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TECHNOTES PERSONAL COMPUTER ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY

STEPS TO DISASSEMBLE PERSONAL COMPUTER To remove the hard drive from the side of the slot, unscrew the
four screws securing it in place. You must be very careful not to
Before starting computer disassembly, make sure you have drop the hard drive, since it is very delicate!
the tools you need and they're all close by and handy and be sure
to have a container to keep the screws in so you have them when Step8. Memory (RAM) - To remove the RAM, push down on both
you want to put things back together. tabs holding the RAM in place, which are located at both ends of
the RAM.
Step1. Unplugging - The first thing you do is to unplug every cable
that is plugged in to your computer. That includes the cables such Step9. Motherboard - The motherboard has seven screws holding
as Power, USB, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet, Ethernet, Modem, it to the frame, which are indicated by large white circles around
AM\FM Antenna, Cable TV, etc. Just unplug all the cables for them. Remove them and then lift the motherboard out of the frame.
safety purposes. Now that your computer is fully unplugged, move
your PC to a clean workspace.
STEPS TO ASSEMBLE PERSONAL COMPUTER
Step2. Opening the Outer Shell/Case- First, unscrew the four
screws at the back of the computer. On most computer cases, there Now that you have the skills in disassembling a personal computer,
will be large knobs that you can unscrew by hand or by I believe that you are ready to take another step of this module
screwdriver on the back-right side of the computer. The left side which is assembling a personal computer. All you need to do is to
has small screws because on that side you can't access much on follow the step by step procedures provided in this module.
the inside.
Step1. Prepare your Workplace.
Once the screws are removed, you can remove the side panels.
On most computers, they just slide off. Start with the left side panel
(the side that once had the knobs), slide it towards the back of the
computer. Now you can remove the left panel. Just like the other
side, slide it towards the back of the computer.

NOTICE: If you are working on a carpet, about every five minutes’

touch something that is grounded (Sink faucet/pipe, wire coming from
the ground part of a wall outlet). This is done so you do not shock your
motherboard or other parts.

Step3. Removing the System Fan - First, unplug the fan from the
motherboard. You can find the plug by following the wire from the A. Take Inventory of different Computer Parts. Before you
fan. It should be labeled "SYS_FAN1". Next, you will have to start, take an inventory of your parts. Do not begin
unscrew the fan from the outside. You should now be able to lift assembling your computer if you don't have everything you
the fan out of the PC. need. Begin the step-by-step process once you are ready
with everything you need.
Step4. Removing the CPU Fan- The CPU fan is located right on
B. Make Space, Make Time. Building a PC takes up space -
top of the CPU heat sink, which is a large piece of metal with fins
about a dining room table worth. So make sure you have
on the top. The CPU fan plugs into the motherboard in an
awkward place, that is hard to access. But just follow the wires plenty of working room and a few hours to proceed with
and you should easily find it. It is labeled "CPU FAN1". To minimal interruption. Work on a flat, stable table top
remove the fan from the heat sink, remove the four screws securing surface, or bare floor, where you have room to layout all of
it in place. the items.
C. Prepare Grounding Protection. Use an inexpensive
Step5. Power Supply - The first thing to do is unplug every wire antistatic wrist strap. Make sure you are wearing your
coming from the power supply. You must disconnect the antistatic wrist strap correctly (it does you no good at all if
motherboard (very large connector/plug), CD/DVD drive(s) you do not wear it!), and you are ready to proceed.
power, internal hard drive power and portable hard drive slot
power. D. Have the Drivers Ready. Assuming you have another
internet connected PC, download the latest drivers from the
Once everything is unplugged, unscrew the four screws holding vendors' websites for each component you will be installing.
the power supply in place, on the back of the computer. Next, push
Sometimes drivers are updated between the time the
the power supply from the outside, and then lift it out.
component was manufactured and the time you are
installing it. It is always best to have the latest. Copy them
to a CD for easy access.
Step6. CD/ DVD Drive(s)-First, unplug the ribbon from the back
of the drive. Once that is completed, pull on the tab securing the
drive-in place, then push it out from the inside. Step2. Prepare the Motherboard.
Step7. Hard Drive - First, unplug the connector at the back of the A. Great care should be taken when installing the
slot, & unplug the other end from the motherboard. Also unplug motherboard. First, take the board out of its packaging and
the SATA cable from the motherboard and the hard drive. The put it on top of the antistatic bag it came in. Remember, you
portable hard drive slot is secured the same way the CD/DVD always want to safeguard your components from potentially
drive is, with a tab. Pull on the tab, then slide the slot out. hazardous static electricity (wear your strap).
B. Before you secure the motherboard onto the PC
case/chassis, inspect it carefully for any visible defects.

