TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

After installing a new floppy disk drive, the drive light remains lit. What could be the cause?

1. The ribbon cable is connected backwards

2. The drive is faulty

3. Not enough power is supplied

4. The system BIOS is outdated

The correct answer is: The ribbon cable is connected backwards

A continually lit drive light after installing a new floppy disk drive typically indicates that the ribbon cable is connected backwards. This occurs because the ribbon cable has a designated orientation with one side often marked as pin 1. If this connector is reversed at either the drive or motherboard connection, it causes the drive to receive incorrect signals, leading to the light being permanently illuminated. The drive might still be operational in terms of accepting data, but such a situation can prevent it from functioning correctly, as the signals do not correspond appropriately with the drive's operations. While other options might suggest potential problems, they are less likely related to the specific symptom of the drive light being lit continuously. A faulty drive might not function properly, but it would typically not result in the light being always on unless there was a specific malfunction tied to its internal circuitry. Insufficient power supply would likely lead to the drive not functioning at all, and an outdated BIOS does not usually affect the initial functionality of a floppy disk drive to the extent of keeping the drive light continuously on. Thus, the issue clearly points toward the connectivity of the ribbon cable as the primary cause.