CompTIA
220-801 · Question #291
220-801 Question #291: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation
The correct answer is D: A 32-bit driver will have to be found in order to install the printer.. A 64-bit driver cannot be installed on a 32-bit (x86) operating system - driver architecture must match the OS architecture exactly.
Question
Joe, a technician, is attempting to install a new printer on a Windows 7 Enterprise x86 machine. Upon inspection, Joe finds that he only has access to a 64-bit driver for the printer. Which of the following scenarios BEST describes the outcome of this situation?
Options
- AAs long as the driver is signed, it should work with this version of Windows.
- BAs long as the driver is IA-64 compatible, it should work with this Windows version.
- CJoe should install the driver using Windows Vista compatibility mode.
- DA 32-bit driver will have to be found in order to install the printer.
Explanation
A 64-bit driver cannot be installed on a 32-bit (x86) operating system - driver architecture must match the OS architecture exactly.
Common mistakes.
- A. Driver signing verifies authenticity and integrity but does not override the fundamental hardware architecture incompatibility - a signed 64-bit driver still cannot load on a 32-bit OS.
- B. IA-64 refers to Intel's Itanium processor architecture, which is entirely different from both x86 (32-bit) and x86-64 - an IA-64 driver would be incompatible with this machine.
- C. Windows Vista compatibility mode adjusts application compatibility settings for user-mode software and does not affect kernel-mode driver loading or change driver architecture requirements.
Concept tested. Driver architecture compatibility between 32-bit and 64-bit systems
Reference. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/device-driver-packages
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