mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
FC0-U71 Practice Question: A user receives an error message indicating…
A user receives an error message indicating 'insufficient memory' when opening several applications. Which action will most likely resolve the issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'insufficient memory' with 'low disk space' or 'slow performance,' leading them to choose clearing the cache or defragmenting the drive, when the error specifically refers to a shortage of RAM (volatile memory) needed to run applications.
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
✓
Install more RAM
The error message 'insufficient memory' indicates that the system has exhausted its physical RAM capacity while trying to load multiple applications. Installing more RAM directly increases the amount of physical memory available, allowing the operating system to keep more application data in memory without resorting to slower paging. This is the most effective long-term solution for resolving memory exhaustion caused by running several applications simultaneously.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Install more RAM
Why this is correct
Installing additional RAM directly increases the memory available to run applications.
- ✗
Clear the browser cache
Why it's wrong here
Clearing cache frees some disk space, but does not address insufficient memory.
- ✗
Increase virtual memory
Why it's wrong here
Increasing virtual memory uses disk space as RAM, but is slower and less effective than adding physical RAM.
- ✗
Defragment the hard drive
Why it's wrong here
Defragmentation improves disk access speed but does not increase memory capacity.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on FC0-U71
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user receives an 'Insufficient memory' error when opening a large spreadsheet. Which hardware component is most likely insufficient?
medium- A.Hard drive
- ✓ B.RAM
- C.CPU
- D.GPU
Why B: RAM (Random Access Memory) is the primary volatile memory used to hold active data and program instructions for the CPU. When opening a large spreadsheet, the entire file must be loaded into RAM for processing. An 'Insufficient memory' error indicates that the system's RAM is too small to accommodate the spreadsheet's data, causing the operating system to fail the allocation request.
Variation 2. A user receives an error message 'Insufficient memory' when trying to open a large file. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
hard- A.The CPU is overheating
- B.The hard drive is full
- C.The graphics card is outdated
- ✓ D.The system RAM is insufficient
Why D: The 'Insufficient memory' error specifically indicates that the system's RAM (Random Access Memory) is unable to allocate enough space to load the large file into active memory. When a file is opened, it is read from the hard drive into RAM for processing; if the file size exceeds available RAM, the operating system cannot complete the operation, triggering this error.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.