The answer is a motherboard standoff shorting the board to the case, because a short circuit immediately triggers the power supply’s overcurrent protection (OCP), causing the system to power on for a second then abruptly shut down. When a standoff is missing or a stray screw lodges beneath the motherboard, electrical contacts on the board’s underside connect directly to the metal case, creating a path of least resistance that the PSU detects as a dangerous overload. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of PSU safety features and proper case assembly—a common trap is confusing this instant shutdown with a failing PSU or insufficient wattage, but those typically cause instability or failure to POST rather than a clean, immediate power-off. Remember the mnemonic: “No standoff, stand down”—if the board touches metal, the PSU cuts power to protect itself.
220-1101 Power Supply Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of power supply. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
You are building a new gaming PC and have installed a 750W 80+ Gold power supply. After connecting all components, the system powers on for a second then immediately shuts down. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A motherboard standoff is shorting the board to the case
A short circuit triggers the PSU's overcurrent protection, causing immediate shutdown. This is common if a motherboard standoff is missing or a screw is lodged under the board. Other causes like insufficient wattage or loose cables typically cause instability, not instant shutdown.
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 power supply is underpowered for the components
Why it's wrong here
750W is sufficient for most gaming builds; underpowered PSUs cause crashes under load, not immediate shutdown on power-on.
✓
A motherboard standoff is shorting the board to the case
Why this is correct
An extra or missing standoff can create a short circuit, causing the PSU to immediately shut down to protect components.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The CPU fan is not connected
Why it's wrong here
A missing CPU fan may cause a BIOS warning but does not cause immediate shutdown; the system would typically stay on for several seconds.
✗
The power supply's voltage selector is set to 230V instead of 115V
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect voltage setting would cause the PSU to not power on at all or fail, but not a brief power-on then shutdown.
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: A motherboard standoff is shorting the board to the case — A short circuit triggers the PSU's overcurrent protection, causing immediate shutdown. This is common if a motherboard standoff is missing or a screw is lodged under the board. Other causes like insufficient wattage or loose cables typically cause instability, not instant shutdown.
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: "most likely", "immediately / without restart". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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