220-1101 Question 257
Single answer3.5 Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards.A technician is upgrading a desktop workstation used for video editing. The system has a full-size ATX motherboard with one PCIe x16 slot already populated by a graphics card, two PCIe x1 slots, and one open PCIe x4 slot. The user needs to add a high-speed NVMe expansion card that requires a PCIe x4 connection. After installing the card in a PCIe x1 slot because it was physically accessible, the system does not detect the new device. Which of the following is the BEST action for the technician to take?
- A
Move the NVMe expansion card to the open PCIe x4 slot and verify it is fully seated
- B
Replace the motherboard because PCIe x1 slots cannot support add-on cards
- C
Install additional RAM so the motherboard can detect the NVMe expansion card
- D
Connect a SATA data cable from the NVMe expansion card to the motherboard
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests practical installation and configuration of add-on cards on a motherboard, specifically matching card requirements to available motherboard expansion slots. In real-world PC upgrades, technicians must verify both physical fit and electrical compatibility. A PCIe x4 NVMe expansion card should be installed in a slot that provides enough PCIe lanes, such as a x4, x8, or x16 slot, depending on motherboard support. Installing it in a x1 slot can prevent proper operation or detection because the slot does not meet the card's lane requirements. Best practices include reviewing the motherboard manual for slot capabilities, checking for lane-sharing limitations, and ensuring the card is fully seated before troubleshooting further. These are standard hardware installation steps aligned with A+ Core 1 objectives for motherboards, CPUs, and add-on cards.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A PCIe x4 NVMe expansion card requires sufficient PCIe lane connectivity to function properly. Installing it in an appropriate slot, such as the available PCIe x4 slot, is the best next step. The technician should also confirm the card is fully seated, since improper seating is a common cause of detection failures after installing add-on cards.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. PCIe x1 slots absolutely can support many types of add-on cards, such as network adapters, sound cards, and USB expansion cards. The issue is not that the slot type is invalid for all add-on cards, but that this particular NVMe expansion card requires more PCIe lanes than a x1 slot provides.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. System memory does not determine whether a PCIe storage expansion card is detected by the motherboard. Someone might choose this option if they confuse general system performance upgrades with hardware detection issues, but RAM capacity is unrelated to proper PCIe slot selection for an NVMe add-on card.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. NVMe drives on a PCIe expansion card communicate over the PCIe bus, not through a SATA data connection. This distractor targets a common misconception between SATA-based M.2 storage and NVMe PCIe-based storage. An NVMe expansion card does not need a SATA data cable to the motherboard.