Good books on building computers

[pickel]

Please let me know your recommendations for some good BASIC literature on computer construction and setup.I'd like to build one for my daughter for Christmas so I can have mine all to myself!!!!( just kidding). After being around all you cyber hotrodders, I'd feel that I was betraying ya'll if I just went and bought one. Thanks

the pickel

Thanks fellas,
Putting the physical parts together should be no problem since I've worked on AC & DC motor drives a long time
It's the set up procedures when first configuring that I need guidance on. I've read my Mbd. manual and I guess I just feel
a bit insecure since I know the wrong "enter"
wiil ruin everything. Experience, no doubt, is certainly the best. I'll have to decide
exactly what I want, then just go after it.

[This message has been edited by pickel (edited 10-26-1999).]

Mr. Ed & Zacho 10000: Thanks for the sites.
Just a matter of some serious application.
If I run into something that I can't handle
I'll give you guys a holler! Thanks again.

[This message has been edited by pickel (edited 10-26-1999).]

Thanks everyone. I checked out the sites and
after a little studying doesn't seem to be too bad.
Daniel.... I hope your Dad comes back strong. I know all about wanting to get going again. I stayed out of commision about 4 months this year. It's rough, but you have to deal with things day by day. I'm sure he's just as stuborn and hardheaded as I was.
Best wishes Ed( the pickel)

[This message has been edited by pickel (edited 10-26-1999).]

[Nathan]

It really depends on how you learn. But the best way is by experience. Like the way the rest of us learned. Most of us worked with someone who knew and showed us what do it. Keep in mind back then there wasn't the internet that is out there today. But if you really want an adventure, dive in. There are many GREAT folks here that will aid you in what you are doing. And don't be afraid of failing. Because you will. But we'll help you out the best way we can. But keep in mind you need ALOT of patience. It will take to the edge sometimes too until you get over that hump. The learning curve will be smaller is you have help however.

Some here will suggest some good books to help you along some. Hope this helps.

[Daniel son of Welshwizard]

If its of any help My Dad gave me this answer to the same question a few weeks ago, "Why waste money on a book to just tell you how to put one together, spend your money on a good interactive A+ training Program that way you'll get to biuld yourself a computer and take the A+ exam, and that is worth more than just putting the computer together as in 2 or 3 years that computer will be old hat, but your cert is something that is with you for life" My dads words as best I can remember them. best of luck putting it together.
Daniel

[Zacko10000]

It's not really that hard to put a computer together. With the help of the online community, it's almost impossible to go wrong. All the components fit in to their own distinct places. Between the documentation and the answers you get from here, you are set.If you want to get some information, open up your current computer, try to identify the components, and see how/where they are connected. Also this site tells you some of the basics. www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/7903/assembly.html (http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/7903/assembly.html)

[MrEd]

Also try surfing some of the pages that are recommended by Sysopt, here;
http://www.sysopt.com/links.html

But, the best way is experience, and we're all here to answer any technical questions you might have along the way. Just post a topic like "Building a computer, need advise" or something along those lines, and you'll get some clues on hardware combos that work together, cause most of the people that will be replying are using those parts themselves.

-MrEd
/forum/smile.gif

[Underclocked]

Here's a site with some guidance and there are many others http://www.verinet.com/pc/
Just do a search for "how to build a pc" or computer using a couple of different search engines and you should find a world of info.

Also, there is hardly a motherboard out there that doesn't have a whole forum devoted to problems encountered (somewhere).

Most motherboard manuals are a bit confusing, but the big points are careful handling and mounting of the mainboard itself, setting the switches/jumpers correctly for your cpu and components (and checking ALL connections to the mainboard about 5 times before juicing it), seating the cards and connections correctly, route and bundle cables so as to maximize airflow, check everything one last time and say a small prayer to whomever is appropriate before plugging in and pushing the On switch. /forum/wink.gif
Make sure to enter and set bios on the first boot in accordance with your equipment requirements and system needs (yeah, like that's the simple one /forum/smile.gif )
One thing I've learned is not to panic but always be prepared to kill the power quickly on the first few boots.
If you are installing Win 98, it actually goes pretty easy on most setups. Just be sure to have any special chip drivers (non-Intel), cpu software patches (95 & K6-2 350 or greater) and all current drivers for the equipment and OS you are installing.
And, as stated before, there is lots of good help here, just ask.
Good luck.

Whew!

[KillerBug]

Just buy all boxed stuff, or only stuff with manuals, everything tells you how to put it together. The motherboard manual shows you how to plug in hard disks, install the board, install cdrom drive, install CPU, the the video card shows you how to intall it, sound card has great instructions, modems, eithernet adapters, everything. Why waist money on a book that tells you what is in the manuals that come with the device??? I am gona do A+ soon enough, but I mostly know the stuff as it is, just from experience.

[chuckiechan]

This is where I started before I built my first computer. Lots of good step by step, ground up info...excellent!!

http://www.motherboards.org/build/build-20.html