Build Your Own PC From Scratch

Build Your Own PC From Scratch
Developed by:
Michael Long
Computer Systems & Electrotechnology
Faculty of Engineering
Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE
Computer Systems and Electrotechnology
INDEX
A E L
Assessment Criteria ...........51 ESD Precautions..................4 Laboratory Equipment, and
Attaching the Hard Drive and Safety ........................... 43
CD/ DVD rom Drive ...23, F
Laboratory Equipment, and
24 Final Assembly of Case.....27 Safety cont… ....44, 45, 47
Attaching the soft power, Floppy ,Hard Drive and Loading Application
reset, Hard Drive and CDROM Power Software....................... 38
Power LED , and Speaker Connectors ....................25
wires .............................20 M
Floppy Drive Installation
B Steps..............................22 Motherboard Configuration
................................11, 12
Booting the pc for the first G
Motherboard installation... 19
time ...............................29 Getting Started with Pc Motherboard Installation .. 18
Booting the pc for the first Basics..................3, 2–1, 3 Motherboard Location Map
time (cont…)...........30, 31 Graphics Card Installation .26 ..................................... 11
Build Your Own PC From Graphics Installation Steps:
Scratch ...........................1 O
......................................26
C Origins of Internet ............ 35
I
Cases....................................8 P
Installation Process ............13
Choosing an appropriate Installing an Operating Power Supplies ..............9, 46
Motherboard .................10 System ..........................32 Practical Work .................. 48
Computer Systems and Installing an Operating Practical Work cont….. .... 49
associated Programs......34 System cont…...............33 Presentation Applications . 42
Connecting Peripherals......28 Installing RAM..................17
Connecting Power Supply S
Installing RAM (Random
Cables to the Access Memory) ...........16 Spreadsheets ..................... 40
Motherboard ...............21 Installing the CPU .......13, 14 Starting, Shutting Down, .. 36
Creating a Computer Installing the Floppy Drive,
Inventory.........................5 Hard Drive, and CD-ROM T
D ......................................22 The Computer Case and
Installing the Heat Sink and Power Supply................. 6
Data Cables........................24 Fan ................................15
Databases...........................41 Investigating a Computer's 37 W
Desktops or Towers.............7 Word Processors ............... 39
Created by Michael Long 2 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Program Coordinator
Getting Started with Pc Basics
Overview of General Safety Issues
Before beginning any assembly process, review safety procedures.

Assembling a computer is not a particularly dangerous job, but being aware of
safety procedures is a good starting point.
In addition to the safety procedures, there are safety concerns with leaving the
computer plugged in while working inside it
Use an anti-static mat and wrist strap or wrist strap only(clipped onto chassis)
Use anti-static bags to store or move pc components
Never install or remove components whilst pc is on
Ground yourself by touching bare metal on chassis (15 seconds)
Bare floors are always better to work on. Carpets are the worst with regards to
static build-up
Hold expansion cards by the front metal plate and never touch edge connectors
To avoid possible hard drive damage never move a pc whilst turned on
Avoid laying components down on a conductive surface to prevent battery
shorting
Avoid touching chips with magnetized screwdrivers
Do not use pencils or metal tipped instruments to set dip switch or probe
components as they are conductive and may result in component damage
If passing a component to another person touch hands first to equalize potentials
Keep the work area clean and tidy

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ESD Precautions
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is more commonly referred to as static electricity.
ESD is the greatest single problem when a user is unwrapping newly purchased
computer parts and components while preparing to assemble the computer.
Just because a discharge cannot be felt does not mean it cannot harm a computer
component.
Computer chips run on low voltages and currents and if subjected to static
electricity which could range into the tens of thousands of volts damage will
occur
ESD damage often destroys chips or worse still causes intermittent faults
Always wear a wrist-strap whilst working on a pc.
Never work on a powered up pc.

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Creating a Computer Inventory

Importance of an Inventory
When building a computer from scratch, it is important to document all of the
components and parts that are purchased.
Make sure the specifics about installation and maintenance requirements are
saved, so that warranties will be valid.
Computer Software Inventory
Operating
System
Manufacturer Version Service Security Licence Key Networking
Packs Capability
Application
Software
Manufacturer Version Service Installation Licence Key Networking
Packs Directory Capability
It is important to save all the documentation that comes with the components.
Store original documentation in zip lock type bags and paper work in 3-ring
binders.(The motherboard box can be useful for storage)
Keep a notebook in which websites can be referenced with useful information
related to components such as devices drivers etc.
Component Description (Include Brand Name and Model)
Motherboard
Cpu
Ram
Graphics
Sound
Hard Drive
CD Drive
DVD Drive
Floppy Drive
Network Adapter
Other Devices

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The Computer Case and Power Supply

Whether buying a tower or desktop it is recommended that the unit conforms to
the ATX standard and has a 400-500 watt power supply. (Bigger PS for servers)
Purchase a case that comes with a tray that allows easy access to the internal
components.
There are three basic system unit styles: desktops, towers, and portables. Each
design offers characteristics that adapt the system for different environments.

