Ever installed a motherboard in a case?
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@Stoptech
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Ever installed a motherboard in a case?
I'm about to and I'm assuming the copper spacers go into the case, then you put the mobo on top of that and screw it on. My only question is that there are only enough of the little red paper washers to go on one side of the mobo and i'm wondering which side to put them on. Since it would be a PITA to put them between the spacers and the bottom of the mobo, I'm just going to put them in between the mobo and the screws that hold it in.
Please let me know if I'm doing it right. Also, if you can think of any common mistakes when putting a system together from scratch, I would be very grateful.
And dr3, please be sure to inform me how my molecular separators should be aligned and my ferrous discharge manipulator should be polarized.
Please let me know if I'm doing it right. Also, if you can think of any common mistakes when putting a system together from scratch, I would be very grateful.
And dr3, please be sure to inform me how my molecular separators should be aligned and my ferrous discharge manipulator should be polarized.
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@Stoptech
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Oh yeah, and I have a gigantic boner because I'm about to have a computer that's about 83 times better than the one I've been using for the past 5+ years. 
We need a smilie with a huge boner.
We need a smilie with a huge boner.
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When I put systems together I usually dont bother using the spacers, they are not necessary so I would just put em in however you feel like.
The best general advice I could give when putting a system toegther is make sure to work grounded.....Ive seen static fry a couple motherboards and it sucks. So be sure to wear some shoes with rubber soles or something....or just dont work on a carpet haha.
What kind comp are you building? I dont have any experience with AMD so I cant help with anything there but I know quite a bit about Intel stuff, if you have any Q's let me know.
Good luck,
MC
The best general advice I could give when putting a system toegther is make sure to work grounded.....Ive seen static fry a couple motherboards and it sucks. So be sure to wear some shoes with rubber soles or something....or just dont work on a carpet haha.
What kind comp are you building? I dont have any experience with AMD so I cant help with anything there but I know quite a bit about Intel stuff, if you have any Q's let me know.
Good luck,
MC
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It's really pretty easy. The way I do it normally is I take the board and place it in the case as it will fit, mark the holes on the case with a permanent marker.
Then I use the gold spacers (which are required) to screw them in the holes I've marked.
Then place the board on the spacers and screw them in. Honestly, those red paper washers aren't really needed, but you can put them on if you like.
Make sure to try and keep a hand on the case at all times, or at least something touching the case unless you're wearing a grounding strap. Make sure the board is properly supported and not touching any metal (the bottom of the board anyway). If so, ZAP!
Good luck.
Then I use the gold spacers (which are required) to screw them in the holes I've marked.
Then place the board on the spacers and screw them in. Honestly, those red paper washers aren't really needed, but you can put them on if you like.
Make sure to try and keep a hand on the case at all times, or at least something touching the case unless you're wearing a grounding strap. Make sure the board is properly supported and not touching any metal (the bottom of the board anyway). If so, ZAP!
Good luck.
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I use spacers because it provides better airflow and lessens the chance of shorts and dust/lint creating clumps between the board and case. It reduces heat which on todays chips is worth the effort.
jason
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just make sure you don't accidently add an extra spacer that isn't screwed in cause then it will touch part of the mobo and cause a short and hence not work, when i built my computer it took me two days to figure out that was the problem. i took out that extra spacer and it worked
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you don't 'have' to use those. Part of what they use them for is for proper grounding purposes. I have put a ton of computers together and have done it both ways with no problems either way. Just make sure to leave your computer unplugged while you are putting your hands in there and also touch something metal when you first start working on it to discharge any static electricity you have. How fast of a CPU did you get? Make sure you got the correct power supply. That is the biggest thing that most people don't realize is that you need more wattage when you get a faster CPU. There are a lot of little things to remember, but it really isn't that hard to do. Anybody can build a computer. They rip you off at those computer stores.
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@Stoptech
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well, mr. psycho-anti-post-***** turned post-*****, i picked up a 1.8 ghz pentium 4 for cheap, and i'm using an asus mobo, 256 MB DDR400 RAM, 64 MB MX440 vid card.
i got it all together and when i first started it up, it beeped, paused for about four seconds, beeped again, and repeated that cycle without displaying anything on the monitor. i guess i'll go check everything again, and try over. hopefully none of the stuff i ordered was DOA. that would suck because i don't know how i'd figure out what wasn't working properly.
any help would be much appreciated. thanks.
i got it all together and when i first started it up, it beeped, paused for about four seconds, beeped again, and repeated that cycle without displaying anything on the monitor. i guess i'll go check everything again, and try over. hopefully none of the stuff i ordered was DOA. that would suck because i don't know how i'd figure out what wasn't working properly.
any help would be much appreciated. thanks.
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Hmmm,
When my computer does that its usually a BIOS problem or the CMOS needs resetting. Check your motherboard manual for how to do that.
Before doing that I would just double check all your connections to the motherboard and the power connections from the power supply.
If the connections are all secure and it still doesnt work start taking the non necessary pieces off piece by piece and re trying (starting with the sound card, any CD drives, the video card, etc) that might help isolate what part is having the problem.
If none of that works try using some different sticks of RAM from an older PC if you have em. Then try the CMOS reset or BIOS reflash.
Computers can be such a PITA........
MC
When my computer does that its usually a BIOS problem or the CMOS needs resetting. Check your motherboard manual for how to do that.
Before doing that I would just double check all your connections to the motherboard and the power connections from the power supply.
If the connections are all secure and it still doesnt work start taking the non necessary pieces off piece by piece and re trying (starting with the sound card, any CD drives, the video card, etc) that might help isolate what part is having the problem.
If none of that works try using some different sticks of RAM from an older PC if you have em. Then try the CMOS reset or BIOS reflash.
Computers can be such a PITA........
MC
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Hahhaha I think I'm bipolar when it comes to post whoring. Some days I want to, other days I hate all you ******! 
if you need help hit me up, I build comps for every damn fool in my family!
The first thing to try is RAM. RAM is bad about 50% of the time unless you spend big money on really good stuff. If you need a spare stick I can probably help you out, or you can do the "Fry's Parts Troubleshooting Routine".
Things to try:
Read the mobo manual for what the beep codes are.
Reset the CMOS (probably a jumper)
Always start with just CPU, RAM, and Video card if you're having problems. Make sure everything is seated. Try different RAM slots (make sure you check if your mobo cares which slots you fill first).
Good luck.
if you need help hit me up, I build comps for every damn fool in my family!
The first thing to try is RAM. RAM is bad about 50% of the time unless you spend big money on really good stuff. If you need a spare stick I can probably help you out, or you can do the "Fry's Parts Troubleshooting Routine".
Things to try:
Read the mobo manual for what the beep codes are.
Reset the CMOS (probably a jumper)
Always start with just CPU, RAM, and Video card if you're having problems. Make sure everything is seated. Try different RAM slots (make sure you check if your mobo cares which slots you fill first).
Good luck.