First time builder needs your advice

[Cainxinth]

I'm building my first machine this week. I've gathered "how-to" guides on proper building from various sites and posts and compiled my own 24 step guide, which i plan to follow exactly. Please tell me if i have missed anything, or if i could save myself some trouble by making any changes. Thanks.

1. Place motherboard on its anti-static bag on top of its box
2. Lift the Socket-A lever and align the CPU with its pin slots, gently lower CPU into socket and lock lever down
3. Apply a thin layer of Thermal Grease to CPU Core
4. Attach the HSF?s clip on the lower side of the socket and carefully position the HSF on the CPU. Take a large flat blade screwdriver, insert it on the top of the clip and slowly guide it to the tab on the ZIF socket -- Use a second jewelry size screwdriver to help guide the clip over the tab. Take a close look to make sure the clip is all the way in on the ZIF tab and the HSF is level on the chip. Then plug fan into fan header on motherboard
5. Install RAM into DIMMs, lock levers
6. Remove Power Supply and drive brackets from case
7. Check to see if Motherboard I/O backplate and Case I/O Backplate match
8. Hold the motherboard over the ATX tray, and use the I/O plate to align the motherboard with the tray. Check to see how many risers and spacers the motherboard will need, and remember which holes are used on the tray.
9. Screw risers into motherboard in appropriate holes
10. Snap plastic spacers into the motherboard holes that correspond with the spacer holes on the tray
11. Place the motherboard onto the tray, carefully sliding the spacers into their holes and gently screw into risers
12. Install Video card (AGP), Sound Card (PCI), and Ethernet Card (PCI)
13. Mount front panel LEDs to front inner case with screws
14. Insert labeled Front panel and speaker connectors into the motherboard headers
15. Mount Primary Master Hard Disk, Mount Primary Slave Hard Disk, Mount Secondary Master DVD-ROM, Mount Secondary Slave CD-RW
16. Mount 3.5? Floppie
17. Connect all Rounded IDE Cables
18. Install Power Supply
19. Connect power supply to motherboard
20. Plug in keyboard and Monitor
21. Plug monitor and case into wall AC
22. Boot up System?Run Initial BIOS POST (Set PNP OS to ?no?)
23. Run FDISK
24. Run Windows Setup

 

[Electric Amish]

First of all, DO NOT install ALL the cards. Start with just video, cpu, ram, and drives.

Be sure to correctly jumper your drives. I always remember AFTER I mount them.

You might need something more sturdy than the motherboard box when you're trying to attach the HS. They can be real bastards. Also, I don't think you'll have a free hand to use 2 screwdrivers...depends on the HS. I usually hold the HS with one hand and clip with the other.

amish

 

[DARRIN]

Sounds good except I like to install the sound card, network card, and any other card after Windows in installed. Especially the network card because once you install it your boot up time will double.

 

[agg123456789]

looks good. might want to have a friend over to help install the HSF. They can be really really hard to attach.



agg123456789

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Don't forget to check to see if there are any motherboard jumper settings that need to be made also.

Agree with others, don't install your sound card or the NIC until later in the process.

Also, no need to remove P.S. or drive brackets from the case unless you're sure there is an interference problem.

 

[Stealth1024]

<insert> inhale
<insert> exhale
<insert> blink

 

[DARRIN]

Dont forget to stick your tongue out of the side of your mouth and sweat a little.

 

[NelsonMuntz]

Might not want to plug all the IDE devices onto the mobo until after you have the formatted the primary master hard drive. I usually do just the CD-ROM, floppy, and primary hard drive at first.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Don't know about your case, but you may wanna have a band-aid or two handy. I always cut a finger somehow. Also, you may wanna read up on your cd-rw. A lot of drive makers suggest having the cd-rw as the MASTER on the secondary channel.
Also, do you have all your lattest and greatest drivers at your side ready to go? And like the other said, wait till windows is up and running right b/f installing your sound and nic cards.
j
ps: have fun with the hsf

 

[spazntwich1]

Hrm... I figure this is on topic here.

As per the steps involving doing all of the motherboard spacer install thingies, I don't believe those are totally necessary.

I built my system yesterday, can't run it yet cuz I got a dead fan for my heatsink, but my case is an Inwin s500. This baby just has metal risers built into the case that you set the motherboard on, and screw in, along with 1 copper screw for grounding the motherboard.

I've let my mobo post a few times, so I know it's not fried, but might I be risking shorting my motherboard running it like this?

 

[Prince of Persia]

In addition, I'm also building a system soon and have some questions that coincide with Cainxinth.

What's the difference between spacers and mounting screws for the motherboard?

Also I'm getting a Liteon16/10/40 and a Pioneer 106s. Which should I mount as the master?