CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
NOTICE: To prevent static damage to components inside your computer, discharge static electricity
from your body before you touch any of your computer's electronic components. You can do so by
touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
NOTE: Your Dell computer uses only PCI slots. ISA cards are not supported.
NOTE: If you are replacing a card, remove the current driver for the card from the operating system.
Lay the computer on its side so that the system board is on the bottom of the inside of the
computer.
Unscrew and remove the filler bracket for the card slot you want to use.
1
securing screw
2
filler bracket
CAUTION: Some network adapters automatically start the computer when they are connected to a network. To guard against electrical shock, be sure to unplug your computer from its electrical outlet before installing any cards.
Align the cutout on the bottom of the card with the crossbar in the system board connector.
Gently rock the card into the connector until it is fully seated.
1
card
2
card cutout
3
card connector on system board
4
crossbar
Ensure that the card is fully seated and that its bracket is within the card slot.
1
not fully seated card
2
fully seated card
3
bracket within slot
4
bracket caught outside of slot
Secure the card bracket with the screw removed in step 3.
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the documentation for the card for information about the card's cable connections.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can cause
damage to the equipment.
Replace the computer cover.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into
the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
If you installed a sound card, perform the following steps:
Enter system setup, select Audio Controller, and change the setting to Off.
Connect external audio devices to the sound card's connectors. Do not connect external
audio devices to the microphone, speaker/headphone, or line-in connectors on the back
panel.
If you installed an add-in network adapter and want to turn off the integrated network
adapter:
Enter system setup, select Network Controller and change the setting to Off.
Connect the network cable to the add-in network adapter's connectors. Do not connect
the network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel.
Install any drivers required for the card as described in the card documentation.
NOTE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification
of the computer. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.
Lower the retention arm and press it into place, securing the card(s) in the computer.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network wall jack and then plug it into
the computer.
Replace the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and
turn them on.
Remove the card's driver from the operating system.
If you removed a sound card:
Enter system setup, select Integrated Devices, and change the setting for Sound to On.
Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the computer back panel.
If you removed an add-in network connector:
Enter system setup, select Integrated Devices, and change the setting for Network
Interface Card to On.
Connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the computer back panel.