How to build a Computer from PC parts Video by Clarkek,computer tips, and info on being an computer Tech

Good Job Clarkek for making a fantastic video on teaching people how to build a PC. Nice computer. I like the Case. I wish HP, Dell, and other OEM computer makers came with cases which were easier to open and install drives, fans, motherboards like your case. The blue LED fans, and window on your case looks awesome.

Visit Clarkek website at Super-pretendo Forum/ !

Before you buy any of your parts or your old parts make sure they are all compatible with the Operating Systwm like Windows XP Pro  you will be using.

I also want to note that you should be wearing an anti-static wrist strap or using an anti-static mat and connect it to a unpainted metal part of your case to ground yourself, and not take the parts out of the packaging till you are ready to install them.

Also check if your power supply is set to 110-120V if you live in North America, or 220V if you live in Europe, Asia, or another place that does not use 110-120V. Don’t buy power supply which are under powered or too cheap. Tou should calculate how much power you need before you buy it. Beware of those Case and power supply combos which are super cheap since they usually contain crappy power supplies and cases which are poorly made and have a lot of sharp corners which might cut you when you install your hardware.

Read my power supply tutorial.

When buying a motherboard make sure you buy one that is compatible with your CPU. For example, If you buy an Intel Core 2Duo make sure your motherboard is a motherboard made for Intel Core2Duo CPUs. Also read what type of memory your motherboard uses before buying memory.

Read my Tutorial on Installing Memory .

It is also important for buying the right kind of form factor computer case, power supply, and motherboard.

For example, if you buy an ATX case, you also need to buy an ATX motherboard, and power supply.

If you choose to buy an CPU without the heat sink and fan, make sure the heat sink and fan is compatible with your CPU. It is best to buy the retail version of the CPU since it comes with the necessary Heat sink and fan assembly. Make sure the heat sink is directly on top of the CPU and the thermal gel is evenly spread on the die of the CPU. The Heat sink fan should be blowing fan down on the heat sink. There should be an arrow on the side of the fan. The arrow should be pointing at the Heat sink, and not up. Make sure the fan is plugged into the fan power connector on the motherboard.

When buying a video card make sure the Video connector is the same type of connector found on your motherboard.

Buy a PCI-Express video card if your motherboard has a PCE-Express slot.

Lastly, make sure your fans at the front of the case is blowing air in, and your fans at the back of the case is blowing air out. If your computer is over heating a lot make sure all your fans are plugged in, or replace the fans with fans that have a higher CFM air rating.

A magnify glass might help you read where to plug in the hard drive, power, reset, USB, and other cables for the mother board since the words printed  on the motherboard can be very small.

Before you install the motherboard make sure the brass stand-off are aligned with the motherboard mounting holes, and remove all unneeded stand-off. Make sure there are no loose screws, tools left on the mother board tray since they can cause a short circuit.

Before you turn on your computer, make sure there are no loose screws, and tools left on the motherboard or inside the case before you close the case.

Now that your computer is built and running, it is time to test your computer for stability.  You should test your RAM for 1-2 days non-stop with Memtest86+ to see if any of your memory is bad. If it is you need to go get new RAM, or replace the power supply since not having enough power can cause memory errors. If the Memtest86+ test past without any errors during the 1-2 days testing period. It means your computer is very stable and should not crash because of a memory problem.

CPU-Burnin is a good CPU tester. It makes your CPU run at its max. If your computer crashes, restarts or locks up during the test. It could mean you did not plug in the fan, you need a stronger fan. Your CPU fan is upside down.

I also gaming with your PC to test your computer for stability since gaming uses a lot of CPU, memory, video power and if it crashes during gaming. It means you have a problem. Also, install the latest updates/patches for your Operating System and games, so it is less likely a software problem.

If you want to learn more about your computer fan speed, CPU temperature, Hard drive temperature, case temperature I recommend you check out Speed fan  and HWmonitor Hardware monitoring software.

CPU-Z  and Belarc Adivisors are good tools for learning about what computer parts you have installed on your PC.

I recommend you read more books, and watch more videos about building, fixing and maintaining computers since you are less likely to make a mistake and “knowledge is power”.

I also recommend you buy a surge protected power bar with a 800-3000J power rating to protect your PC against power surges, and other power problems. APC, Belkin, Cyberpower, and Monster make good Surge protector.

