Costruire un computer/Assemblaggio

Template:HTBACTOC Una volta scelti i componenti, si può iniziare la parte più divertente di tutto il processo, ovvero l'assemblamento del computer.

Strumenti ed equipaggiamento

Ci sono alcuni strumenti necessari per assemblare un computer. I seguenti sono un buon punto di partenza, e includono il minimo indispensabile per costruire un computeter funzionante.

Strumenti di base

Prima di iniziare a costruire o riadattare un computer, sono necessari gli strumenti di base:

• #2 Phillips cacciavite manuale
• Pinze ad ago
• Manuale della scheda madre
• Anti-static Wrist Strap or Grounding Mat

Put the RAM module in the socket. Line up the notch in the center of the module with the one in the center of the RAM socket, making sure to insert it the right way. Force the module until both levers go into the notches on both sides of the module. Do not use too much force as it may break the RAM module.

Start adding RAM at "Bank 0" or "DIMM 1". If you don't start from "Bank 0" or "DIMM 1" the system will think there is no RAM and not boot.

On newer motherboards with 4 slots, you'll see alternating colors. For example, slot 1 is blue, slot 2 is black, slot 3 is blue, slot 4 is black. If you were to put 1 gigabyte of ram in your pc, it's best to use dual channel 512MBx2 chips. Put the first 512MB chip in slot 1, and put the 2nd chip in slot 3 (the two slots that are blue) - leaving slot 2 empty. This will give you better performance, vs. putting 1gb in slot 1, or two 512mb chips in slot 1 and 2.

RAM = Random Access Memory

Video Card

You may or may not have an AGP video card. Your motherboard may have a built-in video adapter, or you might have a PCI video card. If you do not have an AGP video card, skip this section.

Install the video card into the AGP socket. This is always the top expansion slot near the back of the computer. AGP slots are often brown, but can also be strange colours such as fluorescent green. Check the motherboard for levers (or similar devices) that are part of the AGP slot to help hold the card in place. These must be retracted before insertion of the card. Check the motherboard's manual for information on how to use these devices (if your motherboard has one.) Push the card into the socket (AGP slots are often pretty tight, don't be afraid to push it until it's well inserted), then screw it in at the top of the metal bracket. If it has a power connector, connect it to a 4-pin molex connector. If it has a pass through, do not connect it to a hard drive.

Drives

Next install the hard drive and optical drives.

Before you install IDE/ATA drives, you will need to set the drives jumpers, so that your motherboard knows which drive is which; consult your motherboard/drive's instructions on how to do this. The jumpers configurations are usually either printed on the back, or on the top of the drive. Drives can be configured in 2 ways: Drive Select or Cable Select. Cable select automatically assigns slave/master based on the plug on the IDE cable the drive is plugged into, as long as you have the proper 80-pin cable. Put the jumper on CS, unless you are using a 40-pin cable. In drive select, master/slave is determined by the jumper. In this mode, configure one of the drives the master, and the other slave. If the IDE channel has only one drive, check your documentation for the appropriate setting, which is usually master.

Each IDE/ATA channel can handle two drives, a master and a slave. SATA can only handle one drive, so there is no need to adjust jumpers. How a drive is installed will depend on the case. When using an IDE cable, plug the two connectors that are closer together into the 2 drives, and the third to the controller or motherboard. The connector furthest from the board should be attached to the Master drive. Make sure the drive that you will install your OS on is primary master. (Note: IDE connectors are keyed, so it should be impossible to insert them backwards. However, it doesn't require very much force to do this, and you may destroy your motherboard if so. Also look carefully at the drive and the cable connection before you try to connect them. You will probably see a "missing" pin on the drive, and a corresponding blocked socket on the connector. If you break a pin on the drive, you will probably have a worthless drive. Note: most parallel IDE cables have a colored stripe down one side. That colored stripe signifies "pin 1" - and usually will line up next to the molex power connection on your drive. Use this rule of thumb if your connectors aren't keyed.) Next, plug a 4 pin molex power connector into each hard drive and optical drive. If you are installing the power connector to a SATA drive, only install one of the power connectors. Some drives have the option of using either the SATA power connector (a flat about 1" wide connector) or the standard molex connector; use one or the other, not both.

If you install a floppy disk drive, the cable is very similar to the IDE cable, but with fewer wires. Floppy drives do not have master/slave. BUT the floppy disk connector is not usually keyed, and will go in either way up! One wire in the IDE cable will be coloured differently: this is pin 1. There is usually some indication on the floppy drive as to which side this is. The power plug for a floppy is 4 pins in a line, but rather smaller than the standard hard drive power connector.

Expansions and Connections

Now, install any PCI cards that you have. These generally include sound cards, network cards, video cards, and TV tuners. These fit into the white slots that are just below your AGP slot (if your motherboard has one).

Also plug in any power cords, including the 20pin and the 4 pin cords that you haven't plugged in yet. Before you finish up and power it up, you need to connect the power/reset buttons and front panel lights. The plugs from the front of the case will be labeled. The pins on the motherboard may be labeled, but they will be difficult to read because they are small. See the foldout that came with the motherboard for where to connect these connectors. The front panel LEDs are polarised: usually the positive wire is white.

In addition, you can optionally connect any case-specific port if it is supported by the motherboard. Some common examples include USB ports and sound ports.

Next, close the case and take your computer to where you will be using it. Plug in the power cord, mouse, keyboard, monitor, and any other peripherals you may have to the computer.

Power Up

Then press the power button. If smoke appears (it shouldn't, unless your power supply or cooling systems are really bad), or if the computer doesn't do anything, check the steps above to make sure you haven't missed anything. Give special attention to the cables and power connections. If the computer does appear to come on, but, you hear beeps, listen carefully to the beeps and then turn it off and refer to your motherboard's manual for the meaning of the beeps. Some boards have an optional diagnostic device, usually a collection of LEDs, which when properly plugged in will inform you of the nature of the problem. Instructions for installing this as well as the meaning of it's display should be in the manual for the motherboard. If it turns on but the only thing that comes on is your power supply, turn off your computer. This probably means something is shorted, and leaving it on could damage the parts.

At this point, you will wish to set certain options in the Computer's BIOS (usually be pressing 'F1' or 'Del' a few seconds after boot.) These options will be explained in the motherboard manual. In general, the default options are OK, but you may wish to set the computer's hardware clock to the correct time and date. The BIOS is also where you determine the default boot order of the system, typically Floppy, then CD-ROM, then Hard Disc.

If you want a further quick test, before you install an operating system, you may find a bootable CD-ROM such as Knoppix extremely useful.

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