This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of connectors. 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 workstation that fails to boot. The motherboard has a 24-pin ATX power connector and an 8-pin CPU power connector. The power supply has a 20+4 pin main connector and a 4+4 pin CPU connector. The technician connects the 20+4 pin to the motherboard correctly, but the system still does not power on. What should the technician check next?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The 4+4 pin CPU connector is only using one 4-pin half
The 4+4 pin CPU connector can be used as either a 4-pin or 8-pin connector. The technician must ensure that both 4-pin halves are connected together to form the 8-pin CPU power connector required by the motherboard. If only one 4-pin half is connected, the CPU may not receive power.
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.
✗
The 20+4 pin connector is not fully seated
Why it's wrong here
The technician already connected it correctly, so this is less likely the issue. The problem is more likely with the CPU power.
✗
The power supply switch is turned off
Why it's wrong here
This is a basic check, but the scenario implies the technician has already connected power, so this is not the next logical step.
✓
The 4+4 pin CPU connector is only using one 4-pin half
Why this is correct
The motherboard requires an 8-pin CPU connector. If the technician only connected one 4-pin half, the CPU will not receive enough power.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The RAM is not properly seated
Why it's wrong here
While RAM issues can prevent booting, the system does not power on at all, indicating a power delivery problem first.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
This is a basic check, but the scenario implies the technician has already connected power, so this is not the next logical step.
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.
Connectors — This question tests Connectors — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The 4+4 pin CPU connector is only using one 4-pin half — The 4+4 pin CPU connector can be used as either a 4-pin or 8-pin connector. The technician must ensure that both 4-pin halves are connected together to form the 8-pin CPU power connector required by the motherboard. If only one 4-pin half is connected, the CPU may not receive power.
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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Question Discussion
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