220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician replaced the power supply unit (PSU) in a desktop PC. After installation, the system does not power on at all—no fans spin and no LEDs light up. The technician confirms that the PSU is plugged into a known-good wall outlet and the PSU's power switch is in the 'ON' position. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often jump to testing the PSU with a multimeter or swapping components, overlooking the simple front panel header connection, which is the most common oversight during a PSU replacement.
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
✓
Verify that the front panel power button connector is properly attached to the motherboard header
The most likely cause of a completely dead system after a PSU replacement is a loose or incorrectly connected front panel power button header. The power button connector bridges two pins on the motherboard header to signal the power-on event; if it is not seated properly, the system will not respond to the button press, even with a functional PSU. Since the PSU is plugged into a known-good outlet and its switch is on, the next logical step is to verify this low-voltage signal path before testing the PSU itself.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Verify that the front panel power button connector is properly attached to the motherboard header
Why this is correct
If the power switch connector is loose or not connected, pressing the case power button will not send the signal to start the PSU. This is a common oversight and the most logical first check.
- ✗
Test the PSU with a multimeter to ensure the voltages are correct
Why it's wrong here
While testing the PSU can confirm it is working, doing so before verifying the power button connection may waste time. The PSU is already known to be plugged in and switched on, so the issue is likely with the control circuit.
- ✗
Swap the PSU for a different unit to rule out a defective power supply
Why it's wrong here
Swapping the PSU prematurely wastes time because the technician has not yet verified that the front-panel header cables (power switch, reset, LED) are correctly seated on the motherboard. Without this check, a correctly functioning PSU will still fail to power on if the power-on circuit is open. This option is tempting because a defective PSU is a common cause of no power, and swapping units is a valid next step only after confirming all front-panel connections are secure.
- ✗
Check the motherboard CPU power connector (EPS12V) for proper seating
Why it's wrong here
While an unseated CPU power connector can prevent boot, it would typically allow the case fans to spin briefly. The complete absence of any power activity points to the power button circuit as a more likely cause.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 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 220-1101 exam.