Installing the Video Card

    If your system board has integrated video, the integrated video will automatically be disabled when you install an add-in video card.

    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. Refer to the documentation that came with your computer for information about your specific computer case.

    To install the video card:

      1. Turn off the computer, then remove the computer case cover following the static electricity precautions.
        Refer to the documentation that came with your computer for instructions on removing your computer case cover.
      1. If applicable, remove the two screws that attach the expansion card bracket (A) to the case, then remove the bracket.
        If you are installing a new card, go to the next step.
        - OR -
        If you are replacing an existing card, go to Step 4.

      1. If you are installing a video card in a previously unused expansion slot, remove the screw on the expansion slot cover (B) and pull the slot cover out of the computer. Save the slot cover in case you need to use it again. Go to Step 5.

      2. If you are replacing a video card, disconnect any cables connected to the card, noting the cable connector labels and locations. Remove any screws holding the video card to the computer case, then remove the card. You can slightly seesaw the card end-to-end as you work it out of the slot, but do not bend the card sideways.

      1. Remove the new video card from the protective sleeve. Do not touch any of the connectors on the bottom edge of the card.

      2. Press the new video card into an open PCI or AGP expansion slot, depending upon the type of card you have. See "Identifying Expansion Slots and Card Connectors" on page 15.
        - OR -
        Press the new video card into the expansion slot opened in Step 4.
        Make sure that you push evenly on both edges until the card is firmly seated. You can slightly seesaw the 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 bracket from the outside to keep it from catching on the case.

        1. Secure the card to the computer case with any screws removed earlier.

        2. If you installed a 3D accelerator card, go to "3D accelerator card cables".
          - OR -
          If you did not install any of these types of cards, go to the next step.
        1. Replace the computer case cover.
          Refer to the documentation that came with your computer for instructions on replacing your computer case cover.

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

        2. Connect the video cable connector from your monitor to the blue video port on the new video card. If you installed an LCD/Digital video card, your LCD monitor cable and Digital video card monitor ports are white.

        3. Go to "Installing the Software", and follow the installation instructions for your operating system.