Transcript Build Your Own Computer

Build Your Own Computer
Ed Evans
Information in this presentation
Copyright 2005 PC Media, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission
from http://www.pcmech.com.
Steps In Building Your Own PC
1. Purchase/Collect The
Components
2. Case Preparation
3. Configure Your
Motherboard
4. Install the CPU
5. Install Memory
6. Install the Motherboard
7. Configure the Hard Drive
& CD-ROM
8. Mount Hard Drive
9. Install the Floppy & CDROM
10. Connect the Floppy
Drive
11. Connect the Hard Drive
& CD-ROM
12. Install The Video Card
Purchase/Collect The Components
Case
considerations: AT vs. ATX, where will it be
stored, power supply
Motherboard
Processor
considerations: speed, fan
Memory
Video Card
Purchase/Collect The Components
Removable Storage
Hard drive
Sound card
CD-ROM/DVD
Keyboard/Mouse
Drive cables
Audio cable
Purchase/Collect The Components
Screws
System Disk
Case Preparation
Review Screw Supply
Chassis screws
Smaller screws
Standoffs
Washers
Case Preparation
Clean Case
Inspect the Power Supply
Inspect Power Switch
Install Feet
Install Case Fan
Configure the LED
Free Up the Drive Bays
Configure Your Motherboard
Read the Manual
Set the voltage settings
Set the processor speed
Install the CPU
Install the RAM
Decide which slots you are going to use
and orient the memory module over it.
Install the Module.
Lock the module in place.
Install the Motherboard
 Locate the holes on the motherboard and the
holes on the case or motherboard mounting
plate.
 Gather spacers and screw them into the
motherboard holes that will be used.
 Slide the motherboard into the case.
 Inspect the screws you will use to tighten the
board down. If the head of the screws are too
wide, and you think they might contact any
circuitry on the motherboard, place a plastic
washer over each hole.
Install the Motherboard
Inspect the screws you will use to tighten
the board down. If the head of the screws
are too wide, and you think they might
contact any circuitry on the motherboard,
place a plastic washer over each hole.
Tighten the board down.
Hook the Motherboard to the Case
 Connect the power to the motherboard.
 Connect the CPU fan to the power.
 Match case connectors on the motherboard with
case connector wires.
 Connect the power switch.
 Connect the reset switch.
 Connect Power LED
 Connect the hard drive activity LED.
 Connect the PC speaker.
Configure the
Hard Drive & CD-ROM
 The motherboard has 2 IDE channels that each
support 2 devices.
 If you put 2 devices on the first IDE channel, the
first device (the one with your operating system)
will be the “master.”
 The 2nd device will be the slave.
 The same goes for the 2nd IDE channel.
 Generally, it is a good idea to put hard drives on
1 IDE channel and CD-ROMs on the 2nd IDE
channel.
Mount Hard Drive
 A power supply is like a magnet, and magnets
and your data do not go together. Don't install a
hard drive anywhere near the power supply.
Keep your hard drive near the front of the case.
 Slide the hard drive into an available drive rail of
the case.
 Screw the drive into place.
 Remember, power connectors face the back.
Install the Floppy and CD-ROM
Remove the drive bay cover.
Slide the drive in from the front.
Screw the drive into place.
Make sure the front of the drive is flush
with the case.
Connect the Floppy Drive
Connect the power supply to the floppy
drive.
Attach the Ribbon Cable. Floppy cables
have a twist in the cable. A: drive goes
after the twist. If you have a second B:
drive, this goes before the twist. You do
not need to mess with master/slave
jumpers.
Connect the Hard Drive & CD-ROM
Attach the power cables.
Attach the ribbon cable to the hard drive.
The ribbon cable goes from the primary
IDE controller of the motherboard to the
drive. Make sure the red edge of the
ribbon cable is in line with Pin 1 on the
drive. If you can’t see Pin 1 marked, then it
is the pin closest to the power connector.
Attach the audio cable to the CD-ROM.
Install the Video Card
Find an expansion slot ideal for your video
card.
Remove the case insert that corresponds
to the slot on the motherboard.
Insert the video card in the slot.
Screw the card into place.
Other Information
Places to Buy PC Components
http://www.newegg.com
http://www.tigerdirect.com
Component or Computer Reviews
Tom’s Hardware –
http://www.tomshardware.com
PC Magazine – http://www.pcmagazine.com
PC Mechanic – http://www.pcmech.com