The correct next step is to check the CPU voltage settings in BIOS. When a system randomly restarts under load but the CPU temperature stays below 75°C and the power supply is adequately rated at 750W, the issue often lies in voltage regulation rather than heat or wattage. The CPU’s Vcore voltage may be set too low, causing instability as the processor demands more power during high-load tasks. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to isolate voltage-related problems after ruling out thermal and power supply causes—a common trap is jumping to replace the PSU or cooler. Remember that voltage instability can mimic overheating or power failure, so always verify BIOS settings before swapping hardware. A helpful memory tip: “If it’s cool and the watt’s enough, check the Vcore stuff.”
220-1101 CPU Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cpu. 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 system that randomly restarts under load. The CPU temperature never exceeds 75°C, and the power supply is rated at 750W. Which of the following should the technician check next?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "never"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check the CPU voltage settings in BIOS
When thermal and power supply are ruled out, voltage regulation becomes a suspect. The CPU's Vcore voltage may be set too low in BIOS, causing instability under load.
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 CPU cooler
Why it's wrong here
Since temperatures are normal, the cooler is functioning adequately; replacing it would not solve the issue.
✓
Check the CPU voltage settings in BIOS
Why this is correct
Insufficient Vcore voltage can cause random restarts under load even if temperatures are fine, as the CPU may not receive stable power.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Update the network driver
Why it's wrong here
Network drivers do not cause system restarts under load; this is unrelated.
✗
Replace the RAM
Why it's wrong here
RAM issues typically cause blue screens or crashes, not random restarts, and the symptoms point to CPU power delivery.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
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.
CPU — This question tests CPU — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check the CPU voltage settings in BIOS — When thermal and power supply are ruled out, voltage regulation becomes a suspect. The CPU's Vcore voltage may be set too low in BIOS, causing instability under load.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "never". Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.