CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)Software TroubleshootingHard
A desktop blue-screens with a stop code within minutes of use. A technician boots into Safe Mode with Networking, and the system blue-screens again with the same error. Which of the following is the MOST likely next troubleshooting step?
- AReinstall the graphics driver
- BRoll back the most recently installed device driver
- CDisable all non-Microsoft services using MSConfig
- DRun a memory diagnostic tool to test the RAM
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Run a memory diagnostic tool to test the RAM
Safe Mode loads only a minimal set of essential Microsoft drivers and services. If a blue screen still occurs under these conditions, a third-party driver or software conflict is unlikely, pointing strongly toward a hardware fault such as failing RAM, which should be tested next with a memory diagnostic tool.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Safe Mode uses a basic display driver, so the graphics driver is unlikely to be the cause.
- B. Rolling back a driver wouldn't help since Safe Mode already excludes most third-party drivers.
- C. Safe Mode already disables most non-Microsoft services, so this wouldn't change the outcome.
BSOD Persisting in Safe Mode
When a blue screen occurs even in Safe Mode, which loads minimal drivers/services, the cause is likely hardware (e.g., faulty RAM) rather than a driver or software conflict.
- Safe Mode isolates software vs. hardware causes
- Crash in Safe Mode points to hardware failure
- Run Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86 next
Memory trick: Safe Mode strips it bare — if it still crashes, blame the bones (hardware)