- A
Reattach the virtual hard disk to the SCSI controller
Why wrong: While SCSI is common, the VM worked with IDE yesterday, so the controller type is not the cause of the boot failure.
- B
Check the VM's boot order in the BIOS and ensure the virtual hard disk is first
The boot order may have been changed accidentally, causing the VM to try booting from another device that has no OS.
- C
Increase the VM's memory allocation
Why wrong: Insufficient memory would cause a different error (e.g., blue screen), not 'Operating system not found'.
- D
Restore the VM from a recent snapshot
Why wrong: Restoring from a snapshot is a more drastic step and should be done after simpler checks like boot order.
Question 571 of 750
VM Boot Order 'Operating System Not Found'
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of virtualization and cloud technologies. 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 technician is troubleshooting a VM that fails to boot with the error 'Operating system not found'. The VM was working yesterday. The technician checks the virtual machine settings and sees that the virtual hard disk is attached to the IDE controller. What should the technician do first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Quick Answer
The correct first step is to check the VM's boot order in the BIOS and ensure the virtual hard disk is listed first. This is the most direct fix because the "Operating system not found" error typically means the VM is trying to boot from a device—such as a network adapter, CD-ROM, or floppy drive—that does not contain an OS, while the actual bootable virtual hard disk is being skipped. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of virtual machine boot configuration and BIOS settings, a common trap being that technicians often waste time checking disk connections or drivers when the boot order is the culprit. Remember that even though the virtual hard disk is attached to the IDE controller, the BIOS still controls which device the VM attempts to boot from first. A helpful memory tip: "Boot order before disk order"—always verify the sequence in the BIOS before troubleshooting the storage itself.
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 VM's boot order in the BIOS and ensure the virtual hard disk is first
The error 'Operating system not found' indicates that the VM is attempting to boot from a device that does not contain a bootable operating system. Since the VM was working yesterday, the most likely cause is that the boot order in the VM's BIOS has been changed or reset, causing it to try booting from a non-bootable device (e.g., network or CD-ROM) before the virtual hard disk. Checking and correcting the boot order in the BIOS to prioritize the virtual hard disk is the logical first step before making configuration changes.
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.
- ✗
Reattach the virtual hard disk to the SCSI controller
Why it's wrong here
While SCSI is common, the VM worked with IDE yesterday, so the controller type is not the cause of the boot failure.
- ✓
Check the VM's boot order in the BIOS and ensure the virtual hard disk is first
Why this is correct
The boot order may have been changed accidentally, causing the VM to try booting from another device that has no OS.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the VM's memory allocation
Why it's wrong here
Insufficient memory would cause a different error (e.g., blue screen), not 'Operating system not found'.
- ✗
Restore the VM from a recent snapshot
Why it's wrong here
Restoring from a snapshot is a more drastic step and should be done after simpler checks like boot order.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume the IDE controller is the problem and immediately try to change it to SCSI, but the error is actually caused by the boot order, not the storage controller type.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In virtualized environments, the VM's BIOS or UEFI firmware maintains a boot priority list that determines which device the hypervisor attempts to boot from first. If the virtual hard disk is not first in the list, the VM may attempt to boot from a network adapter (PXE), a CD/DVD drive, or a floppy, all of which will fail with 'Operating system not found' if no bootable media is present. This is analogous to a physical PC where the BIOS boot order must have the hard disk listed before other devices.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 220-1202 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — This question tests Virtualization and Cloud Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check the VM's boot order in the BIOS and ensure the virtual hard disk is first — The error 'Operating system not found' indicates that the VM is attempting to boot from a device that does not contain a bootable operating system. Since the VM was working yesterday, the most likely cause is that the boot order in the VM's BIOS has been changed or reset, causing it to try booting from a non-bootable device (e.g., network or CD-ROM) before the virtual hard disk. Checking and correcting the boot order in the BIOS to prioritize the virtual hard disk is the logical first step before making configuration changes.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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