Mid-Stride

The computer is up and running beautifully.  Now I have to figure out how to get on the internet.  I have a double problem.  I'm having trouble configuring the computer and I'm in the dungeon (basement) where the wireless signal is weak.

When I get tired of working on the internet problem, I load software.  I've put on Office 2010, Sony Vegas Pro 9, SonicFire Pro SE, Adobe Creative Suite 2 (I'll up grade to CS 5 Master Edition when my budget eases a bit), and a few specialized programs.

As I was trying to decide which software to load, I realized that I have ton of stuff that I never use.  Why should I clutter up the system with this?  Time to weed out material and donate it to charity.  There must be someone still using Win 98.

Since I installed Windows 7 on the new beast, some of my old programs won't work, even if I think they're worth having.  When I get on the internet, I'll download the Microsoft application to allow me to use legacy software and hope it works.

Stay tuned for further adventures in the self assembled computer saga.

Baby steps

I finally got the computer to boot, sort of.  I had to change the video cable between the computer and the monitor.

Now I get into the boot menu, but cannot figure out how to configure the boot drive.  The system sees the drive, but doesn't enable it.  Hmmm.

Time to reread the manual and check some cabling.

I'll keep you posted.

Computer woes

Finally got the computer assembled and fired it up.  No POST.  Could not hear any POST beeps, because of lack of speaker.  Seems the chassis manufacturer (Thermaltake) expected the motherboard manufacturer (ASUS) to incorporate it and vice-versa. 

Radio Shack didn't have one, so I ordered it online.  It cost $2.00.  I added a USB cable for $3.00 for a total of $5.00.  S&H was $7.00! 

C'est la vie.

Now I'm waiting patiently until it arrives and I can get on with my project.

Check back in a week for an update.

computer project rework

When I fired up the system for a rough test, I realized that I had installed the CPU cooler backward. The fan exhaust must face the rear chassis fan.


Tomorrow I'll take it apart, clean the thermal paste from the bottom of the cooler and top of the CPU, reapply the thermal paste and reinstall the cooler.


More work for mother.

Computer update, nearing the end

Here it is, the motherboard is installed with the CPU cooler, memory and memory fan.

Now I'm starting to add the components, drives, etc.

I was going to reuse the DVD drive from my old Dell, but it's not a sata drive. The next day I got a notice from Newegg of a special for a Sony DVD burner at @20.00, so I got it.

The last item is the video card. I have to wait until the 20th to order it, because of credit balancing. Boy, I wish I were rich.

Computer Project Update

I'm adding 12 Gb of Corsair ddr3 1600 RAM to the system. I got the Corsair memory fan cooler shown, to prevent the memory from ovrheating.

The project moves forward in fits and starts.

CPU and Cooler

Continuing on with my project. I'm installing an Intel i7-930 Quad core CPU. It operates at 2.8 GHz. This CPU represents a compromise between my wishes and my budget.



The good news is that my motherboard will allow me to upgrade to a six core CPU later, when the prices drop.

I'll be cooling the CPU with a CoolerMaster Hyper N520 CPU cooler. This is reviewed as better than the standard Intel CPU cooler.

Computer project moves on

Got my motherboard (see Pix), CPU, and memory.

I plan to read the manuals several times and then begin the assembly.

First step is to fit the motherboard to the chassis. Then I can add the CPU, memory, CPU cooler and memory fan.

The case has a removable motherboard tray, to make this easier.

I have the boot and data drives ready to install and the DVD burner and Blu-Ray Burner in hand. When this step is done, all I'll have to do is install the graphics card and test the system.

power supply installed

I finally got around to installing the power supply in my computer case. Pretty easy. The picture shows the space at the top of the case where the power supply will be mounted.

Then I started to check out other things and found a loose fan in front of the drive bays. I fixed that.

I practiced all the things that needed to be done when I get the rest of my stuff and learned that "toolless" does not necessarily equate to "easy".

Later this week, I'll order the motherboard, CPU, and memory. Then the real fun (and monthly payments) begins.