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220-1201 Practice Question: A small business owner wants to add a second…
A small business owner wants to add a second internal hard drive to a desktop computer for nightly backups. The existing drive is a 2.5-inch SATA SSD. The motherboard has one free SATA port and one free power connector from the PSU. Which type of drive should the technician install to maximize compatibility and reliability?
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
✓
A 3.5-inch SATA HDD
This question tests basic knowledge of SATA interfaces and form factor compatibility. A 3.5-inch SATA HDD is the standard choice for bulk storage in a desktop, and it uses the same SATA data and power connectors as the existing SSD. The other options either have incompatible connectors or are not standard internal drives.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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A 2.5-inch SATA HDD
Why it's wrong here
While a 2.5-inch SATA HDD would work, it is less common for desktops and typically offers lower capacity per dollar than a 3.5-inch drive. The question asks for the best choice, and a 3.5-inch drive is more standard for desktop backup.
- ✓
A 3.5-inch SATA HDD
Why this is correct
A 3.5-inch SATA HDD is the optimal choice for a desktop backup drive because it utilizes the standard SATA data and power connectors, ensuring direct compatibility with the motherboard's free SATA port. Its larger form factor is designed for desktop cases, offering significantly higher storage capacities at a lower cost per gigabyte compared to smaller drives. This makes it ideal for implementing nightly backups without requiring additional adapters or specialized slots.
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An M.2 SATA SSD
Why it's wrong here
An M.2 SATA SSD is incompatible because it requires a dedicated M.2 slot on the motherboard, which is a different physical interface than a standard SATA port. While it uses the SATA protocol, its M.2 form factor connects directly to the motherboard via a specialized slot, not through a SATA data cable. Since the motherboard only has a free SATA port, this drive cannot be physically installed or connected.
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A 2.5-inch PATA (IDE) HDD
Why it's wrong here
A 2.5-inch PATA (IDE) HDD is entirely incompatible with modern motherboards that feature only SATA ports. PATA drives utilize a wide 40-pin or 80-pin ribbon cable for data transfer and a 4-pin Molex connector for power, which are distinct from the narrow SATA data and power cables. The absence of PATA controllers and physical connectors on contemporary motherboards renders this drive unusable in the described system.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Motherboard Components and Form Factors
Key term
HDD
A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a data storage device that uses spinning magnetic disks to read and write digital information.
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 by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.