Building a PC without the case (safety measures)

MoRT489 · 8 Aug 2009 at 12:41

Hi guys

I want to put together and test a load of old skt478 bits but i dont want to have to fiddle around inside a case. Could you let me know what precautions i should take setting up the mobo outside of a case (i.e. what surface is it safe to put it on - obviously not a metal one

- and anything else u think of).

TIA

TheDogFather · 8 Aug 2009 at 12:53

I always use a bit of cardboard, the box the mobo came in if you have one, take any rings or whatever off, put it on a stable surface and keep anything that could fall/spill away from it, don't wear any nylon, if you don't have one of those wrist things to earth yourself touch the power supply first to discharge any static.

MoRT489 · 8 Aug 2009 at 13:31

Niaive question but, any chance of the cardboard getting too hot and catching fire? How about direct onto a wooden desk?

toxicredcat · 8 Aug 2009 at 13:34

Carboard is fine, I'm running mine on it atm:

wupwup · 8 Aug 2009 at 13:51

quick question, is this viable as a long term rig or not? thanks

MoRT489 · 8 Aug 2009 at 13:58

hmmm, first snag. How do i power it on without a power button or PS/2 keyboard?

Scooby_WR1 · 8 Aug 2009 at 14:11

creed said:
hmmm, first snag. How do i power it on without a power button or PS/2 keyboard?

Use a screwdriver to short the power switch pins on the motherboard, you just need to touch them.

Happy · 8 Aug 2009 at 14:13

creed said:
hmmm, first snag. How do i power it on without a power button or PS/2 keyboard?

Depending on what motherboard you have, some had buttons for power on and reset soldered on to the motherboard already. With ones that don't, you can use say a paperclip etc and touch the pins where the power switch jumper would plug on to the motherboard. You should just touch it, and it'll start then either touch it again to initiate a shutdown, or shutdown via the OS.

Edit:- Bah, beaten.

MoRT489 · 8 Aug 2009 at 14:32

Thanks guys! No power button, it's the trusty ABit IC7-G

PygmyArr · 8 Aug 2009 at 14:49

when i did this, i screwed the legs into the back motherboard (as you would do in a case except this time the legs weren't screwed in) to give the motherboard a little lift off the cardboard, and also it helped with fitting pci/agp cards as the back bracket is longer than the depth of motherboard...