When you build your custom computer you can make it as easy or difficult as you like. The same goes for many websites some over complicate the process.

Like we said in our earlier article its not that difficult to build your custom computer , just fiddly to put a computer together, it just requires patience and a little common sense. As most people are at different levels technically we have written the article to give the amount of information that is correct for you, all steps of the install procedure are outlined, but if you need more information , just click on the relevant link(s)

Preparing
You will need the following.

• A clean working environment
• Phillips Screwdriver ( preferably magnetized, its much easier to put the screws in, and if any drop in side the case its very easy to get them )
• Flat bladed screw driver medium size
• Pair of long nose pliers
• Small pot, saucer etc to put screws in
• To begin with always make sure the computer / case or power supply is unplugged from the mains supply.

Secondly when touching any electronic components always make sure you are earthed.
Otherwise you may damage your computers componters with ESD or Electro Static Discharge

If your not sure about earthing yourself, or would like more information on ESD checkout our ESD Page

For a complete list of what you will need in terms of components checkout our article Building a computer from scratch

Preparing the Case to build your custom computer

Build Your Custom Computer Case

If the computer case is new , remove the cover and make sure it comes with guides and crews etc.

Loosely fit the guides for the motherboard, you will probably have to move these around a little when you fit the motherboard.

Power Supply
Next we need to install the power supply, this is very easy, secure it properly and keep its cables away from the motherboard area.

Motherboard

How to Install a Motherboard

Ports on Rear of Computer

Firstly fit the blanking plate. This goes on the rear of the computer and will have cut-outs for the various external connectors on the motherboard.
Carefully remove the motherboard from it protective packing.

Install the processor

Install the RAM

Fit the motherboard into the computer, check to see how it sits on the guides you put in earlier. Motherboard installing guide were we also cover installing cables etc.
The most fiddly part of installing the motherboard is connecting the front panel connections.

If you have a new motherboard this will all be specified in the manual, but if you have no manual its generally specified on the motherboard itself where these connections go.

Drives
Now install the Hard drive.

Install the CD or DVD drives.

Next is the floppy drive, its just a case of lining it with the slot on the front of the computer and securing it.

Once all the drives are in place and you have installed the data cables, now fit the power cables.

Cards , Graphic , Sound etc
Next line up the cards to their relevant slots.

Remove the corresponding blanking plates, sometimes these can be a little stubborn,

Use the flat bladed screw driver to help remove them if needed.

As we said above the whole guide is as small as we could make it, anything you are not sure of just click on the relevant link and you will find more help.

Now you should have something that resembles a computer, have a good double check inside the computer to make sure everything is connected, now plug in the power and power on. Build your custom computer article

Note
If the computer does not power up, does it also have a switch on the back of the power supply ?

If it still does not power up, the most likely suspects is a cable thats not connected, so remove the cover and have a look at the motherboards power connectors.

When the computer first comes to life you may get a few errors as well, this will probably be date and time errors.

Accessing Your Computers BIOS

You just have to go into the bios and set this. To get into the BIOS its normally the Del or F2 key.

Your system will tell you this when it boots up though.

Computer-adviser build your custom computer article If you need some computer discount hardware, or to find a computer case Check out some of our links.

If you would like to see all of our build your custom computer equipment hardware install articles click here.

Ready for the next step ? , lets install the software / operating system

computer adviser build your custom computer article