Questions tagged [computer-building]

For questions regarding the assembly of computers from individual components and problems you might face.

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Automated graphics card recommender? [closed]

Crucial have a tool that when you run it, it suggests the correct memory for you and gives you options based on price and performance. is there anything similar to this for graphics cards?
Nick's user avatar
  • 39
2 votes
2 answers
435 views

Automatically testing all parts of a new computer

What would be the best way to run tests on all parts of a new computer after first putting it together? I'd want to test the RAM, the CPU and the hard disks. (I assume there's nothing else worth ...
Acorn's user avatar
  • 708
0 votes
3 answers
222 views

What's the digital thing in my computer - looks like a clock

My computer was custom built. There's this little thing inside I can see (the tower's left side is clear plastic). It looks like digital clocks, only with two digits. It seems like it may have been a ...
Matthew's user avatar
  • 431
1 vote
3 answers
8k views

Troubleshooting new computer: shuts down instantly

everybody. I just built my own computer. This is the second time that I have done so, but last time I did so with a friend that was more knowledgeable than I am. The computer is built and everything ...
So8res's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
10k views

Computer doesn't turn on and HDD activity LED blinks

A few months ago I built a new desktop using a barebones kit from TigerDirect. The specs are listed below. It's been running perfectly since I fixed my previous issue. A few hours ago, I was trying ...
Zifre's user avatar
  • 1,560
0 votes
1 answer
4k views

Can you run a .iso from a flash drive or external hard drive? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Install Win7 from USB I'm currently in the process of building a computer (parts in the mail from newegg, should be fun) and since I need an OS, I figured I's take advantage ...
Raven Dreamer's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Powered Screwdriver for Computer Work

Does anyone know of a small, high-speed power screwdriver with really low torque (hand tight) for use on computer chassis? I screw in and unscrew screws on computer cases all day long and I'm ...
blsub6's user avatar
  • 877
2 votes
1 answer
166 views

BIOS only seeing 4 of 6 cores

So, I'm trying to put together a PC. I have an AMD 1090T (6 cores), and a gigabyte UD5 motherboard (the 890FX one). When I go to "Advanced BIOS Features", it only shows cores 2, 3, 4, 5. Where are the ...
CromTheDestroyer's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
329 views

Server Hardware on the Desktop

When I rebuild my desktop, I'm thinking of using server hardware instead of desktop hardware. I want to do this so I can easily add a lot of ECC memory (~20GB), and possibly more than one processor. ...
user avatar
4 votes
4 answers
3k views

Picking a linux compatible motherboard

Last time I bought a new computer (I build them myself) I got a motherboard that had really poor linux support for a long time. Specifically the audio. I had to wait months before the kernel supported ...
Chris's user avatar
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7 votes
4 answers
63k views

Cables for building a computer [closed]

I'm looking at building a computer and I have already done a whole bunch of research the topic and I think I know what I'm doing. Where do all the cables required for connecting everything come from? ...
Faken's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
1k views

Cheap dvr media server

I would like to build a new computer to be used as a DVR and media server. I am thinking of using mythtv as the DVR software, but short of that decision I am completely open to suggestions. ...
Tester101's user avatar
  • 668
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

sata cable with a clip

What's the difference between a sata cable that does have a clip and one that does not have that clip? The cable with a clip:
RainDoctor's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
529 views

DVD drive not recognized

I'm in the midst of building a computer (first time builder) I got everything plugged in, and hit the power button. After the excitement of the first boot coming up on my screen, I was looking ...
David Oneill's user avatar
  • 2,660
31 votes
2 answers
304k views

Hooking up my power switch/reset switch/LEDs

I'm working on building a computer (first time for me). There are several plugs that I need to connect to the motherboard (Power LED, reset switch, etc). Of the two wires, they are either: Color ...
David Oneill's user avatar
  • 2,660
1 vote
1 answer
374 views

Video adapter problem on new motherboard

Something bad happened to my PC several days ago. I wasn't near my PC, so I have no idea about what happened it was just halted. When I tried to boot it was entering infinite loops of a few seconds ...
okutane's user avatar
  • 71
11 votes
5 answers
8k views

How to build a cheap and fanless server [closed]

Any advice about how to build a cheap and fanless server? It's main uses would be web and file servering, but it could be a day when I'd like to add some streaming and mailing capabilities as well. ...
dag729's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
1k views

I/O ports vs case holes

I'm in the midst of building a new desktop (first time building my own). I bought MSI NF750-G55 AM3 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI HDMI ATX motherboard, and HEC 6C28BS Black / Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower case....
David Oneill's user avatar
  • 2,660
0 votes
3 answers
170 views

Should I put my operating system or my working files on the faster hard drive?

