The answer is that the second M.2 slot only supports SATA SSDs, not NVMe. This is because M.2 slots are not universally compatible; they can be wired for different interfaces—either SATA or PCIe (which NVMe uses)—and a slot that only supports SATA lacks the necessary PCIe lanes to communicate with an NVMe drive. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of M.2 slot keying and interface limitations, often appearing as a trap where a technician assumes all M.2 slots are identical. A common mistake is overlooking the motherboard manual’s specification for each slot, especially when building a workstation for video editing where NVMe speed is critical. To remember: think of the M.2 slot as a physical key—NVMe drives use the M key, while SATA-only slots often use the B+M key, but even then, the electrical wiring must match. A quick memory tip: “NVMe needs PCIe lanes; a SATA-only slot has none.”
220-1201 Storage and RAID Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of storage and raid troubleshooting. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is building a workstation for video editing and needs to install two M.2 NVMe SSDs. The motherboard has one M.2 slot that supports both SATA and NVMe, and another that supports only SATA. When the technician installs both drives, only the NVMe drive is detected. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The second M.2 slot only supports SATA SSDs, not NVMe.
M.2 slots can have different interface support. If one slot only supports SATA, an NVMe SSD will not be recognized. This tests knowledge of M.2 slot compatibility.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The NVMe drive is not properly seated.
Why it's wrong here
Improper seating would cause both drives to potentially fail, but only the NVMe is detected.
✓
The second M.2 slot only supports SATA SSDs, not NVMe.
Why this is correct
Correct. Many motherboards have M.2 slots limited to SATA; NVMe drives require PCIe lanes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The BIOS needs to be updated.
Why it's wrong here
A BIOS update might add support, but the most direct cause is slot incompatibility.
✗
The SATA SSD is defective.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, the more likely issue is the slot limitation, as the NVMe drive works fine.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Storage and RAID Troubleshooting — This question tests Storage and RAID Troubleshooting — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The second M.2 slot only supports SATA SSDs, not NVMe. — M.2 slots can have different interface support. If one slot only supports SATA, an NVMe SSD will not be recognized. This tests knowledge of M.2 slot compatibility.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1201 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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