How to...
Build a Computer
Anyone can build a computer with a little patience and you could save yourself a little bit of money as well.
SHOPPING LIST
What you will need to buy before you start your project. Check out our ON-LINE SHOPPING section for some good suppliers.
Case
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
MAKING CHOICES
The first choice you will have is for the motherboard.
Most people do not consider this as the most important part of their system, most systems that are ready built or thrown together use the lowest cost motherboard to keep the overall cost down. When buying a computer they only advertise how much memory and how big the hard drive is. Two very insignificant parts to the computer system, as they both can be upgraded easily. The Motherboard can be replaced at any time but it is a good idea to go for the best you can afford to ensure it will last a longer time.
There are many Motherboards available that contain lots of extras such as built in Modems, sound cards, network cards and even Video Cards.
SLOTS, SOCKETS AND INSERTIONS
The main criteria for purchasing a Motherboard is the upgradability and the sockets available. The processor can be of a number of different makes and models. Each of the different manufacturers have their own requirments so if you go for one type it may not be upgradable to another type later on. The most common type around now is SLOT 1, SOCKET 370 or FLIP CHIP. When purchasing your Motherboard check that you are ordering the correct processor type. Elite, amongst others, produce boards with both SOCKET 370 and SLOT 1 so you can use either and of course upgrade later to either, so you can go for the cheapest now and wait for the prices of the best to drop.
Upgrading and adding devices later on may require a slot of one kind or another so make sure you have enough before you start. The usual count is 4 x PCI, 2 x ISA and an AGP Fast Graphics Adapter. It is still a good idea to have a few of the old ISA adapters as you may come across a card that needs it.
The more memory slots the better, but it always best to stick to one type rather than mixing and matching, as some Motherboards do not like this. If you only have two slots and you only need 64Mb for now then you have two choices; buy two 32Mb chips or, the best option, one 64Mb, leaving the second slot free for upgrading later on.
PREPARATION
Before you start pulling everything out of it's protective wrapping you will need a static strap; This is a curly cable with a wristband at one end and a crocodile clip at the other. The crocodile click attaches to a metal section of your case and the wristband goes around your wrist with the metal contact inside. This prevents static damage which does not necessarily stop something from working but shortens it's life dramatically.
Plug the case into the mains but ensure everything is turned off. This is so that the earth line is connected to your static strap.
Keep everything in their protective wrapping until you need to install it. Handle everything by the edges.
Check your Motherboard manual with the jumper settings required for your connections. You may need to alter jumpers to set the speed of your processor or it may be automatically set or possibly set through the BIOS once everything is installed. Check all devices for settings with their associated manuals. Most devices are Plug and Play but some devices still need to be set manually using jumper settings.
INSTALLING THE BITS
FIRST TIME SWITCHING ON
When you switch on for the first time check that everything is lighting up correctly and that the monitor is displaying the usuall responses. Listen for a single beep from the internal speaker. More than one beep from the speaker and you have BIOS problems. No beep from the speaker and you have problems.
Each BIOS has its own beep code list. Generally speaking a continuous long beep indicates a processor or memory fault. 8 short beeps indicate a video card fault.
If all goes well the system should run through its normal checks; BIOS checks and then the beep. BOOT strapping tries to load your Operating System.
If you are using a new hard drive then it will be blank and therefore will not contain an Operating System. This is where you need a Boot Disc.
Check out the UTILITY SOFTWARE section for a great website called BOOTDISK.com where you will find all the information you will need to make a boot disk.
TIDYING UP
Once you have made a boot disk and checked the workings thoroughly switch the system off and close and secure the case. Most operating systems these days install from CD ROM so you will need to have a boot disk with CD-ROM drivers installed. BOOTDISK.com supply five .SYS files for your CD ROM, try each until one works correct.
If you feel the article would benefit in having details on HOW TO... make a boot disk or install an Operating System then use the form above to submit ideas.
