[CTS] Re: Building your first PC
- From: Hal Brown <hal@xxxxxxxx>
- To: computertalkshop@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 16:44:14 -0500
On Sat, Nov 02, 2002 at 01:12:04PM -0500, vze359wh@xxxxxxxxxxx duly noted:
>
>I was considering building my next PC. I was looking for some tips
>such as:
>
>-recommended books or web sites with how to info
>-recommended sources for purchasing the components
>-should you purchase from one vendor or several?
>-expected time to assemble your first PC
>-recommended sources to consult when you run into problems
>
>All ideas welcome. Thanks.
>
>
>
>-- George J. Rayzis
>vze359wh@xxxxxxxxxxx
--------end quoted text----------
This is a long post. Just thought I'd warn you.
Speaking as someone who has put together more computers than I can remember,
most articles I've seen on the subject involve steps with which I don't
agree. Not long ago, a veteran of 20 plus years writing about computers
decided to build one, something he hadn't done in all that time. He
detailed what he was doing in an email newsletter, and he had numerous
problems getting the thing to work. The number one thing I see wrong in
articles on how to build a PC is, they usually say, put all the components
together and then fire up the computer. Wrong.
1) Being careful of static, lay the MB on something solid, and put the CPU
on the board per instructions that come with it or the board. Then install
the fan/cooler using great care not to break something on the board.
2) Install the RAM.
3) Install the MB in the case and then install a video card.
4) Connect all the front panel leads to the MB so you can use the switch and
see the lights.
5) Now, plug it in and start it, hold the Del key to setup the BIOS. This
is where you can tell if anything *really* critical is wrong, such as, it
won't start or nothing happens. If it starts, set up the clock, and check
out the timing, voltage, etc. Mainboards made these days usually come
jumper-less by default, so you don't need to set switches or jumpers on the
board unless you want to do something unusual, like over-clocking.
That's about all for now because there are no other components to set up.
If it doesn't start, you are ahead of those who put everything in the box
and then start it. Either the MB, RAM, or video card is all that can be
wrong. The first thing to check is the video card. Numerous times I've
thought they were seated as well as could be, but after pulling and
re-seating a few time, that cures the problem. You *may* even have to use
something like Stabulent (may be spelled wrong) on the contacts to fix the
problem. The next thing is the memory. Same thing, pull it and reseat it.
Usually if the RAM is defective you will get an error that tells you, but
not always. If you have problems after this, take it to a shop and let them
diagnose it with one of those $1000 diagnostic cards. Should only cost
a few dollars, but will save you hours of trying to figure out the problem
through research.
All this is not that difficult. Putting together a PC these days is a
matter of plugging together the components. Either they work or they don't,
and you may have to figure out which one doesn't work.
6) Install the floppy drive, and using a boot disk, check it out. If you
have the cable plugged in wrong, the light on the drive will stay on.
Simply turn it over.
7) Install the HD and CD-ROM. When you start the computer, hit Del and
enter setup. The BIOS will auto-detect the drives, so the days of putting in
drive values are gone. Just be sure to have the jumpers set correctly for
master/slave options. Again, if you hit a snag, unplug, replug, and try
again. And if you get a problem that you don't know how to fix, at least
you can narrow it down.
8) Install the OS, BEFORE you install expansion cards. This lessens the
problems that can occur if the cards are in.
9) If you get this far, all that's left is to install expansion cards and
peripherals. Just follow the instructions for each one, and only install one
thing at a time. Sometimes this goes smoothly, sometimes it doesn't. But
if you're having a problem installing a modem, at least you know where the
problem is.
Choose your MB/CPU/RAM combination carefully. Do the research to be sure
they will play together well. IMHO, brand names are not as critical as used
to be. However, I only use Asus boards for my own computers. Same with
expansions cards and drives. You will see a lot of disagreement on the best
brand. If you use a known brand you will probably be okay. Russ, for
example, doesn't like Maxtor, but I have yet to have a problem with one.
Neither of us are wrong, just a difference of experience.
Buy from a dealer that will let you return a defective part. There is no
need to buy all parts from the same dealer.
I may have left something out, but this is the basic way to do it. If you
have any questions, fire away.
--
Hal Brown
mailto: hal@xxxxxxxx
http://adwt.com
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