220-1101 Hardware Practice Test 8 — 15 Questions

Question 1

A technician is building a new gaming PC. After installing the CPU, cooler, RAM, and graphics card, the system powers on but immediately powers off after about 5 seconds. The technician has verified that the CPU cooler fan is spinning, the power supply is sufficient, and all cables are connected. The motherboard has diagnostic LEDs; none light up before the system shuts down. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

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

Accepted Answer

A loose motherboard standoff is causing a short circuit. A loose motherboard standoff can create an unintended electrical connection between the motherboard's solder points and the metal case, causing a short circuit. This short typically triggers the power supply's overcurrent protection (OCP) or short-circuit protection (SCP), which immediately shuts down the system after a brief power-on to prevent damage. The fact that the system powers on for about 5 seconds and then shuts off, with no diagnostic LEDs lighting up, strongly indicates a hardware short rather than a component failure.

Answer

The CPU is overheating

Answer

The power button is stuck

Answer

Insufficient RAM

Question 2

A technician is upgrading the CPU in a desktop computer. The new CPU is listed as compatible with the motherboard on the manufacturer's website. After installing the CPU, heatsink, and connecting the CPU power cable, the system powers on (fans spin, LEDs light) but there is no display and no POST beeps. The motherboard has a set of diagnostic LEDs; the CPU LED is stuck on. The technician has verified that the CPU is installed correctly in the socket with no bent pins. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Update the motherboard's BIOS/UEFI firmware. The CPU is listed as compatible, but the motherboard may require a BIOS/UEFI firmware update to support the new CPU's microcode. The stuck CPU diagnostic LED indicates the motherboard cannot initialize the CPU, which is a classic symptom of a firmware compatibility issue rather than a hardware defect.

Answer

Replace the CPU with a known-good one

Answer

Reseat the RAM modules

Answer

Test the power supply under load

Question 3

A desktop computer will not boot after a thunderstorm. When powered on, the fans spin and LEDs light, but there is no POST, no beep codes, and no display. The technician has already tested the power supply with a multimeter (all voltages within specification), reseated all RAM and expansion cards, and tried a different monitor. On close inspection of the motherboard, the technician notices several electrolytic capacitors near the CPU voltage regulator module are bulging at the top with a brownish substance around their bases. Which of the following should the technician replace to resolve the issue?

Accepted Answer

Replace the motherboard.. The bulging electrolytic capacitors with brownish residue near the CPU voltage regulator module indicate physical failure, likely due to a power surge from the thunderstorm. Damaged capacitors prevent the motherboard from delivering stable voltage to the CPU, causing no POST, no beep codes, and no display even though fans and LEDs receive power. Since the power supply tested within specification and other components have been reseated, the motherboard itself is the faulty component and must be replaced.

Answer

Replace the power supply with a higher-wattage unit.

Answer

Replace the CPU with an identical or compatible model.

Answer

Replace the RAM modules with known-good units.

Question 4

A technician replaced the thermal paste on a desktop computer's CPU. After reassembling the system and powering it on, the computer runs for about 10 seconds and then shuts off. The technician touches the CPU heatsink and finds it is cool to the touch. The CPU fan is spinning. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the shutdown?

Accepted Answer

The heatsink is not making proper contact with the CPU.. The CPU thermal protection mechanism triggers a shutdown when the CPU temperature exceeds its safe operating threshold. Since the heatsink is cool to the touch, it indicates that heat is not being transferred from the CPU to the heatsink, which is a classic symptom of poor contact between the CPU and heatsink. Even though the CPU fan is spinning, without proper thermal transfer, the CPU rapidly overheats and shuts down to prevent damage.

Answer

The CPU fan is not spinning fast enough.

Answer

The power supply unit is failing.

Answer

The motherboard is shorted against the case.

Question 5

A technician is installing a new CPU on a compatible motherboard. After placing the CPU in the socket, the technician installs the heatsink and fan, connects the fan header to the motherboard, and powers on the system. The system powers on (fans spin, LEDs light) but immediately shuts down after about 3 seconds. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Check if the CPU power connector (4/8-pin) is connected to the motherboard. The immediate shutdown after power-on indicates a power delivery issue, most commonly the CPU power connector (4/8-pin EPS12V) not being connected. Without this connector, the CPU receives no power, causing the system to start and then shut down as the motherboard detects the fault. This is the first thing to check because it is a simple, common oversight during CPU installation.

Answer

Check the PSU voltage output with a multimeter

Answer

Check if thermal paste was applied to the CPU

Answer

Check if the RAM is properly seated

Question 6

A technician installs a new SATA SSD into a desktop computer. After connecting the data and power cables, the computer powers on and boots into the operating system from the existing hard drive. However, the new SSD is not detected in File Explorer or Disk Management. The technician has verified that the SATA cable is securely connected and that the power supply is providing power (the SSD does not spin, but it is an SSD). Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Enable the SATA port in the BIOS/UEFI settings. The new SSD is not detected in Disk Management or File Explorer, which indicates the system is not recognizing the drive at the hardware level. Since the technician has already verified cable connections and power, the next logical step is to check whether the SATA port is enabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings. If the port is disabled, the operating system cannot enumerate the drive, and it will not appear in Disk Management or File Explorer.

