CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)Software TroubleshootingHard
A technician is troubleshooting a Windows 11 desktop that randomly displays a blue screen with various stop codes, including 'MEMORY_MANAGEMENT' and 'PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA'. The issue occurs intermittently and is not tied to any specific application or action. What is the MOST likely cause of these symptoms?
- AFailing power supply unit (PSU).
- BFaulty RAM modules.
- COutdated BIOS/UEFI firmware.
- DCorrupt GPU drivers.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Faulty RAM modules.
The stop codes 'MEMORY_MANAGEMENT' and 'PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA' are classic indicators of issues with the system's RAM. Random blue screens with varying memory-related stop codes strongly suggest faulty RAM modules.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A failing PSU can cause random shutdowns or reboots, but less commonly specific memory-related BSOD stop codes.
- C. Outdated BIOS/UEFI firmware can cause compatibility issues or boot problems, but are less likely to manifest as random, memory-specific BSODs after the system has booted.
- D. Corrupt GPU drivers usually cause graphics-related crashes or display artifacts, not memory management errors.
Memory-Related BSODs
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) stop codes like 'MEMORY_MANAGEMENT' and 'PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA' are strong indicators of issues with the system's Random Access Memory (RAM).
- Often caused by faulty RAM modules, incorrect RAM settings, or incompatible RAM.
- Troubleshooting involves running memory diagnostic tools (e.g., Windows Memory Diagnostic).
- Can manifest as intermittent crashes, data corruption, or system instability.
Memory trick: Memory errors scream 'RAM is bad, check the stick!'