Tip #2577 - Installing the PCI card
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Installing
the PCI Card
Have you ever purchased some
type of a PCI card for your computer? Well, if you have, you may have
run into some trouble with the installation process. Although it's not
very hard to install a PCI card, it can sometimes be confusing. So, here
is your PCI card guide.
Before we go into
anything else, PCI stands for Peripheral Connect Interface. PCI cards
are the most current and standard expansion slots that come on computers
today. They usually support up to 32 bit cards and they are known for
transferring data very quickly. They also take up a lot less space on
the motherboard and they are usually white in color. Here is a sample
picture of a PCI card slot for you.
Now, on to the installation
guide.
The first thing you'll
need to do is install the drivers for the PCI card, so go ahead and insert
the CD that came along with your card into your computer. Next, double
click on the My Computer icon and find the CD ROM drive
that your computer uses and then double click on that. Several folder
names will come up. You need to find the appropriate drivers, so look
for the folder that says "USB 2.0 PCI Card" and double click
it.
Once in there, click
on the Via folder. This folder contains three other folders
and you will just need to choose the one that is correct for your system.
There is one for Macs, one for Windows 98SE and ME and one for Windows
XP. Once you choose the correct one, there will be one more folder for
you to click on. Double click that and then you will be looking at the
folder that contains the actual drivers that you need. Look for the folder
that says Setup.exe, double click on it and the driver
installation will begin. (Just for your information, there is also a folder
that says Read Me. If you want to learn more about the card, etc., you
can click on that and read all about it).
This process will reboot your
computer, so once it restarts, go ahead and shut it down again so you
can insert the actual PCI card. Now, before you go any further, make sure
your computer is powered down and that all of your power sources have
been disconnected from the server. Electricity plays a major part in installing
a PC card, so If you fail to turn everything off, you could be injured
yourself or you could damage your computer equipment.
Now, you need to remove
the case that surrounds the PCI card unit. To do this, you will just need
to unscrew the screws and remove the side panel. This will then give you
plenty of room to install your new card. While you're inside, be aware
of static electricity, because a charge could build up, so just be careful
when doing this.
When you have the
case off, locate an empty PCI card slot. You may have more than one available
and if you do, just try to keep one slot empty between the different cards
so your computer can still cool off. This isn't a huge deal and it's certainly
not required for the card to work, but if you have the option, it's good
practice.
Next, you'll need to remove
the screws that hold the PCI slot cover. Once you remove this, you won't
need the cover anymore, but it's a good idea to hold onto it. Also, make
sure you keep ahold of the screws.
You're now ready to
actually put the PCI card in. Remove it from its packaging and be gentle
when you're holding it. Try to hold the card by the metal bracket around
it or by the edges. Now, just simply align the card with the open slot,
insert the card in and press down on it firmly until the card is placed
in there tightly. Now, get the screw from the above step and use it on
the PCI card bracket to make sure the card is secure in its place.
After you have all
that done, you can just put the side panel back on your computer, screw
it into place and then turn your computer back on. You should see the
New Hardware Found message in the bottom right hand corner
of your desktop. The drivers will then finish installing automatically
and you will be all set to use your new card.
Note:
These directions are mostly for the PCI cards that WorldStart sells, but
if you have purchased a card from another company, make sure you read
through their directions just to make sure you're doing it correctly.
~ Erin
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