LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. $ cat /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf # Disable USB storage to prevent unauthorized devices blacklist usb_storage
A user reports that an external USB hard drive is not detected when plugged in. The system uses a standard kernel with USB support. What is the most likely reason?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume a missing driver or kernel support is the issue, but the question explicitly states USB support exists, so the problem must be a configuration-level block like a module blacklist.
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 usb_storage module is blacklisted.
The most likely reason is that the `usb_storage` module is blacklisted, which prevents the kernel from loading the driver needed to detect USB mass storage devices. Even though the kernel has USB support compiled in or as a module, a blacklist entry in `/etc/modprobe.d/` or `/etc/modprobe.conf` explicitly blocks the module from loading, causing the drive to appear undetected. This is a common troubleshooting scenario where all other USB functionality works, but storage devices fail.
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 USB driver is not installed.
Why it's wrong here
The driver is present but blacklisted; it would be installed by default.
- ✗
The external drive is incompatible.
Why it's wrong here
Incompatibility would cause errors in dmesg, not a silent failure; blacklist is more likely for a standard drive.
- ✗
The kernel lacks USB support.
Why it's wrong here
USB support is present; the system would not even see the device if kernel lacked it.
- ✓
The usb_storage module is blacklisted.
Why this is correct
The blacklist directive prevents the module from loading automatically.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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