LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of linux kernel and system startup. 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 system administrator notices that the 'pcspkr' kernel module is causing beeps on the server console. The administrator wants to prevent this module from loading permanently. Which of the following is the correct method to blacklist the module?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add 'blacklist pcspkr' to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
Option C is correct because the standard method to permanently prevent a kernel module from loading is to add a 'blacklist' directive to a file in /etc/modprobe.d/. The 'blacklist pcspkr' line tells modprobe not to load the pcspkr module automatically, even if it is requested by hardware detection or dependencies. This is the recommended approach on modern Linux distributions using modprobe's configuration system.
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.
✗
Add 'install pcspkr /bin/false' to /etc/modprobe.conf
Why it's wrong here
While this prevents loading, it is not the standard blacklist method and uses a different syntax.
✗
Set the kernel parameter 'pcspkr=off' in GRUB
Why it's wrong here
There is no such kernel parameter to disable the pcspkr module.
✓
Add 'blacklist pcspkr' to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
Why this is correct
This is the standard method to blacklist a kernel module.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Remove the module file from /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/input/misc/
Why it's wrong here
Physically removing the module file is not recommended and may be restored by package updates.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse kernel command-line parameters (like 'modprobe.blacklist=') with module-specific parameters, or think that removing the module file is a valid administrative action, when in fact the proper method is to use the modprobe blacklist configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'blacklist' directive in modprobe.d files works by adding the module to an internal deny list that modprobe checks before loading any module. However, blacklisting does not prevent manual loading via 'modprobe pcspkr' or 'insmod'; it only blocks automatic loading triggered by hardware detection or module dependencies. In real-world scenarios, administrators often combine blacklisting with the 'install' command (e.g., 'install pcspkr /bin/true') to also block manual loads, but the blacklist alone is the standard for permanent prevention.
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 LPIC-2 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Linux Kernel and System Startup — This question tests Linux Kernel and System Startup — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add 'blacklist pcspkr' to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf — Option C is correct because the standard method to permanently prevent a kernel module from loading is to add a 'blacklist' directive to a file in /etc/modprobe.d/. The 'blacklist pcspkr' line tells modprobe not to load the pcspkr module automatically, even if it is requested by hardware detection or dependencies. This is the recommended approach on modern Linux distributions using modprobe's configuration system.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-2 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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