Tell me about the first time you built a computer...

[flexy]

i built a bunch already and consider me an experienced builder

Anyway....funny just yesterday i remembered a story about my first PC build. (I had other computers before, but this was my first PC).

I got a used mainboard, memory and somewhere i got a Intel DX4, i think it was 100mhz.

Well i got all parts and proudly, me and my roomate took a look at all the parts, taking CPU off the board, looking at it, plugged it back in. Board wont post.

Me and my roomate are worried and confused...checking here and there...but the d*mn board just wont post. D*rn i got ripped off buy the guy who sold it to me, i think.

So..i call up the guy and complain...and he recommends taking the board somewhere to let it get checked out.

So i take the board to some repair-shop. Few hours later i check back and ask what's going on with the board i just bought - just for him to tell me that the CPU was plugged in wrong. He took it out and put it in the right way...and the board worked

I still cant believe what lamers me and my roomate were not to check the simplest things

 

[flexy]

but I'm not yet sure I can get through the software end of things yet (ie. driver updates, bios configs, windows install etc.) I guess I'm just a little paranoid that something will go wrong.

So please, tell me about your first time.

well the software side is another pair of shoes....on the other hand, you HAVE to start one day if you plan to be good at it some time in the future.

Btw, compared to Win95/98 etc. the installation of XP is totally straightforward. I remember when it took hours or so just to install the internet..from that point of view XP has gone a long way.

Also...yes, keep asking here or get some friend who has a bit more knowledge in case you think its too much. And read online, read FAQs etc...theres plenty to find. The better prepared, the better and the more knowledge you get.

 

[flexy]

If unsure about anything ask a friend or an anandtech member.

and if you are unsure or jsut are not CERTAIN about something...FIRST get information about how to do it RIGHT.
I am always amazed by stories...i especially love the story about the people who have NO clue whatsoever about how to attach a heatsink to a CPU. The get the heatsink and some thermal paste...and then they splatter a pound of the paste on the CPU and surroundings, some gunks on the memory chips ("because the paste will cool the memory")...and then (assuming the system still works ask around why their temps are so high..etc...

Dont GUESS how to do something...read the docs and check online for information

 

[KJI]

Just built my rig a week ago. I've had a couple of Computers before, but they were pre-built.

Because I replaced/upgraded my computer various times(along with family friends' computer whos because always call and pay me to do theirs,) and currently studying for a CIS certificate, it was no problem. In fact, when easier then I expected.

Only problem I had was matching the various connectors on my case, which seemed to be made in China, to the ones on my motherboard. The official instructions were no help, but all I had to do was look up the names on the motherboard connection ports along with the ones on the case. Came of with some French site the explained it, luckily, with diagrams.

 

[Twofootputt]

Tweezers for the small plugs are a life saver. Decent guides w/video @ AMD website show how to install HS. Research first is the best prep. Good luck. Incredible satisfaction the first time you make your rig perform.

 

[bluewall21]

Don't worry too much, its not that hard. And OS installation is the easiest part (no screwing in stuff, that gets old). But it feels good when you're done.

 

[Gurck]

My first build in '99 or '00 I went super-cheap on the case & psu... what a mistake. Been smooth as silk ever since, though.

 

[nortexoid]

putting the hardware together is a piece of cake - really...the most difficulty comes in setting up the BIOS and Software (mostly OS related - read drivers). Nowadays though, the BIOS and OS work together pretty harminously. you don't need to force them to work together. drivers are an entirely different story. if you're buying good products by top-tier manufacturers, u shouldn't have any problems whatsoever.

throw hardware together. boot. load OS CD. install OS. reboot several hundred times. install drivers. reboot several hundred more times. finished.

 

[boggartlaura]

I built my first this summer. I researched a ton before hand on what parts I wanted. The actual building part was much easier than I expected. Most things are pretty self-explanatory.

And if the computer won't turn on, check to see if it's plugged in before taking other things apart. Not that I would know from experience or anything....

 

[Painman]

First "build" was 6 1/2 years ago - stuffed an ABIT AX5, P233 MMX, STB Riva 128 card and some RAM into a Gateway tower case after ripping out the corresponding Gateway parts. Used the existing parts for the rest of the system.

Overclocked it to a blazing 262 MHz :Q That was my first crack at that as well.

I've yet to build a PC 100% out of new, separate parts, I always end up recycling some stuff.

 

[Yossarian]

if you get frustrated or something isn't working right, stop until the next day. the solution will often present itself.

