taking computers apart
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Tuffie
Active Member
I think that would be a great way to learn about how the components come together.
I'd recommend having a Philips head screwdriver with a magnet on the tip, also remember you have all the time in the world to do it so don't rush or get frustrated. One other thing also is when your taking it apart take the whole thing apart place each component on a desk, and clean everything down, getting rid of the dust on the cards, inside the case, using contact cleaner to clean contacts inside the mobo and on all hardware, clean the fans (annoying part).
Once you think you've cleaned it, quickly give the case a quick wipe down with a tea towl, and get started putting her back together
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If you ever get stuck CF is ALWAYS here, don't take drastic measures and get annoyed.
I'd recommend having a Philips head screwdriver with a magnet on the tip, also remember you have all the time in the world to do it so don't rush or get frustrated. One other thing also is when your taking it apart take the whole thing apart place each component on a desk, and clean everything down, getting rid of the dust on the cards, inside the case, using contact cleaner to clean contacts inside the mobo and on all hardware, clean the fans (annoying part).
Once you think you've cleaned it, quickly give the case a quick wipe down with a tea towl, and get started putting her back together
.If you ever get stuck CF is ALWAYS here, don't take drastic measures and get annoyed.
pokethesmot
New Member
a very good way to learn...thats how i did i started taking broken computer apart from yard sales when i was like 10
bomberboysk
Active Member
Yup, hands on=best way to learn.
I think that would be a great way to learn about how the components come together.
I'd recommend having a Philips head screwdriver with a magnet on the tip, also remember you have all the time in the world to do it so don't rush or get frustrated. One other thing also is when your taking it apart take the whole thing apart place each component on a desk, and clean everything down, getting rid of the dust on the cards, inside the case, using contact cleaner to clean contacts inside the mobo and on all hardware, clean the fans (annoying part).
Once you think you've cleaned it, quickly give the case a quick wipe down with a tea towl, and get started putting her back together
If you ever get stuck CF is ALWAYS here, don't take drastic measures and get annoyed.
Great way to learn. That's how I did it. Nice little tutorial there, tuffie. For the fans, you could use an air duster.
Just don't be like the guy who bought an Asus P5N-E and an Arctic Freezer 7 Pro. The cooler wouldn't fit, so he took his dremel to the northbridge on the P5N-E. LOL. "It was fun though, I like a good dremel adventure!"
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Mustardsky
New Member
did the same thing its a big help
One final tip, probably seems stupid, but here goes.
Remember where the case headers for your motherboard goes.
There, I said it. Now I look stupid. One incey-wincey thing to forget, and I did it.
EDIT: How embarassing. Was 12 and had a rant at a technician because my USB's would not work. How the uneducated mind is clouded. . . Oh, and my 350th post.
Remember where the case headers for your motherboard goes.
There, I said it. Now I look stupid. One incey-wincey thing to forget, and I did it.
EDIT: How embarassing. Was 12 and had a rant at a technician because my USB's would not work. How the uneducated mind is clouded. . . Oh, and my 350th post.
atentora
New Member
How I learned to build. Actualy, thanks to screwing around with older computers I actualy got a job. Another good way to learn, and it's about the same, is look for some local store or computer lab or something along those lines and volunteer or ask to be an intern or something. If the person/people you are working with at these places are knowledgeable you will learn loads. Plus you will get more of a range of problems and hence more experince with fixing them.
And moist q-tips = godly fan cleaning, and make sure they are moist and not wet.
And moist q-tips = godly fan cleaning, and make sure they are moist and not wet.
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definitely try to get a old computer and old configuration also because it will help you to make learn, but in a reasonably good condition, because its condition should not lead you to learn wrongly.
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ragav
Blaze Infotech
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ragav
Blaze Infotech
2048Megabytes
Active Member
Advice for a beginner taking apart computers:
Electrostatic Discharge is simply the discharge of built up static electricity. Electrostatic discharge however, should not be taken lightly when working with computers.
Only 10 volts of electro static discharge can damage computer components. Walking across a carpet can generate up to 12,000 volts of ESD (electrostatic discharge). Electro static discharge is especially a problem in dry and cold climates.
Electro Static Discharge can cause two types of damage in an electronic component: catastrophic failure and or upset failure. Catastrophic failure destroys a component beyond use. An upset failure damages the component so that is does not perform well even though it may function to some degree.
At the very least, you should touch the bare, unpainted metal of your computer case frame before handling any computer components to prevent damage to any parts in your computer.
Electrostatic Discharge is simply the discharge of built up static electricity. Electrostatic discharge however, should not be taken lightly when working with computers.
