220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that their desktop computer powers on but the monitor shows no display. The technician has already verified the monitor works with another computer, the video cable is securely connected, and the computer's internal fans spin. The computer has a dedicated graphics card and the monitor is connected to the motherboard's video port. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume the motherboard video port is always active, overlooking the common BIOS/UEFI behavior of disabling integrated graphics when a dedicated GPU is present.
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
✓
Connect the monitor to the dedicated graphics card's port.
The monitor is connected to the motherboard's video port, but the system has a dedicated graphics card. When a dedicated GPU is installed, the motherboard's integrated graphics port is typically disabled by the BIOS/UEFI. Connecting the monitor to the dedicated graphics card's port will likely restore display output, as the GPU is the active video source.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the graphics card.
Why it's wrong here
There is no evidence that the dedicated graphics card is faulty; a system that powers on but fails to display is usually a connectivity or configuration issue rather than a hardware failure. Swapping out the GPU is an unnecessary and invasive step that risks damaging components, and it may not resolve the problem if the actual cause is a loose cable or the monitor being plugged into the wrong port.
- ✓
Connect the monitor to the dedicated graphics card's port.
Why this is correct
When a discrete graphics card is installed, most motherboards automatically disable their integrated graphics ports, so plugging the monitor into the motherboard's HDMI or DisplayPort produces no signal at all. Connecting the monitor to the dedicated GPU's video output bypasses this limitation and is the simplest, most common fix for a desktop that powers on but shows nothing, especially when the system has both integrated and discrete video options.
- ✗
Reseat the RAM modules.
Why it's wrong here
Reseating RAM is a valid step during POST failures, but this system shows clear signs of power (fans spinning, LEDs lit) and typically memory problems generate audible beep codes or cause the machine to power-cycle repeatedly. A complete lack of display while the system otherwise appears to run smoothly points more to a video output path issue, particularly if the monitor is currently connected to an integrated port rather than a discrete GPU.
- ✗
Update the graphics drivers.
Why it's wrong here
Driver updates are irrelevant because the absence of display occurs before the operating system loads; BIOS and pre-boot environments rely on firmware-level video output, not on third-party GPU drivers. You cannot install or update drivers without a visible screen, and even severely outdated drivers would rarely produce a completely black monitor on a system that passes POST and boots successfully.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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