SK0-005 troubleshooting Practice Question
Exhibit
Error: Boot device not found. Please install an operating system on your hard disk. Hard Disk: (3F0)
Refer to the exhibit. What is the most likely cause of this error?
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 boot order is set incorrectly
The error 'Boot device not found' with 'Hard Disk: (3F0)' indicates the BIOS cannot find a bootable device. The most common cause is an incorrect boot order, where the system is trying to boot from a non-bootable device before the hard drive. A corrupt boot sector would give a different error (e.g., 'Missing operating system'). A loose cable could cause the drive not to be detected at all, but often the system would show no hard drive in BIOS. A failed drive would typically be detected but unbootable.
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 boot order is set incorrectly
Why this is correct
If the BIOS is set to boot from a non-bootable device (e.g., network or USB) before the hard drive, it will fail with this error. Correcting the boot order resolves it.
- ✗
The hard drive data cable is loose
Why it's wrong here
A loose cable would often result in the drive not being detected at all, not just a boot error. The error specifically mentions hard disk (3F0), suggesting it is detected.
- ✗
The boot sector is corrupted
Why it's wrong here
A corrupt boot sector typically produces an error like 'Missing operating system' rather than 'Boot device not found'.
- ✗
The hard drive has failed
Why it's wrong here
A failed drive would typically not be listed as 'Hard Disk: (3F0)'; that identifier suggests the drive is recognized but not bootable.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Operating System Installation and Configuration
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
find
The find command in Unix/Linux is a powerful utility for searching files and directories based on a wide range of criteria such as name, size, type, permissions, and modification time.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on SK0-005
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 technician is troubleshooting a server that fails to boot. The server displays a 'Boot Device Not Found' error. The technician verifies that the hard drives are spinning and appear in the RAID controller's BIOS. What should the technician check next?
medium- ✓ A.Boot order in BIOS
- B.Operating system files
- C.SATA cable connections
- D.RAID array status
Why A: Option B is correct because boot order is a common cause of 'Boot Device Not Found' when drives are detected. Option A is wrong because if drives are spinning and detected, cables are likely fine. Option C is wrong because missing OS files typically produce a different error. Option D is wrong because the array status is already verified as healthy.
Variation 2. A technician is troubleshooting a server that fails to boot after a power outage. The server displays a "Non-system disk or disk error" message. Which action should the technician take first?
medium- A.Run a filesystem check utility from a recovery disk.
- B.Replace the hard drive with a known good one.
- C.Reseat the hard drive data and power cables.
- ✓ D.Check the boot order in the BIOS configuration.
Why D: The error indicates that the server cannot find a bootable device. The most common cause after a power outage is a change in the BIOS boot order. Checking the boot order is a quick, non-invasive first step. Replacing the drive or reseating cables may be necessary if boot order is correct, but starting with boot order is best.
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.