220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that their desktop computer intermittently freezes and emits a series of beeps (one long, three short) during the boot process. The technician opens the case and notes that the CPU fan spins, but the system does not POST. The technician swaps the RAM modules with known-good modules from another identical system, but the issue persists. Which of the following components is MOST likely faulty?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often associate beep codes exclusively with RAM (since memory errors are common) and overlook the specific one-long-three-short pattern, which is a classic video card error, especially after confirming RAM is good.
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
✓
Graphics card (GPU)
The beep code of one long followed by three short beeps is a standard AMI BIOS POST code indicating a video card or memory error. Since the RAM has already been swapped with known-good modules and the issue persists, the most likely faulty component is the graphics card (GPU). The CPU fan spinning confirms power is reaching the motherboard, but the system failing to POST points to a critical component failure, and the GPU is the next logical suspect after eliminating RAM.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Motherboard
Why it's wrong here
While a faulty motherboard can cause a variety of POST failures, it does not specifically produce the one-long, three-short beep pattern. That particular cadence is a standard BIOS signal for a video adapter initialization problem, such as a missing or failed graphics card. A motherboard failure usually manifests as a continuous single beep, a series of repeated short beeps, or no beep at all, depending on which component the board cannot initialize. Since RAM has been ruled out and the beep code distinctly points to the display subsystem, the GPU is a more likely culprit than the motherboard itself.
- ✓
Graphics card (GPU)
Why this is correct
Correct. One long, three short beeps is a common BIOS code for a missing or failed video adapter. Since the system powers on but does not POST and RAM has been ruled out, the GPU is the most likely culprit.
- ✗
CPU
Why it's wrong here
A failed CPU usually results in no POST and may produce a different beep pattern or no beeps at all. The fact that the CPU fan spins does not guarantee the CPU is functional, but the specific beep code does not point to the CPU.
- ✗
CMOS battery
Why it's wrong here
A discharged CMOS battery causes loss of nonvolatile BIOS settings, which typically appears as a 'CMOS checksum error', incorrect system time/date at each boot, or failure to persist boot order/configuration. It does not generate beep codes, because the battery only maintains the real-time clock and settings memory while the system is powered off; during POST, the BIOS runs from ROM and is powered by the main PSU. Therefore, a dead CMOS battery would not prevent the video adapter from initializing nor produce the one-long, three-short beep code that specifically indicates a graphics problem.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
BIOS and UEFI Settings
Key term
Power-on Self-test
The Power-on Self-test (POST) is a diagnostic process a computer runs immediately when you turn it on to check that essential hardware components are working correctly before loading the operating system.
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).
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JA
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.