A sound card is a peripheral piece of hardware for a computer that handles translating digital data into audible sound. Any computer that plays sounds has a sound card of some sort installed, though many sound cards are "integrated" into the motherboard, while a true sound card is a completely separate device. Stand alone, or dedicated sound cards typically produce better quality audio than integrated sound devices.
Instructions
Installing a Sound Card
1. Turn off your computer, and unplug the power cord and the speakers.
2. Open the computer case with a screwdriver.
3. Find your old sound card and remove it. Your old card will be the one that your speakers were plugged into. To remove the card, unscrew a single screw at the back of the case if necessary, then pull it straight out, gripping it on both ends and applying pressure evenly. If you previously had an integrated sound card, you don't need to take anything out.
4. Install the new sound card in an empty PCI slot. (There should be several whitish slots running down your motherboard possibly with modems, and other cards installed.) The easiest way to install the new card is to put it in the slot that the old card came out of. To install the card, reverse the removal process: align the card directly over the slot, and push down firmly on both ends. You will know the card is in place when the audio connectors on the back of the card align flush with the back of the case. If you had onboard audio before, just find any empty PCI slot. You may have to remove a slot cover at the back of your case with your screwdriver before proceeding, since you won't be installing it in a previously used slot.
5. Power on your computer and install your audio drivers. The sound card should have come with a driver CD. Otherwise download a driver from the card's manufacturer.
6. Plug in the speakers and restart your computer.
Selecting to Turn Off Integrated Sound
7. Open your control panel. If you previously had an integrated sound card, you need to tell your computer to use the new dedicated sound card instead of the old integrated device.
8. Open the device manager.
9. Click on the plus sign by sound, video and game controllers.
10. Right click on the old integrated device and select properties.
11. Click on the driver tab, and under this tab, click the "disable" button to turn off the device. You may want to check your new sound card before closing the device manager to make sure it is listed as enabled and working properly.
Tags: sound card, your computer, integrated sound, sound card, back case