220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is assembling a desktop computer in a new case. After installing the motherboard and connecting all components, the computer powers on but immediately shuts down after a few seconds. The technician notices that the motherboard is touching the metal case in several places and that no standoffs were installed between the motherboard and the case tray. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the shutdown?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between immediate shutdowns caused by electrical shorts versus delayed shutdowns caused by thermal events, and candidates frequently mistake the symptom for a CPU overheating issue because they associate 'shuts down after a few seconds' with thermal protection, overlooking the physical evidence of missing standoffs.
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
✓
There is a short circuit between the motherboard and the case.
When the motherboard touches the metal case without standoffs, exposed solder points or traces on the back of the board can contact the conductive case, creating an unintended electrical path. This short circuit typically triggers the power supply's overcurrent protection (OCP) or short-circuit protection (SCP), causing the system to power on briefly and then immediately shut down to prevent damage.
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 is overheating due to improper cooler installation.
Why it's wrong here
CPU thermal protection is a timed response: a poorly mounted cooler or missing thermal paste still allows heat to accumulate gradually, and it takes at least several seconds of sustained operation before the CPU reaches its thermal throttle or shutdown threshold. An immediate shutdown immediately after power-on, often before the POST screen even appears, is far too fast for heat to build up, especially at idle speeds. Overheating also wouldn't be caused by motherboard-to-case contact; it is an independent hardware issue.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question described the computer running for a few minutes before shutting down, and the technician noticed the CPU cooler was loose or thermal paste was missing, indicating improper cooler installation.
- ✗
The power supply unit is underpowered for the system.
Why it's wrong here
An underpowered power supply cannot deliver enough total wattage to all components, but at idle or just after POST, the system draws far less than the PSU's rated capacity. Even a marginally sufficient PSU would typically cause random crashes, freezes, or failure to boot under load, not a deliberate shutdown only a few seconds after power-on. Additionally, an insufficient PSU doesn't create a direct electrical path to ground; that behavior is the signature of a short circuit, not a wattage deficit.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct in a scenario where the system fails to boot or randomly shuts down under load, and the PSU wattage is below the total power draw of components like a high-end GPU and CPU. For example, a 300W PSU with a 200W TDP CPU and 250W GPU.
- ✓
There is a short circuit between the motherboard and the case.
Why this is correct
A motherboard sitting directly on the metal case without standoffs allows solder joints, traces, or mounting holes to contact the case's grounded chassis, creating a direct short circuit. When power is applied, the power supply's overcurrent/short-circuit protection triggers almost instantly, killing output to prevent component damage. This symptom—power-on for a few seconds then immediate shutdown—classically indicates a short rather than a weak component.
- ✗
The front panel power button is incorrectly wired.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect front-panel header wiring usually means the power button is connected to the wrong pins, such as the reset switch or a power LED. In that case, pressing the button either does nothing (no POST, no power) or the system powers on and then immediately shuts down because the signal is momentary and misinterpreted. However, a properly wired button that causes a shutdown after several seconds would be unusual—the switch just grounds a pin momentarily, and after that, the motherboard holds power on through other circuitry. This fault is not indicative of a short, and it would not consistently shut down after a few seconds of operation.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the computer fails to power on entirely when the power button is pressed, and the technician finds that the power button connector is attached to the wrong pins or is loose.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 220-1101 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓There is a short circuit between the motherboard and the case.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
A motherboard sitting directly on the metal case without standoffs allows solder joints, traces, or mounting holes to contact the case's grounded chassis, creating a direct short circuit. When power is applied, the power supply's overcurrent/short-circuit protection triggers almost instantly, killing output to prevent component damage. This symptom—power-on for a few seconds then immediate shutdown—classically indicates a short rather than a weak component.
✗The CPU is overheating due to improper cooler installation.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The system shuts down immediately after power-on, which is characteristic of a short circuit, not CPU overheating. Overheating typically causes shutdown after several minutes of operation, not within seconds.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question described the computer running for a few minutes before shutting down, and the technician noticed the CPU cooler was loose or thermal paste was missing, indicating improper cooler installation.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may associate any shutdown with overheating, especially if they recall that CPUs have thermal protection. They might overlook the immediate shutdown clue and focus on the cooler installation as a common mistake.
✗The power supply unit is underpowered for the system.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The system powers on briefly before shutting down, which is characteristic of a short circuit, not an underpowered PSU. An underpowered PSU would typically fail to boot or cause instability under load, not a rapid shutdown immediately after power-on.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct in a scenario where the system fails to boot or randomly shuts down under load, and the PSU wattage is below the total power draw of components like a high-end GPU and CPU. For example, a 300W PSU with a 200W TDP CPU and 250W GPU.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse symptoms of a short circuit with power supply issues, or assume that any shutdown is due to insufficient power, especially if they have experienced PSU-related failures in the past.
✗The front panel power button is incorrectly wired.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Incorrectly wiring the front panel power button would prevent the computer from powering on at all, not cause it to power on and then shut down after a few seconds.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the computer fails to power on entirely when the power button is pressed, and the technician finds that the power button connector is attached to the wrong pins or is loose.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse symptoms of a short circuit with those of a faulty power button, as both can involve power issues, and they might not fully understand the sequence of events (power on vs. immediate shutdown).
Analysis generated from the official 220-1101blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.