In: Categories » Computers and technology » Windows XP » Installing Sound and Video Cards under Windows XP
Installing a sound card or video card is much like adding any other adapter card to your PC. If you’re installing a sound card, make sure that you connect the audio cable from your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive (Step 5); if you’re installing a video card, make sure that you pick the right AGP or PCI slot (Step 7). Follow these steps:
1. Cover your work surface with several sheets of newspaper.
2. Unplug your PC and place it on top of the newspaper.
3. Remove the screws on the back of the case and slide the case off, saving the screws for later.
4. To dissipate static electricity, touch a metal surface before handling any cards or touching your PC’s motherboard. For example, touch the PC’s metal chassis I shudder to think of what I’ll do if anyone develops a fiberglass computer case.
5. If you’re installing a new sound card, check for a thin audio cable connected from your old sound card to your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive; if you find one, disconnect the cable from the old sound card.
6. Remove the screw holding the adapter card that you’re upgrading and pull upward to remove it. Don’t forget to put the screw in your spare parts box and put the old adapter card in an anti-static bag for safekeeping. (I use the bag left behind by the new card.) Some AGP card slots have plastic tabs that act as a locking mechanism. Just bend the tab gently with your finger, and you should be able to remove the existing AGP card.
7. Locate the adapter card slot that matches the card that you’re installing. An AGP video card can fit only in a dedicated AGP slot, but a PCI video adapter or sound card should fit in any open slot. Naturally, if the upgrade card uses the same type of slot as the card that it’s replacing, use the empty slot that you’ve just opened up.
8. Pick up the adapter card by the top corners and line up the bottom connector on the card with the slot on the motherboard, making sure that the card’s metal bracket aligns properly with the opening in the back of the PC.
9. After the card is aligned, apply even pressure to the top of the card and push it down into the slot.
10.Place the screw in the corresponding hole in the bracket and tighten it down.
11.If you’re installing a sound card and you disconnected a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM audio cable from the old card, reconnect the cable from your drive to the new card. Check the manual for the card to determine where the CD/DVD audio connector is located; this is a standard connector, so it should be easy to track down.
12.Place the cover back on your PC and replace the screws that you saved from Step 3.
13.Plug your PC back in and turn it on.
14.Run the installation disc that came with your upgrade card or load the driver disc when prompted by Windows.
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