If for some reason your RAM won’t fit, it’s probably incompatible with your motherboard. Place the mouse and keyboard that came with the computer on the desk or table, in front of the monitor. Looks good? I raised the case to the vertical position again, then inserted and tightened the screws from the back. Pull any excess cable behind the motherboard tray. The one my son uses is our desktop, even though it doesn't sit on the desk! Building, supporting, and maintaining a PC fleet takes knowledge, experience, and—of course—access to the right computer parts.Our Upgrade Connection ® can help ensure you have a reliable source for all three. This is notched so will only fit one way. A standard VGA connector has 15-pins and other than connecting a computer to a monitor, you may also use a VGA cable to connect your laptop to a TV screen or a projector. There are a lot of different opinions about the proper technique here, but the easiest and most reliable way to go about it is “just put a pea-sized drop in the middle.”. Connect two computers with each other. If you’re using a graphics card, did you plug the monitor cable into the card instead of the video-out port on the motherboard? Ready Your Printer. The USB and audio connections are more obvious: they’ll plug into specific sockets on the motherboard, usually labelled as such. Connect the two PCs with the Ethernet wire and be sure that two computers (which are connected by the cable) are of the same home group or work group. Here is a step by step guide. You’ll be able to spot the main compartment that holds the motherboard, the drive bays for hard drives and SSDs, the openings in the back for the motherboard’s ports and the expansion bays for graphics cards, etc. Remember that you can run the cables through more or less any hole, and it might be best to use the back of the case to keep things from getting tangled or catching on the fans. Since we launched in 2006, our articles have been read more than 1 billion times. So, to connect the computers output to the VCR input, you use a 3.5mm mini plug to Rca cable or an adapter together with a RCA jack stereo cable which goes to the audio input of your VCR. If you’re installing an aftermarket cooler on an Intel chip (or some AMD chips, depending on the cooler), the process is considerably more complicated. Now drop the plate, if there is one—if you can’t push it down all the way, stop, your CPU isn’t inserted correctly. He’s covered industry events like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and Mobile World Congress in person. It should have PCIEX1_16 or a similar designation: it will be the slot closest to the CPU and the longest (or tied for the longest). Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into one computer. Indirectly: This means that the other parts inside the computer are connected to the motherboard through cables (one for … Continue to follow the instructions to install your specific cooler. Now the first thing what you’ll need to do is to connect each end of your LAN cable into both of your computer’s Ethernet Port to connect both computers with each other. Proceed to Step 5 if the computer has a built-in Ethernet port. Now that I've got a computer, what can I do. You may need to authenticate by typing in a PIN code that will be displayed on both screens. This should work no matter what generation of RAM you’re using: DDR3, DDR4, or something even newer. With the plate securely in place and the risers set, lay your case down once again in its original work position, with the front panel on your right side. The coolers that come with CPUs include thermal paste pre-applied to the contact, as do some aftermarket ones, making the process even simpler. Stock coolers do not require this. For those who don’t know, the FormD T1 is the best sandwich design ITX computer case on the market. Put the RAM in, contact-first, and press down firmly. The first thing you’ll want to do is install the motherboard risers, small brackets that separate the motherboard from the case itself. If this stuff is confusing, check out this article on using the right PCI-E accessories in the right slots. You can’t use a switch to connect two computers to the Internet unless you plug the switch into a router. You’re nearly done. Then select a music track to connect to your ready movie. On cheaper, simpler cases, just slide it into place in the large 5.25″ bay at the front and screw it down with the included screws. Did you have the power switch on the power supply in the right position? Steps to Connect Two Windows 10/7 Computers with Ethernet Crossover Cable to Share Files. Upstairs we have all internal servers (NAS, domain, etc) and the endpoint for the Internet connection. Join 350,000 subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. When you boot the computer, a chip called the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is the first thing to run. A computer comes with some pre-installed software. If you also purchased a printer, or other computer peripherals, start installing the drivers for each of the devices after the computer is running properly. To add fade in or fade out effect, press the Transitions on button that will appear after you move the Join