- A
The SSD is not compatible with the motherboard.
Why wrong: Incorrect; BIOS detection indicates compatibility, so the SSD is recognized at the hardware level.
- B
The boot order in BIOS is set to the old drive first.
Correct; if the boot order still points to the old drive (which may have been removed or is empty), the system will not boot from the new SSD.
- C
The SATA cable is faulty.
Why wrong: Incorrect; a faulty cable would prevent BIOS detection, but the SSD is detected.
- D
The SSD needs to be partitioned.
Why wrong: Incorrect; an unpartitioned SSD would not show a blinking cursor; it would typically display a 'No bootable device' error.
Question 1,010 of 1,020
Troubleshooting Black Screen with Blinking Cursor After Installing a New SSD
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of core pc hardware troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user reports that their PC boots to a black screen with a blinking cursor after installing a new SSD. The BIOS detects the SSD, but the system does not load the operating system. 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 boot order in BIOS is set to the old drive first. A blinking cursor after POST indicates the system is searching for a bootable operating system but cannot find one, which occurs when the new SSD is detected by the BIOS yet is not prioritized in the boot sequence. This scenario directly tests your understanding of the boot process and BIOS/UEFI configuration, a core objective in the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam. A common trap is assuming the new SSD is faulty or that the OS needs reinstallation, but the real issue is simply that the system is trying to boot from the old, possibly disconnected drive. To remember this, think of the blinking cursor as a “lost cursor” that can’t find its OS home—always check the boot order first.
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 in BIOS is set to the old drive first.
A blinking cursor after POST often indicates the system cannot find a bootable operating system. This commonly happens when the boot order is incorrect or the new SSD is not set as the first boot device.
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.
- ✗
The SSD is not compatible with the motherboard.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; BIOS detection indicates compatibility, so the SSD is recognized at the hardware level.
- ✓
The boot order in BIOS is set to the old drive first.
Why this is correct
Correct; if the boot order still points to the old drive (which may have been removed or is empty), the system will not boot from the new SSD.
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 SATA cable is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; a faulty cable would prevent BIOS detection, but the SSD is detected.
- ✗
The SSD needs to be partitioned.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; an unpartitioned SSD would not show a blinking cursor; it would typically display a 'No bootable device' error.
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
Incorrect; an unpartitioned SSD would not show a blinking cursor; it would typically display a 'No bootable device' error.
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.
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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Core PC Hardware Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Core PC Hardware Troubleshooting — This question tests Core PC Hardware Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The boot order in BIOS is set to the old drive first. — A blinking cursor after POST often indicates the system cannot find a bootable operating system. This commonly happens when the boot order is incorrect or the new SSD is not set as the first boot device.
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. A technician is troubleshooting a PC that boots to a blue screen with the error 'INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE' after a user attempted to clone their HDD to an SSD. The BIOS detects both drives. What is the most likely cause?
hard- A.The SSD is not properly connected to the SATA port.
- B.The boot order is set to the HDD instead of the SSD.
- ✓ C.The SATA controller mode in BIOS is set to IDE, but the SSD requires AHCI.
- D.The SSD is not partitioned correctly.
Why C: The 'INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE' error typically indicates that the boot loader cannot access the storage device. After cloning, this often occurs because the boot mode (UEFI vs. Legacy) or SATA controller mode (AHCI vs. IDE) is mismatched between the old and new drives.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
This 220-1201 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 220-1201 exam.
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