Expansion Slots and Cards (P1, P2)

Expansion slots are an interface on your motherboard to allow you connect external devices that fit directly to your motherboard rather than through wires which means you get a quicker transfer time. There are many types of expansion slots and there are often many slots on the each motherboard. The first expansion slots was an AGP slot which was a legacy graphics card adapter found on many motherboards, although it is not used on modern motherboards any more. The most common expansion slot is the PCI which can be used for pretty much any purpose, graphics, networking, interface ports etc. The newest slot type, and becoming increasingly common place, is the PCI express slot which is often used for modern graphics cards.

PCI slots on a motherboard

To go into these slots there is an array of expansion cards. Some of these include:

·         Graphics Cards – Used to create the graphics you see on your monitor.

·         Sound Cards – Used to generate the sound coming from your speakers.

·         Network Cards – Used to connect you to the internet.

·         Modems – Used to connect to a phone line for a dial-up connection.

·         TV tuner cards – Used to pick up TV signals and allow you to watch them on your computer.

·         Interface adapter cards – Used to give you extra interface ports, such as USB, eSATA, and firewire.



A graphics card


 

1. To install an expansion card you must first make sure that you are earthed and that the side of your computer has been removed via the two screws at the back.

2. Secondly you must make sure that you make sure you know what expansion slot the card needs to go into, therefore stopping any damage occurring to the equipment.

3. Then you must remove the expansion slot cover that is situated opposite the slot for your card by removing the screw the on top of the cover.

4. Then align the card with the slot and gently push the card into place, making sure it fits and does not bend as you do not wish to damage the card.



Installing the card



5. Once in place you then need to re-place the screw into the case, making sure the card is under the head of the screw as this will hold the card in place when the computer is standing back up.

6. Then re-place the side of the case and turn the computer on and install the drivers necessary.