Cheap Computers and Parts

Step 1: Setting up - What you will need

This lesson isn't completely necessary but we suggest you do not skip it unless you feel uncomfortable doing it.

We want to test your motherboard to see if the components are good or bad. If we don't test it now and we finish building the computer and it doesn't power up, then we have to take everything apart to figure out what the problem is which can be very time consuming!

What you will need:

• Your power supply
• Your motherboard
• Your motherboard manual
• Your video card if applicable
• A piece of cardboard, a wooden board or large magazine the size of the motherboard to set it on
• Your computer case

Step 2: Find the power button pins on the motherboard

Once you have all the above items, go ahead and sit the motherboard on the cardboard, wood or magazine before we forget.

Next we need to read through the motherboard owners manual and locate the pins that control the front panel system power. There should be a diagram somewhere in the manual describing the front panel pins and it will be labeled as "PWR" or "PW" or similar.

On the motherboard itself, it will be in a cluster of pins that looks similar to the one in the image below:

Consult your motherboard owners manual to determine which pin is Positive and which one is Negative.

Step 3: Plug the case into the motherboard

Inside the case are some wires. Each one should be labeled either on the tips or in a manual. We need to find the wire for the power. It should be marked "PWR", "PW", "Power" or similar.

Once you locate the power wire, plug it into the appropriate pins on the motherboard. You can place the motherboard and whatever you chose to put under it on the corner of the case if the wires are not long enough to reach outside the case.

There's usually a small triangle on one of the sides near the tip indicating which side is positive. Line this up with the positive pin on your motherboard. If it doesn't work, then flip it around.

Step 4: Install your video card if applicable

If your video card is not integrated into the motherboard or we have one to install, we should temporarily install it now.

The video card in our example is a PCI-Ex16 card so therefore we must locate the PCI-E x16 Slot.

Similar to installing the RAM, a PCI-E x16 card can only go in one way. The notches will all line up and all you have to do is gently press down on the card until it's fully seated in the slot.

Use extreme caution when installing your cards outside of the case like this. If you move it too far in any direction, you risk damaging the card and/or motherboard.

Step 5: Plug the power supply into the motherboard

Most newer motherboards have a 24-pin power plug (sometimes a 20+4 pin plug) and a 4-pin power plug. Locate the cables on the power supply and plug them into the motherboard. There's only one way they can plug in.

This plug comes with a 20+4 pin power cable (the yellow plug is the other 4-pins) which means it can plug into motherboards that use 20 and 24 pin connectors.

This is the 4-pin plug. Do not confuse this with the 4-pin plug on the 20+4 pin power connector.

Step 6: Component check

Before we give it power, we should double check our work. Gently press down on the RAM to verify it's installed and not loose.

Check the heatsink, video card and power connectors as well.

Step 7: Give it power

Your power supply should come with a wire that plugs into the power supply and into a power outlet, preferably a UPS or surge protector. Plug one end of the cord to the power supply and if your power supply has an on/off switch, verify it's in the off " 0 " position.

Now plug the other end into an outlet.

Once it's plugged in, go ahead and flip the on/off switch into the on " 1 " position and press the power button on the front of the case. If all goes well, you should see the CPU fan spin and you should hear one beep after a few seconds.

If it doesn't power up, don't panic! There's usually something simple that can fix it. Go through the list below to help you troubleshoot.

• Is the power cable plugged into the back of the power supply?
• Is the power supply turned on?
• Is the power plugged into a surge protector? If so, is the surge protector plugged into an outlet and turned on?
• Is the power supply plugged into the motherboard?
• Is the plug for the power button plugged into the right pins?
• Is the fan for the heatsink plugged into the motherboard?

If you are still not getting any power then you might have a bad motherboard or power supply. You can always contact the maker of the motherboard and talk to someone in their tech department for further assistance. A quicker alternative is to simply go to google and type in exactly what's happening, or what's not happening.

Unfortunately, we (cheap computers and parts) do not offer any technical support. However, if you still need help, chances are you know someone that knows someone that knows a lot about computers that can help you.

Step 8: Unplug the PSU and Remove the Video Card

When you are ready to continue, flip the power button on the back of the power supply to "0" to turn it off, unplug it from the outlet and the back of the power supply.

Once you turn it off, unplug the power supply from the motherboard and remove the video card as well.

Next Lesson: Mounting the Motherboard Part 1

Once we have successfully tested the motherboard, it's time to start prepping the case for the motherboard. Let's start by going to Lesson 7: Mounting the Motherboard Part 1 - Mounting Screws.