220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that shuts down unexpectedly when the user runs a 3D rendering application. The technician has already replaced the power supply unit (PSU) with a known-good unit of the same wattage, verified that all cooling fans are working, and checked that CPU and GPU temperatures remain within normal limits during the rendering process. The RAM passes a memory test. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume a known-good PSU of the same wattage eliminates all power-related issues, but they overlook the possibility of inadequate or unstable input power from the wall outlet, which is a common external cause of intermittent shutdowns under load.
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
✓
Check the voltage output from the wall outlet
The technician has already replaced the PSU with a known-good unit of the same wattage, but the issue persists. This suggests that the problem may not be the PSU itself, but rather insufficient or unstable input power from the wall outlet. A voltage drop or brownout condition under load can cause the system to shut down unexpectedly, even if all components are functioning correctly. Checking the voltage output from the wall outlet with a multimeter is the logical next step to rule out an external power quality issue.
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 motherboard
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the motherboard is a drastic, expensive intervention that assumes the main board's voltage regulator circuitry is at fault. However, an isolated, clean shutdown during a GPU-intensive load — with normal temperatures and DC voltages — points more strongly to an incoming AC power or PSU problem. A faulty motherboard typically produces POST failures, beep codes, or random lockups rather than a hard power-off. Always verify wall-outlet voltage and PSU output before swapping such a central component.
- ✗
Update the BIOS firmware
Why it's wrong here
A BIOS/UEFI update is an appropriate fix for compatibility issues, microcode bugs, or some sleep/wake glitches, but it is not the primary suspect for a sudden power loss under load. Intermittent shutdowns triggered by sustained GPU stress are usually an electrical or thermal response, and these are handled by voltage protection circuits and temperature sensors at a hardware level, not by BIOS code. Unless the vendor release notes specifically mention a fix affecting power management, updating the firmware adds risk without addressing the likely cause.
- ✓
Check the voltage output from the wall outlet
Why this is correct
Checking the wall-outlet voltage is the logical first step because an unstable or sagging AC supply can cause a healthy PSU to trip its undervoltage protection during heavy loads, even though the system runs fine when idle. Use a multimeter set to AC volts at the outlet, and if possible monitor it while running the stress test; IEC standards in North America call for about 110–120 V, so any significant drop toward 90 V or below is a red flag. Poor utility service, loose connections, or an overloaded branch circuit can all reproduce this exact symptom.
- ✗
Replace the graphics card
Why it's wrong here
Replacing the graphics card is unlikely to resolve the issue because the GPU is operating within normal temperature limits, and a failing GPU typically displays artifacts, screen corruption, or a driver 'reset' rather than shutting down the entire machine. A clean, immediate power-off under a GPU-heavy workload is more indicative of the power supply reaching its over-current or under-voltage limit. Unless the card is visibly damaged, shows heat stress, or the PSU is known to be undersized, swapping the GPU ignores the more probable power-delivery fault.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Component Compatibility Checking
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).
Key term
RAM
RAM (Random-Access Memory) is volatile computer memory that temporarily stores data for quick access by the CPU.
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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.