220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is troubleshooting a desktop that…

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

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

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  Test the power supply with a multimeter

  Why it's wrong here

  Testing the power supply with a multimeter is premature because the symptom of spinning fans and illuminated LEDs indicates that the PSU is already delivering at least some power to the motherboard and components. While a multimeter could verify specific voltage rails, the current symptoms point to a failure in the Power-On Self-Test (POST) sequence rather than a complete lack of power, making other diagnostic steps more immediately relevant to a no-boot scenario.

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  Replace the CMOS battery

  Why it's wrong here

  Replacing the CMOS battery is unlikely to resolve a no-POST condition where fans spin but no display or beeps occur. A depleted CMOS battery primarily causes the system to lose BIOS settings, such as date, time, and boot order, often resulting in a "CMOS Checksum Error" message or default settings. However, the system typically still attempts to POST and display output, rather than failing to initiate the boot sequence entirely.

• ✓

  Inspect the CPU socket for bent pins

  Why this is correct

  Inspect the CPU socket for bent pins is a critical diagnostic step when a desktop powers on (fans spin, LEDs illuminate) but fails to complete the Power-On Self-Test (POST), producing no display output or diagnostic beeps. Bent or damaged pins within the CPU socket can sever vital electrical connections between the CPU and the motherboard's chipset, preventing the CPU from initializing, accessing memory, or executing the initial boot instructions, thus halting the POST process entirely.

• ✗

  Flash the BIOS

  Why it's wrong here

  Flashing the BIOS is an inappropriate initial troubleshooting step for a system exhibiting a no-POST condition with spinning fans and no display. BIOS flashing is a software update procedure typically performed to resolve compatibility issues or add new features, and it requires a functional system capable of booting to at least a basic level to execute the update. It cannot rectify a fundamental hardware connection problem, such as bent CPU pins, which prevents the system from even initiating the boot process.

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