How to install and configure expansion cards

The expansion cards are the integral part of the motherboard since it is the host to many cards which are necessary for the performance of the computer. There are many slots on the cards where the other devices cards can be fit in. But while fitting those cards, one should be very careful since it might get damaged if too much force is applied to it. Also, it is better if there are many of the expansion slots since more the slots would be there, more the cards would be able to get installed there. Some cards which are necessary for the good performance and are installed into the mother board's expansion slots are as follows;



Sound cards:

These cards are responsible for the sounds that we hear in the movies or music, etc. Mostly desktop have the built in cards. But one should know that if the PC doesn't have a card, or it needs to be changed due to any reason, then there is a way to install it and configure it up. Before the installation, one should check out the information which it has. The cards might contain some special guideline which has to be followed so that's why guidelines should be checked first. The card is also installed in the PCI slot. One should unplug the power cable and all components of PC and open the CPU up and look for the extra and empty PCI slot. Then he should connect the card there by putting the card there and then tightening it with the screw. Then he should turn on the PC and insert the CD or DVD that came with the card. Then one can search for the drivers and install it from CD. But before that, one should let windows search a good driver and if windows fail, then use the driver in the CD.



Video Cards:

Video cards are the graphic cards and they have a very important role for a gamer. One should know that video cards are big. The reason behind is, that there's a fan which is built on the video card itself since the cars get heated up quite quickly. So they must have some cooling system of their own, besides the other cooling systems of the PC. When is plugged into an expansion slot, it covers pretty huge area. The installation of the video card requires three steps. First of all, one should know that they have to let go of the old drivers. This can be done by using the Device manager. One can simply press Alt+Ctl+Del and can have that manager. When the display adapts are shown, he can right click and uninstall them. Doing that would cause the display becoming bit blurry. It is only for the windows since and Mac OS users did not have to uninstall drivers before they are going to install a new card. The second step is unplugging the computer. One should shut it down and unplug all of the components and most importantly, should detach the power cord. The third step is, to open up the case and check out the connector's side. Those connectors would be connected to the motherboard and hence one can understand from which part he should be accessing the computer. Then he should unscrew the screws and then should identify the PCIe slots. PCIe is mentioned since many modern computers have them. If one can't identify the card slot, then he should check the manufacturer's guide. During this, one is supposed to be wearing some rubber shoes so the chances of shock are minimized. Now, one should remove the old card and insert the new one. After this, one should attach the cables and turn on the computer for the configuration.



Network cards:

These cards help the computer getting connected to the internet. Before installing a network card, one should know that many motherboards come with the built on cards and there isn't any need to attach one future. But if someone wants to change or attach the card, he should do some steps. First, he should find the suitable network card and for this he can gain help of the manufacturer's book. Installing a card of PC networking is rated at 4/5, so one should be careful and concentrated here. Before making the installation, one should be sure that the power is unplugged. Also, the jumpers should be checked up if they are ready or not. Mostly cards now have plug and play and if it is that, it's highly recommended so one do not have to configure it manually. Also, the network cards today get connected to the PC slot. So one should insert the card and keep some gentle pressure until it holds there. Then connecting all the wires internally and externally and starting the computer would help configure the card.



Serial and Parallel Cards:

For installation of this card, one should simply open up the computer when it's off and put it there at the position. The main thing is the configuration after installation which takes more time. For configuration, one must turn on the PC and go to BIOS. Then he should go to Advanced Tab and the I/O Device configuration. Here he would find the Serial Port A and he should click at enable and quit and save it all. Again, he should enable the serial port B as well using the same way and then should quit. Then when the computer is restarted, he should select the safe mode from the BIOS and should go to the Device manager once computer is on. Now one should, just to be on safer side look for any old Port and then uninstall it if found and restart. Upon start, computer would find the port itself.



USB cards:

USB card actually is a pretty easy one. One simple has to open up the computer making sure it's completely power off a d the cord is unplugged. Then one can simple look for the manual guide to see where the USB cards can be attached. After are it done, restart and look for the drivers using the device manager or the windows update.



Firewire Cards:

The Firewire cards are connected to the PCI board. One would have to install and configure it all by himself. As it's understood, like all other hardware's, this hardware also has to be installed with screws and has to be planted in the motherboard. Also, the devices can be searched for it using the windows update.