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Desktops or Towers
Desktops
There are two important considerations in choosing a desktop case style for a
computer:
1. Available desktop space
2. Form factor (describes the general layout of the computer case )
3. Keep in mind that a desktop is basically a tower computer laid on its side
but with inherently worse cooling characteristics
Desktop Pc
Towers
Tower cases are usually designed to sit vertically on the floor beneath a desk.
Tower cases come in three sizes:
1. Mid towers
2. Mini towers
3. Full-size towers
Mini Tower Mid Tower Full-size Tower
Cases
When choosing your pc case ensure you cover your immediate needs and also
foreseeable possible future needs.
Questions you should ask yourself:
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Available space?
Server or workstation?
Form factor?
Power Supply?
Number of 5.25” bays
Number of 3.5” bays
Front connectors for usb, firewire, sound?
Provision for extra fans?

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Power Supplies
The power supply unit provides electrical power for every component inside the
system unit.
There are two basic types of power supplies:
1. AT power supplies (Not common nowadays)
Distinguishable by P8 P9 Molex Motherboard connectors and attached on/off
switch
2. ATX power supplies (Commonly used today)

Distinguishable by P1 Molex Motherboard connector and missing on/off
switch
Below is a commonly used ATX Power supply.
The power supply produces four (five in the ATX) different levels of well-
regulated DC voltage for use by the system components. These are +5V, -5V,
+12V, and -12V.
In ATX power supplies, the +3.3V level is also produced and is used by the
second-generation Intel Pentium processors. The IC devices on the motherboard
and adapter cards use the +5V level.
Be able to identify the uses for each voltage level and the corresponding color-
coded wire. This will allow testing of the wires using a multimeter to determine if
there are problems with the power supply.
The computer power supply produces a voltage only when it has a load. Some
component must be running on the machine before a voltage can be found in the
power cable connectors.
Shorting green and black will activate an isolated power supply

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Choosing an appropriate Motherboard

When deciding on a motherboard keep the following points in mind:
Server or workstation?
Form factor to suit case purchased
Processor type and speed required to perform your tasks adequately
Front-side bus speed (i.e CPU directly to memory)
Chipset
Ram provisions
Graphics requirements ( Are you a gamer? If so perhaps an SLI motherboard with
dual graphics cards provision)
Audio ( Channels and jacks provided?)
Network provisions
Storage ( IDE channels, SATA connectors, Floppy Drive connector?)
Operating System Support
Expansion Slots
Internal Connectors ( USB, Firewire, extra power connectors, extra fan
connectors?)
Rear I/O connectors (USB, Firewire, Serial port, Parallel port, K/board mouse
connectors, RJ45 connector/s?)
Bios flash features.
Decisions, Decisions, Have fun☺

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Motherboard Location Map

Before attempting any work on a pc ensure ESD precautions are catered for.
A motherboard location map shows where the hardware and major components
are located on the motherboard.
Typically, everything listed in the specifications section of the motherboard
manual is depicted and labeled on the location map.
The main memory is subdivided into slots, and the slots are identified and
numbered in sequence DIMM bank 1, DIMM bank 2, and DIMM bank 3
TYPICAL MOTHERBOARD LOCATION MAP
Motherboard Configuration
Configuring the motherboard typically means the taking the following steps:
Installing the CPU, installing the heat sink and fan, installing RAM, connecting
the power supply cables to the motherboard power connectors, connecting
miscellaneous connectors to the correct switches and status lights, and setting the
system BIOS. Dip Switches and Jumpers (Plastic covered shorting devices)
pictured below may be required to be set correctly prior to booting the pc for the
first time. NB// Always read manual first!

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Motherboard Configuration cont..

Location maps allow the correct configuration of the motherboard for the case
controls and monitor lights on the front case panel .
For the disk controllers, always remember that a coloured stripe on the data cable
is pin 1.
The BIOS interface can be keyboard driven (typical nowadays), or it can be
graphical and mouse driven.
When drives are replaced, memory upgraded, or adapter boards added, the BIOS
setup will need to be updated to reflect the configuration changes and saved to the
CMOS chip.
The motherboard must be configured for the frequency of the installed processor.
Motherboard Jumpers
There are several additional jumper settings that may have to be set along with the
general motherboard configurations:
BIOS Recovery
Clear CMOS
Password Clear
BIOS Setup Access
Processor Voltage

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Installing the CPU

Problems will occur when the chip is hastily installed or installed out of
alignment, which causes the chip pins to bend or break.
Extreme care should be taken when installing the cpu , it is delicate and typically
an expensive (If not the most expensive) component of the motherboard setup.
There are two main types of CPU interfaces.
1. Socket type (less common)
2. Slot type (most common)
Slot Processor Socket Processor
The newer processors now are often 64 bit and dual or quad core which improves
efficiency dramatically when processing particularly when multi-tasking.(i.e one part of
the processor assigned to certain tasks while the other/s free operate normally.
Some new processors now have pads rather than pins to prevent pin damage.
It is advisable to apply a small amount of heat-sink compound in between cpu and heat-
sink particularly after removing the heat-sink. The compound aids heat transfer between
cpu and heat-sink. (Remember a small amount of compound in centre of cpu will suffice
as it spreads when heat-sink is applied.)
Installation Process
1. Turn over the chip and inspect the pins to make sure none are damaged (bent or
broken). All pins should stick straight out.
2. Align pin 1 on the chip with pin 1 on the socket for a correct installation.
3. Open the ZIF socket. Shift the lever slightly away from the socket, from its
default closed, level position and raise it to the open, vertical position.
4. Align pin 1 according to the orientation that was determined in Step 2. Insert the
processor chip into the socket so that all of the pins slide into the matching holes.
5. Double-check to make sure that there is no gap between the bottom of the CPU
chip and the socket. If there is none, then the processor chip is properly inserted.
6. Secure the installed chip, push the lever back down to the closed position.

