220-1101 Hardware — 40 Questions

Question 1

A technician is assembling a workstation for video editing. The motherboard has two DIMM slots and supports dual-channel DDR4-3200 memory. The user requests 32 GB of RAM. Which memory configuration will provide the best performance?

Accepted Answer

Two 16 GB DDR4-3200 modules. Option C is correct because it uses two identical 16 GB DDR4-3200 modules in the motherboard's two DIMM slots, enabling dual-channel memory operation. Dual-channel mode doubles the memory bandwidth compared to single-channel, which is critical for video editing workloads that involve large data transfers. The DDR4-3200 speed matches the motherboard's supported speed, ensuring optimal performance without any speed mismatches.

Answer

One 32 GB DDR4-3200 module

Answer

Two 16 GB DDR4-2666 modules

Answer

One 16 GB DDR4-3200 and one 16 GB DDR4-2666 module

Question 2

A technician is building a desktop computer and applies thermal paste to the CPU before installing the heatsink. The technician uses significantly more paste than recommended. Which of the following is the most likely consequence of this action?

Accepted Answer

The CPU will overheat because excess paste reduces heat transfer efficiency. Excess thermal paste acts as an insulator rather than a conductor, creating a thicker layer that impedes heat transfer from the CPU die to the heatsink base. This reduces thermal conductivity efficiency, causing the CPU to run hotter and potentially throttle or fail under load.

Answer

The thermal paste will cause a short circuit on the motherboard

Answer

The CPU will run cooler due to better coverage

Answer

There will be no noticeable effect on system performance

Question 3

A technician is upgrading a desktop computer's storage. The motherboard has one M.2 slot that supports both SATA and NVMe protocols. The user wants the fastest possible boot drive. Which type of M.2 drive should the technician select?

Accepted Answer

NVMe M.2. The NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) protocol is designed to leverage the high-speed PCIe bus, offering significantly lower latency and higher throughput compared to SATA-based SSDs. Since the motherboard's M.2 slot supports both SATA and NVMe, selecting an NVMe M.2 drive provides the fastest possible boot drive performance.

Answer

SATA M.2

Answer

mSATA

Answer

2.5" SSD

Question 4

A technician needs to install a PCIe x4 network adapter into a desktop computer. The motherboard has the following available slots: one PCIe x16 slot (occupied by a graphics card), two PCIe x1 slots, and one PCIe x8 slot. Which slot can the technician use to install the x4 card?

Accepted Answer

The PCIe x8 slot. The PCIe x8 slot is the correct choice because PCIe is designed to be backward and forward compatible in terms of lane width. A PCIe x4 card can physically and electrically operate in a PCIe x8 slot, as the slot provides at least the required number of lanes and the card will negotiate down to x4 mode. The other slots either lack the physical size (x1) or are occupied by a critical component (x16).

Answer

Any of the PCIe x1 slots

Answer

The PCIe x16 slot after removing the graphics card

Answer

A PCI slot

Question 5

A technician is building a high-performance gaming PC. The motherboard has four DDR4 DIMM slots, and the technician installs two 8 GB modules in slots A2 and B2 (dual-channel configuration). The PC boots and works, but the BIOS shows only 8 GB of RAM. The technician reseats the modules and tries different slots, but the issue persists. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

One of the RAM modules is faulty. The most likely cause is that one of the RAM modules is faulty. When two modules are installed in a dual-channel configuration (slots A2 and B2) and the system detects only 8 GB instead of 16 GB, it typically indicates that one module is not being recognized or is failing. Reseating and swapping slots did not resolve the issue, which further points to a defective module rather than a configuration or compatibility problem.

