Prior to installing your cards a couple of considerations.
For maximum cooling you should leave as much space
as possible between add on cards, one
slot or more this is especially important for the newer video cards with the
newer MDAC which is a processor. Some will have a small fan with a heat sink
to help keep the MDAC cool, because they run at a higher frequency than the
older video cards. This is also true for the newer sound cards. Keeping open
space around these cards increases the cooling from the air circulating in
the computer case.
Speaking of cases, some of the case slots are not completely punched out, you
may have to pry them one direction and then work them back and forth to break
the metal that didn't get completely cut during manufacturing. Be careful with
these cases because the manufacture did not clean up the edges and they are
razor sharp. A small file to round off the edges would be a good idea, you never
know when you may have to put your hand inside the case. (If you do round off
the edges use a vacuum cleaner to get the metal filings out before you
power the system up!).
When you install your cards you need to seat them, I always put the slot
cover into the slot then slide the card down until it is setting in the slot, be
careful that you don't push the card into the slot at an angle you could damage
the card, the slot retainer, or both.
Now we install any extra fans
we purchased. Mounting the fans can be
a challenge, some come with cages that are easily mounted to the case others
will need a cage. In the case of an open fan you will have to do some research
to find a mounting cage for the fan. The fans come in two types, those
controlled by the motherboard and those connected to the power supply. Install
your extra fans. Most motherboards come with an instruction manual that will
give the motherboard layout, the connections will be noted on the 'map' or
drawing of the motherboard. Some motherboards have labels such as 'Fan 1', 'Fan
2', etc.
Before we power up we need to check our work:
Check all the cable connections, drives, power, case connections, all secure?
Last check, nothing in the fans? No extra
screws or hard ware? No tools inside the case?
Put the cover on the case, this will preclude you from touching anything while
the system is powered up!
Ok.
But first: check the installation guide for the motherboard, you need to know
the key sequence to get to the bios screen to set the time and date, drive types
for the hard drive and cd/dvd. There are other settings you can make in the bios
also. Those take some extra research and study before changing them!
Connect up your keyboard, mouse, and video. (turn on the monitor!)
Power up!
See the bios listing, CPU Speed, and memory count?
Press the key sequence to get to the bios.
Set your drives, time and date, any other parameters that you feel comfortable
setting.
Let the system boot.
Did the light on the floppy (if installed) and cd/dvd drives light up?
If you have a new drive that is not formatted and has an OS installed you should get a "non system disk" error.
If you don't have any problems you are ready to install the OS and play.
If you don't get a bios logo screen then something is not seated properly or has gone to
ground. Disconnect the power cord! Then trouble shoot your installation.
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subject constraints.
If you have a question that you did not find the answer
on this web site you a can
ask your question here and we will endeavor to get you the most up to date
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