After you finish building your computer you need to install an Operating system like Windows XP, Ubuntu 9.04, etc, so you can use your computer to run programs to surf the web, game, and do homework.

You either have to go down to your local computer store, a major electronics retailer, or online to buy an operating system. I recommend you buy the OEM version of an operating system. You won’t get a nice box, and instruction manuals, but you save money by buying the OEM version like Windows XP PRO OEM cost 139.99  compared to 179.99-200 for the retail package.

If you don’t want to install Windows on your new  computer or can’t afford windows then you can install Linux by downloading a Linux distro like Ubuntu, Fedora, ArchLinux, etc. But, you should visit the hardware company to see if your video card, sound card, TV tuner, monitor, motherboard, and other computer parts work with Linux first.

Read my tutorial on downloading and burning Ubuntu 9.04 on a CD. 

Read my tutorial on installing Ubuntu9.04 on your computer.

Ubuntu 9.04 and other Linux distroes can run Windows programs by using Wine HQ .

Read mt tutorial on installing Wine HQ on Ubuntu 9.04 and using Wine to install Windows software like World of Warcraft on Ubuntu 9.04

Just because your computer is built and running, it does not mean you are done. You still have to clean your computer when it gets dusty by using compress air. You also have to update your operating system on a regular basis to improve performance, stability, ease of use, keep the hackers, and viruses out

Read my tutorial on updating Ubuntu 9.04

If you use a Windows based computer you need to run Disk Clean up, Scandisk and disk defrag twice a month more or less.

It is also important to install a firewall, antivirus, and spyware if you are using a Windows Operating System.

List of free security programs for Windows.

I also recommend updating your hardware drivers whenever new drivers are available. New hardware drivers are usually more reliable, fixes bugs, and are faster then the old one.

Another recommendation I have, is to update the bios for your motherboard when new bios software is available from your computer motherboard. But, be very careful since if your computer loses power, crashes, or you installed the wrong BIOS you have to replace the motherboard.

You can also upgrade the firmware for your video cards, CD/DVD drives, sound card, etc the same rules apply for updating your BIOS.

It is best to close ALL programs, double check your BIOS/Firmware version, and make sure you have reliable power. It is best to have your computer plug into a UPS which is a backup battery for your PC , so if the power goes out the PC will run off the battery power instead of shutting down during a BIOS update.

If you want to be a computer technician, I recommend you take the Comptia A+ exam, and visit FreeAplus.com for help.

I recommend you take the A+ exam since Comptia A+ is still using the 2006 objective which do not include Windows Vista, and Windows 7. You only have to know how to use MS-DOS, Windows 2000, Windows XP Pro for the operating portion of the exam.

CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition (Hardcover)by Mike Meyers is a pretty good book for preparing for the A+ 2006 objectives. The book also come with electronic videos, and quizzes.

CliffsTestPrep CompTIA A+ (Cliffs Testprep Guides) (Paperback) by Toby Skandier is a pretty good test prep book with a lot of quizzes to prepare you for the A+ exam.

I am using both these books to study for the Comptia A+ essentials and IT Technician exam. You need to take the essentials exam and one of the elective exams like the IT Tech, Depot Technician, Remote Technician to be A+ certified. I recommend taking the IT technician exam since it is a very well-rounded exam and easier compared to the Depot and Remote Tech exam from what I read on computer and A+ forums.

The advantages of being A+ certified is gaining more knowledge about computers, operating system, software, trouble shooting skills and customer service skills, higher wages, looks good on resume, gaining pride and confidence from achieving something, and being part of the family of A+ certified technician.

If you have an A+ certificate, and a Computer Certificate, diploma, or degree from a good College or University then your future looks bright according to my teacher, websites, and forum members.

The A+ voucher costs $132 per voucher for members of Comptia which are usually colleges, IT companies, IT dept, etc, and $168 for non members. You need to buy two vouchers. One voucher for the Essentials Exam and another voucher for the electives exam. Make sure to schedule your appointment online with VUE or Prometric before the Voucher expire, and be sure to bring two pieces of photo ID, Appointment papers, and other documents you need according to the testing procedures.

Buy your vouchers at the Comptia Store

Note: I am not responsible for the information about Comptia A+. You should learn about the testing procedures, and everything about the A+ exam yourself.

I also recommend you get some experience by working or volunteering at a computer repair place like freegeekvancouver.org which is a computer recyclers that fixes, evaluate, and recycle computer to give to the needy.

Free Geek Wikepedia page