220-1101 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop PC that randomly shuts down without warning, particularly when the user runs resource-intensive applications like video editing software. The technician has already replaced the power supply, verified that the CPU temperature remains within normal limits under load, and updated all drivers. The event logs show a kernel-power 41 error with no preceding critical errors. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume a kernel-power 41 error always points to a failing power supply, but the question explicitly states the PSU was already replaced, so the next logical step is to inspect the CPU socket for physical damage or poor contact.
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
✓
Inspect the CPU socket for bent pins or improper seating
The kernel-power 41 error indicates an unexpected loss of power or system crash without a clean shutdown. Since the power supply has been replaced and CPU temperatures are normal, the next likely cause is an intermittent electrical or physical connection issue at the CPU socket. Bent pins or improper seating can cause voltage drops or signal corruption under heavy load, leading to sudden shutdowns even when temperatures are acceptable.
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 RAM modules with known-good sticks
Why it's wrong here
Faulty RAM typically manifests as data corruption, application crashes, or blue screen errors (e.g., MEMORY_MANAGEMENT, PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA), not as a sudden, clean power loss. A kernel-power 41 event records that Windows was running and then lost power unexpectedly, which points to a hardware power-delivery or thermal fault rather than a memory issue. Replacing RAM would not stop shutdowns caused by a bad PSU, overheating CPU, or improper CPU seating.
- ✓
Inspect the CPU socket for bent pins or improper seating
Why this is correct
Bent pins or improper CPU seating cause marginal or intermittent electrical contact between the processor and socket. As the CPU draws heavy current under load, the resulting voltage drop or contact resistance spikes can trip the CPU's overcurrent/thermal protection, abruptly cutting power to the system — exactly the kind of shutdown that logs as kernel-power 41. Because the OS never sees a crash, it cannot report a software error, making a physical socket/CPU interface fault a top suspect.
- ✗
Replace the CMOS battery
Why it's wrong here
The CMOS battery only preserves BIOS/UEFI settings and the real-time clock while the system is unpowered; it plays no role in regulating power delivery or thermal protection during operation. A depleted battery results in BIOS settings resetting, incorrect system time, or CMOS checksum errors at POST, but it cannot cause a runtime power loss. Thus, replacing it would not address the kernel-power 41 shutdown, which stems from active hardware load issues.
- ✗
Reinstall the operating system
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the operating system fixes software-level corruption, such as missing system files, driver conflicts, or registry damage, which typically present as blue screens or boot failures. A kernel-power 41 event is logged when the machine loses AC power or the hardware forces a hard reset, giving the OS no opportunity to log a preceding crash. Since the shutdown is not initiated by Windows itself, a reinstall cannot resolve an underlying electrical or thermal malfunction.
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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.