Exam 220-1201 Topic 1 Question 102 Discussion

Actual exam question for CompTIA's 220-1201 exam
Question #: 102
Topic #: 1
A user reports issues controlling the cursor on a company-owned laptop. The technician inspects the laptop and discovers a bulge under the trackpad. Which of the following components should the technician replace first?

Suggested Answer: C Vote an answer

A bulge under the trackpad on a laptop is a strong and well-known indicator of a swollen lithium-ion battery.
According to CompTIA Core 1 (220-1201) mobile device hardware and troubleshooting objectives, laptop batteries are often located directly beneath the palm rest or trackpad area. When a lithium-ion battery begins to fail, it can swell due to internal chemical reactions, causing physical deformation of nearby components.
This swelling can interfere with the normal operation of the trackpad, leading to cursor control issues, clicking problems, or unresponsive behavior. More importantly, a swollen battery presents a serious safety risk, including the potential for overheating, leakage, or fire. For this reason, CompTIA emphasizes that battery replacement should be the first corrective action when physical swelling is observed.
Replacing the trackpad would not resolve the underlying pressure caused by the expanding battery. The motherboard and heat sink are unrelated to the physical bulge and cursor control symptoms described. Proper troubleshooting requires identifying and addressing the root cause, not the secondary symptom.
CompTIA best practices also stress safe handling and immediate replacement of damaged or swollen batteries to prevent further hardware damage or personal injury.
References:CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Official Study Guide - Laptop Batteries, Mobile Device Troubleshooting, and Hardware Safety

by Egbert at Sep 29, 2026, 07:35 PM

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