1 Choosing a Location

When selecting a place to set up your system, choose a safe, convenient location that provides the following:

qA flat, hard surface. Surfaces like beds and carpets attract static electricity, which can erase data on your disks, damage the computer’s circuitry, and prevent proper ventilation.

qGood air circulation. Leave several inches of space around the computer so air can move freely.

qModerate environmental conditions. Select a cool, dry area and protect your computer from extremes in temperature, humidity, dust, and smoke. Avoid direct sunlight or other heat sources.

qNo electromagnetic interference. Do not place your system too close to any electrical device, such as a telephone or television, which generates an electromagnetic field.

qAppropriate power source. Connect all your equipment with the appropriate power cords for the power source in your area. If you are operating the computer in a country other than the one in which you purchased it, see “Power Source Requirements” in Appendix A for the cord you should use.

2 Connecting a Monitor

If you have a VGA monitor (or a multifrequency monitor with an analog connector), you can connect it to the computer’s built-in VGA port as described below. If you have any other type of monitor (or if you want to install a display adapter card to control your monitor), see Chapter 4.

1-2 Setting Up Your System