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Install
a Parallel or Serial Card
1.
Check for available ISA or PCI slots (places to put expansion cards)
in your computer first. To do this, turn off and unplug the computer.
Remove the cover.
2. Check the motherboard for available ISA or PCI slots. Your computer
manual can help you identify the slots you have.
3. Record this information and buy the appropriate parallel or serial
card.
4. Remove the interface card from its packaging. (Remember to ground
yourself before handling the card or computer components.)
5. Align the card to the matching ISA or PCI slot and ensure that
the parallel and/or serial ports are easily accessible from the
outside of the computer.
6. Carefully insert the card into the slot and push firmly into
place. Secure the card with a screw in the metal tab.
7. Replace the cover, plug in the power cord, and turn on the computer.
Configure New Ports in Windows 95 or 98
Steps:
8. Attach the device (scanner, printer, modem, etc.) that you want
to add.
9. Use Windows 95 or 98 to automatically detect and configure the
ports and new devices.
10. If Windows does not automatically detect the new ports, open
the Control Panel by clicking Start, pointing to Settings, and clicking
Control Panel.
11. Double-click Add New Hardware.
12. Follow the prompts in the Add New Hardware wizard.
13. If the device is not detected or does not appear in the new
hardware list, select Ports (COM & LPT) in the list of hardware
types.
14. Follow the prompts to finishing configuring the ports.
15. Restart the computer to complete the port configuration.
Overall Tips:
If your new ports conflict with existing ones (both trying to use
the same IRQ setting), see "How to Resolve IRQ Conflicts in
Serial or Parallel Ports."
Consider buying a multifunction (parallel, serial and possibly game
port) or multiport card (2-4 ports on a card) to meet your current
and future needs.
Consider buying an enhanced or high-speed port card to provide faster
performance for devices such as modems.
Check the specifications of the parallel or serial card port to
ensure that it supports interrupts (IRQs) other than the standard
IRQ3 and IRQ4, such as IRQ10 and IRQ11. Most commercially available
cards provide a range of supported IRQs.
Please Share Your Tips with Us
Overall Warnings:
Make sure you are grounded (touch safe metal, such as the computer
frame) before touching the computer components. Static electricity
can build up in your body and be discharged on the computer components,
causing permanent damage to them.
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