What would normally seem like a
taxing task turns out to be a fairly simple one. You don't have to be a computer
whiz to understand the components that make up a computer. What you see is the
outer case and the front of the drive bay, which is usually covered.
The first thing that is necessary in building a computer is all the parts. The
vital components are as follows: case, power supply (usually included in the
case), motherboard, CPU (central processing unit), hard drive, RAM, video card
(if your mother board doesn't have one, most don't) and then any other parts
that you see as necessary, (commonly CD drive and 3.5 inch floppy drive).
You will also need a screwdriver, a Philips, but for the mechanically declined,
the one with the star head. A useful item to have if a wrist strap that attaches
to your clothing, it keeps the static electricity from your body away from the
expensive computer components.
The first step is to open the case up, either slide it off, or if it is fastened
at the back, unscrew the number of screws holding the case.
Upon opening the case when looking from the top, there should be the power
supply with wires coming out of it. They are brightly color and have different
connector sizes. Proceed to put the power supply in and fasten it to the back of
the case, usually with 4 screws (the screws should come with the case, if not,
they are available at an electronics store).
Now that your computer has a power supply, put in the motherboard, this can be
somewhat of a daunting task because all motherboards are attached differently.
Some with screws and others with plastic plugs. The plastic plugs should be
aligned with the motherboard and the case wall (the inside wall) and pushed into
place, these are not difficult to use but be sure that they are accurate because
they can be extremely difficult to remove.
If it is screwed into place, then attach the motherboard. (Caution, do not, DO
NOT tighten the screws to tightly, they could crack the motherboard causing
sever circuitry damage. Also when using screws there should be little washers
that go on top of the motherboard when attaching to the case. They will
safeguard the motherboard from static electricity.
To supply power to the motherboard and to power the rest of your components
attach the large connecter plug to the motherboard. This is fairly simple. This
will be a large fat plug and the connector from the power supply is the largest
one that comes out of the power supply. There is also a different type of
connector, there will be two plugs and they are similar to the other ones, but
with one different characteristic, they will have notches or hooks to assure the
power does not come out of the plug. (A small rule of thumb, if the connector
fits, it is usually in the right place.)
If you have had problems so far, batten down the hatches because the worst is
yet to come. Before things get crowded in the case, you want to make sure any
communications ports that connect peripherals from the back of the case, are put
into place, the case can get very crowded.
For this step the motherboard will have a manual and it would be very helpful to
look at that in this stage. If you look closely at the motherboard there are
markings on the board, com1 or com2, COM A or COM B. These markings are also
good reference points. Now attach the communications ports to the motherboard
and screw them into the case.
Now that the back of your computer seems to be taking shape. It is time to
install other very important components. The hard drive, floppy drive, and
CD-Rom drive should be installed. There will be a half height drive bay, or a
section where the hard drive should sit.
Hard drives are narrower then CD-Rom drives so it should be easy to distinguish
where the hard drive goes. Also a note, on the face of the case, there will be
push out pieces of plastic or what ever material the case is made out of, do
not, DO NOT, put the hard drive in front of one of those. These sections are for
the floppy drive, and if there are more then one, possibly for a ZIP drive.
All of the drives should be attached to the case in the same fashion, using
screws and setting them in; not using extreme force, but so they are secure.
Attaching the power to these drives is easily done, the middle sized or biggest
will go into the hard drive and the CD-Rom but the floppy uses the smaller
power. (These cords are easily found coming out of the power supply.)
There are many, many other settings to change on the motherboard regarding the
CPU, this step can either be the last step or you can put the CPU in now. This
is another step to look at the manual for, there are jumper settings and bus
frequency, these setting make sure that you do not over clock (make the computer
faster then it is, resulting in excessive damage to the CPU.) and to make sure
the rest of the system runs freely.
The CPU, depending on the processor type, commonly Pentium 3 or 4, slide into
the socket very easily with the weight of the fan. Attach the fan to the CPU,
there will but a sticker, or glue like substance on either the fan of the CPU,
this is to insure that the CPU does not overheat and melt. Once stuck together
slide the CPU into the socket. The most common is a type 7 socket or 370 socket
(this means that there are 370 pin holes in the socket.) once it is in attach
the fan clips onto the bottom of the CPU socket, near the motherboard.
Once attached pull the lever downwards at a 90-degree angle and then the chip is
securely in place.
Note: every step of the way it is advisable to look at the manual that came with
the motherboard, the motherboard will have specific specifications, these
directions are a good rule of thumb, but are not exact to specific motherboards.
Inserting the RAM is a simple task; it is just a flick of a switch more of less.
Take the RAM; most applications need at least 64 so 128 are advisable. There are
two types of RAM slots, some are larger and some are smaller. Depending on your
RAM, choose the appropriate size, it will be the only one that fits the RAM. The
ram will have to be pushed into place then the clasps on the side closed.
You have a choice of PCI and ISA cards; PCI is newer and are what normal cards
are today. There are also APG slots; these are generally used for graphics. The
more PCI slots you have the more that you can attach to your motherboard. To
install PCI cards just take the card and gently, but firmly place it into the
slot. Once in screw them to the case.
If you have chosen to install a sound card then you will need an audio cable.
Most CD-Rom sold at retail stores have them in the box, but if not you can
purchase them separately at an electronics store. There will be an inscription
on the back of the CD drive, "digital audio," or a derivation of that.
This is where you will attach the cable too. Then take the cable down to your
sound card, or motherboard, which ever is processing your sound and then attach
it there.
Once all of the components are secure and in the case, then you must power them
and attach them to the main bus, or cord. The cord will be wide. There will then
be the issue of making sure you have primary, secondary, master drives and other
things to decide on. It is advisable not to touch these setting unless you are
absolutely positive what you are doing, for these changes could not allow the
hard drive to run or CD-Rom to work.
Once these are attached, attach the power cords to the drives, these
instructions were given vaguely earlier, but there are few things to go over.
This is definitely where the rule of thumb applies, "it goes where it
fits." There are also very few choices for powering the drives.
The last and most complex thing to set up is the panel, this powers the LED
lights and depending on your motherboard, with also allows the computer to be
turned on and off, and put into standby.
These are some general rules, first: LOOK IN THE MANUAL. This is a very
important step and all motherboards are different. If you have lost the manual
or there was never a manual, look on the writings by the panel, all of the
connectors will have labels on them and just match the label to the panel
writings. But the most important is to look at the manual, this is an important
step.
Pictures to help you on
your way:
Figure
I
Figure
II
Figure
III
Figure
IV
