Assembling a Basic Desktop PC
Step 1: Prepare the parts
These are:
Processor (CPU)
Computer Case
Optical Drive (DVD RW and SATA capable)
Memory
Power Supply
Sata Cables
Motherboard
Processor Fan
Case Fan
Hard Drive
Assortment of case and drive screws
Flowers (if necessary)
Step 2: Gather tools and supplies
Screwdriver
Wire cutters and strippers
Needle-nosed pliers
Utility knife
Small flashlight
Adjustable wrench
Small container to hold screws
Heat sink compound
Grounding strap
Step 3: Open the Case
Open the computer case by removing the side panels. Find the screws that hold
the side panels in place and remove them
Step 4: Prepare the Case for Assembly
Step 5: Put the ground strap on your wrist
Connect the other end to the computer case.
Step 6: Install Motherboard
Step 7: Install Hard Drive
Step 8: Install Optical Drive
Step 9: Install the CPU
Step 10: Install RAM
1. Set the RAM board in the socket as shown in figure 22.
2. Press firmly on both ends of the board to set it into the socket.
Step 11: Install the CPU Fan
Step 12: Install Case Fan
Step 13: Install Power Supply
Step 14: Connect Cables
Step 15: Wrap-up
PC MAINTENANCE
1. Fight the Dust
Dust is the ultimate enemy of the innards of the PC, causing heat build up that
can result in spontaneous reboots or worse. Buy some canned air (i.e. a gas duster)
and make sure to blow out the vents.
2. Stay Off the Floor
Try not to put your PC on the floor. Not only will you avoid the bigger, meaner
dust bunnies, but elevation keeps the computer away from overactive feet kicking out
the plug, protects it from out of control vacuum cleaner collisions, and guards it from,
worst of all, carpet-generated static electricity.
3. Out of the Closet
Some computer furniture features a built-in, hideaway cabinet to store a
desktop/tower PC. Do not put it in a closet. Heat build up will kill it. Let your PC breathe.
4. Don't Mash the Keys
5. Stop Having Lunch in your PC
6. Keep Inputs Clean
Nothing on a computer gets dirtier than your keyboard and mouse—even if you
don't eat lunch at your desk. Crud build-up can prevent decent typing or cursor
movement. You should clean them with canned air, or even a vacuum with a brush.
7. Shut Down, Don't Power Off
Sorry, computers aren't TVs, and that means when you're done using them, you
shouldn't just power them down (or worse, unplug). You should follow the proper
procedures for shutting down the OS: close all windows, remove CDs/DVDs, Shut
Down, and power off.
8. Limit Program Auto-Loading
Lots of programs start with Windows, but not all of them should. Use software
like WinPatrol PLUS or Solution to ID your startup programs and see which apps are
hogging resources unnecessarily.
9. Wash Windows, Carefully
The window to your Windows is your monitor. Keep in clean and fingerprint free.
But don't use actual glass cleaner on an LCD screen unless you like permanent streaks.
Use soft cloths like you'd use on eyeglasses for dust, and buy advanced monitor wipes
to do any serious cleaning.
10. Defrag Drives
As hard disk drives get bigger and bigger, it may be more important than ever to
defragment the contents. This way the computer won't spend all of its time trying to find
files spread across the platters.
11. Remove Old Programs
We all occasionally install software we don't use regularly, if at all, in the long run.
Those extra programs do more than take up space, they could cause conflicts with
other programs. Get rid of what you don't need,
12. Clean the OS
Those uninstalled programs leave stuff in the registry. Couple that with browsers
cookies, OS temp files, memory dump files, and file fragments and your drive could be
clogged with a whole lot of crap. Run Ccleaner to excise the unneeded.
13. Got to Sleep (or Hibernate)
If you don't want to go through a long startup, at least set your PC to sleep (a
power-saving mode) or better yet, hibernate (it saves your work and almost powers off
but comes back faster than having to perform a full boot-up).
14. Max Out the RAM
When your computer starts to feel like it’s not performing up to snuff, the first
thing you should do is increase the amount of RAM to the maximum allowed. It'll add
years to your computing.
optical disk drive-uses a laser light to read data from or write data to an optical disc.
Hard drive-the primary computer storage device, which spins, reads and writes one or more
fixed disk platters.
cpu-handles all instructions it receives from hardware and software running on the
computer.
RAM- volatile storage that is used as the main memory in computer systems.
CASE FAN- help bring cool air into and blow hot air out of the case.
power supply in computer-Converts AC power from the wall into the right kind of power for
the individual parts of your computer
