white slots vs black slots

Probably a very very basic question.

Please forgive me - the insides of a computer case are still very new and intimidating to me.
The old sound card that I removed yesterday was situated in a long black slot.
The new sound card (still not functioning) fit into a newer white slot.
There are three longer white slots and three of the shorter white slots.
What are these different slots ? What are each used for ?
Also now that I have been into the case the fan makes a sporadic whir. Anything I could of done ? Do not remember touching anywhere near the fan at all. Should I do anything ?
Or is it just coincidental ?

thanks again

 

The old sound card you took out is what is called an ISA slot( the longer of the two different types you have).
The shorter slots are called PCI slots.

These types of slots are for all our add-in-cards.(modems, sound cards, network cards ect...)
The longer ISA is a much older style of "interface" and it is no longer used in newer computers.

The shorter PCI interface is still being used today.

It really comes down to simple evolution of a computer.
The ISA standard is slower than the newer PCI standard and is now the adapted norm. And then there is the AGP interface....Which is the newer interface for the newer graphics cards. Again, faster.

Dale

 

Hi schamish
There are 3x basics fans approaches inside the computer. (A) Through the wall for extra cooling, (B) on the mother board to cool a particular chip(s) and always one on the (C) power supply. With the computer unplug, most fans (the blades) can be cleaned with compresses gas, tooth brush, ect. This may cure the problem. If A and B types need replacing, they simple pot out or take out a few screws. For the power supply fan go this this thread.
Card slots....
Brown slot............ AGP slot... Accelerated Graphics Port
Shorter white........ PCI slot... Peripheral Component Interconnect
Long black............ ISA slot... Industry Standard Architecture



Generally when stacked top to bottom, you will see AGP first, PCI middle, with ISA on the bottom. Don't bet the farm on these descriptions, it's just what I pickup doing what your doing... what makes this thing work.