hardMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that…
A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that powers on but displays a black screen with no boot activity. The technician hears the fan spinning and sees the power LED is on. Which of the following steps should the technician perform next to isolate the issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests troubleshooting methodology, and candidates may jump to replacing hardware (like LCD panel) before performing simple isolation steps like connecting an external monitor.
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
✓
Connect an external monitor
Connecting an external monitor is the next step to isolate whether the issue is with the laptop's display or the internal hardware. If the external monitor displays properly, the problem is likely the laptop's LCD panel or cable; if not, the issue is with the motherboard, RAM, or other internal components. This is a non-invasive diagnostic step.
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 RAM modules
Why it's wrong here
Reseating RAM modules is a common troubleshooting step for a laptop that powers on but displays nothing, as loose or faulty RAM can prevent the Power-On Self-Test (POST) from completing and thus inhibit video output. However, this procedure involves opening the laptop chassis, making it a more invasive diagnostic. Before resorting to internal hardware manipulation, a technician should first rule out external display issues or a faulty internal display panel by testing with an external monitor.
- ✗
Replace the LCD panel
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the LCD panel is a significant hardware repair that should only be performed after thorough diagnostic steps confirm the internal display itself is the sole point of failure. Without first verifying if the laptop is generating any video signal at all, perhaps through an external display, this action is premature. The issue could stem from the video cable, the integrated graphics processing unit (GPU), or even the motherboard, making a panel replacement an unnecessary and costly endeavor.
- ✓
Connect an external monitor
Why this is correct
Connecting an external monitor is the most logical and least invasive initial troubleshooting step when a laptop powers on but shows no display. This action quickly determines if the laptop's graphics processing unit (GPU) is functioning and successfully outputting a video signal. If the external monitor displays an image, it definitively isolates the problem to the laptop's internal LCD panel, its connecting cable, or the inverter, rather than the core video output circuitry or motherboard.
- ✗
Reinstall the operating system
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the operating system is entirely inappropriate and impossible when a laptop powers on but exhibits no display output. Without any visual feedback, a technician cannot interact with the system to initiate an OS reinstallation or even observe boot activity. Furthermore, a lack of display indicates a fundamental hardware issue, likely with the video subsystem or display panel, which an operating system reinstallation cannot resolve as the OS loads much later in the boot process.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
GPUs and Display Technologies
Key term
Light-emitting Diode
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it, commonly used as an indicator or illumination source in electronic devices.
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).
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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 220-1201 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.