 

[TechnoPro]

I drew blood my first time.

One of the PCI slot covers was jammed - or so I thought... So I grabbed a screwdriver to leverage it off, while bracing the other side of the cover so it wouldn't fly onto the motherboard. I ended up cutting the support hand and dripping blood on my motherboard. Lesson learned: if you have to force it, you're doing something wrong.

 

[Regs]

Luckily for me, I was able to see my brother in law build my first computer. So I had a little experience before I tried one myself.

I had somewhat of a bumpy ride. I ran into 3 problems. One was screwing up the wiring on the front panel. For the power button on the case, reset, HDD LED lights, and etc.. A quick read over of the instruction book fixed this. The end parts of the wires are labeled to match the text on the motherboard. I just had to make sure the text was facing outward when I plugged them in.

My second problem was forgetting to put the plastic stand offs underneath the screws that secured my motherboard into place in the case. Without them, you wont be able to fasten any PCI or AGP cards correctly to the motherboard.

My last problem was the hard drive configuration. Making sure the jumpers in back of the hard drives were placed properly. The hard drive used to boot with and that contained the OS had to be on master. The rest of the drives, including optical drives, I just stuck on cable select. And on some motherboards, I forget you are suppose to designate the main boot drive in the bios before boot or it will give a boot file not found error.

 

[Pavica]

The first computer I built was rather recent. The specs were:

AMD Athlon XP 2000+ 266FSB
20GB EIDE Seagate HDD
256MB PC2700 RAM
Black RAIDMAX case with Acrylic window.
Geforce FX 5200 128MB AGP8X
8x/4x/8x CD-RW

These things are insanely easy to build and setup. Most people fear the word "computer". I have built over 40 computers for friends, family, and customers. But, I will state that around two years ago today, I could'nt build one. Their easy, you learn fast.

The hardest part to computer building newbs is attaching the heatsink to the CPU. Plain and simple: Your afraid you will crack the "little glass looking thing" that I latter learned was Silicon rather, and that is the CPU itself. But, today's newer CPUs, Intel or AMD, have protective heatshields over the die, and the retention device is much more simple. Socket 754 in particular, is a breeze.

 

[domsq]

When building my first rig ever, I at that stage had no idea about forums like this where you could get help.

This was about 6-7 years ago, and my first build went surprisingly well (considering that I was a n00b to PC building). I got all the drives connected up correctly and what not, but when it came time to try and switch the thing on, the power button didn't do anything. After 30 minutes of fumbling around with the front panel connectors, I got the PC to go on (but had no lights). After some more fumbling I eventually got all the front panel connectors connected up properly.

I had no idea that you actually needed to configure the BIOS (for boot drive sequence, ACPI settings, etc...)

Needless to say, I've gained a *little* experience since then.

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: TechnoPro
I drew blood my first time.

You're not a real DIY'er 'til that happens. :thumbsup:

 

[fuzzynavel]

first build managed to short my motherboard cos I somehow dropped a screw and it slid between case and mobo...not good felt a total dick taking the mobo back to the shop complaining it was broken when they pointed out a little black scorch mark where the screw had been!
Oh and only put the screws in mobo holes where they have the little ring of solder insulation(not really insulation just can't think of better word) around them....lost another mobo that way...building while drunk....

 

[SithSolo1]

Originally posted by: Aleksandar
just one advice man try not to be too cerful and scared that you will brake something.
And the first time i got a comp up and working i was high...

Even after 8 builds I still have this problem sometime, mostly with ram or when trying to pull the molex connector out of a harddrive.

 

[Machine350]

My first build was years ago with an 850 mhz athlon. It gave me some problems because I was using a no name motherboard. Everytime I've had problems with a build it was because I tried to save a few bucks buying cheap components and they crap out on me. My advice, read lots of reviews at Newegg and buy name brand. It will save you hours of headache.

 

[compfreak999]

dont break the socket A clips, i got ticked off and busted the mobo

 

[fuzzynavel]

My first build was years ago with an 850 mhz athlon

that was years ago!!! my first was with an P60MHz....long time ago now..the days when we were dreaming about maybe reaching the 100MHz mark....what a barrier that was!!!

then there was the AMD K6 then the K6II etc etc

 

[AngleDust]

i put the floppy cables on backwards, and it wouldn't boot

during an cpu upgrade for the same rig, i broke the heatsink clip for my t-bird.