Datasheet

21
Chapter 1: A Screwdriver Is All You Need
⻬
Ruining a computer component simply by plugging it in the wrong way is
almost impossible.
At the worst, the device simply won’t work. Just con-
nect the component properly, and it should work just fine.
⻬
Although you connect your computer to a wall socket, unless you disas-
semble the power supply or monitor (which you are
not going to do), you
won’t be exposed to dangerous voltage.
Of course, it pays to take basic precautions — such as unplugging your PC each time
you add or remove a component.
Most components within a computer are connected with cables. For example, Figure
1-5 shows a power cable (a perfect illustration of a connector that can only work The
Right Way). Of course, I give you instructions on how to make sure that you’re con-
necting cables properly.
Figure 1-5: A PC power cable — can you ever have too many?
You’ll also be adding adapter cards. These circuit boards plug into your computer,
much like how a game cartridge plugs into a video game. Adapter cards provide
your computer with additional features. For example, you can add a sound card (see
Chapter 10) to provide better audio than the built-in sound hardware that came with
your motherboard. Adapter cards are arranged in rows at one end of a computer, as
shown in Figure 1-6.
Figure 1-6: Adapter cards installed in a computer.
Empty slot
Adapter cards
Cable from
power supply
Connector on a component
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