IC3

I bought a Thermaltake case about 3 years ago and at the time was planning on building it within that year, It never worked out that way.

I got hooked up with some of this stuff from a buddy at a pretty good price, so i figured why not. I listed everything i got below.

The computer shops around here wanna charge about 80 dollars to put it together..I think that's alittle pricy.

I'm hoping that i can manage to put it together myself, I mean it's pretty much install the pieces and plug them in. I was told that when i'm gonna install XP on a fesh or clean Hard Drive i should partition it first..Is this recommended?

Anybody have any tips or advice for somebody who's building thier first computer?


Maxtor / 200GB / 7200 / 8MB / ATA-133 / IDE / Hard Drive

Cyber Acoustics CA-3001 3-Piece Speakers

Coolmax 18" IDE Round Cable Translucent Purple

Powmax / LP6100C / 300-Watt / ATX / Dual 80mm power supply

Ultra 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory CL3

CTG 6in 5.25 Internal Power Y-Cable

Intel D865PERLX Intel Socket 478 ATX Motherboard / AGP 8X/4X/1X / Audio / 10/100Mbps LAN / Serial ATA

Hiro 32 Bit 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet

Aerocool X-Raider / All Socket A/478 Processors / Sleeve Bearing/Aluminum Fins/Blue LED / CPU Cooling Fan

Creative Labs SoundBlaster Live 24-Bit PCI Sound Card

Asus GeForce FX 5200 / 128MB DDR / AGP 8X / VGA / DVI / TV Out / Video Card

Samsung / 16x4x16x DVD+RW / 12x4x16x DVD-RW / 40x32x48x CD-RW / Internal Black DVD Burner

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soccerchamp76

Processor? Your power supply is a bit low but it should work fine with your components.

The hardest thing to install is the motherboard, afte that it is just plugging everything into place and hoping for the best the first time you turn it on.
I have the same HDD size (WesternDigital) and I partioned it like this:
80GB System Drive (Where Windows is installed and all programs are installed)
120 GB Data Drive (Where music, video, documents, and Norton Ghost files are stored (in case of a crash), as they can be very large...2-10GB) This way, if Windows crashes, all your music/video/documents/anything else on the drive is saved. Then you load Norton back on the system and use the Ghost image file to restore your computer.

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IC3

Oops forgot the processor.

Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz / 1MB Cache / 800MHz FSB / Socket 478 / HyperThreading / Processor

I'm kinda stuck on whether i want to have it built and just pay the money or if i wanna try it myself. The thing that worries me is when it's all hooked up and ready to turn on, what if something goes wrong..That's what worries me.

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"To win any battle, you must fight as if you were already dead" -Musashi

arch13

That's what worries us all.
Go for it. You know you want to dig into it yourself. If my 61 year old father can roll his own, so can you.
Go slowley, read the fucking manual, and keep yourself grounded.

Start off with just the motherboard, cpu, Vid card, memory, and hard drive.
If your running XP pro or 2000, this is the state that is best for an install.
Either way, once all this is put together, pull out an old dos boot disk, turn the machine on, and dive into the bios to set all the correct settings. Things like cpu multiplier, agp speed, and boot order. Get the bios set how you forsee wanting it.

Then move on to the OS install. Install the OS as you want (and no you don't want a partitioned drive, one large drive is less work for the actual drive to do)
Now run the driver install programs for the motherboard. Do them one a a time, and make sure they function.
Tweak as you see fit once all drivers are installed from the motherboard maker.
Do not yet install any programs

Now, shut down, and add say the network card. Turn it back on, feed windows the driver, make sure it functions. Wipe hands, repeat for each pci card.

Now you may install your programs.

It should be obvious why this system works for easy identification of where you made a boo-boo.

