easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: That their desktop PC emits a series of short…
A user reports that their desktop PC emits a series of short beeps and fails to boot. The monitor shows no display, and the keyboard and mouse LEDs are off. What is the most likely cause?
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
✓
Loose or faulty RAM module
A series of short beeps during POST typically indicates a memory (RAM) failure. The lack of display and peripheral response points to a hardware fault that prevents the system from completing POST, and RAM is the most common culprit.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Faulty power supply unit
Why it's wrong here
A faulty Power Supply Unit (PSU) typically manifests as a complete lack of power to the system, preventing it from even initiating the Power-On Self-Test (POST) process where diagnostic beep codes are generated. Alternatively, an unstable PSU might cause random shutdowns, reboots, or component underpowering, but it rarely triggers a specific, diagnostic beep code pattern related to a component failure during the initial boot sequence. The system simply wouldn't have enough stable power to reach that diagnostic stage.
- ✓
Loose or faulty RAM module
Why this is correct
A loose or faulty RAM module is a very common cause for a desktop PC to emit specific beep codes during the Power-On Self-Test (POST). The BIOS/UEFI firmware performs memory checks early in the boot process, and if RAM is not detected, is improperly seated, or is defective, it will generate a distinct beep code pattern (e.g., three short beeps, one long and two short, depending on the BIOS manufacturer) to signal a memory error before video output is initialized. Reseating the modules or replacing faulty ones often resolves this issue.
- ✗
Defective hard drive
Why it's wrong here
A defective hard drive typically does not trigger diagnostic beep codes during the initial Power-On Self-Test (POST). The system's BIOS/UEFI firmware usually completes POST successfully, including memory and CPU checks, before attempting to locate a bootable device. A hard drive failure would instead result in an on-screen error message, such as "No boot device found" or "Operating system not found," after POST has completed, as it's a storage issue rather than a fundamental hardware initialization problem.
- ✗
Overheated CPU
Why it's wrong here
An overheated CPU typically does not generate diagnostic beep codes during the Power-On Self-Test (POST). Modern CPUs and motherboards incorporate thermal monitoring that, upon detecting dangerously high temperatures, will either throttle the CPU's performance to reduce heat or, more commonly, initiate an immediate system shutdown to prevent permanent damage. While a completely failed CPU *could* prevent POST, overheating is a runtime or pre-boot protection mechanism that usually bypasses the beep code diagnostic stage.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1201 question from scratch — 972 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.