Windows Vista™ Administrator's Pocket Consultant

Installing and Maintaining Devices: The Essentials

Many different types of devices can be installed in or connected to computers. The following are the key device types:

• Cards/adapters. Circuit cards and adapters are plugged into expansion slots on the motherboard inside the computer case or, in the case of a laptop, into expansion slots available directly on the side of the system. Most cards and adapters have a connector into which you can plug other devices.

• Internal drives. Many different types of drives can be installed, from CD drives, DVD drives, and Zip drives to floppy disks and hard disks. Internal drives usually have two types of cables. One cable attaches to the motherboard, to other drives, or to interface cards. The other cable attaches ...