Datasheet

13
Chapter 1: Start Here First
Do hang on to your old boxes, manuals,
warranties, and receipts
When you need to pack up your computer for a move, nothing works better than
its old box and packaging material. I keep mine on the top shelf in the garage, just
in case I move. Don’t bother hanging on to the smaller boxes, though, like the ones
that come with a video card or mouse.
Hang on to all your old manuals, even if you don’t understand a word they say.
Sometimes a new part starts arguing with an older part, and the manuals often have
hints on which switch to flip to break up the fight. At the least, they list the part’s
model number, an important fact when troubleshooting.
Just push some dust mice aside under the bed and slide all the manuals under
there.
Don’t force parts together
Everything in your computer is designed to fit into place smoothly and without too
much of a fight. If something doesn’t fit right, stop, scratch your head, and try again
using a slightly different tactic.
When trying to plug a cable into the back of your computer, for example, look
closely at the end of the cord and then scrutinize the plug where it’s supposed to
fit. See how the pins are lined up a certain way? See how the plug’s shape differs on
one side? Turn the plug until it lines up with its socket and push slowly but firmly.
Sometimes it helps if you jiggle it back and forth slightly. Ask your spouse to tickle
you gently.
Things that plug directly into things inside your computer seem to need the most
force. Things that plug onto the outside, by contrast, slip on pretty easily. They
also slip off pretty easily, so some of the cables have little thumb screws to hold
everything in place firmly.
Don’t bend cards
Many of your computer’s internal organs are mounted on fiberglass boards. That’s
the reason there’s a warning coming up right now.
Don’t bend these boards, no matter how tempting. Bending the board can break the
circuits subtly enough to damage the card. Worse yet, the cracks can be too small to
see, so you may not know what went wrong.
If you hear little crackling sounds while you’re doing something with a board —
plugging it into a socket or plugging something into it — you’re pushing the wrong
way. Stop, regroup, and try again. Check out Chapter 9 and make sure you’re
pushing the right type of card into the right slot.
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