Adding or Replacing an Expansion Card (Video Card, Sound Card, etc) in HP Pavilion Elite HPE-000, m9000 Series Desktop PCs

This document pertains only to HP desktop computers with the following computer case:

Before you begin

You need a flathead screwdriver. Note that you need a screwdriver with a long shaft when you are replacing a long graphics card.

Remove the Pocket Media Drive, if it is present.

Turn off the computer, and then disconnect all cables. Disconnect the Ethernet or modem cable before disconnecting the power cord.

Move the computer to a clear, flat, stable work surface over a non-carpeted floor.

HP strongly recommends the use of an anti-static wrist strap and a conductive foam pad when working on the computer.

Do not remove a component from its protective packaging until you are ready to install it.

WARNING:The edges of metal panels can cut skin. Be careful not to slide skin along any interior metal edge of the computer.

CAUTION:This product contains components that can be damaged by electrostatic discharge (ESD). To reduce the chance of ESD damage, work over a noncarpeted floor, use a static dissipative work surface (such as a conductive foam pad), and wear an ESD wrist strap connected to a grounded surface.

Video overview

View the following video before using the steps in this article.

NOTE:For best quality on dial-up connections, wait until the video has fully loaded before viewing.

Step 1: Preparing the PC

Skip this step if you are replacing an existing expansion card, and continue with Step 2: Removing the retaining bracket and/or an expansion card .

Before starting, if you are adding an expansion card that will replace a function that comes from the motherboard (video, sound, network), disable the on-board function and select the correct BIOS setting in BIOS Setup before attempting to install the new card. Do so as follows:

Step 1 Turn on the PC and immediately begin pressing the F10 key repeatedly until a BIOS Setup screen appears.
Step 2 Press the Right arrow key to select the Advanced page.
Step 3 Find and select the setting that matches the type of card you are installing. Examples of possible selections for an award BIOS are: Video: Primary Video Adapter Audio: Audio Codec Network: Onboard LAN NOTE:The selections on your PC may not be the same as those given as examples If this is the case, the selections will be very similar. Select the setting that most closely matches the type of card you are installing.	Figure 1: On-board Video example
Step 4 Press enter to open a list of options for the selected function.
Step 5 Select the option that best applies to the expansion card that you will be installing. Examples of what to select: Video: AGP, PCI or PCI-E depending on the type of video card you are installing. Audio: Select disabled if you are installing an audio card. This disables on-board audio, helps prevent conflicts, and saves resources for your new card. Network: Select disabled if you are installing an network card. This disables on-board LAN, helps prevent conflicts, and saves resources for your new card.	1 - PCI-E (x16) card 2 - AGP card 3 - PCI card
Step 6 Once you have made your selection by pressing the Enter key, press F10 to Save the settings and exit.
Step 7 If you are using Windows, wait until Windows fully loads and then shut down the computer from the Start menu.

Step 2: Removing the retaining bracket and/or an expansion card

Use the steps in this section to remove the retaining bracket from the computer. The bracket needs to be removed before an expansion card can be installed. You can also use this section to remove an existing card

WARNING:Make sure the computer is disconnected from power before starting.

