Specifications

Chapter 2: Windows Configuration 15
Installing Pro Tools PCI Cards
This section shows how to install Pro Tools
cards in a Windows computer. To install cards
into an expansion chassis, see the Expanded Sys-
tems Guide.
To install Pro Tools cards:
1 Turn off your computer and any peripherals.
Leave your computer’s power cable plugged in
so the computer is grounded.
2 Disconnect all cables attached to the com-
puter (such as hard drives, monitors, USB and
FireWire connections) except for the power ca-
ble.
3 Open the computer case.
4 Remove the metal access port cover behind
the PCI slot you want to use by removing the
screw and sliding the cover out from the access
port.
5 If you are installing a SCSI host bus adapter
(HBA) card, install it in the PCI slot nearest to
the video card.
6 Install the MIX Core or d24 card in the next
available PCI slot.
7 Install the remaining TDM cards in slots adja-
cent to the MIX Core or d24 card. Group similar
cards together (for example, put all MIX Farm
cards next to each other).
8 Secure each card in place with the slot access
port screws you removed earlier.
Connecting TDM Cards with the
TDM Ribbon Cable
All TDM cards in your Pro Tools system must be
connected with the TDM ribbon cable.
To connect TDM cards with the TDM ribbon cable:
1 Connect the first node of the cable to the first
TDM card. Make sure the TDM cable is facing
the right direction—align the white triangle on
the cable plug with the triangle on the card.
2 Push down gently but firmly until the node is
fully connected to the card. When the plug is
properly seated, the two tabs on the side of the
cable’s TDM connector click shut. To detach the
ribbon cable, squeeze the tabs on the TDM con-
nector inward.
3 Attach the remaining nodes on the TDM cable
to subsequent cards.
Before handling any card, discharge static
electricity from your clothes or body by
touching a grounded metal surface, such as
the power supply case inside your computer.
Attaching the TDM ribbon cable to MIX Core and
MIX Farm cards
It is OK to have ribbon connectors that go
unused. They should reside after the last
TDM card.