CAUTION: Before working inside your computer, read the safety information that shipped with your computer. For additional safety best practices information, see the Regulatory Compliance Homepage at www.dell.com/regulatory_compliance.
lever on chassis wall (may not be present on all computers)
4
filler bracket
5
alignment guide
6
alignment bar
If present on your computer, rotate the lever on the chassis wall upward.
Press the two release tabs on the card retention door towards each other
and pivot the door open. The door is hinged and remains in the open
position.
1
release tab
2
card retention bracket
3
card retention door
If your computer has a card retention bracket to secure the x16 card, press
the release tab downward gently, and then pivot the bracket upward to
access the card slots.
1
PCI Express x16 card slot
2
PCI Express x16 card
3
securing tab
4
PCI Express x1 card
5
PCI Express x1 card slot
NOTICE: Ensure that you release the securing tab to unseat the card. If the card is not removed correctly, the system board may be damaged.
If you are removing a PCI Express card, press the securing tab on the card
slot to remove the card.
If you are removing the card permanently, install a filler bracket in the
empty card-slot opening.
If you need a filler bracket, contact Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in the Quick Reference Guide).
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.
Push the card retention bracket back into its original position; push the tip
of the bracket so the release tab clicks into place.
Close the card retention door to secure the card(s).
NOTE: For full-length PCI-E cards, if a "piano" bracket is present on your computer you need to rotate it down into place.
If present on your computer, rotate the lever on the chassis wall upward.
Press the two release tabs on the card retention door towards each other
and pivot the door open. The door is hinged and remains in the open
position.
If your computer includes a card retention bracket to secure the x16 card,
press the release tab downward gently and then pivot the bracket upward
to access the card slots.
If you are installing a new card, remove the filler bracket to create a card-slot
opening, and then go to step 8.
If you are replacing a card that is already installed in the computer, remove
the existing card. See Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards.
Prepare the card for installation.
See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing it for your computer.
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.
If you are installing the card into the x16 card connector, position the card
so that the securing slot is aligned with the securing tab.
NOTICE: Ensure that you release the securing tab to seat the card. If the card is not installed correctly, you may damage the system board.
Place the card in the connector and press down firmly. Ensure that the card
is fully seated in the slot.
1
fully seated card
2
not fully seated card
3
bracket within slot
4
bracket caught outside of slot
5
alignment bar
6
alignment guide
Ensure that:
The tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar.
The notch in the top of the card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
If you removed a card retention bracket, snap it into place, securing the
PCI Express card.
1
release tab
2
card retention bracket
3
card retention door
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network device and then plug the cable into the computer.
Configuring Your Computer After Removing or
Installing PCI and PCI Express Cards
NOTE: For information on location of connectors, see the Quick Reference Guide. For information on installing drivers and software for your card, see the documentation that shipped with the card.
