220-1101 Question 289
Single answerx86/x64A technician is upgrading an older office workstation that currently runs a 32-bit version of Windows 10 and has 4 GB of RAM installed. The user needs to run a new accounting application that requires a 64-bit operating system, and management wants the PC upgraded to 8 GB of RAM at the same time. The CPU supports x64 instructions. Which action should the technician take FIRST to ensure the upgrade will work as planned?
- A
Verify that the motherboard and chipset support more than 4 GB of RAM and that 64-bit drivers are available for the hardware
- B
Install the additional RAM and enable PAE so the 32-bit operating system can use all 8 GB
- C
Upgrade the existing 32-bit Windows installation in place to a 64-bit edition without reinstalling applications
- D
Change the CPU architecture setting in BIOS from x86 to x64 and then install the application
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests practical x86/x64 upgrade planning. In a real A+ Core 1 scenario, a technician must recognize that CPU support alone is not enough for a successful 64-bit migration. The correct first step is validating platform support: motherboard/chipset RAM capacity, compatibility with a 64-bit operating system, and especially the availability of 64-bit drivers. Microsoft documents that moving from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version requires a clean installation rather than an in-place upgrade. It is also a best practice to verify hardware vendor documentation for memory limits and driver availability before purchasing RAM or scheduling the migration. While 32-bit systems have memory-addressing limitations, the application's stated requirement for a 64-bit OS makes a true x64 deployment necessary.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Even if the CPU supports x64, the technician must confirm the rest of the platform can support the planned upgrade. In a real deployment, that means checking motherboard/chipset memory limits and ensuring 64-bit drivers exist for critical components such as storage, network, video, and printers. A 64-bit OS can address more memory than a 32-bit OS, but the hardware and driver ecosystem must support it for a successful migration.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Physical Address Extension (PAE) is not the right solution here. Standard 32-bit client versions of Windows still have practical memory limits and do not provide the same benefit as moving to a 64-bit OS for this scenario. More importantly, the accounting application specifically requires a 64-bit operating system, so simply adding RAM and relying on PAE does not meet the software requirement.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A 32-bit Windows installation cannot be directly upgraded in place to a 64-bit installation. Moving from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows requires a clean installation, followed by reinstalling applications and restoring data. This option reflects a common misconception that architecture changes can be handled like a normal edition upgrade.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. There is no standard BIOS setting that converts a system from x86 to x64 operation in this way. CPU architecture support is determined by the processor design, not by toggling a simple firmware option. If the CPU supports x64, the main requirement is installing a compatible 64-bit operating system and having appropriate hardware support and drivers.