220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician builds a new desktop computer. When powered on, all fans spin and LEDs light up, but the monitor shows 'No Signal'. The monitor is known to work. The motherboard has no onboard video output. The GPU fans spin. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates see GPU fans spinning and assume the card is fully powered, overlooking that supplemental power cables are often the culprit for 'No Signal' when the card is otherwise detected.
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
✓
Verify the GPU power cables are fully seated.
The GPU fans spinning indicates the card is receiving power from the PCIe slot, but the monitor showing 'No Signal' suggests the GPU may not be receiving sufficient supplemental power. The most common cause is a loose or unseated PCIe power cable from the PSU to the GPU. Checking and reseating these cables is the quickest, least invasive step before attempting reseating or replacement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reseat the GPU in its PCIe slot.
Why it's wrong here
Reseating the GPU in its PCIe slot is a plausible secondary step, but the fact that the GPU fans are spinning strongly suggests that the card is receiving power from the motherboard's PCIe x16 slot. If the card were poorly seated, the slot's power pins would likely fail to make contact, causing the fans to remain off. While an intermittent connection could still prevent full initialization, it is less probable than a loose auxiliary power cable, so the power cables should be checked first to avoid unnecessary reseating.
When this WOULD be correct
If the GPU fans did not spin and the system showed no video, reseating the GPU would be a logical first step to ensure proper contact in the PCIe slot.
- ✗
Connect the monitor to the motherboard's video output.
Why it's wrong here
Connecting the monitor to the motherboard's video output is not applicable here because the motherboard in a dedicated GPU build typically has no onboard video ports, as the CPU lacks integrated graphics. Even if the board had display outputs, they would be automatically disabled when a discrete GPU is installed, so this action would not produce a signal. It also completely bypasses the actual problem—the GPU's power delivery—and would not diagnose the root cause.
When this WOULD be correct
If the motherboard had integrated graphics and the monitor was connected to the GPU but the system was set to use integrated graphics, then connecting the monitor to the motherboard's video output would be the correct first step.
- ✓
Verify the GPU power cables are fully seated.
Why this is correct
Many GPUs require additional 6/8-pin PCIe power connectors. If these are loose or not connected, the GPU may power fans but not fully initialize. This is the most common cause of 'No Signal' with GPU fans spinning.
- ✗
Replace the GPU with a known-working unit.
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the GPU with a known-working unit is a high-cost, high-effort step that should be reserved until all simpler and more likely causes are eliminated. Swapping the GPU without first verifying the 6/8-pin PCIe power connections would not only fail to address the probable issue, but it could also introduce new variables like driver mismatches or additional hardware faults. Additionally, if the power supply's PCIe cable is loose or faulty, the replacement GPU would exhibit the same failure, making this step premature and potentially confusing.
When this WOULD be correct
If the technician had already verified all power connections, reseated the GPU, and tested with a different monitor/cable, then replacing the GPU with a known-working unit would be the next logical step to isolate a defective GPU.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1101 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Verify the GPU power cables are fully seated.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Many GPUs require additional 6/8-pin PCIe power connectors. If these are loose or not connected, the GPU may power fans but not fully initialize. This is the most common cause of 'No Signal' with GPU fans spinning.
✗Reseat the GPU in its PCIe slot.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The GPU fans spin, indicating the card is seated and receiving power. The issue is likely a missing auxiliary power connection, not a reseat.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the GPU fans did not spin and the system showed no video, reseating the GPU would be a logical first step to ensure proper contact in the PCIe slot.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates often assume that a loose card is the primary cause of no display, especially when other components appear powered.
✗Connect the monitor to the motherboard's video output.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The motherboard has no onboard video output, so connecting the monitor to it will not produce a display. The technician should instead focus on the GPU, which is the only video output source.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the motherboard had integrated graphics and the monitor was connected to the GPU but the system was set to use integrated graphics, then connecting the monitor to the motherboard's video output would be the correct first step.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may assume that all motherboards have onboard video, or they may overlook the given information that the motherboard lacks video output, leading them to suggest a common troubleshooting step that is irrelevant here.
✗Replace the GPU with a known-working unit.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Replacing the GPU is a more invasive and time-consuming step than checking power connections. Since the GPU fans spin, it likely has power, but the issue could be a loose power cable, not a faulty GPU.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the technician had already verified all power connections, reseated the GPU, and tested with a different monitor/cable, then replacing the GPU with a known-working unit would be the next logical step to isolate a defective GPU.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may jump to component replacement as a quick fix, especially when fans spin but no display appears, assuming the GPU is dead rather than checking simpler power connection issues first.
Analysis generated from the official 220-1101blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 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 220-1101 exam.