Things You'll Need:
- Screwdriver(s)
- Software driver install CD
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Step 1
Shut down your computer and unplug the power cable. You may wish to unplug other cords so that you can move the tower around.
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Step 2
Remove the side panel of the PC tower case with a screwdriver. There should be a few Phillips head screws on the back of the computer that allow you to remove the side panels. The left side panel is almost always the one that will allow you to access the motherboard.
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Step 3
Find an open PCI slot. PCI slots are small light-colored plugs on the motherboard near the bottom back corner of the tower case.
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Step 4
Take off the slot cover for the PCI slot. There will be a metal slot cover on the back of the PCI slot; use your screwdriver to take out a single screw just inside the case, which will cause the slot to drop free.
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Step 5
Install the FireWire adapter card. Align the gold-tipped connector plug of the card with the PCI slot, making sure that the back of the card lines up with back of the case where the slot cover used to be. Push down firmly on either end of the card until it pops in place. A little side-to-side jimmying might be necessary if it is a tight fit. You can put the screw from the slot cover back in if you like, to stabilize the card.
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Step 6
Close the case back up, plug in the cables and start up the PC.
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Step 7
Install software drivers as necessary. Depending on the card, you may or may not need to install software drivers from a CD that came with the card. If you do, simply insert the CD, run the auto installation setup file and restart the computer when the process is complete.
