Lyjotoblog

The goal of the first boot, is to test out all of our hardware and make sure that there are no problems before we get ready to install the operating system.

Now that everything is connected, go ahead and press the power button to start the machine up. Check and make sure that things are operating like on our previous quick power on test, mainly that the fans are working and we have video.

If the computer has been built correctly to this point, you should see a posting of the memory available and then a message stating that a first boot device or OS needs to be installed. Since we have nothing on the new hard drive, this is normal, and shows that the computer is properly seeing the hard drive.

Next we need to go into the BIOS and configure the DVD drive to be bootable for installation of Windows.

Next Step: BIOS Setup >

Now that everything is finished up on the inside of the machine, we need to connect all of our external devices such as the keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

1. If you still have the monitor connected from before on our quick power up test great! If not, go ahead and connect it to the video port on the video card now. If you have onboard video this will be mixed in with the other I/O ports on the back of the case, and if you installed it seperately to a slot it will be farther down in the back.
   
   
2. Connect the keyboard, mouse, and speakers to the matching I/O ports on the back of the case. Many times these are color coded so it makes it easier to connect. They are also labeled next to the ports with a mouse symbol for mouse, keyboard for keyboard etc.
   
   
3. Depending on how you plan on connecting to the internet, either connect the phone line to your modem OR connect the network cable that runs from you cable modem, DSL modem, or wireless router to the network port on the back of your computer. It will be the port that looks similar to a phone jack, just slightly larger. 
   
   
4. If you bought a scanner or printer, you can go ahead and connect it now, since Windows will detect and set the drivers for you when you run installation for the first time.

With everything attached to the inside and the outside of your new computer, we are ready to try and do a full boot test for the first time. Keep the side off the case so we can make sure everything is functioning properly, and troubleshoot if necessary.

Next Step: First Boot >

This is starting to look like a real computer isn't it? We are approaching the home stretch so hang in there. We have to attach the drives to our motherboard and power supply next. The cables you need to attach everything should have come with either your motherboard or individual drives, depending on if you bought the retail or OEM versions. Get the cables out as you will need them to install the drives.

Connect Hard Drive Cables

1. If you bought an SATA hard drive, the cable going from the drive to the motherboard is very easy to install, as the connectors can only fit one way into the drive and motherboard connections. Connect one end to the hard drive, and the other connector to the hard drive, aligning the connectors properly. If you bought an IDE hard drive, more than likely the connectors are tabbed, and can only fit one way into the connection slots. To be sure, when connecting the IDE cable to the hard drive, you want the red stripe facing closest to the power connecter. This is also known as 'pin 1', and is always installed this way. Attach the other end of the cable to the motherboard by installing it into the slot. Make sure both connections are snug and tight. 
   
   
2. Attach the SATA power connector from the power supply to the back of the hard drive if you have this drive type, or one of the standard power connectors if you have an IDE version. (A standard power connector will be the same shape as the connection slot on your drive, long and rectangular in shape)

Connect Floppy Cables

1. You will notice two connectors on the floppy cable probably, and since we have only one floppy drive, you want to attach the connector that is after the twist on the cable. This will mean that the floppy drive will be labeled as the A: drive within your operating system. 
   
   
2. Attach the other end of the cable to the motherboard, more than likely this will only fit one way, similar to attaching the other end.
   
   
3. Use the small power connector that runs from the power supply and plug it into the back of the floppy drive. Again, this can only be connected one way.

Connect CD-Rom / DVD Drive Cables

1. As described above, on an IDE cable more than likely the connectors are tabbed, and can only fit one way into the connection slots. To be sure, when connecting the IDE cable to the hard drive, you want the red stripe facing closest to the power connecter. This is also known as 'pin 1', and is always installed this way. Attach the other end of the cable to the motherboard by installing it into the slot. Make sure both connections are snug and tight.
   
   
2. Attach a standard power connector from the power supply to the back of the drive. (A standard power connector will be the same shape as the connection slot on your drive, long and rectangular in shape)

All of our drives are now secure, connected and have a power source. We can now finishing connecting things to the outside of the case.

Next Step: Connect External Cables >

When we prepared the case before, we recommended that you remove the front cover(s) for the location where you wanted to install your CD-Rom and/or DVD drive. The next step is to make sure they are configured correctly, and position them in the case.

1. Remove the drive from its packaging/anti static bag. 
   
   
2. Your drive should be an IDE type drive, and we will need to configure the drive, depending on if it is installed on its own cable or not. If the drive is on its own cable, and you have already installed an SATA hard drive, then set the jumper to master on the drive. Like the hard drive we configured before, there should be a diagram somewhere on the drive, or labeled on the drive directly how to configure it as master. If the drive is sharing a cable with the hard drive, we recommend setting is as cable select if your IDE hard drive was set to cable select, or slave if the IDE hard drive has been set to master. 
   
   
3. You should have already removed the front cover of where you want it to go, so and slide the drive into the case from the front. 
   
   
4. Line up the holes with the drive and the case, and make sure the drive is flush with the front edge of the case. 
   
   
5. Attach the screws to the case to secure the drive.
   
   
6. If you have more than one CD-Rom or DVD drive to install, repeat the exact same process as above.

Now that we have all of our drives secure in the case, it is time to hook everything up.

Next Step: Connect Internal Cables >

Now that we know our main components are working after doing our quick power up test, we can finish building the computer. We are going to configure all of the drives, and install them in the case.

Installing the Hard Drive

1. Remove the hard drive from its packaging/anti static bag. 
   
   
2. Select where you want to place the hard drive within the case, usually there are a couple of spots labeled 'HDD' where the hard drive is intended to go. 
   
   
3. On the top of the hard drive, there should be a diagram telling you how to jumper the drive for installation. 
   
   
4. If this is your only hard drive, and it is an SATA type drive, then you can set the drive as 'master'. Follow the diagram and place the jumper across the pins to make this setting. Many times leaving a jumper off completely will default the drive as master.
   
   
5. If you are installing an IDE type drive with another IDE hard drive or DVD/CD rom drive on the same cable, then set your jumper for master or cable select. Cable select means the computer will auto configure it for you. If you do set the drive to master, make sure you set the other drive you are installing on the same cable to 'slave' by setting the jumper correctly.
   
   
6. Once you have the drive jumpered and setup correctly, push it into the slot you want and line up the screw holes with the case. Make sure to leave the back to attach connections open, so you will want this facing to the rear.
   
   
7. Attach the four screws to the case and you are set!

Top

Installing the Floppy Drive

It is not as necessary as it used to be to have a floppy drive installed in your computer, but we recommend having one. If you did buy one follow the steps below:

1. Remove the floppy drive from its packaging/anti static bag. 
   
   
2. You should have already removed the front cover of where you want it to go, so slide the floppy into the case from the front in your designated open bay. 
   
   
3. Line up the holes with the drive and the case, and make sure the floppy drive is flush with the front edge of the case. 
   
   
4. Attach the screws to the case to secure the drive.

Let's continue on to install your DVD and/or CD-Rom drives.

Next Step: Install Cd-Rom and/or DVD Drive >