Quick Answer
The answer is to change the primary video adapter UEFI setting from onboard or auto to PCIe or PEG. This is correct because the UEFI firmware controls the video initialization order, and many motherboards default to integrated graphics output even when a discrete card is installed. By forcing the primary adapter to PCIe, you ensure the system initializes the new graphics card first, which resolves the no-display issue. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of video adapter priority and UEFI configuration—a common trap is assuming the card is faulty or the power supply is insufficient. A reliable memory tip is to think “PCIe first, display last”: if you see no output after installing a discrete card, always check the primary video adapter setting before troubleshooting hardware.
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of bios / uefi. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
During a routine hardware upgrade, a technician installs a new graphics card. The system powers on but no display appears. The old card works fine. What UEFI setting should be checked first?
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.
Disable Secure Boot
Why wrong: Secure Boot does not affect video output.
Change the primary video adapter from onboard to PCIe
This tells the firmware to initialize the discrete GPU first.
Enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module)
Why wrong: CSM helps with legacy boot, not video output priority.
Update the UEFI firmware to the latest version
Why wrong: While sometimes helpful, this is not the first step; the issue is likely a setting.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Change the primary video adapter from onboard to PCIe
If the system has integrated graphics and a discrete card, the UEFI may default to the integrated output. Changing the primary video adapter to PCIe/ PEG forces the system to use the new card. This tests understanding of video initialization order in UEFI.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Disable Secure Boot
Why it's wrong here
Secure Boot does not affect video output.
Change the primary video adapter from onboard to PCIe
Why this is correct
This tells the firmware to initialize the discrete GPU first.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module)
Why it's wrong here
CSM helps with legacy boot, not video output priority.
Update the UEFI firmware to the latest version
Why it's wrong here
While sometimes helpful, this is not the first step; the issue is likely a setting.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Secure Boot does not affect video output.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
BIOS / UEFI — This question tests BIOS / UEFI — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Change the primary video adapter from onboard to PCIe — If the system has integrated graphics and a discrete card, the UEFI may default to the integrated output. Changing the primary video adapter to PCIe/ PEG forces the system to use the new card. This tests understanding of video initialization order in UEFI.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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