Summary

12 IT Essentials: PC Harware and Software Companion GuideFigure 11-8Task ManagerPrimary memory (RAM) is controlled by the OS. Bad RAM will show up in the power-onself test (POST) as not being counted. RAM will only need to be replaced when it is tooslow or insufficiently large enough to accommodate the application. The OS will accommodatethe application by increasing the virtual memory requirement, and hard disk thrashingwill occur.Select Adapter CardsAdapter cards, also called expansion cards, add extra functionality to a computer. Figure11-9 shows some of the adapter cards available. Before you purchase an adapter card, dosome research:■■Is there an open expansion slot?Is the adapter card compatible with the open slot?If the motherboard does not have compatible expansion slots, external devices can be anoption:■■Are USB or FireWire versions of the external device available?Does the computer have an open USB or FireWire port?Consider the following situation for an adapter card upgrade. A customer requires a wirelesscard to connect to the network. The new wireless adapter card must be compatible withthe existing wireless network and with the computer.Investigate wireless network interface cards (NIC) before you purchase one. You shouldensure that the new wireless NIC is compatible with the 802.11 wireless standard beingused on the wireless network.