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220-1201 Practice Question: That their PC sometimes fails to boot, and when…
A user reports that their PC sometimes fails to boot, and when it does, they see a message saying 'Memory Management Error.' They have two 4 GB sticks of DDR3 RAM installed. A technician runs Windows Memory Diagnostic and finds errors on one stick. What should the technician do next?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Replace the faulty RAM stick with a new one of the same specifications.
Once a memory diagnostic confirms errors on a specific module, the correct next step is to replace the faulty stick. Running the system with faulty RAM can lead to data corruption and crashes. The technician should identify the bad module (often by testing one at a time) and replace it with a compatible module.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Run a full system restore to fix the memory management error.
Why it's wrong here
Running a full system restore is designed to revert system files, registry settings, and installed programs to a previous state, primarily addressing software-related issues, driver conflicts, or operating system corruption. It does not possess the capability to diagnose, repair, or replace physical hardware components. Since the diagnostic has confirmed a specific hardware fault with the RAM, a system restore would be ineffective and inappropriate for this type of problem.
- ✗
Update the motherboard BIOS to improve memory compatibility.
Why it's wrong here
Updating the motherboard BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) can sometimes resolve memory compatibility issues, improve system stability, or add support for newer hardware. However, a BIOS update cannot repair a physically defective RAM module that has been diagnosed with errors. The diagnostic indicates a hardware failure within the RAM stick itself, which is beyond the scope of a firmware update to correct.
- ✓
Replace the faulty RAM stick with a new one of the same specifications.
Why this is correct
When diagnostic tools confirm a specific RAM module is faulty, the most direct and effective solution is to replace the defective hardware. Installing a new RAM stick with identical specifications (e.g., DDR generation, speed, capacity, and voltage) ensures system stability and optimal performance, as it directly addresses the identified hardware failure rather than attempting to mitigate symptoms.
- ✗
Remove both sticks and clean the contacts with a pencil eraser.
Why it's wrong here
Cleaning RAM contacts with a pencil eraser or isopropyl alcohol is a valid troubleshooting step for intermittent connectivity issues caused by dust, oxidation, or poor seating. However, since a diagnostic tool has already confirmed specific errors on one particular RAM stick, this indicates an internal hardware failure within the module itself. Cleaning the external contacts will not resolve an internal component defect.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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