220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that powers on but produces no video output. The graphics card is a PCIe x16 card that requires a 6-pin PCIe power connector. The technician confirms the card is fully seated in the PCIe x16 slot and that the monitor is connected to the graphics card's DisplayPort output. The monitor and cable are known-good. The power supply is a 600W unit with two 6-pin PCIe connectors available. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the lack of video?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a PCIe x16 slot alone can power any graphics card, ignoring the need for supplemental PCIe power connectors on higher-wattage cards.
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
✓
The graphics card's 6-pin PCIe power connector is not connected.
The graphics card requires a 6-pin PCIe power connector, and the technician has not verified that it is connected. Without this supplemental power, the card will not initialize and no video will be output. The other options are either already ruled out by the scenario or less likely given the known-good components and the card's explicit power requirement.
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 monitor is connected to the motherboard's integrated video output instead of the graphics card.
Why it's wrong here
The scenario states the monitor is connected to the graphics card's DisplayPort output, so this is not the issue. Even if it were connected to integrated video, many CPUs lack integrated graphics, but the problem description already rules out this misconnection. The missing power connector is the more direct cause.
- ✗
The power supply's 600W rating is insufficient for the graphics card.
Why it's wrong here
A 600W PSU is generally sufficient for a single graphics card requiring one 6-pin connector, which typically draws well under 200W. The PSU also has the necessary connectors available. Insufficient wattage would more likely cause shutdowns under load, not a complete lack of video at POST.
- ✗
The PCIe x16 slot is not providing enough power to the graphics card.
Why it's wrong here
A PCIe x16 slot can supply up to 75W, but this card requires an additional 6-pin PCIe power connector, which the technician has not connected. The slot itself is likely providing its rated power, but the card will not initialize without the supplemental power. So the issue is not the slot's power delivery but the missing external connection.
- ✓
The graphics card's 6-pin PCIe power connector is not connected.
Why this is correct
The card requires a 6-pin PCIe power connector, and the technician only verified physical seating and monitor connection. Without supplemental power, the card cannot fully initialize and will not output video. This is the most likely cause given the available known-good components and the card's power requirement.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.