Install the Video Card
Here are the steps you need to take to install your Video Card.
1. Find an expansion slot ideal for your video card. Most video cards in use today are using the PCI-E slot. Other cards use the PCI bus, which most motherboards have several of and the slots are usually white.
2. Remove the case insert that corresponds to the slot on the motherboard. This is usually done by unscrewing, but some cases have punch out inserts. If unclear, what we are referring to by “insert” is the small plate which covers up the rear slots on your case which your expansion cards will emerge from.
3. Insert the video card in the slot. You might need to rock the card in, inserting one end first, then rocking the rest of the pins into place. When pushing down, make sure the motherboard does not flex.
4. With the video card inserted into the correct slot, it will probably sit there with no support at all. It is still, though, necessary to tighten it in using a screw. The card’s metal plate will have a notch for a screw and it will line up with a screw hole on the side of the expansion hole on the rear of the case. Just insert a screw into that hole and tighten it.
5. Double-check your work. Make sure the card is securely in place and, if your video card has a cooling fan on it, make sure no ribbon cables or power leads are getting into the fan blades.
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| CONGRATULATIONS |
If everything is right your should now have a fully functional pc that you have created yourself. Now, you are about ready to turn your new PC on for the first time. But before we do so we need to give everything the once over and make sure we didn't’t miss something. So, with a flashlight, check all of your work. It is better to “waste” the time than to engage in wasted time trying to track down why the system will not boot.
Make sure to check these steps to check your pc one last time before trying to boot.
1. Drives properly connected to the power supply.
2. CPU fan attached to the power supply or to the power connector on the motherboard.
3. If this is an older AT machine, ensure the P8 and P9 main power connectors are installed properly, with black wires in middle.
4. All connections tight, no connectors off by one set of pins.
5. No wires or ribbon cables protruding into fan blades
6. Power switch connector on ATX machines properly connected to the PWR_SW pins on the motherboard. If this is not properly done, the machine may not even turn on when the switch is pressed.
See software tab for setting up your PC.
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