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C. TECHNOTES
Next, review the motherboard manual, to make sure you are
familiar with the motherboard layout & understand which Step7. Connect the Power Supply. Making the proper connections
socket is which. Manuals are extremely helpful, usually is crucial to successfully assembling your PC system. Fortunately,
easy to read, and include illustrations. Below you can find manufacturers provide color-coded power cables and unique
instructions on how to install the processor, the heat sink connector shapes to make the job easy.
and the memory modules on the motherboard. You should A. First, plug the large ATX power connector from your power
not place the motherboard in the computer case until you supply into the matching port on your motherboard. Look
are told to do so. Figure X for details.
Step3. Install the CPU B. Locate the smaller, square processor power connector (you
A. Use the unlocking mechanism to open the CPU socket
cannot miss it - it is the one sprouting the yellow and black
which is usually a lever.
wires) and attach it to the motherboard.
B. Carefully line up the pins and place the chip in its socket; it
will fit only when oriented the proper way. An arrow or a Note: your connector is usually located near the processor. As always,
missing pin on one corner of the chip will show you how to refer to your motherboard's manual for the exact locations.
line things up. C. Use your motherboard user manual and find the description
C. Align Triangular CPU and socket key marks. about front-panel connectors.
D. Lower the lever to lock the CPU into place.
Note: You are going to be doing work that requires attention to detail
and can be quite frustrating if you do not go into it with the
Step4. Install the CPU Heat Sink
right attitude.
A. Follow the manufacturer's directions to install the heat sink
D. Attach each of the tiny leads from the power and reset
and the fan that will cool the processor. If you bought an
switches, the hard-disk activity lights, the PC speaker, and
OEM CPU and a separate heat sink, you may need to
any front-panel USB and FireWire ports to the
spread a thin layer of the thermal grease that came with the
corresponding pin on your motherboard. The needle-nose
heat sink over the chip to ensure proper transfer of heat
pliers are useful for manipulating small pieces.
(some heat sinks come with this grease already applied).
B. Attach the clip that holds the heat sink in place keeping in Step8. Install Graphics / Video Cards
mind that it may require a fair amount of force. Again, A. Begin by removing the backplane cover from the AGP or
follow the instructions that came with the heat sink. They PCI Express X16 slot (the metal piece where the monitor
will show you how to fit it correctly. If you are in doubt, you connector will emerge)
can visit the manufacturer's website for more information.
B. Install the graphics board in that slot, and then secure the
C. Plug the CPU fan's power connector into the proper card with a screw
connector on the motherboard.
Step9. Install Internal Drives Now it is time to install your drives.
Step5. Install Memory (RAM Modules). In order to install the This is an easy process, but it requires attention to detail.
memory modules, insert them into the proper sockets and push A. Make any necessary changes to jumpers on the drives
down firmly but evenly until the clips on both sides of the socket before mounting them in the case. A two-drive system (one
pop into place. If your motherboard supports dual channel or two SATA (Serial ATA- is a standard hardware interface
memory, consult the user manual to determine which pairs of RAM for connecting hard drives and CD/DVD drives to a
sockets you should use. The motherboard and the CPU are the computer) hard drives, plus one parallel ATA (Advanced
brain and nerve center of your PC, so selecting these components Technology Attachment) optical drive, for example) is easy
is the most important decision you'll make.
to set up; the SATA drives are jumper less, and the optical
Step6. Place the motherboard into the case drive can be set as master on its own parallel ATA channel.
A. Some PC cases have a removable motherboard tray. If Many cases have removable drive rails or cages to house
yours does, remove the screws holding it in place and pull it drives.
out of the case B. Use the included screws to attach your drives to the rails or
Note: The pattern of the holes in your motherboard, and screw brass cage and slide them into the case. For externally accessible
standoffs into the motherboard tray or into the PC case in the drives such as a DVD recorder, you can save time by
correct locations (ALWAYS check the manual and follow their installing one drive rail and sliding the drive in for a test
instructions to the letter).
fitting to make sure that its front is flush with the case.
B. Check the layout of the sockets on the motherboard and
confirm that the ports on your motherboard's back panel C. When the drives are installed, connect power and data
match the holes on the case's Input/output (I/O) shield that cables to each one. Parallel ATA drives use wide, flat data
is installed in your case. If necessary, remove the old I/O cables that can be installed only in the correct way. Floppy
shield by tapping it firmly a few times with the butt-end of a drives use a similar but smaller cable; SATA drives use a
screwdriver, and then replace it with the shield that came thin, 1cm-wide data cable. SATA drives use a new type of
with the new motherboard. power connector that many power supplies don't come with.
Fortunately, many motherboards ship with adapters for
C. Carefully position the motherboard on top of the brass converting a standard four-pin power connector to a SATA
standoffs, line up all the holes, and use the screws that power connector.
accompanied the case to fasten down the motherboard. If
you are using a removable tray in your system, slide the
tray and motherboard back into the case and then secure Step10. Install the Add- in Cards
the tray. A. For each add-in card, you must choose a free PCI slot.

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TECHNOTES
B. Remove its backplane cover to allow access from the rear of
the case.

C. Carefully position the card above the slot and press down
firmly to seat the card.

D. Secure the card with a screw.

Many motherboards have additional sound connectors or ports

housed on small add-in boards. Some of these plugs into slots on
the motherboard; others screw into the back of the case in place of
slot covers. Usually the additional ports are not essential to your
PC's operation. For example, if you install a sound card, you do
not need connectors to the motherboard's built-in sound chip.
Check your motherboard manual to determine what each of these
boards does.
CONNECTING PERIPHERALS OF A PERSONAL
COMPUTER
When attaching hardware and peripherals of the
computer, ensure that they are connected to the correct locations
or ports. For example, some mouse and keyboard cables use the
same type of PS/2 connector. So, you must know first the different
ports that can be found in the back panel of the computer.

Keep in mind:
1. When attaching cables, never force a connection.
2. Plug in the power cable after you have connected all
other

Steps in Connecting Peripherals of a PC

Step1. Attach the monitor cable to the video port.
Step2. Secure the cable by tightening the screws on the
connector.
Step3. Plug the keyboard cable into the PS/2 keyboard port.
Step4. Plug the mouse cable into the PS/2 mouse port.
Step5. Plug the USB cable into a USB port.
Step6. Plug the network cable into the network port.
Step7. Plug the power cable into the power supply.

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