Locating the PCI/AGP slots

When the cover is removed, the first thing to do is to locate the PCI/AGP slot on your motherboard, also make sure you have your antistatic wrist band on. Different motherboards have different amounts of PCI/AGP slots, for example you may already have a PCI card installed, in which case just choose an empty slot to install your new PCI/AGP card.

Install modem/sound card/ethernet card etc.

Once you have chosen which PCI/AGP slot you want to use, remove the "blank" from the back of the case to make room for the card. If you are unsure how to remove the "blanks" see your PC case's manual.

note: Blank refers to a small piece of metal that is inserted into the back of the case, in alignment with the PCI/AGP slots. Most blanks are fixed into position with a screw, but different cases use different methods.

Next, align the card with the slot and gently but firmly push the card into position.

Once the PCI/AGP card is seated firmly into place insert the fixing screw, check to make sure nothing has been loosened during installation and then replace the case cover.

When you reboot your machine Windows (or other OS) should find the card automatically, it will then prompt you for the driver disk/cd that came with your card, insert the CD and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you here a sequence of beeps when you boot your machine back up then the card may not be fully seated in the slot.

Installing or adding a new Hard Drive

Starting the Installation

The first step (after removing the case covers) is to remove the "blank" plastic front from the position in which you want to install the cd /dvd writer, also make sure you have your antistatic wrist band on. If you have a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive installed then if possible leave a gap in-between the CD-ROM and the CD/DVD-WRITER, this will enable a sufficient amount of air to flow between the two drives.

If you have trouble removing the "blank" you can use a flat ended screwdriver to ease the blank out, taking care not to damage the case.

CD Writer Back Panel

Next draw your attention to the back panel of the CD/DVD Recorder.

There are 3 options, Cable Select, Slave, and Master.

Selection is done by means of a jumper, the option you choose will depend on your system set-up.

• Master should be selected if this will be the only device on a single IDE cable, or, if it is the second device to be connected and the other device is set to slave.
• Slave should be selected if this will be the second device on a singe IDE cable, for instance, if you do not already have a CD-ROM drive then you could attach the new device to the same IDE cable as your hard drive (where your hard drive will be the master).
• Cable Select should be selected only when the devices are to be attached as the cable depicts, ie, the first connector (working away from the motherboard) is the slave and the last connector .

A standard IDE Cable has 3 connections (notice the difference in distance between the connectors), the blue connection plugs into the motherboard and then the slave and master connections are used for IDE devices such as hard drives, CD/DVD-ROM Drives and CD/DVD Writers. Note that black connector on the other end of the cable is the master and the middle connector is the slave.

Insert the CD/DVD Writer / CD/DVD Player

The next step is to gently slide the device into the empty bay, making sure it is free of any obstruction.

Next take the screws that came with your CD Writer and secure the device so it is flush with the front of your case, ensure to secure using all the screws supplied (normally 4).

Connecting the cables

The next step is to attach the IDE and power cables.

The power cable will only fit one way, so you won't put it in the wrong way round, but as a guide the red wire should go to 5v.

The IDE cable will be marked down one side with a red or black strip, this denotes Pin 1, match this with the Pin 1 indicator on the back of the device, further, some IDE cables have a blank in one hole to stop you inserting it in incorrectly.

If you would like to attach an audio cable to the device follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Finishing the Installation

Double check all connections and make sure the device is set correctly as master or slave.

You may wish to test the device is correctly installed before replacing the covers, but it is advisable to replace the covers before reconnecting the mains.

When you reboot your machine the bios should automatically detect the new drive, and then when you get to the windows screen, go to My Computer and you should see your new drive there. The letter assigned to the drive will depend on your machine's configuration.

Next follow the manufacturer's instructions to install your CD Writer software, we will shortly be publishing a course for Nero^® burning software which you will find in the courses section.

Orient The Chip

The first step (after removing the case cover) involves locating Pin 1 on both the chip and the socket, this is easy to do. Also make sure you have your antistatic wrist band on. The chip is always marked at Pin 1. the mark may be a little dot on one corner, a slightly notched corner, or a mark at one of the pins under the chip. On the socket, there is usually a notch on one corner, or a big "1". These corners will be matched up for correct installation.

Open ZIF Socket

This is done by grabbing the lever on one side of the socket and opening it. Pull the lever from the closed, level position, to the open, vertical position. You may need to pull the lever out a little before it will open. Do this slowly and be sure not to force it. You don't want to break the socket. On the way up, you may experience a little more force. This is normal.

Insert Processor

Bearing in mind the orientation determined in Step 1, insert the chip into the socket. With a ZIF socket, the chip should install very easily. It should almost fall into the socket with all pins lining up. If not, the socket is probably not open all the way. If you don't have a ZIF socket, you need to exercise extreme care. Lay the chip on the socket. Make sure all pins line up. Then, slowly push the chip into the socket. Use your thumb and push on one side of the chip until it starts to go in. Then proceed to another side and repeat. Do this around the chip several times until it is completely installed.

Erradicate gaps

When done, there should be basically no gap between the bottom of the processor and the socket.

Close ZIF Socket

Just close the lever. You will probably feel some resistance. This is normal and it should close anyway. If you really need to lean on it, check to be sure the chip is installed correctly. When down, make sure the lever snaps into place.

Locating the DIMM slots

After removing the cover the first thing to do is to locate the DIMM slots on your motherboard. Also make sure you have your antistatic wrist band on.

Unless you are installing a new motherboard then your slots will already have at least one dimm module installed, if this is the case then install the new memory module into the empty slot next to the module that is already installed.

If your motherboard does not have any memory installed then refer to your motherboard's manual for details about which slot to use.

note: Motherboards vary, although there are three slots in most cases, your motherboard may have a different amount of slots.

DIMM Installation

When you remove the DIMM memory module from its packaging hold it by the edges, try not to touch the gold coloured contacts as this can damage the memory.

Now you are ready to install the module, ensuring the notches line up with the keys, gently but firmly push the memory into the slot until it is seated fully, the ejector clips should rise to the vertical position.

Now your memory is installed, ensure you haven't loosened any cables while you have been working and also ensure that the memory module is fully seated and the ejector clips are in the vertical position.

Replace the cover of your PC, connect your peripherals and boot the machine (turn it on - don't kick it :o)) your bios should recognise the memory instantly, to check this you can go to the control panel of your operating system (windows).

If your machine just beeps at you when you turn it on then the chances are that the memory is not inserted correctly, if this is the case disconnect all peripherals and follow the steps again.

Power Supply Removal

After removing the cover the first thing to do is to make sure you have plenty of room to install a power supply. Also make sure you have your antistatic wrist band on.

While removing the power supply, it helps to make a diagram to remember where everything goes when you are ready to install a power supply.

Remove the screws holding the computer's power supply into the case. Be sure to support it so that it doesn't fall after the screws have been removed.

Disconnect the power supply from the motherboard and from the drives and any fans that it is connected directly to.

Carefully remove the power supply from the computer case.

Power Supply Install

Place your new power supply in the same location of the old one. Note the location of screw holes and make sure they line up! Install the screws to secure it in place.

Connect the power supply to the motherboard, the amount of connections vary between motherboards, mine has three. Then connect the power supply to all of the drives and any extra fans you might have.

Double check all of your work, make sure all connections are good and secure. Also make sure that your power supply is securely screwed in.

Plug in your computer and make sure it turns on and everything is running ok. Then continue by placing the computer's case back onto the computer.