2-16
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.5 Expansion slots
Inthefuture,youmayneedtoinstallexpansioncards.Thefollowingsubsectionsdescribethe
slots and the expansion cards that they support.
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card
Toinstallanexpansioncard:
1. Beforeinstallingtheexpansioncard,readthedocumentationthatcamewithitand
make the necessary hardware settings for the card.
2. Removethesystemunitcover(ifyourmotherboardisalreadyinstalledinachassis).
3. Removethebracketoppositetheslotthatyouintendtouse.Keepthescrewforlater
use.
4. Alignthecardconnectorwiththeslotandpressrmlyuntilthecardiscompletely
seated on the slot.
5. Secure the card to the chassis with the screw you removed earlier.
6. Replacethesystemcover.
2.5.2 Configuring an expansion card
Afterinstallingtheexpansioncard,congureitbyadjustingthesoftwaresettings.
1. TurnonthesystemandchangethenecessaryBIOSsettings,ifany.See
Chapter 4
for
informationonBIOSsetup.
2. AssignanIRQtothecard.
Refertothetable
Standard Interrupt assignments
in section
Interrupt assignments
for
more information.
3. Install the software drivers for the expansion card.
Ensure to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do
so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.
WhenusingPCIcardsonsharedslots,ensurethatthedriverssupport“ShareIRQ”orthat
thecardsdonotneedIRQassignments.Otherwise,conictsmayarisebetweenthetwo
PCIgroups,makingthesystemunstableandthecardinoperable.