| In most cases, upgrading your computer system is every bit as easy as I've outlined in this chapter. Just plug in the new peripheral or insert the new card, and you're ready to go. But what happens if just if the upgrade doesn't go right? What if the new peripheral isn't recognized? What if the new peripheral somehow causes an existing device not to work? Or, heaven forbid, what if you install the new peripheral but then your PC doesn't work at all? caution | Be careful when changing system settings with the Setup utility; if you make the wrong choices, you can make your system unbootable! |
Believe it or not, these things happen. If they happen to you, you want to keep a cool head and then begin a detailed course of troubleshooting. Fortunately, the entire last half of this book is dedicated to the troubleshooting process, so if you run into upgrade problems, turn to the appropriate chapter in Part VI, "Troubleshooting Common Problems," and work from there. And, whatever else happens, don't panic! THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM When you're ready to upgrade your computer system, here are the key points to remember: Before you buy any new peripherals, consider whether it's more cost-effective to upgrade your old PC or buy a new one and remember, the decision gets harder if your PC is more than three years old. The most popular (and cost-effective) PC upgrades continue to be memory and storage. Before you upgrade, print out a report of your system's hardware and settings, back up your important data, and (if you're running Windows XP or Windows Me) set a System Restore point. Always, always read and follow the installation instructions that come with your new peripheral. If the upgrade requires anything more than a screwdriver, let a professional do it. If you have the choice, go with an external peripheral that uses a USB connection. In most cases, Windows should automatically recognize the new peripheral and install the proper device drivers; if not, run the Add Hardware Wizard to complete the installation and configuration. If you need to reconfigure your system's BIOS, you'll need to interrupt the startup procedure and enter the setup utility.
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