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Installing the CPU

7. Most motherboards are flexible enough to handle a variety of CPUs, but most
CPUs are very particular about the amount of voltage they can handle.
8. Before installing the CPU, it is important to make sure that the right voltage is
present for the proper performance of the processor.
9. If the proper voltage is not set, total damage to the system could occur, or the
whole system will never operate correctly.
10. Voltages may be set by jumper or dip-switch or BIOS or automatically.
11. (Read The motherboard Manual first)

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Installing the Heat Sink and Fan

Most microprocessors produce a lot of heat, which if not efficiently dissipated can
cause the system to operate intermittently hang or reset or fail completely,.
One way to dissipate heat from processors is to use the heat sink and cooling fan.
Liquid cooled systems are growing in popularity.
Don’t forget heat-sink compound.
Processors that come with the fan and heat-sink already attached to them are more
convenient.
These are called boxed processors.
They also have better warranty coverage than those without the fan and heat sink
attached.
Boxed processors are referred to as original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
processors.
NB//Install cpu heat-sink and fan prior to mounting motherboard.

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Installing RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM (Stands for Random Access Memory and is Volatile)
There are 2 main types of memory modules used on most PCs(DIMMS and
SIMMS): 168-pin Dual In-line Memory Module,184 pin (DIMM) and 240 pin
DDR1 and DDR2 cards, 72-pin Single In-line Memory Module (SIMM) cards.
Ram chips operate at different frequencies
Ensure Ram purchased matches the motherboard FSB (Front Side Bus)
frequency/s
If Ram is installed with different frequencies the motherboard may not boot up,
may boot but not run efficiently or run at the lower of the two frequencies.
Rule 1:Purchase Ram which runs at the higher end of available FSB frequencies
and matches any existing Ram.
Rule 2:If Motherboard supports Dual Channel Ram and you wish to utilise this
feature make sure to get Ram with matching specifications.
Rule 3: If installing uneven Ram Install largest module in first memory bank and
smaller modules in subsequent banks.
Note the notch positions!!
DIMMS insert differently (90 o)to SIMMS(45o).
NB//Install Ram prior to mounting motherboard (It’s easier and reduces
possibility of flexing the motherboard unnecessarily.
Top:184 pin DIMM

Middle:240 pin DIMM
Bottom:240 Pin DIMM
NB// Notches are all in different positions to
stop istallation of the wrong type of ram
Top:168 pin DIMM
Bottom:72 pin SIMM

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Installing RAM
New motherboards do not use SIMMs. It may be found, for example, that the
DIMM sockets on the motherboard map are grouped into three or four banks of
one slot each.
DIMM1 and DIMM 2 are Bank 0 and Bank 1.
In some cases, motherboards have more than two slots for RAM. These slots
would be DIMM3 and DIMM4.
Dual Channel Ram may be a feature of newer motherboards.

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Motherboard Installation
After Cpu and Ram installation and any Dip Switch / Jumper settings which may be
required to be set the motherboard Installation follows.
Remove and replace old I/O shield with new shield provided with motherboard.
Install required standoffs to provide adequate support particularly around areas
which may be stressed like Cpu and Ram(Typically all the standoff holes on the
motherboard will be filled )
A few “dry runs” may be necessary to determine which case holes need standoffs
fitted.
Install motherboard into I/O shield by via a tilting movement to get M/Board
ports into the shield. (Do this Carefully motherboards damage easily!)
Ensure correct screws are used
NB//Best not to tighten motherboard screws until all are installed as it may be
necessary to move the M/b slightly to align screws with holes.
When all screws in tighten until “firm”
Do not overtighten or you will strip the thread in the case and the standoff will
never tighten!

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Motherboard installation
Typical screws used in mounting a motherboard into a case. These may vary
depending on the standoffs used.

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Attaching the soft power, reset, Hard Drive and Power LED ,
and Speaker wires
LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), the status lights, are useful in indicating whether
components inside the computer are on or working.
LEDs that may be installed are for power, and the hard drive.
Check polarity typically coloured wire +ve white -ve
.Check motherboard manual for pins and orientation
You may have extra connectors for cpu and hard drive temperatures, fan speeds
etc, depending on the case purchased.
If console wires are loose then try plaiting them to improve appearance,
accessibility and airflow
Read motherboard and case Instructions!

