Got my parts...er, now what?

corblimey · 15-10-2012 02:24PM #1

Just took delivery of my first HWVS order, so now how do I put it all together? I've watched and read several different accounts of how to put together a PC, but I'm not sure which to pay most attention to - I'd go for the boards one above all else, but the link in the sticky is returning a 404. The newegg videos on youtube are pretty good, but is it really necessary to do an external build first (this was the only place I saw this approach, and I'm not sure I like the idea of 'shorting' anything electronic). I've read through Tom's Hardware and a similar account at Coding Horror.

All of the builds I've read and watched are for specific mobos and cases (obviously enough) but I've got the general gist, is it just a matter of try, try, try and come back on here if I've got specific questions (more specific than 'where do I put this red square thingy?')

ShadowHearth · 15-10-2012 02:32PM

this what i used:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsQNIP7cTYA

built PC for myself with the help of this, and then had in in the background when building pc for "pc advice"

uncle_sam_ie · 15-10-2012 03:46PM

I didn't do an external build first. If there had been a faulty part I wouldn't have minded pulling it apart again. Don't worry you'll be fine. Just take your time with it.

ScumLord · 15-10-2012 04:48PM

corblimey wrote: »

but is it really necessary to do an external build first

You're best off putting the CPU, heatsink and ram onto the board before you put it into the case, it's just easier to do it that way, I've never hooked everything up to make sure it's working before putting it into the case though.

Andy!! · 16-10-2012 06:10AM

Aye I'm gonna be the same as scumlord when I start my very first build this week

I'm really super paranoid about frying my parts though! I got such a shock off my case when I unpackaged it my finger jolted. What needs to be done to full-proof a build against static electricity? I don't have one of those wrist bands. Is it the mobo and processor that are the only parts that are really prone to being killed by static electricity? Any guides for prevention on youtube or anything?

dwighet · 16-10-2012 07:52AM

Andy!! wrote: »

Aye I'm gonna be the same as scumlord when I start my very first build this week

I'm really super paranoid about frying my parts though! I got such a shock off my case when I unpackaged it my finger jolted. What needs to be done to full-proof a build against static electricity? I don't have one of those wrist bands. Is it the mobo and processor that are the only parts that are really prone to being killed by static electricity? Any guides for prevention on youtube or anything?

Bolt the psu in the case first and plug the psu into the wall..Your case is now grounded...

Wooden floor and rubber shoes is good too.

corblimey · 16-10-2012 08:10AM

Right, it's alive, sort of. I turn it on, the fans spin up, there's an LED on the gpu, but nothing happens on screen. I've tried plugging the monitor directly into the motherboard rather than the gpu, but still nothing. If the fans spin, is that any proof that I haven't nonced up a connection somewhere (the 24-pin and 8-pin connectors were particularly tricky to connect, and I don't want to go through all that again).

I've reseated the RAM and it appears to be fine - I've also tried each stick in isolation without success.

My mobo (this one) didn't appear to come with a speaker cable to plug in, so I've connected the HD Audio and plugged in a pair of headphones, but I'm not hearing any beeps to tell me what's wrong.

What am I forgetting to do?

YuM · 16-10-2012 08:23AM

You could remove the GPU & plug the monitor into the board - just to see if you get a post screen.

failing that, double check the wee power switch / reset connectors from the case to the board.

dwighet · 16-10-2012 08:33AM

May sound silly but is the monitor switched on?

corblimey · 16-10-2012 08:34AM

I'm not completely sure what a post screen is, but the monitor immediately goes to power saving mode when I plug it in to to the mobo with the gpu completely removed.

Dwight, not at all silly, it's bound to be something dumbass like that, but yeah, the monitor comes, shows its little splash screen and then, as I said, goes to power saving mode.

