How to Install a Network Card

A network card goes by many names: NIC card, network interface card, ethernet card, wireless card, and many more.

First things first; you might have to purchase and install a Network Interface Card (NIC) if you are upgrading your internet access from a dial up to a high speed cable or DSL (Digital subscriber line). If the modem that comes with your new service uses an Ethernet cable, that looks like a phone line on steroids, or you want to use a router to share the internet with multiple computers, you will have to add a network card if you don't have one in your computer. You might also have to add a network card if you have one incorporated into your motherboard and it has gone bad.

You can use an Ethernet NIC card or a Wireless NIC card. If you use a wireless card you will need to have a wireless router connected to your internet modem in order to communicate to the card. You can purchase either type of card and the wireless modems online at TigerDirect or Staples Office Supplies.

Let's Get Started

As you open up the box with your new netowork card, you will be instructed to insert the CD ROM that comes with the card. If you have windows 95 through 2000, go ahead and insert the CD and follow directions that appear on your screen. If you have Windows XP or Vista DO NOT insert the CD at this time. For each of these versions of Windows you want the Windows to run the card, not the program that comes on the CD.

Next, remove the cover to your computer. You might have to look around to see how your computer cover comes off. Some have screws and others have release buttons and open like a clamshell. If you open your cover and don't see something similar to the picture below, you need to take the cover on the other side of the case off.

Now look for the PCI section as depicted in the red area in the following picture.

Make sure there is an available slot for the new network card. In the picture below, I am pointing to a PCI slot that your card will fit into. If there are no slots available you will have to make a decision on what card you don't need and pull it out. You might consider your phone modem card if you don't use your FAX function on your computer. Remove the blank cover in an unused slot that you a going to use.

Next you align the connectors into the slot. There is an alignment tab on the card that slips between the computer board and case. Make sure that tab is aligned properly.

Now, gently push down on the top of the network card to seat it in the connector. Warning: if the card does not fully seat, don't force it, look to see if there is a component on the computer board that is too high to allow the card to seat. If this is the case you might have to select another slot or swap slots with another card that will fit the slot. If you swap cards, you will need the CD that came with the other card as well. Because Windows will reload the drivers for the moved card. You can get most of the drivers online by going to the manufacturers web site.

Secure the card(s) with a screw as shown below.

Reinstall the cover and connect the Ethernet cable to the network card. The following pictures show a close-up of an Ethernet cable end (called an RJ45) and the card being connected.

Connect your computer back up to any cables that you unplugged and turn it on. As soon as Windows starts to load, you should be able to open the CD deck to put in the CD that came with your network interface card. Windows should inform you that it found new hardware and is looking for the drivers. If a block comes up that asks where to look, click on the circle that states "Let automatically Windows search for a driver". Windows should find the drivers for the card and load them. Windows may require a re-boot after loading the drivers.

Your network card is installed and ready to use.