Step 2: Prepare your computer

Remove any existing audio card or disable the onboard audio. For more information, see “Troubleshooting and FAQs” on page B-1.

1.Turn off your computer and all peripheral devices.

2.Touch a metal plate on your computer to ground yourself and to discharge any static electricity, and then unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

3.Remove the computer cover.

4.Remove the metal brackets from two adjacent unused PCI slots as shown in Figure 2-2.

Remove screws (if any) and put aside for securing the audio card’s metal bracket.

metal bracket

PCI slot

ISA slot (on older mainboards)

Figure 2-2: Removing metal brackets

Installing Hardware 2-2