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Need help on building a computer

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OfficeDude

Member
I just got done reading an excellent book on computers, "The Complete PC Upgrade and Maintenance Guide", because I am thinking of building my own computer. A friend recommended it, even though she knew I wanted to build one, not upgrade one. The book is great for either task actually🙂 The only gripe I have with the book is the scant information on how you actually do things, such as set resources, prepare the hard drive after installing, etc.

After reading that book, I have a few questions. I know exactly why resource conflicts occur now, but he doesn't really tell you how to set the IRQ, DMA, memory addresses, and Input/Output. Will I have no problems with IRQs when building a computer because of Plug and Play? Does Plug and Play assign the memory address, I/O, and DMA too? If I have to set this stuff, how do I do it?

Do I need a Windows startup disk to get the computer up and running, or can I install the OS directly off of the CD once the computer is built? Is the BIOS hard to configure properly once you install all the hardware? Is it trial and error? What about the CMOS?

After installing the hard disk, will I only need to format the hard drive before installing the OS or will I need to set a partition? I'm not plannning on creating more than one partition, so will it just default to one big partition?

Any useful newbie information I shold know about building a computer? Thanks in advance, I know I asked a lot of questions, I want to make sure I don't foul up my first attempt at building a computer🙂


 


<< I just got done reading an excellent book on computers, "The Complete PC Upgrade and Maintenance Guide", because I am thinking of building my own computer. A friend recommended it, even though she knew I wanted to build one, not upgrade one. The book is great for either task actually🙂 The only gripe I have with the book is the scant information on how you actually do things, such as set resources, prepare the hard drive after installing, etc. >>



I hear ya! Been there!



<< After reading that book, I have a few questions. I know exactly why resource conflicts occur now, but he doesn't really tell you how to set the IRQ, DMA, memory addresses, and Input/Output. Will I have no problems with IRQs when building a computer because of Plug and Play? Does Plug and Play assign the memory address, I/O, and DMA too? If I have to set this stuff, how do I do it? >>



Nice thing about putting PCs together with NEW stuff is that those things rarely occur anymore...not much to worry about since everything is so dang smart these days...



<< Do I need a Windows startup disk to get the computer up and running, or can I install the OS directly off of the CD once the computer is built? Is the BIOS hard to configure properly once you install all the hardware? Is it trial and error? What about the CMOS? >>



Yep you'll need a boot disk and set the bios to the default settings if you're a newbie 😉 - remember, it's mostly all automatic and the hardware knows best...



<< After installing the hard disk, will I only need to format the hard drive before installing the OS or will I need to set a partition? I'm not plannning on creating more than one partition, so will it just default to one big partition? >>



Yep, here's the deal...fdisk to one big partition, reboot with the disk and type format c: - come back in an hour...



<< Any useful newbie information I shold know about building a computer? Thanks in advance, I know I asked a lot of questions, I want to make sure I don't foul up my first attempt at building a computer🙂 >>



You will foul things up but don't worry about it, that the way you learn. May be check out ebay for one of those "build a pc" videos...it will lay it all out for you while you sip a cool drink...Good luck!
 
Yeah man the days of setting up individual IRQ and DMA settings are history! Thank GOD!

First off, the CMOS and BIOS are one and the same. The first is the hardware, the second is the software for it. The BIOS can be somewhat tricky to setup if you've never done it before. The trick is to know what settings your hardware needs (CPU, hard drives, memory etc.) and to completely read your mobo manual before you even think about hitting the power switch. You should know what every jumper and slot is for before you start setting up the BIOS. Most mobo manuals will walk you through setup of the most common settings. You don't need a boot disk if you can set your BIOS to boot from CD. This can be done with the newer mobo's, although I usually leave it set to floppy because I have a million bootable flops on hand and I miss DOS 🙁 so I like to play with it when I can. Most newer Windoz install CD's have the ability to FDISK and FORMAT as well so you're all good if you can boot to CD. Goodluck!
 
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