| SafetyThe first thing you should do before beginning | | | | some variation of the above. |
| any project is to be safe. | | | | Use that little flashlight of yours to locate on the |
| When dealing with electricity is dangerous. By now | | | | motherboard(usually close to the front and bottom |
| your probably telling me | | | | of the case)the jumper panel usually labeled 1. |
| that I'm stating the obvious, but many people try | | | | It is arranged as a selection of pins. |
| building their own PC and | | | | Due to the variety of different configurations it is |
| burn up their hardware, or worse, their home.First | | | | easier to refer to the manual on this. |
| Things FirstTo start with, you need some basic tools: | | | | In the manual you will also find out what to do with all |
| Phillips screwdrivers | | | | of the other USB and Audio ribbon cables inside |
| antistatic grounding straps | | | | your case.Plug In Your Mother boardDo not plug the |
| small flashlight(I use the light on my cell phone) | | | | computer in to the wall outlet yet. We are simply |
| And most importantly: YOUR HEAD.Now We Begin1. | | | | plugging in the power supply to the motherboard. |
| Locating the components for your project can be a | | | | Refer to the manual for proper fit. ATX has at least |
| lengthy task. | | | | two variation of plugs the small type from the |
| Compatibility is the most important. The parts must fit | | | | power supply is compatible to the large type on the |
| both, electrically and | | | | motherboard if plugged up properly.Plug in Your |
| physically.2. Locate a case be sure to balance cost | | | | DrivesHard disks and CD-ROM drives use slavery. I |
| with quality. Note the power | | | | know your thinking I'm pulling your leg but I'm not. |
| supply wattage, the number of drive bays and board | | | | If your using only one hard drive set it to "master" by |
| compatibility.3. Locate a motherboard scalability is key. | | | | moving the jumper on the drive to master. |
| You want to be able to upgrade. | | | | It is usually labeled on the drive itself. Plug in the IDE |
| You also want to count expansion slots, note the type | | | | cable from the hard disc |
| of slots(PCI, PCI Express, AGP and so on). | | | | to the "primary" IDE port on the motherboard. It is |
| You need to note all data concerning memory speed, | | | | usually labeled too(sometimes it is colored blue). |
| type, max capacity and so on. | | | | Since there is only one disk it is master(you really only |
| You need to know the BIOS(read the manual that | | | | need one disk 320gb is more than enough) |
| comes with your board) | | | | If you wish to connect more than one CD-ROM |
| Warning: Overclocking is risky. I don't recommend it | | | | "type"(DVD, CDR, DVDR ect..) Drive then use a dual |
| You could loose valuable data, | | | | IDE cable and set one of the drives to master and |
| Or worse, you could fry your system!.4. Locate a | | | | one to slave Then connect the cable from the two |
| processor. Note the socket type that your mother | | | | drives |
| board supports(LGA775, socket A ect...) | | | | to the secondary IDE port on the motherboard. Be |
| Try to find a bundle kit with heat-sink and fan to insure | | | | sure to fully install all the |
| compatibility. Avoid OEM, OEM | | | | drives in the case before hooking up the plugs and |
| Stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer These | | | | IDE cables. Use screws supplied. |
| products come with Logo labels. | | | | Plug in all the power plugs in all the drives from the |
| You have to obtain a license to use them.5. Locate | | | | power supply. |
| RAM(system memory). Note the type of memory | | | | After installing the floppy or card reader plug in the |
| supported by your mother board. Match the same | | | | special IDE and/or the Internal USB to the |
| type to insure compatibility(some type are reverse | | | | Motherboard The IDE has a special twist in it so be |
| compatible).6. Locate a hard drive. The more storage | | | | sure to connect it properly(usually labeled) |
| space and the higher the speed the better. | | | | Its smaller than the rest so plug it in to the "floppy IDE" |
| I.E. 320GB at 7200RPM. Note the type as well(ATA, | | | | port on the motherboard. |
| SATA, Internal or external).7. Locate floppy, CD, CDR., | | | | If its a card reader or a combo floppy card reader |
| CDRW, DVD, DVDR, DVDRW drives of your choice. | | | | then plug in the internal USB to an available |
| Note the number of bays in your case and the max | | | | USB Jumper Panel(refer to the manual for your |
