FC0-U71 Tech Concepts and Terminology Practice Question
A technician is troubleshooting a computer that fails to boot. The technician suspects corrupted firmware. Which component stores the firmware that initializes hardware during boot?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing the CMOS battery/CMOS chip (which stores settings and time) with the ROM/flash chip (which stores the firmware code), causing candidates to select the CMOS battery when asked where firmware resides.
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
✓
ROM chip on motherboard
Firmware that initializes hardware during boot (BIOS/UEFI) is stored in a ROM chip on the motherboard, typically a flash EEPROM or SPI flash chip. This non-volatile memory retains the firmware even when power is removed, allowing the system to begin the boot process.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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RAM
Why it's wrong here
RAM holds running programs and data transiently and loses contents on power loss, so it cannot store boot firmware. It is tempting because faulty memory also prevents booting, and testing or reseating RAM is correct when the failure is random crashes rather than firmware corruption.
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Hard drive
Why it's wrong here
The hard drive stores the operating system and user data; firmware initialising hardware resides on the motherboard. It is tempting because a failing drive also causes boot failure, and diagnosing or replacing it is correct when the boot loader or OS installation is corrupt.
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ROM chip on motherboard
Why this is correct
The motherboard ROM chip holds the firmware (UEFI/BIOS) that performs power-on self-test and initialises hardware before handing control to the bootloader. This directly satisfies the stem's requirement for the component storing firmware that initialises hardware during boot, distinguishing it from RAM or storage, which hold no persistent boot firmware.
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CMOS battery
Why it's wrong here
The CMOS battery powers the real-time clock and retains BIOS settings, not the firmware image itself. It is tempting because clearing CMOS is a common firmware-troubleshooting step, and replacing the battery is correct when settings or the clock are lost.
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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 FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.