Few questions about computer building....

[taltos1]

Hello,
I have built a few computers in my time, but a few things elude me.. Please help if you can..

1. On motherboards, the holes that are used to secure the mobo to the case, do you need to use them all (i.e do they offer ground protection etc..) If there are 10 screw holes, I need to use all 10?

2. The pin headers that the reset button, power button, led activity etc. connect to can go on one way or the other (ie. one way, or flip it 180 and it can also go on) Does that matter which way. Or if it was the wrong way, would the buttons not work?

Thanks a lot

 

[Zim Hosein]

1) Yes.

2) Yes.

 

[keeleysam]

1. Yes.

2. Yes, except the LED's.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

1. no

2. the switches can go either way, I think the LEDs have to be in one particular way

 

[kyparrish]

pre-emptive Nik strike...

1. It's a good idea to use all of the standoffs, but if you don't, the rig should still work.

2. I think just the slimmer pin headers can be reversed (b/c all they should be doing is switching), but there's one pin header that's larger than the others (hdd led maybe? dunno), and I think it needs to go on a certain way. If it doesn't work, just flip it around. You shouldn't mess anything up.

 

[taltos1]

Cool, and to add, the black wires, are they usually the ground?

Thanks

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: taltos1
Cool, and to add, the black wires, are they usually the ground?

Thanks

Black may be ground. If it doesn't work, just switch it around.

You should fasten all of the mounting holes for stability. I don't think they all necessarily have to be grounded as there is a layer in the board specifically for the ground plane. Besides, some cases have plastic standoffs.

 

[jtvang125]

1. Doesn't matter. The more the better as it supports the board when you start pushing down on it when installing cards, ram and cables.

2. Polarity doesn't matter for switches but they sometimes do for LEDs.

 

[Encryptic]

1. I try to use all of them, but it's not going to be the end of the world if you don't use all of them.

2. It's been a while since I built a computer, but I believe the plug needs to be inserted a certain way, otherwise it won't work.