The Steps to Build a Computer.
- First, one must ground themself, otherwise the electrical current in your body will fry any or all pieces you touch. A simple grounding strap or touching anything metal (the empty computer tower will suffice as well) will do the trick.
- Second, open the case and find the screws that come with it. Then place the Motherboard upon the spot where there is a big square with 4 screw holes on the corners. Lining up the motherboard with the holes, screw in the screws tight enough so the motherboard will not budge.
- Third, find the square area on the motherboard that is the size of the CPU. Line up the triangle of one of the corners of the spot with the gold triangle of the CPU and gently place, with the pins facing down, the CPU. The metal hatch that holds the CPU down will be snug to hold it tightly on the motherboard.
- Fourth, find 2-4 (depending on the amount the motherboard has) slots where a long thin part can be placed. The RAM goes here. Push the switches outward and line up the RAM with the notches in the slot. Apply pressure downwards with both thumbs on each end of the RAM until a clicking sound occurs and the switches go inward.
- Fifth, several smaller but thicker slots should be near the RAM slots. These would be the Expansion Slots, mainly used for video, sound, or network cards. Place the expansion card, such as the video card, and apply pressure downwards. There should also be a screw to hold the card in place, whcih should be done so.
- Sixth, any type of Optical Drives will be installed in the upper right hand corner of the tower (assuming you have the tower on its side with the back facing left). The drive should slide in the slot easily and align with 2 holes for screws (Optionally, if the tower can be opened on both sides, there might be 2 more holes to put screws in, should one want extra stability for the drive).
- Seventh, the Hard Drive should have a slot that is closer to the bottom of the front side of the tower, not on the motherboard. The same process for the drive will apply to the hard drive, with 2 screws to screw into the side of the hard drive.
- Eighth, the Power Supply will reside in the top of the back side of the tower, also not on the motherboard. It should slide into place and 4 screws would be necessary for the power supply.
- Ninth, the Power Supply should have multiple plugs that can attach to the multiple parts within the tower. The motherboard, optical drive(s), and hard drive(s) will have a 4 pin slot for these plugs to be inserted. There should also be a blue cable, which is called a SATA cable, that connects the motherboard and the hard drive, which be done so.
- Finally, after putting back together the tower, plug in the monitor to the expansion card or on-board slot from the motherboard, the keyboard, mouse, and power cables. Press the on button and it should come to life!
