Installing the Add-In Card

    Read this section to learn how to add or replace the hardware.

    Important

    The illustrations in this document show a typical computer. They may not exactly match your configuration and may include options you did not purchase. See the documentation that came with your computer for information about your specific computer case.

    Preventing static electricity discharge

      The components inside your computer are extremely sensitive to static electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD).

      Caution

      ESD can permanently damage electrostatic discharge-sensitive components in your computer. Prevent ESD damage by following ESD guidelines every time you open the computer case.

        Warning

        To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer and unplug the power cord and modem and network cable before opening the case.

          Before opening the computer case, follow these guidelines:

        Turn off your computer.
        Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most electronics stores) and attach it to a bare metal part of your computer.

          Warning

          To prevent risk of electric shock, do not insert any object into the vent holes of the power supply.

          Touch a bare metal surface on the back of the computer.
          Unplug the power cord and the modem and network cables.

            Before working with computer components, follow these guidelines:

          Avoid static-causing surfaces such as carpeted floors, plastic, and packing foam.
          Remove components from their antistatic bags only when you are ready to use them. Do not lay components on the outside of antistatic bags because only the inside of the bags provide electrostatic protection.
          Always hold expansion cards by their edges or their metal mounting brackets. Avoid touching the edge connectors and components on the cards. Never slide expansion cards or components over any surface.

          To install the add-in card:

            1. Turn off your computer, disconnect the power cord and all external cables, then remove the computer case cover following the static electricity precautions on page.
              Note any external cable connections to the card. You will need to reconnect these cables later.

            Tips & Tricks

            See the documentation that came with your computer for the instructions to remove the computer case cover.

              1. If you are replacing a card, disconnect any internal cables connected to the old card, noting their locations and orientation. You will need to reconnect these cables after you install the new card.
                - OR -
                If you are installing a new card, go to Step 4.
              1. Remove the old card. You can slightly seesaw a card end-to-end as you work it out the slot, but do not bend the card sideways .

              1. Remove the new card from the protective sleeve, and place it on an anti-static surface. Do not touch any of the connectors on the bottom edge of the card.

              2. If you are upgrading your card with a different type of card, compare the old card connector to the new card connector.
                If the connector is not the same, find the correct expansion slot on the system board. AGP expansion slots are usually brown, and PCI expansion slots are usually white.

              Important

              Older computers may use an ISA expansion slot. ISA expansion slots are usually black.

                1. Press the new card into either the AGP, ISA, or PCI expansion slot, depending on the card type. If you are not sure which type card you have, see Step 5.
                  Make sure that you push evenly on both edges until the card is firmly seated. You can slightly seesaw a card end-to-end as you work it into the slot, but do not bend the card sideways .

                Tips & Tricks

                You may need to press in on the bottom of the metal mounting bracket from the outside of the case to keep it from catching on the case.

                  1. Secure the card in the case.

                  2. If you are replacing the old card with an identical type of card, reconnect the internal cables, if any, to the new card using the notes you made in Step 2. Make sure that all cable connections are secure.
                    - OR -
                    If you are upgrading the card or installing a new card with a different connector, connect the internal card cables, if any. Use the manufacturer's documentation that may have come with the new card, or check the manufacturer's Web site. Make sure that all cable connections are secure.
                  1. Replace the computer case cover.

                  Tips & Tricks

                  See the documentation that came with your computer for the instructions to remove the computer case cover.

                    1. If you are replacing the card with an identical card, make sure that you reconnect the external card cables using the notes you made in Step 1. Make sure that all cable connections are secure.
                      - OR -
                      If you are upgrading the card or installing a new card, connect the external card cables using the manufacturer's documentation that may have come with the new card, or check the manufacturer's Web site. Make sure that all cable connections are secure.

                    1. Reconnect the computer's external cables, plug in the power cord, then turn on your computer.

                    2. Go to "Installing the Software".