- A
Replace the CMOS battery.
Why wrong: A dead CMOS battery would cause date/time resets but would not prevent the laptop from powering on entirely. It is not the cause of a no-power condition.
- B
Connect the laptop to a known-good AC adapter and try to power on without the battery installed.
This isolates the issue to either the laptop's internal power circuitry or the battery/charger. If it powers on with the AC adapter, the battery or its connection is faulty. If not, the motherboard likely has a fault.
- C
Reseat the RAM modules.
Why wrong: Reseating RAM can fix boot issues, but the symptom here is no power at all (no fans, no display). RAM issues typically cause beep codes or a blank screen with power LEDs on.
- D
Perform a hard reset by disconnecting the internal battery (if accessible) and holding the power button for 60 seconds.
Why wrong: The technician already performed a hard reset by removing the external battery and holding the power button. Disconnecting the internal battery is a more thorough version of the same step, but it is unlikely to help if the external battery removal did not work, and it is more invasive.
Quick Answer
The correct next step is to connect the laptop to a known-good AC adapter and attempt to power it on without the battery installed. This is because the brief keyboard flash indicates that residual charge in the system’s capacitors was successfully drained by the discharge step, but the laptop still fails to boot, pointing to a potential fault in the power delivery path—most commonly a defective AC adapter or internal charging circuit. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the systematic troubleshooting process for no-power conditions, where the common trap is to assume the battery or motherboard is dead immediately. Remember the memory tip: “Flash then crash? Test the power stash”—meaning if you get a brief flash after discharge, suspect the AC adapter before replacing the motherboard.
220-1101 Mobile Devices Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile devices troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is troubleshooting a Lenovo ThinkPad that will not turn on. When the power button is pressed, the keyboard lights flash briefly, then nothing. The battery is known to be charged. After removing the battery and holding the power button for 30 seconds, the laptop still does not power on. What should the technician try 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
Connect the laptop to a known-good AC adapter and try to power on without the battery installed.
This is a classic symptom of residual charge in the capacitors preventing a proper boot. The 'remove battery and hold power button' step discharges the system. If that fails, the next step is to test with a known-good AC adapter, as the internal charging circuit may be faulty. If that also fails, the motherboard or power button may be defective.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the CMOS battery.
Why it's wrong here
A dead CMOS battery would cause date/time resets but would not prevent the laptop from powering on entirely. It is not the cause of a no-power condition.
- ✓
Connect the laptop to a known-good AC adapter and try to power on without the battery installed.
Why this is correct
This isolates the issue to either the laptop's internal power circuitry or the battery/charger. If it powers on with the AC adapter, the battery or its connection is faulty. If not, the motherboard likely has a fault.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Reseat the RAM modules.
Why it's wrong here
Reseating RAM can fix boot issues, but the symptom here is no power at all (no fans, no display). RAM issues typically cause beep codes or a blank screen with power LEDs on.
- ✗
Perform a hard reset by disconnecting the internal battery (if accessible) and holding the power button for 60 seconds.
Why it's wrong here
The technician already performed a hard reset by removing the external battery and holding the power button. Disconnecting the internal battery is a more thorough version of the same step, but it is unlikely to help if the external battery removal did not work, and it is more invasive.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — This question tests Mobile Devices Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Connect the laptop to a known-good AC adapter and try to power on without the battery installed. — This is a classic symptom of residual charge in the capacitors preventing a proper boot. The 'remove battery and hold power button' step discharges the system. If that fails, the next step is to test with a known-good AC adapter, as the internal charging circuit may be faulty. If that also fails, the motherboard or power button may be defective.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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