CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201)HardwareMedium
A technician is troubleshooting a network issue on a desktop computer. The integrated NIC is not detected by the operating system, and there is no link light when an Ethernet cable is connected. The technician has already verified cable integrity and tried updating drivers. What is the most likely next step to diagnose the problem?
- AReinstall the operating system.
- BReplace the network cable with a fiber optic cable.
- CInstall an external USB Wi-Fi adapter.
- DCheck the BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure the integrated NIC is enabled.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Check the BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure the integrated NIC is enabled.
If an integrated NIC is not detected and shows no link light, even after driver updates, the next logical step is to check the BIOS/UEFI settings. Many motherboards allow users to enable or disable integrated peripherals, and a disabled NIC would exhibit these symptoms.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Reinstalling the operating system is a drastic step and unlikely to fix a hardware-level enablement issue in BIOS.
- B. Replacing with a fiber optic cable is irrelevant as the integrated NIC is for Ethernet (RJ-45) and not detected.
- C. Installing a USB Wi-Fi adapter is a workaround for network access, not a diagnosis of the integrated NIC issue.
Integrated NIC Troubleshooting
Diagnosing issues with a network interface card (NIC) that is built directly into the motherboard, often involving checking BIOS settings, drivers, and physical connections.
- Integrated NICs can be enabled or disabled in the system's BIOS/UEFI settings.
- Lack of link lights indicates a physical or hardware-level issue.
- Driver issues can prevent OS detection, but a BIOS disablement would also prevent it.
Memory trick: When NIC won't 'Link', check 'B.C.D.H.' - BIOS, Cables, Drivers, Hardware.