This is part 2. If you want to read part 1 (and gawk over what I put in my computer case), you have to go over here. It looks like there will be a part 3 too, because computer building is so epic that the chronicles of it need to be turned into a trilogy.
When I left off last time, my computer parts had just come, and I gently laid them out under my Christmas tree for picture taking. Results of picture taking are in the last post, so I’ll move onto the next step.
To keep you visual types interested, here's a picture with bonus blue light and wires.
The Giant, Electric 3-D Puzzle
Like I said a bunch of times, putting together computer parts is the easiest part of the process. Short story short, it goes like this:
1- Plop in the PSU (I think that stands for Power Supply Unit. It’s the box with wires)
2- Use a screwdriver.
3- Put the CPU (that’s Central Processing Unit) on the motherboard.
4- Use a screwdriver.
5- Plug the CPU fan into the motherboard where it says “CPU FAN PLUG HERE!!!!!”
6- Stick the RAM sticks in the RAM holes.
7- Put the motherboard in the case.
8- Use a screwdriver.
9- Spend 10 minutes trying to figure out what an “extension card” is.
10- By process of elimination, decide that an “extension card” is your graphics card.
11- Stick the graphics card in the graphics card hole.
12- Use a screwdriver.
13- Plug the green wires into the green holes.
14- Plug the black wires into the black holes.
15- Plug the red wires into the red holes.
16- Wonder how colour blind people plug in their computer wires.
17- Plug the PSU wires in the holes marked “PSU WIRES HERE!!!”
I got to screw a lot of things and that made me happy.
After all that, you put the sides of your case on, turn on the power supply, plug the computer cord into the wall, press the “on” button and pray.
See? Easysauce!
Whenever I got stuck, I’d ask on Twitter. Twitter is a wonderful resource because it’s full of people who know a lot about computers. But beware, like any kind of passionate person, they may give you more than what you ask for:
Me: Does the green wires go in green hole 1 or green hole 2?
Knowledgeable person: The green wires are essential components to front panel functioning and there are several sorts of green wires. Each will be connected to a different socket and will wrap around the motherboard in a predetermined fashion. Certain green wires will merge with yellow wires to ensure proper airflow within the case. The colour of the green wire was inspired by-
Me: GREEN HOLE 1 OR GREEN HOLE 2?
(I used a completely nonsensical example here because I really appreciate those who went out of their way to explain things to me. I just found it very humourous how I was receiving very complex and complete answers while I was being impatient as heck.)
You can also encounter the less, um, helpful types:
Me: *reads case manual*
Me: *scratches head*
Me: *reads motherboard manual*
Me: *sighs*
Me: *tries google*
Me: *frustration*
Me: *reads case manual again*
Me: *tears*
Me: *reads motherboard manual again*
Me: *verge of nervous breakdown*
Me: *gives up*
Me: Do I plug the green wire in hole 1 or hole 2?
Less helpful Twitter type: Did you look in the manual?
But for the most part, it was smooth, and whatever questions I had, I received answers to quickly.
Then there is the hands thing. A few friends warned me about how static ruins your parts and sometimes you don’t even know you’re staticky.
Not wanting to zap my parts, I made sure I touched a lot of metallic objects and I stopped myself whenever I caught my feet rubbing against the floor. I didn’t have an anti-static mat, so I used the anti-static bags my parts came in. I took all the precautions I could….only to catch myself frequently touching things I shouldn’t. If it looks fragile and easily broken, you can be sure I got my grimy fingers all over it.
But luckily and thankfully, when I hit that “on” button, the clouds parted, the angels smiled on me and everything powered up.
And that ends the easy part! Stay tuned for part 3, where you’ll all become acquainted with the Neurotic Pally and the Evil Windows.
