Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

When is it safe to power off your external build?

Last response: in Components
Share
June 17, 2013 2:59:46 PM

I'm planning on building my first computer this Saturday, and I will start by doing a "quick" external build to check all my parts.

My question is, when is it "safe" to shut the computer off the computer before it has an OS installed? Is this something I need to be cautious about?

Thanks!

More about : safe power external build

June 17, 2013 3:15:18 PM

Without an OS installed? You can shut off the computer safely at anytime.

The shut down sequence in an OS is there just to protect itself from corruption.
m
0
l
June 17, 2013 3:19:20 PM

I guess technically, "Anytime without OS" is wrong.

Say if you were flashing your BIOS and you powered off your computer in the middle, that wouldn't be very good.
m
3
l
Related resources
June 17, 2013 6:45:46 PM

You should turn off the power to the rig whenever you reseat or handle the hardware, wait for the motherboard light to diminish before touching anything.

Static can cause issues with components especially memory type hardware, use an anti-static wrist pad and don't wear nylon shoes or socks.
m
0
l
June 18, 2013 11:43:45 AM

So, essentially if my PC does not have an OS, I can shut it off at any time, as long as it currently isn't in the middle of performing some sort of action?
m
0
l
June 18, 2013 12:11:44 PM

As long as you are not updating the bios, you can power off anytime (without hdd connected).
m
0
l
June 18, 2013 1:02:51 PM

So what if my HDD/SSD is connected?
m
0
l

Best solution

June 18, 2013 1:11:35 PM

If the hard drives are connected but no OS installed, you can power off any time. If you have OS installed and are opened at desktop level or diagnostics, it's better to use a safe shutdown rather than turning the off switch on the PSU or power point.

Each time you turn off the power point when the hdd is running Windows, it affects the mounting arm much like if you lift a heavy box then are forced to drop it without much warning, eventually the hard drive will fail, the mounting arm will loosen from it mounting and all you will hear is a whirring whizzing sound with clicking .... but not for a while, it would take some fairly periodic switch offs to wrek the hdd.

Best not to have the hdd on bread-board (outside of the Pc), this methiod is just to test ther motherboard and basic hardware prior to fitting into the PC case.

When installing OS to SSD, you should not have any other hdd connected during the install procedure, to either the hdd or the motherboard until after the OS install is complete.
Share
June 18, 2013 1:14:30 PM

Awesome, thank you!
m
0
l
!