Question 69 of 144
SK0-005 server-hardware-installation-management Practice Question
A small business relies on a tower server that acts as a file and print server for 15 employees. The server has a single Intel Xeon E-2300 series processor, four 16GB DDR4 ECC RDIMMs installed in dual-channel configuration, and two 2TB 7200 RPM SATA hard drives in a hardware RAID 1 mirror. The power supply unit (PSU) is a 500W 80+ Bronze unit that is about four years old. Recently, the server has started experiencing random, intermittent crashes resulting in a blue screen, typically during periods of heavy disk I/O, such as when multiple users access large files. Event Viewer logs show occasional corrected memory errors (ECC events) but no uncorrected errors. The administrator runs MemTest86+ on all four DIMMs for multiple passes, and no errors are detected. The server room ambient temperature is normal, and all fans are operating. The crashes are becoming more frequent. Which of the following actions would MOST likely resolve the underlying 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
✓
Upgrade the power supply to a higher wattage, 80+ Gold unit
Option B is correct. Intermittent crashes under heavy load, combined with ECC corrected errors but passing memory tests, can indicate a power supply that is failing or inadequate under peak load. A 500W PSU may be marginal, especially with aging capacitors, causing voltage drops that lead to memory and system instability. Option A: Replacing the motherboard is premature, as no clear evidence points to a faulty memory controller. Option C: Reseating RAM may help if a connection issue, but given MemTest passes and errors are corrected, physical seating is less likely. Option D: Replacing HDDs with SSDs would reduce I/O load but does not address the likely power instability causing memory errors and crashes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reseat all memory modules and clean the DIMM slots
Why it's wrong here
Reseating is a basic troubleshooting step, but multiple passes of MemTest86+ with no errors suggest the electrical connections are sound.
- ✗
Replace the hard drives with solid-state drives (SSDs)
Why it's wrong here
SSDs would improve I/O performance and reduce power draw slightly, but they would not correct the underlying power instability that is causing ECC memory errors.
- ✗
Replace the motherboard, as the memory controller is likely failing
Why it's wrong here
No evidence points to a motherboard memory controller failure; MemTest86+ passes, and corrected errors can be caused by power fluctuations.
- ✓
Upgrade the power supply to a higher wattage, 80+ Gold unit
Why this is correct
An undersized or aging PSU can cause voltage drops under heavy I/O load, leading to memory errors and system crashes. Upgrading provides more stable power.
Visual reference
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 26, 2026
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.
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