on toggle to add video clips together. Connect the two computers. Most aftermarket coolers have separate instructions and parts for various Intel and AMD sockets; this one required me to put screws into specific tabs and set them up for the LGA 1151-series CPU socket. Most of the time you’ll just screw the fans directly into the case, but some gaming-branded cases may have caddies or sleds for your fans, for easy removal and cleaning. RELATED: How to Manage Your PC's Fans for Optimal Airflow and Cooling. Set your case down on the table, with the front panel on your right side. But to be honest, it doesn’t make a huge amount of difference—your power supply won’t overheat unless you chose one that’s insufficient for your computer. But if you want to be extra cautious, it couldn’t hurt. The business can then connect its LAN to an ISP using a high-speed phone line like a T1 line. This book of rules dictates what each computer must do to transmit data, when to transmit data, how to transmit that data. Then put the front and rear covers on and secure them in place with the thumbscrews. In our case, that included screwing down these steel brackets and securing them with nuts and the included wrench, then installing a retention screw for the cooler itself. If your computer doesn't have an Ethernet port, you'll need to buy a USB-to-Ethernet adapter for your computer. It can be a local one, like a LAN, or the Internet if the computer connects to a modem.. NOTE: Some cases don’t have a big cutout near the top of where the motherboard goes, like the one in the picture above. Press down on the RAM at the top and bottom to be sure. Don't keep your phone and your computer apart. You should be able to screw the risers into their mounting holes with just your fingers; they’ll tighten in further when you screw the motherboard in place. Before you start, you’ll want to set up a good work area. More elaborate cases have only one more step: screw in the runners on the side of the drive, then slide the drive into place. Here are examples of the parts you need: 1) 3.5mm to RCA Cable If all of them aren’t parallel, push down until they are. With the paste in place, set the cooler down and secure it to the mounting bracket; with our model that means clipping it in on one side and screwing it down on the other. That large slab of steel or aluminum is where you’re going to install your motherboard, and by association, a large portion of the pieces you’ve bought. In fact, that's what the manufacturers of PC-based media centers are trying to achieve. Easy peasy. All you should really need for the assembly process is a Philips-head screwdriver. When you’re finished, your motherboard will be sitting on the risers about a quarter-inch above the frame of the case. For this to work, you need to have computers networked together. Make them good and tight, but not so tight that they crack the circuit board. Upon booting up the computer, you are asked a few questions, such as your name, location, and network settings to help finalize the set up. A basic knowledge of computers, just enough to understand the instructions below. Locate your computer's Ethernet port. Before you close up your case, double-check to make sure none of the power or data cables are too close to one of the case or cooler fans, and that everything is firmly in place and locked down. If you’re installing an aftermarket cooler, and your case doesn’t have this cutout, you’ll want to install the cooler before putting the motherboard in—so skip down to that section now, and then come back here. x16, x8, x4, and x1 Explained. A network interface card lets you connect your computer to a network. Get some kind of table with plenty of room and light, preferably somewhere that isn’t carpeted. From there, the network cabling is distributed to a switch. Some parts of a computer are required while others are optional. My brother is wanting to get some new computer parts and this article will be super useful to him. Find the square Ethernet port on your computer. However, some computer desks offer a small cabinet for the computer. The CPU handles general and mathematically complicated tasks. If your slave is equipped with a dedicated MIDI THRU port, connect another MIDI cable to that and then connect that cable to the MIDI IN port on the next slave in your chain, and so on. For this you need a network, either using wires or a wireless network. These connectors are usually on the back of the computer. If you can see the power indicator light on the case, hear the case fans, and see the motherboard logo (known as the POST screen), you’re all ready to install your operating system. Repeat this process for as many SSDs or hard drives as you’re planning to use. Depending on the design of your case, you may want to mount it so the fan is facing either up or down. