- A
Check if the SATA controller is set to AHCI mode.
Why wrong: AHCI mode is for SATA drives, not NVMe. NVMe drives use their own protocol and do not depend on SATA controller settings. This would not affect NVMe boot.
- B
Check if the boot mode is set to UEFI and the drive is partitioned with GPT.
NVMe drives require UEFI boot mode and a GPT partition table. If the system is in legacy BIOS (CSM) mode or the drive is MBR, the system will detect the drive but not boot from it.
- C
Check if the M.2 slot is configured to use SATA or PCIe lanes in the BIOS.
Why wrong: While some motherboards allow switching M.2 slots between SATA and PCIe modes, if the drive is detected, the slot is already configured correctly. This is not the issue.
- D
Check if the drive has been initialized with a Master Boot Record (MBR).
Why wrong: MBR is used for legacy BIOS booting. NVMe drives require GPT for UEFI boot. If the drive is MBR, it will not boot, but the correct fix is to use GPT, not MBR.
220-1101 Storage Devices Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of storage devices. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 troubleshooting a desktop that will not boot from a brand new M.2 NVMe SSD. The drive is detected in the BIOS/UEFI, but the system skips it and tries to boot from other devices. The technician has already verified that the drive is properly seated and the BIOS is up to date. What should the technician check next?
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
Check if the boot mode is set to UEFI and the drive is partitioned with GPT.
This question tests advanced knowledge of UEFI boot settings. When an NVMe drive is detected but not bootable, the issue is often that the drive is not partitioned with a GUID Partition Table (GPT) or that the system is in legacy BIOS (CSM) mode. NVMe drives require UEFI boot mode and a GPT partition table to boot.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Check if the SATA controller is set to AHCI mode.
Why it's wrong here
AHCI mode is for SATA drives, not NVMe. NVMe drives use their own protocol and do not depend on SATA controller settings. This would not affect NVMe boot.
- ✓
Check if the boot mode is set to UEFI and the drive is partitioned with GPT.
Why this is correct
NVMe drives require UEFI boot mode and a GPT partition table. If the system is in legacy BIOS (CSM) mode or the drive is MBR, the system will detect the drive but not boot from it.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Check if the M.2 slot is configured to use SATA or PCIe lanes in the BIOS.
Why it's wrong here
While some motherboards allow switching M.2 slots between SATA and PCIe modes, if the drive is detected, the slot is already configured correctly. This is not the issue.
- ✗
Check if the drive has been initialized with a Master Boot Record (MBR).
Why it's wrong here
MBR is used for legacy BIOS booting. NVMe drives require GPT for UEFI boot. If the drive is MBR, it will not boot, but the correct fix is to use GPT, not MBR.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Storage Devices — study guide chapter
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Storage Devices practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Storage Devices — This question tests Storage Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check if the boot mode is set to UEFI and the drive is partitioned with GPT. — This question tests advanced knowledge of UEFI boot settings. When an NVMe drive is detected but not bootable, the issue is often that the drive is not partitioned with a GUID Partition Table (GPT) or that the system is in legacy BIOS (CSM) mode. NVMe drives require UEFI boot mode and a GPT partition table to boot.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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