PC Support & Repair
Chapter 3
Computer Assembly
Objectives
• After completing this chapter, you will meet these
objectives:
▫ Open the case.
▫ Install the power supply.
▫ Attach the components to the motherboard and install the
motherboard.
▫ Install internal drives.
▫ Install drives in external bays.
▫ Install adapter cards.
▫ Connect all internal cables.
▫ Re-attach the side panels and connect external cables to
the computer.
▫ Boot the computer for the first time.
Open the Case
• Size & shape is the ?
▫ Form factor
• Prep your work area
▫ Lighting, antistatic mats, container for screws, clutter-free
• Each case opens differently
Install the Power Supply
• Fits one way
• Screws attach it to case
• VIRTUAL DESKTOP:
▫ POWER SUPPLY
Install CPU & Fan
• Put in before mobo goes
in case
▫ Put on mat & wear strap
• DO NOT touch CPU
contacts
• Notice where Pin 1 is
Install CPU & Fan
• Apply thermal compound
▫ Helps conduct heat away
from CPU
▫ Small amount
• If using an old CPU
▫ Clean off old compound
▫ Isopropyl alcohol ONLY &
lint-free cloth
Heat Sink & Fan
• Heat sink draws heat
away from CPU
▫ Fan draws heat away
from heat sink
• Has a 3-pin power
connector for fan
• Visit site…
Install CPU, Heat Sink, and Fan
Install RAM
• Make sure it’s compatible!
• RAM
▫ Temp data storage
▫ Volatile
▫ More= better performance
• Align notches
• Press until side tabs click
Install Motherboard
• Standoffs/spacers
prevent mobo
from touching case
• Align I/O with case
• Align screw holes
• Tighten screws
Install the Motherboard
Projects
• Computer Assembly Lab
▫ Install Motherboard, CPU, Heat sink/Fan, RAM
• Virtual Desktop: Motherboard
Install Internal Hard Drive
• Internal Bays
▫ 3.5”
• HDD
▫ Hard disk drive
• Screw drive into bay
Install Optical Drive
• 5.25” Drive Bay
▫ Accessible outside case
• Optical CD/DVD
▫ Molex power connector
▫ PATA (IDE/EIDE) data cable
• Screw into bay
Install Floppy Drive
• 3.5” Drive Bay
▫ Accessible outside case
• Floppy Drive (FDD)
▫ Berg power connector
▫ FDD data cable
• Screw into bay
Lab
• Virtual Desktop: Internal Drives
• Virtual Desktop: Drives in External Bays
• Computer Assembly Lab 5: Install Drives
Install Adapter Cards
• PCI
• PCIe
• AGP
• NIC
• Wireless NIC
• Video Card
Lab
• Virtual Desktop: Adapter Cards
• Install Adapter Cards
Connect the Power Cables
• Data & Power
▫ Mobo power & AUX
▫ SATA power (15-pin)
▫ Molex power
▫ Berg power
▫ Fan (3-pin)
Connect the Data Cables
• PATA
▫ Ribbon
▫ 40 or 80-pin
▫ Stripe Pin 1
 Closer to power
Connect the Data Cables
• SATA
▫ 7-pin
Connect the Data Cables
• Floppy
▫ 34-pin
▫ Stripe for pin 1
▫ Put in backwards
 Drive activity light flash
Review- Q
• Your motherboard has 2 PATA connectors. How many
hard drives could be connected to this mobo?
▫ 4
• Your motherboard has 1 Floppy connector. How many
floppy drives can be connected?
▫ 2
• A SATA data cable has how many pins?
▫ 7
• What happens if the twist on a floppy cable is closer to
the motherboard?
▫ Drive activity light stays on or flashes
Lab
• Virtual Desktop: Internal Cables
• Lab 7 & 8: Install Internal Power and Data Cables
Connect Front Panel Cables
• Power button & LED lights
▫ Look in manual to see what you
have
• Power button
▫ Hold for 5 seconds to power
down
• Power & drive activity LEDs
▫ + is Pin 1
• System speaker
• USB ports
• Front audio ports
Finishing Up
• Reattach Case with screws
• Connect external cables
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
USB
Ethernet
Power (LAST)
Booting Up 1st Time
• BIOS does a check of
internal components
▫ POST





All hardware works
Beeps indicate info
Codes differ!
GOOD= 1 usually
BAD= blank screen &
multiple beeps
BIOS
• BIOS data saved to CMOS chip
▫ Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
▫ Older Mobo- ROM is powered by battery
 Battery dies= lost BIOS data
• To enter/change BIOS settings…
▫ Press key during POST/Splash screen
▫ DEL or F12, depends on PC
BIOS
• Main – System time, date, HDD type, etc.
• Advanced – Infrared port settings, parallel port
settings, etc.
• Security – Password settings to setup utility
• Others – Low battery alarm, system beep, etc.
• Boot – Boot order of the computer
• Exit – Setup utility exit
Info in BIOS
• CPU
▫ Brand, Speed, How Many
• RAM
▫ Brand, Speed, Slots,
Installed Slots
• HD
▫ Brand, Size, Type, # of
Controllers
• Optical Drive
▫ Brand, Type
Customize BIOS
• Time & Date
• Disabling Devices
▫ Disable on-board video
if using a vide card
• Boot Order
• Clock Speed
▫ Reduce for cooler op
▫ Increase= faster but
hotter (KEEP COOL)
Customize BIOS Security
• BIOS Password
▫ Supervisor
▫ User (Full, Limited, View,
None)
• Drive Encryption
▫ Wrong password, no boot
or read data
• TPM
▫ Encryption keys
• Lojack
▫ Read 3.2.2.3 & report
BIOS PC Health
•
•
•
•
Temperature
Fan Speeds
Clock & Bus Speeds
Intrusion Detection
▫ If case has a switch
• Diagnostics
Project
• Boot the Computer/ BIOS Lab
Upgrading & Installing More
• Why install more drives?
• After installing new hardware, install drivers
▫ A signed driver is one that passed the Windows
hardware quality lab test.
▫ Installing an unsigned driver can cause system
instability, error messages, and boot problems.
▫ During installation, if an unsigned driver is detected,
you are asked whether you want to stop or continue
the installation. Only install unsigned drivers if you
trust the source of the drivers.
Project
• Lab 3.3.3.2 Upgrade Hardware
Review
Summary
• Computer cases come in a variety of sizes and configurations. Many
of the computer components must match the form factor of the
case.
• The CPU is installed on the motherboard with a heat sink and fan
assembly.
• RAM is installed in RAM slots on the motherboard.
• Adapter cards are installed in PCI and PCIe expansion slots on the
motherboard.
• Hard disk drives are installed in 3.5 in. (8.9 cm.) drive bays located
inside the case.
• Optical drives are installed in 5.25 in. (13.34 cm.) drive bays that
can be accessed from outside the case.
• Floppy drives are installed in 3.5 in. (8.9 cm.) drive bays that can be
accessed from outside the case.
Summary
• Power supply cables are connected to all drives and the
motherboard.
• Internal data cables transfer data to all drives.
• External cables connect peripheral devices to the computer.
• Beep codes signify when hardware malfunctions.
• The BIOS setup program displays information about the
computer components and allows the user to change system
settings.
• Computer components require periodic upgrades and
replacement parts.
• Additional hard drives can provide fault tolerance and the
ability to install additional operating systems.
PC Support & Repair
Chapter 3
Computer Assembly