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220-1201 Practice Question: That their PC randomly restarts during boot-up,…
A user reports that their PC randomly restarts during boot-up, sometimes before the Windows logo appears. They have already tried reseating the RAM. Which component should be tested next?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests the tendency to jump to complex fixes (motherboard, OS reinstall) when the symptom — pre-boot random restarts — points to the simplest power-related cause.
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
✓
Test the power supply unit
Random restarts during boot, especially before the Windows logo appears, strongly suggest a power delivery problem. The power supply unit (PSU) is the next logical component to test because insufficient or unstable voltage under load causes spontaneous shutdowns and reboots that occur before the OS even loads.
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 motherboard
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the motherboard is a significant and often expensive troubleshooting step that should typically be considered after ruling out more common and easily testable components. While a faulty motherboard can indeed cause random restarts, especially if power regulation circuits or component connections are failing, power supply unit (PSU) issues are statistically more frequent culprits for such symptoms. Without first diagnosing the PSU, replacing the motherboard risks unnecessary cost and effort if the power delivery problem persists.
- ✓
Test the power supply unit
Why this is correct
A failing power supply unit (PSU) is a very common cause of random system restarts, particularly during the boot process when components draw significant power. If the PSU cannot deliver stable and consistent voltage to the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and other peripherals, these components may momentarily lose power or receive incorrect voltage, triggering an immediate system shutdown or reboot to prevent damage. Testing the PSU with a dedicated power supply tester or by temporarily swapping it with a known-good unit is a critical initial diagnostic step.
- ✗
Reinstall the operating system
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the operating system (OS) is an inappropriate troubleshooting step for random restarts occurring during the boot process, especially if they happen before the OS has fully loaded or even begun its initialization sequence. This symptom strongly indicates a hardware-related problem, such as an issue with power delivery, memory, or the motherboard itself. OS reinstallation would only address software corruption, driver conflicts, or system file errors that manifest *after* the operating system takes control, making it ineffective for pre-OS hardware failures.
- ✗
Check for BIOS updates
Why it's wrong here
Checking for or applying BIOS updates is unlikely to resolve random restarts caused by fundamental hardware power issues during the boot sequence. While an outdated or corrupted BIOS can sometimes lead to system instability, its primary role is to initialize hardware and provide basic input/output services, not to regulate power delivery in the same way a PSU does. BIOS updates are typically performed to improve hardware compatibility, fix specific firmware bugs, or add support for new components, rather than to correct symptoms directly indicative of a failing power supply.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Component Compatibility Checking
Key term
Power supply unit
A power supply unit (PSU) is the hardware component that converts electricity from a wall outlet into usable power for a computer's internal components.
Key term
Dual In-line Memory Module
A Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM) is a small circuit board that holds memory chips and plugs into a computer's motherboard to provide Random Access Memory (RAM).
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.