There is nothing wrong with walking into your local computer superstore(or perhaps Gateway Country) and buying a brand-new system that will show up in your living room still encased in the original plastic and styrofoam - nothing like that ’’new computer’’ smell, am I right?
As for me personally, I enjoy building my own computers. There aren’t many things that can possibly compare to the satisfaction of creating a fully functional system that is custom-tailored to my very own needs, complete with the latest and greatest of all hardware and software. Starting that baby up for the first time - and watching it SUCCESSFULLY boot! - is even more thrilling than holding my new little sister was back in the late eighties(but don’t tell Mom I said that).
So, this review is all about building your very own desktop computer system - complete with a brand-new monitor and all that other good rubbish that’s necessary to make the darned thing work.
Surf the Internet for the most up-to-date information. You’re trying to find out what hardware and software is the best versus what most users already hate. Hey, you can start your search right here - you trust your fellow MS members to tell you if the newest Seagate hard drives are worth buying or not, correct? Otherwise you can go to Internet search engine sites such as Yahoo! and look up information on various hardware and software - or, if you’re feeling rather adventurous, you can sign up for a newsgroup and post your queries there. Whatever the case, the Internet is the leading source of current information, so don’t hesitate to use it!
Decide what you want. Sit down with a pen and piece of paper. Write down exactly what you want in the way of hardware and software. You don’t have to get down to brand names and model numbers here, of course: For example, I generally write something like ’’At least twenty gigs of hard drive space, ’’ or ’’Twenty-one inch flat panel monitor.’’ Eventually I will come to my senses and realize that I simply cannot afford to put THE newest and best into my system, but as they say, ’’A girl can dream.’’
By making the list of preferences, you are narrowing down your selections, as well as giving yourself a better idea of what exactly you are looking for. From there you can talk to computer store owners, PC geeks, and even your friends or co-workers to decide what is actually best.
For God’s sake, make sure everything is compatible! For example, you can’t put a twenty-gig hard drive into an old 486 system without upgrading the BIOS, POST, and other software.so what’s the point? Make sure that you’re going to have the correct types of cards and expansion slots for the job - don’t buy an older printer that utilizes a serial port when all you’ve got in your new tower are USB connections.
Know what you’re doing! If you’re a brand-new computer user, PLEASE don’t try to build your very own system. It requires a bit of knowledge about all aspects of computers and their usage. You have to know how to configure BIOS settings(one wrong field and your whole computer is screwed, trust me) as well as hard drive settings, jumpers, cable connections, software settings, proper hardware installation, troubleshooting.you pretty much have to be a low-level geek to pull this one off, which is why I haven’t attempted it myself in the last few months.
Patience is a virtue. Nothing will go perfectly the first time - this is the Cosmic Law of the Computer Universe. You will inevitably lose a screw; the hard drive will not install; you will drop the motherboard; a piece of hardware will be defective. The list of potential problems is infinite. Be sure that you know how to relax, take a deep breath, and try again when things don’t go as planned. Be flexible and willing to put the thing down for a few moments and return to it when you’ve gotten your temper under control. As for me personally.I’ve been known to throw brand-new hard drives across the room before(thankfully, they’re pretty much shock-proof, but that’s not a very good excuse).
I also recommend that you read some various computer manuals - there are literally millions of them on the market, readily available at your whim. They will give you information about upgrades, software, hardware, you name it. The more you know, the easier this will be for you to pull off - BE INFORMED!
Finally, make VERY sure that you have all the right tools to install this stuff. You have to have de-magnetized screw drivers, pliers, several plastic storage tubes to hold loose bolts and such, as well as chip pullers and other miscellaneous items. Here in Texas a good starter tool kit will set you back approximately thirty dollars, but it’s well worth the investment.
Of course, if you get stuck, you can always phone a friend, call the hardware or software company’s tech support line, or donate the half-completed project to the local garbage heap.