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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is troubleshooting a desktop that…
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop that powers on but displays nothing on the monitor. The monitor is on and connected via HDMI. The technician hears one short beep from the motherboard speaker. What should the technician do next?
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
✓
Reseat the graphics card
One short beep typically indicates a successful POST, meaning the CPU, RAM, and motherboard are likely functional. The issue is therefore probably with the display subsystem: the video card or its connection. The technician should reseat the GPU or try a different video output port.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Replace the RAM modules
Why it's wrong here
A single short beep typically indicates that the Power-On Self-Test (POST) has completed successfully, confirming the basic functionality of core components, including RAM. If there were an issue with the RAM modules, such as improper seating or a hardware fault, the system would usually generate specific beep codes (e.g., multiple short beeps, a long beep followed by short beeps) or fail to complete POST entirely, rather than signaling a successful boot. Therefore, replacing RAM is not the appropriate initial troubleshooting step when POST passes.
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Test the monitor on another computer
Why it's wrong here
While testing the monitor on another system can confirm its operational status, it is not the most efficient or logical first step when the desktop itself powers on and produces a successful POST beep. The primary issue is the lack of video output from the troubled computer, not necessarily the monitor itself, especially if the monitor is powered on and displaying a "no signal" message. Troubleshooting should first focus on the video output components of the desktop, such as the graphics card and its connections, before isolating the monitor.
- ✓
Reseat the graphics card
Why this is correct
A single short beep from the motherboard indicates that the Power-On Self-Test (POST) has successfully completed, confirming that essential components like the CPU, RAM, and motherboard are functioning correctly. When POST passes but there is no video output, the most probable cause is an issue with the graphics subsystem. A graphics card that is loose, improperly seated in its PCIe slot, or has a poor power connection can prevent video signals from being sent to the monitor, making reseating it a highly effective and common first troubleshooting step.
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Flash the BIOS
Why it's wrong here
Flashing the BIOS (updating the system firmware) is a high-risk procedure typically performed to address specific motherboard compatibility issues, add support for new hardware, or resolve critical system instability that often prevents POST from completing. Since the system is producing a single short beep, indicating a successful POST, the existing BIOS is functioning correctly for basic boot operations. Attempting to flash the BIOS unnecessarily introduces a significant risk of rendering the motherboard inoperable if the process is interrupted or fails, and it is not a solution for a lack of display after a successful POST.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Internet Connection Types
Key term
Dual In-line Memory Module
A Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM) is a small circuit board that holds memory chips and plugs into a computer's motherboard to provide Random Access Memory (RAM).
Key term
Power-on Self-test
The Power-on Self-test (POST) is a diagnostic process a computer runs immediately when you turn it on to check that essential hardware components are working correctly before loading the operating system.
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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.