220-1101 Hardware Practice Test 7 — 15 Questions

Question 1

A technician is building a new desktop computer. The motherboard has two M.2 slots. The technician installs an M.2 NVMe SSD in the first slot, but the system does not recognize it during POST. The BIOS shows the SATA ports are in use. The technician checks the motherboard manual and finds that one of the SATA ports is disabled when the M.2 slot is used. Which of the following is the most likely reason the M.2 SSD is not detected?

Choose an answer to begin — your selection is scored in the full session.

Accepted Answer

The M.2 slot shares bandwidth with a SATA port that has a drive connected. The motherboard manual indicates that one SATA port is disabled when the M.2 slot is used, which is a classic sign of shared bandwidth. Since the BIOS shows SATA ports are in use, the M.2 slot is likely sharing its PCIe lanes with that specific SATA port, and the connected SATA drive is consuming the shared resources, preventing the M.2 NVMe SSD from being detected. This is a common design choice on consumer motherboards to reduce cost and complexity.

Answer

The M.2 SSD is SATA-based but the slot only supports NVMe

Answer

The M.2 SSD is not properly seated

Answer

The BIOS settings need to be changed to enable the M.2 slot

Question 2

A technician is replacing the storage drive in a desktop computer. The motherboard has an M.2 slot that supports both SATA and NVMe interfaces. The technician installs an NVMe M.2 SSD into this slot. Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

The SSD will operate at NVMe speeds as long as the slot is configured for PCIe connectivity.. The M.2 slot on the motherboard supports both SATA and NVMe interfaces, but the NVMe protocol operates over PCIe lanes. When an NVMe M.2 SSD is installed, it will communicate using the PCIe bus, achieving NVMe speeds, provided the slot is electrically configured for PCIe connectivity (which is standard for NVMe support). The slot's compatibility with SATA does not force the NVMe drive to use SATA protocol; the drive negotiates the highest supported interface.

Answer

The SSD will operate at SATA speeds because the slot supports both.

Answer

The SSD will require a separate SATA power cable from the power supply.

Answer

The SSD must be a SATA M.2 type to work in this slot.

Question 3

A technician is upgrading a desktop computer with a new high-end graphics card. The power supply unit (PSU) is rated at 500W. The new graphics card requires two 8-pin PCIe power connectors. The PSU has one 6+2 pin PCIe connector and one 6-pin PCIe connector. The technician uses a 6-pin to 8-pin power adapter to convert the 6-pin connector to an 8-pin. When the computer is powered on, the fans spin briefly, then the system shuts down immediately. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The 6-pin PCIe connector cannot provide the required power to the graphics card, even with a 6-pin to 8-pin adapter.. The most likely cause is that the 6-pin PCIe connector, even with a 6-pin to 8-pin adapter, cannot deliver the required power for the high-end graphics card. A 6-pin connector is rated for 75W, while an 8-pin connector is rated for 150W. The adapter does not increase the power delivery capacity; it only changes the physical shape. When the graphics card attempts to draw more power than the 6-pin rail can supply, the PSU's overcurrent protection (OCP) trips, causing an immediate shutdown. This is consistent with the symptom: fans spin briefly then system powers off.

Answer

The graphics card is not receiving enough power from the PCIe slot itself.

Answer

The power supply's total wattage is insufficient to power the graphics card.

Answer

The motherboard's BIOS does not support the new graphics card.

Question 4

A technician builds a new workstation with an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU (with integrated graphics) and a compatible B550 motherboard. The technician installs 32 GB (2x16 GB) of DDR4-3600 RAM in the recommended slots (A2, B2). When powering on, the system fans spin, but there is no video output. The monitor is connected to the motherboard's HDMI port. The technician tries a different monitor and cable, with no success. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

B. The BIOS needs to be updated to support the CPU. The AMD Ryzen 7 CPU requires a BIOS version that supports its architecture. B550 motherboards were released before some Ryzen 7 models (e.g., 5000 series), so the BIOS may need an update to recognize the CPU. Without CPU initialization, the integrated graphics cannot output video, even though fans spin and power is present.

Answer

A. The RAM is too fast for the CPU's memory controller

Answer

C. The motherboard's CMOS battery is dead

Answer

D. The CPU requires a discrete GPU to output video

Question 5

A technician replaces the CPU and cooler in a desktop computer. After reassembly, the computer boots but shuts down automatically after about two minutes. The technician enters the BIOS and sees the CPU temperature rapidly climbing to 100°C. The CPU cooler fan is spinning at high speed, and the heatsink is firmly attached. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?

Accepted Answer

The thermal paste application or protective film on the cooler.. The rapid temperature climb to 100°C with the fan spinning at high speed and the heatsink firmly attached indicates that heat is not being transferred from the CPU to the heatsink. The most likely cause is either missing thermal paste or a protective film left on the cooler's base, which acts as an insulator. Checking and reapplying thermal paste or removing the film is the correct next step.

