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This article was excerpted from: PCs All-In-One Desk Reference for Dummies:

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If your computer didn't come with USB 2.0 or FireWire ports, you'll find that adding new ports to your PC is as simple as plugging in an adapter card into a slot at the back of your motherboard. A typical FireWire 400/USB 2.0 combo card gives you two USB and two FireWire ports.

Follow these steps to do install the port card:

1. Cover your work surface with several sheets of newspaper.

2. Unplug your PC and place it on top of the newspaper.

3. Remove the case screws and slide the case off, putting the screws aside in a bowl or cup.

If you're unsure how to remove your PC's case, check the manual that accompanied your computer.

4. To dissipate any static electricity, touch a metal surface before you handle your new adapter card or touch any circuitry inside the case.

5. Locate an adapter card slot of the proper length at the back of your computer case.

This should be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) slot, which is the standard adapter card connector in today's PCs.

6. Remove the screw and the metal slot cover at the back of the case, as shown in Figure 1.

Because you won't need them again, put these in your spare parts box.

Figure 1: Remove the slot cover and screw before installing a new card.

7. Pick up your port card by the top corners and line up the connector on the bottom of the card with the slot on the motherboard.

The card's metal bracket should align with the open area created when you remove the slot cover from the back of your PC.

Never try to force a connector into a slot designed for another type of card! AGP video cards and PCI-Express video cards have different types of connectors, and they won't accept a PCI card. If you need help determining the location of your PCI card slots, check your motherboard manual.

8. After the connector is aligned correctly (as shown in Figure 2), apply even pressure to the top of the card and push it down into the slot until the bracket is resting against the case.

Figure 2: Be sure to align the connector correctly.

9. Place the screw in the corresponding hole in the bracket and tighten it down.

10. Place the cover back on your PC and replace the screws that you saved from Step 3.

11. Plug your PC back in and turn it on.

12. Run the installation disc that came with your port card or load the driver disc when prompted by Windows.

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