220-1101 Hardware Practice Question
A technician installs a new M.2 NVMe SSD in a desktop computer that previously only had a SATA HDD and boots from it. After installation, the BIOS does not list the M.2 drive in the storage devices or boot menu. The technician has already reseated the M.2 drive. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often jump to compatibility or formatting issues, but the BIOS not listing the drive at all points to a hardware-level disable or connection problem, not a software or partition 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 M.2 slot is disabled in the BIOS settings
The BIOS not listing the M.2 drive after reseating indicates the slot may be disabled in the BIOS settings. Many motherboards have a dedicated M.2 slot enable/disable option, often found under 'Peripherals' or 'Onboard Devices Configuration'. Disabling the slot prevents the BIOS from detecting the drive entirely, even if the drive is properly seated and powered.
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 M.2 slot is disabled in the BIOS settings
Why this is correct
Some motherboards allow the M.2 slot to be turned off in the BIOS. If it is disabled, the system will not detect the drive. Entering the BIOS and enabling the M.2 slot is the next logical step after reseating.
- ✗
The M.2 drive is not compatible with the motherboard
Why it's wrong here
Compatibility should be verified before installation. If the drive is an NVMe SSD and the motherboard has an M.2 slot that supports NVMe (via PCIe), it should be compatible. Checking compatibility is important but should have been done earlier; now that it's installed, checking BIOS settings is more immediate.
- ✗
The system needs a BIOS update
Why it's wrong here
A BIOS update might be needed for compatibility, but this is not the first step. The technician should first check if the slot is enabled or if any simple setting is causing the issue. A BIOS update should be considered after more basic checks.
- ✗
The M.2 drive is not partitioned or formatted
Why it's wrong here
The BIOS should detect the drive regardless of its partition/format status. The drive appears as a physical device in the BIOS even if it is uninitialized. If the BIOS doesn't list it, the issue is at a lower level (connectivity or BIOS settings).
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
BIOS/UEFI Update Procedures
Key term
Solid-state Drive
A solid-state drive (SSD) is a storage device that uses flash memory to save data permanently, with no moving parts, making it much faster and more durable than a traditional hard disk drive.
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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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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