Learn How To Install A Sound Card Fast

Sound Card installation is indeed simple and rather
straight forward,that is,when you know how to do it.
Opening the system unit can be a scary task for
some of us,especially if we have not performed this
task before.

The key is to be calm,take your time,and make it fun.
Look forward to looking inside the computer and see
just how many components you can readily identify.

PC Repair's cdrom one and the PC Test cdrom are
filled with photos and video clips of these components.
Remember to touch a doorknob or any grounded metal
object to remove static electricity from your body.To
install your new sound card,let's perform the following.

OPEN THE SYSTEM UNIT

Remove the system unit cover and locate an empty
expansion bay.Note that the rear cover of the slot
may have to be removed on most computers.Before
touching anything,ground yourself to remove any
buildup of elecrtical static charge from yourself.
Touching the computer case or a boorknob will do
the job.

With the cover removed from the system unit,lay
the computer on its side.You may have to remove
other connections or devices to have clear access
to the empty card bay.

Take notes of any devices or connections that you
make so that you can refer to them during installation
of the new card.

New sound cards must be installed in the PCI slot.
After removing the small rear cover,remove the new
card from its protective wrap.This wrap is intended
to keep the card away from electrical static charge.

INSTALLING THE SOUND CARD

Grasp the card and align it with the PCI slot.
Slowly but firmly press the new card completely in
the PCI slot.Check to be sure no part of the yellow
contacts can be seen when the card is pushed in.

Secure the sound card to the system unit by using
the screw that you removed when removing the rear
cover.Use this screw to secure the card to the case.

If you have on sound installed on the motherboard
and you want to install another card,most systems
will disable the motherboard integrated sound.If not,
consult your computer manual to find the correct
jumpers to disable the motherboard sound.

Now the cdrom audio cable must be connected.
Insert one end of the audio cable for the cdrom or
dvd drive into the CD-IN socket of the sound card.
The other end is inserted into the audio-out socket
of the cdrom or dvd drive.

Check and double check all connections before you
replace the system unit cover.If all connections are
good,replace the cover and reboot the system after
all peripherals are reconnected.

REPLACE THE SYSTEM UNIT COVER

The computer should automatically detect the
new card and attempt to install the device drivers
needed to communicate with the card.Windows
should prompt you to install the software needed
to allow the card to communicate to the computer.

The new card should have come with a cdrom with
device drivers and other software for the card.Simply
inserted the cdrom in the cdrom drive and select the
cdrom installation when prompted.

Test the new sound card by re-booting the computer.
You should hear the Windows startup sound if the
card is operational.In some cases,the new card will be
operational without rebooting your computer.

Installing or upgrading your sound card is that easy.
You will need a quality speaker system to take full
advantage of your new sound card.Get a speaker
system with a super woofer for maximum sound
quality.

Those new games and your new music cdroms will
be much more exciting with that new sound bursting
from the new sound card.If you're blessed enough
to have two computers,install the card in the other
system,at your convience.This will give you the
added training of installing computer components.