New User (hi all), 5th PC Build, Shuttle MN31L

[tulliman]

Hi all! First of all, thanks to you all for reading this (and hopefully responding).


This will be my 5th desktop build, but my first one with onboard video.


Here is what I'll be using (the important stuff anyway):


Shuttle MN31L
1 gig of Kingston Value Ram PC3200
Barton 2500
*onboard video* - no added video card
blah blah blah...


...anyway, the build order that I usually use is:

1. service packs, reboot twice
2. DX, reboot
3. windows updates, reboot twice
4. chiset drivers, reboot
5. VGA drivers, reboot
6. Sound drivers, reboot
7. any other drivers, reboot between each


Here are my questions...

1.) With onboard video, will this build order change?

2.) Any other advice to building a system with onboard video (he's not a gamer)?

3.) Any other advice on building a system with a micro-atx board (this is my first micro-atx)?


THANKS!

Tully

 

[mechBgon]

Welcome to the Forums tulliman

If you don't have a hardware firewall, then it would be a good idea to make sure you have ZoneAlarm firewall software and some antivirus software installed before you install the network drivers and plug in the network cable. Otherwise your typical raw WinXP SP1 installation is a sitting duck for worm attack :Q Since you want the firewall and antivirus software installed before going online, download in advance and burn 'em to CD if you'll need them:

ZoneAlarm free firewall software
Grisoft AVG Free Edition antivirus software, see if you qualify for the free license (non-network usage, private use)

As for the installation order, the video drivers will be part of the nVidia Unified Driver Package (currently the 4.24's available at nVidia's site), so when you install those, that will take care of the video as well.

Other than that, the main thing that might be different about the microATX board is that you can choose how much system memory is allocated for the onboard video to use, in the board's BIOS menus. For a non-gamer... well, I've run a 1280 x 1024 x 32-bit x 60Hz LCD on an 8MB TNT2 Vanta card, so if you even gave it 32MB that should be plenty for single or dual monitors. I think you'll find it defaults to 64MB.

 

[tulliman]

THANKS!

Couple of follow ups...


1.) So it's possible to get something right when you install the network drivers and plug in the network cable? The reason that I'm asking is because I rebuilt an old pc, and didn't have zone alarm or an anti-virus installed before I hooked it up to DSL. Now, this was RIGHT after I re-formatted the hard drive and re-installed windows. And it still seems like I had spyware right away. And when he tries to play Call of Duty he's lagging someting crazy!

2.) Can RAM affect LAG? I think he's only running 128mb. Ugh...

3.) A micro ATX board will still fit into a standard ATX case, right?

4.) Going to Kingston's web site and looking for the MN31L, I see that it only lists up to PC2700. Now, the price was about the same, so I purchased 2 sticks of PC3200. I can understand if it does not run at FSB400 (mobo restricitons), but the RAM will still run at FSB333, right?


Thanks again all...

Tully

 

[mechBgon]

1) yeah, if there's nothing keeping the worms from probing your computer, it could come down with worms right away. Sasser is a good example.

2) yes again... for gaming systems these days, people are indeed moving toward 1GB of RAM. Even for office/student work, I'd recommend 256MB of RAM for Win2000 Pro and 384MB for WinXP, and for gaming, you should probably double those.

3) microATX will fit a full-ATX case, you can see an example if you check out the photo guide that's linked in my signature

4) The PC3200 can run at PC2700 and if it tries to run at full PC3200 speed (200MHz or DDR400), then you should force it to run at PC2700 by manually setting it to 166MHz/DDR333 in the BIOS. That's my advice, anyway

 

[tulliman]

Hmm...

How would I know if the RAM was trying to run at full PC3200 speed? Well, perhaps it wouldn't boot!

 

[oldfart]

How about turn on the built in XP firewall? It blocks all incoming ports. Not the fanciest, but it should be adequate for getting things up and running. An antivirus program should in installed in short oder as well.

 

[tulliman]

Umm...pardon the dumb question, but what built in XP firewall? I'm using XP home...where is it?

Thanks!

 

[mechBgon]

Right-click My Network Places, choose Properties, then right-click the network connection, go to the Advanced tab... that's as close as I can get you from memory Otherwise search Windows Help for "firewall."

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Right-click My Network Places, choose Properties, then right-click the network connection, go to the Advanced tab... that's as close as I can get you from memory Otherwise search Windows Help for "firewall."

right on the money