4 .

Name _________________ Period _______

Computer Parts and Assembly

Notes on Parts
Directions : Start your Internet browser and go to http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/building-pc,518.html
As you follow the step by step instructions for assembling your computer in sections 1-11 take some notes on
each step that you can use when setting up a computer.
1. Opening the empty case; _______________________________________________________________
Preparing to fit the components(list 10):___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Fitting the motherboard; _______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Fitting the processor, and cooler; ________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Installing the RAM____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Graphics card and sound card; __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Fitting the hard disk and floppy drive; ____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Installing the floppy and CD-ROM drives; _________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Connecting the ribbon cables;___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
9. Powering the drives and motherboard; ____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Front panel Connection; _______________________________________________________________
Final check. _________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

BCS-IDT-4

Hardware and Software Components

4 .5

Name _________________ Period _______

What is inside
Directions: Work with your partner to complete the tasks at each center. You do not have to
complete the centers in order.

Box Number 1

Remove the contents of Box Number 1 and lay them

out on the desk. Put the foam mat below the mother
board. Carefully put the cards into the mother board
until it looks like the picture on the left. When you
4
are finished dismantle the cards and return them to
Box 1. Answer the questions below looking at the
1
picture to the right. Picture 1 goes with question 1 etc
1. This is called the computers ___________________board because everything plugs into it.
2.
Can these _______ sticks go into the slots either way or must they face a certain direction to fit? Explain
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. What color was the leaver you had to move to put this card into its slot?__________________________
4. What color slots did these two cards fit into? _______________________________________________

Box Number 2

Remover the contents of Box Number 2

and place the power supply fan side up on
the table. Carefully plug the power cords
into the drives. Carefully and gently plug
the data cables into the drives. Try to put
the disks into the floppy drive. When you
are finished dismantle the power cords
and place all the pieces back into the box.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Would both sides of the floppy drive cable fit into the connection? ______________________________
Would the blue side of the IDE cable fit the CD -ROM?_______________________________________
Which two devices have the same type of power plug? _______________ _______________________
What do you think the hard disk is made out of? ____________________________________________
Which disk did not fit into the floppy drive? #____ that is because it is a Zip disk and holds more.

Box Number 3

Remove the contents from the box and use Computer 1 as a guide to put the cards into
Computer 2. Partner 1 needs to place the cards into their correct slots. Partner 2 is to
connect power cords to the floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, and the CD. Now partner 1
dismantles the cards and partner 2 disconnects the power cords. When you are finished put
the pieces back into the box. Return to your seat and answer the question below.
1. What did you learn? ___________________________________________________
2. Have you ever put together a computer before? Yes or No
3. Did you think it was that easy or difficult?____________________________________

Box Number 4

Remove the contents from the box and use lay the mother board on the table and put the plugs into it.
1. What color port did the keyboard plug into? ____________ The mouse plugs into a ___________ port?
2. Plug headphones into the green port, the microphone into the pink port but are they interchangeable? Y or N
BCS-IDT-4

Hardware and Software Components

Name _________________ Period _______

Parts of Your Computer
Directions: Start your Internet browser and go to http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/building-pc,511.html
we will be reading the article located there in preparation of creating our own PC. You will need your shoe box
for the next two activities.
1. Use the sections 1-7 of the article to label components by writing their names in the small white
textboxes on your Computer Components worksheet.
2. You may not be able to label all of the components but most are identified in sections 1-7.
3. If you have any parts you cannot label go back to the 4.3 Power Point and you will find the answers.
4. Carefully cut out each piece (including its glue tab) and store them in your shoebox.
How to Build a Custom PC Computer
Directions : Start your Internet browser and go to
1. Take your pieces out of your shoe box
2. Go to http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/building-pc,518.html or
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/building-pc,511.html where you took your notes and use the
pictures to put glues your pieces into your shoebox.
3. Fold the glue tabs on each component.
4. Use red ribbon for power cables and tape to hold it into place
5. Use white ribbon for IDE cables to the hard drive and CD and tape
6. Use black ribbon to connect the floppy and tape
7. Follow the step by step instructions for assembling your computer.
8. Measure the front side of your box and find front panel for your computer on the Internet
(www.bestbuy.com or www.compusa.com or http://www.xoxide.com/allcases.html,
http://www.alienware.com http://www.newegg.com/ )
9. Copy it and paste it into word then double click and set its size to what you will need.
10. Cut and paste it to your case.
11. If you have any trouble assembling your shoebox pc try this site: http://www.kidsonline.net/learn/c_n_l.html or
12. Now watch the videos by Allen Gottfried and follow along by gluing your pieces into your shoebox. :
http://www.ehow.com/video_2287877_build-pc-computer.html to be sure you did it correctly.
13. You may decorate the rest of your case as you see fit.
14. Wonder where I got the idea for a pc in a shoebox? Check out these sites(and yes these actually work):
http://www.nccamp.com/shoebox/index.html and http://englishrussia.com/?p=510
Would you like to play a game? http://www.quia.com/hm/86691.html

BCS-IDT-4

Hardware and Software Components