220-1102 Question 75
Single answerUnified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)A technician replaces a failed motherboard in a Windows 11 workstation. After the repair, the system powers on but displays a message stating that no bootable device is found. The SSD is detected in firmware, and the user confirms the system was working before the motherboard replacement. In the firmware setup utility, the technician notices the system is currently configured for Legacy/CSM boot. What should the technician do FIRST to restore normal boot operation?
- A
Change the firmware boot mode from Legacy/CSM to UEFI and verify that Windows Boot Manager is listed in the boot order
- B
Disable TPM because Windows 11 cannot boot when TPM settings change after a motherboard replacement
- C
Convert the SSD from GPT to MBR so the system can boot in Legacy mode
- D
Reinstall Windows 11 because changing the motherboard prevents UEFI systems from using the existing boot files
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests practical understanding of UEFI boot behavior after hardware changes. In real support situations, replacing a motherboard can reset firmware settings, including boot mode. A Windows installation configured for UEFI typically uses a GPT disk and boots through an EFI System Partition, with the firmware presenting an entry such as Windows Boot Manager. If the replacement motherboard defaults to Legacy/CSM mode, the firmware may not detect the UEFI bootloader even though the SSD is present. The correct first action is to restore UEFI boot mode and check the boot order for Windows Boot Manager. This aligns with Microsoft's Windows 11 platform requirements, which specify UEFI firmware support, and with standard UEFI boot design used on modern systems.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Windows 11 systems are designed to use UEFI boot, and a system installed in UEFI mode typically uses a GPT-formatted disk with boot files stored in the EFI System Partition. After a motherboard replacement, firmware settings may revert to defaults such as Legacy/CSM mode, which can prevent the firmware from recognizing the existing UEFI bootloader. Switching back to UEFI mode and confirming that Windows Boot Manager appears in the boot order is the most appropriate first step.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. TPM is related to security features such as Windows 11 requirements, BitLocker, and device attestation, but TPM settings do not normally determine whether the firmware can locate a valid bootloader on a detected SSD. A TPM change may trigger BitLocker recovery in some environments, but it would not typically cause the firmware itself to report that no bootable device exists.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Converting the disk from GPT to MBR would be counterproductive and risky. Windows 11 requires UEFI firmware, and standard Windows 11 installations boot from GPT disks. Changing a working GPT disk to MBR would break the existing installation rather than restore it. This option reflects the misconception that Legacy mode should be matched by changing the disk instead of correcting the firmware settings.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Reinstalling Windows is not the first or best step. In this scenario, the SSD is detected and the likely issue is firmware boot mode mismatch after the motherboard replacement. Existing UEFI boot files often remain intact, and correcting the firmware configuration usually resolves the problem without reinstalling the operating system.