Building my first computer- just need a few tips

[Davermonk]

About a month ago I posted a system I was thinking about buying from a "custom computer" outfit, but the more I looked into it, I saw how much money I could save by getting all the components & doing it myself.

Anyway, I've heard (and read here) that it's best to put in the minimum # of components at first, and then add the rest piece by piece, but my mobo manual (and other "how to" sites) says to just load everything in & turn it on.

Here's what I have sitting in front of me waiting to be put together...

Antec 1040 case w/ 400w PS
Asus A7V266-E mobo
AMD 1800XP
(2) 256MB DDRAM
Thermaltake Volcano 7 HS/fan
3oz Arctic Silver thermal paste
WD 40GB HD
Asus V8200 GeForce 3 Ti 200
Creative Soundblaster Live 5.1
Mitsumi floppy drive
Asus DVD/CD
Asus CDRW
3Com NIC
Win XP Pro
(I think that's everthing)

From what I understand, the "better" way to get going would be to...

1. Install CPU onto mobo
2. add thermal paste & install Volcano 7
plug CPU & Volcano into mobo
3. Install both RAMs
4. Install floppy drive
5. Install video card
mount mobo into case, hook up to power supply, connect floppy drive
power up, set bios, then power down
6. install DVD/CD (has floppy w/ driver)
(power up/power down after each installed component)
7. install HD
8. install sound card
9. install NIC
10. install CDRW
11. install 2nd hard drive (from old computer)

When should I install my OS? Right after #7 (hard drive) or should I wait until everything is in?

I'm picking up a monitor & keyboard tomorrow night and I'll be ready to go after that.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!!

[BipolarBill]

Once you've checked the setup with just floppy and vid card, you could just plug in everything else and go. If you anticipate trouble, you could install both CD and DVD drives, the HDD and install the OS - leaving the sound card and NIC for after OS installation. If it's XP you're setting up, you should include the NIC because Windows Product Activation will want to connect to MS.

If you're not expecting trouble, slap it all in and go for it after the first test.

BTW...you won't need drivers for the DVD.

[rextex]

Opinions vary on the install methods.But I think many of us will agree that working with a minimum necessary devices and then installing the O.S. is a good policy.Especially if you have to troubleshoot,as you have fewer possibilities to rule out.
So I agree with going up thru 7. Then do the O.S.Then load the Motherboard and Video Drivers.Then continue.

If XP I don't know,but BipolarBill is the man there!

If it is a Win9x/Me install I recommend doing same up thru Hard Drive; 7.The only step I'd Change is putting the CD in but not a DVD.Then the drivers as mentioned.
The reason why to stop there is this:
When you install Win9x the first time a file is created called "system.1st" it is a basic registry that is made prior to the last boot phase of the O.S. It contains the device detection profile of the devices present at that time and the order to load the required files for them.It is typically small in size (400-600KB) and thus is easily saved to a floppy disk.
The reason why this file is so handy is because if you ever want to get back to the state of that first install you can.
So if even way later everything goes to **** in your system and people tell you to "reinstall Windows and everything" You can be saved a big step.
You would just break out your system.1st file, and use it to replace the system.dat registry.You can use any version of user.dat with that to start off anew.
You would be starting at the last phase of a Windows install, effectively.
You would stiil need the Windows Disk or equivalent files to complete the O.S. install.But it takes 5 minutes as oppsed to 45.

I've used that method well.
Other than that if you do Win9x and complete thru 7. and install then put the Video and motherboard drivers on and all is well; save copies of system.dat and user.dat before proceeding further.And copy the ERU folder to C: and make an ERD backup.

If you don't know what these files mean for now, just make a note of it.
...submitted for your consideration..!
:cool: