Computer building tips and tricks

Here are some thoughts and computer building tips and tricks to consider before you get started on your journey of building your own - or a gift - computer.

The most important thing – This is a fun project, and even some of the best technicians have off days. Don’t take anything too seriously. Computers are complicated, yes: Putting computer parts together is very easily done.

If your budget doesn’t allow for all the bells and whistles right away, don’t sweat it. One of the great things about computers is that you can always change parts later when your budget allows for it. As for now, you may want to make a print-out of my computer building tips and tricks.

Quick Solutions are at hand

If you want to cut research time and build time in half, you can order a bare-bones system (this is a case with a motherboard, processor, memory and cd-rom already installed). Or another option when ordering the motherboard is to choose one with several integrated components (video, sound and network). Be sure to study exactly what your order includes.

Multiple Screws

For those pesky components with multiple screws (motherboard, power supply, cd-rom, hard drive, etc.) it is usually a good idea to insert each screw one at a time with only a few turns and then tighten all screws after they are in place. This will allow for the component to align itself correctly and it keeps you from having to go back and loosen screws that you have already tightened.

Other Screw Ideas

When removing parts it is sometimes a good idea to either put the screws back into the components holes or keeping an empty egg carton nearby the work area also comes in handy.

Anti-Static Bags

When you order components separately they should come wrapped in anti-static bags. The common myth is that these bags are designed to “absorb” static. Quite the contrary, these special anti-static bags are designed to “deflect” static electricity.

Care must be taken not to set your components on top of these bags as they will most definitely be the target of the static “deflection”.

More computer building tips and tricks:

Power Supplies

1. These big bulky things take up a lot of room in the chassis. I like to install the power supply last so that I can have the most working room available. All those pesky wires flopping around tend to get in the way too.
2. Power supplies can hold quite a charge inside, in little parts called capacitors. Please DO NOT attempt to open the external case on your power supply unless you have previous experience working with these components.

Floppy Drives

The original computer was not designed to be used with multiple floppy drives installed. As a result when adding another floppy drive there had to be some way to tell the computer how to differentiate between floppy A and Floppy B. That is how the floppy cable came to have a set of wires switched at the end.

Hard Drives

When mounting your hard drive, make sure that it is either perfectly vertical or horizontal. Running a hard drive that is leaning at an angle can cause undue stress on the internal actuator arms, or even possibly a Head Crash (That’s when the head actually touches the drive platter). An improperly mounted hard drive will have a significantly shorter life span.

How's that for computer building tips and tricks!

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