easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A help desk ticket reports that a user's PC fails…
A help desk ticket reports that a user's PC fails to boot and emits a series of long beeps. The system has two 8 GB DDR4 modules installed. What is the most likely cause of this 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
✓
One of the RAM modules is faulty or not seated properly.
Long beeps during POST typically indicate a memory failure, such as a faulty or improperly seated RAM module. This is a common hardware troubleshooting scenario where the beep code points directly to RAM issues. The technician should reseat or replace the RAM modules first.
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 power supply is failing.
Why it's wrong here
A failing power supply unit (PSU) typically manifests as intermittent power loss, complete system failure to power on, or random shutdowns and reboots due to insufficient or unstable voltage delivery. While a severely failing PSU could indirectly affect other components, it does not directly generate specific POST beep codes that indicate a memory error. POST beep codes are generated by the BIOS/UEFI firmware to signal issues with core components during startup, and a memory-specific code points directly to RAM, not the PSU.
- ✗
The CPU is overheating.
Why it's wrong here
An overheating CPU usually triggers thermal throttling to reduce performance or, if temperatures become critical, an automatic system shutdown to prevent permanent damage. While some BIOS/UEFI versions might issue a specific beep code for CPU thermal issues, these are distinct from memory error codes. A CPU overheating issue would not typically manifest as a long beep code specifically designated for RAM problems during the initial Power-On Self-Test (POST).
- ✓
One of the RAM modules is faulty or not seated properly.
Why this is correct
During the Power-On Self-Test (POST), the BIOS/UEFI firmware performs a series of diagnostic checks on essential hardware components. A common and widely recognized POST beep code for a memory error, such as a faulty RAM module or one that is improperly seated in its slot, is a series of long beeps. This specific beep pattern directly indicates that the system has detected an issue with the Random Access Memory (RAM), preventing it from proceeding with the boot process.
- ✗
The hard drive has failed.
Why it's wrong here
A failed hard drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) would prevent the operating system from loading, resulting in an error message like "Boot device not found" or a similar prompt on the screen after the initial POST. Hard drive issues do not typically generate specific POST beep codes because the BIOS/UEFI primarily checks for the presence and basic functionality of core components like CPU, RAM, and video during POST, before attempting to access storage devices for booting.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Laptop Hardware and Components
Key term
POST
Power-On Self-Test (POST) is a diagnostic process that a computer runs when it first powers on to check that essential hardware components are working correctly before loading the operating system.
Key term
RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is your computer's short-term memory, temporarily holding data the CPU needs right now or very soon.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A technician is troubleshooting a desktop that fails to boot and emits three long beeps from the motherboard speaker. The power supply fan spins, and the CPU fan spins, but there is no display output. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
medium- A.The CPU has failed.
- B.The video card is not seated correctly.
- ✓ C.The RAM is not detected or is faulty.
- D.The power supply is not providing enough power.
Why C: Three long beeps from a motherboard typically indicate a memory error, often that no RAM is detected or the RAM is faulty. The fact that other components power on suggests the issue is isolated to the memory subsystem.
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.