Answer

Initialize the drive using Disk Management

Answer

Update the SSD firmware using a USB bootable tool

Answer

Replace the SATA cable with a known-good cable

Question 7

A technician installs a new M.2 NVMe SSD into a desktop computer. The motherboard has two M.2 slots: M.2_1 supports PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA modes, and M.2_2 supports PCIe 3.0 x2 and SATA modes. The technician inserts the NVMe SSD into the M.2_2 slot. The computer boots from the existing SATA SSD, but the new NVMe drive is not visible in Disk Management. The BIOS shows that M.2_2 is enabled and set to 'Auto' mode. The technician consults the motherboard manual and discovers that when M.2_2 is used in PCIe mode, SATA port 5 (SATA5) is disabled. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST to resolve the issue?

Accepted Answer

Insert the NVMe SSD into the M.2_1 slot instead.. The M.2_2 slot only supports PCIe 3.0 x2, while the NVMe SSD typically requires PCIe 3.0 x4 for full functionality. Although the drive should still be detected at x2, some motherboards may have compatibility issues or require the slot to be explicitly set to PCIe mode. Moving the NVMe drive to M.2_1, which supports PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA modes, ensures it operates at its native speed and avoids potential detection problems. Options A and B are not the first step because the boot SSD is not on SATA5 (otherwise it would not boot), and the BIOS is already set to 'Auto', which should configure the slot correctly. Option C (updating BIOS) is unnecessary if the drive is not detected initially.

Answer

Move the existing SATA SSD from SATA5 to an available SATA port, such as SATA6.

Answer

Change the M.2_2 mode from 'Auto' to 'PCIe' in the BIOS.

Answer

Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version.

Question 8

A technician is assembling a new custom workstation. After installing the motherboard, CPU, cooler, RAM, and a dedicated graphics card, the system powers on when the power button is pressed. The case fans spin, the CPU cooler fan spins, and LEDs on the motherboard light up. However, there is no display, and the motherboard's DRAM_LED remains lit. The technician has already tried reseating the RAM in different slots and using a single stick, but the issue persists. The CPU and motherboard are both new and listed as compatible. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?

Accepted Answer

The CPU power connector (EPS12V) is not connected. The DRAM_LED remaining lit indicates the motherboard is not detecting or initializing the RAM. Since reseating and single-stick testing did not resolve the issue, the next most likely cause is insufficient power to the CPU memory controller. The EPS12V (4+4 pin) CPU power connector supplies dedicated 12V power to the CPU and its integrated memory controller; without it, the CPU cannot communicate with the RAM, causing the DRAM LED to stay on even though the system appears to power on.

Answer

The GPU power cables are not connected

Answer

The RAM is not supported by the motherboard

Answer

The CMOS battery is dead

Question 9

A technician is installing additional RAM into a desktop computer. The motherboard supports DDR4-3200 up to 64GB. The technician installs two 16GB DDR4-3200 sticks into the correct slots (A2 and B2) as per the motherboard manual. Upon powering on, the computer powers on with fans spinning but there is no display and no POST beeps. The technician removes the new RAM and reinstalls the original RAM (two 8GB sticks), and the computer boots normally. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The RAM was not fully seated into the slots.. The most likely cause is that the new RAM was not fully seated into the slots. The symptoms—fans spinning, no display, no POST beeps—indicate a hardware initialization failure, often due to poor contact between the RAM module and the slot. Since the original RAM works fine in the same slots, the issue is not with the motherboard or BIOS, but with the installation of the new modules. Proper seating requires applying even pressure until the retention clips click into place.

Answer

The new RAM is incompatible with the motherboard.

Answer

The motherboard needs a BIOS update to support the new RAM capacity.

Answer

The RAM was inserted backwards.

Question 10

A technician is building a new computer. After installing the CPU, RAM, and a dedicated graphics card, the system powers on (fans spin, power LED on) but there is no display on the monitor. The monitor is connected to the motherboard's integrated video port using an HDMI cable. The motherboard's diagnostic LEDs show a solid white light on the VGA LED. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Move the monitor cable to the dedicated graphics card's video port.. The system powers on with fans spinning and a VGA LED lit, indicating the motherboard is not detecting a display output. Since a dedicated graphics card is installed, many motherboards automatically disable the integrated video ports. Moving the monitor cable to the dedicated graphics card's video port is the correct first step to establish a display connection.

Answer

Replace the graphics card.

Answer

Reseat the CPU.

Answer

Update the motherboard's BIOS to the latest version.

