Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) Practice Exam

When a user connects a laptop to an HDMI distribution amplifier and only one monitor works, what is the likely cause?

1. Faulty HDMI cable

2. Power supply issue

3. EDID

4. Graphics driver problem

The correct answer is: EDID

The likely cause of only one monitor working when a laptop is connected to an HDMI distribution amplifier is related to EDID, which stands for Extended Display Identification Data. EDID is a data structure provided by a display to describe its capabilities to a video source, such as a laptop. In a scenario where multiple monitors are being used, the HDMI distribution amplifier might only be able to read the EDID from one of the connected displays. This can limit the laptop's output to just the capabilities of that particular monitor, allowing only one monitor to function correctly. If the EDID information cannot be properly read or is not communicated effectively to the laptop, it may not send the appropriate signals or resolutions to the other connected displays. Recognizing the role of EDID in this situation highlights its critical function in managing multiple displays. Each monitor’s unique EDID informs the source device what resolution, refresh rate, and color formats are supported, allowing it to configure itself accordingly. If there’s an issue with EDID or communication through the amplifier, this could explain why only one monitor is functioning. While the other options like faulty HDMI cables, power supply issues, or graphics driver problems could potentially cause issues in different contexts, they do not specifically address the scenario of the