220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a server that randomly shuts down after running for about 30 minutes. The server has dual power supplies and is connected to a UPS. The technician has already replaced the CPU cooler and verified that all fans are spinning. The temperature readings for the CPU and motherboard are within normal range. Which component should the technician check NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates assume random shutdowns are always thermal-related, so they focus on cooling solutions (CPU cooler, fans) rather than considering that a failing power supply can cause identical symptoms even when temperatures are normal.
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
✓
The power supply voltage rails
Random shutdowns after a consistent runtime (30 minutes) often indicate a failing power supply that cannot maintain stable output under sustained load. The technician has already ruled out overheating by replacing the CPU cooler, verifying fan operation, and confirming normal temperature readings. Checking the power supply voltage rails with a multimeter or PSU tester can reveal sagging voltages or ripple that cause intermittent shutdowns, even when the system appears to run initially.
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 UPS battery
Why it's wrong here
A UPS battery provides ride-through power when the mains input fails, but while the server is operating on normal utility power the battery is not in the current path. If the battery were failing, the server would lose power immediately upon an outage or the UPS would generate alerts/critical alarms, not wait 30 minutes and then shut down cleanly. Also, a battery issue would typically affect every device connected to the UPS, whereas the server's behavior is isolated.
- ✗
The thermal paste application
Why it's wrong here
Improperly applied thermal paste would raise the CPU core temperature, eventually reaching the thermal trip point and forcing an immediate shutdown to prevent silicon damage. Because the technician recorded normal operating temperatures under load, the thermal interface layer cannot be the culprit. Additionally, thermal shutdowns track heat accumulation and workload intensity, so a shutdown that occurs after a fixed time interval regardless of actual load does not match the thermal failure signature.
- ✓
The power supply voltage rails
Why this is correct
A switching power supply's output voltages are regulated to within a few percent, but as electrolytic capacitors age and ESR rises, the rails can hover in spec at idle and then sag under sustained current draw. Once the +12V or +5V rail falls below the ATX tolerance, the motherboard or power supply's own undervoltage protection triggers a hard shutdown to prevent erratic operation or hardware damage. This perfectly explains a server that starts fine and randomly powers off after 30 minutes of continuous load, because the fault is load-dependent and temperature-dependent rather than logic-dependent.
- ✗
The RAM modules
Why it's wrong here
Faulty RAM typically manifests as application crashes, kernel panic/BSODs, corrupted files, or failure to POST, because a single bit error can cause nonsensical instructions or invalid page faults. A defective module rarely initiates a deliberate, clean power-off; the system does not have a memory error watchdog that gracefully closes the OS and drops power. Instead, memory failures result in instant hangs, unexpected reboots, or machine check exceptions, none of which match the symptom of a timed, orderly shutdown after a consistent interval.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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