220-1101 CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 1 Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

The correct answer is B. Punchdown tool.

A punchdown tool is a device that can connect wires to a patch panel or a network jack by inserting them into the appropriate slots and cutting off the excess. A punchdown tool can be used to fix the damaged LAN ports by replacing the wires or reconnecting them to the correct terminals.

A cable stripper is a device that can remove the insulation from a cable to expose the wires inside. A cable stripper is not useful for fixing the damaged LAN ports, unless the technician needs to strip new wires before punching them down.

A crimper is a device that can attach connectors to the ends of cables, such as RJ-45 or RJ-11. A crimper is not useful for fixing the damaged LAN ports, unless the technician needs to replace the connectors on the cables.

A network tap is a device that can monitor and capture network traffic by creating a copy of the data passing through a network link. A network tap is not useful for fixing the damaged LAN ports, as it does not affect the connectivity of the network devices.

The best way to complete the upgrade with the least amount of downtime is to clone the HDD to the SSD using cloning software, and then replace the HDD with the SSD. This way, the user does not have to reinstall the operating system and applications, or copy over their data manually. The other options would either take more time or result in data loss or inaccessibility. Verified References: [How to Upgrade Your Laptop’s Hard Drive to an SSD].

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The correct answer is C. OLED.

OLED stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode, and it is a type of display technology that uses organic compounds to create light and color. Unlike LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or Plasma displays, OLED does not require a backlight or a filter to produce images. This means that OLED can offer higher contrast, wider color gamut, and better viewing angles than other display types.

LCD displays use liquid crystals that are sandwiched between two polarizing filters and illuminated by a backlight. The liquid crystals can change their orientation and block or allow light to pass through the filters. LCD displays can have different panel types, such as IPS (In-Plane Switching), VA (Vertical Alignment), or TN (Twisted Nematic), which affect the color accuracy, response time, and viewing angles of the display.

Plasma displays use gas-filled cells that are electrically charged to create plasma, which emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light then excites phosphors that emit visible light and color. Plasma displays can produce deep blacks and high contrast, but they are also prone to image retention, screen burn-in, and high power consumption.

VGA stands for Video Graphics Array, and it is not a display type but a video interface standard that was introduced in 1987. VGA can transmit analog signals from a computer to a monitor, but it has low resolution and limited color depth compared to modern digital standards such as HDMI or DisplayPort.

Therefore, OLED is the best display type for graphic designers who want the most accurate color spectrum and the widest viewing angles. OLED displays can also be thinner and lighter than LCD or Plasma displays, which makes them ideal for laptops. However, OLED displays are also more expensive and less durable than other display types, and they may suffer from image retention or burn-in over time.

DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is a network service that translates hostnames to IP addresses. Hostnames are human-readable names that identify devices or services on the Internet, such as www.google.com or mail.yahoo.com. IP addresses are numerical identifiers that specify the location of devices or services on the Internet, such as 172.217.14.206 or 98.137.11.163. DNS allows users to access websites or services by using hostnames instead of IP addresses, which are easier to remember and type. DNS also allows hostnames to change their IP addresses without affecting the users, which can improve performance and security.

The correct answer is B. Analyze the error logs.

Error logs are files that record the events and errors that occur on a server or a network device. They can provide valuable information about the cause and the time of the outage, as well as any warnings or alerts that preceded it. Analyzing the error logs can help the administrator narrow down the possible sources of the problem and identify the best course of action to resolve it.

The first step in troubleshooting a network is to identify the problem1. As a part of this step, the administrator should gather information about the current state of the network using the network troubleshooting tools that are available1. One of these tools is the error log viewer, which can be accessed through the server’s operating system or a network monitoring software. The administrator should look for any entries that indicate a failure, a crash, a timeout, or an exception in the error logs. The administrator should also note the date and time of the entries, as well as the severity and the frequency of the errors.

The other options are less likely to be the first step in troubleshooting, because:

•Documenting the results is an important step in troubleshooting, but it should be done after identifying and resolving the problem, not before. Documenting the results can help the administrator keep track of the actions taken, the changes made, and the outcomes achieved. It can also help prevent future problems by providing a reference for best practices and lessons learned1.

