A few stupid questions about building my first PC...

[darbius]

So I'm putting together my first PC in a couple days (you can use the link to my system rig to check out the specs if you want) and I had a few questions. I'm also willing to accept tips from any of you on general things I should know going in. I've already looked at the AT guide, and I have a book on building as well, but sometimes they don't tell you everything.

1. What is the best way to ground myself while building? I've asked this once or twice and have gotten answers, but I wanted to clarify. The mobo documentation says that the chipset is especially vulnerable to getting fried (specifically in reference to memory, but it got me worried about everything else too). I was told the best way was to plug in the PSU, but leave it off and touch that to ground myself, however, the PSU will be in the case when I receive it. Would I still be okay doing that?

2. I do have to use a PS2 keyboard when I first boot, right? People are telling me with a MSI Neo4 that I should swap over to a USB keyboard asap, but I still need it at the beginning, right?

Thanks a bunch, and other suggestions for a noob are always appreciated.

 

[Conky]

1. Do not have your power plugged in when assembling your computer. And touching the PS or the case frame will release any static electricity you have built up.
Static electricity is not normally a problem unless you live in a really dry environment and wear big fuzzy slippers, lol.

2. Yeah, you usually have to use a PS2 keyboard to boot most systems unless the bios has built-in support for USB keyboards.

 

[compusaguy]

Here's a good tip:

Take all of your components (still in their boxes) to a local computer shop and pay them $50 to build this for you. That way, when they power it up and it doesn't work, they'll have to fix it. You'll save time and money not having to do RMAs because you are careless and/or inexperienced. If they try to tell you about any warranties for labor, just tell them that warranties are for chumps and you need this computer pronto.

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: compusaguy
Here's a good tip:

Take all of your components (still in their boxes) to a local computer shop and pay them $50 to build this for you. That way, when they power it up and it doesn't work, they'll have to fix it. You'll save time and money not having to do RMAs because you are careless and/or inexperienced. If they try to tell you about any warranties for labor, just tell them that warranties are for chumps and you need this computer pronto.

I don't know anywhere that would assemble a computer for $50 outside of having a friend do it. I wouldn't trust any kid from CompUSA or BestBuy anyway even if they would work that cheap. :laugh:

Besides, how is this guy gonna learn anything?

There is no magic involved in building a nice system. A little homework done here and experience are the key. Having someone else do it robs you of the experience. Just be sure to have another system you can log on here to ask questions with. There are a lot of very experienced people who can guide you if you get stuck.

 

[imported_Kensai]

I'll build a comp for 50$.
As a tech, I love it. Building systems and hiding the wires somewhere in the case is the funest thing.

 

[Zelos689]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
1. Do not have your power plugged in when assembling your computer. And touching the PS or the case frame will release any static electricity you have built up.
Static electricity is not normally a problem unless you live in a really dry environment and wear big fuzzy slippers, lol.

Hmm? I've heard that if you install the PSU, plug it in, but turn the master power switch on the PSU's back off it'll keep anything from frying but will still be grounded and thus releases built up static charge in the case. Am I missing something here?

 

[compusaguy]

You shouldn't work on a computer with anything plugged in, even if the switch is turned off.

electricity + you = early funeral

 

[montag451]

Just make sure you and the case are attached. Before you touch anything, if you are not attached to the case, then touch the chassis before you pick up ANY components.

Some say the case should be earthed. Some say the case should be isolated from leccy.
Either way.

 

[Zelos689]

Great, now I'm confused again... From what I've heard elsewhere on this same forum, with the switch on the PSU off electricity won't flow through the PSU (or at least not through the cables and stuff to your components) but the ground will still function thus sucking the built up static charge out of the case, and that if you don't do that your case could build up enough static charge to fry any bare component that touches it (say, a motherboard or graphics card)

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: compusaguy
You shouldn't work on a computer with anything plugged in, even if the switch is turned off.

electricity + you = early funeral

Ignore compusaguy. The highest power an ATX power supply puts out is 12 volts, and if 12-volt power were dangerous to human beings, there'd be a lot of dead auto mechanics.

Yes, plug in the PSU and flip its power switch off.

 

[compusaguy]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: compusaguy
You shouldn't work on a computer with anything plugged in, even if the switch is turned off.

electricity + you = early funeral

Ignore compusaguy. The highest power an ATX power supply puts out is 12 volts, and if 12-volt power were dangerous to human beings, there'd be a lot of dead auto mechanics.

Yes, plug in the PSU and flip its power switch off.

How do you know the PSU doesn't have an electrical fault or if something else wrong with the outlet? Like I said, never ever work with the computer plugged in. It's better to assume you will be electrocuted than not.

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: compusaguy

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: compusaguy
You shouldn't work on a computer with anything plugged in, even if the switch is turned off.

electricity + you = early funeral

Ignore compusaguy. The highest power an ATX power supply puts out is 12 volts, and if 12-volt power were dangerous to human beings, there'd be a lot of dead auto mechanics.

Yes, plug in the PSU and flip its power switch off.