Answer

The CPU voltage settings in the BIOS.

Answer

Whether the CPU is compatible with the motherboard.

Answer

The power supply wattage.

Question 6

A technician is upgrading a desktop computer's memory from 16GB (2x8GB) to 32GB (2x16GB). The technician purchases two 16GB DDR4-3200 modules from the same manufacturer and installs them in the recommended dual-channel slots (A2, B2). The system boots normally and reports 32GB. However, after running a memory-intensive application, the system crashes with a "MEMORY_MANAGEMENT" error. A memory diagnostic tool reports multiple errors at address ranges. The technician checks the BIOS and sees the memory is running at 3200MHz. The CPU is an Intel Core i7-10700K, which officially supports DDR4-2933. What is the most likely cause of the errors?

Accepted Answer

The CPU's memory controller is not rated for DDR4-3200, causing instability when XMP is enabled.. The Intel Core i7-10700K officially supports DDR4-2933. Running the memory at 3200MHz via XMP overclocks the CPU's integrated memory controller (IMC) beyond its rated specification. This can cause instability under load, leading to MEMORY_MANAGEMENT errors and diagnostic failures, even though the modules are from the same manufacturer and installed correctly.

Answer

The RAM modules are not compatible with the motherboard.

Answer

The RAM is installed in the wrong slots for dual-channel operation.

Answer

The power supply unit is providing insufficient voltage to the RAM.

Question 7

A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that does not power on. The motherboard's power LED is lit. When the power button is pressed, no fans spin and no beeps occur. The technician uses a multimeter to test the power supply. The purple wire (+5VSB) reads 5.1V. The green wire (PS_ON) reads 0V when the power button is pressed. However, all other pins on the main power connector show 0V. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The power supply unit is faulty.. The +5VSB (purple wire) reading of 5.1V confirms the standby power rail is working, and the PS_ON (green wire) dropping to 0V when the power button is pressed indicates the motherboard is correctly asserting the power-on signal. However, all other pins showing 0V means the power supply is not turning on its main outputs (+12V, +5V, +3.3V). This is a classic symptom of a faulty power supply unit (PSU) that fails to energize the main rails despite receiving a valid PS_ON signal.

Answer

The motherboard is faulty.

Answer

The power button is defective.

Answer

The CPU is not seated properly.

Question 8

A technician builds a high-end gaming PC. The motherboard supports PCIe 4.0, the CPU supports it, and the graphics card is PCIe 4.0. The technician installs a new NVMe SSD in the M.2 slot. The system boots, but the SSD is not detected in the BIOS or Windows. The technician has tried reseating the SSD and checking the motherboard manual. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The SSD is installed in a SATA-only M.2 slot, but the SSD is NVMe.. Many motherboards have M.2 slots that support only SATA or only NVMe (PCIe) protocols. If an NVMe SSD is inserted into a SATA-only M.2 slot, the SSD will not be detected by the BIOS or Windows. The motherboard manual would typically specify which M.2 slots support which protocols, and the technician should verify that the slot used supports PCIe/NVMe.

Answer

The SSD is incompatible with the motherboard chipset.

Answer

The M.2 slot is disabled in the BIOS.

Answer

The CPU is not seated correctly causing PCIe lanes to not work.

Question 9

A technician is building a new desktop computer. The motherboard has two M.2 slots. The technician installs an M.2 NVMe SSD in the first slot, but the system does not recognize it during POST. The BIOS shows the SATA ports are in use. The technician checks the motherboard manual and finds that one of the SATA ports is disabled when the M.2 slot is used. Which of the following is the most likely reason the M.2 SSD is not detected?

Choose an answer to begin — your selection is scored in the full session.

Accepted Answer

A. Ensure the 8-pin CPU power connector is connected to the motherboard. The system powers on (case fans spin, motherboard LEDs light) but has no display and no beep codes, which indicates the CPU is not receiving power or is not initialized. The 8-pin CPU power connector (EPS12V) supplies dedicated 12V power to the CPU voltage regulator; without it, the CPU cannot execute POST, so no beep codes occur and the system appears dead despite other components receiving power. This is the most likely cause given the technician just installed the CPU and heatsink but may have overlooked this separate power cable.

Answer

B. Reseat the graphics card in its PCIe slot

Answer

C. Check that the RAM modules are installed in the correct slots

Answer

D. Verify the monitor's input source is set correctly

Question 10

A technician is building a new desktop PC. After installing the CPU, RAM, motherboard, and power supply, the technician connects the monitor to the motherboard's video output. When the PC is powered on, the fans spin, but no display appears and no beep codes are heard. The technician has verified that the monitor works with another computer. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Reseat the RAM modules.. The system is powering on (fans spin) but no display and no beep codes indicate a hardware fault during POST, often caused by improperly seated RAM. Reseating the RAM is a quick, non-invasive first step to ensure good contact. If the RAM were the issue, the motherboard would typically not produce beep codes or display output. Installing a dedicated GPU would not resolve a RAM seating problem.

