How to Properly Install Additional Hardware on Your Computer

Are you the typical computer user who is not adventurous enough to explore his/her computer? You’re so worried that you might break something that you don’t make any effort to learn everything there is to learn about it. You would rather spend money hiring someone to install a simple video card for you even when you are more than capable of doing it yourself.

Contrary to what some people may think, installing computer hardware is not difficult to do. It is actually very easy and, in fact, it is difficult to get it wrong. The reason for this is because these components are designed in such a way that it will only fit a certain port, slot or bay. If you try inserting it somewhere else, it will not fit. Also, you don’t have to worry about inserting it the wrong way because figuring out which end goes where isn’t difficult at all. With the exception of PS/2 connections and audio ports, everything else will fit in only one slot type and in only one way or direction.

Input devices such as the keyboard and mouse connect to the PS/2 ports. There is no other port that will fit the connectors, but there is a slim chance for error here because although the ports are the same, each of these ports is designed to only operate either a keyboard or a mouse. Even then, it is unlikely that you will get it wrong because the ports are color-coded and so are the connectors. Similarly, the ports found on sound cards use the same 3.5mm jack but each port is device-specific. These are also color-coded to hint which goes where.

To be able to understand all this, you have to first be familiar with your motherboard. Go ahead, remove the side panel of your computer case and look inside. Motherboards come in various shapes, colors, sizes and layouts but they all have more or less the same components. By referring to your user manual while looking at the motherboard, it will be easier for you to identify the different parts of your motherboard and what hardware device goes where. Basically, it will have the following:

• AGP/PCIe slot for your graphics card
• PCI slots for other add-on cards such as sound cards and capture cards
• Memory slots for your RAM (Random Access Memory)

The hardware components mentioned can only be installed on the appropriate slot. This means that a graphics card will only go in the AGP/PCIe slot, PCI-based cards will only go in the PCI slots and so on. Installing the parts is very easy as long as you get the right hardware specified for your board. If you get an AGP card and your graphics card slot turns out to be a PCIe slot, it’s not going to happen. Be sure to check the user manual first to determine what type of hardware you can add.

Finally, you should be aware of some rules before you go digging inside your computer case to change or add hardware. First of all, remember to ground yourself before touching any electronic component inside your computer to discharge static electricity left in your body. You can do this by touching any metal object such as the computer case itself. Second, please be careful when using a screwdriver to remove screws. If you scratch the motherboard, you could damage it. Third, don’t use too much force when installing memory or add-on cards. If it refuses to go all the way in, it might be because the memory/add-on card is not properly aligned or the orientation is wrong. Some memory chips have notches at the bottom and if the notches are not properly aligned with the slot, it will not go in completely and forcing it will only damage it. With add-on cards, the presence of the metal bracket on one side of the card is enough to tell you that the metal bracket part goes at the back where the bracket meets the case part. When you’ve figured all that out, it will be easier for you the next time you have to install a new hardware component.

After a while of learning and experimenting, you will realize how easy it really is. Imagine how much money you would save from simply doing things yourself. If you find yourself stuck and out of answers because of a particular problem in the future, don’t worry because you can always look it up online. There is an ocean of resources available just waiting for you to access so go ahead and try it.