Setting up a PC is always easy at first. However, it can get complicated when you click on the "Power" button and the PC does not boot up as expected.
We had the idea to make this article in this form, because we often intervene on our PC Forum, to help you when you encounter difficulties in the assembly of your computer.
So here we will summarize what you should check and what are the most common errors when mounting a PC.
Prepare the right tools and instructions!
First of all, prepare the different components to be assembled as well as the component manuals (especially the one for the motherboard).
Secondly, here are the tools you will need to have:
- A Phillips screwdriver in good condition (You can use a magnetic screwdriver which will be very handy to retrieve a fallen screw or to position the screws).
- A flathead screwdriver (not often enough to need it)
- A pair of tweezers (for catching)
- A flashlight
- The motherboard
There are 2 power connections to make on the motherboard, the main one is rarely forgotten (bottom on the picture). On the other hand, the one on the top right (on the picture) is often forgotten.
So don't forget, when your motherboard will be installed, it will be in vertical position, so the connection to make is on the top left near the ventirad.
The Spacers
The motherboard does not attach directly to the bottom of your PC case. It is raised with spacers and is therefore not in contact with metal. On the other hand, do not overtighten them! Because this can create a mass that could make a malfunction at startup.
The Back Panel
Don't forget to fix the Back Panel to prevent dust from getting in.
It should be positioned BEFORE the motherboard is installed.
The fan
Don't forget to connect the fan to the motherboard so that it is powered. The location is indicated by "CPU_FAN". When you switch on your PC for the first time, always check that the fan of the ventirad starts to turn.
The location changes according to the model of CM, but just search around the processor (or on the manual).
The power supply
The most important thing in the power supply installation is the direction of the fan. Its role is to SUCKNOW the air to cool the power supply!
So if your box allows it (screen, air filter), you must put the fan of the power supply downwards so that it sucks the air from the outside of the box and thus cools the power supply.
You now understand better the usefulness of the 4 feet of the box in addition to having to avoid vibrations.
If the case doesn't allow it (usually entry-level, or worse) you have to put the fan up, i.e. looking at the graphics card. As you can see, the fan will suck hot air from the graphics card, which is not a good thing.
The Panel
When your CM is mounted in your case, the connectors coming from the case are to be connected at the bottom right.
Here is a diagram which summarizes you the connection of the "Pins" to be carried out.
Otherwise again, a diagram is normally present in the manual of your motherboard to help you.
The graphics card
Gaming graphics cards usually require one or two power supplies to be connected to them.
If you have 2 slots, it is mandatory to connect both slots.
The PCI Slot
When you plug the graphics card into the motherboard, you have to press hard enough for the safety to engage. Usually you will hear a "clip" and you will find that it is no longer possible to remove the graphics card without tampering with the safety.
The ram
Adding Ram is a simplistic operation, however there are 2 pieces of information that should not be forgotten.
1) Often it is advisable to put them in SLOT 2 and 4 for Dual Channel because it avoids any problem with possible too large fans. But of course SLOT 1 and 3 can be useful, if you put 4 rams in LowProfile.
2) The Ram "Clips", you have to apply a relatively strong pressure for the safety to be in place.
The Thermal Paste
There are 2 types of thermal pasta: White and grey.
The white one must be spread over the entire surface of the processor with your finger. The layer must be thin because the 2 parts (processor and ventirad) must not be too far apart, this will generate the dissipation process.
The grey thermal paste must be placed in the center of the processor in the form of a drop. It is not possible to spread it, so it is when you fix the ventirad and when it starts to heat that the thermal paste will spread.
The Screen
Do you have a screen that stays black when you start your PC?
If your PC has a graphics card, it is mandatory to connect your screen to your graphics card and not to your motherboard.
No graphic card = Connect your screen to your motherboard.
A NVIDA or AMD graphics card = Connect your display to your graphics card.
The ventilation
How does it work?
There is a simple principle behind the ventilation of a PC. Heat rises!
So if we imagine a median line in your case. All the fans below the centerline should suck air in, while all the fans above the centerline should blow the hot air out.
But how do you know if a fan is in the right direction?
Usually there is an arrow on the fan to indicate the right direction.
If it is already mounted and running, simply pass a handkerchief in front of it. If the handkerchief sticks to the fan, it means that the fan is "sucking". If it is pushed away, the fan is exhaling air.
Are the fans on the graphics card turned off? Only 1 out of 2 are working?
This symptom is not necessarily a sign of a problem.
Indeed more and more graphic cards are semi-passive. This means that the fan only switches on if the graphics card exceeds a certain temperature.
Some brands (KFA2 for example) do not use a complete fan stop, but only 1 fan out of 2 is disabled.
My SSD is detected but Windows does not see my hard disk
You can't find your hard disk drive (HDD). This one seems not to be recognized or detected by windows, and yet it is present in the bios!
You just have to go to the Windows disk manager and set it up. The video below shows you all this.