220-1101 Question 263
Single answerPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)A technician is upgrading an older desktop PC used to control a manufacturing machine. The system board has only legacy PCI expansion slots available. The user needs a new network interface card because the existing onboard adapter has failed. Which of the following is the BEST action for the technician to take?
- A
Install a PCI network adapter that matches the available legacy PCI slot
- B
Install a PCIe x1 network adapter because PCI and PCIe are electrically compatible
- C
Install an AGP video card and configure it to provide network connectivity through the chipset
- D
Install a SO-DIMM adapter card because memory slots can be repurposed for expansion devices
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is to install a legacy PCI network adapter that matches the motherboard's available slot. In real-world support, expansion cards must match both the physical connector and the bus architecture supported by the motherboard. Legacy PCI and PCI Express are not directly interchangeable; PCI is a parallel shared bus, while PCIe is a serial point-to-point interface. CompTIA A+ Core 1 expects technicians to recognize common expansion slot types and select compatible hardware during upgrades and repairs. Manufacturer motherboard documentation and NIC specifications should always be checked before installation to confirm slot compatibility, driver support, and operating system support.
- A. Correct.
Correct. If the motherboard has only legacy PCI slots, the technician should install a compatible PCI NIC. Legacy PCI is a shared parallel expansion bus used in many older systems, and devices must physically and electrically match the slot type. This is the practical and supported solution for adding network connectivity to an older desktop with no PCIe slots available.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. PCIe and legacy PCI are different technologies with different slot designs, signaling methods, and electrical interfaces. A PCIe x1 card will not fit or function in a standard PCI slot without specialized bridging hardware, and such compatibility should not be assumed in an A+ troubleshooting scenario. This distractor reflects the common misconception that PCI and PCIe are interchangeable because their names are similar.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. AGP is a dedicated graphics interface used in older systems for video cards, not for network adapters. It cannot be used to add Ethernet functionality. This option targets the misconception that any expansion slot can host any type of adapter if the chipset supports it.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. SO-DIMM is a memory module form factor used primarily in laptops and compact systems. Memory slots are not general-purpose expansion interfaces for peripherals such as NICs. This distractor represents confusion between system memory expansion and peripheral expansion.