How to Use a Socket 939 As an HTPC

Using a socket 939 computer as an home theater personal computer (HTPC) is simply a matter of adding a television card and a couple of other items to the computer. Then hook it up to a TV set, TV antenna, cable or satellite box and make use of the built-in features of Windows. The biggest problem to overcome is the lack of an empty expansion slot in the computer to add a TV card, though there is an easy solution.

• 1

  Turn off the computer and unplug any cables coming from it.

• 2

  Open the back of the computer by removing the two screws on the left side of the computer case.

• 3

  Remove the side cover to expose the inside of the computer.

• 4

  Touch the metal part of your computer case in order to ground yourself against the possibility of releasing static electricity into the sensitive components within.

• 5

  Locate a free peripheral computer interface (PCI) slot and remove the back panel from it. This usually pops out by pushing on it -- or it may have a screw and plate protecting it which needs to be removed.

• 6

  Position the PCI TV card over the slot with the back of the card where the audio visual (AV) ports are found, facing the back panel of the computer. Push down until the card will not go down any further. Ensure that it is firmly set in the slot or it will not operate. Put the small screw in the back of the card where the hole is for the screw and secure the card in place.

• 7

  Replace the cover on your computer and replace the screws. Plug everything back into the computer where it was before.

• 8

  Connect the AV cables to the TV card and to the cable or satellite box. If using an antenna connection, connect the coaxial cable to the antenna and then to the TV card.

• 9

  Connect the IR blaster to an available universal serial bus (USB) port and position the other end of the IR blaster on top of the IR receiver on the set top box, use a flashlight to find it -- it looks like a small bulb.

• 10

  Connect the receiver for your remote control to a USB port if you have a remote control.

• 11

  Click the "Start" button and click "All programs." Select "Windows Media Center." Select "Express setup." Enter your current location and whether you are using cable, satellite or antenna for connecting to TV.