hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: A user's Windows 10 laptop fails to boot and…
A user's Windows 10 laptop fails to boot and shows 'INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE' blue screen error. The technician suspects a recent driver update for the storage controller. Which recovery environment command can be used to disable the problematic driver from loading?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'bcdedit' with 'bootrec' commands, assuming 'bootrec /fixboot' or 'chkdsk' can resolve driver-related boot failures, when in fact only Safe Mode or driver rollback via the recovery environment addresses the root cause.
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
✓
Run 'bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal' from the recovery command prompt.
The 'INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE' error often occurs after a faulty storage controller driver update. Booting into Safe Mode with minimal drivers can bypass the problematic driver. The command 'bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal' configures the boot loader to start Windows in Safe Mode on the next restart, loading only essential drivers and services, which allows the technician to roll back or uninstall the offending driver.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Run 'bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal' from the recovery command prompt.
Why this is correct
The 'bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal' command modifies the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, instructing the Windows Boot Manager to load the operating system in Safe Mode on the next startup. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and services, effectively bypassing potentially corrupted or incompatible drivers that are preventing a normal boot. This allows a technician to access the system, diagnose the problematic driver, and perform necessary repairs like driver rollback, uninstallation, or system restore.
- ✗
Run 'diskpart' and then 'clean' to wipe the disk.
Why it's wrong here
Running 'diskpart' followed by the 'clean' command is an extremely destructive action that erases all partitioning, volume, and data signatures from the selected disk. This operation completely wipes the disk, making all existing data unrecoverable and rendering the system unbootable without a full reinstallation. It is not a a troubleshooting step for a boot failure, but rather a preparation step for a fresh installation or secure data disposal.
- ✗
Run 'chkdsk /f' to fix file system errors.
Why it's wrong here
The 'chkdsk /f' command is designed to scan the integrity of the file system on a volume and attempt to fix any logical errors it finds, such as corrupted files, lost clusters, or bad sectors. While crucial for resolving file system corruption, it does not address issues related to problematic device drivers preventing Windows from loading correctly. A driver-related boot failure occurs at a higher level of the boot process, after the file system has typically been accessed.
- ✗
Run 'bootrec /fixboot' to repair the boot sector.
Why it's wrong here
The 'bootrec /fixboot' command writes a new boot sector to the system partition, which is essential for initiating the Windows boot process. This command is effective for repairing a corrupted or missing boot sector, or when the boot manager cannot find the operating system. However, it does not resolve issues stemming from problematic drivers that cause the operating system to crash *after* the initial boot process has successfully handed off control to Windows.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Windows Editions and Features
Key term
Windows 10
Windows 10 is a personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft that combines the familiarity of Windows 7 with the modern features of Windows 8, designed to run on a wide range of devices from desktops to tablets.
Key term
Safe Mode
Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode in operating systems that loads only essential drivers and services, allowing users to troubleshoot and fix problems caused by non-critical software or hardware.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.