SK0-005 troubleshooting Practice Question
A server administrator notices that a recently installed PCIe network card is not being recognized by the operating system. The server is running Windows Server 2019. The administrator has verified that the card is securely seated and that the slot is enabled in the BIOS. Which of the following should the administrator try FIRST to resolve the 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
✓
Check the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) for Windows Server 2019.
Option B is correct because the first step when a newly installed device is not recognized should be to verify hardware compatibility with the operating system (checking the Hardware Compatibility List). This ensures the device has supported drivers. Options A and C are physical steps that have already been considered (secure seating, slot enabled), and D (updating BIOS) is a later step after confirming compatibility.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Check the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) for Windows Server 2019.
Why this is correct
Ensuring the hardware is on the HCL verifies driver support, which is the most logical first step before further hardware or software changes.
- ✗
Replace the network card with a known-good card.
Why it's wrong here
Physical replacement is premature without first checking compatibility; the card may be functional but unsupported.
- ✗
Reseat the network card in a different PCIe slot.
Why it's wrong here
The card is already securely seated; moving to another slot does not solve a driver or compatibility issue.
- ✗
Update the server BIOS to the latest version.
Why it's wrong here
A BIOS update is a more invasive step and should not be the first action; compatibility should be checked first.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Server Hardware Components and Form Factors
Key term
BIOS
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the low-level firmware stored on a motherboard chip that initializes and tests hardware components before loading the operating system.
Key term
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
PCI Express (PCIe) is a high-speed expansion bus standard that connects internal hardware components like graphics cards, SSDs, and network adapters to a computer's motherboard.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed July 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This SK0-005 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 SK0-005 exam.