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

Step 36. Install the Monitor Cable

Install your monitor cable to the monitor output port of the AGP graphics port.Photo 48 shows that this connector is trapezoid shaped and can only be installed one way.

Place the cable squarely and firmly on the connector and tighten the retention screws.

Photo 48. Install Monitor Cable

Step 37. Verify the 115/230 Setting

Verify the power voltage setting on the back of your power supply. The power voltage setting is usually visible on a red slide switch on the back of the system.

If the voltage value shown matches the voltage in your area, then proceed to the next step. Otherwise, slide the switch to the appropriate voltage value using a small bladed screwdriver.

Notice in Photo 49 the indentation on the slide switch. Use this to change your voltage setting.

Photo 49. Verify the 115/230 Setting

Step 38. Install the Line Power Cable

Plug one end of the line power cable into the power supply socket. Then plug the standard power plug into the wall socket.

If there is a power switch in the back of the machine, make sure that it is set to ON (0=OFF, 1=ON).

Photo 50. Power Cable Installed

Step 39. Start Your System and Configure the BIOS

Your system is now ready to power up and run.

After being turned on, the system should start and run through its standard testing procedure. Your motherboard manual will explain how to configure your BIOS on initial startup. Please read and follow those instructions carefully.

Photo 51. A Completed System

Step 40. Load the Operating System

After your BIOS is configured properly, you can load your operating system. If your operating system uses a startup diskette, place it into the diskette drive and restart your system by either pressing the restart button or turning off the power, waiting about ten seconds, and then turning it back on.

If your operating system can start directly from the CD-ROM, press the button on the CD-ROM drive, place the CD-ROM in the tray, and push the tray or the button to retract the tray. Then restart the system.

Follow the operating system's detailed instructions for proper installation.

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