Ask Root: Computer Physical Installation

gulch1969:

In 2 weeks or so I will be putting together my very first build (FINALLY!)

What order should I install everything to have a quick, painless and hopefully be free of the BSOD.

 

Root: 

Congrats! Well, from my own building experience, the first one can be painful. So here are my lessons learned for you good sir.

 

Golden Rules:

• Touch metal before you touch any electrical part
• When playing with power, work with one hand (2 hands may create a circuit, through your heart).
• If you fear electrocution, touch the wire in question with the back of your hand (your muscles, out of reflex, will tighten--back of the hand means you won't grip the wire).
• Take your time
• Make sure parts are securely pushed in (half pushed in memory sticks can smoke your memory and possibly your board)
• If you smell something burning (burnt circuity has a distinct smell) shut down immediately and unplug all power
• Unplug the power cord before you work on any part inside the case
  
• Research and plan carefully (this is one hobby that can cost you some green if you screw up)
• READ THE MOTHERBOARD'S MANUAL FRONT TO BACK!
  
• Google is your friend (as well as EggXpert of course!)
  

Some materials to have at hand (not necessarily required):

• Magnetic screw driver (saves you a lot of grief with those pesky screws)
• Flashlight
• Cardboard
• Sturdy work table
• SATA and/or PATA cables (if you have more devices than the amount of cabling your mobo provides)
  
• Thermal Material Remover/Thermal Surface Purifier (my recommendation)
  
• Thermal Paste (my recommendation)

Physical Installation Steps:

1. Lay the mobo down on an anti-static bag (sturdy work table is a plus)
   
2. Make sure you are standing on hardwood floors, tile, or cardboard (static isn't out friend) as you do the rest of the steps (remember Golden Rules)
   
3. Install the CPU and heat sink
1. Purify the CPU if you've bought the purifier (not required)
   
2. Apply thermal paste (if you don't want to use the stuff that comes with your HSF--not required)
3. Mount heat sink fan (remember to scrape off the thermal paste that usually comes with a retail CPU's HSF if you are using a third party thermal paste).
   
4. Install memory (according to mobo manual)
   
5. Switch to the case, install PSU (Power Supply Unit)
   
6. Install any optical drives and hard drives
7. Hook up cables to the mobo (before you mount the mobo to the case) and attempt to boot up.
8. Assuming a successful boot (No bootable device found or boot to CD ROM), unplug all cabling and mount mobo to the case and install the back IO plate
   
9. Hook back up all cabling, but make sure there is proper airflow (cables are tucked neatly away).
10. Test each part
1. Memory: Memtest86
2. CPU/Memory: Prime95 ver 25.4
3. Drives: Thrash
   

Have any tips of your own for gulch1969 or to anyone else reading this? Leave a comment!

Until next time users,

 
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