Before You Start Building

Steps 1-5
1. Your Computer Case
2. If Necessary, Install the Power Supply
3. Ground Yourself
4. Install the Exhaust Fan
5. Your Basic Startup System


Steps 6-10
6. Remove Blocking Plates
7. Get Familiar with Your Drive Cable Connectors
8. Install the Drives
9. Motherboard, Case, and Processor Module
10. Motherboards With and Without Hinksink Support


Steps 11-15
11. Installing the Heatsink Support Assembly
12. Remove the Heatsink Support Clip
13. Verify Motherboard Jumper Settings
14. Prepare the Punchout Access Ports
15. Preparing to Install the Motherboard in the Case


Steps 16-20
16. Check Alignment of the Motherboard with Standoffs
17. Install Motherboard on Standoffs and Tighten Screws
18. Installing Memory on the Motherboard
    18 Cont. Inserting the DIMM Stick in the Motherboard
19. Install the AGP Graphics Card
20. Connect and Route Power Cables


Steps 21-25
21. Install the Remaining Power Cables
22. Install the Primary and Seconday IDE Cables
23. Install Floppy Drive Cable
24. Install Tiewraps on All the Cables
25. Clear the Airflow by Rerouting Cables


Steps 26-30
26. Processor Installation
27. Place the Heatsink Clip in the Heatsink Fins
28. Install the Fan Power Cable
29. Slide the Processor Module into the Guides
30. Firmly Seat the Processor Module


Steps 31-35
31. Lock the Processor Module
32. Install the Heatsink Support Clip
33. Check the Processor Module Installation
34. Install Feet on Enclosure
35. Install the Keyboard and Mouse Cables


Steps 36-40
36. Install the Monitor Cable
37. Verify the 115/250 Setting
38. Install the Line Power Cable
39. Start Your System
40. Load the Operating System


Steps 41-43
41. Install Additional Cards and Devices
    41. Cont. ISA and PCI Card Options
    41. Cont. Two Modems
    41. Cont. AGP and PCI Video
42. Secure the Cards
43. Periodically Check on Driver Updates
    43. Cont. Notes
    43. Cont. Final Walk-Through

Processor Installation

There are retention latches on the top of the processor module. Normally, the processor is shipped with the retention latches disengaged. If they are disengaged, they will feel a little loose.

Before the processor installation, you must push the retention latches in firmly until they click. The latches are located at the very top corners of the processor as shown in Photo 38.

Photo 38. Press the Retention Latches In

Step 27. Place the Heatsink Clip in the Heatsink Fins

Install the heatsink support clip between the first and second rows of fins at the bottom of the heatsink as shown in Photo 39. The openings of the locking slots on the heatsink support clip should be facing up.

The heatsink support clip is symmetrical--there is no designated top or bottom--you can install it either way. However, there is a front and back. The locking slots must face up.

Photo 39. Place the Heatsink Clip in the Fins

Step 28. Install the Fan Power Cable

Before you install the processor, install the power connector for the processor fan. Check your motherboard reference manual for exact details.

On most motherboards, the power connector is located between the processor connector socket and the AGP card slot. The connector is keyed.

Install the connector carefully on the power pins on the motherboard. Make sure it is firmly seated.

Warning: There is a thermal sensor ribbon on the motherboard at the point where the processor module is inserted. In the lower right portion of Photo 40, there is a circle with an arrow pointing to it. The circle is in the vicinity of the ribbon sensor.
Exercise caution when inserting the processor module. Do not crease or break the thermal sensor ribbon. And be certain the ribbon is not caught under the processor module and blocking the card edge.

Photo 40. Install the Fan Power Cable

Step 29. Slide the Processor Module into the Guides

The processor module guides may be folded down. Photo 15 shows a motherboard with the processor module guides folded down. If the processor module guides are folded down, fold them up.

The heatsink support clip must be pushed fully into the fins or the clip will jam and you will not be able to seat the processor module.

Slide the processor module squarely into the processor module guides and then squarely into the processor socket. Make sure the processor module is fully seated in the socket.

Photo 41. Slide the Module In

Step 30. Firmly Seat the Processor Module

Push the processor down firmly to make sure the processor is fully seated. Visually inspect the processor module to verify that it is full inserted.

Photo 42. Firmly Seat the Processor Module