Answer

The RAM modules are not compatible with the motherboard

Answer

The CPU cooler is installed too tightly, causing memory controller issues

Answer

Windows 10 has a memory limit for the edition installed

Question 6

A technician is building a desktop computer and has installed a SATA solid-state drive (SSD). After connecting the SATA data cable and power cable, the computer boots to the BIOS, but the SSD is not listed in the SATA devices. The technician has verified that the SATA cable is securely connected to both the drive and the motherboard and that the power supply is functioning. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Check the BIOS settings to ensure the SATA port is enabled.. The most likely reason the SSD is not detected is that the SATA port is disabled in the BIOS. Even with secure physical connections, a disabled port will not enumerate the drive. Checking and enabling the SATA port in the BIOS is the logical next step before considering other hardware or software issues.

Answer

Format the SSD using a different computer.

Answer

Update the motherboard chipset drivers.

Answer

Replace the CMOS battery.

Question 7

A technician is installing a new graphics card that requires an 8-pin PCIe power connector. The existing power supply unit (PSU) only has a 6-pin PCIe power cable available. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate way to provide power to the graphics card?

Accepted Answer

Use a 6-pin to 8-pin PCIe power adapter. The graphics card requires an 8-pin PCIe power connector, but the PSU only provides a 6-pin PCIe cable. A 6-pin to 8-pin PCIe power adapter is the most appropriate solution because it converts the existing 6-pin connector to the required 8-pin form factor, adding two additional ground wires to meet the higher power delivery specification (75W for 6-pin vs. 150W for 8-pin).

Answer

Use a Molex to 6-pin PCIe adapter

Answer

Use a SATA power to 8-pin PCIe adapter

Answer

Use a 4-pin CPU/ATX12V to 8-pin PCIe adapter

Question 8

A technician is assembling a workstation. After installing the motherboard, CPU, CPU cooler, RAM, and connecting all necessary power cables, the system does not power on when the front panel power button is pressed. The technician verified the power supply works in another system. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?

Accepted Answer

The front panel header wiring. The front panel header wiring is the most likely cause because the power button connects to the motherboard through this header. If the wires are misaligned or not fully seated, pressing the button will not complete the circuit to signal the power supply to turn on. Since the PSU works in another system, the issue is almost certainly at the motherboard connection, making the front panel header the first logical check.

Answer

The 4/8-pin CPU power connector

Answer

The CMOS battery voltage

Answer

The BIOS version compatibility

Question 9

A technician is building a workstation for a memory-intensive application. The motherboard has four DIMM slots and supports dual-channel memory. The CPU memory controller supports a maximum of two memory channels and a limit of one rank per channel. The technician installs four quad-rank 32 GB memory modules (total 128 GB). When the system boots, only 64 GB of RAM is recognized. Each module works correctly when tested individually. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The quad-rank modules exceed the CPU's rank limit per channel.. The CPU memory controller supports a maximum of one rank per channel. With two channels, the system can only address two ranks total. Installing four quad-rank modules places eight ranks across two channels, far exceeding the limit. The controller ignores the extra ranks, resulting in only 64 GB being recognized (the capacity of two ranks).

Answer

The memory modules are not compatible with the motherboard's chipset.

Answer

The memory is being downclocked due to populating all four slots.

Answer

The CPU memory controller cannot address more than 64 GB total.

Question 10

A technician is assembling a desktop computer in a new case. After installing the motherboard and connecting all components, the computer powers on but immediately shuts down after a few seconds. The technician notices that the motherboard is touching the metal case in several places and that no standoffs were installed between the motherboard and the case tray. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the shutdown?

Accepted Answer

There is a short circuit between the motherboard and the case.. When the motherboard touches the metal case without standoffs, exposed solder points or traces on the back of the board can contact the conductive case, creating an unintended electrical path. This short circuit typically triggers the power supply's overcurrent protection (OCP) or short-circuit protection (SCP), causing the system to power on briefly and then immediately shut down to prevent damage.

Answer

The CPU is overheating due to improper cooler installation.

Answer

The power supply unit is underpowered for the system.

Answer

The front panel power button is incorrectly wired.

Question 11

A technician is installing a new CPU into a desktop motherboard. After placing the CPU into the socket and applying a small amount of thermal paste, the technician is about to attach the heatsink. Which of the following is the correct method for securing the heatsink?

