Spec Me

[SirDT]

Ok, so I'm after building my own, shiny PC. I'll use it to have it on all the time, *doing illegal stuff* Won't run any games on it really. Just internet really..

Some of the specs, possibly:

P4 processor
512MB - 1 GB Memory
Basic graphics card
250GB +
And a DVD burner...

Thanks

 

[SirDT]

Ok, having re-read my first post, it isn't very clear what I'm going to use the PC for, and I haven't stated the budget.

Basically, I'm only gonna use it for the basics, surfing the internet, MSN, downloading... Like Semi Pro Waster said..

And the budget is £250, but the less the better..The things posted above ^ look decent enough, so thanks

Anyone can go one better ?

And yes Jak, this is the practice build

 

[SirDT]

Nope, semi-pro's spec is spot-on. It's a great build for the money. You could save by going to a smaller hard disk if you wanted.

If you wanted to go cheaper you could buy a second-hand OEM rig like a Dell or HP, disassemble it, then reassemble it.

Yeah thought about that too...But I think building it from scratch is just a little bit better. Experience-wise

One question, (bit of a random one)..I've got a static wrist band lol, but what do I do with it ?

 

[SirDT]

Cheers guys

Very quick and very informative Thank you...

 

[SirDT]

Hey SirDT glad to see your looking through the right section now mate the build looks good nice. You'll have more fun building it this way.

Aero

hehe cheers mate Took me like 20 minutes to read the Sticky, but it was worth it ! Can't wait to start building it...

Thanks guys

 

[SirDT]

Corsair 1GB DDR2 Value Select PC2-5300C5 Dual Channel Kit (2x512MB) (VS1GBKIT667D2) £13.99
(£16.44) £13.99

I'm just in the middle of adding these to my basket. And you said it might be worth getting 2GB of them..Do I just buy 2 of these, or is there another set I have to buy ?

 

[SirDT]

Ok cheers

Am I right in thinking that the MoBo is already built in in the case ?

 

[SirDT]

Thanks everyone Much appreciated, and like I said before...very, very fast replies !

//edit the system is a barebones so the motherboard is already installed which makes it simpler for a first build (the front panel connectors should be connected up as well which is one of the least favoured jobs of all). Graphics and sound are onboard as is network capabilities.

Ahh ok, is there anyway I can take out the MoBo and fiddle with it ?

 

[SirDT]

Yeah, it comes out. When they ship it to you it'll already be attached in the case, that's all.

Legend...

I know this is probably not an appropriate thread for this, but does anyone have problems loging in to the main page on IE7 ? Seems to work on Firefox 3 Beta, but not on IE7

 

[SirDT]

It's me again

I've received the stuff today But one thing I noticed is that the DVD-RW and the SATA HD are OEM, with no cables... does that mean I have to order the cables before I can start building it ?

 

[SirDT]

Ok, managed to install everything... And it works, well nearly

When I boot it, it boots fine, but after a couple of secs the HDD start to make this ticking noise, and BIOS doesn't detect it at all. So I'm just wondering whether it's something wrong with the HDD or the connections...

Any help please ?

 

[SirDT]

Ticking noises are generally not a good sign, particularly from hard drives but before you panic, try disconnecting it and using a different power cable and a different SATA cable to at least see if you can't eliminate some of the potential problem causes.

I've got no other SATA cables, and I've tried using a different power cable. I've got a SATA II hard drive, can someone tell me the connections I need, I think I know what I've done wrong...

Basically, I've connected 3 cables to it, cause I thought, well there's 3 holes, and all 3 cables fit, so why not... But then I read on the HDD itself that "Using both SATA power connector, and legacy power connector may cause unpredictable results" Trouble is, I don't know which one is which

I hate beeing a noob lol....

 

[SirDT]

SATA data cables are SATA data cables, there is no difference in the data speeds they support. The warning is telling you not to use molex power connectors (usually translucent plastic and they have 4 pins/holes) and a SATA power connector (most frequently black and much flatter) together. Either power connector will do fine but not both together so essentially you should have 2 cables connected to the hard drive, one from the PSU and one from the motherboard, if you have 3 connected then you have too many.

Yeah, well I know where I've gone wrong now lol..I HAVE connected the Molex power cable as well as the other one

Time to get a new HDD me thinks...

 

[SirDT]

Try just connecting one of the power cables and the data cable, it might not be terminal and you could be lucky. Hopefully it will work.

Ok, thanks..Will that a try in a sec

 

[SirDT]

Doesn't work

Need a new HDD

Just had a look at the price I've paid for it :O:O:O !!

Scrap that, any way I can fix the HDD ? lol

 

[SirDT]

Hey SirDT sorry to hear your having issues try a friends pc and also try using different SATA sockets on you pc. One might be screwed. Just a thought.

Aero

Yeah, I'm gonna try on one of my other computers.

And thanks, it's clearly my fault though lol...Wasn't too bothered really, until I saw how much I paid for it hehe