How to Build a Reconditioned Computer

So you want to know how to build a reconditioned computer. People these days are trying to make things go further and last longer. So when it's time to trade in the old PC, you might want to think about putting your own together. Many people throw out old computers that are perfectly good except for a few problems or one fault component. Knowing how to take those parts and make something out of them can get you a cheap but powerful computer.

Things You'll Need

• CPU with appropriate cooler Motherboard with integrated video and sound RAM Hard Drive DVD Burner Power Supply Case IDE Wires (new) Monitor Keyboard Mouse Operating System

Instructions

1. Acquire all the parts you will need to make this computer (see shopping list above). There's several ways in which to purchase used computer parts: eBay auctions and craigslist being the two best. But also take out an ad on craigslist offering to buy or otherwise acquire broken computers; offer to come and pick them up and dispose of them for free.

2. Ideally, you will find a computer with a working power supply, case, motherboard, CPU and CPU cooler. If not, you will need to mount a new motherboard into the case. Remove the old motherboard (if necessary), and use the small screws that come with the case to screw the motherboard into position through the holes on the board. Mount the CPU and fan into place (they only fit one way).

3. Mount the DVD burner into the largest of the bays in the case, and the one nearest the top of the case. Using the new IDE cables (flat, wide ribbon cables), connect the burner to the secondary IDE port on the motherboard. Find an appropriate power plug (four pins, white plastic) coming from the power supply, and connect up the power.

4. Mount the hard drive into the smallest of the bays in the case; this one will not have access to the outside of the case. Connect the drive to the motherboard using an IDE cable connected to the primary IDE port. Connect it to the power supply as described in Step 3.

5. Connect the "incidental" wires. There are a handful of wires that come from the case that control things like the power button and the red light for the hard drive on the front of the case. If you have the motherboard's manual, you should be able to find a diagram of where and how these connect. If not, check the lower right hand corner of the motherboard (as you look at it installed in the case) for a handful (20 or so) tall pins sticking out. These will be labeled things like "HD" or "SPKR." You may have to experiment with these a bit to figure out which goes to which, but the wires at least will be labeled.

6. Boot up the computer and enter the BIOS. Change the boot order in the basic setup to boot from your DVD burner first. Then reboot the computer with the Windows disc in the drive.

7. Delete all partitions on the hard drive. As you proceed with the Windows installation, you will eventually reach the partition screen where it will ask you which partition you want to install Windows onto. Highlight each partition on the drive and delete them. When done, create a new one, and install Windows to that.

Tips & Warnings

• Install more RAM, as this is the cheapest way to make improve your "new" computer's speed and performance.

• The average user doesn't need anything close to the fastest or the coolest computer; though you will want speed, you don't need top-end everything. If your motherboard has on-board sound and video, you won't even need separate video and sound cards.