The keyboard is also often found on top of the desk in front of the monitor which is too high for comfortable use. It should be typing stand high preferably on a pull out shelf. The desktop case or mini tower should be on one side or the other from the monitor, left or right handed. If you spend much time in front of the computer these are important comfort and health considerations.

Just a few words about future upgrades . . . not long ago it was not standard for computers to automatically include such items as sound systems, CD-ROMs , modems etc. And all computers did not have internal room provided for future expansion, or upgrade to these optional features. Most modern computer systems now come with these features as standard equipment, and they also have a varying number of open sockets inside for even more possible added features. You can detect this externally by examining for rear "blank" covers. These covers access the inside sockets where optional "electronic cards" may be plugged in, a scanner card for example. Most computers include sockets for older devices, or "ISA" slots (Industry Standard Architecture). Usually included also are open "PCI" (Peripheral Components Interconnection) sockets, referring to newer 32-bit components, as is commonly associated with the Pentium class computer. Usually any card will work in any slot, distinguished only by ISA, usually black colored sockets, or PCI sockets, usually colored white.

It is becoming more common for computers to not include any "ISA" sockets at all, making obsolete much older computer hardware, something to watch for if you plan on using an older scanner, modem etc. Some older scanners must connect to a scsi (Small Computer System Interface) ISA card. And many older economical scanners connect to the printer (LPT) port, eliminating any concern for internal connections.

A new external hardware connection type . . . the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection. All newer computers come with two rear USB ports and some come with additional USB ports also in the front. Nearly all external hardware is now available with a USB connection, scanners, zip drives, keyboards, mice etc. And commonly used are USB hubs that create multiple USB connection ports. There is also the older IEEE-1394 (also known as FireWire) connection similar to the USB and found both on MacIntosh computers and PCs.

Computer cards all closely resemble each other, sound cards, modem cards, video adapter cards, scanner cards, network cards, etc. The slot is devided into plugin sections. Various cards use one or more sections, and are held in place by a single screw and in some computers by a clip.

The computer user can easily remove or install these cards in most computers, care being used to assure no "static electricity jump" by grounding your hand to the computer case before touching the card or any circuitry. The other installation consideration being the card is pushed firmly into the socket and completely seated. Depending on the device type a software installation may also be required.

Another common upgrade is "More RAM" (random access memory). Ram is also small cards more commonly called "chips or modules", such as a SIMM (Standard In line Memory Module). The type, size, and arrangement varies from computer to computer determined by mother board type, and is usually found in the computer Users Manual. Not long ago there were only a few types of computer memory (RAM). Currently there are a large number of memory types. For more comprehensive memory information check 3B-Answers for Self Analysis Quiz Memory Section. There is a return to this page position.

Other upgrade possibilities include a second hard drive or floppy drive, network card, CD-ROM DVD/Recordable/Rewriteable, etc. These types of upgrade utilizes the open internal bays that can be externally detected by the "front" blank covers. And there are internal bays without "front" access, usually occupied by hard drives. Any internal device upgrade such as a second floppy drive or zip drive would also require a front blank access slot. It is just a matter of securing the device in a bay and hooking up the power and data cables. The data cable usually has a unique colored side for reference, and normally is connected with this colored side nearest the power plug in. Most data cables are "keyed", allowing only one way of plugging in. Others are not keyed and will connect either way, one correct and the other not, requiring close observation. A common and easy installation is a second floppy drive. The existing data cable for "A" drive should have a center connection provided for future "B" drive.

The typical modern computer can use only 4 IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) devices such as harddrives and CD-ROM drives. The motherboard connection for IDE devices is devided into 2 separate slots. Each slot connecting to a single cable with an opposite end connecter and a center connecter. The center or end connecter of either of the two IDE cables can connect to all hardrives or harddrive/CD-ROM combinations. The two devices on each cable are known as a Master and the other as a Slave. All harddrives and CD-ROMs have jumper blocks in the rear, a small 2 pin plastic block for connecting any two applicable pins to distinguish a Master or a Slave device.

Some upgrades, such as a scanner installation also require a software installation. If upgrading to a second hard drive, it is advisable to use the same brand name as your original. Different brands have different setup, configuration, instructions, and some also require a software installation.

Although most users will have upgrading performed by qualified technicians, it is wise to understand something about the procedures.