How to Install a FireWire Card
A FireWire card allows you to transfer digital files from certain devices to your computer at speeds of 400 Mbps. Since you can't hook up a camcorder directly to your computer, a FireWire card can come in very handy. It allows you to transfer home movies from your camcorder directly to your PC, where you can further edit the movies.
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Instructions
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1
Turn off your computer and unplug it from the wall.
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2
Take the side panel off the computer.
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3
Locate an empty PCI slot on the motherboard. These are generally white and found at the bottom-left side near the back of the motherboard. You can visually match up the size of the gold plugs on your FireWire card to the PCI slots to be sure.
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4
Use a screwdriver to remove the single screw of the small metal PCI slot cover.
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5
Install the FireWire card into the PCI slot firmly.
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6
Use the screwdriver to replace the screw from the PCI metal cover and replace the side panel of your computer.
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7
Plug the computer back into the wall and turn it on to finish installing the FireWire card.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have an anti-static wrist band, wear it to remove static during this operation. If you don't have one, touch metal before touching the inside of your computer to eliminate any electric charge when touching the inside of your computer.
To verify that you installed the FireWire card correctly, click "Start" and type "Device Manager" into the search box. Click the "Device Manager" link in the results. You should see a "IEEE 1394 Bus" controller in the list. If you don't, you may need to repeat these steps for proper FireWire card installation.
