CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)HardwareEasy
A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that powers on, but the monitor remains black, and the system emits a series of beeps. Which component is most likely indicating a problem?
- ANetwork Interface Card
- BRAM
- CGraphics Card
- DHard Drive
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. RAM
A series of beeps during startup (POST) often indicates a hardware issue detected by the BIOS/UEFI. Different beep codes correspond to specific problems, and memory (RAM) issues are a very common cause of such codes and a 'no video' symptom.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A network interface card (NIC) problem would not typically prevent the system from booting or displaying video during POST, nor would it usually generate beep codes.
- C. While a faulty graphics card can cause no video, it's less likely to produce a series of beep codes unless it's a specific POST error related to its initialization.
- D. A hard drive issue would typically prevent the OS from loading, not necessarily cause beep codes and no video during POST.
POST Beep Codes
A series of audible beeps emitted by the BIOS/UEFI during Power-On Self-Test (POST) to indicate a hardware error before video output is available.
- Different beep patterns signify different hardware problems.
- Common issues include RAM, CPU, or graphics card failures.
- Refer to the motherboard's manual for specific beep code interpretations.
Memory trick: Beeps before Boot means Basic component Break.