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CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide

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always verify that the card functions properly before you walk away from the

PC.

EXAM TIP The four steps involved in installing expansion cards apply to

all types of expansion cards. The CompTIA A+ exams will ask you about

cards ranging from common—sound, video, and networking—to other

specific cards for USB, Thunderbolt, and modem connections. They’ll ask

about wireless and cellular networking cards, storage cards, TV tuner cards,

video capture cards, riser cards, and more, all of which we’ll cover in their

proper chapters in this book. You install any of them using the same four

steps: knowledge, physical installation, device drivers, and verification.

Step 1: Knowledge

Learn about the device you plan to install—preferably before you purchase it!

Does the device work with your system and operating system? Does it have

drivers for your operating system? If you use a recent version of Windows,

the answer to these questions is almost always “yes.” If you’re attempting to

install an old device or if you’re trying to install a very unique device in a

less-common operating system such as Linux, these questions become

important. A lot of older hardware simply won’t work with new versions of

Windows, especially Windows 10. Check the device’s documentation and

check the device manufacturer’s Web site to verify that you have the correct

drivers. While you’re checking, make sure you have the latest version of the

driver; most devices get driver updates more often than the weather changes

in Texas.

Step 2: Physical Installation

To install an expansion card successfully, you need to take steps to avoid

damaging the card, the motherboard, or both. This means knowing how to

handle a card and avoiding electrostatic discharge (ESD) or any other

electrical issue. You also need to place the card firmly and completely into an

available expansion slot.

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