220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is installing a new CPU into a desktop motherboard. The CPU is an Intel Core i7-12700K, which uses the LGA 1700 socket. After placing the CPU into the socket, the technician closes the retention arm and notices that the CPU is not perfectly aligned with the socket's alignment notch. The technician forces the retention arm down, and it clicks into place. Upon powering on, the system fails to POST. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the failure?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is overlooking the physical damage caused by forcing the CPU into the socket, instead attributing the failure to BIOS or power issues.
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 CPU was installed with incorrect orientation, damaging the socket pins.
The most likely cause is that the CPU was installed with incorrect orientation, and forcing the retention arm damaged the socket pins. LGA sockets are fragile, and misalignment can bend pins, preventing proper electrical contact. This results in a failed POST. The socket may require replacement or repair.
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 CPU was installed with incorrect orientation, damaging the socket pins.
Why this is correct
LGA sockets have alignment notches and a triangle on the CPU that must match the socket. Forcing the retention arm when the CPU is misaligned can bend or break the socket pins, causing the system to fail POST. The technician noticed misalignment but proceeded, which likely caused physical damage. The socket may need replacement.
- ✗
The CPU cooler was not installed, causing the CPU to overheat immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Modern CPUs have thermal protection that shuts down the system if overheating occurs, but they can still POST briefly. However, the scenario does not mention cooler installation, but the failure to POST is more likely due to physical damage from forced installation. Overheating would typically occur after POST, not prevent it entirely.
- ✗
The CPU power connector is not plugged in.
Why it's wrong here
If the CPU power connector were missing, the system would not power on at all, often with no fans spinning. The scenario states the system powers on but fails to POST, implying power is present. The forced installation is a more likely cause of the failure.
- ✗
The BIOS needs to be updated to support the 12th generation Intel CPU.
Why it's wrong here
BIOS compatibility can prevent POST if the motherboard chipset does not support the CPU out of the box. However, the LGA 1700 socket is specifically for 12th gen Intel, and the scenario implies the motherboard has that socket. The forced installation and misalignment are more direct causes of damage.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
CPU Types, Sockets, and Cooling
Key term
RISC
RISC is a CPU design philosophy that uses a small, highly optimized set of instructions to execute operations quickly and efficiently.
Key term
Power-on Self-test
The Power-on Self-test (POST) is a diagnostic process a computer runs immediately when you turn it on to check that essential hardware components are working correctly before loading the operating system.
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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 220-1101 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.