1. Chapter 11 Installing Video and Sound Card Prepared by: Khurram N. Shamsi

2. Video Cards What is a video card?  A video card (or graphics card) is an expansion card whose function is to generate output images to the display.

3. Types of slots for video cards 1. PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slot.  A slot designed to accommodate a wide range of computer parts, including video cards, sound cards, and modems.  A computer may contain up to six PCI slots. 2. AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot.  This is dedicated solely to video cards.  There is only one AGP slot on a motherboard.  AGP video cards are more powerful than PCI cards.

4. Types of slots for video cards Figure 1: The AGP and PCI slots are outlined in red

5. Parts of a video card Figure 2: A Typical Video Card

6. Parts of a video card Screw hole  The small hole where a screw attaches the video card to the computer case. Monitor port  Where the monitor cable plugs in. Metal bracket  Metal piece attached to a video card that contains the monitor port and screw hole. Gold contacts  Part of video card that actually connects to the motherboard. This part is inserted into the slot.

7. Step to install a video card: 1. Locate the proper slot for your new video card. 2. Orient the gold contacts of your new video card towards its slot on the motherboard. 3. If necessary, flip the card so that its metal backer is facing towards the back of the case. 4. Lightly hold the video card’s gold contacts against the slot’s edges. 5. Gently, but firmly, insert the card into the slot. 6. Screw the card into place using the screw. 7. Install the drivers for the new video card.

8. Figure 3: Fix the card in the AGP slot and screw it

9. Sound Cards What is sound card?  A sound card is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signal to and from a computer under control of computer programs.  A sound card is inserted into the PCI slot on a motherboard.

10. Steps to install a sound card 1. Locate the PCI slot for your new sound card. 2. Orient the gold contacts of the card towards its slot on the motherboard. 3. If necessary flip the card so that its metal bracket in facing towards the back of the case. 4. Lightly hold the sound card’s gold contacts against the slot’s edges. 5. Gently, but firmly, insert the card into the slot. 6. Screw the card into the place using the screw. 7. Install the sound drivers for the new sound card.

11. Suggested Websites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_card http://www.howstuffworks.com/graphics- card.htm http://www.howstuffworks.com/graphics- card.htm http://www.howstuffworks.com/agp.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card http://computer.howstuffworks.com/sound- card.htm http://computer.howstuffworks.com/sound- card.htm