Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
available when you begin the assembly process. Placing them on an optical disc or flash
driveisagoodidea;thatwayyoucanaccessthemeasilyandinstallthemwhennecessary.
System Assembly and Disassembly
Actually assembling the system is easy after you have lined up all the components. In
fact, you will find the parts procurement phase the most lengthy and trying of the entire
experience. Completing the system is basically a matter of screwing everything together,
plugging in all the cables and connectors, and configuring everything to operate properly.
In short order, you will find out whether your system operates as you had planned or
whether some incompatibilities exist between some of the components. Be careful, and
pay attention to how you install all your components. It is easy to forget a jumper, switch,
or cable connection that later causes problems in system operation. Most people's first
reaction when problems occur is to blame defective hardware, but that is usually not the
source. The problem can typically be traced to some missed step or error made in the as-
sembly process.
Above all, the most crucial rule of assembling your own system is to save every piece
of documentation and software that comes with every component in your system. This
material can be indispensable in troubleshooting problems you encounter during the as-
semblyprocessorlater.Youshouldalsoretainallthepackingmaterials usedtoshipmail-
order components to you until you are certain they will not have to be returned.
Assembly Preparation
The process of physically assembling a PC requires only a few basic tools: a 1/4-inch
nut driver or a Phillips-head screwdriver for the external screws that hold the cover in
place and a 3/16-inch nut driver or Phillips-head screwdriver for all the other screws.
Needle-nose pliers can also help in removing motherboard standoffs, jumpers, and stub-
born cable connectors. Because of marketplace standardization, only a couple types and
sizesofscrews(withafewexceptions)holdasystemtogether.Also,thephysicalarrange-
mentofthemajorcomponentsissimilarevenamongdifferentmanufacturers.
Figure19.1
shows the components that go into a typical system, and
Figure 19.2
shows the system
with those components assembled. Note that the components shown here are for a stand-
ard PC. Your final component list might vary.
Figure 19.1
Components used in building a typical PC.
