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220-1201 Practice Question: A customer complains that their external USB 3.0…
A customer complains that their external USB 3.0 hard drive is only transferring files at USB 2.0 speeds (about 30-40 MB/s). They have confirmed the drive supports USB 3.0. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests the misconception that filesystem format (FAT32) or drivers cause slow USB transfers, when the physical cable's SuperSpeed pairs are the usual culprit.
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
✓
The USB cable is only rated for USB 2.0.
USB 3.0 requires a SuperSpeed-capable cable with the additional data pairs; a USB 2.0-only cable physically fits the connector but lacks those pairs, so the link negotiates down to High Speed (480 Mbps, ~30-40 MB/s). The drive and port may both be 3.0-capable, but the cable is the bottleneck. Swapping to a certified USB 3.0 (or better) cable restores SuperSpeed throughput.
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 external drive is failing and needs to be replaced.
Why it's wrong here
A failing external drive typically exhibits symptoms far more severe than merely slower transfer speeds. Users would commonly encounter read/write errors, frequent disconnections, the drive failing to mount consistently, or even complete data corruption. A consistent, albeit reduced, transfer rate strongly suggests a bottleneck in the connection rather than an imminent hardware failure of the storage device itself.
- ✓
The USB cable is only rated for USB 2.0.
Why this is correct
This is the correct explanation because USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed) requires additional data lines within the cable to achieve its significantly higher transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps. A USB 2.0 cable lacks these extra wires, physically preventing the SuperSpeed data pathways from being utilized, even if both the host port and the device are USB 3.0 compatible. Consequently, the connection defaults to the maximum speed supported by the cable, which is USB 2.0's 480 Mbps.
- ✗
The drive is formatted with FAT32, which limits transfer speeds.
Why it's wrong here
FAT32 is an older file system primarily limited by its maximum individual file size of 4 GB and a maximum partition size of 2 TB, not by its inherent impact on data transfer speed. While file system overhead exists for any format, FAT32 does not introduce a significant bottleneck that would reduce a USB 3.0 connection to USB 2.0 speeds. Other factors, such as fragmentation or drive health, would more likely affect speed than the file system type itself.
- ✗
The computer's USB drivers are outdated.
Why it's wrong here
Outdated or corrupted USB drivers typically manifest as devices failing to be recognized, operating erratically, or generating error messages within the operating system. While drivers are crucial for proper device communication, they are unlikely to cause a consistent, but slower, transfer speed for a device that is otherwise functioning. A consistent speed reduction points more towards a physical limitation or protocol mismatch rather than a software driver preventing the device from operating at its intended speed.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Network Cable Types: Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat8
Key term
Universal Serial Bus
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a standard interface that allows you to connect devices like keyboards, mice, storage drives, and printers to a computer for data transfer and power delivery.
Key term
Throughput
Throughput is the rate at which data is successfully transferred from one point to another over a network, typically measured in bits per second.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.