I'm a video editor working with large HD files. I am building a new computer and need some help. I will be running 2 hard drives. One with the operating system and all the programs. And one with all ...
v15's user avatar
  • 1,955
13 votes
2 answers
5k views

What's the best way to spray paint the inside of my case?

I was just wanting to spray my case black and someone told me that if the inside is not "grounded" something could quite possibly short out and/or fry. Just wondering if this is true and what type of ...
Liam teague's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
1k views

Is it feasible to build a home Plug PC cluster?

Is it possible to build a performant cluster for the home based on something like a plug pc: http://www.marvell.com/platforms/plug_computer/ I realise the Marvell Plug PC is not very powerful but in ...
yazz.com's user avatar
  • 3,321
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

Build pc with 6 dvi outputs?

I am trying to build a pc with 6 dvi outputs, I have already built a machine that does this using a radeon hd 4850x2 graphics card, but unfortunately it seems that this is unvailable to buy from ...
pie154's user avatar
  • 173
1 vote
4 answers
417 views

Is there any way to shut up my ATI HD 5770?

So to preface, I basically built Jeff's machine; I already had some of the components, including (scarily enough) the exact same case1. I've been buying bits and pieces over the past few months, which ...
slpsys's user avatar
  • 165
0 votes
4 answers
2k views

Building new computer, turns on, but no POST

Pardon my ignorance here. I finally decided to put together a computer and egads. I purchased a new motherboard, power supply, processor, video card and memory. ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
185 views

Some Power Supply Cable Questions?

I am building a new PC and I haven't done this in a few years. It will have all the latest tech stuff. I got my PSU in the mail and I am looking over the cables (it has a lot) I thought it was a ...
JasonDavis's user avatar
  • 5,042
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

My Computer hangs for a few minutes just after startup, and then is fine

So I just built myself a reasonably beefy computer, and I installed Windows 7 on it. However, I start the machine up each morning and within a few minutes, the computer will semi hang. That is the ...
EvilChookie's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
5k views

Can I build or test a computer without a case?

I am in the process of building a really nice new PC right now. It's going to have a nice Lian Li case with the internals powder coated black and all the wires will be sleeved. So my problem is I am ...
JasonDavis's user avatar
  • 5,042
3 votes
3 answers
680 views

Building My First Computer And Suprise It Isn't Working

I've had many years of experience working on and around computers, but this was my first foray into building one completely from scratch. So far that foray has been a disaster. My rig is completely ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

Internal USB A Female to motherboard 4-pin that mounts internally

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a product like this but that is physically mountable internally rather than on a cable? I'm planning on building a super low profile "gateway" pc that is dedicated to ...
Chase Florell's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
134 views

New computer crashing

I've just built a new computer and it crashes occasionally - it just switches off and then restarts and I'm not sure about the best way to diagnose the problem. All the components are seated nicely ...
Alister's user avatar
  • 725
1 vote
2 answers
323 views

Why is my screen not turning on after building a new computer?

All the BIOS beeps are solid, everything is looking good. I have built computers in the past and everything looks solid with this installation. Is there something that I need to do to get my screen ...
user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
10k views

What type are the screw needed to fix PCI boards?

I miss screws to fix a PCI board in my PC, however I can't find out what type of screw it is. Any hints? Charles
CharlesB's user avatar
  • 573
0 votes
2 answers
361 views

Getting a hardware profile from Fedora 12 after installation

I've installed Fedora 12 on a computer I found in the trash (Bulk garbage day!) and I'm trying to figure out what's under the hood (seems like a stock dell but I'd like to know the details). Is there ...
Christopher Tarquini's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
646 views

How much power supply does a typical PC build need? [duplicate]

I am building a system for a friend. The potential specs are like this so far: ASUS A8N-VM motherboard AMD Athlon 64 3200+ @ 2.0 GHz Any 7200RPM SATA HDD Palit GeForce 8800GT 512MB GDDR3 PCIe One DVD/...
Wesley's user avatar
  • 1,268
15 votes
9 answers
3k views

Setting up a PC for the Kids

I recently finished building a new PC from scratch; and then I decided to treat myself to a new widescreen monitor. I'm left with a bit of a conundrum with what to do with my old box. I'm ...
1 vote
3 answers
13k views

Fan twitches and LEDs blink when computer is plugged in

I just finished assembling a desktop for the first time. The specs are: Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H motherboard Core i3 530 CPU 4 GB DDR3 RAM 1 TB SATA hard drive 500 Watt PSU As soon as I plug in the ...
Zifre's user avatar
  • 1,560
6 votes
2 answers
383 views

Building a computer for the first time from scratch - will this really work?

