easyMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: A customer reports that their new SSD is not…
A customer reports that their new SSD is not detected by the BIOS. The drive is properly connected to the SATA port and power supply. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1201 often tests basic hardware troubleshooting, and candidates may jump to software solutions like Disk Management initialization, forgetting that BIOS detection is a prerequisite.
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 SATA cable is faulty.
The most likely cause is a faulty SATA cable. Even if the drive is properly connected, a damaged or defective cable can prevent the BIOS from detecting the drive. This is a common hardware issue that should be checked first before assuming more complex problems.
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 SATA cable is faulty.
Why this is correct
A faulty SATA data cable is a very common cause for a storage drive, including an SSD, not being detected by the BIOS. Even if the drive is receiving power, a damaged or improperly seated data cable prevents the necessary communication between the SSD and the motherboard's SATA controller. Without this data pathway, the BIOS cannot enumerate the drive, making it appear as if no drive is connected at all, despite being physically present.
- ✗
The SSD needs to be initialized in Disk Management.
Why it's wrong here
Disk Management is an operating system utility used to partition, format, and initialize storage devices *after* they have been successfully detected by the system's BIOS/UEFI firmware. If the BIOS does not detect the SSD, the operating system, and consequently Disk Management, will not be able to see or interact with the drive. Therefore, initialization is a post-detection step, not a remedy for a drive that is entirely absent from the BIOS's hardware inventory.
- ✗
The power supply unit is insufficient.
Why it's wrong here
An insufficient power supply unit (PSU) typically manifests as broader system instability, random reboots, or a complete failure to power on, especially under load. While a drive requires power, if other components and drives are functioning correctly, it's highly improbable that the PSU is precisely "insufficient" only for a single, low-power SSD to the point of complete non-detection by the BIOS. A complete lack of detection points to a specific connection issue rather than a general power deficit.
- ✗
The SSD is incompatible with the motherboard.
Why it's wrong here
Most modern SSDs utilize standard interfaces like SATA III or NVMe (M.2), which are widely supported by motherboards manufactured within the last decade. True incompatibility, where a motherboard physically cannot connect or logically cannot communicate with a standard SSD, is rare. If the SSD is not detected by the BIOS, it's more likely a basic connection or power issue than a fundamental interface mismatch, especially if other drives are working correctly.
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Related to this question
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Common Ports and Protocols for A+
Key term
BIOS
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the low-level firmware stored on a motherboard chip that initializes and tests hardware components before loading the operating system.
Key term
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) is a computer bus interface used to connect storage devices like hard drives and solid-state drives to a computer's motherboard.
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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
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