Even if you are not planning on building a new PC - read on! There are some useful bits of information that will help you when you are considering upgrading your existing PC.
Before you start
OK - you have raided your local Tandy's/Radio Shack and amassed lots of circuit boards, cables of all lengths and connections and you have numerous boxes containing God knows what. Where do you start?
Well, how about getting yourself some tools together? In order to build a PC you only need a few simple tools. Here's a list.
· A Philips screwdriver (medium sized). I do not recommend one's with magnetic heads. Magnetism around circuit boards can be very damaging. Do not use a power screwdriver either. Screw threads can easily be stripped - especially when installing cards (such as graphic or sound cards). Under no circumstances use a ratchet screwdriver that allows you to push down to drive the screw home. One slip and the screwdriver will go straight through the motherboard!
· A small box (ideally with different compartments). This is to keep screws in. Different compartments can be used for screws to mount hard drives etc as they are slightly different from, say, screws that secure the PC casing.
· A small torch. Useful for illuminating those dark corners inside PC's.
· Mini-vac. One of those small hand vacuum's designed for computer keyboards and the like. If you are building a PC using older components then they will surely be dusty. It's an ideal time to clean out the dust before assembly.
Getting started
There are two ways of building a PC or rather two ways in which a PC may be constructed. The first (and most usual) is to have a machine made up of "spare" parts with maybe a few new components. "Cannibalising" parts from various PC's to create a new PC is quite common.