How do you know the PSU doesn't have an electrical fault or if something else wrong with the outlet? Like I said, never ever work with the computer plugged in. It's better to assume you will be electrocuted than not.

compusaguy is right. :thumbsup:

Never, ever, work on a system that is plugged in. I always pull the cord before I do anything to a system.

 

[montag451]

As i said, take your pick.

The main thing is to make sure that the POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE between you and the case and the components are near to 0.

That way - you won't fry a component.
If you have it plugged in, then it is grounded - fine.
If you don't have it plugged in, then as long as you are in contact with the chassis, then you are at the same P.D as the case. - fine.
To keep the components from frying, touch the case [as that is where they are going into], then the components should be at the same P.D as yourself and the case. - fine.

As to the danger of psu's being faulty - that is valid, but not a regular occurrence.

Whatever

 

[Bonesdad]

Originally posted by: compusaguy
Here's a good tip:

Take all of your components (still in their boxes) to a local computer shop and pay them $50 to build this for you. That way, when they power it up and it doesn't work, they'll have to fix it. You'll save time and money not having to do RMAs because you are careless and/or inexperienced. If they try to tell you about any warranties for labor, just tell them that warranties are for chumps and you need this computer pronto.

YOU again???

 

[joshc]

If you are that concenerned about ESD then go to CompUSA, no pun intended, and buy an anti-static wrist strap. That's what I did and it only sets you back about $8.

 

[villageidiot111]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool

Originally posted by: compusaguy

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: compusaguy
You shouldn't work on a computer with anything plugged in, even if the switch is turned off.

electricity + you = early funeral

Ignore compusaguy. The highest power an ATX power supply puts out is 12 volts, and if 12-volt power were dangerous to human beings, there'd be a lot of dead auto mechanics.

Yes, plug in the PSU and flip its power switch off.

How do you know the PSU doesn't have an electrical fault or if something else wrong with the outlet? Like I said, never ever work with the computer plugged in. It's better to assume you will be electrocuted than not.

compusaguy is right. :thumbsup:

Never, ever, work on a system that is plugged in. I always pull the cord before I do anything to a system.

I think I would trust MechBgon, he knows what he is talking about (20,000 posts vs 100 posts). Mech has helped countless amounts of people on these forums. There is nothing wrong with having the psu plugged in as long as it is off. Its not discharging energy, so where's the harm?

 

[Grasshopper7]

Best advise for rookies hands down!

There's plenty of time time figure out what to do and not to do that won't cost $1000+.

Be safe and shell out the $50.

 

[Grasshopper7]

BTW it's not the volts that kill you---
its the amps

Can anyone say Tazer?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Grasshopper7
BTW it's not the volts that kill you---
its the amps

Can anyone say Tazer?

If that were the case, auto batteries would be very dangerous, with 600-1000 amps on tap at 12 volts. But I think most of us know that you can grab both terminals on an auto battery with your bare hands and not notice a thing. Welcome to reality.

If your house wiring is messed up to the point where there's an electrocution hazard building a PC with the PSU plugged in, then unplugging it during building will only delay your electrocution until you finally do plug in the computer and touch it. Use your brains, guys.

By the way darbius, I made a photo guide for first-timers, might have something helpful in there. PM me anytime if you have questions about something I missed

 

[fireontheway]

Originally posted by: compusaguy
Here's a good tip:

Take all of your components (still in their boxes) to a local computer shop and pay them $50 to build this for you. That way, when they power it up and it doesn't work, they'll have to fix it. You'll save time and money not having to do RMAs because you are careless and/or inexperienced. If they try to tell you about any warranties for labor, just tell them that warranties are for chumps and you need this computer pronto.

Oh boy,you must really work for COMPUSA and probably Best Buy too before that?

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: Grasshopper7
BTW it's not the volts that kill you---
its the amps

Can anyone say Tazer?

If that were the case, auto batteries would be very dangerous, with 600-1000 amps on tap at 12 volts. But I think most of us know that you can grab both terminals on an auto battery with your bare hands and not notice a thing. Welcome to reality.

If your house wiring is messed up to the point where there's an electrocution hazard building a PC with the PSU plugged in, then unplugging it during building will only delay your electrocution until you finally do plug in the computer and touch it. Use your brains, guys.

By the way darbius, I made a photo guide for first-timers, might have something helpful in there. PM me anytime if you have questions about something I missed

Yeah check out his photo guide, it is very helpful. Now for the Neo4 question, since I asked basically the same thing last night, I am under the impression the Neo4 has built in USB support so you could use your USB keyboard right away. It should because my PS2 keyboard isn't working on it for anything. I will be getting my USB keyboard Monday probably and will report back then.

 

[darbius]

Thanks a bunch guys for your help! I will start putting it together tonight and I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. And mech, I took a look at your site and it looks awesome. Thanks for putting it together for rookies like me.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Don't be too thankful, mech's head swole up to the size of a steroid filled watermelon because of his "fame" here...lol

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
Don't be too thankful, mech's head swole up to the size of a steroid filled watermelon because of his "fame" here...lol

Proof that no good deed goes unpunished!

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
Don't be too thankful, mech's head swole up to the size of a steroid filled watermelon because of his "fame" here...lol

Proof that no good deed goes unpunished!

lol