Build your own computer guide

All parts mentioned are readily available for sale on eBay by many sellers.  I also feature all of these items in my store Digital Divide Computing.

I named my store digital divide computing because I believe that to thrive in todays economy requires each person to have a basic level of computer literacy.  I feel that this literacy should not stop at just being able to use a computer effectively but also being able to maintain, repair, and upgrade your computer to meet your specific needs.

I have used several companies barebone computer products and was very impressed with the Asus Vintage.  This system was built for as a gift and I decided I'd document the process and write up this guide.

On to the rest of the assembly

Hard Drive, CD, and Floppy Drive Installation

Look at the guide and the pictures of the memory installation and you will see the ends of two flat cables that plug into the motherboard.  (just to the right of the memory slots)  These are the IDE cables.  The one closest to the CPU will connect to the hard drive and the outside one will connet to the CD/DVD.  I was highly impressed with this package because the cables are already run to where they need to go.  They are also very neatly folded and routed with a very professional look while allowing for increased air flow inside the case.  The floppy drive cable is run in a similar manner.  The preinstallation care that was taken with this system makes it very easy for a novice system builder to know where the various components plug in.  I install the floppy drive first.  It simply slides in througn the front of the case.  Line it up with the screws holes on both sides and then install the screws.  Note that you want to align this correctly so that if functions properly when the front is put on.  I recommend testing your assembly with the front panel to ensure that it is correct.

Next I installed the Hard Drive.  Take a look at the hard drive, on the end you will notice the plug where the IDE cable will plug in. (the wide flat plug) You will see the four pronged power plug. Take note of the small prongs, one of them having a jumper on it.  This jumper determines how the system recognizes the hard drive.  For this installation you will want to set it to master.  Usually the top of the hard drive will have a little "map" to indicate where the jumper should be placed to make it the master.  Once that is done slide it into one of the available hard drive slots from the inside of the computer and screw it into place.  At this time I also plugged in the IDE cable into the hard drive and also plugged a power connector in.  The red side of the power connector always goes to the inside toward the IDE cable.  I also neatly ran the floppy disc drive cable and plugged it into the back of the floppy drive.  Piggybacked onto the hard drive connector will be a smaller power connector to plug into the floppy disc drive.

By this time you will be a pro at this part.  Check the CD and make sure it is set to cable select.  Identify the audio wire that is connected to the motherboard and connect the other end to the CD player. Then slide it in through the front taking care to line it up with the front panel.  Secure it into place. The IDE cable that is preinstalled is a cable select cable.  You can tell this because it has two connectors and they are two different colors.  The device connected to the end will be the master and the second one with automatically be designated as the slave.  We only have one device so connect it to the end connector on the IDE cable.  Take another pigtail from the power supply and connect it the same as you did with the hard drive.

Button up the case

Reattach the front panel to the case snapping it back into place.  Then slide the two side covers back into place securing them with the screws you removed in the beginning.

Plug in and power up

The next step would be to prepare to plug it in and power it up.  Note that this model has a voltage selector near the power cord socket.  You must ensure that it is set to the correct voltage for the area you are in.  (115v for US households).  Plug in your motherboard, mouse, monitor, and power cord.  Then power on the switch on the front of the case (ensure that the power switch on the back is set to the on position).  If everything was installed correctly it will go through the Power On Self  Test diagnostics and then give you a message that no operating system is installed.  That will conclude the assembly portion of your project.  You would next power insert the Windows XP disc into your drive, power down the computer and then restart it.  This would begin your process of installing the operating system which I will outline in a future guide.

Sounds easy but what if I need help?

If you want to assemble your own computer using the parts that I have mentioned in this guide you may purchase the kit in my eBay in this catagory: Build your own computer.   The kit contains everything as mentioned in this guide as well as the eMail support if you run into trouble. 

In additon to this there are many other sellers of barebone computers and computer kits.  With the proper research you can make informed decisions and have the pride of ownership in a computer that you have assembled yourself.

As I said in the beginning of this guide, I believe that everyone should have the basic knowledge to enable them to perform routine maintenance and upgrades on their own computer.  I have seen many computers become expensive bookshelf items when five minutes of maintenance would fix it.  This is expecially tragic for low income families where the children need the computer for homework.  I've seen programs aimed at getting computers into the hands of a large number of people people but fail miserably in teaching those same individuals to keep their computers operating at peak capability.

Enjoy your project!!!