Accepted Answer

Tighten screws in a diagonal/cross pattern a little at a time. The correct method is to tighten the heatsink screws in a diagonal/cross pattern a little at a time. This ensures even pressure distribution across the CPU's integrated heat spreader (IHS), preventing uneven contact that can cause hot spots or thermal throttling. Tightening one screw fully first can tilt the heatsink, creating an air gap that reduces thermal transfer efficiency.

Answer

Tighten one screw fully, then move to the next

Answer

Apply additional thermal paste after mounting the heatsink

Answer

Use a power drill to speed up the process

Question 12

A technician is assembling a desktop computer using an Intel LGA1151 socket motherboard. The CPU has been installed correctly with thermal paste and a heatsink. When the power button is pressed, the system powers on for about three seconds, then shuts off, and then repeatedly attempts to restart. The CPU cooler fan spins normally during that time. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The 4+4 pin EPS12V power connector is not plugged into the motherboard. The 4+4 pin EPS12V connector provides dedicated power to the CPU. Without it, the CPU cannot initialize, causing the motherboard's fail-safe to power off after a few seconds and then repeatedly attempt to restart. The cooler fan spinning normally indicates the system is receiving basic power, but the CPU lacks the necessary voltage to complete POST.

Answer

The RAM modules are not fully seated in their slots

Answer

The CMOS battery is depleted

Answer

The power supply is not rated for the required wattage

Question 13

A technician is building a workstation with a motherboard that has two M.2 slots. One slot (M2A) supports both SATA and PCIe, and the other (M2B) supports PCIe only. The technician installs a SATA M.2 drive in M2B. After booting, the system does not detect the drive. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The M2B slot does not support SATA mode.. The M2B slot supports PCIe only, not SATA. Since the technician installed a SATA M.2 drive into that slot, the motherboard cannot communicate with the drive because the slot lacks the necessary SATA controller interface. This is a classic mismatch between drive interface and slot capability.

Answer

The M.2 drive is defective.

Answer

The SATA controller is disabled in BIOS.

Answer

The drive's firmware needs an update.

Question 14

A technician has just completed building a new desktop computer. After connecting all components and closing the case, the technician presses the power button on the front of the case, but nothing happens. No fans spin, no lights come on. The technician has verified that the power supply unit (PSU) works by testing it in another system. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Connect the front panel power switch header to the correct motherboard pins.. The most likely cause of a completely dead system (no fans, no lights) after building a new PC is that the front panel power switch is not properly connected to the motherboard. The power button on the case is a momentary switch that completes a circuit on the motherboard's front panel header; if the connector is on the wrong pins or not seated, pressing the button does nothing. Since the PSU has been verified working in another system, the next logical step is to check this simple, common wiring error before moving to more complex hardware troubleshooting.

Answer

Replace the CMOS battery on the motherboard.

Answer

Reseat the CPU in the socket.

Answer

Test the power supply using a multimeter.

Question 15

A technician is building a workstation for video editing. The motherboard has four DDR4 DIMM slots and supports dual-channel memory. The technician installs two 16 GB modules in slots 1 and 2, and two 8 GB modules in slots 3 and 4. The system boots and recognizes all 48 GB of RAM, but the memory bandwidth is lower than expected. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The memory is operating in single-channel mode because the capacities per channel are mismatched.. Dual-channel memory requires matched capacities per channel. With 16 GB in slots 1 and 2 (channel A) and 8 GB in slots 3 and 4 (channel B), the total capacity per channel is 32 GB vs. 16 GB. This mismatch forces the memory controller to fall back to single-channel mode, halving the theoretical bandwidth and causing the lower-than-expected performance.

Answer

The RAM modules are not compatible with the motherboard.

Answer

The CPU does not support 48 GB of RAM.

Answer

The BIOS needs to be updated to enable dual-channel mode.

