Computer Construction

[satan]

OK I've just ordered the stuff for my computer which I will be getting for christmas. I'm going to be building it myself. Since this is the first time I have built a computer, is there anything that I should remember, or can go wrong during construction? Also how do I go about formatting the drive and installing an operating system? My hard drive is OEM so no applications included.

Thanks in advance.

[skuzgib]

Avoid static electricity - get an antistatic wristband or touch the metal of the case.
Double check and triple check to make sure everything is as it should be before you turn it on, such as hsf's plugged it.
Don't put your fingers in plug sockets.

Xp lets you format the HDD and make partitions during the installation proccess.

[Captain Fizz]

And if you are in any doubt about applying thermal goop:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm

[Tomahawk]

As said above make sure everything is plugged in like power for all hardware and processor etc. .And don't over due it on the Thermal Compound. .

And as said XP gives you the option to Format. .All you have to do is boot from the disc and follow the on screen instructions!

[iranu]

Only a quick suggestion - look here

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20020904/index.html

There are other self help DIY "build your own pc" articles and tutorials on the net. Try google for "build your own pc"

[JimmyBoy]

imo the hardest part about building a pc is fighting with the damn heatsink
u want to be gentle becuz of the precious cpu underneith but grrrrrrr its always stiff as n e thing to get it on properly, also, make sure u got the jumpers set correctly on ur hdd's if they are ide

[5cupa]

i would say above all as soon as you switch your computer on go straight into the bios and hardware monitor and watch the temps of your cpu incase theres a problem with the Hsink....otherwise it may be burning smell, then black screen, then a graveyard for your cpu and £100 down

[JimmyBoy]

lol, good thinking, when i built my first athlon xp system, it didnt boot at first, so after playing about it did, got it to the bios, and checked the temps, i couldnt understand why the cpu was at 74c then i realised my pc was a lil too quiet

ahhhhhh pulled the plug out of the wall very quickly i can tell u :hehe:

the hs fan wasnt plugged in, im surprised the cpu lived tbh

but it still lives on today

[petrefax]

imo the hardest part about building a pc is fighting with the damn heatsink
u want to be gentle becuz of the precious cpu underneith but grrrrrrr its always stiff as n e thing to get it on properly, also, make sure u got the jumpers set correctly on ur hdd's if they are ide

i'm with jimmy on this...its still a bit scary now if you get a particularly feisty AMD retail boxed one

for your 1st build, if you can spare the cash then you can avoid the hassle of potentially plunging a screwdriver through your mobo by spending a bit extra & getting one with a thumb-thingy

(good picture example of the sort of thing i'm talking about here )

[StormPC]

What exactly are you building?

[Kumagoro]

Just a quick question. Have you messed about with computers before? messing with the bios and installing windows again and again. If not I wouldnt recommend building one. Its not that its difficult but if it goes wrong you dont have the exp to know whats wrong with it. Before you do it strip your old one put it back together etc.

[satan]

Yeah I've installed various operating systems and messed around in the BIOS before, installed bits of hardware, so I feel up to the challenge. I've just never built one completely myself before.

[Ceryndrion]

best thing that I can suggest..

take your time
try to not get frustrated
don't be afraid of using a little force (except on the cpu)
double check everything

[Kumagoro]

Well i say still strip your old one and put it back together. Like others said take your time put bits together and test one at a time... PSU & mobo light comes on ok beeps. Stick in the ram. get diff beeps then the cpu etc or something along those lines. dont stick everything in in one go.

[StormPC]

Loading the OS, drivers, upgrades, etc.. is much more difficult than screws and plugs. Your lack of experience could hurt you, especially if it doesn't work when you get it done. I'd avoid testing things one at a time. Just take it slow and do everything right. Don't do it half-arsed. Oh, and touch the case every 5 seconds!

Just pay attention to details and you'll do fine.

[satan]

Yeah I'll plug in the bare minumum to start with, and see if it boots. I don't expect it to work first time when it's built either, so I'm prepared for problems.

I also bought an anti-static wrist strap.