Final answer:
To run a virtual machine, Rachel must install virtualization software and may need to enable virtualization support in the BIOS settings. Upgrading RAM and having a stable internet are beneficial but not required for the initial setup.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before Rachel can successfully run a virtual machine on her computer, several steps need to be taken to ensure that virtualization will work. Primarily, virtualization software must be installed on the computer, which is a program that allows one or more virtual environments to be set up within a single hardware system. However, this alone is not sufficient. It is often necessary to enable virtualization support in the BIOS settings, which allows the processor to perform virtualization tasks more efficiently. While upgrading the computer's RAM could help performance if running a virtual machine consumes substantial resources, it is not mandatory for initial setup. Likewise, a stable internet connection is important, particularly if Rachel intends to connect to customer systems or download necessary tools and updates, but it is not a prerequisite for virtualization itself to work.