220-1201 Practice Question: A client wants to upgrade their desktop PC with a…

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 CPU is not seated properly

  Why it's wrong here

  If the CPU were not seated properly, the system would likely fail to power on at all, or it might power on briefly and then immediately shut down to prevent damage to the processor or motherboard. Modern motherboards have safeguards that prevent booting if critical components like the CPU are not correctly installed or detected. A blank screen with fans running indicates that the system is receiving power and attempting to initiate, but a fundamental component required for POST (Power-On Self-Test) is preventing display output, which is less indicative of a physical seating issue and more of a compatibility or configuration problem.

• ✓

  The motherboard BIOS needs an update

  Why this is correct

  When a new CPU is installed, even if it physically fits the motherboard socket, the system's BIOS/UEFI firmware must contain the microcode and instructions necessary to recognize and properly initialize that specific processor model. If the existing BIOS version predates the CPU's release, it will lack this essential support, causing the system to power on, spin up fans, but fail to complete the Power-On Self-Test (POST) and display any output. Updating the BIOS to a compatible version is frequently the solution for this exact symptom after a CPU upgrade.

• ✗

  The RAM is incompatible with the new CPU

  Why it's wrong here

  While incompatible or faulty RAM can certainly prevent a system from booting and displaying output, it is less probable than a BIOS incompatibility immediately following a CPU upgrade. RAM issues often manifest with specific beep codes (if the motherboard supports them) or a complete failure to power on. If the system powers on with fans spinning but no display after a CPU upgrade, the primary suspect shifts towards the CPU's ability to initialize, which is directly governed by the motherboard's BIOS/UEFI firmware, rather than the memory modules themselves, assuming the RAM was functional prior to the CPU swap.

• ✗

  The power supply is insufficient

  Why it's wrong here

  An insufficient power supply unit (PSU) typically manifests as a complete failure to power on, random system shutdowns under load, or intermittent reboots, especially when components draw peak power. If the system powers on, fans spin, and it remains in that state with a blank screen, it indicates that the PSU is providing enough power for basic system initialization. A lack of display output in this scenario points to a problem with the system's ability to complete the Power-On Self-Test (POST) due to a component recognition or initialization failure, rather than a fundamental power delivery issue.

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