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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is troubleshooting a PC that fails…
A technician is troubleshooting a PC that fails to POST. The CPU fan spins, but there is no display output. The motherboard has a diagnostic LED that shows a CPU error. Which step should the technician take first to resolve the issue?
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
✓
Reseat the CPU
A CPU error LED indicates a problem with the processor or its installation. The most common cause is improper seating or bent pins. Reseating the CPU is a logical first step before replacing components. This tests systematic troubleshooting methodology.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the power supply
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the power supply is premature because the observation of a spinning fan indicates that the power supply unit (PSU) is at least partially functional and delivering power to the motherboard. A CPU error LED specifically points to an issue with the central processing unit itself or its immediate connection, rather than a complete lack of power from the PSU. While a faulty PSU can cause various issues, a CPU-specific error LED with some power activity directs troubleshooting elsewhere first.
- ✗
Update the BIOS using a USB flashback
Why it's wrong here
Updating the BIOS via USB flashback is generally considered when there's a known compatibility issue, such as installing a newer CPU that the current BIOS version doesn't support. However, a diagnostic LED specifically indicating a CPU error typically points to a physical problem with the CPU, its socket, or its immediate power delivery, rather than a software-level compatibility or firmware bug. Addressing the physical connection or component integrity is a more direct approach for a hardware error LED.
- ✓
Reseat the CPU
Why this is correct
Reseating the CPU is often the first and most effective troubleshooting step when a diagnostic LED indicates a CPU error. This action can correct issues such as improper seating, bent pins (if applicable to the socket type), or poor electrical contact between the CPU and its socket. A slight misalignment or dust accumulation can prevent proper communication or power delivery to the CPU, triggering the error LED, and reseating often resolves these physical connection problems.
- ✗
Replace the CPU
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the CPU is a drastic and costly measure that should only be considered after exhausting all less invasive and more probable troubleshooting steps, such as reseating the component. A CPU error LED does not definitively mean the CPU is faulty, but rather that an issue exists within the CPU subsystem. It is crucial to rule out connection problems, power delivery issues, or even motherboard socket damage before concluding that the CPU itself requires replacement.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.