220-1201 · domain
Hardware
Domain 1 (Hardware) covers the physical components of desktops, laptops, and mobile devices: motherboards, CPUs, RAM, storage, power supplies, and peripherals. On 220-1201 it is tested through scenario-based troubleshooting questions where you identify a failed or undersized component and select the correct replacement or diagnostic step.
Focused practice
Practice Hardware questions
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What this domain covers
What to know about Hardware
Be able to read a symptom, isolate the failing hardware, and pick the correct part or next diagnostic step. The single most important thing: verify power, POST, and cooling before replacing components, and match every replacement to the exact form factor and specification.
Selecting PSU wattage and connectors for a system with a high-TDP GPU
Diagnosing no-POST failures using motherboard beep codes and POST cards
Replacing laptop LCD backlights and inverters versus external display faults
Installing and configuring M.2 NVMe, SATA, and RAID storage arrays
Watch out for
Common Hardware exam traps
- ▸Assuming a spinning CPU fan proves cooling is fine; heatsink contact and thermal paste still cause shutdowns under load.
- ▸Confusing a dim laptop screen with a GPU failure when an external monitor shows a bright, clear image.
- ▸Matching RAM by capacity only, ignoring DDR generation, speed, and whether the board requires ECC or SO-DIMM.
Question index
All Hardware questions (4)
Click any question to see the full explanation, or start a practice session above.
A user reports that their laptop display is extremely dim, but when connected to an external monitor, the image is bright and clear. The laptop is a few years old and has been used daily. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
Medium2A user reports that their desktop PC randomly shuts down during intensive gaming sessions. The technician notices the CPU fan is spinning, but the air coming out of the rear exhaust is very hot. The system event log shows a critical thermal shutdown. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
Hard3A user reports that a desktop PC randomly shuts down during intensive tasks such as gaming or video rendering. The technician notices the power supply is rated at 500W and the system includes a high-end GPU with a TDP of 250W and a CPU with a TDP of 125W. The PSU has a single 12V rail rated at 30A. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the shutdowns?
Hard4A technician is troubleshooting a desktop that fails to boot. The system powers on, but no video appears and the motherboard emits a repeating beep pattern. The technician suspects a RAM issue. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST to resolve the problem?
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Frequently asked questions
- What does the Hardware domain cover on the 220-1201 exam?
- Be able to read a symptom, isolate the failing hardware, and pick the correct part or next diagnostic step. The single most important thing: verify power, POST, and cooling before replacing components, and match every replacement to the exact form factor and specification.
- How many questions are in this domain?
- This page lists all 4 Hardware questions in the 220-1201 question bank. The actual exam draws from this domain proportionally to its weighting in the official exam blueprint.
- What is the best way to practise this domain?
- Start with a short focused session (10 questions) to identify gaps, then work through explanations. Repeat with a longer session once the weak areas feel solid.
- Can I practise only Hardware questions?
- Yes — the session launcher on this page filters questions to this domain only. Choose any session length for inline explanations and scoring.