You recently upgraded the memory in your desktop computer by adding a new memory module for a total of 2GB of RAM. When you power on the computer, the correct amount of memory displays in the BIOS POST, but instead of a Windows the message “Operating System not found” is displayed. What is the most likely reason for this error?
A) The new memory modules are faulty
B) The hard drive was damaged during the memory installation
C) The power supply is faulty
D) A hard drive cable was dislodged during the memory installation
The answer: D) A hard drive cable was dislodged during the memory installation
When you’re inside of a computer there’s always a chance that you might knock something inadvertently. The inside of a computer case is pretty cramped, so it’s always a good best-practice to check all of your cable connections and wires prior to closing up the case.
The incorrect answers:
A) The new memory modules are faulty
If your BIOS passes the memory test, you can feel relatively certain that the memory was properly identified by the computer. The “Operating System not found” message is related to the boot process from hard drives or other media.
B) The hard drive was damaged during the memory installation
It’s difficult to damage a hard drive during a memory installation so badly that it won’t start!
C) The power supply is faulty
If your computer is booting, your power supply is probably working properly. If a new device was added to the computer that might overwhelm the capabilities of the existing power supply, you might run into problems with hard drives operating. Since the change in this example was only the addition of a memory module, a faulty power supply would not be the most likely cause of this error.
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Want to know more? Watch “Dealing with Errors.”Errors with the boot sector or operating system boot files create massive problems for CompTIA A+ certified professionals. In this video, we’ll discuss boot sector errors (invalid partition tables, operating system not found), operating system boot file problems (NTLDR is missing), and application startup problems. |