Answer

Install a dedicated graphics card.

Answer

Replace the power supply.

Answer

Replace the motherboard.

Question 11

A technician upgrades a desktop computer by installing two new 16GB DDR4 memory modules into the available slots. When the computer is powered on, it emits a series of long beeps and no video is displayed. The technician has verified that the memory is an approved type for the motherboard and that it is installed in the correct slots according to the manual. Which of the following should the technician try NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Test each memory module individually.. The series of long beeps typically indicates a memory error. Since the technician has already verified compatibility and correct slot installation, the next logical step is to isolate the fault by testing each module individually. This will determine if one module is defective or if there is a slot issue, without introducing unnecessary variables like BIOS updates or CPU reseating.

Answer

Update the BIOS to the latest version.

Answer

Reseat the CPU.

Answer

Replace the power supply.

Question 12

A technician is assembling a new desktop PC. The motherboard is an LGA1700 socket type, and the technician installs the CPU, heatsink, and RAM. When powering on, the system turns on for a few seconds then shuts off and restarts repeatedly. The technician has verified that the power supply is functional and all power cables are connected. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The CPU cooler is not making proper contact. The LGA1700 socket requires the CPU cooler to apply even and sufficient pressure to prevent thermal runaway. If the cooler is not making proper contact, the CPU rapidly overheats, triggering thermal protection that shuts down the system within seconds, followed by a restart loop. This matches the symptom of powering on briefly then repeatedly cycling.

Answer

The CPU is not compatible with the motherboard

Answer

The RAM is installed in the wrong slots

Answer

The motherboard is shorting against the case

Question 13

A technician is assembling a new desktop PC with an AMD Ryzen processor on a B550 motherboard. After installing the CPU, cooler, RAM, graphics card, and connecting all power cables, the technician powers on the system. The case fans spin, the motherboard LEDs light up, but there is no video output and no beep codes. The technician has verified that the monitor works with another PC, the graphics card is properly seated and has its power cables connected, and the RAM is installed in the correct slots. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?

Accepted Answer

CPU power connector (8-pin EPS) on the motherboard. The 8-pin EPS12V CPU power connector supplies dedicated power to the processor. If this connector is not plugged in, the CPU will not initialize, resulting in no video output and no beep codes, even though case fans and motherboard LEDs receive power from the 24-pin ATX connector. The B550 motherboard requires this connection for the Ryzen CPU to operate.

Answer

BIOS version compatibility with the CPU

Answer

Power supply unit wattage rating

Answer

CMOS battery voltage

Question 14

A technician is upgrading a desktop PC with a new high-end graphics card. The card requires two 8-pin PCIe power connectors. The power supply unit (PSU) has two 6+2 pin PCIe cables. After installing the card and connecting both cables, the system powers on, all fans spin, but there is no display output from the graphics card. The technician has verified the card is fully seated in the PCIe slot, the monitor is connected to the card's output, and the monitor works with another computer. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The 6+2 pin PCIe connectors are not fully inserted into the graphics card.. The 6+2 pin PCIe connectors are designed to be used as 8-pin connectors by clipping the 2-pin section alongside the 6-pin section. If the 2-pin portion is not fully latched or the combined connector is not pushed in completely, the graphics card will not receive proper power delivery on all pins. This can cause the card to power its fans but fail to initialize the GPU core, resulting in no display output despite the system appearing to power on normally.

Answer

The PSU wattage is insufficient to power the new graphics card.

Answer

The motherboard's PCIe slot is configured for Gen 3, but the card requires Gen 4.

Answer

The graphics card drivers have not been installed yet.

Question 15

A technician is assembling a new desktop computer with an AMD Ryzen 5 CPU on a B550 motherboard. After installing the CPU, heatsink, RAM, and graphics card, and connecting all power cables, the technician powers on the system. The case fans spin, the motherboard LEDs light up, but there is no display output and no beep codes. The motherboard has a set of diagnostic LEDs; the LED labeled 'CPU' remains lit. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Verify that the 8-pin CPU power cable is connected to the motherboard. The CPU diagnostic LED remaining lit indicates a problem with the CPU or its power delivery. The most common cause is the 8-pin EPS12V CPU power cable not being connected, which supplies dedicated 12V power to the processor. Without this cable, the CPU cannot initialize, even though case fans and motherboard LEDs receive power from the 24-pin ATX connector.

Answer

Reseat the RAM modules and try different slots

Answer

Reinstall the dedicated graphics card

Answer

Update the motherboard BIOS to support the CPU