Open the Case

Computer cases are produced in a variety of form factors. Form factors

refer to the size and shape of the case.
There are different methods of opening cases. To learn how to open a
particular computer case, consult the user manual or manufacturer’s
website. Most computer cases are opened
in one of the following ways:

■ The computer case cover can be removed as one piece.

■ The case’s top and side panels can be removed.

■ The top of the case may need to be removed before the side panels can
be removed.
 Install the Power Supply
Step 1. Insert the power supply into the case.
Step 2. Align the holes in the power supply
with the holes in the case.
Step 3. Secure the power supply to the case
using the proper screws.
Install a CPU and a Heat Sink/Fan Assembly
 The central processing unit (CPU) and the heat sink/fan
assembly may be installed on the motherboard before the
motherboard is placed in the computer case.
Step 1. Align the CPU so that the Connection 1 indicator is lined up
with Pin 1 on the CPU socket. Doing this ensures that the
orientation notches on the CPU are aligned with the orientation
keys on the CPU socket.

Step 2. Place the CPU gently into the socket.

Step 3. Close the CPU load plate and secure it in place by closing
the load lever and moving it under the load lever retention tab.
Install a CPU and a Heat Sink/Fan
Assembly………..

Step 4. Carefully apply a small amount of thermal compound to the CPU, and spread
it evenly. Follow the application instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Step 5. Align the heat sink/fan assembly retainers with the holes on the
motherboard.
Step 6. Place the heat sink/fan assembly onto the CPU socket, being careful not to
pinch the CPU fan wires.
Step 7. Tighten the heat sink/fan assembly retainers to secure the assembly in
place.
Step 8. Connect the heat sink/fan assembly power cable to the header on the
motherboard.
Install the RAM

Step 1. Align the notches on the RAM module to the

keys in the slot, and press down until the side tabs
click into place.

Step 2. Make sure that the side tabs have locked the
RAM module. Visually check for exposed contacts.
Repeat these steps for additional RAM modules.
Install the Motherboard
 Plastic and metal standoffs are used to mount the
motherboard and to prevent it from touching the metal
portions of the case.
 You should install only the standoffs that align with the
holes in the motherboard. Installing any additional
standoffs may prevent the motherboard from being seated
properly in the computer case.
Install the Motherboard………………
Step 1. Install standoffs in the computer case.
Step 2. Align the I/O connectors on the back of the
motherboard with the openings in the back of the
case.
Step 3. Align the screw holes of the motherboard with
the standoffs.
Step 4. Insert all the motherboard screws.
Step 5. Tighten all the motherboard screws
Install Internal Drives
 Drives that are installed in internal bays are called internal

drives. A hard disk drive (HDD) is an example of an internal

drive.

• Step 1. Position the HDD so that it aligns with the 3.5-inch

drive bay.

• Step 2. Insert the HDD into the drive bay so that the screw

holes in the drive line up with the screw holes in the case.

• Step 3. Secure the HDD to the case using the proper screws.
Install the Optical Drive
 An optical drive is a storage device that reads and writes
information to CDs and DVDs. A Molex power connector provides
the optical drive with power from the power supply. A PATA cable
connects the optical drive to the motherboard.

Step 1. Position the optical drive so that it aligns with the 5.25-inch

drive bay.

Step 2. Insert the optical drive into the drive bay so that the optical

drive screw holes align with the screw holes in the case.

Step 3. Secure the optical drive to the case using the proper screws.
Install the Floppy Drive
A floppy disk drive (FDD) is a storage device that reads and writes

information to a floppy disk. A Berg power connector provides the

FDD with power from the power supply. A floppy data cable

connects the FDD to the motherboard.

Step 1. Position the FDD so that it aligns with the 3.5-inch drive bay.

Step 2. Insert the FDD into the drive bay so that the FDD screw

holes align with the screw holes in the case.

Step 3. Secure the FDD to the case using the proper screws.
Install Adapter Cards

Adapter cards are installed to add

functionality to a computer. Adapter cards
must be compatible with the expansion slot.
Install the NIC
 A network interface card (NIC) enables a computer to connect to
a network. NICs use PCI and PCIe expansion slots on the
motherboard.
• Step 1. Align the NIC to the appropriate expansion slot on the
motherboard.
• Step 2. Press down gently on the NIC until the card is fully
seated.
• Step 3. Secure the NIC PC mounting bracket to the case with the
appropriate screw.
Install the Wireless NIC
 A wireless NIC enables a computer to connect to a wireless network.
Wireless NICs use PCI and PCIe expansion slots on the motherboard.
Some wireless NICs are installed externally with a USB connector.

• Step 1. Align the wireless NIC to the appropriate expansion slot on the
motherboard.

• Step 2. Press down gently on the wireless NIC until the card is fully
seated.

