How to Build a Computer

Step 1, The Parts:

*Place mouse over image to view labels.

There are 2 items missing from this collection. Can you guess what they are? 1, the CD/DVD drive, and 2, the video card. In this case, the motherboard has a built in video card, so this is not really needed, but if you need help installing a video card, or any other PCI card, click here. The CD/DVD drive, is still inside the case, because I did not have the correct screw driver to remove it, so I just left it in.

Here it is inside the case:

 

The Video Card:

I will not be going over this in this tutorial because this motherboard has a built in video card. If you need help installing a video card, or any other PCI card, click here.

Now let's discuss each part.

The Screw Driver:

Very important! You also can't forget the screws.

The Case:

This will house all of the components.

Motherboard:

*Place your mouse over image to view labels.

*Place your mouse over image to view labels.

To sum it up, this basically connects everything together.

The Power Supply:

This simple device gives power to the whole computer, including the motherboard, hard-drive, floppy drive, etc...

The Hard-Drive:

This device stores all the information on your computer. For example, music, pictures, videos, etc...

The Memory:

Somewhat similar to the hard drive, but not exactly. This stores all 'live' information on your computer. For example, if you have a program open, this is what allows it to stay in process. The more memory the more programs you can have open at a time, and the faster your computer will go in most cases. Also known as RAM, (Random Access Memory).

The Cables:

These cables connect 3 things to the motherboard, the hard-drive, floppy drive, and the cd/dvd drive.

Step 2, Putting it all Together:

The first thing you want to start with is the motherboard. Since this manages all the connections, you need to put this in first.

*Place your mouse over the image to view one screw hole.

Now you want to make sure it snug and secure before you bolt it down. The most important thing is making sure the left side of the motherboard fits into the case. Once you get that connection, get the screws ready. Put your mouse over the image to locate one of the six screws. Can you find the rest?

The Memory:

Now, let's install the memory. This is a very simple step.

*Place your mouse over the image to view the second step.

The first ting you want to do, is look at the ridges that will connect to the motherboard, make sure these match up with the place holder of the motherboard. Once you have the memory in the slot, first push on one side, and make sure the holder snaps into place. Next push on the other side, and then push in the middle. It will need a strong push to get it in. At first, you might think it won't fit, but it will, it just needs the extra push.

The Power Supply:

Next up is the power supply. In some cases, it might be easier to put this in last, because of it's size, it might bring up some space issues when installing everything else. Usually the hard drive, but in this case, the hard drive is tucked to the side. So, before you put in the power supply, make sure everything else will fit with ease. If not, the power supply can be moved to a later step.

You can easily see where this part fits. Just make sure you bolt it down.

Now you should notice all these wires inside the case. These cables will connect to the floppy drive, cd/dvd drive, hard drive, and in some caes, the video card.

The first thing you want to do now, is connect the power supply plug into the motherboard. This is the biggest of the plugs, it should fit in a matching socket in the motherboard.

The Hard Drive:

Most hard drives are not connected directly into the case. Usually they are connected to some sort of metal case. For example, this one:

In this occasion, this will slip directly into the case to the very right:

Remember the cords that came from the power supply? Let's plug one into the hard drive right now. Place your mouse over the image to see this step.

CD/DVD Drive:

Since it's already in, let's go ahead and plug in that cable too:

This goes in the back of the CD/DVD drive, you'll know where it will go when you see it , it's like a simple puzzle! Take note of the smaller plug, this will go into the floppy drive later on.

And while where at it, remember the sound cable? This gives sound from the CD/DVD drive to the computers speakers. So let's set this up right now.

It's very simple, one side goes into the matching slot at the back of the cd/dvd drive, the second goes into this connection found on the motherboard:

See that small white connector located right of the cable, this is where it goes. Go ahead and plug it in now.

The Cables:

Now if you go back to the images of the cables, there are 3. 1, for the CD/DVD drive, 2, for the hard drive, and 3, for the floppy. The largest one, the one that comes with 2 different outputs, goes into the hard drive. The reason there are 2, is incase you have 2 hard drives. We only have one, so you can ignore the second one.

The one that goes to the hard drive:

You'll notice each output is labeled, from the top, MASTER, SLAVE, & MAINBOARD (sorry for the accidental blur).

This is an important step, so pay special attention. Connect the "MAINBOARD" to one of these located on the motherboard.

*Place your mouse over the image to view the connectors.

Now remember the MASTER and SLAVE? Connect the master into the hard drive, and leave the slave be. The slave is for second hard drives, if you have one, connect it, but since we don't, we don't need it right now. (When connecting a second hard drive, you need to make sure that the second hard drives jumper cables are configured correctly, the configuration can usually be seen on the actually hard drive.)

Now to the next cable, this one is colored a light blue, not all of them are like this, but I'm just letting you know how this tutorial is setup. Take that cord, connect it into the other connecter, and then the other side to the CD/DVD drive. Any questions so far? Good!

The Floppy Drive:

Who needs them these days? Really, with flash drives and email, there really is no point. But since I have it, why not teach it.

Take the floppy drive, and slide it into the correct slot, which should be under the CD/DVD drive slot. Simply slide it it, and bolt it down.

 

See it under the CD/DVD drive??

Also, remember that last small cable? Take that, and plug one end into the floppy drive, and plug the other end into the corresponding socket in the motherboard:

Now remember that small cable that came from the power supply? Pull that out now and plug it into the matching socket in the floppy drive.

Final Result:

*Click to enlarge

AND THAT'S IT!

Wasn't that easy? If there are any steps that I did not clearly go over, please let me know and I will do my best to re-explain it.