Question 11

A technician is assembling a new gaming PC with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU and a B550 motherboard. After installing the CPU, two DDR4-3600 RAM sticks in slots A2 and B2 (as per manual), and a dedicated GPU, the system powers on but there is no display. The motherboard's CPU debug LED remains lit. The technician has reseated the CPU and checked for bent pins (none found). The PSU is a known-good 650W unit and all fans spin. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

Accepted Answer

B. The motherboard's BIOS needs to be updated to support the Ryzen 5 5600X.. The Ryzen 5 5600X is based on the Zen 3 architecture, which requires a BIOS version that supports AGESA ComboV2 1.1.0.0 or later. B550 motherboards were originally released with BIOS versions that only supported Zen 2 (Ryzen 3000 series) CPUs. Without a BIOS update, the motherboard cannot initialize the CPU, causing the CPU debug LED to stay lit and preventing any display output, even though all other components appear powered.

Answer

A. The RAM is not on the motherboard's Qualified Vendor List (QVL).

Answer

C. The CPU cooler is mounted too tightly, causing pressure on the socket.

Answer

D. The PCIe power cable for the graphics card is not connected.

Question 12

A technician is assembling a new desktop with a Ryzen 5 5600X CPU and an ASUS B550 motherboard. After installing two 16GB DDR4-3600 sticks in the slots color-coded as 'A1' and 'A2' (both blue slots), the system powers on but shows no display. The motherboard's DRAM_LED remains lit. The technician has reseated the RAM and tested each stick individually in the A2 slot, but the problem persists. The CPU and motherboard are listed as compatible on the manufacturer's website. Which of the following should the technician try NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Install the two RAM sticks in slots A2 and B2 (the second and fourth slots from the CPU). The ASUS B550 motherboard typically requires dual-channel memory to be installed in slots A2 and B2 (the second and fourth slots from the CPU) for proper operation. Placing both sticks in A1 and A2 (both in the same channel) violates the recommended population order, which can prevent the system from posting even if the RAM is functional. The persistent DRAM_LED indicates a memory training or configuration issue, and correcting the slot placement is the logical next step before considering BIOS updates or hardware replacement.

Answer

Check the CPU cooler mounting pressure and ensure it is not too tight

Answer

Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version

Answer

Replace the RAM with a kit that is on the motherboard's Qualified Vendor List (QVL)

Question 13

A technician is building a custom gaming PC. After installing the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and a dedicated graphics card, the technician connects all power supply cables. The system powers on (fans spin, lights come on) but there is no display on the monitor, and no POST beeps are heard. The technician verifies that the monitor is functional and correctly connected to the graphics card's display port. The motherboard's diagnostic LEDs show a solid red CPU LED. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the issue?

Accepted Answer

The 8-pin CPU power connector is not plugged into the motherboard. The solid red CPU LED on the motherboard indicates a CPU-related fault. Since the system powers on (fans spin, lights on) but fails to POST, the most common cause is that the 8-pin EPS12V CPU power connector is not connected. Without this dedicated power, the CPU cannot initialize, halting the POST process before any display output or beep codes occur.

Answer

The CPU is not properly seated in the socket

Answer

The RAM modules are not compatible with the motherboard

Answer

The BIOS version does not support the installed CPU

Question 14

A technician is building a new gaming PC. After installing the CPU, cooler, RAM, and graphics card, the system powers on but immediately powers off after about 5 seconds. The technician has verified that the CPU cooler fan is spinning, the power supply is sufficient, and all cables are connected. The motherboard has diagnostic LEDs; none light up before the system shuts down. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?

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

Accepted Answer

Reseat the RAM modules into slots A2 and B2 as recommended by the motherboard manual.. The B550 motherboard manual typically specifies that for dual-channel memory configuration with two modules, the modules should be installed in slots A2 and B2 (the second and fourth slots from the CPU). Installing both modules in the same channel (A1 and A2) forces single-channel mode and can cause the system to fail to POST, as the memory controller may not recognize the configuration. Reseating the RAM into the correct slots (A2 and B2) is the first logical step before attempting more invasive troubleshooting like BIOS updates or component replacement.

Answer

Replace the RAM modules with a known-good set of DDR4-3600 modules.

Answer

Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version.

Answer

Test each RAM module individually in slot A1 only.

Question 15

A technician is building a custom workstation for 3D rendering. The components include an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU, a B550 motherboard (box states 'AMD Ryzen 3000 desktop ready'), two 16GB DDR4-3600 modules (on the QVL), and a dedicated GPU. The system powers on, case fans spin, and the CPU fan spins, but the motherboard’s CPU debug LED remains lit and there is no display. The technician has reseated the CPU and found no bent pins. The RAM and GPU have been verified working in another system. The PSU is a known-good 750W unit. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?

Accepted Answer

Upgrade the motherboard BIOS using the BIOS flashback feature. The B550 motherboard is labeled 'AMD Ryzen 3000 desktop ready,' meaning its factory BIOS supports Ryzen 3000 CPUs but not Ryzen 5000 (Vermeer) CPUs like the Ryzen 7 5800X. The CPU debug LED staying lit indicates the motherboard cannot initialize the CPU, which is a classic symptom of an incompatible BIOS version. Using the BIOS flashback feature allows the technician to update the BIOS without a compatible CPU installed, enabling support for the Ryzen 5000 series.

Answer

Replace the power supply with a higher-wattage unit

Answer

Test the system with a known-working Ryzen 3000 CPU

Answer

Replace the motherboard with a newer model that officially supports Ryzen 5000