Only 10 volts of electro static discharge can damage computer components. Walking across a carpet can generate up to 12,000 volts of ESD (electrostatic discharge). Electro static discharge is especially a problem in dry and cold climates.
Electro Static Discharge can cause two types of damage in an electronic component: catastrophic failure and or upset failure. Catastrophic failure destroys a component beyond use. An upset failure damages the component so that is does not perform well even though it may function to some degree.
At the very least, you should touch the bare, unpainted metal of your computer case frame before handling any computer components to prevent damage to any parts in your computer.
ohh definatly hands on is the best,thats how i learned how to build them.
Hands on + Computer forum = succesfull pc builder lol
2048Megabytes
Active Member
I don't post this information to insult you. If you already know all the following just ignore my post. Here is some very basic information on a computer I gathered:
A very important component in a computer is the motherboard (also called the main board or system board). The motherboard is the most complicated piece of equipment inside the computer case. The primary function of a motherboard is to provide a structure for all components of the computer to interface with each other.
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is also called the processor or microprocessor. As its name implies, this device is central to processing done by the the computer. It is the brain of the computer. It is the component in which most processing takes place.
The processor uses temporary storage, called primary storage or memory to temporarily hold both data and instructions (programs) while it is processing them. Primary storage is much faster to access than permanent storage. Primary storage is volatile; it loses its contents when power is removed. Primary storage is provided by devices called memory or Random Access Memory (RAM).
Hard drive disks (HDD) or hard drives (also called permanent storage devices) are the most important component in computer. (These components are also referred to as secondary storage devices). It stores the information available to a computer when the computer is turned off (unlike RAM which loses all its contents once the computer is powered down).
Other most popular permanent storage devices are: USB flash drives, floppy disks, digital versatile discs (DVDs) and or compact discs (CD-ROMs).
A power supply unit (or PSU) is the component that supplies power to a computer. Most personal computers can be plugged into standard electrical outlets. The power supply then pulls the required amount of electricity and converts the AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current). Computers require DC to give power to components. The power supply also regulates the voltage to eliminate spikes and surges common in most electrical systems. Not all power supplies, however, do an adequate voltage-regulation job, so a computer can be susceptible to large voltage fluctuations. Surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (or UPS) are recommended to provide additional protection against spikes and surges in electrical systems.
A very important component in a computer is the motherboard (also called the main board or system board). The motherboard is the most complicated piece of equipment inside the computer case. The primary function of a motherboard is to provide a structure for all components of the computer to interface with each other.
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is also called the processor or microprocessor. As its name implies, this device is central to processing done by the the computer. It is the brain of the computer. It is the component in which most processing takes place.
The processor uses temporary storage, called primary storage or memory to temporarily hold both data and instructions (programs) while it is processing them. Primary storage is much faster to access than permanent storage. Primary storage is volatile; it loses its contents when power is removed. Primary storage is provided by devices called memory or Random Access Memory (RAM).
Hard drive disks (HDD) or hard drives (also called permanent storage devices) are the most important component in computer. (These components are also referred to as secondary storage devices). It stores the information available to a computer when the computer is turned off (unlike RAM which loses all its contents once the computer is powered down).
Other most popular permanent storage devices are: USB flash drives, floppy disks, digital versatile discs (DVDs) and or compact discs (CD-ROMs).
A power supply unit (or PSU) is the component that supplies power to a computer. Most personal computers can be plugged into standard electrical outlets. The power supply then pulls the required amount of electricity and converts the AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current). Computers require DC to give power to components. The power supply also regulates the voltage to eliminate spikes and surges common in most electrical systems. Not all power supplies, however, do an adequate voltage-regulation job, so a computer can be susceptible to large voltage fluctuations. Surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (or UPS) are recommended to provide additional protection against spikes and surges in electrical systems.
whats a demel? and a Asus P5N-E and an Arctic Freezer 7 ?
Bodaggit23
Active Member
I think he meant "Dremel".
Along with having the old pc to practice on, use Google and Youtube.
You can find lots of tutorials on Youtube.
Copy and paste "Asus P5N-E" into the Google search bar for info.
Same with the cooler.
I somewhat did that the week before I build my first PC. I just got a printout of my MOBO - identified all the components and tracked them back to where parts originated. I took out the CPU heatsink - and chip from socket - and re-applied thermal paste. My PC was still a user - albeit secondary - so I was didn't want to gut it.
If you can use the model # to find motherboard model - it helps give you a visual aid to identifying what anything else is - and you might even be able to get an old MOBO manual.
Building a PC isn't very complicated thogh. most parts are plug and play these days from what my experience was.