220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that does not power on. The computer was working earlier that day. The technician verifies that the power cord is firmly connected to both the computer and the wall outlet. The power outlet is functional. When the power button is pressed, no fans spin and no LEDs light up. The technician opens the case and sees that the power supply unit's fan is not spinning. Using a multimeter, the technician measures the voltage on the 24-pin motherboard connector and finds that the +5V and +12V rails are within normal range. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates see no fans or LEDs and immediately assume the power supply is dead, ignoring that the +5V and +12V rails are good and that the power button circuit is a common failure point.
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
✓
Test the power button by shorting the two pins on the motherboard.
The power supply is outputting correct voltages on the +5V and +12V rails, so it is likely functional. The fact that no fans spin and no LEDs light up when the power button is pressed suggests the power-on signal from the front panel switch is not reaching the motherboard. Shorting the two power button pins on the motherboard header bypasses the physical switch, confirming whether the switch itself is faulty or the motherboard's power-on circuit is intact.
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 power supply.
Why it's wrong here
Given that the power supply unit has already been verified to output correct voltages on the +5V and +12V rails, the PSU is delivering power to the motherboard. Replacing it would be both premature and unlikely to resolve the issue, because the fault lies in the power-on control circuit—either the front-panel switch or the motherboard's power-on signal path—not in the PSU's ability to produce voltages. Additionally, swapping the PSU introduces unnecessary cost and risk of damage.
- ✗
Replace the motherboard.
Why it's wrong here
The power supply unit is delivering correct voltages on the +5V and +12V rails, so the motherboard is receiving power; replacing it would not resolve the absence of fan spin or LEDs, which indicates a separate fault such as a failed power-on signal circuit or a defective front-panel switch. This option is tempting because a motherboard failure can prevent the system from powering on, and in cases where no voltages are present on the 24-pin connector, replacing the motherboard would be the correct next step after verifying the power supply is functional.
- ✓
Test the power button by shorting the two pins on the motherboard.
Why this is correct
This is the correct troubleshooting step because it isolates the front-panel switch from the motherboard's power-on circuitry. By momentarily shorting the two Power Button pins on the front-panel header with a jumper or screwdriver, you are simulating the closure that the switch would normally make. If the system powers on, the switch is defective and should be replaced; if it still has no fan spin or LEDs, the issue is downstream—likely a failed motherboard power-on circuit or an improperly connected 24-pin/8-pin EPS cable. This is a low-risk, quick, and definitive test.
- ✗
Reseat the RAM modules.
Why it's wrong here
RAM issues typically cause beep codes or failure to boot, but they do not prevent fans and LEDs from powering on. The computer shows no signs of power at all, so reseating RAM is not the appropriate first step.
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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.