Question 16

A technician is installing a CPU on a motherboard with an LGA socket. After placing the CPU in the socket, closing the lever, applying thermal paste, and mounting the heatsink, the technician powers on the system. The CPU temperature quickly rises to 100°C and the system shuts down after a few seconds. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The heatsink fan is not connected.. The CPU temperature rapidly reaching 100°C and triggering a thermal shutdown within seconds indicates that the heatsink is not actively dissipating heat. The most common cause is that the heatsink fan is not connected to the CPU_FAN header, preventing the fan from spinning. Without airflow, the heatsink quickly becomes saturated with heat, leading to immediate overheating even if thermal paste is applied correctly.

Answer

The thermal paste was not applied evenly.

Answer

The CPU was not oriented correctly in the socket.

Answer

The CPU is overclocked beyond safe limits.

Question 17

A technician is replacing a failed hard drive in a server that uses RAID 1 (mirroring). The server has hot-swappable drive bays, and the operating system continues to function with the remaining drive. Which of the following steps should the technician perform FIRST to restore fault tolerance?

Accepted Answer

Remove the failed drive, insert a new drive of equal or larger capacity, and allow the RAID controller to rebuild the mirror automatically. In a RAID 1 (mirroring) configuration with hot-swappable bays, the failed drive can be removed and a new drive of equal or larger capacity inserted while the system remains online. The RAID controller will automatically detect the new drive and rebuild the mirror, restoring fault tolerance without manual intervention or backup restoration. This is the standard first step because it leverages the hot-swap capability and the automatic rebuild feature of RAID 1.

Answer

Replace both hard drives and restore the data from a recent backup

Answer

Format the new drive in the server's file system before inserting it

Answer

Remove the failed drive, insert a new drive, and launch the RAID configuration utility to designate the new drive as a hot spare

Question 18

A technician is upgrading the RAM in a desktop computer. After installing two new identical DDR4 modules into the appropriate slots, the computer powers on but does not display any video and emits a series of short beeps. The technician verifies that the modules are compatible with the motherboard and are firmly seated. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Test the modules one at a time. The series of short beeps indicates a memory-related POST failure. Since the modules are compatible and seated correctly, the most likely issue is a defective module or a slot problem. Testing each module individually in a known-good slot isolates the faulty component without introducing unnecessary variables.

Answer

Replace the power supply

Answer

Replace the CPU

Answer

Update the BIOS

Question 19

A technician is building a new desktop computer. After installing the CPU, heatsink, RAM, and connecting all cables, the system powers on but displays no video. The motherboard has integrated graphics. The technician hears a series of short beeps. What should the technician check first?

Accepted Answer

The RAM. The series of short beeps is a common POST (Power-On Self-Test) code indicating a memory failure. Since the motherboard has integrated graphics and the system powers on, the CPU and power supply are likely functioning. The RAM is the most probable cause because improper seating or faulty modules prevent the system from completing POST and initializing video output.

Answer

The power supply

Answer

The CPU

Answer

The video cable

Question 20

A technician builds a new workstation. After installing the CPU, heatsink, RAM, and a discrete video card, the system powers on (fans spin, lights come on) but the monitor shows 'No Signal'. The technician verifies the monitor works with another computer. The motherboard has integrated graphics, and the technician tries connecting the monitor to both the integrated port and the discrete video card port; neither produces a display. The system emits no beep codes. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Clear the CMOS by removing the battery or using the jumper. The system powers on with no display and no beep codes, which strongly indicates a POST failure that prevents the motherboard from initializing video output. Clearing the CMOS resets the BIOS/UEFI settings to factory defaults, which can resolve issues caused by incorrect configuration (e.g., a setting that disables integrated graphics or a corrupted video initialization parameter). This is a standard first step when no display is present and all basic connections are verified.

Answer

Reseat the CPU and reapply thermal paste

Answer

Replace the RAM modules one at a time

Answer

Check the power supply connections to the discrete video card