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Step by Step Guide on How to Build a ComputerSep 29 '00 Write an essay on this topic.It is a very complicated process of building your own computer. This is not recommended for the average user. You need to have an extended knowledge of computers and previous experiences with upgrading and fixing a computers internal and external components. But there are great advantages if you know how to build your own PC, you can save hundreds of dollars by buying your own parts and installing them. You can also pick and choose the components that are suited for you and not to much or to less of something. I will try my best to show you the basic components and detailed step by step guide on how to put a computer together. BASIC COMPONENTS -CASE- Choose a size that is compatible with the motherboard you are selecting. You can either get a micro/mid/or full tower case. Try to get one with the power supply already installed. A 250 watt power supply is adequate. -MOTHERBOARD- The motherboard is the biggest component you will get so don't slack on the specs. Try to get one with DIMM sockets for the memory and get one that will be compatible with your processor that you will get. Get a motherboard that can be upgraded. -PROCESSOR- A processor is another important component. Again if the one you choose make sure it is compatible with the motherboard. For example if you get a Intel Pentium III 700MHz the motherboard can support it. -HARD DRIVE- Make sure you get a hard drive according as to how much stuff you think you will save on it. Somewhere around 13.6-20GB is quite all right. -MEMORY- The biggest thing is that you get memory that is compatible to the motherboard. 64MB-128MB is the normal but if you want more or less thats your decision. -CD ROM AND FLOPPY DRIVE- I would recommend that you get a CD-RW drive because they are starting to become faster and cheaper. If you want you can get just a regular CD-ROM drive too. As far as floppy drives are connected I don't even use mine anymore but just get a regular floppy drive. The only thing you will absolutely need it for is to boot up your computer once your finished. -KEYBOARD AND MOUSE- The optical mouse is starting to become common now with the intlli mouse from Microsoft out, but it is your personal preference. I would get a keyboard that has multi function buttons on there for quick and easy access to Internet or whatever you assign them to. -MONITOR- I would get a 17" monitor but its all your personal preference and spending limit as far as money because monitors run pretty high. -SPEAKERS- If you plan to be listening to music on your computer I would recommend getting some good quality speakers, but if you are just going to go on the internet and listen to somebody talk its not worth spending that money. -OPERATING SYSTEM- Unless you already know how to operate Linux, I would highly recommend Windows 98. I have recently tried Windows ME and its not that much better. But its your personal preference again. -EXPANSION CARDS- If you want to use a dial up service to the Internet you need a modem. I would recommend a 56K. But if you plan on getting Road Runner or not even using the internet than you will not need a modem. You can also get Audio and Video cards if your motherboard does not have it on board such as Voodoo and Sound Blaster. It would also be good to get USB card for scanners etc. -CABLES- And finally the most important thing to hook everything together are the cables. The power supply already comes with power cables. You will need about 3 40 pin IDE ribbon cables too. And you will need a smaller one for your floppy drive. Ok, now when you get all the components together find a big and clean workspace when you are ready to perform this task. Lay all the necessary components spread out on the table. Now I am ready to tell you step by step how to build a computer from scratch. 1) SETTING JUMERS ON MOTHERBOARD- Refer to the motherboard manual as to what the configuration is so that you can set your jumpers to correspond with the processor. This is the most important part of putting a computer together. I can’t tell you exactly what to set them to, you will have to check the manual that came with the motherboard. 2) INSERT CPU- To insert the CPU into place on the motherboard, lift the lever on the side to a 90 degree angle and then line up the pins and gently set the CPU into place. Pull the lever back down to lock it in. Then with the heat sink and fan that came with the CPU latch the heat sink into place by latching the metal piece to the socket. 3) INSTALLING MEMORY- Assuming that you purchased a motherboard with DIMM sockets, take the latches on the memory bank and push down then insert the memory into place firmly and then bring the latches back up to lock onto the memory. Then set the motherboard aside for right now. 4) PREPARING CASE- Take both sides off the case by unscrewing and pulling the sides off. Locate the side with the motherboard chaise and unscrew it and take it out. 5) INSERTING DRIVES- First put the floppy drive into its bay and screw it into place. Set the jumper on it to master. Next put the CD-ROM into the top bay and screw it into place also. If you have two of them set the CD-ROM drive that you want to be your main one to master and the other to slave. Finally insert your hard drive to the very bottom rack and screw it into place. Set the jumper to master. 6) PLACING MOTHERBOARD ON CHASIE- Take the chaise that you earlier unscrewed and set the motherboard on top of the standoffs and get the brass screws that came with the case or motherboard and tightly secure the motherboard to the chaise. 7) INSTALLING AND CONNECTING THE MOTHERBOARD- Place the motherboard next to the case as if you were going to install it. Take the IDE 40 pin ribbon cables and insert the end with only one connector to the motherboard. Make sure that pin 1 is lined up properly with the red stripes facing pin 1. Then lift up the chaise with the motherboard on it and screw it into place in the case. Now connect the IDE ribbon cable that has already been connected to the motherboard and connect it to the hard drive. Make sure that the red striped side is facing the female power connector on the hard drive. Get another ribbon cable and insert in into the motherboard and connect it to the CD-ROM drive. If you have 2 CD-ROM’s put the first connector in the master and the second in the slave. Now get the floppy ribbon cable and find the place where to insert it into the motherboard and then connect it to the floppy drive, again making sure that you are lining up the red striped edge properly. 8) CONNECTING POWER CABLES- Find the power cables that are coming out of the power supply. First connect one to the heat sink. Plug each connector into the CD-ROM, floppy and hard drive making sure that the flat side is always facing down. 9) CONNECTING POWER SUPPLY CABLES TO MOTHERBOARD- Take the power supply cables and find the slot they go into on the motherboard and make sure that when you insert them the black power cables are facing each other in the middle. This is very important so you will not have a short and fry your processor or other vital chips. 10) FINISHING IT OFF- Now that all cables and every thing is connected slide the covers of the cases back on and screw them in. Soon I will have how to put your expansion cards in and then I will have how to setup up your PC. In the meantime please feel free to make any comments or suggestions to this advise. Thanks  |
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