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Step 1
Install the Computer Processing Unit (CPU) into its slot on your motherboard. Match the CPU pins very carefully and gently but firmly push the CPU into place. Take care not to apply any forcible pressure - if it does take some force for the CPU to go in, then it has inserted improperly and can possibly break. Remove it and insert it again.
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Step 2
Install your fan/heat sink on the motherboard. Modern CPUs operate at high speeds and run pretty hot. The fan was developed to cope with this. The importance of a high quality, highly efficient fan cannot be over-emphasized.
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Step 3
Install the Memory (RAM chips) into the RAM slots, which look like long memory card slots on your motherboard. Align the RAM chip with the slot, and then gently push it all the way in place. Hook the clips for the RAM chip to keep it in place.
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Step 4
Once you have installed the CPU, fan and RAM chips on your motherboard, the motherboard is assembled and ready to be installed in your computer case.
Locate the screw placeholders in your computer case. Align the motherboard with the case's holes and screw it in place. -
Step 5
Install the power supply. To do this, you will need to slide it into the brackets found near the corner of the case and screw on to hold it in place. Once you have installed the power supply, you have all of these wires. No need to worry. The wires are clearly labeled and the manual that came with the power supply will give detailed instructions on which wire goes where.
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Step 6
Install the hard drive. The hard drive typically has a removable bracket with four rubber grommets on it, which line up with four holes on the hard drive. Screw the hard drive into this bracket, and then put the bracket back into its slot in the case. Make sure you set the jumpers correctly.
You will then connect the hard disk to the power using one of the connectors coming off of the power supply. -
Step 7
Install the cables. There should be a colored mark across one edge of the cable. Line up this colored line with the IDE connector marked "1." Insert the other end to the back of the hard drive and you're ready to go.
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Step 8
Install the CD-ROM drive. This step is very similar to installing the hard drive. First set the jumpers. Screw the drive into the case and connect the IDE cables the same way you connected the hard drive above.
This step is the same whether you are installing a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM or even a DVD-R/RW drive -
Step 9
Install the video card. To install a video card, sound card, or other expansion card, simply find the corresponding connector on the motherboard and gently plug it in.
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Step 10
Powering up the Computer - this is the moment of truth! Now that you have completed the construction of your dream machine, you can now boot it up to test and see if it works. When you turn on the computer, you should check for these components to see if the system is working properly. You hear the fans start spinning, the hard disk turning, and various lights lighting up on the case. The monitor flickers on to indicate that the motherboard is alive
Now that you have successfully built your computer you can now turn to the task of installing the operating system.
