220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is building a new desktop computer. After installing the CPU, heatsink, and attaching the CPU fan to the motherboard header, the technician connects all power cables. When the system is powered on, the case fans spin and the motherboard LEDs light up, but no display appears and no beep codes are heard. The technician has already verified the monitor works and the video cable is connected to the dedicated GPU. Which of the following should the technician check FIRST?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates see the GPU connected and monitor verified, so they focus on reseating the GPU or checking RAM slots, overlooking that the CPU power rail is a separate, easily missed connection that must be made for the system to even begin POST.
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
✓
A. Ensure the 8-pin CPU power connector is connected to the motherboard
The system powers on (case fans spin, motherboard LEDs light) but has no display and no beep codes, which indicates the CPU is not receiving power or is not initialized. The 8-pin CPU power connector (EPS12V) supplies dedicated 12V power to the CPU voltage regulator; without it, the CPU cannot execute POST, so no beep codes occur and the system appears dead despite other components receiving power. This is the most likely cause given the technician just installed the CPU and heatsink but may have overlooked this separate power cable.
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. Ensure the 8-pin CPU power connector is connected to the motherboard
Why this is correct
The 8-pin EPS12V connector (often split as 4+4) delivers dedicated 12V power to the CPU voltage regulator module; without it, the CPU receives no power and cannot begin execution of the BIOS POST routine. This is why you see no beep codes—the CPU never starts—even though the 24-pin ATX connector may be powering fans and other peripherals. Always verify this connection before troubleshooting other components, as it is a frequent oversight during assembly.
- ✗
B. Reseat the graphics card in its PCIe slot
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. While a loose GPU can cause no display, the system would typically produce beep codes (if a speaker is installed) and the motherboard LEDs would still indicate power. The immediate step should be to rule out CPU power, a more fundamental requirement.
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C. Check that the RAM modules are installed in the correct slots
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Incorrect RAM installation can prevent POST, but the system would usually beep (if the board has a speaker) and the complaint of 'no beep codes' suggests the CPU is not even starting. CPU power is a higher priority check.
- ✗
D. Verify the monitor's input source is set correctly
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The technician has already verified the monitor works and cable is connected to the GPU. The lack of beep codes indicates the system is not POSTing, so the display issue is not the primary problem.
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