No video on boot (lights and fans present): A customer reports the PC powers (noise and lights) but nothing appears on the screen. Which replacement part is the most logical to bring first?

Introduction / Context:
When a system powers up (fans spin, LEDs light) but there is no display output, the likely culprits are the graphics subsystem, display cabling/monitor, or motherboard/CPU faults. For field service triage, choosing the most probable swappable part streamlines resolution.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Customer hears normal spin-up noises and sees chassis lights.
• No image appears on the monitor; assume the monitor and cable have already been checked or are less likely than the internal GPU.
• The system uses a discrete video card (common in desktop PCs of the exam context).

Concept / Approach:
No video with power present often indicates a failed or poorly seated graphics card, bad video memory on the GPU, or a dead output stage. While motherboard issues can also cause no video, statistically and logistically, a spare video card is the most efficient part to bring and test first. Storage devices do not affect POST video; the system should still show BIOS screens even without a hard drive.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
POST beeps or diagnostic LEDs often indicate a video error code. Testing with onboard graphics (if available) can also isolate a discrete card failure quickly.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Hard drive: Irrelevant to initial video; POST screen should appear without a disk.
• Power cable: Power is already present; not the root cause.
• Power supply: Could be bad under load, but fans/lights suggest basic function; a GPU swap is a more targeted first step.
• None of the above: Incorrect because a video card swap is a standard diagnostic step.

Common Pitfalls:
Overlooking onboard graphics settings, leaving monitor input on the wrong source, or ignoring beep codes that point directly to the graphics subsystem.

Final Answer:
video card