Steps+of+assembling+a+PC

﻿back Steps of assembling a PC

First Open the Case

Prepare the workspace before opening the computer case:
 * Adequate lighting
 * Good ventilation
 * Comfortable room temperature
 * Workbench accessible from all sides
 * Avoid cluttering workbench
 * An antistatic mat on the table
 * Small containers to hold screws and other small parts

There are different methods for opening cases. To learn how, click on the vedio below

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1. **Power supply installation **

Power supply installation steps include the following:P

1.Insert the power supply into the case <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Align the holes in the power supply with the holes in the case <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">3.Secure the power supply to the case using the proper screws




 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2. Install CPU and Heat Sink/Fan Assembly **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Align the CPU so that the Connection 1 indicator is lined up with Pin 1 on the CPU socket. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Place the CPU gently into the socket. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">3.Close the CPU load plate and secure it by closing the load lever and moving it under the load lever retention tab. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">4.Apply a small amount of thermal compound to the CPU and spread it evenly. Follow the application instructions provided by the manufacturer. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">5.Line up the heat sink/fan assembly retainers to the holes on the motherboard. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">6.Place the heat sink/fan assembly onto the CPU socket, being careful not to pinch the CPU fan wires. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">7.Tighten the heat sink/fan assembly retainers to secure the assembly in place. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">8.Connect the heat sink/fan assembly power cable to the header on the motherboard.




 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">3. Install RAM **


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">RAM should be installed in the motherboard before the motherboard is placed in the computer case.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">RAM installation steps:

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Align the notches on the RAM module to the keys in the slot and press down until the side tabs click into place. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Make sure that the side tabs have locked the RAM module and visually check for exposed contacts.




 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">4. Install Motherboard **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Install standoffs in the computer case. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Align the I/O connectors on the back of the motherboard with the openings in the back of the case. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">3.Align the screw holes of the motherboard with the standoffs. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">4.Insert all of the motherboard screws. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">5.Tighten all of the motherboard screws.




 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">5. Install Internal Drives **


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Drives that are installed in internal bays are called internal drives.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">A hard disk drive (HDD) is an example of an internal drive.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">HDD installation steps:

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Position the HDD so that it aligns with the 3.5-inch drive bay. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Insert the HDD into the drive bay so that the screw holes in the drive line up with the screw holes in the case. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">3.Secure the HDD to the case using the proper screws.


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">6. Install Optical Drive **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Optical drive installation steps: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Position the optical drive to align with the 5.25 inch drive bay. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Insert the optical drive into the drive bay so that the optical drive screw holes align with the screw holes in the case. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Secure the optical drive to the case using the proper screws



<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">A floppy disk drive (FDD) is a storage device that reads and writes information to a floppy disk. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">FDD installation steps:
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">7. ﻿Install Floppy Drive **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Position the FDD so that it aligns with the 3.5 inch drive bay. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Insert the FDD into the drive bay so that the FDD screw holes align with the screw holes in the case. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Secure the FDD to the case using the proper screws

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">﻿ Adapter cards are installed to add functionality to a computer. Adapter cards must be compatible with the expansion slot. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Some adapter cards: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">PCIe x1 NIC <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">PCI Wireless NIC <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">PCIe x16 video adapter card
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">8. ﻿Install Adapter Cards **


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">9. Install the Network Interface Card (NIC) **


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">A NIC enables a computer to connect to a network.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">NICs use PCI and PCIe expansion slots on the motherboard.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">﻿ NIC installation steps: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Align the NIC to the appropriate slot on the motherboard. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Press down gently on the NIC until the card is seated. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">3.Secure the NIC PC mounting bracket to the case with the appropriate screw.


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">10.Install the Wireless NIC **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">A wireless NIC enables a computer to connect to a wireless network.Some wireless NICs are installed externally with a USB connector.Wireless NIC installation steps:

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Align the wireless NIC to the appropriate expansion slot on the motherboard. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Press down gently on the wireless NIC until the card is fully seated. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">3.Secure the mounting bracket to the case with the appropriate screw.




 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">11. Install the Video Adapter Card **


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">A video adapter card is the interface between a computer and a display monitor.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">An upgraded video adapter card can provide better graphic capabilities for games and graphic programs.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Video adapter card installation steps:

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Align the video adapter card to the appropriate expansion slot on the motherboard. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Press down gently on the video adapter card until the card is fully seated. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">3.Secure the video adapter card PC mounting bracket to the case with the appropriate screw.




 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">12. Power Connector Installation Steps **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Plug the SATA power connector into the HDD.2.Plug the Molex power connector into the optical drive. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">3.Plug the 4-pin Berg power connector into the FDD. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">4.Connect the 3-pin fan power connector into the appropriate fan header on the motherboard, according to the motherboard manual. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">5.Plug the additional cables from the case into the appropriate connectors according to the motherboard manual.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">1.Plug the motherboard end of the PATA cable into the motherboard socket. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">2.Plug the connector at the far end of the PATA cable into the optical drive. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">3.Plug one end of the SATA cable into the motherboard socket. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">4.Plug the other end of the SATA cable into the HDD. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">5.Plug the motherboard end of the FDD cable into the motherboard socket. <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">6.Plug the connector at the far end of the FDD cable into the floppy drive.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">13. Install Data Cables **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">Summary  <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">It is very important to follow the proper procedures of assembling and disassembling PC components. For example, each component must be inserted in the right place to make sure that the system unit will work correctly. Also, when dealing with CPU and motherboard, tools such as antistatic mats and wrist strap must be used because these two components are very sensitive to ESD.RAM chips must be installed in the suitable slot; otherwise, it will not perform well. Do not enforce any component to fit in place, if it doesn’t fit in, check if you put it in the correct location, especially the adapter and memory because if you enforce them they may be damaged. Moreover, Data and power cables must be connected properly to ensure data will be transferred through components and power will be supplied to them. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 12pt;">Resources:  Cisco Networking Academy Program