How to Build a Notebook

Building your own notebook computer is a challenging and time-consuming process, but it can also be a highly rewarding one. There's no reason to settle for a prebuilt notebook system offered at an electronics store if it doesn't have the exact specifications you want. If you want to build your own notebook, you will need to start with a bare-bones system that includes the case, screen and motherboard. From there, you will need to assemble each of the other components on your own.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bare-bones notebook system
• Screwdriver
• RAM modules
• Hard drive
• DVD drive processor
• Wireless network card
• Operating system installation disc

1. Acquire a bare-bones notebook computer system that has the screen size you want. Note the type of ports that it has, such as USB ports, FireWire ports and external flash card ports.

2. Check the bare-bones system's manual to find out the type and amount of RAM it can handle and the socket it uses for the processor. Get the remaining components you'll need for the notebook, such as the hard drive, DVD drive, RAM modules, processor, wireless network card and operating system installation disc.

3. Flip the system over so that the bottom side of the case is facing upward. Pull out the battery if it's already installed. Remove each of the screws on the bottom side of the case and set them aside.

4. Lift up on the plastic cover at the center of the case that covers the RAM ports. Line up the keyed notches on the bottom of the RAM with the notches on the ports. Slide the RAM into the ports. Put the plastic cover back onto the case and reattach the two screws that held it in place.

5. Pull off the plastic cover at the left end of the case. Push the DVD drive into the port and then reattach the screw to hold the drive into place. Pull off the last plastic cover at the lower-right end of the case that hides the hard drive port. Slide the hard drive into the port and then replace the cover and reattach the screws.

6. Turn the notebook back over and open up the screen's lid. Push a small, flat object underneath the plastic bezel located above the keyboard. Pop the plastic bezel off of the notebook and set it aside. Remove any visible screws holding the keyboard in place.

7. Pull up on the keyboard until you can see a wire running to the motherboard. Disconnect the wire and then set they keyboard aside. Locate the processor socket at the lower-right end of the motherboard.

8. Align the pins on the processor with the holes on the processor socket. Push the socket onto the processor. Set the heat sink and fan assembly that came with the processor on top and then attach its screws.

9. Push the wireless network card into the port on the far left side of the motherboard. Connect the wire from the motherboard back into the port on the bottom of the keyboard. Set the keyboard back onto the case and reattach its screws. Push the plastic bezel back onto the case above the keyboard.

10. Push the battery into the slot on the bottom of the notebook. Open up the notebook's screen and power the unit on. Put the installation disc for the operating system into the DVD drive. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the operating system and finish building the notebook.

Tips & Warnings

• Static electricity can destroy your new notebook and its various components. Make sure you properly ground yourself before touching any of the notebook's internal components by touching a metal object connected to the floor.

References

• Building your own notebook computer
• Assembling a notebook computer