YuM · 16-10-2012 09:44AM

The post screen in your case is a Big ASRock screen when the PC boots - (BIOS) have you double checked your system panel header connections, especially the power & reset ones. I had these connected the wrong way around on one PC and it was like a permanent reset - (no boot).

corblimey · 16-10-2012 10:24AM

Yum, when you say the wrong way around, you mean you had the power switch on the reset pins and vice versa? It doesn't make any difference which way around the connector goes, right? As long as it's plugged into the right place? Tried switching them around, but nothing happened (literally, nothing, the light never came on and the fans never started spinning)

corblimey · 16-10-2012 10:54AM

Well I didn't think it was possible, but I've made it worse. I unplugged all the power connectors and replugged them, and now the fans won't even spin up.

Monotype · 16-10-2012 11:01AM

I hope you're plugging out the power when connecting any components.

Have you got both power connectors on the motherboard - the 24-pin one and the 8 pin one?

corblimey · 16-10-2012 11:03AM

I admit there was one occasion when the fans were spinning when I messed with the power connectors. Could I have done something bad in that split second? Is there a quick and easy way to check if I've blown something up?

(PS I'm reasonably sure it's worked since I did that, but I can't be 100% sure)

Monotype · 16-10-2012 11:25AM

You can test the PSU by shorting two pins.

http://www.overclock.net/t/96712/how-to-jump-start-a-power-supply-psu-test-a-power-supply-and-components

Warning: Don't kill yourself.

YuM · 16-10-2012 11:36AM

I'm kinda anxious waiting for the 'its still alive update'

corblimey · 16-10-2012 11:47AM

Well I'm still alive, but I've had to go to work (I took the morning off specially to get this up and running), so I'll try the shorting thing tonight. My main worry would be on that post you linked to, Monotype, the important picture of actually sticking the paper clip in, is missing :eek:

Monotype · 16-10-2012 11:54AM

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/psu-voltmodding_5.html

Basically the green one and any black one. Black is ground.

dwighet · 16-10-2012 12:03PM

YuM wrote: »

I'm kinda anxious waiting for the 'its still alive update'

me too:cool:

corblimey · 16-10-2012 12:59PM

Monotype, I've read both links now (tks for the pic), but I'm not sure what I expect to happen. I put a paperclip in touching the 2 wires at the same time - do they have to touch at exactly the same time, or should I touch ground first then the green one? Also, what's going to happen if my psu is ok - will I just hear it come to life, basically? I can then plug the connector back into the mobo?

Monotype · 16-10-2012 01:02PM

You touch them at the same time with a connected wire or paper clip. The PSU should switch on - the fan should spin up.

You take it out again to switch it off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0OKmIuNtmI

Skip to halfway through to get to the point.

corblimey · 16-10-2012 05:59PM

Ok, so eyebrows slightly singed

but the fan is going around on the psu with the paperclip in place. Which proves ...?

Monotype · 16-10-2012 06:15PM

The PSU is presumably working.

Try just disconnecting everything. Leave the RAM and CPU in. Connect the 24-pin and 8 pin from the PSU.
Then connect the headers (power switch etc.).

corblimey · 16-10-2012 06:59PM

Ok, so all that's plugged in now is the 24 pin, the 8 pin, the power switch, reset and power leds. The heatsink and CPU are also connected. And...nothing. Yikes, have I fried my mobo?

Monotype · 16-10-2012 07:03PM

Hmm, well maybe try disconnecting the power switch and just shorting (i.e., just run a screwdriver between them or something) the two power pins, so that the switch isn't a factor.

uncle_sam_ie · 16-10-2012 07:04PM

You did use the spacers between the case and motherboard right?

corblimey · 16-10-2012 07:15PM

Monotype wrote: »

Hmm, well maybe try disconnecting the power switch and just shorting (i.e., just run a screwdriver between them or something) the two power pins, so that the switch isn't a factor.

I've removed the mobo from the case and with both connectors still on, ran a screwdriver over every part of the system panel header. Silence.

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

You did use the spacers between the case and motherboard right?

Yep, that's partly why I took it out just to check, but if I understand the point of the risers correctly, now that it's sitting back on its box, it should power up.

uncle_sam_ie · 16-10-2012 07:20PM

Is it possible to post some pictures?

corblimey · 16-10-2012 07:21PM

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

Is it possible to post some pictures?

Of my frustrated head? Sure!

