Chapter 23

1. Chapter 23 Purchasing a PC or Building Your Own

2. You Will Learn… • Some guidelines to use when purchasing a PC • How to prepare for assembling a PC yourself • How to assemble a PC from separately purchased parts

3. Selecting a PCto Meet Your Needs • Alternatives when selecting a PC • Buy a brand-name PC • Buy a clone • Buy parts and assemble a PC yourself (personally designed clone)

4. Selecting a PC to Meet Your Needs (Hierarchical) • Identify the intended purpose • Define functionality needed to meet needs of the intended purpose • Define hardware and software needed to meet the functionality • Decide on your budget • If a clone will meet your needs, do you want to assemble it yourself?

5. Purchasing a Brand-Name PC vs. a Clone • Brand-name • Costs more than a clone with similar features • Generally provides better after-sales service and additional support • May be more proprietary, making upgrading and repairing more difficult

6. Selecting Software • Choose operating system first • Choose application software based on: • Functionality • Compatibility • Training availability • Quality of documentation • Upgrade policies • Popularity

7. Selecting Hardware • Most important criteria: • Compatibility • Functionality • Consider motherboard first • Other considerations (eg, PnP, processing power, modem selection, power supply, warranty)

8. When Selecting a Device, You Should Know… • Type of CPU, system bus, and local bus • Amount of memory • Size of hard drive • Which OS and what version • Amount of space available on hard drive • For internal devices, how many drives, bays, or expansion slots and what kinds of slots are free

9. Selecting a Total Package • What hardware and software are included? • Warranty and return or exchange policy? • On-site or local service available? • ACPI and Energy Star compliant? • What software preinstalled? • What documentation or manuals provided? continued…

10. Selecting a Total Package • Manufacturer’s Web site maintained? • Motherboard allow for expansion of RAM? • What expansion slots are not being used? • Can features be disabled? • How much does it cost?

11. Selecting a Total Package • High-priced to middle-range PCs offer more: • Network capability • Expandability • Support • Prior testing

12. Why Build Your Own PC? • Can be fun • Knowledge and experience gained • Availability of documentation and original software disks • Complete control over the brand and features of each component

13. Why Not Build Your Own PC? • Takes time and requires patience • High likelihood of encountering problems • No overall warranty on assembled product • Possibility of selecting components that are incompatible • Need access to an experienced technician or technical service center • Probably won’t save money

14. Getting Ready for Assembly: Selecting Parts • Selecting each component requires reviewing your functionality, compatibility, and budget needs • Select motherboard first, then CPU and RAM (all from same local dealer, if possible) • Select the case and accompanying power supply • Select hard drive and other drives • Select video card and other peripherals (mouse, keyboard, monitor)

15. Getting Ready for Assembly: Final Preparations • Prepare a work area that is well lit and uncluttered • Read all documentation and plan entire assembly • Get questions answered before you begin

16. Building a PC Step by Step • Verify that you have all the parts • Prepare the computer case • Install drives • Determine proper configuration settings for motherboard; set jumpers and DIP switches • Install CPU and CPU fan continued…

17. Building a PC Step by Step • Install RAM on the motherboard • Install motherboard and attach cabling • Install video card • Plug computer in; attach monitor, keyboard, and mouse • Boot the computer, check CMOS settings, and verify operation

18. Step 1: Verify All Parts

19. Step 2: Prepare Computer Case • Remove plates covering drive bays and install spacers • Install case fan(s) • Install an I/O shield

20. Step 2: Prepare Computer Case

21. Installing a Case Fan

22. Installing Spacers

23. Step 3: Install the Drives • Set IDE jumpers on each IDE drive in the system • Install CD-ROM drive • Install hard drive • Install floppy drive

24. Installing the CD-ROM Drive

25. Installing the Floppy Drive

26. Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

28. Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

29. Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

30. Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard

31. Step 5: Install CPU (and CPU Fan)

32. Step 5: Install (CPU and)CPU Fan

33. Step 6: Install RAM on the Motherboard • Select the right kind and right amount of RAM for your motherboard • Be careful to match size, manufacturer, production batch, and mode

34. Step 6: Install RAM on the Motherboard

35. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

36. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

37. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

38. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

39. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

40. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

41. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

42. Step 7: Install Motherboard and Attach Cabling

43. Step 8: Install the Video Card • Read documentation and set any jumper switches or DIP switches on the card • Select the expansion slot, remove the faceplate, and insert the card

44. Step 8: Install the Video Card

45. Step 8: Install the Video Card

46. Step 8: Install the Video Card

47. Step 9: Plug in the Computer and Attach External Devices • Make sure no cords are obstructing the fans; coil and tie cables • Attach monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and plug in the computer

48. Step 10: Boot Computer, Check Settings, Verify Operation

49. The Complete System

50. Chapter Summary • Guidelines for purchasing a new PC • After-sales service and support are most important criteria • Reasons for building a PC from parts • Knowledge gain • Complete control over every part • Procedures for building a PC from parts