A user reports that their desktop computer will not boot after a power surge. When the power button is pressed, the case power LED lights up, fans spin for about two seconds, and then everything stops. There are no beep codes and no display. The technician has tested the power supply with a multimeter and confirmed that all voltages are within specification. The motherboard shows no signs of physical damage or bulging capacitors. Which component should the technician test or replace NEXT?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Distractor review
CPU
A faulty CPU can cause a no-post condition, but it usually results in continuous power cycling or no activity at all, not a single brief spin of the fans and then stop. The motherboard is more likely to cause this specific symptom.
Distractor review
RAM
Faulty RAM typically produces beep codes or continuous power cycling as the motherboard attempts to reinitialize memory, not a single brief power-on and then silence.
Best answer
Motherboard
A failed motherboard, especially after a power surge, can cause the system to start and immediately shut down. The motherboard manages power sequencing and POST; if a critical component on the board is damaged, it may initiate a shutdown after a short delay.
Distractor review
Graphics card
A faulty graphics card usually results in no display but the system continues to run (fans spin, drives spin up). The symptom of brief power-on then shutdown is more indicative of a motherboard or power issue, and the PSU has already been verified.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A user reports intermittent network connectivity on a desktop computer. The technician observes that the Ethernet link light on the NIC turns off for a few seconds and then turns back on. The cable passes a wiremap test, the switch port is verified good with another device, and the NIC driver is updated. The issue occurs more frequently when the computer's case fan runs at high speed. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
Question 2
A workstation is unable to connect to the internet. The technician runs the 'ipconfig' command and sees the IPv4 address is 169.254.15.200 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0. The workstation can ping other devices on the local subnet but cannot ping the default gateway or any external addresses. Which TWO actions should the technician take to resolve this issue? (Select two.)
Question 3
A workstation is connected to a managed switch. It obtains a valid IP address (192.168.10.50) from the DHCP server, but it cannot ping the default gateway (192.168.10.1). The link light on both the workstation NIC and the switch port are solid green. Other workstations on the same switch CAN ping the default gateway successfully. The technician accesses the switch management interface and finds that the workstation's port is configured as an access port on VLAN 10. The default gateway is located on VLAN 20. An inter-VLAN router is configured but not explicitly allowing VLAN 10 access to VLAN 20. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the problem?
Question 4
A company develops a web application that relies on a custom library available only for a specific Linux distribution. They want to deploy the application in the cloud with minimal administrative overhead, but they need full control over the software stack, including the ability to install the custom library and configure the web server. Which cloud service model BEST meets these requirements?
Question 5
A company has a legacy virtual machine running on a deprecated hypervisor (Hyper-V). They want to migrate this VM to a new hypervisor (VMware vSphere) hosted in a private cloud while preserving the VM's configuration, installed applications, and data. The migration must be performed with minimal downtime. Which of the following methods is MOST appropriate?
Question 6
A company hosts a critical database on a virtual machine in a public cloud. The database requires persistent storage that must be retained even if the VM is terminated. The storage must also be accessible from multiple VMs simultaneously for a future high-availability configuration. Which type of cloud storage BEST meets these requirements?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1101 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Motherboard — Since the power supply is functioning correctly and the system attempts to power on but stops quickly, the issue is likely with the motherboard. A failed motherboard can cause the system to fail POST and shut down after a brief power-on attempt. The CPU is unlikely to cause this specific behavior if the power supply is good. RAM or graphics card issues typically result in beep codes or continuous cycling, not a single brief power-on.
What should I do if I get this 220-1101 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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