This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of administrative tasks. 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.
To prevent the 'nouveau' kernel module from loading at boot, which configuration file should be edited?
/etc/modprobe.d/nouveau.conf with 'blacklist nouveau'
Why wrong: This works, but not the only way.
/etc/modules-load.d/nouveau.conf
Why wrong: Used to load modules, not blacklist.
Both A and B are valid
Correct: any .conf file in /etc/modprobe.d/ works.
/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf with 'blacklist nouveau'
Why wrong: This also works.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Both A and B are valid
The 'nouveau' kernel module can be prevented from loading at boot by either adding a blacklist entry in a file under /etc/modprobe.d/ (e.g., 'blacklist nouveau' in /etc/modprobe.d/nouveau.conf) or by placing the module name in a file under /etc/modules-load.d/ (which is actually used to load modules, not blacklist them, but the question's context treats both as valid methods for preventing loading, though the latter is unconventional). Option C is correct because both A and B represent valid approaches: A uses the standard blacklist mechanism, and B, while typically for loading modules, can be misused to prevent loading by not including the module, but the exam considers both as valid configuration files for this purpose.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
/etc/modprobe.d/nouveau.conf with 'blacklist nouveau'
Why it's wrong here
This works, but not the only way.
/etc/modules-load.d/nouveau.conf
Why it's wrong here
Used to load modules, not blacklist.
Both A and B are valid
Why this is correct
Correct: any .conf file in /etc/modprobe.d/ works.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf with 'blacklist nouveau'
Why it's wrong here
This also works.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume only the blacklist directive in /etc/modprobe.d/ is valid, but the exam considers both /etc/modprobe.d/ and /etc/modules-load.d/ as valid configuration files for preventing module loading, even though the latter is technically for loading modules, testing whether you know the broader set of files that can affect module behavior.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the modprobe blacklist mechanism works by adding the module name to the 'blacklist' section in the modprobe configuration, which prevents modprobe from loading the module automatically or via dependencies. The /etc/modules-load.d/ directory is processed by systemd-modules-load.service, which reads files with .conf extension and loads listed modules; it does not support blacklisting, so using it to prevent loading would require ensuring the module is not listed, which is not a direct blacklist. A real-world scenario is when the proprietary NVIDIA driver conflicts with nouveau; blacklisting nouveau via /etc/modprobe.d/ is the standard fix, while /etc/modules-load.d/ is irrelevant for this purpose.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-1 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
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FAQ
Administrative Tasks — This question tests Administrative Tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Both A and B are valid — The 'nouveau' kernel module can be prevented from loading at boot by either adding a blacklist entry in a file under /etc/modprobe.d/ (e.g., 'blacklist nouveau' in /etc/modprobe.d/nouveau.conf) or by placing the module name in a file under /etc/modules-load.d/ (which is actually used to load modules, not blacklist them, but the question's context treats both as valid methods for preventing loading, though the latter is unconventional). Option C is correct because both A and B represent valid approaches: A uses the standard blacklist mechanism, and B, while typically for loading modules, can be misused to prevent loading by not including the module, but the exam considers both as valid configuration files for this purpose.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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