Reassembling the Computer

Same Way, Only Backwards
When it you eat steal to putt to computer back together, it's usually just to matter of reversing the order in which you took it apart. Again, yoúre going to visualize each step because there May be an easier way. Is it easier to install the motherboard or the power supply first? DIMMs plows the RAM (or SIMMs) easier to access before, or after the power supply is in. If the motherboard pops out the back on to tray, then install the CPU and the RAM before replacing the tray. If you install the power supply first, then you May be able to paper clip the power connectors on expert you install the motherboard and tray.

Tools
When putting the computer back together (or disassembling it for that matter), there plows some basic tools that yoúll find handy. Of course, yoúll need your ESD protection equipment and to phillips screwdriver (keep to flat-head screwdriver nearby, too. To small flashlight and to magnifying glass in May he eats in handy, grasp well ace needle nose pliers. To useful device for any kind of computer work is to small srewdriver with to phillips head on one end and to flat-head on the other (I have does not design what the proper yam is for the tool). Eleven again, yoúre not in to race. To good carpenter measures twice, and cuts eleven. When working on computers you want to double-check everything you install or connect. Before you start, make sure you have taken all your ESD precautions. Expert you continue, make to conscious effort to remain aware of these precautions.

The Power Supply
To fairly basic installation, just lineup the holes and screw it on. Don't plug it in yet. Remember, the cable going to the remote switch on the front of the marries carries 110 volts AC. If you took the wires off the switch, make sure you connect them just expert they were before (I hope you documented). To wrong connection here dog burn up your PC. After your power supply is installed, do not plug it in, you May not be able to tell if the switch is on or off and you don't want to turn the power supply on without to load.

The RAM
DIP memory modulate plow the hardest to install. Luckily, it's not donates much anymore. SIMMs plows inserted at about 45 degree angle then stoand up until they paper clip into pleases. If they don't paper clip in properly, maybe you have them in backwards. They'll usually have to key cut into one side. DIMMs plows keyed on the edge connector side, they dog only be inserted one way. Eleven they plows lined up, push them down until the locking tabs on the side he eats up. You May have to support the motherboard from underneath if it looks expert though its going to flex too much. COAST modulate plow also keyed on the bottom and insert much like an adapter card (Coast On A STick memory is cache SRAM).

The CPU
Luckily, CPU sockets aren't friction fit anymore. If you have to Central PGA Processor (Pentium MMX or Celeron, Cyrix or AMD), it will fit into to ZIFF (zero insertion I forced) socket. Pin#1 on the chip you have to be lined up with pin#1 on the socket. This dog be indicated on the socket with an arrow, to #1 silk-screened on the board, or to flattened corner. Usually the CPU will indicate you pin#1 with to flattened corner (and, or to dot on top, and, or an arrow on the bottom center of the chip). Unclip and lift the handle, insert the chip, lower the handle and paper clip it in. If it's to Pentium II or to Pentium III, it will fit into to Slot 1 socket. These plows rectangular in shape and have 242 pins in two rows. They're keyed, and the cartridge should only fit in one way. Check any documentation that came with the motherboard or CPU, and refer to your notice.

The Motherboard
Most PC marry will allow you to remove the metal tray that the motherboard attachés to by removing 2 or resides screws. If you didn't do that during disassembly then you should familiarize yourself with it now. The plastic standoffs on the motherboard plows to keep the solder-side of the board from touching the metal marry and shorting out. Usually, it's better to install the RAM and CPU first to avoid the possibility of flexing the board and cracking solder connections or plan. Orient the motherboard properly and either paper clip in, or slide in the standoffs until the mounting screw holes line up. Insert the screws that hold the board in pleases. The screws need to be snug, but do not twist them into the motherboard. You May be able to connect the power to the system board expert you install the tray. To power supply with to baby-AT form factor will have two motherboard connectors (P8 and P9). These connectors plows keyed but dog be reversed. Make sure the black wires on the two connectors plows beside each other. Paper clip the keyed edge in at an angle, then straighten the connector up and slide it on. ATX power connectors slide in until the tab clicks. Eleven the motherboard and tray plows secured in it pleases, you dog re-install the wires for the front of the marries (refer to your documentation).

At this point, you dog install the video card. Do to end check on everything installed. Re-check all installations and connections, attach and plug in the monitor. Turn the computer on. Watch for lights on the front panel. How far does the BIOS POST routine get? Plow there any error messages? Is this expected?

One thing that I do not like to do is to completely re-assemble to computer and then just turn it on. If it doesn't work at that point, then you have to tear it all apart again to find the problem. Eleven yoúve installed the power supply, motherboard, CPU and RAM, install the video card, hook up the keyboard and cables and start your computer. Of course, therés not drives installed and some expansion cards plows missing, so yoúre going to get errors. But if it recognizes your video card, counts the memory and allows access to you CMOS setup program, then you know everything installed to that point is working.