A couple quick questions about a first time build

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ManCannon

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I'm going to be building my first computer after months of aqcuiring parts, and I had a few questions.

I understand how to put everything together and all that, but I was curious as to whether there was anything else I needed to know, to keep in mind, or even any tips you guys had. I've read a few "How to Build a PC" articles and I've noticed a mention of a "jumper configurartion". I'm not quite sure what this is or what I need to do with it, and I was hoping someone could maybe explain this to me or point me in the direction of something that would help shed some light on it.

Also, I'm not quite clear on how to configure my HD, it's going to be a single, so if someone could explain that a little more in depth that would help out a lot as well.

If there's anything else I shoudl know before starting, any tool I might need or helpful tip, please feel free to let me know.
 
ManCannon said:
I'm going to be building my first computer after months of aqcuiring parts, and I had a few questions.

I understand how to put everything together and all that, but I was curious as to whether there was anything else I needed to know, to keep in mind, or even any tips you guys had. I've read a few "How to Build a PC" articles and I've noticed a mention of a "jumper configuartion". I'm not quite sure what this is or what I need to do with it, and I was hoping someone could maybe explain this to me or point me in the direction of something that would help shed some light on it.

Also, I'm not quite clear on how to configure my HD, it's going to be a single, so if someone could explain that a little more in depth that would help out a lot as well.

If there's anything else I shoudl know before starting, any tool I might need or helpful tip, please feel free to let me know.
Click to expand...

If you get an SATA hard drive, there is zero configuration because SATA is one device per channel
 
I am getting a SATA drive. Well that's good, one less thing to worry about. And what about this jumper configuration? Does that have to do with the HD too? Am I safe there or is there something I need to look into?

If there anything I need to set up in the BIOS? I was hoping I could just get it built, and assuming I set everything up correctly I would just put in the Windows CD, install that, and be good to go.

EDIT: Both times I spelled "configuration" wrong. I keep switching the "r" and the "a". Guess I'm dyslexic.
 
Jumpers determin the master/slave settings for IDE devices on the same IDE chain. When you plug in two optical drives (like a burner and DVD player) to the same chain you have to tell the PC which one is the "master" and which is the "slave."

On the back of the drives there will be a block of pins and a jumper or two. The jumper's position tells the device if it's master or slave. Where the jumpers go varies by device. There is also a setting called "cable select" where the location on the IDE cable itself determines master/slave. You will likely have 2 optical drives, and will have to jumper them. The same holds true when you have 2 IDE HDDs on the same chain.

Your mobo will likely be set at 100Mhz FSB, in case you are using a slower processor. You will need to set the FSB to the correct speed for your processor to use it's full speed.

Good luck.
 
I'll be using a DFI Lanparty UT NF3 250gb and an AMD 64 3200+. I'm only going to have one DVD drive and one Western Digital SATA HD. So I'll have to set the motherboard for 400FSB or 800FSB? Is there maybe a website that walks you through this step by step? What should I search for on Google to find something like that?
 
I am getting a SATA drive. Well that's good, one less thing to worry about. And what about this jumper configuration? Does that have to do with the HD too? Am I safe there or is there something I need to look into?
Click to expand...
Erm... keep in mind that you will need a floppy disk with drivers for SATA specific to your controller chipsets. Your MB manual will explain this (I hope).

Don't worry about Jumpers if you have one SATA and one IDE optical.

Set the motherboard FSB? No. That mobo should recognize your CPU fine and set it automatically.
 
Prepare case > Mount cpu to mobo > install mobo in case > any order after that (ie: ram, video card, sound card, optical drives, etc). It's easiest if you put the PSU in last, so you don't have to work around all the wires from it.

I'm not familiar with SATA drives, but good luck. I wonder if Longhorn will have built in SATA support, probably eh?
 
tcraig_4096 said:
Erm... keep in mind that you will need a floppy disk with drivers for SATA specific to your controller chipsets. Your MB manual will explain this (I hope).

Don't worry about Jumpers if you have one SATA and one IDE optical.

Set the motherboard FSB? No. That mobo should recognize your CPU fine and set it automatically.
Click to expand...

I'm getting an OEM drive, so I doubt it will come with any drivers. Is there any place on the web that I can find these drivers?
 
The MOBO you select will include (or not) your SATA drivers. The HD manufacturer will not matter, because it is the controller/chipset on the MB that needs the drivers for windows installation. Your MB manual will tell you how to get your drivers on a floppy, if in fact it is not included in your mobo package.

You will see at the beginning of WINXP install to press F6 to install 3rd party sata/raid drivers. This is the key to getting your SATA drive set up with win.
 
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