1. Assembling a Computer Safety Precautions CPU Installation
Motherboard Installation
System Memory Installation
Drive Installation
Final Checklist
Boot the system, set BIOS options
Install Operating System

2. Safety Checklist Protect against ESD
Anti-static wrist strap
Anti-static mat
Don't work on a carpeted floor
Don't plug unit directly into the wall, use a fused power strip
Keep work area clean and free of clutter
Cover sharp edges inside the case with tape

3. Motherboard Layout Main ATX Power Connector Memory (RAM) Sockets
Rear I/O Panel
Floppy Drive Connector
IDE Connectors
CPU Socket
SATA
Hard Drive Connectors
PCI Expansion Card Slots

4. Installing the CPU

5. Intel Pentium 4

6. Line up the arrow corner of the CPU with the corner of the socket that has pins missing
Open the locking lever

7. Lower the metal cover and lower the locking arm to secure in place.

8. Adding Heat Transfer Paste

9. Installing or Replacing System Memory

10. Random Access Memory (RAM)
Notice the notch in the pins, and that the two sections of pins are different sizes. This makes it impossible to install RAM incorrectly.

11. Inserting RAM - 1
Open the locking latches on the socket by swiveling them to the outside.

12. Inserting RAM - 2
Make sure the notch on the RAM lines up with the shoulder on the socket.

13. Inserting RAM - 3
Press down with both thumbs. If RAM is installed properly, both white locking levers will automatically close.

14. Inserting RAM - 4
Done!

15. Installing or Replacing a Hard Drive

16. IDE (PATA) Drive Connectors
Drive comes set to be Master, if this is the second drive on the cable, change jumper to slave.
Notice the missing Pin 20 on the bottom row of Data Connector
Data Connector
Jumper Pins
Power Connector

18. IDE Motherboard Connectors
Two IDE Channels (2 Devices each)
Non-White port is Primary, White is Secondary
IDE Motherboard Connectors

19. Same is true for the connection on the other end of cable
Match missing Pin 20 on cable with missing Pin 20 on the drive and push.

20. I find it easier to connect the cable before I mount the drive.
I find it easier to plug in cable before I mount the drive
I find it easier to connect the cable before I mount the drive.

21. Power cable goes in only 1 way, round on top, square on bottom
Notice the top of the Molex power connector is rounded, the bottom is square. You can't plug it in wrong.

22. Legacy Power Connector
SATA Drive Connectors
Notice the "L"-shaped plastic guide on the two SATA connectors
Power Connector
Data Connector
Jumper Pins
(Not Used)
Legacy Power Connector

23. Connecting SATA Drives
The socket has an L-shaped shoulder, the plug has an L-shaped slot: line them up and push.
Pictured is the 16-pin power connector, but the process is the same for the data connector.

24. Inserting a PCI Card
Peripheral Component Interconnect

25. Bar across the top of the cards keeps them in place

26. If yours is not a tooless case, you'll have screws in each card keeping them in place

27. Remove the back plane (dust protector) by pulling up on it.

28. Remember the card slot is not centered on the hole.

29. Notice 2 sets of pins, the back plane replaces the dust cover you just took out.

30. Insert the card at a slight angle, small set of pins first, then rock the card down inserting the backplane tab into its channel.

31. Press down firmly, front and back

32. OEM and Retail Parts
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are made for big PC sellers.
They don't come with a nice box, a manual, software (drivers) or accoutrements (cables, screws, etc.)
Cheaper than retail version, if you can do without the stuff.
Drive screws and cables provided by motherboard manufacturer, drivers can be downloaded, and who needs instructions for a hard drive installation?

33. Pre-Boot Check List CPU fan properly connected to power
Case fan(s) connected to power
Memory inserted and locked
Expansion cards inserted properly and locked
Drives screwed or locked into position

34. Check List (con'd)
Drive connectors seated properly on drives and on motherboard
No cables or other protruding into the fans
Main power switch is off, and main power cables connected properly to motherboard

35. First Time Boot Enter BIOS Setup program during POST.
The BIOS Logo Screen will tell you what key to hit to enter Setup.
On Dell, it's <F2>.
On Gateway, it's <F1>.
On ours, it's <Del>.
You have to hit the key before the Logo screen disappears (before the end of POST).