Installing Video Cards

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Installing a Video Card is pretty simple. You can do it yourself easily. All you need is a screwdriver and your Video Card installation instructions. You may want to also create a system disk to rescue your system in case of trouble, although this instance is remote.

• Firstly, remove the old card. Unplug the monitor from the back of the computer, then take the case off and find the Video Card. If you don't know which one is the Video Card, find the one the monitor plugs into. That's it. Unscrew the screw that fastens it to the computer. Save the screw. Then gently pull the card from its slot. It may be easier to rock the card back and forth a little to pry it loose, but don't break the slot.
• If you have a separate Video Card, you can skip this step. This applies to you guys with integrated video circuitry on your motherboard. Some computers don't have a Video Card, but instead the monitor plugs into the motherboard. In this case, you must disable this circuitry before installing a separate card. You may need your motherboard's manual for this one, but most of them have a small switch or jumper to flip that disables this. Next, pick the slot you are going to use for the card, and remove the corresponding dust cover from the back of the computer.
• Now you can insert the new card. Move any cables out of the way. Position the card over the slot, with the monitor connection facing the back of the computer. Line up the pins on the card with the slot. Then push down. It may help to insert one side of the card first, then the other. Don't be afraid to push. It sometimes takes some force to get the card in. Just use your own judgment. Don't break anything.
• Fasten that screw you saved down into place to secure the card. The screw just needs to be snug. You don't want to strip it.
• Put the case back on, plug it in, and turn it on.
• It should work just fine. You haven't installed the drivers yet, but the Operating System should be able to stick it in a basic VGA mode or something to make the new card work. Next, follow the instructions on the driver diskette to install the drivers. If you use Windows 95, your system might detect the hardware and request the disk be inserted. If this happens, you did a good job putting it in. Now simply follow the on-screen instructions, and enjoy your new Video Card!