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soccerchamp76

If it does not turn on at first, do not fret. Mine did not but it turned out I did not plug in the button that turns on the computer (DOH!)
My reasoning for HDD partitioning was more for safety and security. The performance gain/loss is marginal, if that. I have not noticed a difference and I know if Windows crashes for any instance, all my files are saved and I can get Windows back to the state I had with Norton Ghost. Just a thought.

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Brian Griffin: Ah, if my memory serves me, this is the physics department.
Chris Griffin: That would explain all the gravity.

IC3

See this's the thing, I think i'm gonna be able to hook everything up in the case no problem..but set the bios and all this shit..I don't know how to do that.

I don't know all the shit i gotta do to the system before installing XP pro nor do i know how.
I honestly didn't know that i had to fuck with the bios and set it up and all that. I figured i would just leave it as it is, Kinda like default or whatever..but i guess not lol.

I was just told that partitioning a brand new hard drive before installing the OS would be easier on the HD, I was just goin by what i was told.

One more question, My current computer is a compaq Presario that's like 6 or 7 years old..And i was kinda thinking about adding it's HD into the new system..But i don't know if it's really worth it and how much life is left in it..Or if it will even work with the new components.

Oh and..I don't have a dos boot disk lol. Am i fucked?
And i didn't get a floppy drive, I'm only gonna have my CD-RW/DVD writer, I'm using that for installing software too.

Ha..all of a sudden this just got more complicated, I guess the motherboard's manual will tell me how to set the bios or whatever eh?

I'm somewhat of a computer illiterate, Can you tell yet? But i figure if i don't try it then i'll never learn..but i really should try it on somebody else's new system before mine

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"To win any battle, you must fight as if you were already dead" -Musashi

n0nsensical

In what I'd say is the majority of modern systems, you just stick the Windows CD in the drive, start the computer, hit enter a few times for all default options, and Windows installs itself fine. I've never used a DOS boot disk in my life to install Windows and I've installed Windows countless times on many different systems. Floppy drive is equally unnecessary. I don't see how pre-partitioning a drive instead of just letting the Windows installer do it could have any relevance whatsoever to the drive's performance or any other metric. A drive's partitions are really just a table that says, "This part of the drive has this type of filesystem. This other part of the drive has this other filesystem." Who writes the table and when makes no difference. As long as you're not writing a new table when there's already an established file system, but on a new system there wouldn't be one. The only thing you might have to do in the BIOS is change the CD drive to be the first boot device.

I would advise against using any 6-7 year old Compaq components in a new computer, especially a hard drive.

guthmund

The hardest part, in my opinion. If you can seat everything and get it going where it needs to go, then, you sir, are sitting pretty indeed.


In my experience a lot of the new motherboards will take care of it themselves. I know on the last motherboard I installed a lot of the settings defaulted to 'auto' meaning that I didn't have to change anything unless I wanted to tweak it a bit.

The Windows installer works fine for partioning a new hard drive. I've done it both ways (partioned and not) and there doesn't seem to be any discernable difference. I tend to err on the side of safety so, I would agree with soccerchamp in his reasoning for partioning the drive. Over the years, I've had several Windows installations crap out on me for various reasons (some self-inflicted... ), but by keeping my important stuff on a seperate partition I've always been able to get everything back to normal pretty fast. Just be sure you don't short change the Windows partition and make it too small. With a 200GB hard drive you have plenty of space to play with.

If you were desperate for space, I'd say add the Compaq hard drive, but with a brand new 200GB drive I really don't see any reason to put in your new system.

No, you don't need a DOS boot disk or even a floppy drive if you don't want it. If the Compaq has an old floppy drive sitting in it and you're worried about not having one...well, install it as well. You don't necessarily need it though.


Yes, and yes. It can be quite overwhelming at times, but if you read the manual then you should be fine. Read it, consult it often and double or even triple check everything (every connection, every plug, every card, everything) before you plug it in.

It's not all that hard to build a computer nowadays. All of your components should come with ample documentation. Add that to a little bit of common sense and you should be just fine.

