CompTIA A+ Core 1 Practice Questions: Hardware/Troubleshooting

8 free, exam-style CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) practice questions covering Hardware/Troubleshooting. Each question shows the correct answer and a clear explanation. Ready for the real thing? Take the full timed quiz below.

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Q1. A user's laptop screen appears very dim, even at the highest brightness setting. An external monitor works fine. Which of the following is the MOST likely component to have failed?

Explanation: If the image is visible but very dim, it often points to a problem with the screen's illumination, which is provided by the backlight. In older CCFL screens, this could be the inverter; in modern LED screens, it's the LED backlight itself or its control circuitry. Learn more.

Q2. A Windows user reports that their computer sometimes fails to boot, displaying a 'Boot device not found' error. If the issue is intermittent, which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Explanation: An intermittent 'Boot device not found' error can often be caused by a loose SATA data cable or power cable connected to the boot drive. This can cause the drive to not be detected consistently by the BIOS/UEFI. Learn more.

Q3. A technician powers on a computer and hears a series of short beeps, and the system does not boot. What is the MOST likely cause indicated by these beeps?

Explanation: Beep codes during POST (Power-On Self-Test) are auditory signals from the motherboard indicating hardware issues. A series of short beeps commonly points to problems with RAM, the video card, or sometimes the power supply. The specific meaning varies by BIOS manufacturer. Learn more.

Q4. A technician is troubleshooting a hard drive that is suspected of failing. Which technology, built into most modern hard drives, can provide diagnostic information about the drive's health?

Explanation: S.M.A.R.T. is a monitoring system included in HDDs and SSDs that detects and reports on various indicators of drive reliability, with the intent of enabling the anticipation of hardware failures. Learn more.

Q5. A user's computer is experiencing unexpected shutdowns, especially when running graphically intensive applications. The fans are spinning loudly before shutdown. What is the MOST likely cause?

Explanation: Loud fans followed by shutdowns during intensive tasks strongly suggest overheating of critical components like the CPU or GPU. This could be due to dust buildup, failing fans, or dried thermal paste. Learn more.

Q6. A desktop loses BIOS time and boot settings whenever it is unplugged. What should be replaced?

Explanation: The CMOS battery maintains firmware settings and clock information when the system has no external power. Learn more.

Q7. A PC randomly shuts down under heavy CPU load. Which cause is most likely?

Explanation: Thermal protection can shut down a system when cooling is insufficient under load. Learn more.

Q8. A monitor displays no image after a GPU upgrade, but the system boots. What should be verified first?

Explanation: After installing a dedicated GPU, the display must be connected to the GPU output rather than the motherboard port. Learn more.

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