The answer is to check if the power supply’s on/off switch is set to the ‘1’ (on) position. This is correct because the PSU switch physically cuts all AC power to the system when flipped to the ‘0’ (off) position, so no fans, LEDs, or any components will receive electricity regardless of other connections. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your adherence to the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology—starting with the simplest, most obvious checks before moving to hardware diagnostics. A common trap is immediately suspecting a dead PSU or motherboard, but the exam rewards verifying the switch first, as it is a frequent oversight in real-world support. Remember the mnemonic “Zero power? Check the zero first”—the ‘0’ on the switch means no power, so always confirm it’s toggled to ‘1’ before breaking out a multimeter.
220-1101 Power Supply Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of power supply. 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 user reports that their computer does not power on at all. The technician verifies the power cord is connected and the wall outlet works. When the PSU is turned on, no fans spin and no LEDs light up. What should the technician check first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Why wrong: A dead CMOS battery prevents BIOS settings from being saved but does not stop the system from powering on; fans and LEDs would still activate.
B
Check if the power supply's on/off switch is set to the '1' (on) position.
If the switch is off, no power flows to the system. This is the quickest and easiest check before proceeding with hardware testing.
C
Reseat the RAM modules.
Why wrong: RAM issues cause beep codes or no display but do not prevent the PSU from powering on; fans would still spin.
D
Test the PSU with a multimeter.
Why wrong: Using a multimeter is a valid diagnostic step but should be performed after ruling out simpler causes like the switch position.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check if the power supply's on/off switch is set to the '1' (on) position.
The power supply switch is a simple but common oversight; if it is in the off (0) position, no power reaches the system. Always verify this before more complex troubleshooting. Other steps like testing the PSU with a multimeter or paperclip test come after confirming the switch is on.
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 CMOS battery.
Why it's wrong here
A dead CMOS battery prevents BIOS settings from being saved but does not stop the system from powering on; fans and LEDs would still activate.
✓
Check if the power supply's on/off switch is set to the '1' (on) position.
Why this is correct
If the switch is off, no power flows to the system. This is the quickest and easiest check before proceeding with hardware testing.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reseat the RAM modules.
Why it's wrong here
RAM issues cause beep codes or no display but do not prevent the PSU from powering on; fans would still spin.
✗
Test the PSU with a multimeter.
Why it's wrong here
Using a multimeter is a valid diagnostic step but should be performed after ruling out simpler causes like the switch position.
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.
Power Supply — This question tests Power Supply — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check if the power supply's on/off switch is set to the '1' (on) position. — The power supply switch is a simple but common oversight; if it is in the off (0) position, no power reaches the system. Always verify this before more complex troubleshooting. Other steps like testing the PSU with a multimeter or paperclip test come after confirming the switch is on.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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