Your desktop computer provides slots for PCI and AGP cards. For more information, see "Specifications" or the system board components illustration for your computer.
NOTE: To meet PC99
requirements, your Dell™
computer uses only PCI
slots. ISA cards are not
supported.
If you are installing or replacing a card, follow the procedures in the next section. If you are removing but not replacing a card, see "Removing a Card."
Shut down the computer through the Start menu.
Ensure that your computer and attached devices are turned off. If your
computer and attached devices did not automatically turn off when
you shut down your computer, turn them off now.
NOTICE: To disconnect a network cable, first unplug the cable from your
computer and then unplug it from the network wall jack.
Disconnect any telephone or telecommunication lines from the
computer.
Disconnect your computer and all attached devices from electrical
outlets, and then press the power button to ground the system board.
If you have installed a padlock through the padlock ring on the back
panel, remove the padlock.
CAUTION: To guard against electrical shock, always unplug your computer from the electrical outlet before opening the cover.
NOTICE: Before touching anything inside your computer, ground yourself by
touching an unpainted metal surface, such as the metal at the back of the
computer. While you work, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface to
dissipate any static electricity that could harm internal components.
If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a
card-slot opening. Then continue with step 4.
If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer,
remove the card.
If necessary, disconnect any cables connected to the card. Grasp the card by its top corners, and ease it out of its connector.
Prepare the card for installation.
See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing it for your computer.
CAUTION: Some network connectors automatically start the computer when they are connected to a network. To guard against electrical shock, be sure to unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before installing any cards. Verify that the standby power light on the system board is off. To locate this light, see the system board illustration (for the desktop computer, see "System Board Components").
Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the
card is fully seated in the slot.
If the card is full-length, insert the end of the card into the card guide bracket as you lower the card toward its connector on the system board. Insert the card firmly into the card connector on the system board.
If you are replacing an AGP card, align the AGP card guide with the
base and press down on the indentation until the guide stops at the
top of the AGP card.
NOTICE: AGP Pro requires a free PCI slot next to the AGP card.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed
over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause
damage to the equipment.
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network
wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to
electrical outlets, and turn them on.
If you installed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Integrated Devices, and change the
setting for Sound to Off.
Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors.
Do not connect external audio devices to the microphone,
speaker/headphone, or line-in connectors on the back panel (for
the desktop computer, see "Back View").
If you installed an add-in network connector:
Enter system setup, select Integrated Devices, and change the
setting for Network Interface Card to Off.
Connect the network cable to the add-in network connector's
connectors. Do not connect the network cable to the integrated
connector on the back panel.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card
documentation.
NOTE: Installing filler
brackets over empty card-
slot openings is necessary
to maintain FCC
certification of the
computer. The brackets
also keep dust and dirt
out of your computer.
Lower the retention arm and press it into place, securing the card(s) in
the computer.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network
wall jack and then plug it into the computer.
Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to
electrical outlets, and turn them on.
Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
If you removed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Integrated Devices, and change the
setting for Sound to On.
Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the
computer back panel (for the desktop computer, see "Back View").
If you removed an add-in network connector:
Enter system setup, select Integrated Devices, and change the
setting for Network Interface Card to On.
Connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the
computer back panel (for the desktop computer, see "Back View").
