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Lesson 10: Powering the computer on - build your own computer

Overview

In lesson 10 we'll power the computer on, making sure that the fans are spinning and the lights on the front of the case are working.  In the Computer Setup lessons we'll continue the steps to build your own computer.

Check Hardware Connections

Before we power the computer on we need to give all of the connections a once over.

Press down on the data cable connections on the motherboard and drives. It’s easy for them to come partially out while we've been working in the case.

Press down on the expansion cards as well.

Also make sure all of the power connectors are on solid.

We want to leave the cover off for now, so when we power the computer on, we can make sure that all the fans are running.

Connect the Speakers

Go around the back of the computer and plug in the speakers. Green is standard for the speaker connection on most sound cards and motherboards.


Then plug the speaker’s power cable into the outlet and power them on.

Connect the Monitor

Plug the video cable from the monitor into your video card and connect the monitors’ power cable into the outlet.

Connect the Keyboard and Mouse

The keyboard and mouse connect to any open USB port.  Some older mice and keyboards connect to PS2 ports.

Connect the Power to the computer

Then connect the power cable from the outlet into the power supply and flip the primary power switch to on.

Power on the Computer

Turn on the monitor and press the power button on the computer.

Look in the case to make sure that the processor cooling fan and the case fans are spinning.  With some motherboards, the CPU cooling fan will spin for a moment and stop.  The CPU fan won't spin again until the CPU reaches a certain temperature.

Here we have all of the fans running and we can hear the hard drives spinning up. Also, on the front of the case, we see the fan lights are on and the DVD recordable drives access lights flash a few times.

You should also have video on your monitor, which we’ll go into in the build your own computer setup lessons. 

Buy Home PC Builder 2011

Comments  

 

0 # mpeacock01 2010-11-02 08:22

New PC build - there is power - rest of computer running well but the monitor cannot lock onto the digital signal - keeps searching - so we connected a monitor we know that works, different cable that we know works and same result. We have a NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 graphic card (installed in PCIEX16_1 slot)- any suggestions? Motherboard = Sabertooth X58, Monitor is Samsung SyncMaster P2350

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0 # admin2 2010-11-02 08:27

That sound like the computer isn't posting. We have some step by step instructions on the forum.

http://www.homepcbuilder.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4

I also emailed you the instructions.

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0 # mpeacock01 2010-11-02 09:20

YOU ROCKSTAR YOU!!!! it was "A very common cause of no post no video these days is not connecting the 4 or 8 pin power plug from the power supply to motherboard. The connection is next to the CPU". I completely did not see that power connection referenced AT ALL. Thank you we have POST and Video. I LOVE this site.

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0 # dbowyer62 2010-12-31 06:43

We followed the direction - we red light - but nothing else when we turn it on? Any suggestgions?

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0 # admin2 2010-12-31 06:45

Dolores, I'm sending you an email about this.

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