220-1101 Question 401
Single answerGrinding noisesA user reports that their desktop PC has started making a loud grinding noise during startup and while opening large files. The system occasionally freezes for a few seconds, and the technician notices the noise is coming from the front drive bay area. Which action should the technician take FIRST?
- A
Back up the user's data immediately and plan to replace the failing hard disk drive
- B
Run a memory diagnostic because faulty RAM often causes grinding noises during file access
- C
Update the storage controller driver to stop the mechanical noise from the drive subsystem
- D
Increase the system's virtual memory because low paging space can cause drive grinding sounds
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
In A+ Core 1 troubleshooting, unusual noises are key physical symptoms. A grinding noise from the drive bay on a system using a traditional HDD typically indicates mechanical failure, such as worn bearings, spindle problems, or head/platter issues. When that symptom is accompanied by freezing during file access, the technician should treat the drive as failing and prioritize an immediate backup before the drive becomes unreadable. After data protection, the correct remediation is drive replacement. This aligns with common manufacturer and industry best practices for failing HDDs: stop unnecessary use, secure data, verify drive health if possible using SMART or vendor diagnostics, and replace the unit rather than attempting software-only fixes.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A loud grinding noise from the drive bay, especially combined with freezes during file access, strongly suggests a failing mechanical hard disk drive. The first priority is protecting user data by performing a backup if the drive is still accessible, then replacing the drive. This matches standard troubleshooting best practices: identify probable hardware failure, prevent data loss, and replace the faulty component.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Bad RAM can cause crashes, memory errors, or boot issues, but it does not create a mechanical grinding noise. A candidate might choose this because the system is freezing, but the physical noise and location in the drive bay point to storage hardware, not memory.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A driver issue can affect drive performance or detection, but it will not cause a true grinding sound. This distractor reflects a common mistake of trying software fixes first when there is clear evidence of a physical hardware problem.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Low virtual memory can cause sluggish performance and excessive disk activity, but it does not produce a mechanical grinding noise. The misconception here is confusing normal disk access with abnormal physical noises that indicate hardware failure.