220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that powers on (fans spin, LEDs light) but the monitor displays 'No Signal.' The technician has already verified the monitor is functional by testing it with another computer, and the video cable is securely connected to both the computer and monitor. The computer has both an integrated GPU on the motherboard and a discrete graphics card installed. Which of the following should the technician do NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often jump to reseating the discrete GPU (Option D) without first isolating the problem by testing the integrated GPU, which is a faster and more logical first step to confirm whether the discrete card is the culprit.
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
✓
Remove the discrete graphics card and connect the monitor to the motherboard's video port
The correct next step is to remove the discrete graphics card and connect the monitor to the motherboard's video port. This isolates whether the discrete GPU is faulty or improperly seated, because the system may be defaulting to the discrete card even if it is malfunctioning, preventing the integrated GPU from outputting video. Since the monitor and cable are verified functional, the issue is likely with the video output path, and testing the integrated GPU bypasses the discrete card entirely.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Remove the discrete graphics card and connect the monitor to the motherboard's video port
Why this is correct
By removing the discrete card, the system will use the integrated GPU if it is functional. This immediately tells the technician whether the discrete card is the cause of the 'No Signal' issue. It is a quick and effective troubleshooting step.
- ✗
Replace the RAM modules with known-good sticks
Why it's wrong here
Faulty RAM can cause POST failures, but in this scenario the system powers on with fans spinning and no beep codes indicating a RAM issue. Also, the 'No Signal' symptom is more directly related to video output. Replacing RAM should not be the next step without other symptoms.
- ✗
Check the monitor's input source setting
Why it's wrong here
While a mismatched input source (e.g., HDMI vs. DisplayPort) can produce a 'No Signal' message, the technician has already confirmed the monitor works with another computer, which strongly implies the input source is correct. Rechecking this setting would only be relevant if the monitor had multiple active inputs or had been recently switched, but with no such evidence, it is a low-yield check. The symptom of fans spinning and LEDs on with no video is far more indicative of a GPU or motherboard video path failure, making this a secondary step at best.
- ✗
Reseat the discrete graphics card in its PCIe slot
Why it's wrong here
Reseating the card is a reasonable step, but it is not the best NEXT action. Testing the integrated port first can confirm whether the discrete card is the problem without needing to open the case. If integrated video works, then reseating or replacing the discrete card would be appropriate.
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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.