Step 1 Remove the right side panel from the PC. If you need assistance, refer to the HP support document Opening the PC Case .
Step 2 Find the expansion cards on the back of the computer. Identify the card you want to replace or the slot that will hold the new card.
Step 3 On the back of the computer, remove the screw from the bracket cover for the cards. If it is present, also remove the additional screw that secures a large graphics card.
Step 4 Lift off the bracket cover.
Step 5 There may be several cables that run from a small wireless card. These cables may interfere with the removal of an expansion card. If the cables interfere, temporarily remove the wireless card. Do this by pressing against the left tab for the wireless card from the back of the computer and slide the card assembly to the right to release it from the computer. CAUTION: To avoid damaging the wireless card, do not unplug the cables. Instead, move the card and cables out of the way. If you do not need to remove an existing card and you have an open slot available to install the new expansion card, skip to the next section Step 3: Installing an expansion card .
Step 6 Identify the type of card you are replacing: For a short or standard-length card, skip to step 12 . For a long graphics card, locate the two inside bracket screws near the front of the long graphics card. NOTE:The inside bracket for a long graphics card may vary in shape. Your computer may not have an inside bracket or a long graphics card.
Step 7 Remove the two screws that secure the inside bracket in the computer. You may have to move cabling out of the way to reach the lower screw. Note that you need a flathead screwdriver with a long shaft to remove the lower screw.
Step 8 Twist the inside bracket clockwise to free the top of the bracket from the drive cage.
Step 9 Pull the inside bracket from the computer. You may have to move cables out of the way as you withdraw the bracket.
Step 10 Set the bracket aside.
Step 11 Disconnect the power cable from the long graphics card: Squeeze the latch on the plug, and then pull the plug from the card. Skip to step 13 .
Step 12 If present, disconnect any cables connected to a short or standard-length card. NOTE:Remember where the cables connect. Mark the cables if necessary.
Step 13 Look at the add-in card socket for a release latch, which is present on some sockets. NOTE:Some sockets have a release latch that must be disengaged to remove the card from the socket. The release latch style may vary. This example shows a release lever that must be pushed out from the socket as you lift the card. A release pad must be pushed down as you lift the card.
Step 14 Remove the card: If there is a release latch, place your finger on the latch and push down on the pad (1) (or out on the lever) as you lift the card (2) from the socket. Move the card toward the inside of the computer to free the card external connectors from the computer slot, and then lift the card out of the computer.
If there is no release latch, gently rock the card to free it, and then lift the card from the socket. Move the card toward the inside of the computer to free the card external connectors from the computer slot, and then lift the card out of the computer.

Step 3: Installing an expansion card

Use the steps in this section to install a new expansion card.

Step 1 To replace a card, skip to step 2 . To add a card into a previously unused slot, remove the slot cover: NOTE:Some expansion card slots are covered with break-away slot covers.
Lift off the slot cover, or use a screwdriver to pry off the break-away slot cover, being careful to not bend the chassis.
Step 2 For a long graphics card, skip to step 4 . For a short or standard-length card, align the external edge of the add-in card with the open slot (1) in the computer, and then press the card straight down until it is fully seated in the socket (2) and fills the slot.
Step 3 Connect any cables to the short or standard-length card. Skip to step 11 .
Step 4 For a long graphics card, lower the card into the computer, then move the card over the socket and toward the open slots.
Step 5 Place the foot of the card external end into the bottom of the open slots.
Step 6 Press the card straight down until it is fully seated in the socket and fills the slots.
Step 7 Connect the power cable to the long graphics card.
Step 8 Grasp the inside bracket, and...
...insert the inside bracket over the long graphics card, placing the foot of the bracket over the lower screw hole in the computer. You may have to move cables out of the way as you insert the bracket.
Step 9 Twist the top of the inside bracket counter-clockwise into place over the graphics card power connector and into the drive cage. You may have to press the inside bracket down onto the graphics card and power connector as you twist it to insert the tip of the bracket into the drive cage. Ensure there is nothing between the bracket and the card.
Step 10 Insert and tighten the two screws that secure the inside bracket in the computer. Note that you need a flathead screwdriver with a long shaft to insert the lower screw.
Step 11 Reinsert the wireless card if it was removed.
Step 12 Look at the outside bracket cover for the two hooks that fit over the two slots on the back of the computer.
Step 13 Replace the bracket cover onto the back of the computer: Align the bracket cover hooks over the slots on the computer, and then...
...slide the bracket cover into place against the cards.
Step 14 Insert and tighten the bracket cover screw. If it is present, also insert and tighten the additional screw that secures a large graphics card.
Step 15 Replace the side panel, reconnect the cables, and turn on the computer. If you assistance, please refer to the HP support document Opening the PC Case .
Step 16 If using Windows, wait until Windows finds and configures the new card.