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Connecting Power Supply Cables to the Motherboard

After successfully installing the motherboard in the computer case, proceed with
attaching the appropriate power supply connector(s) to it.
This process is easy with an ATX (boards and power supply) because there is
only one connector that is also keyed to fit only one way.
Could be 20 or 24 pin connector (P1)
There may be extra power requirements to suit various motherboards

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Installing the Floppy Drive, Hard Drive, and CD-ROM

3.5” drives or 5.25” drives are installed in similar manner.
Cd-roms and floppy drives are inserted from the front of the case after removing
blanks.(Use short fine threads)
Hard drives generally are installed from inside the case underneath the floppy
drive but the position may vary depending on the case.(Use short coarse threads)
Make sure the data cables and power cables are long enough to reach the drives
before starting.
Verify the drive is mounted right side up or it will not work.
Ensure the correct screws are used and that both sides of the drives are secured.
Floppy Drive Installation Steps

Step 1. Select which drive bay is to be used for the floppy drive. Remove the
faceplate of that bay, and save the faceplate for future use.
Step 2. Without connecting anything, insert the drive into the chosen bay, making
sure it fits properly.
Step 3. Select the proper size screws (preferably those that came with the drive).
If using brackets to hold the drive in place, secure them now, or simply use the
screws to attach the drive to the bay.
If other drives are to be installed, this step can be skipped. This provides more
maneuvering room in the case, especially if there are no removable drive bays.
The drive cable and power cord can then be connected after all the drives have
been installed.
Make sure Pin1 on the cable aligns with Pin1 on the drive! (If you reverse polarity
on the floppy data cable the light will remain on after booting)
Step 4. Attach the power and ribbon cable to the drive.
Check your work.

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Attaching the Hard Drive and CD/ DVD rom Drive

Attaching the Hard Drive and CD-ROM are basically similar processes.
Make sure that the interface cable will reach the drive in its intended location.
With IDE/ATA (PATA) drives, the length of the cable is limited to 18" and less,
in some cases which can cause problems .
The designation of a hard drive or CD-ROM drive as either master or slave is
generally determined by the jumper configuration, not by the order in which the
drive is daisy-chained to the other drive unless Cable Select is jumpered.and
eighty wire IDE cable(Ultra DMA) is used then back (end connector) will be
master and blue(middle connector) will be slave. If using only 1 drive always use
the end connector to limit interference.
Configuring master /slave/cable select before installation is easier
Step 1. Select which drive bay is to be used for the Hard Drive / CD-ROM Drive.
Remove the faceplate of that bay, and save the faceplate for future use. Not
necessary to remove faceplate for Hard Disk installation.
Step 2. Without connecting anything, insert the drive into the chosen bay, making
sure it fits properly.
Step 3. Select the proper size screws (preferably those that came with the drive).
If using brackets to hold the drive in place, secure them now, or simply use the
screws to attach the drive to the bay.
Make sure Pin1 on the cable aligns with Pin1 on the drive! (Hard drives and cd-
rom drives always have Pin1 nearest the power connector)
Step 4. Attach the power and data cables (SATA or PATA) to the drive.
Check your work.
IDE Drive SATA Drive
DVD Drive IDE or SATA

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Attaching the Hard Drive and CD/ DVD rom Drive

The hard drive can be inserted in any free bay in a computer case. However, there
are some things that should be considered:
They can generate a lot of heat. Therefore, keep these drives as far away
from other hardware as possible
If it is necessary to install a drive cooler, make sure there is enough room
Install a hard drive away from the power supply
Try to keep the hard drive near the front of the case. It will benefit from
the cooling effect of the air current drawn into the case through the front
by the system cooling fans
SATA (Serial ATA) Hard Drives are becoming more and more popular
If your Hard Drive is SATA the drive itself is still the same size (31/2 ”) and fits
exactly the same way but the data cable will be much thinner and the power
connector may be different as well.
SATA transfers data faster than PATA .
Sata M/board connector Sata Data , Molex Power Sata Power Connector
Data Cables
The floppy drive exchanges data with the motherboard devices, including the
microprocessor, via a 34-pin flat ribbon (data) cable.
The hard drive, CD-ROM, and DVD exchange data signals with the controller on
the motherboard by means of a flat ribbon cable (40 pin) or smaller for SATA
drives.
Cover the four steps to connect the floppy drive to the motherboard.
Cover the four steps to connect the hard drive, CD-ROM, and DVD to the
motherboard
Floppy Data Cable IDE Data Cable SATA Data Cable

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Floppy ,Hard Drive and CDROM Power Connectors

Power connectors for Cd Rom and Hard Drive may be the large or small 4 pin molex
connector or the newer SATA power connector.
MOLEX POWER CONNECTORS SATA POWER CONNECTOR
Irrespective of whether the drive uses Molex or Sata connectors the voltages delivered
are still the same.
RED--+5volts
YELLOW--+12volts
BLACK—0volts (Ground)
If the Power supply does not provide a Sata Power connector an adapter may be
purchased to accommodate.

