220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user's Windows 11 laptop has become extremely slow, and Task Manager shows constant 100% disk usage with very low actual read/write throughput. The drive is a SATA SSD, and the system is fully updated. A technician notices the drive is using the standard Microsoft AHCI driver. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is jumping to hardware failure when the symptom of high active time with low throughput more specifically points to a storage driver or controller configuration issue.
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 drive is using the wrong storage controller driver, causing high latency.
High disk active time with almost no throughput on a SATA SSD often stems from the storage controller driver. The generic Microsoft AHCI driver may not handle the drive's queuing and power features efficiently, causing latency. Installing the correct chipset or storage driver from the system or motherboard vendor is the most likely fix, after confirming SMART health is good.
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 paging file is disabled, forcing excessive disk access.
Why it's wrong here
A disabled paging file can cause memory pressure and more disk activity, but it would not typically produce constant 100% active time with near-zero throughput on an SSD. The symptom points to storage subsystem latency, not memory management, and the paging file setting is not the most likely cause here.
- ✗
The SSD is failing and should be replaced immediately.
Why it's wrong here
An SSD can fail, but sudden 100% disk usage with low throughput on a healthy, updated system more often indicates a driver or service issue. Replacing the drive before checking SMART data and the storage driver is premature and expensive, and it may not resolve the symptom if the root cause is software.
- ✗
Windows Search indexing is still building its initial index.
Why it's wrong here
Initial indexing does cause heavy disk activity, but it normally completes within hours and would show measurable throughput. On an already-running system that is fully updated, persistent 100% active time with very low throughput is not consistent with indexing and instead suggests a driver or controller problem.
- ✓
The drive is using the wrong storage controller driver, causing high latency.
Why this is correct
When a SATA SSD runs on the generic Microsoft AHCI driver instead of the vendor's optimized driver, or when the controller mode changed after an update, latency can spike and queue depth suffers, producing 100% active time with minimal throughput. Installing the correct chipset or storage driver from the manufacturer typically resolves this.
Go deeper
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Linux File System Structure
Key term
Windows 11
Windows 11 is Microsoft's latest desktop operating system, offering a redesigned interface, enhanced security features, and improved support for modern hardware.
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
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.