Need some tips on reviving a PC

[Zorex116]

Last year or early this year,my PC went down. Motherboard issues(GIGABYTE). Than this week my laptop HDD died. Luckily a few days ago it was my birthday I have bought some new component to revive my old PC. I've been familliar with removing and putting PC component except for on/off wires. That one sucks. As I'm installing new motherboard,I got no experience with this one. I'll be using old power supply,ram 2gb and graphic card(Nvidia GeForce 9500gt). What I bought today is:
1.Intel Pentium G3240
2.Kingston 2gb ram 16000mhz I guess
3.ASRock H81M-DG4

I'll assemble it as soon I return from vacation on this 9th June. I need some tips from you guys before I'll start assembling it. I really don't want to mess this up. Thank you

[TheRock]

Quoted my reply from WS Forums.

I hope you bought thermal paste
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_grease


Though I am not 100% sure but those Pentium models do have already some..

The on/off switches are very easy, your computer case has few cables coming from the right side (aka front panel), those are HDD/Power Leds (2 seperate), one for the restart button and one for the power on button..



(Those are EXAMPLES of the pins, your motherboard has DIFFERENT CONNECTIONS; look for the picture I edited for you)
Googled from internet; and edited a bit for you, I do not know your knowledge over computers so I also noted many things...



Because your PSU is old, it may be a 20pin and not 24pin, so Brown colors show you 4 pins you may ignore..
Important to do; Do connect the small wires before installing the motherboard because it'll be hard to do once installed..
Secondly, make sure you power BOTH CPU and Motherboard, Ram preferably on first RAM Socket.. 9500GT on graphics spot..
Noted down the front panel USB + Audio..

And yes, you need to format your computer as your motherboards has a CD with drivers (though most of the time outdated) on the first page with the manual that was in the box.. Aaand you also need to know your HDD's SATA and connect it to the correct one..

Edit: found a better resolution; here's your cheat sheet

Those are in order, same pic as I edited above.

Thanks! That's detailed. To bad I need to format my HDD.

That shouldn't be a problem either, if you are going for Windows 7, when prompt to format your HDD choose to intall on the already installed windows HDD, it will then ask you to install over it and more your files on a folder named Windows.old, that way you will not loose anything

Make sure to have downloaded 3dp chip for installing everything imediatelly.

http://www.3dpchip.com/3dpchip/3dp/chip_down_en.php < For Drivers (Prompts you to download each, after sucessfully connecting to internet!)
http://www.3dpchip.com/3dpchip/3dp/net_down_en.php < For Internet Drivers.

How it looks like;


It will help you install the latest drivers, (always check with Windows update too and make sure to install the drivers from the Asrock motherboard manual)..

I always use the second program (internet drivers), because it needs no more download, it has all internet drivers packed with it.. that's why it's 100mb, and it's useful after a format for instant internet access.. (In my case, few times Windows fails to load drivers for old motherboard, so that's why it's necessary!)

[Zorex116]

After I finished assembling. Upon startup,do I need to insert my windows 7 install usb? And what is windows 8.1 ready means?

[Janar]

Upon startup,do I need to insert my windows 7 install usb? And what is windows 8.1 ready means?

If you install Windows 7 from the USB stick, then yes, you then have to insert it and boot from it (may have to configure UEFI/BIOS for that).

Windows 8.1 Ready is just a label that means that part is fully compatible with Windows 8.1 (all drivers and features work flawless in W8.1 environment).

On a side note, that video tutorial on thermal paste isn't the best one. This method could leave airbubbles in there.

[Zorex116]

So CD Driver and USB Stick upon booting up?

[Janar]

So CD Driver and USB Stick upon booting up?

Depends where you have the Windows. If it is on USB, then insert USB and boot from it. If it is on a DVD (doesn't fit on CD), then insert DVD and boot from it.

[Zorex116]

I mean the motherboard CD disk,I need to put it upon booting up too? And my processor box said that it includes thermal solution,does that mean it includes thermal paste or I still need to buy one?

[Janar]

I mean the motherboard CD disk,I need to put it upon booting up too? And my processor box said that it includes thermal solution,does that mean it includes thermal paste or I still need to buy one?

No, you don't need.
That is just the stock cooler that came with the processor. If thermal paste isn't preapplied (which I think Intel has, but not sure), you need to buy a tube. Doesn't cost much.

Look at the cooler - if it has a paste under it, then it has the paste. If not, you have to buy and apply yourself.

[Nathan]

After I finished assembling. Upon startup,do I need to insert my windows 7 install usb? And what is windows 8.1 ready means?

Take a look at the BIOS and see if you need to make any changes. You will probably want to set the boot order as well CPU FanSpeed, etc. to your liking.

Once done with the BIOS, most manufacture usually use F11, F12, F2 or DEL to show the boot menu upon start up. Hit the key and select the CD Drive (or USB drive if installing from USB). This will boot from the USB drive.

[Zorex116]

Topic may be locked,I'm done! 

[Archie]