Screwdrivers - One Standard and One Phillips

1 pr. Long nose pliers

Large table or desktop

Preparation:

You will want to assemble your computer, initially, on a tabletop instead of inside the box. This will allow you to test to see if the major components work before you set them into their permanent position. Once you've put the basic system together, then you will be able to mount everything inside the case. It features a pullout module that will allow you to mount the motherboard and set the cards in place. Once assembled and functional, you can just slide the module into the main chassis.

Gather your materials all on one bench or table. Make sure you have nearby any tools, such as a Phillips screwdriver, fiat-blade screwdriver, needle nose pliers, and screws that you will need for assembly.

Once you have all your materials together, you are ready to begin building. The following are more specific instructions on putting together your machine. You will be referred to documentation from the OEM literature (Original Equipment Manufacturer) at times, so don't throw any printed materials away.

Safety:

1. When assembling a computer, or any electrical device, DO NOT plug it into the wall socket until you are ready to turn the power on.

2. Static electricity can damage microchips very easily. It is possible to build up a fairly large electrical charge in your body. Make sure that before you handle cards, motherboards, etc. that you have discharged yourself by touching some metal object that is grounded.

Assembly:

Step 1:

Open up your case by unscrewing the cover on the back of the case, pull off the cover, and slide the mounting module out of the main chassis. Lay it next to the open chassis in a position you will be comfortable to work in.

Step 2:

Attach the motherboard to the slide out module, according to any directions that come with the chassis motherboard. ***Note: there maybe some plastic standoffs, which hold the motherboard a distance away from the metal module. Make sure you use the right ones for this equipment.

Step 3:

Install the processor. Some of the Pentium II & Pentium III chips require you to mount the processor on a stand, rather than just slipping a chip into a socket. Different manufacturers have slightly different designs for the stand, so make sure you follow the directions that come with your board and processor. Some manufacturers have begun to go back to the chip into a socket style. If you are using a socketed processor, lift the handle on the socket by pulling it horizontally away from the socket and lifting until it is perpendicular to the motherboard. Then, align pin 1 on the processor, usually indicated by a pin missing in the corner, and drop the processor in, ensuring that all pins go into the correct holes. Do not force processor, as it should drop right in. Then, lower the handle of the socket, locking the processor in, until it clicks into place at the side of the socket. If you are using any heat sinks that have clips to attach to the socket, attach

these clips and the heat sink now. If you are using a fan as opposed to a heat sink plug in power wire to motherboard for the fan to work.

***Note: in older machines, this is the point that you also want to set a number of jumpers, or tiny switches, on the motherboard, to fit the cards and equipment you have bought to go with the board. Because of the Plug and Play specifications that most boards now incorporate, you will probably only have to set one jumper the first time you turn on your machine, which will be set back to its original position once you've installed an Operating System (OS). Check the instructions that come with the motherboard because there are many different motherboard manufacturers.

Step 4:

Install the memory. In this board, it does not matter which slots you use, or if all your memory modules are the same. Be aware that on older machines, it does matter! *** Note: If the memory on a computer is bad or have the wrong type, the computer will not function at all. Step 5:

Connect all disk drives, including floppies, hard drives, and CD-Rom/DVD players. If you have a SCSI system it will require a controller card. Regular IDE systems usually come with the controllers built into the motherboard. There will be two channels on the motherboard labeled primary and secondary IDE. Each of these channels can have up to two IDE devices (hard drive, CD-ROM, etc.). If two devices are on the same channel they must be specified as a master or a slave. There is only one master and one slave per channel. The setting is specified on each device by the use of a built- in set of jumpers, usually located close to the power intake of the device. If jumpers are set to "cable select" instead of master or slave then the cable will automatically select a master or slave setting.

When plugging in IDE cables it is usually universal that hard drive pin 1 is closest to the power socket of the hard drive. Pin 1 is usually marked on the motherboard by either a 1 or a white triangle, if neither check documentation. ***Note: this is the most likely place you might find a cable that plugs in either way. Check the cables and documentation to make sure you are plugging things in correctly! ! (Hint: there is a red or pink colored wire on one edge of the IDE and floppy cables that marks pin 1)

Step 6:

Connect the power supply to the motherboard. Make sure, in all cases, that you are connecting to the correct socket in the proper way. Most new sockets can only be plugged in one way. However, there are some sockets that will fit backwards. There are usually tiny labels in each socket and plug that you can check or normally the black wires are in the middle.

Also, there may be several smaller connectors from the front panel of the chassis that connect the power on button, the hard drive indicator, and the reset button. Wait until you are ready to mount the motherboard into the chassis before you plug these in.

Step 7:

Place the video card in the proper slot and plug the monitor into the card. Do not attach printers, audio cards, or other peripherals until you get this basic system up and running.

Step 8:

Plug in the keyboard and mouse accordingly.

Step 9:

At this point, you are ready to power up your system and start setting it up!

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