Building My First PC Today! Advice please!

Good call dandos23, It is indeed the UD3H, not the uATX UD2H.

It is indeed difficult to see the front panel connector - that could well be the problem if not done correctly.

To hitman, check this out:

frontpanel.png


This is from the manual (page 28) and I highlighted the only one that is crucial to turn the PC on - the Power switch. On the antec P183, the Power Switch cable is black and red and says "Power SW" on the connector:

22880768.jpg


[Image credit to overclockersclub.com, page here.]

Ensure that this main connection is made, it doesn't matter which way it connected around (it isn't polar as its a switch), just make sure it's in the right pins.
 
I've just set my computer up recently, a different model but it took 3 attempts to power up. One of those was because of RAM. Do you get any beeps at all?
If so, I'd remove both sticks of RAM and put just one in, in the socket furthers away from the CPU. If that works, put the other one in next to it.
 
You'll need to make sure the + on the motherboard connector for the power matches up to the little arrow on the front panel power button cable.

Where does he live? lol.
 
No idea, but we should club together and sort him out before the warranty runs out on his products, which would be a travesty.

Never give up. Remember, you're a hitman!
 
so finally, I'm on-line on my new pc !!
will post some pics tomorrow to prove this
thanks for everyone who helped me with advice and encouragement :)
 
Thank god! Now sort out those cables before you send any pics;)

Glad to hear it's working, what actually were the sepcs? Sorry if I've missed it somewhere...
 
Thanks god you made it mate! i was reading this thread while i was at work this time last week lol Good job, now some pics please :)
 
That had to be the most gripping first build I have ever read. It was like reading a good book with twists and turns all over the place. Im just glad that you finished and its all working. Now I just want to see some pics.:D
 
The pics are on the way but at the moment I'm downloading the drivers for my soundcard.

I'll confess, the reason the pc wouldn't power up was that I'd managed to insert the wrong connector into the 8 pin power connector!! Everything else was connected correctly but I imagine the psu wouldn't turn on due to some safety feature.

So today I'm installing drivers and programmes after spending the last couple of hours re-routing my cables.

Main points I've learnt which may help someone else who's got very little experience of computer hardware and has never put together a pc before:

1. Plan your build - read everything you can on how to install a motherboard, psu etc. Don't rely on the first article you read - there are lots of different types of components and so your particular set may be different even if only in a subtle fashion. Also don't rely on the manuals that come with the components - absolutely hopeless, although the on-line ones are better.

2. Take your time

3. Some cases come with standoffs pre-installed, that are not brass and some are even rivetted to the case and can't be removed!

4. Read the motherboard manaul carefully before attaching different devices to the motherboard - it is possible to install devices incorrectly even if they fit - you need to check the polarity diagrams in the manual.

5. When connecting the power cables, remember that most devices have to have external power (including sound cards). Even though the experts will say the power cables can only fit one way and can't be fitted incorrectly, it is possible to do this, so be carefull. You can also fit the power cables behind the back of the motherboard and outside of the main compartment. They fit between the case panel and the back of the motherboard, which will help with cable management.

6. If the pc doesn't power up you can check the psu by disconnecting everything, except one case fan, and shorting the green connector and one of the blacks on the 24 pin main power connector - if the psu is ok the fan should spin. The psu needs to have something connected like a fan as it needs some load to operate.

7. Be careful when installing everything in the case as its easy to cut your hands without realising and end up bleeding over your expensive processor, case etc :)

8. Use isoproppyl alcohol to clean thermal paste off a psu with a lint free cloth. Not nail varnish remover, or saliva, as someone on the web suggested!

9. Some aftermarket coolers don't fit some motherboards without covering some of the RAM slots, meaning a loss of RAM capacity - check carefully.

10. Overclocker forum members are happy to help (and laugh at you occasionally :)) if you ask for help with your build and post lots of pics.

Cheers
 
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Nice writeup hitman. Yes, cases are sharp, just like plastic shrink wrapped packagin - both designed to maim you!

Have to admit, I did enjoy your escapade and I did find out that these days sound cards also need a power cable. It was gripping alright. Most of us would have been tearing out hair out after day 1. You have the patience of a saint!

Now that you've done one build, you'll be confident to do others. Most important aspect is knowing where to get info if you do get stuck and always double check components before spending cash.

And, where are the pics? We're going to judge your cable management skills and we can't do that without some pics!
 
I'd have to agree this thread is a cracking read! And it will certainly strike a chord with many enthusiasts.

I've built 4 systems now and can identfiy with the protagonist in this cautionary tale i.e. Hitman. I have to say that although PC's are simple to put together it's also incredibly easy to overlook something and end up scratching your head for hours on end trying to sort things out. Hitman, you just seemed to have multiple head-scratchers in one built which made it a bit of a nightmare.

I think any PC builder worth his salt has accumulated a few cut knuckles and spent a wasted hour or two checking wiring etc. Unless you're an unusually methodical worker, it's just too easy to overlook something obvious in the heat of the moment.

I've done the classic "not connect the 8-pin power plug" - this is particularly troubling as not only does the CPU heatsink covers the slot so you can't see the open socket, but also the system kind-of starts up with just the 24pin plug attached, it just doesn't POST. This sends the inexperienced builder on a lengthy wild goose chase double checking other components first - only to then find out they've made such an obvious mistake.

I've also had endless fun with getting CPU heatsinks to fit securely - those ***** push-pins drive me absolutley crackers. (To the point that I only ever buy coolers with a backing plate now - I'd rather spend the time removing the motherboard rather than messing around later). In fact last year I built a HTPC with E8400 cpu. The problem was that my new motherboard needed a BIOS update to accept the cpu - it wouldn't even POST. I therefore had to take apart my destop to get out the E6600 to temporarily put in the HTPC to then update the BIOS and then put in the new E8400. Needless to say the Artic Freezer Pro that was previously solid-as-a-rock in the desktop would not go back on properly, and the new Syyth Ninja would not fit stably in the HTPC - so I was left with a destop was previously perfectly ok but now overheating and an new overheating HTPC. At this point I decided to only ever go for back-plates in future. (This was also the build where I wasted a couple of hours due to the 8-pin error).

Point is though, as you've found you have to learn from these errors, and normally you won't make the same mistake twice. (Although that isn't to say there aren't other potential pitfalls, to paraphrase Blackadder - the path to successful PC building is strewn with cowpats from the devil's own satanic herd)


Oh, and don't get me started on the endless hours of my life I have lost to software/OS configuration problems....
 
Read this through around 4 days ago, Hitman you was really unfortunate to run into so many problems with your first build; but you persevered and are now ( hopefully :P ) reaping the rewards. Really well done man!
 
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