Oh, of the mobo? Sure, what do you need to see?

cml387 · 16-10-2012 07:29PM

I presume you've reseated the processor.
Check that no pins were bent when you inserted it.
Also that no heatsink compound is on any of the pins.

corblimey · 16-10-2012 08:06PM

Okay so, removed heatsink and took a look at cpu. Honestly, I can't tell if anything looks astray in here?

GkfM1p9DfNQGuOThW-hzIkE0vGwW1SI0TzPvmzrLtkk?size=1280x960

GkfM1p9DfNQGuOThW-hzIkE0vGwW1SI0TzPvmzrLtkk?size=1280x960

dwighet · 16-10-2012 08:24PM

corblimey wrote: »

Okay so, removed heatsink and took a look at cpu. Honestly, I can't tell if anything looks astray in here?

Dude take a close look at the 3rd row of pins from the bottom and about half way across...looks like a bent pin there....or something is a bit out of shape

If its bent you can straighten it with a credit card...But thats your call.

corblimey · 16-10-2012 08:33PM

Wow, going at it with a credit card was NOT a good idea. Now I've got a few more bent pins.

:mad:. Is it me, am I too much of a half blind clumsy bollocks to make my own PC?

I'm about 10 mins away from f**king the whole lot on adverts and going to PC f**kin World.

MadYaker · 16-10-2012 08:37PM

A razor blade would have been better than a credit card....

dwighet · 16-10-2012 08:37PM

corblimey wrote: »

Wow, going at it with a credit card was NOT a good idea. Now I've got a few more bent pins. :mad:. Is it me, am I too much of a half blind clumsy bollocks to make my own PC?

I'm about 10 mins away from f**king the whole lot on adverts and going to PC f**kin World.

Mate you will get it...just take your time and a shot or two of Jamison may help..:cool:

Try a needle or a pin.

Monotype · 16-10-2012 09:25PM

Just keep patient. It might seem like a nightmare load of problems now, but you'll be proud of your build yet and you'll have something far better than what you get from PC World. Stay calm and be careful.

dwighet · 16-10-2012 09:29PM

We are all rooting for ya...you can do it.:)

corblimey · 16-10-2012 09:50PM

Tks for all the msgs of support, but I've been at this cpu thing for the last hour with a cocktail stick, and I think I'm just spreading the bent pin area every time. Even if I get all the pins back up to where they were, when I tighten down the cpu holder, I think any bent pins are just going to return to whence the came?

dwighet · 16-10-2012 10:08PM

I feel your pain...Have been there before..

corblimey · 16-10-2012 10:13PM

dwighet wrote: »

I feel your pain...Have been there before..

So I should perserve, it will come good?

Basically does it make any sense to call this mobo a lost cause and get a replacement? I can get the same again from komplett for about 96 euro, which is about all I'm going to spend on this machine to get it fixed. I'd rather spend another e100 and get a nice new machine out of it than trying to recoup any losses and have no machine. To be honest, I think my problems started way earlier than this bent pin - that may have been the cause of it not booting, but I did have power going to the mobo at some point, and I think I fiddled with the connectors once too often and messed up something there. I could spend another hour clearing up this flattened pins to no avail.

dwighet · 16-10-2012 10:20PM

corblimey wrote: »

So I should perserve, it will come good?

Basically does it make any sense to call this mobo a lost cause and get a replacement? I can get the same again from komplett for about 96 euro, which is about all I'm going to spend on this machine to get it fixed. I'd rather spend another e100 and get a nice new machine out of it than trying to recoup any losses and have no machine. To be honest, I think my problems started way earlier than this bent pin - that may have been the cause of it not booting, but I did have power going to the mobo at some point, and I think I fiddled with the connectors once too often and messed up something there. I could spend another hour clearing up this flattened pins to no avail.

If you think the pins are straight enough and the cpu sits in snug and flush before tightening the clamp...I`d give it a go..

corblimey · 16-10-2012 10:35PM

dwighet wrote: »

If you think the pins are straight enough and the cpu sits in snug and flush before tightening the clamp...I`d give it a go..