Storage cards:

Installing a storage card requires a medium level difficulty. These are the multimedia cards, SD cards; flash cards etch which fall under this category. What is needed for this all is a memory card, computer, memory card reader and the empty slot. First thing is, that one should connect the memory card to some specific device and see if the type of memory is supported and whether it has the maximum capacity or not. The OD modules normally have limited capacity hosting. Second thing is that one should try to put it into computer and format it. Mostly cards get formatted with the FAT file system. It should be done by putting it into a card reader. Then an option would appear that device is detected but the data can't be read. There one should format the card since the format option would appear as well. Then the OS would normally be start showing the configuration settings for the card. So, one should just check for the start button so that the process starts and then wait for the format process to get ended. Then it should be closed after the procedure is done. Then the card should be removed from the reader device and the drive should be turned off so that one can replace he memory card. Then one should search for the memory slot and insert the memory card in a way so that it doesn't get damaged and they should press the clips back to keep it sealed there.



Modem cards:

Before getting started, omen should first of all, write all the information from the start to end of the card like the model number, specification and serial numbers. Also, one should know that they shouldn't install the modem if the PC is on. Also, if the card is of old type, it might require jumpers to be reset but if the card is new, it might not require the jumpers nice these days many of the cards do not require that. Many of the cards have the plug and play and it is pretty useful since the card can be configured plug and play. The cards these days have the ability to be getting connected with PCI, AMR and CRN. So, one should place the card in the expansion slot and then push it so gentle so that there is some sound and then, should use a screw to tighten it with the computer. The modem uses a Com interface. So one should now put the computer wires and other parts together and then should go to the BIOS Manu for CMOS setup. BIOS can be accessed by pressing F12. In the setup, one should make sure that the COM ports are there and enabled and then one should restart the commuter. Now when the card has been installed and the CMOS is enabled too, now restart computer again and one would find the windows searching for the drive automatically.



Wireless/cellular cards:

The installation of the card can be the easiest task here. For installing it, one should shut off the PC and should remove the cover using screws. Then the PCI slot has to be searched for an open slot. When it is found, one should put the card in it and safe it. Now one should put the cover back and turn the PC on. When it is on, it would automatically recognize the device and the hardware would be enabled itself and now is the time for the configuration. These configurations can be done by going to the control panel; there one would find network and then wireless network connection. Here the properties should be click and the wireless network tab should be searched. Now, search for the wires networking name and click of the word configuration. Now the security settings should be adjusted to match the ones which are on the router.



TC Tuner cards:

This card installation is quicker and easier. One should just turn off computer and then open it up. After then, the PCI slot should be searched for where one can put the plugs in it. Now, the same procedure has to be followed it was done before. After opening and before putting in the card, one should ensure one thing. That is that one should touch the power cord. This makes the static charge go away and the chances of getting electrocuted are decreased dramatically. Now close up the computer and turn it on, and insert the CD which came with it. First let the windows from the device manager do that job and search for the best driver for it. If it doesn't, then insert the CD which is given with the card and put it right in the place. The setup will start running and now can install the drivers here. Then one can install the software for the TC, whichever one he wants and it would start working.



Video capture cards:

A video capture or the TC capture are easy things to be installed in one's PC. People install these cards since this allows the USB with 2.0. Also one should know the important factor is of cost. The internal capture cards are the less expensive as compared to some external USB ones. Also, the internal cards have some good features and they are better than the external ones, for installing it, one should turn off the PC and unplug the parts and the wires. Now check out the PCI slot for the card. One can do that using the manual of capture card to help identify the PCI slot. Now when a free slot is found, unscrew the small plate and then put the card directly behind it, replacing and screw it again. Now put all cables back together a turn on the PC, there a hardware wizard would appear helping with the software's and if it can't find, use the CD for the drivers.



Riser Cards:

The expansion slots which re either PCI or the APG are used for the card. First one should know what type of riser card is best for him. Then he should unplug all power cables and open up the PC to go to PCI. Then check for the slot where it can be inserted and once found, push down the card but not so hard since it might not just damage the card but the motherboard itself. Screw it switch the motherboard. Now put all things back together and turn on the PC. Now the plug and play thing would appear and the drivers would be installed automatically.



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