I'm building my own computer, and I just finished picking out all of my parts. Now I just want to be sure it'll all work before I order it. I'm mean specifically if the RAM & Graphic card will fit ...
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Why does my motherboard go through an endless reboot cycle when 8 GB of memory is attempted vs 6 GB?

I never got an answer in my googling to this about a year ago and have an extra stick of memory I'd like to be able to use. When is inserted the computer starts, and then reboots immediately in an ...
sheldonhull's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why would only the cpu fan not spin and no video displayed?

I just built a new computer and when I first powered it on I got a continuous beeping which according to the manual means a power failure. After moving the voltage switch to the left a little I was ...
Patrick's user avatar
  • 133
14 votes
4 answers
30k views

2.5" SSD in a 3.5" desktop drive bay normal?

I'm a little out of touch with modern desktop builds, but I recently built a new machine anyway. I want to pick up a SSD for my I/O intensive apps (EverQuest 2 and Flash CS4 mostly), but I'm having ...
Cory Petosky's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
2k views

HD movies stutter

I just put together a new system build in the hopes that all of my daily tasks would run smoothly and without any hiccups. Unfortunately I am still seeing some sound and sometimes video stuttering ...
TheOne's user avatar
  • 1,375
8 votes
1 answer
226 views

If I buy an SSD now, and then new computer parts later, will I have to reinstall the OS?

I just ordered a new computer (CPU, GPU, RAM, ...), but it won't arrive for another week. I also want to buy an SSD though. If I buy it now, and install Windows 7 on it, will I have to reinstall it ...
mpen's user avatar
  • 12.1k
1 vote
1 answer
307 views

Does the Noctua NH-U12-DX 1366 cooling system mount on Asus P6T 1366?

The Noctua NH-U12-DX 1366 is an aftermarket CPU cooler for LGA1366 Xeon CPUs. On Noctua's site they state: Caution: The NH-U12DX 1366 can only be used on mainboards that have a backplate with ...
Andrea Ambu's user avatar
  • 8,558
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Does my motherboard support dual-core processors?

Hi there! I'm very confused about my motherboard (ConRoe945PL-GLAN) It's manual says, that i can use only some kind of ConRoe processors. But some pages on internet says that i can plug in almost ...
Filip's user avatar
  • 187
1 vote
7 answers
3k views

building a new pc - no display, no beeps

Building a new pc using this motherboard: GA-MA785GMT-UD2H and a 500W power supply (1 x 20 pin & 1 x 4 pin connectors). The CPU fan, hard drive and power supply all spin up but no display on the ...
Adam Chetnik's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
263 views

Three-letter acronyms (TLAs) [closed]

I'm a developer and know a good number of TLAs, but is there a definitive place to look for computer TLAs? I have wanted to build a computer from parts, but come mainly from a computer software ...
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Antec Minuet --- standoffs or no standoffs?

I'm building an HTPC in an Antec Minuet case that I bought a couple of years ago. The manual says to use brass standoffs under the motherboard, just like any other case I've ever used. But if brass ...
Norman Ramsey's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
3k views

downsides to running RAID on unmatched drives?

I've got some generic RAID controller built into my motherboard and I want to build either a RAID 5 or RAID 0+1 array. What are the disadvantages of running unmatched drives? Like 4 different brand ...
NoCarrier's user avatar
  • 3,507
1 vote
1 answer
290 views

Will Intel® Desktop Board D975XBX2 fit inside Thermaltake Armor+ Case

I have this motherboard Intel® Desktop Board D975XBX2 CPU Quad Core I want to Buy Thermaltake Armor+ case With powerSupply Aerocool E85-700 Will those three work because i have put components from ...
Mirage's user avatar
  • 3,183
2 votes
1 answer
328 views

How to make the front mic and headphone ports work

I have tower casing and my front ports for mic and audio do not work. I'm guessing there must be a wire that I'll have to connect inside the casing to make it work. Can you direct me to an online ...
Muhammad Hasan Khan's user avatar