•Checking the physical connections is another important step in troubleshooting, but it should be done after analyzing the error logs, not before. Physical connections are the cables and ports that link the server to other devices on the network. They can affect the quality and stability of the network signal. If the error logs do not indicate any software or configuration issues, then checking the physical connections can help determine if there is any damage or interference in the hardware2.

•Upgrading the server firmware is a possible solution for some network problems, but it should not be done as a first step in troubleshooting, unless there is a clear indication that the firmware is outdated or corrupted. Firmware is a type of software that controls the basic functions of a hardware device. Upgrading the firmware can improve performance, security, and compatibility, but it can also introduce new bugs or conflicts with other software or hardware components. Therefore, upgrading the firmware should be done with caution and only after backing up data and settings3.

For more information and tips on how to troubleshoot network issues, you can visit these links:

•A Guide to Network Troubleshooting - CompTIA

•What is Network Troubleshooting? How to Fix Network Issues - SolarWinds

•Network Troubleshooting - Methodology, Steps & Techniques - DNSstuff

Calibration is the process of adjusting the printer settings to ensure that the printed output matches the original document. Calibration can fix issues such as misaligned images, color accuracy, and print quality. References: [Printer Calibration]

The projector is overheating and needs to be cleaned. A common cause of projector shutdown is overheating, which can be triggered by dust accumulation, blocked vents, or faulty fans. The projector has a thermal protection circuit that turns it off when the temperature reaches a certain level, and it will not turn back on until it cools down. To prevent this issue, the projector needs to be cleaned regularly and placed in a well-ventilated area. The video cable, the bulb, and the outlet are not likely to cause the projector to turn off intermittently.

A serial interface is a common way to connect to the console port of a switch using a rollover cable and a terminal emulator program. This allows the network technician to configure and troubleshoot the switch. Bluetooth, near-field communication, and port replicator are not used for console connections.

The most important step the technician should take before proceeding is A. Verify the device is fully charged and connected to a power supply.

Firmware is a type of software that controls the basic functions and operations of a device, such as a router, printer, or scanner. Firmware can be updated to fix bugs, improve performance, or add new features to the device. However, updating firmware can also be risky, as it may cause the device to malfunction or become unusable if the update process is interrupted or corrupted.

One of the main causes of firmware update failure is power loss, which can occur if the device runs out of battery or is disconnected from the power source during the update. Power loss can damage the firmware and prevent the device from booting up or functioning properly. Therefore, it is essential to verify that the device is fully charged and connected to a power supply before updating the firmware. This can ensure that the device has enough power to complete the update process and avoid any interruptions or errors.

The other options are not as important as verifying the power status of the device. Ensuring the device has adequate storage space for the update is a good practice, but it is not likely to cause a major problem if the device does not have enough space. The update process will either fail to start or prompt the user to free up some space before proceeding. Verifying administrative access on the device is also a good practice, but it is not necessary for updating firmware. Administrative access is required for installing or uninstalling software applications, but not for updating firmware. Firmware updates are usually provided by the device manufacturer or vendor and do not require user authentication. Exporting the user settings so they can be imported after the upgrade is a precautionary measure, but it is not mandatory for updating firmware. Firmware updates do not usually affect the user settings or data on the device, unless they are incompatible or corrupted. Exporting the user settings can help restore them in case of any problems, but it does not prevent them from occurring.

The fuser is the part of a laser printer that uses heat and pressure to fuse the toner to the paper. If the fuser is defective or not hot enough, the toner may not adhere properly and smear when touched. The duplexing assembly, toner, and transfer belt are not related to this issue.

The most likely issue that the technician will encounter is A. Corrupt job in print spooler.

A corrupt job in the print spooler is a common problem that can cause a printer to stop printing or print slowly. The print spooler is a service that manages the print queue, which is a list of documents that are waiting to be printed. Sometimes, a document in the print queue can become corrupted or incompatible with the printer, and prevent other documents from being printed. This can happen due to various reasons, such as power outage, network interruption, driver mismatch, virus infection, etc12.

To troubleshoot and resolve this issue, the technician can use the diagnostic tool in the printer’s administrator menu, which is a feature that allows the technician to access and configure various settings and options of the printer. The diagnostic tool can help the technician identify and delete the corrupt job in the print spooler, and restart the print service. The technician can also use the diagnostic tool to check the printer’s status, error messages, firmware updates, network settings, and other information that can help with the troubleshooting process34.

