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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is tasked with upgrading a…
A technician is tasked with upgrading a workstation that uses DDR3 RAM. The technician purchases DDR3L modules (low voltage) and installs them. The system fails to boot. What is the most likely reason?
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 motherboard does not support the lower voltage of DDR3L.
DDR3L modules operate at 1.35V, while standard DDR3 operates at 1.5V. Many older motherboards do not support DDR3L, or they require specific BIOS settings to handle the lower voltage. The technician should verify motherboard compatibility before installation.
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 DDR3L modules are physically incompatible with DDR3 slots.
Why it's wrong here
DDR3L modules are designed to be physically compatible with standard DDR3 slots. Both memory types share the same 240-pin DIMM form factor and the identical notch position on the module, preventing incorrect insertion based on physical design. Therefore, a physical incompatibility is not the reason for a system not booting when DDR3L is installed in a DDR3 slot.
- ✓
The motherboard does not support the lower voltage of DDR3L.
Why this is correct
Many older motherboards designed exclusively for standard DDR3 (1.5V) may lack the necessary voltage regulation circuitry or BIOS support to properly supply and stabilize the lower 1.35V required by DDR3L modules. This voltage mismatch can prevent the memory from initializing correctly, leading to system boot failures or instability. The motherboard's inability to provide the correct operating voltage is a common cause of incompatibility in such scenarios.
- ✗
The technician installed the modules in the wrong slots.
Why it's wrong here
While installing RAM modules in incorrect slots can cause issues such as the system failing to boot or operating in single-channel mode instead of dual-channel, this problem is distinct from a voltage incompatibility. Incorrect slot placement typically relates to channel configuration or specific slot requirements, not the fundamental power delivery to the memory itself. The system might still attempt to power the modules, but fail to recognize them or utilize them optimally.
- ✗
The DDR3L modules are defective.
Why it's wrong here
While it is always possible for new hardware components to be defective, it is less likely to be the primary cause when a specific type of memory (DDR3L) is being introduced into an older system designed for standard DDR3. Given the known voltage differences between DDR3 and DDR3L, a compatibility issue related to power requirements is a more probable and specific explanation for boot failure than a general manufacturing defect. Troubleshooting should prioritize compatibility before assuming a defect.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Motherboard Components and Form Factors
Key term
Motherboard
The main circuit board inside a computer that connects all components so they can communicate with each other and receive power.
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.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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