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Graphics Card Installation

The graphics card selection is one of the most important decisions when building
a computer.
The motherboard features will dictate the form factor of graphic cards available for
installation.
Remember that graphics processing is extremely demanding and an onboard graphics
motherboard will rely on the CPU to do its processing and also will require a portion of
the systems memory, hence severely impacting on the overall system performance.
A gamer would never use onboard graphics whereas those who are concerned more with
price than performance, may elect to go with the onboard graphics.
(If deciding on onboard graphics it is wise to purchase a motherboard with an AGP or
PCI Express slot to allow for later addition of a Graphics Card)
Graphics Installation Steps:
1. Turn pc off and isolate from power

2. Open case
3. Anti-static wrist strap on connected to chassis
4. Decide on the Slot/s (AGP or PCI Express) to install the card/s.
5. Remove blank/s from case
6. Insert card/s firmly
7. Secure card to case (usually coarse thread hex screw)
8. Reassemble case
9. Power up
10. Load graphic drivers for optimal performance.
MOTHERBOARD PCI EXPRESS X16

PCI EXPRESS GRAPHICS AND PCI SLOTS

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Final Assembly of Case

Assembly Checklist:
• CPU and RAM are properly fitted
• CPU fan is plugged in
• Drives are all correctly fitted into bays and powered up
• Data cables are fitted to all drives (Pin 1 cable to Pin1 Drive)
• Motherboard Jumpers and/or Dip-Switches correctly set
• No cables or wires protruding
• All connections firm
• Screws sufficiently tight
• All case expansion slots covered with blanks
• Cables neat and not in air flow-through path
• Close the case
TYPICAL COMPUTER CASE

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Connecting Peripherals
After sealing the case the next procedure is connecting peripheral devices:
1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Monitor (Don’t forget to plug it into the mains )
Power up the case!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Printer (Optional)
5. Scanner (Optional)
6. Modem (Optional)
7. Router (Optional)
8. Switch.(Optional)
9. Hub (Optional)
10. Usb devices (Optional)
11. Firewire Devices (Optional)
12. Another Computer
There are a wide variety of other peripheral devices which may or may not be
plugged into a computer but the first three on the above list are essentials and it is
best to make sure the computer is properly configured with (1,2,3) and running
smoothly before adding extra peripherals.

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Booting the pc for the first time
BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System.

It is typically accessed by pressing Del at first boot screen
but may be accessed by pressing F1, F2, or Ctrl (varies with computers)
It contains the program code required to control all the basic operating
components of the computer system.
BIOS contains the software required to test hardware at boot up, load the
operating system, and support the transfer of data between hardware components.
CPU ,RAM , Drives , must be seen in bios to be available for use in an Operating
System
The information gained from running the bios program is stored in a chip
(Usually integrated into bios ) called CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide
SemiConductor) by the aid of the cmos battery
NB// If the battery dies then all information in cmos is lost.(i.e Drive Parameters,
Memory quantity , Time ,etc) Hard disk information is not lost!
The process of running the bios program is known as POST (Power On Self Test)
Depending on the bios Manufacture POST provides error messages and warnings
if found
Series of long/short or intermittent beeps indicate a problem with POST and to
determine the meanings one would need to know the beep code (Available from
the chip manufacturers website)
There are numerous bios manufacturers available but the three main ones were
Award , American Megatrend (AMI), and Phoenix (Phoenix and Award have now
merged leaving two main manufacturers)
The best message to receive is a single auditory beep signaling a successful POST
Depending on the bios manufacturer the bios interface may be menu /keyboard-
driven (Typical) or Gui -Mouse point and click driven (Not so common)
Boot priority is set up in bios and are found in advanced features
Power management and Plug and Play screens allow advanced users to set up
power usage features and IRQ’s (Interrupt Requests) DMA (Direct Memory
Acces) Care needs to taken here to avoid conflicts but if the system becomes
unusable or unstable bios has a setting which restores factory defaults ☺
Bios can prove to be a useful tool when troubleshooting to see if devices are being
“seen”
There are two password screens that will be encountered in the BIOS setup:
1. Supervisor Password
2. User Password

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Booting the pc for the first time (cont…)

The Load Setup Defaults screen resets the BIOS setup to default settings.
There are two BIOS exit options:
1. Save and Exit Setup

2. Exit Without Saving Setup
Option 2 is useful for beginners to navigate around bios then exit without doing any
harm.
When exiting and saving settings, the computer will restart according to the new
configuration.
TYPICAL 1ST BOOT SCREEN

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Booting the pc for the first time (cont…)

Typical BIOS Interfaces:

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Installing an Operating System

Now that the computer is built and peripherals assembled the operating system
installation begins.
1. Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Next, configure the system BIOS boot sequence to boot from the CD-ROM first.
3. Keep the CD in the drive and restart the computer.
4. When the system starts up, watch for the message “Press Any Key to Boot from
CD”.
5. When the message appears, press any key on the keyboard to boot the system
from the CD.
6. The system will now begin inspecting the hardware configuration.
7. The windows XP Setup screen will now display and commence loading
necessary files
8. Next the Welcome to Setup Screen will display and ENTER must be pressed to
continue installation
9. The licensing Agreement screen will display next asking for an F8 key press
10. XP will now offer its partitioning program which allows the user to create, delete
and format partitions prior to installing the OS
(XP may be installed onto a Fat32 or NTFS partition and depending on the
requirements of the user NTFS is generally chosen. Fat32 may be chosen if another
OS is to be installed on a different partition (i.e Win 98) and communication between
the two operating systems is needed.)
11. Assuming there is no need for Fat32 create a partition and format it with NTFS
(Do not use the quick method)
12. Highlight the newly created and formatted partition and press ENTER to begin
loading the OS into that partition.(You may have chosen the entire disk as one
partition)
13. The next screen to be seen will be Wndows XP Professional Setup whereby
system files will be copied to the hard drive.
14. The computer will restart and ask to press any key to boot from CD
NB// Do not press a key this time or you will restart the entire process again!
15. The Windows XP slash screen will be seen next
16. The XP installation screen will be next and the OS installation begins
17. Hardware devices are loaded next
18. Regional and Language setup is next
19. Name and Organization requirements next
20. Administrators password will need to be entered next
21. Time and Date settings next
22. Time zone will be required next (Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane +10 hours)
23. Network settings next (Choose typical)
24. Select the “No, this computer is not on a network, or is on a network without a
domain”

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Installing an Operating System cont….

