my desktop ethernetcard has a slot for what looks like a bios chip.is this for upgrading or "speeding"it up?

Question

"3com" xl pci #3c905b

Answer 1

The slot or socket on ethernet cards is for adding a chip that allows a computer to boot from the network. If there's a special boot server computer on the network, a computer with one of these special ethernet cards can boot the lan without having any sort of local disk or hardrive...etc. This might be good for a computer you want to make completely silent (no moving hard disks) or a production computer that gets too hot....etc.