220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that powers on, but the monitor displays no signal. The motherboard has a discrete PCIe x16 graphics card installed, and the CPU also has integrated graphics. The technician confirms the monitor works and is connected to the discrete card's HDMI port. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a no-signal issue with a discrete GPU is always due to faulty hardware, when it can be a simple BIOS display priority setting.
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 BIOS is configured to use the integrated graphics as the primary display adapter.
The most likely cause is a BIOS setting that prioritizes integrated graphics over the discrete card. When a discrete GPU is added, the motherboard may not automatically switch to it if the primary display adapter is set to integrated or auto. The monitor connected to the discrete card receives no signal. Adjusting the BIOS to use PCIe/PEG as primary resolves the issue.
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 does not support integrated graphics, so the motherboard cannot output video from either adapter.
Why it's wrong here
If the CPU lacks integrated graphics, the motherboard's video ports would be disabled, but the discrete card should still output video. The scenario states the CPU has integrated graphics, so this is not the issue. Even without integrated graphics, a discrete card would provide output, so this option is incorrect for the given situation.
- ✗
The monitor cable is defective.
Why it's wrong here
The technician already confirmed the monitor works, but not necessarily the cable. However, the scenario states the monitor works and is connected to the discrete card's HDMI port, implying the cable is likely functional. A defective cable would be a less likely cause than a BIOS display setting, especially since the monitor and cable are often tested together.
- ✗
The PCIe x16 slot is not supplying enough power to the graphics card.
Why it's wrong here
A PCIe x16 slot provides up to 75W, which is sufficient for many cards, but high-end cards require additional power connectors. However, lack of power would typically cause the card to not initialize, often with no display but possibly with fan spin or error beeps. The scenario does not mention auxiliary power connectors, and the symptom of no signal is more directly tied to display output selection.
- ✓
The BIOS is configured to use the integrated graphics as the primary display adapter.
Why this is correct
When a discrete GPU is installed, many motherboards default to integrated graphics if the BIOS setting for primary display is set to 'Auto' or 'IGD'. The monitor connected to the discrete card will show no signal. Changing the BIOS setting to 'PCIe' or 'PEG' as the primary display adapter resolves the issue. This is a common configuration oversight during hardware changes.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This 220-1101 question is part of Courseiva's 896-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.