220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that emits a rhythmic beeping pattern at startup and does not display video. The pattern is three short beeps followed by a pause, then three short beeps again. The motherboard is from a major manufacturer and uses a standard BIOS. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming any beep code indicates a power or video issue, when specific patterns like three short beeps are standardized for memory errors.
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 RAM is not properly seated or is faulty.
The rhythmic pattern of three short beeps is a standard BIOS beep code for a memory error. The system cannot complete POST because it fails to detect or initialize RAM. Reseating or replacing the memory modules is the appropriate first step. Other components like CPU, power supply, or video card would produce different beep codes or symptoms, making memory the most likely cause.
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 failing.
Why it's wrong here
A failing power supply often results in no power at all, intermittent shutdowns, or a continuous beep in some systems. However, a repeating pattern of three short beeps is not a standard power supply error code. The power supply may still be providing adequate voltage, and the beep pattern specifically points to a memory initialization failure.
- ✓
The RAM is not properly seated or is faulty.
Why this is correct
Three short beeps repeating is a classic BIOS beep code indicating a memory error. The pattern signals that the system cannot properly detect or initialize system memory. Reseating the RAM modules or testing with known-good memory typically resolves the issue. This matches the scenario where the computer beeps rhythmically and fails to display video, pointing directly to a RAM problem.
- ✗
The video card is not seated properly.
Why it's wrong here
A video card issue typically produces a different beep code, such as one long beep followed by two or three short beeps, or no beep at all. The pattern of three short beeps is not associated with video card errors. Additionally, if the system has integrated graphics, a discrete video card may not be present, making this less likely.
- ✗
The CPU is overheating.
Why it's wrong here
An overheating CPU usually causes the system to shut down after a short period or throttle performance, not emit a rhythmic beep pattern. While some systems may produce a continuous beep for overheating, the specific pattern of three short beeps is not associated with thermal issues. The absence of video and the repeating beep code more strongly indicate a memory fault.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Troubleshoot: Motherboard Issues
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).
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.