220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop that randomly reboots under load and occasionally emits a burning smell. Visual inspection reveals brown discoloration on several pins of the 24-pin ATX motherboard connector. The power supply is a 650W unit that is three years old. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that random reboots under load always point to insufficient wattage, when visible connector damage indicates a failing PSU that must be replaced regardless of its rated capacity.
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
✓
Replace the 24-pin power supply and inspect the motherboard connector for damage.
Burned or discolored pins on the 24-pin ATX connector indicate a power delivery fault, typically from a failing power supply or a loose connection that created high resistance. The technician must replace the power supply and inspect the motherboard header for matching damage before powering the system again. Ignoring the physical evidence and attempting firmware, wattage, or contact fixes will not resolve the root 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.
- ✗
Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version.
Why it's wrong here
A BIOS update addresses firmware compatibility and stability issues, not physical connector damage. The burning smell and discolored pins are hardware failures that no firmware can correct. Flashing the BIOS while the system has an unstable power delivery path could cause the update to fail and brick the motherboard, making the situation worse.
- ✗
Replace the power supply with a higher-wattage unit.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing wattage does not address the burned connector pins, which indicate a poor contact point creating resistance and heat. A higher-capacity unit will still push current through the same damaged connector, and if the connector on the motherboard side is also charred, the new PSU will be damaged as well. The technician must address the physical damage before considering capacity changes.
- ✗
Re-seat the 24-pin connector and apply dielectric grease to the pins.
Why it's wrong here
Dielectric grease is used to prevent corrosion in automotive and marine environments, not to fix already burned connector pins. Re-seating a connector with heat damage will not restore the lost metal plating or remove the carbonized plastic, and the underlying high-resistance fault will remain. This action delays proper repair and can worsen the damage.
- ✓
Replace the 24-pin power supply and inspect the motherboard connector for damage.
Why this is correct
Discolored pins on the ATX connector signal overheating from high resistance or arcing, so the PSU and the motherboard-side connector must both be evaluated. Continuing to use a damaged power supply risks damaging other components. Replacing the PSU and checking the board header is the correct first step before any further testing or upgrades.
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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.