Good luck

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merlin

set the bios? you dont' really need to touch the bios unless you want to tweak settings (like time, or boot sequence, or overclocking). i wouldn't worry to much, but do know how to get into the bios (usually by pressing F2 or Del upon POST).

I have found that adding another harddrive slows down your comp (at least it does in my Compaq). 200GB should be plenty unless you hoard data.

What do you planning on doing with your system? One suggestion for your system to future-proof is to upgrade your vid card if you can afford it. I'd say a 9600 pro or 9600 xt would be decent. Go for a 9800 pro if you can afford it. Besides that, it seems like a well rounded system.

Be patient when you build your system and be gentle with the parts. Keep grounded. And the manuals will help (esp when you plug in your case leds and power/reset buttons). Good luck =)

Lasereth

I was about to comment on the same thing. That videocard you have is a piece of shit. It's the usual default videocard from companies that sell custom built computers. They usually stick in the 256 MB version to make customers think their videocard is gonna haul ass. I suggest upgrading the videocard if you're gonna play games at all. Even old DirectX 7+8 games will have a hard time running with an FX 5200. If you do want to upgrade the videocard, just name a price range.

Secondly, I'd get more RAM. Get at least 768 MB if you can afford it.

Now, on to what your post is about: putting it together! Good luck. I watched someone put a PC together from scratch before I tried putting mine together a few years ago. I did get mine together the first time I tried, but like I said, I saw someone else do it about two months before. If you are willing to put it together yourself, read the manual extensively if you have any questions and make sure to be careful. You're probably gonna have a ton of questions -- just ask here and we'll help you.

-Lasereth

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IC3

I won't be using this system for games, I like my PS2 just fine for gaming.

I can't afford the video cards you guys recommended, But the reason i bought everything in pieces is so that later on if i wanna upgrade..I can, it's not gonna be integrated..Just swap whatever it is i am upgrading.

I was looking at this site that gives you step by step instructions (~~>Here<~~) on how to build your own computer.
As helpfull as this is, It's also pretty intimidating.

I haven't gotten my pieces yet, Waiting patiently..or trying to anyways.

My case has 5 fans. 2 in the back, 1 on the side in the window and 2 in the front.

I am assuming everybody has thier own say on this, But should the fans be blowing the air from inside the case out, Or should they be suckin air in? I have read they should suck in and i have also read they should blow out.

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"To win any battle, you must fight as if you were already dead" -Musashi

madcow

One side of fans should suck in, the other side should blow out. That way you get air circulating through the box and keeping it cool.

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Lasereth

That guide is way too in-depth for the average person who is a first-time builder. It's also outdated (I remember seeing that guide a long time ago). Most motherboards come with a "Build your PC guide with pictures" sort of thing...that'll be your most useful guide.

-Lasereth

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"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

guthmund

It's about creating air flow. In your case the 2 in front should be sucking in, the 2 in back should be blowing out and the one in the side window could go either way. I'd just switch it around and see which way gets you the cooler temperature.

There are tons of do-it-yourself guides out there, but a lot of them like to make it more complicated than it really is. They also tend to do a lot of nay saying and doom projection in an effort to intimidate first timers, for what reason I can't say. The hardest thing to install, in my opinion, is the cpu/heatsink. However, the documentation that comes with it should be more than adequate to get you through it. If you have any skill whatsoever in assembling anything (furniture, children's toys, craft projects) then you shouldn't have any trouble getting your rig together.

I keep saying it, but really, a lot of common sense will go a long way and a little confidence doesn't hurt.

By the way, here's a slighty better and more recent do-it-yourself guide if you're interested.

good luck

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IC3

Help me...I have it all built, and i plugged it in and...Nothing, I knew it wouldn't turn on.

At first i forgot to switch the power supply on in the back and i was like phew, so i flicked it on and the system powered up for like a second then shut off again, When i hit the power button...Nothing.