The other options are less likely to be encountered by the technician, as they are not related to the printer’s heavy use or the diagnostic tool. Insufficient space in the printer is an issue that can occur when the printer’s memory or storage is full, and it can cause the printer to print slowly or incompletely. However, this issue can be easily resolved by clearing the printer’s memory or storage, or adding more memory or storage to the printer12. Network connectivity issues are problems that can affect the communication between the printer and the network, and they can cause the printer to be offline or unreachable. However, these issues can be resolved by checking and fixing the physical or wireless connection, the network configuration, the firewall settings, and the printer’s IP address12. Improperly installed drivers are issues that can affect the compatibility and functionality of the printer, and they can cause the printer to print incorrectly or not at all. However, these issues can be resolved by updating, reinstalling, or rolling back the printer’s drivers, or by using the correct drivers for the printer’s model and operating system12.

A managed switch is a network device that can be configured to create VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks), which are logical segments of a network that isolate traffic based on criteria such as function, security, or quality of service. A VLAN can be used to isolate voice traffic on the network, which can improve the performance and security of voice over IP (VoIP) applications. A network tap, a hub, and a DSL filter are not capable of creating VLANs.

A custom hosts file is a file that maps hostnames to IP addresses, allowing the user to access websites or servers by their names instead of their numerical addresses. For example, a user can add a line like 192.168.1.100 myserver.local to their hosts file and then access the server by typing myserver.local in their browser. However, this method only works if the IP address of the server does not change. If the server is configured with a dynamic IP address, which means it can be assigned a different IP address by the network router or DHCP server, then the hosts file entry will become invalid and the user will not be able to connect to the server by its hostname. Therefore, the technician should ensure that the server is configured with a static IP address, which means it has a fixed and permanent IP address that does not change. This way, the hosts file entry will always point to the correct IP address of the server and the user will be able to ping the server hostname from their computer.

The correct answer is C. Hybrid.

A hybrid cloud model is a combination of two or more different cloud models, such as public, private, community, or on-premises. A hybrid cloud model allows an organization to retain data on site as well as in the cloud, depending on the security and performance requirements of the data. A hybrid cloud model can also provide flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency for the organization12.

A public cloud model is a cloud service that is available to anyone over the internet. A public cloud model does not allow an organization to retain data on site, as the data is stored and managed by a third-party provider. A public cloud model can offer lower costs, higher availability, and easier access, but it may have less security and control over the data12.

A community cloud model is a cloud service that is shared by a group of organizations that have similar needs or goals. A community cloud model does not allow an organization to retain data on site, as the data is stored and managed by a third-party provider or one of the participating organizations. A community cloud model can offer higher security, privacy, and compliance, but it may have higher costs and lower availability than a public cloud model12.

A private cloud model is a cloud service that is exclusively used by a single organization. A private cloud model can allow an organization to retain data on site or in the cloud, depending on the configuration of the private cloud. A private cloud model can offer higher security, control, and customization, but it may have higher costs and lower scalability than a public cloud model12.

The next step that the technician should take after replacing the battery in the phone is to check the device for malware. Malware is a malicious software that can infect the phone and cause various problems, such as overheating, battery drain, data theft, pop-up ads, or performance slowdowns. Malware can enter the phone through various sources, such as downloading apps from untrusted sources, clicking on suspicious links or attachments, or connecting to insecure Wi-Fi networks.

To check the device for malware, the technician can use a reputable antivirus or anti-malware app, such as the ones found in the web search results123. The technician can follow these steps:

Download and install the antivirus or anti-malware app from a trusted source, such as the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Launch the app and grant it the necessary permissions to scan the device.

Run a full scan of the device and wait for the results.

If the app detects any malware, follow the app’s instructions to remove or quarantine it.

Restart the device and check if the overheating and battery drain issues are resolved.