25. WORKGROUP is default accept it (You may change this at a later date if
network communication is required)
26. More files copied automatically
27. Completing the installation process
28. Menu Items will be installed next
29. Components registered
30. Log on as Administrator
31. XP default desktop appears now
32. Navigate to Device Manager and investigate components not configured
33. All components with Yellow question marks will need to be configured with
their own drivers(Software) Windows may have loaded its own generic drivers
for certain devices (i.e graphics card) but to get full functionality from these
devices their own drivers must be loaded.
34. When the Device Manager shows no Yellow question marks then the computer is
considered to be >>>configured!
Not Configured Configured ☺
Computer Systems and associated Programs

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The two main types of software are operating systems and applications
(firmware is the code burned into low-level devices i.e BIOS).
Application software accepts input from the user and then manipulates it to
achieve the output.
Examples of applications include word processors, database programs,
spreadsheets, web browsers, web development tools, and graphic design tools.
An Operating System (OS) is a program that manages all the other programs in a
computer. It also provides the operating environment with the applications that
are used to access resources on the computer.
Examples of operating systems include The Disk Operating System (DOS),
Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT, XP, Vista,Linux, Mac OS X, DEC
VMS, and IBM OS/400. Operating systems are platform-specific.
The Windows operating system (3.1, 95, 98, 2000, or NT,XP,Vista) is designed
for use with a PC.
The Mac OS will only work with Macintosh computers.
PC and Macintosh are called platforms. A platform is the computer system on

which programs can run.
Windows Vista Mac OS Linux OS

Program Coordinator
Origins of Internet
Since the implementation of the US Department of Defense’s network of computers to
safeguard the nation’s confidential military intelligence in the 1960’s (Birth of Internet)
the growth of internet users has grown dramatically.
The advent of Point and click GUI Operating Systems has hugely impacted on computer
usage with particular focus from Windows 95 (Introduced August 1995) onwards.
By 1987, there were 10,000 hosts on the network, and by 1989, that number increased to
over 100,000.
By 2007 there are over 100 million hosts
The cost of the increasingly sophisticated technology has fallen.

For under $1,000 users can buy a computer system that is capable of doing much more,
and doing it better and faster than the $500,000 mainframe version of 20 years ago.
A large percentage of all computers worldwide (Domestic and Corporate) are purchased
for one main reason: Internet Access! High speed is available through Asymmetric
Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) or cable modem at reasonable rates .
Computers and Internet will continue to gain popularity in the foreseeable future.

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Starting, Shutting Down,

and Restarting Microsoft Windows
Starting a computer is also referred to as booting the system. A "cold boot" is
performed when the PC is turned on using the power button. At the end of this
process, a single beep tone will sound and the Windows operating system desktop
will be displayed.
Restarting a PC that has already been powered up is referred to as a "warm boot".

This can be achieved by pressing the reset button on the front panel.
POWER AND RESET BUTTONS
To shut down or restart the computer, click on the Start button on the lower left
corner of the Windows Taskbar and select Shut Down or Restart.
Or press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and click Shut Down or Restart from the menu that
displays
NB// It is important not to power off the computer with the power switch. Most operating
systems like Macintosh and Windows have a specific method for turning the system off.
Computers need to power off correctly to avoid the possibility of data loss or component
damage.

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Investigating a Computer's
Basic System Information
To view information about the system, go to the Start menu and choose
Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information.
These steps are similar for Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows 98/ME
The window that opens gives the Operating System (OS) name and version, the
system manufacturer and model, the processor type and manufacturer, the BIOS
version, and the memory.
This information can be saved as a text file by selecting Action from the toolbar
and Save As Text File (When using Windows 2000).
Where the file is to be saved can be specified This shows the System Info.txt file
in the directory.
Double-click on the file System Info.txt. The document will open in Notepad text
editor.
The document will open in Notepad text editor
The text can then be copied and pasted into a word processing program such as
Microsoft Word or a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel so that the
information is easier to read.

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Loading Application Software

After Loading and configuring Operating System software the next step is to load
Application Software.
The three main types of software are:
1. Application Software (High level)
2. Operating System Software (Medium level communicates up and down)
3. Firmware (Bios-Low level)
The most frequently loaded application software immediately after loading Operating
system includes:
• Anti-Virus software
• Anti-Spyware software
• Firewall software
• Office suite of applications (i.e Word, Excel, Access etc..)
• Adobe Acrobat
• CD-DVD burning software
• DVD watching/ editing software
• Winzip or winrar for zipping/ unzipping files
• Quicktime Player
• The Operating system itself also offers many applications and programs
The List of application software available for purchase is endless and many
businesses rely on specialty software packages.
For our purposes we will concentrate on the Microsoft Office suite of programs.