At this point, it looks like I've lost a pin somewhere - there's hole that no longer appears to have a pin attached. I assume all the pins are important :rolleyes:

I'm calling it a night here now, folks, extremely frustrating day. Maybe I should've paid the extra 20 quid to have hwvs make it?

Andy!! · 17-10-2012 04:55AM

Keep going dude! Just be nimble like a fox

corblimey · 17-10-2012 07:04AM

I'm giving up. The cpu holder is in a terrible state now. It looks like I've hit it with a hammer a few times. I just need to determine if my next step is a replacement mobo or a whole new pc

dwighet · 17-10-2012 07:54AM

What is it that you bought from HWVS? A complete new pc or parts for an upgrade?

corblimey · 17-10-2012 08:24AM

A complete new build.

corblimey wrote: »

Component|Item|Price|
Processor|Intel Core i5-3570K Box, LGA1155|208.05|http://www2.hardwareversand.de/Socket+1155/56296/Intel+Core+i5-3570K+Box%2C+LGA1155.article?lb
Motherboard|ASRock Z77 Pro4-M, Sockel 1155, mATX|84.96|http://www1.hardwareversand.de/DDR3/59321/ASRock+Z77+Pro4-M%2C+Sockel+1155%2C+mATX.article
Memory|8GB-Kit Corsair Vengeance Low Profile schwarz PC3-12800U CL9|36.23|http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=48850&agid=1193
Graphics|ASUS EAH7770-DC-1GD5 V2, AMD Radeon HD 7770, 1GB, PCI-Express|114.54|http://www2.hardwareversand.de/Solid-State-Disk/46110/Crucial+M4+128GB+SSD+6%2C4cm+%282%2C5%29.article
Storage|Crucial M4 256GB SSD 6,4cm (2,5")|164.60|http://www2.hardwareversand.de/Solid-State-Disk/46112/Crucial+M4+256GB+SSD+6%2C4cm+%282%2C5%29.article
|WD Caviar Green 2TB Sata 6Gb/s x2|184.78|http://www1.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=46255&agid=1342
|Asus DRW-24B1ST|19.03|http://www1.hardwareversand.de/S-ATA/59333/ASUS+DRW-24B5ST+Retail.article
Enclosure|FRACTAL DESIGN Gehäuse Define Mini|83.19|http://www2.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?adp=0&aid=49191&agid=635&apop=5
Power supply|Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W|43.18|http://www1.hardwareversand.de/400+-+500+Watts/30074/Super-Flower+Amazon+80Plus+450W.article
Cooling|Thermalright True Spirit 120|25.29|http://www1.hardwareversand.de/Intel+AMD/52672/Thermalright+True+Spirit+120.article
Cables|Good Connections® SATA 6Gb/s Anschlusskabel mit Metallclip, 0,5m|5.98|http://www2.hardwareversand.de/S-ATA/40676/Good+Connections%C2%AE+SATA+6Gb+s+Anschlusskabel+mit+Metallclip%2C+0%2C5m.article
OS|Win7 Pro 64bit|129.00|http://www1.hardwareversand.de/OEM-Software/29178/MS+Windows+7+Pro+64bit+SB-Version+Englisch.article
Delivery||18.99|
Total||1167.81|

(Not completely accurate, I swapped one of the 2TB for a 1TB and got Win Premium instead, but the innards are the same)

dwighet · 17-10-2012 08:45AM

What part of the country are you in?

If your anywere near Thurles tipperary call over and we will slap it together.

Once you get a new mobo of course..

corblimey · 17-10-2012 09:38AM

Thanks dwighet, I'm in Cork, about 90mins away, so not ideal, but I may take you up on that offer.

dwighet · 17-10-2012 09:58AM

corblimey wrote: »

Thanks dwighet, I'm in Cork, about 90mins away, so not ideal, but I may take you up on that offer.

no worries...Just sing out if you need a hand.

corblimey · 17-10-2012 10:10AM

Quick q: I applied thermal paste to the heatsink and cpu on Tuesday. It's still there, but do I need to clean it off and reapply since I removed the heatsink last night?

Got my parts...er, now what?

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