS, data, and applications, while the provider only handles the hardware.

Why Not D (CaaS): CaaS (Container as a Service) is not a primary cloud model described in the CompTIA objectives and is less commonly referenced.

CompTIA A+ Exam Reference: Core 1 (220-1101), Section 4.1, cloud computing models​.

Color gamut refers to the range of colors a display can accurately reproduce. For tasks like graphic design or photo editing, ensuring the screen's colors match the printed output is critical. Monitors with wide and accurate color gamuts (e.g., Adobe RGB) are preferred for these applications.

Option B (Pixel density): Incorrect. Pixel density affects image sharpness, not color accuracy.

Option C (Refresh rate): Incorrect. Refresh rate impacts motion smoothness but is unrelated to color matching.

Option D (Resolution): Incorrect. Resolution determines clarity and detail but does not influence color accuracy.

Plenum cabling is designed for use in commercial spaces where cables run through air ducts or plenum spaces, as it has fire-resistant properties and emits less toxic smoke.

Why Not A (USB 3.1 Gen 2): USB is for peripheral connections, not large-scale commercial installations.

Why Not B (Straight tip fiber connector): Fiber connectors are for high-speed connections but are not specifically for commercial spaces.

Why Not D (Cat 8): While Cat 8 is high-speed, it is not uniquely suited for commercial spaces like plenum cabling.

CompTIA A+ Exam Reference: Core 1 (220-1101), Section 3.1, cabling standards​.

For laptops, the most common type of RAM used is Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (SODIMM) due to its smaller size compared to DIMMs used in desktops. DDR5 is the latest generation of RAM, offering higher speed and efficiency. ECC (Error-Correcting Code) DIMM DDR5 and Registered DIMM DDR5 are typically used in servers and high-end workstations for error correction and stability, not in standard laptops. High latency DDR5 is not a desirable specification for RAM as lower latency is preferred for faster performance.

If a smartphone repeatedly loses connection to a home Wi-Fi network and the common troubleshooting steps like restarting the device, rebooting the router, and resetting the Wi-Fi settings have not resolved the issue, updating the smartphone's operating system (OS) could be the next logical step. OS updates often include fixes for known bugs and improvements in connectivity and compatibility with network hardware, which could resolve persistent connection issues.

Before creating a virtual machine (VM) on a computer, it's crucial to ensure that the CPU supports virtualization and that this feature is enabled in the BIOS (or UEFI) settings. While sufficient RAM and hard drive space are also important for running VMs effectively, and compatibility with the graphics card might be a consideration for VMs with intensive graphical requirements, the foundational step is to verify that the CPU supports virtualization and that this feature is activated in the BIOS settings. This is because virtualization technology, often referred to as VT-x (on Intel CPUs) or AMD-V (on AMD CPUs), is a prerequisite for running most virtualization software efficiently.

Badging is a form of authentication that requires employees to use a badge or ID card to release print jobs. This solution reduces unnecessary printing by ensuring only authorized users print.

Why Not A (Access control list): While ACLs manage permissions, they are not used for physical authentication at printers.

Why Not B (Audit logging): Audit logs track actions but do not restrict printer access.

Why Not D (Print server): A print server manages print jobs but doesn’t enforce authentication.

CompTIA A+ Exam Reference: Core 2 (220-1102), Section 2.5, authentication mechanisms​.

Application virtualization allows legacy software to run in a virtualized environment while the operating system remains current. It isolates the application from the OS, ensuring compatibility without downgrading the OS.

Why Not A (Shared resources): This relates to resource sharing, not application compatibility.

Why Not B (System sandbox): Sandboxes isolate applications for security testing, not compatibility.

Why Not C (Test development): Test environments are used for development, not running legacy applications.

CompTIA A+ Exam Reference: Core 1 (220-1101), Section 4.2, virtualization concepts​.

The appropriate power supply specification for the described workstation setup is 12V, 500W output. This specification ensures that the power supply can handle the combined power requirements of an ATX motherboard, multi-core processor, dedicated graphics solution, SATA hard drive, and DDR4 memory. The 12V rail is crucial for components such as the CPU and graphics card, while a 500W output provides sufficient power overhead to support the system under load, as well as potential future upgrades or additional components.