white expansion slots on the motherboard, and the AGP is the short brown
one typically to the right of the right-most PCI slot (see Figure 12-6 earlier in
the chapter). Motherboards with a Pentium II processor or higher usually have
an AGP port that can be used for video cards only. You must also be running
Windows 95 OSR2 (the updated OEM version released in 1996), Windows 98,
Windows NT, or Windows 2000. The fact that your PC has an AGP port most
likely means you are able to install or upgrade to an AGP card.- Assuming the PC’s case is open, remove the video card from its anti-static
package. Hold it only by its ends and, avoiding contact with its components
or edge connectors, align the card’s edge connectors to the appropriate slot
with the metal mounting bracket fitting into the open slot in the case. With
your fingers spaced evenly across the top of the card, press down firmly to
seat the card in the slot. Align the mounting bracket with the screw hole in
the case and attach it with a screw. - Some video cards, especially AGP cards, have a power supply connector. Use
an available connector to connect the card to the power supply. Check the card’s
documentation if you are unsure about which power supply connector to use,
if any. Typically, it is the same type of power supply connector used for the
hard disk drives. - The card is installed and ready to go as soon as the software is installed. If the PC’s
operating system, typically Windows, is installed, it’s time to install the device
drivers and utilities for the video card. Typically, the video card comes with a
CD-ROM that will auto-start when you close the CD tray and open an installation
wizard of one kind or another that will guide you through the installation of
the device drivers. - After the video drivers and any other utility software for your video system
are installed, restart the PC. If you have problems, review the next section.
Troubleshooting the Video Card
If you are unsure about what is causing a problem on a video card, use the following gen-
eral troubleshooting steps to determine the problem. Remember that when all else fails,
most video card manufacturers have technical support available or at least a FAQ (Fre-
quently Asked Question) list on their Web sites. The documentation that came with the
video card may also have a troubleshooting guide in it.- Make sure the video card is firmly seated in the appropriate bus slot. There
is actually little worry that you have a PCI card in an AGP slot or vice versa.
One shouldn’t fit in the other—if it was forced, the card is probably no longer
good to use.
Chapter 12: Video Cards^275