You have some new hardware, now you need to install it!
First the cautions:
Ground yourself and the computer!ESD will kill your new hardware faster than
you can snap your fingers!
Disconnect the power cord from the computer! Accidentally powering up the
computer is not good for the components while your hands are inside the computer.
Insure that the component is seated all the way in the slot.
Be careful with cables, if you break the receptacle on you new device you
will have to buy another one!
Install you new device in the slot, memory is special. Memory has two locks,
one on each end use both hands to press one each end of the module, you want it
to go into the slot all at once, not on an angle. When you press it in and it
seats the locks will go into position with a 'click', press them inwards on the
memory module to insure they are locked. [A misaligned memory module can burn up
if not properly seated!]
Put the cover back on the computer, this will preclude you from reaching
inside the computer while it is powered up. Touching the components while powered
up is dangerous and could cause you to be badly injured if not killed. Also
moving cables while the computer powered up may damage the component it is
connected to.
Connect any external cables (keyboard, mouse, etc) that you disconnected.
Before you power up have the key press to access the BIOS settings, you will
want the BIOS to see the new hardware before the OS does.
Power up, once the system is running log on. Once the welcoming screen goes
away the OS should find your new hardware, if it needs any drivers have the
install media available. Assuming that the hardware was found and the OS loaded
the drivers install any programs that are associated with the new hardware.
New hardware or a device not functioning when installed.
You install your new card in your computer and start it up, after the welcome
page or log on, nothing. The computer doesn't see your new card. What is going
on? You know the device is good, it is brand new!
Well there are some things
that you need to look at. First shut the computer down. Check the card, is it
seated in the slot properly? When you are satisfied that it is seated restart
the system. While it is starting use the key press to get into the BIOS
settings. You will not see the card but the BIOS needs to be saved. One more
thing you can do in the BIOS is go to the PCI screen and see what interrupts are
being used. Check the documentation for the card and see if it requires a
specific interrupt, if so set it for the slot that the new card is in.
Save you changes and restart the computer, did the OS find the new hard ware?
Yes, enjoy!
No then you have some more work to do. Check the new device's
documentation, is there a setup program for the device drivers, if so run it.
Did the OS find the device?
Yes, done!
No then you will need to restart the system, once restarted did the OS
see the new device? Yes, done! No then open System Manager (Right click on My
Computer, select Manage from the menu, drop down to Device Manager) locate your
new device, is it listed by name or is it a generic
yellow '?'.
Either way right click on the device, go to properties. On the General tab check
the Device status. The status reports either
working properly or there is an error. Check the Device usage box, if it is
reporting 'Do not use this device.... (disable)' change to 'Use this device
(enable)'. Next go to Driver tab it should report a Driver Provider, Date,
Version, and if it is a signed driver. If there isn't a driver listed close the
properties page.
Anywhere in the white space in the right window of the Device manager, select
'Scan for hardware changes'.
Did the OS find the new hardware? If it finds the hardware let it search for
drivers. If it doesn't find the drivers, redo the scan for hardware changes,
when the 'Welcome to the Fond new Hardware Wizard' opens select 'No, not this
time' click 'Next'. Select 'Install from a list of or specific location
(Advanced), click 'Next'. On the next screen is where you can search for the
driver. Select 'Include this location in the search' if you know the location
type it in or do a search for your drivers. The program should fine your new
hardware drivers.
Another step you could take if the
above step fails but is more involved:
Instead of selecting
'Include this location in the search' select 'Don't search I will choose the
driver to install'. In the 'Hardware Type' window scroll down to your device type
and highlight it. Click 'Next', regardless of what is displayed by the window
select 'Have Disk...' Click 'Next', Type in the path to the drivers or browse to
the location. Click 'OK' you will be given a list of devices that the program
found, select the driver of your device. Sometimes the will be more than one
device that is supported select yours. Complete the install.
This site contains a lot of information. As
with any publication not all information is available due to space, time, or
subject constraints.
If you have a question that you did not find the answer
on this web site you a can
ask your question here and we will endeavor to get you the most up to date
answer possible!
