- A
One of the SSDs is not detected by the system.
Why wrong: If one drive was missing, the array would likely fail or show errors, not just reduced capacity.
- B
The RAID controller is set to RAID 1 instead of RAID 0.
RAID 1 mirrors data, resulting in usable capacity equal to one drive (500 GB), not the combined 1 TB of RAID 0.
- C
The SSDs are different brands and incompatible.
Why wrong: Different brands of SSDs can be used in RAID as long as they are the same size and interface.
- D
The operating system does not support RAID 0.
Why wrong: Most modern operating systems support RAID 0; this is not a common limitation.
Question 83 of 1,020
Troubleshooting RAID 0 Showing Incorrect Capacity
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of storage devices. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is setting up a new RAID 0 array with two 500 GB SSDs for a gaming PC. After installation, the system shows only 500 GB of usable space. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the RAID controller is set to RAID 1 instead of RAID 0. RAID 0 stripes data across both drives, combining their total capacity into a single volume—so two 500 GB SSDs should present as 1 TB of usable space. When a RAID 0 array shows only one drive capacity, it indicates the controller is likely mirroring the data (RAID 1), which halves the available storage to protect against drive failure. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of RAID levels and their capacity implications; a common trap is assuming a drive is faulty when the real issue is a misconfigured controller setting. Remember the mnemonic: “RAID 0 for Zero redundancy, full capacity; RAID 1 for One mirror, half capacity.”
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 RAID controller is set to RAID 1 instead of RAID 0.
RAID 0 stripes data across both drives, providing combined capacity (1 TB). If only 500 GB is shown, the array may be configured as RAID 1 (mirroring) or not properly set up. The drives themselves are unlikely to be faulty.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
One of the SSDs is not detected by the system.
Why it's wrong here
If one drive was missing, the array would likely fail or show errors, not just reduced capacity.
- ✓
The RAID controller is set to RAID 1 instead of RAID 0.
Why this is correct
RAID 1 mirrors data, resulting in usable capacity equal to one drive (500 GB), not the combined 1 TB of RAID 0.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The SSDs are different brands and incompatible.
Why it's wrong here
Different brands of SSDs can be used in RAID as long as they are the same size and interface.
- ✗
The operating system does not support RAID 0.
Why it's wrong here
Most modern operating systems support RAID 0; this is not a common limitation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
If one drive was missing, the array would likely fail or show errors, not just reduced capacity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Quick reference
RAID Level Comparison
| RAID Level | Min Disks | Fault Tolerance | Read | Write | Usable Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAID 0 | 2 | None | Excellent | Excellent | 100% |
| RAID 1 | 2 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 50% |
| RAID 5 | 3 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 67–94% |
| RAID 6 | 4 | 2 disks | Good | Lower | 50–88% |
| RAID 10 | 4 | 1 disk per mirror | Excellent | Good | 50% |
RAID is not a backup strategy — it protects against disk failure but not against accidental deletion, ransomware, or site-level events.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Storage Devices — This question tests Storage Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The RAID controller is set to RAID 1 instead of RAID 0. — RAID 0 stripes data across both drives, providing combined capacity (1 TB). If only 500 GB is shown, the array may be configured as RAID 1 (mirroring) or not properly set up. The drives themselves are unlikely to be faulty.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
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. During a hardware installation, you are tasked with setting up a RAID 1 array in a server using two identical 4 TB HDDs. After configuration, the total usable capacity is only 4 TB. Is this expected behavior?
medium- A.No, the array should show 8 TB because the drives are identical.
- ✓ B.Yes, RAID 1 provides fault tolerance by mirroring data, so usable capacity is 4 TB.
- C.No, the array should be configured as RAID 0 to get 8 TB.
- D.Yes, but only if the drives are set as JBOD.
Why B: RAID 1 mirrors data across two drives, so usable capacity equals the size of one drive (4 TB). This provides redundancy, not increased storage. RAID 0 would combine capacity, and RAID 5 requires at least three drives.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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