Working Inside Your PC
If you’ve never opened a computer before, it can be pretty overwhelming. This
section helps you get started with practical advice on how to
■ Open the case
■ Protect your system against electrostatic discharge (ESD)
■ Connect internal and external data cables
■ Install a PCI card
Opening the Case of a Desktop PC
Look at your system manual for case opening instructions, particularly if you have
a retail-store system made by HP, Dell, or other major vendors. Depending upon
the type of case you have, you might need to remove just one or two screws, or
maybe a handful. If you’re opening the case to gain access to the motherboard, you
might need to do more than just take the cover off the system.
So-called “white box” systems are usually fairly straightforward to open because
they use case designs made for user access instead of low cost. Figure 2-5 shows
the rear of two typical cases used by white-box computer dealers or as replacement
cases. The computer on the left has a single screw holding the covers in place. After
this screw is removed, the top panel must be removed before the side panels
can be removed. The computer on the right uses four screws per side to hold the
side panels in place, but the side panels can be removed without removing the top
cover. The right-hand side panel can even be swung out and latched back into
place for faster card and drive installation.
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