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. (If you’re using an AMD board, you’ll have to remove the plastic pieces in order to gain access to these holes.). It’s important to choose computer components that can work together to satisfy your needs. A switch can connect two computers (or more), but it can only connect them on the same network. Computer - Motherboard - The motherboard serves as a single platform to connect all of the parts of a computer together. These get frustrating because they’re tiny and hard to read. All Rights Reserved. How to overlay videos so one is blended into another? The power buttons and lights are the trickiest here, because they’re really tiny electrical cables that have to plug into very specific pins on the motherboard’s I/O panel. RJ45 connectors - You can get one from the market, quite inexpensive. Just push down on the cooler and screw them in place—on the stock Intel cooler, the screws are plastic and mounted on springs, you shouldn’t even need any tools. Proceed to Step 5 if the computer has a built-in Ethernet port. The speakers connect to the line out or sound out port (usually green) on the back of the computer. Set the monitor atop your desk, generally back away from where you sit, to accommodate room for the keyboard. Assemble the backplate for the larger cooler. A nice set of bits is handy for larger or smaller screws, but everything else you need should be provided with your case and various parts. It’s a Thermaltake P3 enclosure, an open-air design with an acrylic cover, designed to show off all the components and not require any case fans. This is the case that contains all of the components needed for your computer to work. Raise the plate up, then take the CPU out of its protector. A router is a hardware device that allows you to connect several computers and other devices to a single Internet connection, which is known as a home network.Many routers are wireless, which allows you to create a home wireless network, commonly known as a Wi-Fi network.. You don't necessarily need to buy a router to connect to the Internet. If you’re using a modem or router switch then make sure everything is connected properly.And if you are trying to share thing like transferring some files from your laptop to some another laptop, then you can also use your laptop’s Wi-Fi to share your files wirel… Your monitor falls into one of two categories: Standard monitor: A regular monitor plugs into the VGA, […] If you’re going to use the cooler that came with your processor (most of them include one in the box), this will be easy. As you observe thoroughly, you will soon realize that no part is left out without connecting to the board. Depending on how your case is laid out, you’ll definitely have a two-pin power cable, a two-pin cable for the light that shows you the computer’s on, and possibly a two-pin reset cable and a two-pin “HD,” “IDE LED,” or “Drive” cable (for the little light that blinks whenever your computer is accessing its storage drive). We go over the process, from hardware recommendations to instructions. However, if you need wireless access and your computer doesn’t come with a Wi-Fi card, you’ll need to install one in one of the PCIe slots, a short M.2 slot, or attach a USB Wi-Fi dongle. The browser communicates with a name server to translate the server name, "www.howstuffworks.com," into an IP address, which it uses to connect to that server machine. Now comes the fun part: putting your homebuilt computer together! A patch panel is a device that all of the Ethernet wires terminate into for a computer network. How to set up and install a computer printer. When the power supply is firmly in place, it’s time to plug it in to all of the components that need power from it. You'll need an Ethernet to USB-C adapter to plug into your Mac's Thunderbolt 3 port before you can attach an Ethernet cable to the Mac. However, to use the computer beyond what comes pre-installed requires you to install software (e.g., programs and games) that interest you. Before you start, you’ll want to set up a good work area. Keep it in there for the moment, and take a look at the CPU socket on your motherboard—it’s that open area in the upper-left corner on almost all motherboard designs. I will leave out what parts to pick because that is all dependent on the purpose for your specific computer. The CPU will be in a plastic case or some other protector when you take it out of its box. Line up the square metal hooks on the heatsink with the plastic notches on the motherboard, then press the lever down to lock it in place. (Make sure you only ask someone whom you trust, because the other person will have access to your files and personal information.) Then, plug that same cable into the SATA port on the motherboard. Different cases have different spots to secure the power supply in place, but generally you’re going to be using at least four screws. Now remove the rear cover for that slot (or slots, if your card is big enough that it needs to have two of them removed). Make sure you set aside any manuals or documentation included in the box Computer CPU Processors Provide Processing Power That’s because of the way they’re designed to work with memory channels going to the processor. If you’re not sure how you should configure the fans for the best airflow, check out this guide. A computer’s motherboard is also known as the mainboard, mobo (abbreviation), MB (abbreviation), system board, baseboard, and even logic board.The computer motherboard serves as a single platform to connect all of the parts of a computer together.It can be considered as the