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CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)Software TroubleshootingMedium

After a technician changes the SATA controller mode from AHCI to RAID in BIOS/UEFI, a Windows 11 workstation now boots to a blue screen displaying INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE. What is the MOST likely cause?

  1. AInsufficient page file size
  2. BMalware infection in the boot sector
  3. CThe storage controller driver does not match the new SATA mode
  4. DCorrupted master boot record
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. The storage controller driver does not match the new SATA mode

Windows loads a storage controller driver matched to the SATA mode set at install time. Switching from AHCI to RAID changes the controller Windows expects, and without the matching driver loaded, the boot drive becomes inaccessible, triggering this stop code.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Page file issues do not cause INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE errors.
  • B. Nothing in the scenario suggests malware; the timing points to the BIOS change.
  • D. An MBR corruption produces different errors, like 'Operating System not found.'

INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE

A BSOD stop code indicating Windows cannot access the boot drive, commonly caused by a storage controller/driver mismatch (e.g., changing AHCI to RAID in BIOS).

  • Often triggered by BIOS SATA mode changes
  • Fix by reverting BIOS setting or loading correct driver
  • Different from missing OS or corrupted MBR errors

Memory trick: Flip AHCI to RAID and the drive becomes INACCESSIBLE overnight

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