| allowable IDE devices for your motherboard. | | | | mother board). |
| You may use USB or SATA if your board supports | | | | Plug in the special power plug into the floppy drive.Plug |
| it.8. Locate a video card. Note slot type. It must match | | | | In your RAMWhen installing the RAM be sure to slide |
| your mother board.9. Locate a sound card PCI is | | | | each card in the correct direction and facing the right |
| standard I recommend Sound Blaster for compatibility. | | | | way. |
| If your board already has integrated video and sound, | | | | They can really only go in one way but this keeps |
| you can ignore the last two statements | | | | you from damaging them by trying to force them.Install |
| Unless you wish to bypass them. You then need to | | | | The ProcessorBe sure to install the processor in the |
| do that in BIOS(read the manual).Put It All | | | | correct direction. Apply Heat-sink Grease to the top of |
| TogetherFirst, use that grounding strap. It will keep your | | | | the |
| delicate components safe from ESD | | | | processor and install the heat-sink and fan according |
| (Electro-Static Discharge) AKA static. ESD is the No.1 | | | | to the instructions that came with your heat-sink |
| killer of computer systems in general. | | | | or motherboard.Plug In Your Expansion CardsTo plug |
| Lightening generates it in phone lines.Its time to use | | | | in the expansion cards IE. video cards, network cards, |
| that screwdriver. Begin by opening the case. It should | | | | sound cards ect. |
| come with all | | | | Match slot type(PCI to PCI; AGP to AGP; PCI |
| the screws and fasteners you need. | | | | express to PCI express). |
| Start by inspecting the case. Be sure it comes with a | | | | Be sure to remove the slot cover for the selected |
| power supply if it does not then buy one. | | | | slot then install the card. |
| Remove the I/0 plate on the back of the case and | | | | Be sure to place a screw to hold the expansion card |
| install the one that comes with your motherboard. | | | | so it does not come |
| This is to insure a perfect fit. | | | | out of place. |
| Inspect the screw holes on the motherboard and note | | | | All card basically follow the same installation |
| their locations. | | | | instructions.The Final CheckTake the time to look over |
| Install the screw extensions(usually brass)that came | | | | the system and be sure all plugs are properly installed. |
| with your case (in the same pattern of the mother | | | | If you have any doubts |
| board). | | | | ask don't be afraid to ask someone in the field of |
| Be sure to read the installation instructions of your | | | | computers to help you or you can contact |
| processor. Some socket types require you to install | | | | me.Connect The External StuffYou can now connect |
| a backing plate underneath the board to support the | | | | your monitor, keyboard, mouse and install your |
| heat-sink prior to board installation. | | | | operating system. |
| Install the motherboard carefully. Use supplied | | | | After your operating system is installed be sure to |
| screws(match Thread).Wiring The Motherboard To | | | | install all the software provided with your motherboard, |
| the CaseI felt that this subject needed its own title | | | | video card, sound card, disk drives, monitor, and other |
| because of the complexity. | | | | input devices.Your DoneWell you did it. Was it tough? It |
| You will find al sorts of wires inside the case with | | | | gets easier every time you do it. |
| black plugs at the ends. | | | | I hope you did not have any serious problems. |
| They are labeled. Usually one colored wire twisted | | | | Problems crop up almost every time you build a PC. |
| around a white wire. | | | | Its how you solve those problems that matters. Well |
| The colored wire is usually the positive and the white | | | | Good luck!I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I |
| negative. | | | | was always fascinated with computers and |
| Polarity matters so be sure to read the manual that | | | | electronics as a child. I completed the Cisco |
| came with your mother board. | | | | Networking Academy course in At Mary G. |
| The plugs are labeled as followed HDDLED; | | | | Montgomery High School and attended the University |
| PWRLED; PWRSW; RESETSW; SPEAKER. These | | | | of South Alabama majoring in computer engineering |
| plugs | | | | but never completed. I'm mostly self taught. |
| are for the lights and switches on the case and are in | | | | |