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Word Processors
A word processor is an application that creates, formats, edits, stores, and prints
documents. The figure shows Microsoft Word 2003 as an example of a word processor.
All word processors can insert or delete text, copy, cut, paste, and define margins.
A word processor is a computer program that provides special capabilities beyond that of
a text editor such as the WordPad program that comes as part of Microsoft's Windows
operating systems. The term originated to distinguish text building programs that were
"easy to use" from conventional text editors, and to suggest that the program was more
than just an "editor.". A word processor is also known as having a WYSIWYG (what you
see is what you get) user interface.
The most popular word processor is Microsoft Word, which is often purchased as part of
Microsoft's Office suite. However, there are a number of other general and specialized
word processors that have user followings. (Open Office’s Writer)

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Spreadsheets
A computer application program which provides a table of values arranged in rows and
columns. Each value can have a predefined relationship to the other values. If you change
one value, therefore, you may need to change other values as well. Spreadsheets are
extremely useful and timesaving to anyone wishing to apply an algorithm to values to
provide desired results instantly.
Cells are referred to by their position in the grid according to the column and row they
occupy.
Many spreadsheets have the ability to plot data in the form of graphs, bar charts, and pie
charts.

Program Coordinator
Databases
A database is a collection of data that is organized so that its contents can be easily
accessed, managed, and updated.
Examples are Microsoft Access, Oracle Database, Open Office’s Base, and
FileMaker.
PC databases fall into two distinct categories, flat-file and relational. A flat-file
database stores the information in a single table.
Relational databases are a collection of flat-file databases linked through some
particular relationship.
(An example of a database application could be student records at an institution)

Program Coordinator
Presentation Applications
Presentation applications permit the organizing, design, and delivery of presentations
in the form of slide shows and reports. Bar charts, pie charts, graphics, and other
types of images can be created based on data that is imported from spreadsheet
applications.
An example is Microsoft PowerPoint 2003.

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Laboratory Equipment, and Safety
The workspace should be situated away from carpeted areas because carpets can
cause the build up of electrostatic charges.
It should be a nonconductive surface.
It should be distant from areas of heavy electrical equipment or concentrations of
electronics.
It should be free of dust.
It should have a filtered air system to reduce dust and contaminants.
Lighting should be adequate to see small details.
Workshop workbench setup to minimize potential ESD problems

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Laboratory Equipment, and Safety cont…

A wrist strap is a device that is attached to the technician’s wrist and clipped to
the metal system chassis on which the work is being done.
Allow 15 seconds to pass before touching any sensitive electronic components
with bare hands.
A wrist strap can only offer protection from ESD voltages carried on the body.
ESD charges on clothing can still cause damage.
Avoid making contact between electronic components and clothing.
A wrist strap is never worn when working on a monitor or when working on a
computer power supply. Monitors and power supplies are considered replaceable
components.
Antistatic bags are easily recognized by a shielding characteristic—usually a
silvery-sheen, transparent appearance. Shielded antistatic bags are important
because they prevent static electricity from entering the bags.
When original packaging is not available, circuit boards and peripherals should be
transported in a shielded antistatic bag. However, never put a shielded antistatic
bag inside a PC.
If computer components are stored in plastic bins, the bins should be made of a
conductive plastic.
Most computer repair and maintenance tools used in the computer workplace are
small hand tools.
They are included as part of PC toolkits that can be purchased at computer stores.
If a technician is working on laptops, then a small torx screwdriver may be
necessary.
The right tools can save a technician a lot of time and help the technician avoid
damage to the equipment.
Tool kits range widely in size, quality and price.
The following are workspace organizational aids:

A parts organizer to keep track of small parts such as screws and connectors
Adhesive or masking tape to make labels that identify parts
A small notebook to keep track of assembly and/or troubleshooting steps
A place for quick references and detailed troubleshooting guides
A clipboard for paperwork

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Below is a basic tool kit for pc maintenance or repair :
Below is a List of different screw head types which may be encountered when working
on computers.

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The following are some commonly used 3rd party software diagnostic tools in PC
computing:
Partition Magic – Advanced drive partitioning software
Ranish Part244 – Basic drive partitioning software
CheckIt – Fault isolation software
Spinrite – Hard drive scanning tool
AmiDiag – Hardware fault isolation software
DiskSuite – Hard drive defrag software
SecureCRT – Feature filled terminal software
VNC – Remote access software
Norton Antivirus – One of the industry leading virus protection software
Sisoft Sandra – System information software
More useful devices for computer work;

• Compressed air in a can to clean dust buildup on components inside cases.
• A Multimeter which is relatively inexpensive can be useful for checking

voltages in Power Supplies or continuity in circuits and is well worth
having in kit.

