220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is troubleshooting a PC that will…

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 power surge damaged the motherboard's memory controller.

  Why it's wrong here

  While a power surge could potentially damage any component, a DRAM LED specifically indicates an issue detected during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) related to the Random Access Memory (RAM) or its immediate interface. A damaged memory controller, often integrated into the CPU, would more likely result in a general POST failure, a CPU-related diagnostic code, or a complete inability to detect any memory, rather than a specific DRAM LED suggesting a problem with the RAM module itself.

• ✓

  The new RAM module is not compatible with the motherboard.

  Why this is correct

  The new RAM module is not compatible with the motherboard, which is a very common cause for a DRAM LED to illuminate after a memory upgrade. Motherboards and their integrated memory controllers have specific requirements for RAM type (e.g., DDR4 vs. DDR5), speed, voltage, and capacity. If the newly installed module does not meet these specifications, the motherboard's Power-On Self-Test (POST) will fail during memory initialization, triggering the DRAM diagnostic light.

• ✗

  The power surge corrupted the BIOS firmware.

  Why it's wrong here

  A corrupted BIOS firmware is a fundamental system issue that typically prevents the computer from initiating the Power-On Self-Test (POST) sequence altogether. If the BIOS is corrupted, the system would likely exhibit no display, no diagnostic lights, or a very early, non-specific error code, as the system cannot even begin to initialize components like RAM. A specific DRAM LED indicates that the BIOS has started and is attempting to initialize memory but has encountered a problem with the RAM.

• ✗

  The RAM is not seated in the correct slots for dual-channel mode.

  Why it's wrong here

  Incorrect RAM seating for dual-channel mode primarily affects memory bandwidth and overall system performance, rather than preventing the system from booting or triggering a DRAM LED. If RAM modules are installed in the wrong slots for dual-channel operation, the system will typically still boot successfully, albeit operating in single-channel mode. A DRAM LED indicates a critical failure to initialize any functional memory, not merely a suboptimal configuration.

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