How to Build Your Own Notebook

Although there are numerous prebuilt notebook computers available on the market with a wide range of capabilities, you may want to build your own so that you have control over the system's specifications. Unlike when building a new desktop system, you actually start with a bare-bones computer that already has the case, monitor, power supply and battery included when you build your own notebook machine.

Things You'll Need

• Bare-bones notebook computer
• Processor
• RAM modules
• Hard drive
• Graphics card
• Wireless card
• CD or DVD drive
• Operating system software
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Flip over the notebook case. Remove the battery from the bare-bones system case and set it aside.

2. Remove all the screws at the center and along the edges of the case. Pull off the two plastic covers near the middle of the case that expose the RAM module ports and the hard-drive port. Insert the RAM modules into their ports. Insert the hard drive into the hard-drive port. Put the plastic covers back onto the case and reattach their screws.

3. Insert the CD or DVD drive into the open hole on the left side of the case and then attach the screw that holds it into place. Turn the notebook case back over and open the top lid. Place a flat object such as the head of a screwdriver underneath the plastic bezel above the keyboard. Pop the bezel off of the case and set it aside. Pull the keyboard off the case until its motherboard cable is visible.

4. Disconnect the cable running from the motherboard to the keyboard and then set the keyboard aside. Find the processor port on the right side of the motherboard. Check the configuration of the pins on the bottom of the processor and compare them to the holes on the socket. Gently push the processor down onto the socket. Set the processor heat sink above the processor and then attach their screws.

5. Slide the graphics card into the port at the bottom of the motherboard and then connect the screws. Place the wireless card into the port on the left side of the motherboard and connect its screws. Reattach the keyboard and the plastic bezel. Reconnect the screws on the bottom of the case and pop the battery back in.

6. Put the operating system disc into the notebook and follow the instructions on the screen to install the operating system and finish building your own notebook computer.

Tips & Warnings

• When buying the computer, note the socket type that it uses for its processor, the total amount of RAM it can use and if it has a port for an extra graphics card.

• The components in your notebook computer can be damaged by static electricity from your body. Prevent damage to your computer by touching a metal object touching to the floor before opening the notebook.