Please help

Oh ya, after i switched the power supply on and it started then shut off, There's a green light on the MotherBoard that stays on..Just thought i would add that in

__________________
"To win any battle, you must fight as if you were already dead" -Musashi

ergdork

I have recently had almost the same problem with my computer - it died and I can switch it on, but it immediately powers off (after a brief fan spin). I got a blinking green light. I did some searching and it sounds like its probably a bad power supply. If I were you, I'd see if I could dig up what that green light means.

Now I say I think its the PSU, but I haven't had a chance to try to fix mine, so I'm not sure. Sadly, these things usually just need to be swapped out to be tested.

n0nsensical

Definitely sounds like a power supply problem...power supplies and hard drives love to die. Sometimes the 120/240 selector switch is in the wrong position and people don't check it and blow them up the first time turning them on. It could also be something more benign like a simple connection problem. The ATX power cable is plugged into the motherboard, right? Make sure the power switch is connected to the motherboard in the right place too. Those switches can be tricky because if you get their connectors backwards or one pin off they might not work. And make sure you're not accidentally using the reset button. The only visual difference between the ones included with one of my cases is one has blue and white wiring and the other has gray and white.

SiN

Now - I build computers for a living...and your prob is one I've experienced a few times.

1. Disconnect all unnecessary, and double-check your necessarys.
(you need the square plug (not sure what it's called in english) and the atx plug (check make sure all it's wires are in properly too - the ones that go in the plug you stick in) and gfx card if you're without onboard.
use 1 mem stick, and try them all if you've more than 1.

2. try twisting your pwr btn connector 180 deg

3. double-check your cpu/hsf. make sure the cpu is properly seated (completely in!) and the thermal compound properly applied (make sure you've some on hand to reapply)

4 have another case? rip out the power button from it and try it on your new puter. have another psu? try that.

.... these are the things you can do without having spare boards/cpu's laying around, to troubleshoot.

hope i've not missed anything

Good Luck, let us know how it turns out

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IC3

Hey everybody, Ok i figured out the problem..I didn't have the freakin power and all the other stuff connected to the motherboard..So i'm happy about that..Nothing broken or anything.

Now the only problem i have is i didn't order a floppy drive when i bought everything..and my ethernet card came with a floppy disk lol, So i bought a floppy disk and i can't get it to work. So i can get online through the onboard LAN or whatever on the motherboard, But after like 5 minutes a get an error and it gives me 35 seconds to save any unsaved work and it shuts the whole system down. But if i'm not online it's fine, So once i get the floppy drive working i can install the drivers for the ethernet card and hopefully that will fix the problem.

The error message was something like NT/Authority or something..but if it happens again..i will try to get the whole error next time..but i'm pretty optamistic that once i start using the ethernet card it won't happen...I hope.

I have never had an error that shuts my computer down after a certain amount of seconds though when it's connected to the internet.

Thanks everybody for the advice and tips..Very much appreciated. I'm gonna try to get the new computer runnin problem free tonight or atleast by the end of the night.

Wish me luck. I will be back if i keep getting these error messages with a better description of what they are.

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"To win any battle, you must fight as if you were already dead" -Musashi

n0nsensical

That is a common worm (aka virus) exploiting a Windows security hole. Using the ethernet card won't help, you have to patch and remove it. I highly recommend setting up a firewall too. Connecting an unpatched Windows box to the internet without a firewall or at least behind NAT will get it compromised in minutes these days.

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guthmund

n0nsensical speaks the truth.

Before you connect to the internet and since this is a completely unpatched system it would be wise to enable the windows firewall until you get everything else set up.

To fix the problem, Microsoft has a tool to fix it.

You should run Windows update as soon as possible, followed by the installation of a firewall, some anti-virus software and, for good measure, at least two different anti-spyware programs. Because, again like n0nsensical pointed out, an unpatched and unprotected pc will be compromised pretty fast.

