Explanation: When two devices on the same network are assigned the same IP address, it can lead to intermittent connectivity issues as the network switches between the two devices. This situation, known as an IP address conflict, can disrupt the normal operation of the network, leading to connectivity problems that appear sporadic or intermittent. Resolving duplicate IP addresses typically involves ensuring DHCP is correctly configured or manually setting unique static IP addresses for devices prone to conflicts.

Explanation: The MOST efficient next step the technician should complete is to install an updated printer driver on the print server12. The issue of information being garbled and looking like code could be related to a compatibility issue with the new firmware and the existing printer driver1. The printer driver is responsible for converting the print job data into a format that the printer can understand and print2.

Explanation: An inverter failure commonly causes dim screens as it fails to power the backlight, which is crucial for visibility. The LCD glass, IPS panel, and digitizer relate to touch and image display, not brightness. According to CompTIA A+ Core 1 objectives, understanding mobile device display issues, including inverter-related problems, is essential for effective troubleshooting.

Explanation: In this situation, the best course of action for the technician to take NEXT would be C. Verify the socket type and manufacturer. If the pins on the CPU do not line up with the socket on the motherboard, it is likely that there is a compatibility issue between the two components. The technician should verify that the socket type and manufacturer of the motherboard match those of the CPU to ensure that they are compatible.

Explanation: Using the duplex setting allows the printer to print on both sides of the paper, effectively reducing paper usage by half for multipage documents. This option is ideal for conserving resources in a high-volume environment. According to the CompTIA A+ Core 1 objectives, duplexing is a standard function in multifunction devices, helping reduce paper usage and optimize printing efficiency. This method not only lowers costs but is also environmentally beneficial. Other options like "Orientation" only affect page layout, "Tray settings" adjust paper source without conserving resources, and "Quality" affects print resolution but not resource consumption.

Explanation: Using a USB 3.1 flash drive with BitLocker to Go installed is the best option for complying with corporate policy for data protection when copying files to portable media. References: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide, Ninth Edition, Chapter 12

Explanation: The technician should run diagnostics on the faulty hard drive using a boot disk first when a computer that contains critical data has not been backed up and will not boot past a S.M.A.R.T. error that indicates imminent hard disk failure. References: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide, Exam 220-1001, Page 376

Explanation: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can help ensure maximum uptime for customers' virtual machines by providing a backup power source in case of a power outage or other power-related issues. A line conditioner and AC voltage regulator are designed to stabilize the power supply, but do not provide backup power. Cloud storage backup is a way to backup data, but does not directly impact uptime. References: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 1 - Page 159

Explanation: Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a software solution that allows companies to manage and secure mobile devices used in the corporate environment. MDM provides features such as remote data wipe, application management, and device security policies to ensure data protection and compliance with company policies. References: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Objectives 220-1001 - Mobile device hardware and operating systems - 2.8

Explanation: The issue of video but no audio on a projector in a conference room can be resolved by utilizing an HDMI connection between the PC and the projector. HDMI supports both video and audio signals and is commonly used to connect a PC to a projector for presentations. Changing the input on the projector to VGA, changing the output on the PC to DVI, or modifying the projector's refresh rate will not resolve the issue. References: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 1 - Objective 2.5

Explanation: Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security process that requires users to provide two different authentication factors to verify their identity. This means that in addition to providing something they know (such as a password or PIN), they must also provide something they have (such as a smart card or token) or something they are (such as a fingerprint or retinal scan).

In this case, the correct answer would be C. Password/thumbprint. This option meets the requirement for two-factor authentication because it combines two different types of authentication factors: something the user knows (the password) and something the user is (the thumbprint). The other options do not meet the requirement for 2FA because they either use only one type of authentication factor (A and D) or use two instances of the same type of factor (B).

Explanation: Based on the information recorded by the technician, the network connection appears to be functioning normally. The user's computer is properly configured with an IPv4 address, subnet mask, and default gateway, which should allow the user to access the internet and online videos. The high download and upload speeds and low ping time recorded from the test laptop also indicate that the network is working well. However, the user's inability to watch online videos suggests that there might be an issue with the network card (NIC) on the user's computer. The NIC might be faulty or malfunctioning, which is preventing the computer from receiving and processing the video data. The technician should try replacing the NIC to resolve the issue.