• Step 3. Secure the wireless NIC PC mounting bracket to the case with
the appropriate screw.
Install the Video Adapter Card
 A video adapter card is the interface between a computer and a display
monitor. An upgraded video adapter card can provide better graphics
capabilities for games and graphic programs. Video adapter cards use PCI,
AGP, and PCIe expansion slots on the motherboard.
Step 1. Align the video adapter card to the appropriate expansion slot on the
motherboard.
Step 2. Press down gently on the video adapter card until the card is fully
seated.
Step 3. Secure the video adapter card PC mounting bracket to the case with
the appropriate screw.
 Connecting Internal cables
Power cables are used to distribute electricity from the
power supply to the motherboard and other components.
Data cables transmit data between the motherboard and
storage devices, such as hard drives.
Additional cables connect the buttons and link lights on
the front of the computer case to the motherboard.
Connect the Power Cables
 The following power connections are
discussed;
Motherboard power connections
SATA power connectors
Molex power connectors

Berg power connectors

Motherboard Power Connections
The Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) main power connector has either

20 or 24 pins. The power supply may also have a four-pin or six-pin auxiliary

(AUX) power connector that connects to the motherboard. A 20-pin

connector will work in a motherboard with a 24-pin socket.

Step 1. Align the 20-pin ATX power connector to the socket on the

motherboard.

Step 2. Gently press down on the connector until the clip clicks into place.

Step 3. Align the four-pin AUX power connector to the socket on the

motherboard.

Step 4. Gently press down on the connector until the clip clicks into place.
SATA Power Connectors

Serial advanced technology attachment (SATA)

power connectors use a 15-pin connector.
SATA power connectors are used to connect to
hard disk drives, optical drives, or any devices
that have a SATA power socket.
Molex Power Connectors

Hard disk drives and optical drives that do not

have SATA power sockets use a Molex power
connector.
Caution: Do not use a Molex connector and a
SATA power connector on the same drive at
the same time.
Berg Power Connectors

The four-pin Berg power

connector supplies power to a
floppy drive.
Connect the Data Cables

Drives connect to the motherboard using data

cables. The drive being connected
determines the type of data cable used. The
types of data cables are PATA, SATA, and
floppy drive.
PATA Data Cables

 The parallel advanced technologies attachment

(PATA) cable is sometimes called a ribbon cable
because it is wide and flat. The PATA cable can have
either 40 or 80 conductors. A PATA cable usually has
three 40-pin connectors. One connector at the end of
the cable connects to the motherboard. The other
two connectors connect to drives. The end of the
PATA cable is keyed and can be inserted only one
way.
PATA Data Cables…………………………
A stripe on the data cable denotes pin 1. Plug the PATA

cable into the drive with the pin 1 indicator on the cable

aligned to the pin 1 indicator on the drive connector.

The pin 1 indicator on the drive connector is usually

closest to the power connector on the drive. Many

motherboards have two PATA drive controllers, which

provides support for a maximum of four PATA drives.

SATA Data Cables
The serial advanced technology attachment
(SATA) data cable has a seven-pin connector.
One end of the cable is connected to the
motherboard. The other end is connected to
any drive that has a SATA data connector.
Reattach the Side Panels to the Case

Now that all the internal components have

been installed and connected to the
motherboard and power supply, the side
panels are reattached to the computer case.
Connect External Cables to the Computer
Step 1. Attach the monitor cable to the video port.

Step 2. Secure the cable by tightening the screws on the connector.

Step 3. Plug the keyboard cable into the PS/2 or USB keyboard port.

Step 4. Plug the mouse cable into the PS/2 or USB mouse port.

Step 5. Plug the USB cable into a USB port.

Step 6. Plug the network cable into the network port.

Step 7. Connect the wireless antenna to the antenna connector.

Step 8. Plug the power cable into the power supply.

Boot the Computer

When the computer is booted, the basic

input/output system (BIOS) performs a check
of all the internal components. This check is
called a power-on self test (POST).
Identify Beep Codes
POST checks to see that all the hardware in the computer is
operating correctly. If a device is malfunctioning, an error or
beep code alerts the technician that a problem has occurred.

 Typically, a single beep denotes that the computer is

functioning properly. If a hardware problem exists, the
computer may emit a series of beeps. Each BIOS
manufacturer uses different codes to indicate hardware
problems.
BIOS Setup
 The BIOS contains a setup program used to configure
settings for hardware devices. The configuration data is
saved to a special memory chip called a complementary
metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS). CMOS is maintained
by the battery in the computer. If this battery dies, all BIOS
setup configuration data is lost. If this occurs, replace the
battery and reconfigure the BIOS settings.
Common BIOS setup menu options
Main: System time, date, HDD type, and so on.
Advanced: Infrared port settings, parallel port settings,
and so on.
Security: Password settings for the setup utility.
Others: Low-battery alarm, system beep, and so on.
Boot: The computer’s boot order.
Exit: Exits the setup utility.