Install PCI cards by MDofPC

Remmeber things before opening up the computer

Opening up your computer comes with some risk. Always keep safety in mind when working inside your computer (as you should with any electrical device). That said, getting comfortable with cracking it open and fiddling around opens up a whole new world of options and upgrades to your personal computing experience.

Whether you’re installing a wireless card, firewire card, sound card, TV capture card, etc., the process is almost always identical.

What you’ll need:

PCI Card
Screwdriver
Your computer

Above Pic showing as follows.

Step 1: Safety

To get your computer ready, you need to make it safe. That means unplugging it from the wall and turning off the switch on the back of the power supply unit. you’ve circumvented the most dangerous aspect of installing your PCI card - electricity.

Once you’ve rendered your computer powerless, it’s time to open up your case. This process varies from case to case, but it’s generally relatively simple , involving the removal of a couple of screws and a side panel. This should give you easy access and plenty of room to install that PCI card. While working inside your case, you need to be mindful of static electricity. To avoid building up a static charge that could potentially short out a component, some people use an anti-static strap (available from most computer hardware retailers). I prefer not to use the strap. Instead, just be mindful to touch a grounded metal surface from time to time to prevent a static charge from building. Touching your computer’s power supply unit, for example, should do the trick.

Step 2: Open PCI slot

Next find an open PCI slot (see picture below) on your motherboard. The number of available PCI slots varies from motherboard to motherboard, but if you’ve never installed a PCI card before, you should certainly have an opening or three. If you’ve got a few open spots, consider leaving an empty slot between cards to help keep things cool inside your PC (this isn’t a huge deal, but a good practice if you’ve got room for it).

Once you’ve chosen a PCI slot, remove the screw holding the PCI slot cover in place (in some cases, you may need to remove the screw above and below the slot cover). Though you won’t need the cover anymore (your card will take its place),

Step 3: Install the PCI card

First, remove your PCI card from the anti-static wrapping. When handling the card, be gentle. Try to hold the card by the metal bracket and the edges - it’s best not to get your fingerprints all over the “working parts” of the card itself. Align your PCI card tabs with the open slot on your motherboard and firmly press down on the mounting bracket and the top edge of the card until the card is snuggly secured into position.

All that’s left of the card installation is to screw the mounting bracket screw from step 2 into your new PCI card bracket, securing your card in its place.

Step 4: Finished

Replace your computer’s side panel and screw it into place, plug in your power supply unit and boot up. Now you’re back in the realm of software where you’re the undisputed master. When your computer boots up, install your drivers and you’re set! ( To be safe, you should always read the directions included with your PCI card to be certain. )

This article was published on Wednesday 30 November, 2005.