Inside the Case

All the good stuff in your system unit is inside the case. With most system units, you can remove the case to peek and poke around inside.

To remove your system unit's case, look for some big screws or thumbscrews on either the side or back of the case. (Even better read your PC's instruction manual for instructions specific to your unit.) With the screws loosened or removed, you should then be able to either slide off the entire case, or pop open the top or back.

When you open the case on your system unit, you see all sorts of computer chips and circuit boards. The really big board located at the base of the computer (into which everything else is plugged) is called the motherboard, because it's the "mother" for your microprocessor and memory chips, as well as for the other internal components that enable your system to function. This motherboard (like the one shown in Figure 1.3) contains several slots, into which you can plug additional boards (also called expansion cards, or just cards) that perform specific functions. Different computers use different types of motherboards, so the layout will differ from PC to PC.

Figure 1.3. The inside of a typical system unit a big motherboard with lots of add-on boards attached.

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caution

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Always turn off and unplug your computer before attempting to remove the system unit's case and be careful about touching anything inside! Not only can you shock yourself, but if you have any built-up static electricity, you can seriously damage the sensitive chips and electronic components with an innocent touch.


If add-on cards aren't inserted correctly, your entire system could fail to function. In addition, if the switches or jumpers on a card are set in the wrong positions, that card or your entire system might seriously malfunction. (Don't worry, I cover setting switches and jumpers in Chapter 2, "Preparing Your System for an Upgrade.")

Some cards also require you to run software-based setup programs to configure parts of your system. Whatever the case, always be sure to consult the instructions that come with each card to make certain everything is set correctly before you button up the case and turn on the power again.

You might even find it necessary to make adjustments to your operating system or to specific software programs so that you can use your new cards. Check each program to determine whether it must be adjusted or set up individually to operate with your new card.



Absolute Beginner's Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC
Absolute Beginners Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC
ISBN: 0789730456
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 206

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