Other steps, such as checking the device for updates, checking the device for liquid damage, or checking the device’s charging adapter, may not be relevant or effective for solving the overheating and battery drain issues caused by malware. Checking the device for updates may improve the security and performance of the device, but it may not remove the existing malware. Checking the device for liquid damage may reveal physical damage to the device, but it may not explain the constant overheating and battery drain. Checking the device’s charging adapter may ensure the proper charging of the device, but it may not affect the device’s temperature or battery life when it is not plugged in.

The correct answer is A. OLED.

OLED stands for Organic Light-emitting Diode, and it is one of the three display types available for laptops, along with TN (Twisted Nematic) and IPS (In-Plane Switching) panels1. OLED displays use organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied, unlike LCD displays that use a backlight to illuminate the pixels. OLED displays have several advantages over LCD displays, such as higher contrast, wider viewing angles, faster response times, and lower power consumption2. However, OLED displays are also more expensive, less common, and more prone to burn-in than LCD displays2.

CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), DLP (Digital Light Processing), and Plasma are not display types for laptops. CRT is an old technology that uses a vacuum tube to project an image on a phosphor screen. CRT monitors are bulky, heavy, and consume a lot of power3. DLP is a technology that uses a digital micromirror device and a light source to project an image on a screen or a wall. DLP is mainly used for projectors, not laptops4. Plasma is a technology that uses gas-filled cells that emit light when an electric current is applied. Plasma displays are mainly used for large-screen TVs, not laptops.

A hybrid cloud model would best address the company’s needs of saving money by leveraging the cloud while still being able to customize the infrastructure. A hybrid cloud model is a combination of public and private cloud services, connected by a secure network. A public cloud service is a cloud service that is offered by a third-party provider over the Internet, and is shared by multiple customers. A private cloud service is a cloud service that is dedicated to a single customer, and is hosted either on-premises or by a third-party provider. A hybrid cloud model allows the company to use the public cloud for cost-effective and scalable services, such as storage, backup, or analytics, and use the private cloud for more sensitive or customized services, such as security, compliance, or performance. A hybrid cloud model also enables the company to move workloads between the public and private cloud as needed, depending on the demand, availability, or cost. A hybrid cloud model can provide the company with the best of both worlds: the flexibility and efficiency of the cloud, and the control and customization of the infrastructure.

The correct answer is D. Raise the filament flow amount.

Filament flow amount, also known as extrusion multiplier or flow rate, is the setting that controls how much filament is extruded by the nozzle during 3D printing. It is usually expressed as a percentage of the default value, which is 100%. Increasing the filament flow amount means extruding more filament than usual, while decreasing it means extruding less1.

The filament flow amount can affect the quality and adhesion of the first layer, which is crucial for a successful 3D print. If the filament flow amount is too low, the nozzle may not extrude enough filament to fill the gaps between the lines and create a smooth and solid first layer. This can result in poor adhesion, curling, warping, or detachment of the print from the bed12.

To improve adherence on the first layer, the user should raise the filament flow amount slightly, such as 105% or 110%, to ensure that enough filament is extruded to create a strong bond with the bed. The user should also make sure that the nozzle height, bed leveling, and bed temperature are properly calibrated for optimal first layer adhesion12.

The other options are less likely to improve adherence on the first layer, because:

•Lowering the print bed temperature may reduce the adhesion of the TPU filament to the bed, as TPU usually requires a bed temperature between 20-60°C for the best results3. Lowering the bed temperature may also increase the risk of warping or curling of the print4.

•Adjusting the RPM of the cooling fan may not have a significant effect on the first layer adhesion, as cooling fans are not required with TPU3. In fact, using a cooling fan with TPU may cause cracking or delamination of the print, as TPU needs to cool down slowly and evenly4.

•Increasing the print speed may worsen the first layer adhesion, as TPU is a flexible and elastic filament that needs to be printed slowly and consistently. A recommended print speed for TPU is 15-30mm/s3. Increasing the print speed may cause clogging, stringing, blobs, or under-extrusion of the filament4.

For more information and tips on how to 3D print TPU filament like a pro, you can visit these links:

•How to 3D Print TPU Filament Like a Pro – Ultimate Guide & FAQ

•The Complete TPU Filament 3D Printing Guide - 3DSourced

•TPU Filament 3D Printing Material – The Complete Guide

•TPU filament - learn everything about the TPU material for 3D printing