Chapter 7Chapter 7 Assembling Your Own Assembling Your Own Computer SystemComputer System

7.1Assembling the Hardware 7.2Installing the Operating System 7.3Compatibility Issues in Hardware

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareChoose the right combination of hardware

e.g. Home use and web surfingLAN card or modem is needed

no need to install sophisticated hardware

Cost considerationsnever go for CPU with the highest speed

choose a hard disk with appropriate capacity

consider reputation and warranty

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwarePrecautions in computer assembling

Discharge oneself before handling hardware

Hold the main board and expansion cards by edges

Return the main board and peripherals to anti-static bags

Disconnect the power before working on the system

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 1: Installing the Power Supply

Open the computer case

Fix the power supply

Set the voltage supply at 200 - 230 V

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 2: Configuring the Main Board jumper

CPU System Bus Frequency

CPU Clock Ratio

CPU Core Voltage

Setting up jumpers

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 3: Inserting CPU into the main board

The socket, heat sink and fan support base are mounted onto the main board

Heat sink and fan: prevent overheating

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 3: Inserting CPU into the main board

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 4: Inserting the RAM

Check the position of RAM module Insert the module vertically into the DIMM slot and push it in

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 5: Mounting the main board into the computer case

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 6: Main board signal connections

Connecting pins on the main board

Case signal connectors

Completed connectors

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 7: Connecting the Power Supply to the Main Board

Power supply connectors

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 8: Installing the expansion cards

Install the video adapter first

AGP card goes into the AGP slot

Position the expansion card horizontally over the slot

Secure the card to the case with a screw

Install other cards

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 8: Installing IDE devices

IDE drives: hard disk, CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs

Set the jumpers on the drives before mounting

Two IDE channels on the main board

Each channel can attach to two devices

Jumpers on IDE device

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 8: Installing IDE devices

1. Mounting the device into the device bay with screw

2. Align the red strip on the ribbon cable

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 8: Installing IDE devices

3. Insert the connector into the IDE port

4. Insert the power supply connector

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 8: Installing IDE devices

Master device: alone device on IDE cable

Slave device: second device on the same cable

Ultra ATA 66/100 IDE cableblack: for Master drive

grey: for Slave drive

blue: for connecting to IDE port onboard

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 8: Installing IDE devices

Installing CD-ROM driveInstall the drive into an available bay

Insert the power cord into the drive

Connect the drive to the main board via the ribbon wire

Connect the sound cable from the drive to the main board connector

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 8: Installing IDE devices

Installing CD-ROM drive

Connect the sound cable to CD-ROM drive

Connect the sound cable to main board

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareProcedure 9: System check

Connect the power cable

Switch on the computer

Check the message on screen

Set up BIOS and install OS if the system works fine

7.17.1 Assembling the HardwareAssembling the HardwareFine tuning the computer installation

The drives are connected to the power supply properly.

A fan is attached to the CPU with the power plug connected to the main board.

Ribbon cables of floppy disk and IDE drives are attached correctly.

All connections are tight.

CPU core voltage is set correctly.

Cards are inserted fully in slots.

No wires protrude into any fans.

7.27.2 Installing the Operating SystemInstalling the Operating SystemClean install

All the content of the hard drive are erased and everything is installed from scratch

Format the hard drive and install the OS

Back up the data before clean installing an existing PC

UpgradeA new OS is installed directly over the previous version

Old files are left which affect the system

7.27.2 Installing the Operating SystemInstalling the Operating SystemMaterials needed

Hardware documentation

Driver disks of hardware

User’s menu of new OS

Start-up procedures for installing an OSStart from floppy disk

e.g. Windows 98

Start from CD-ROM e.g. Windows XP

7.27.2 Installing the Operating SystemInstalling the Operating SystemStart from floppy disk (Windows 98)

Prepare a boot disk

Check the boot-up sequence

Ensure the partition of the hard disk where OS is installed is active

Insert the boot disk into the floppy disk

Turn on the power supply

Insert the Windows 98 CD-ROM into the drive and type “D:\setup.exe”

Follow the on-screen prompts

7.27.2 Installing the Operating SystemInstalling the Operating SystemStart from CD-ROM (Windows XP)

Check the BIOS boot sequence

Insert Windows XP CD-ROM into the drive

Boot the system

Start installation process

Remove the Windows XP CD-ROM

Reboot the computer

7.27.2 Installing the Operating SystemInstalling the Operating SystemInstalling applications

Start

Have serialnumber? Have

disk space? Register

Now?

Submit

form

Finish

installation

Restartneeded?

Run

Enter

Serial #Yes

Find

Serial #

No

Run

install file

Yes

Free up

space

No

Fill out

form

Yes No

No

Restart

Yes

7.37.3 Compatibility Issues in HardwareCompatibility Issues in HardwareCompatibility problem among main board, video adapter and expansion cards

SolutionsPlace each expansion card in different slots

Take turns at replacing every expansion card in a certain order

Use step-by-step approach to analyze the installation of device driver.

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