By the way, what's the problem with the floppy disk drive?

Edit:Oops, I forgot to add, congrats on getting the system up and running. What was the hardest part, do you think?

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IC3

Ok..It was a virus..so i reinstalled, and i am online with my new system..finally, and i set up a firewall.

Ya and the first time i connected on this system, I had a virus within 5 minutes or so. It's fucking retarded, Do these guys not have anything better to do.

Everything seems fine..but when i scroll a page..it's wavy, I have never had this before. Anybody know what might be causing it?


I'm going to get the windows updates now, Unfortunatly..I don't have any anti virus right now seeing as norton only lets you install once off of thier disks..my disk is pretty much a coaster now. But i got a buddy who got me Norton security, I'm grabbin that from him tommorrow.

But other than the wavyness when i scroll up or down a page..it all seems fine.

__________________
"To win any battle, you must fight as if you were already dead" -Musashi

IC3

of course..now that i think about it..I have yet to install my video card drivers. That may be whats causing the wavyness.

Ok the wavyness is all gone, I Installed all the video card shit.

Another thing i just thought of, I still have XP installed on my old computer..So i guess i can't register XP yet untill i delete it off of my old system.

What is the average Temp for your processor to be at? Mine is hovering around 32 or 33 celsius. It's still sitting in the green zone, not even close to the yellow. Just wanna get an idea of what the average temp is..Thanks.

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"To win any battle, you must fight as if you were already dead" -Musashi

FloydianOne

I think most people's temps vary somewhere between 30 degC and 40 degC. In my experience AMD's usually run a little bit hotter than Intel... but i dont think you should worry unless its above somewhere around 45 degC and above. And of course the season will affect it also.

Lasereth

This is a little off. Newer processors run on average at 40-50 celsius with some running hotter on average depending on the room temperature. Mine runs at 45 celsius average and I consider that really cool. Some people can't get theirs below 40 without water cooling. Anything below 60 is alright.

-Lasereth

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madcow

Yeah my AMD 64 3200+ runs at about 37 or 38 when bumming around in windows. If I load up a game though it usually ends up in the 45 to 47 range. The critical threshold on my monitoring program is 72. So your temp is pretty decent.

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IC3

I'm alittle baffled on something here, I keep getting a low virtual Memory notice popping up in my taskbar and it says windows is increasing page file or something like that. Right now in Task manager i got 33 processes running and 2 applications.
The only problem is..I don't know what programs i can disable on start up and which ones i can't. I just went out and bought another 256mb of ram to add on to my 512mb ram. I go to system and it says i have 1GB of ram..How is that possible?

I remember along time ago i had the same problem with my compaq about vitual memory too low..and i was reffered to a site with a huge list of programs that are safe to disable on start up..Anybody know of any sites like this?

Thanks.

EDIT:

Ok it just dawned on me that, when i bought this "256"MBRam that it wasn't in a box..he put it in a plastic bag, So he actually gave me 512 for the price of a 256 stick of ram. I like that.

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"To win any battle, you must fight as if you were already dead" -Musashi

Rawb

IC3, 1GB of ram should be completely fine in most any system. Unless you are running some huge apps you shouldn't even be filling up 512MB.

http://free.grisoft.com/ <-- Head over there and pickup AVG anti-virus and get installed. Run a full scan, because it seems as though you may have picked something else up. (caution, some javascript there seems to be making my browser unhappy, so it might make your computer slow until you finish downloading it).

Poorly written spyware is also an option as to what is giving you problems, but I'm a little out of date on what the latest and greatest of the anti-spyware software is. (I'm a linux guy myself.)

IC3

Thanks Rawb, I didn't know thier was free anti virus out there..I was kinda hesitant at first, But it seems alright.

I had a friend help me out disabling some start up programs and it seems fine now, Still gotta scan my computer though.

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"To win any battle, you must fight as if you were already dead" -Musashi