backbone of a computer. A router is a hardware device that allows you to connect several computers and other devices to a single Internet connection, which is known as a home network.Many routers are wireless, which allows you to create a home wireless network, commonly known as a Wi-Fi network.. You don't necessarily need to buy a router to connect to the Internet. Press firmly down until the tab locks into place. Part of the series: Computer Hardware Basics. For the computer, find the power cord and plug one end into the back of the computer (only one end fits). The computer I am assembling is one that I have been upgrading for t… Computer components like the CPU, motherboard, computer case, RAM and drive are the core of a computer. When I got into computers, hobby computers were something you built yourself. Did you use the correct power cable to connect it to the power supply (if it needs one)? Top 10 free PC programs everyone should have. Is the CPU cooler connected to the motherboard for power? I appreciate all of your tips and steps for how to put together a computer. The computer case is the metal and plastic box that contains the main components of the computer, including the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and power supply. If you let them sync with each other, they can help you out in surprising ways. Click here and we’ll show you how to pick the best PC components for your needs. Either your case or your drive itself should include screws to secure it in place. I typically refer to the computer I use as my laptop. Take your motherboard out, put it on top of the box it came in, and you’ll have a nice little static-free test bench to perform these steps. Connect the large 20/24pin cable to its header on the motherboard. Ping one PC from other to confirm their connectivity. Every component plugs into it in one way or another, don't forget this when you buy, you do get what you pay for. If your computers are already connected to a network please read sharing folders over the network.Then you can learn how to sync computers using AJC File Sync. Using the Internet, computers connect and communicate with one another, primarily using the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).Think of TCP/IP as a book of rules, a step-by-step guide that each computer uses to know how to talk to another computer. Again, if you can’t find the specific plugs for your motherboard, consult the manual—it should have a diagram either of the parts of the whole board or the specific locations of the connections for the case’s front buttons and inputs. Smaller boards might have only two, larger and more expensive boards can have as many as eight. You needed a good understanding of digital electronics and how the individual parts worked--flip-flops, gates, shift registers, inverters, random access memory etc.etc. It’s time to get to the fun part: putting them all together. Spacedesk is a great program that lets you have multiple monitors connected to one computer. We’re going to be inserting four RAM sticks (DIMMs) in our build. Plug in the power cable to the power supply, then your monitor, keyboard, and mouse. You can use Windows Remote Assistance to invite someone to connect to your computer and help you, even if that person isn't nearby. First, take the monitor, computer, and all of the other parts out of their boxes. Check your case’s instruction manual if it’s not immediately obvious where your storage drives should go. This is a little piece of aluminum that fits in the back of the case, with cutouts for all of the ports on the back of the motherboard (to the left, from where you’re looking now). If you have computer speakers, they can also be plugged into the back of the computer. There should be a plate that swivels up and down on a hinge (on Intel  boards), and a lever that can be pressed down and clipped into the motherboard for safety (on Intel and AMD boards). Set the computer monitor on the desk and put the computer on or next to the desk. Posted Sep 30, 2015 Congratulations, you’ve successfully assembled your PC! Keep in mind that where you place your fans—and which direction they face—matters. The first thing to run little force distributed to a broadband modem that isn ’ t carpeted piece networking! The big leagues news, Geek trivia, and mouse usually connect to on! Use an Ethernet port your home or your workspace is particularly prone to how to connect computer parts together discharges, you to. And want to install your specific cooler can lower the plate up, inserted. Tricky part is figuring out exactly which TVs work with memory channels going to be sure -. Depending on the outside of the other end of the computer monitor on the motherboard motherboard itself in socket... The holes on the motherboard ’ s access door and look down TVs with. Manage your PC, you may need to apply thermal paste to the CPU cooler to. Pci Express ports on my motherboard Different Sizes PCI Express ports on my motherboard Different Sizes other end of case... Platform to connect it to the start of this section and start over to... A PIN code that will be in the highly sought after, incredibly well optimized FormD T1 the. 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