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Abide by all electrical safety procedures at all times.
Never become complacent about electrical safety.
Electricity can injure or cause death.
Never open up a CRT monitor or Power Supply
Never wear a wrist strap connected to a pc whilst the pc is still plugged into the
mains
There is no substitute for common sense ☺

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Practical Work
Prac #1
Computer Identification Name: ______________________
Number: _____________________
Case Number of 3.5” bays _____5.25” bays
_____ Manufacturer:
__________________
Motherboard Manufacturer: __________________
Model: ________________________
Bus Speed_________ MHz Form Factor
_______AT _______ATX Chipset
Manufacturer:_____________ Model:
_______________ BIOS
Manufacturer:_______________ Version:
_______________
Does the CPU use a socket or a slot? ________ How many CPU socket/slots are
there? _______ How many ISA slots are there? ________ How many PCI slots are
there? ________ How many IDE connectors are there? _______ How many floppy
connectors are there? _______ How many serial ports are there? _____ How many
parallel ports are there? _____ Is there an AGP slot? ________ Are there any PCI
Express slots? _________ How many USB ports are there? ______ How many other
ports or slots are there? _______ What kind(s) are they? _______ How many fans are
provided in the case?_________ Are there provisions for extra fans?________
CPU Manufacturer: ______________ Model:

___________________ Speed
________________ MHz
Memory 168-pin DIMMs _____ 184 pin DIMMs

(DDR ?)______ 240 -pin DIMMs (DDR
?)______ Others: ___________
How many memory slots are there?
_________ What is the fastest type of
memory supported? ______ What is the
maximum memory supported? _______
Hard Drive Manufacturer: __________________

Model: _________________ Size
_______ Cylinders _________ Heads
_________ SPT _______ Interface Type
_ IDE _____ SATA _______SCSI______

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Practical Work cont…..

Prac #2
Using the following wish list create a list of components you would like to purchase to build your
own pc from scratch. Use the internet, computer trader magazine, pc literature, attend computer
swap meets to gain insight into the wonderful, exciting, ever evolving world of computers.
Item
Description Price
Monitor
Case/Power Supply
Motherboard
CPU
RAM
Video Card
Sound Card
Hard Disk Drive
CD-ROM
CD-R/RW*
DVD-ROM*
DVD-RW*
Floppy Drive
Keyboard
Mouse
Speakers*

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Practical Work cont….

Prac #3
Groups of 2-3
Choose a PC & check that it boots up
Identify & list all external peripheral 1/0 devices
Remove all external devices from ports at rear
Make sketch of the rear of the P.C. & list the ports (i.e db9, male serial) etc to the best of
your knowledge
Remove P.C case cover (don’t lose screws)
List everything you can visually identify inside the box
Replace the case cover
Re-attach all cables
Make sure P.C boots up
Prac #4
Groups of 2-3.
Choose a P.C. make sure it boots.
Remove all external peripherals & base cover.
Remove all cables & I.O. ports (not the small console & led cables)
Remove cards & cpu
Remove RAM (carefully)
Remove hard drive
List all particulars and be prepared to discuss them with the class
Replace all and make sure P.C. boots up.

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Assessment Criteria
To Pass this module and receive a certificate from NMIT the student must to the
instructors/ facilitators satisfaction:
1. Observe all Electrical safety and ESD precautions

2. Complete all practical work
3. Successfully build a computer from scratch using the correct screws
4. Ensure successful P.O.S.T and LEDS are operational
5. Load Operating System Software
6. Configure all hardware with OS
7. Load Application Software
8. Pass the written test.

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Build Your Own PC From Scratch

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Build Your Own PC From Scratch

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Build Your Own PC From Scratch

Created by Michael Long 2 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Getting Started with Pc Basics

Overview of General Safety Issues

Before beginning any assembly process, review safety procedures.

Created by Michael Long 3 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Created by Michael Long 4 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Creating a Computer Inventory

Created by Michael Long 5 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

The Computer Case and Power Supply

Created by Michael Long 6 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Mini Tower Mid Tower Full-size Tower

Created by Michael Long 8 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

2. ATX power supplies (Commonly used today)

Below is a commonly used ATX Power supply.

Created by Michael Long 9 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Choosing an appropriate Motherboard

Decisions, Decisions, Have fun☺

Created by Michael Long 10 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Motherboard Location Map

TYPICAL MOTHERBOARD LOCATION MAP

Created by Michael Long 11 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Motherboard Configuration cont..

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Installing the CPU

Slot Processor Socket Processor

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Installing the CPU

Created by Michael Long 14 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Installing the Heat Sink and Fan

Don’t forget heat-sink compound.

Created by Michael Long 15 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Installing RAM (Random Access Memory)

Top:184 pin DIMM

Created by Michael Long 16 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

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Created by Michael Long 18 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

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Created by Michael Long 20 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Connecting Power Supply Cables to the Motherboard

Created by Michael Long 21 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Installing the Floppy Drive, Hard Drive, and CD-ROM

Floppy Drive Installation Steps

Check your work.

Created by Michael Long 22 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Attaching the Hard Drive and CD/ DVD rom Drive

IDE Drive SATA Drive

DVD Drive IDE or SATA

Created by Michael Long 23 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Attaching the Hard Drive and CD/ DVD rom Drive

Floppy Data Cable IDE Data Cable SATA Data Cable

Created by Michael Long 24 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Floppy ,Hard Drive and CDROM Power Connectors

MOLEX POWER CONNECTORS SATA POWER CONNECTOR

Created by Michael Long 25 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Graphics Card Installation

Graphics Installation Steps:

1. Turn pc off and isolate from power

MOTHERBOARD PCI EXPRESS X16

Created by Michael Long 26 Version 1 - 5/10/2007

Final Assembly of Case

TYPICAL COMPUTER CASE

Created by Michael Long 27 Version 1 - 5/10/2007