220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is assembling a new desktop computer. After installing the CPU, CPU cooler, RAM, and a dedicated graphics card, the system powers on. All fans spin, there are no beeps, but the monitor remains dark. The monitor and cable have been verified to work on another computer. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a black screen with fans spinning is always a RAM or BIOS issue, but the key clue is the dedicated graphics card—candidates forget to check its power cables first.
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
✓
C. Ensure the graphics card power cables are connected
A dedicated graphics card requires its own power connectors (e.g., 6-pin or 8-pin PCIe power) from the power supply. If these cables are not connected, the card will not initialize, causing a black screen despite fans spinning. The monitor and cable are verified working, so the issue is likely power delivery to the GPU.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A. Reset the CMOS battery
Why it's wrong here
Resetting the CMOS only reverts BIOS settings to factory defaults, which is irrelevant when the display failure is caused by a missing physical power connection. On a brand-new build, the motherboard's default settings are already configured to initialize integrated or primary PCIe graphics, so clearing the CMOS will not create a video output if the add-in card is not receiving power from the PSU. It should be performed only after verifying the 24-pin motherboard, 8-pin CPU, and PCIe power connectors are firmly seated, as an incorrect reset procedure can also clear critical memory training data and prolong POST.
When this WOULD be correct
Resetting the CMOS battery would be the correct first step if the computer had previously been configured with incorrect BIOS settings (e.g., overclocking or wrong boot order) causing a no-display condition, and the technician had already verified power connections and reseated components.
- ✗
B. Replace the RAM with known-good modules
Why it's wrong here
Faulty RAM typically causes beep codes or the system to fail POST. Since there are no beeps and the system appears to power on, RAM is less likely the cause. Checking power connectors is faster and more relevant.
When this WOULD be correct
This would be correct if the system had beep codes indicating a memory error, or if the RAM was visibly damaged or improperly seated. For example, a question where the computer beeps repeatedly and the display works with integrated graphics but not with the dedicated card would point to RAM as the first check.
- ✓
C. Ensure the graphics card power cables are connected
Why this is correct
Many dedicated graphics cards require one or more PCIe power cables from the power supply. If these are not connected, the card receives power from the PCIe slot but not enough to output video, resulting in a blank screen.
- ✗
D. Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version
Why it's wrong here
Flashing the motherboard BIOS is a targeted solution for CPU or memory compatibility issues that arise with new hardware revisions, not for a missing display signal on a fresh assembly. The system must POST successfully to perform a BIOS update, and without a working display you cannot interact with the flash utility safely; even using USB flashback, it is an unnecessary risk when the symptom points to an unseated or unpowered component. Always exhaust physical connection checks and power delivery verification before considering a BIOS update, as a failed flash can permanently brick the board.
When this WOULD be correct
A technician installs a new CPU that requires a BIOS update for compatibility. The system powers on but fails to boot or display anything, and all other hardware is verified working. In this case, updating the BIOS would be the correct first step.
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.
✓C. Ensure the graphics card power cables are connectedCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Many dedicated graphics cards require one or more PCIe power cables from the power supply. If these are not connected, the card receives power from the PCIe slot but not enough to output video, resulting in a blank screen.
✗A. Reset the CMOS batteryWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The system powers on with fans spinning but no display, and the monitor/cable are verified working. This points to a power or connection issue with the dedicated graphics card, not a CMOS-related problem, which typically causes boot loops or incorrect time/date, not a completely dark screen.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
Resetting the CMOS battery would be the correct first step if the computer had previously been configured with incorrect BIOS settings (e.g., overclocking or wrong boot order) causing a no-display condition, and the technician had already verified power connections and reseated components.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think a corrupted BIOS or stuck CMOS can cause a black screen, and resetting it is a common troubleshooting step, but here the symptoms (fans spin, no beeps) suggest a hardware connection issue rather than a BIOS problem.
✗B. Replace the RAM with known-good modulesWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The system powers on with fans spinning but no display, and the monitor/cable are verified working. Since a dedicated graphics card is installed, the most likely cause is missing power to the GPU, not faulty RAM. RAM issues typically cause beep codes or boot loops, not a completely dark screen with no beeps.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This would be correct if the system had beep codes indicating a memory error, or if the RAM was visibly damaged or improperly seated. For example, a question where the computer beeps repeatedly and the display works with integrated graphics but not with the dedicated card would point to RAM as the first check.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may default to RAM as a common cause of no display, especially if they've encountered memory-related boot failures before. They might overlook that a dedicated GPU requires its own power connection, and that no beeps suggest the POST is passing memory checks.
✗D. Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest versionWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Updating the BIOS is a more advanced troubleshooting step that should be performed after verifying basic hardware connections, especially when the system powers on but displays no video. The monitor is dark, indicating a potential power or connection issue with the graphics card, not a BIOS problem.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A technician installs a new CPU that requires a BIOS update for compatibility. The system powers on but fails to boot or display anything, and all other hardware is verified working. In this case, updating the BIOS would be the correct first step.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think a BIOS update can resolve many boot issues, especially when other components seem fine, but they overlook that the system is already powering on and the monitor is dark, pointing to a more basic hardware connection problem.
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?”
Go deeper
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Key term
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
PCI Express (PCIe) is a high-speed expansion bus standard that connects internal hardware components like graphics cards, SSDs, and network adapters to a computer's motherboard.
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).
About these practice questions
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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.