Question 631 of 1,020

Motherboard →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that the first PCIe slot is disabled in the BIOS. This is the most likely cause because many motherboards allow you to manually configure which PCIe x16 slot acts as the primary display output, and a misconfigured BIOS setting can disable the slot closest to the CPU entirely. When the GPU works only in the second PCIe slot, it confirms the card and power supply are functional, isolating the issue to the first slot’s configuration or a hardware fault. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of BIOS/UEFI settings and PCIe lane allocation, often appearing as a troubleshooting trap where test-takers assume a dead slot rather than a disabled one. A common memory tip is “Slot one, BIOS done”—if the GPU works in slot two, always check the BIOS first before suspecting physical damage.

220-1201 Motherboard Practice Question

This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of motherboard. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

A technician is building a new gaming PC. The motherboard has two PCIe x16 slots, but the graphics card only works in the second slot. When installed in the first slot (closest to the CPU), the system powers on but no display. What is the most likely cause?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

A
The graphics card is not fully seated in the first slot
Why wrong: If it were not fully seated, the system might not detect it at all, but the card works in the second slot, making seating less likely.
B
The first PCIe slot is disabled in BIOS
Some motherboards allow disabling individual PCIe slots; if the first slot is disabled, the card will not work there but will work in an enabled slot.
C
The power supply is insufficient for the first slot
Why wrong: Power is supplied through the card's power connectors, not the slot; the slot only provides a small amount of power for detection.
D
The CPU has bent pins affecting the first slot
Why wrong: Bent CPU pins typically cause more widespread issues, such as failure to boot or memory errors, not just a single PCIe slot.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

The first PCIe slot is disabled in BIOS

This scenario often occurs when the first PCIe x16 slot shares bandwidth with other components or is configured differently in BIOS. However, a common issue is that the first slot may require a specific BIOS setting, or the slot itself is damaged. The most likely cause is that the motherboard's BIOS is set to use the second slot as the primary display, or the first slot is faulty. Since the card works in the second slot, the first slot is likely the problem.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
The graphics card is not fully seated in the first slot
Why it's wrong here
If it were not fully seated, the system might not detect it at all, but the card works in the second slot, making seating less likely.
✓
The first PCIe slot is disabled in BIOS
Why this is correct
Some motherboards allow disabling individual PCIe slots; if the first slot is disabled, the card will not work there but will work in an enabled slot.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The power supply is insufficient for the first slot
Why it's wrong here
Power is supplied through the card's power connectors, not the slot; the slot only provides a small amount of power for detection.
✗
The CPU has bent pins affecting the first slot
Why it's wrong here
Bent CPU pins typically cause more widespread issues, such as failure to boot or memory errors, not just a single PCIe slot.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

Underline the problem statement mentally.
Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1201 question test?

Motherboard — This question tests Motherboard — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The first PCIe slot is disabled in BIOS — This scenario often occurs when the first PCIe x16 slot shares bandwidth with other components or is configured differently in BIOS. However, a common issue is that the first slot may require a specific BIOS setting, or the slot itself is damaged. The most likely cause is that the motherboard's BIOS is set to use the second slot as the primary display, or the first slot is faulty. Since the card works in the second slot, the first slot is likely the problem.

What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "first", "most likely". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. You are building a workstation for video editing and need to install a dedicated GPU in the primary PCIe x16 slot. After installation, the system boots but the GPU is not detected in Device Manager. The GPU works fine in another PC. What should you check on the motherboard?

medium

A.The PCIe slot's power delivery from the PSU
✓ B.The motherboard's BIOS setting for the PCIe slot
C.The CMOS battery voltage
D.The CPU fan header

Why B: If the GPU is not detected, the most likely motherboard-related cause is that the PCIe slot is disabled in BIOS or the slot itself is faulty. Another possibility is that the slot is configured for a different device (e.g., an M.2 drive sharing lanes). Verifying BIOS settings is the first step.

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Question Discussion

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