220-1102 Software Troubleshooting Practice Question
A user reports that a Windows 10 Pro workstation crashes with a blue screen error 'MEMORY_MANAGEMENT' shortly after logging in. The technician has already run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM, both reporting no corruption, and has updated all drivers. The technician now suspects faulty RAM. Which built-in Windows tool should the technician use to check for memory problems?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse Driver Verifier (a driver stress tool) with a memory diagnostic, or assume Performance Monitor can detect hardware faults, when in fact only Windows Memory Diagnostic directly tests RAM at the hardware level.
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
✓
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Windows Memory Diagnostic (WMD) is the built-in tool specifically designed to test for physical RAM issues, such as those causing the MEMORY_MANAGEMENT bug check (0x1A). It runs a series of read/write and pattern tests on the system memory outside of the normal Windows environment, which is essential because the crash occurs shortly after login, indicating a potential hardware fault. Since SFC, DISM, and driver updates have already been exhausted, WMD is the correct next step to isolate faulty RAM.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Why this is correct
Windows Memory Diagnostic is the correct built-in utility for testing physical RAM. Run via MdSched.exe or from Administrative Tools, it schedules a pre-boot memory scan using advanced algorithms like MATS+ and INVC. It detects even subtle hardware faults that cause blue screens from memory corruption, and results appear in the Windows event log after reboot.
- ✗
Reliable Memory Technology (RMT) checker
Why it's wrong here
Reliable Memory Technology (RMT) checker is not a separate Windows diagnostic tool. RMT is an Intel/AMD CPU feature that handles memory error correction, mirroring, and sparing at the hardware level for critical servers. It isn't something you execute from a Windows 10 Pro system to investigate a crash, so it's an incorrect choice.
- ✗
Performance Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Performance Monitor (PerfMon) tracks resource usage and performance counters, such as % Committed Bytes and Page Faults/sec, but it cannot perform a physical memory test. It only reports software-visible metrics or bottlenecks; it won't detect defective RAM chips or access patterns that trigger a blue screen. Thus it is the wrong tool for this hardware issue.
- ✗
Driver Verifier
Why it's wrong here
Driver Verifier is a stress-testing tool for kernel-mode drivers, not for physical memory. It purposely forces drivers into invalid I/O requests, pool allocation failures, and bad IRQL levels to expose programming bugs. While driver errors can cause blue screens, Driver Verifier does not analyze or test RAM hardware, so it's incorrect for this crash cause.
Go deeper
Related to this question
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Key term
Dual In-line Memory Module
A Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM) is a small circuit board that holds memory chips and plugs into a computer's motherboard to provide Random Access Memory (RAM).
Key term
Windows
Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft that manages computer hardware and software, providing a graphical user interface for users to interact with their devices.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1102 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 220-1102 exam.