Can i install a motherboard?

A socket 478 mobo with PCIe? I didn't know that such thing existed.

this doesn't bode well on his initial question already...

Well post the the MB info like the name maybe were you bought it from etc. Also post your orignal Spec of the PC that you are moving from.


Note: before telling you how it would be best to make sure you bought the correct one that why I'm asking. To install a MB you have to disconnect every thing and I mean every thing since every piece of computer equipment is attached to it. Not hard but it will take a little bit of time. You could even have space issues if you have a "brand" name PC like dell or HP the MB may not fix correctly.

Id love to "learn through the process" but i have a 2,000$+ system, not a 486.
My friend, who knows a lot abt this stuff says i cant do it myself, because u need screw it in, connect different thing wich i have no idea at, and overall be really percise. I want to learn, but i cant learn by trial and error.
So is it really all that hard to setup a motherboard? I mean its just like connecting all the different appliances into it and inserting new material - everything has a single special place and all u have to do is put it in, dosent seem like rocket science. Plus, it costs like 30$ or more to have it done in a lab, wich i have to drive to.

Yes, everything has it's place and it's not rocket science. But then again, I dunno, I'm prolly not the right person to ask, I have always built my own machines, I've never bought a pre-built. I was nervous as hell after building my 1st machine, but only because is was new, but after I plugged everything in, flipped the switch, and the fans spun, the drive whirred, the machine posted, and it searched for a boot device, I was done and hooked on building my own forever!

If you've got a system now, crack open the case and have a look inside, just by observing what's inside you can learn alot about what is connected to where and how. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, can use a screw driver, have some common sense, patience, and are willing to learn, then who cares what your friend says. Whether you choose to listen to them or try it out on your own is your decision. If they were any kind of friend, they'd give you a hand. If not, seriously, there are scads of on-line guides that walk you through the process of how to build your own machine, it's crazy how many there are, read a few of them and you will see the similarities of the process.

But hey, for $30 to have someone do it for you might be worth the drive.

track, your friend is talking rubbish.

i bult this comp i am using. it was my first one and tbh as long as you take care especially with the ports at the back you can install a mobo easily enough. your mobo will also have a manual which explains how to connect everything and where everything goes.

i always say if you can wire up a plug and get a vcr and tv working you can build a comp. it is very easy with today's plug and play. of course i have been upgrading comps for a few years so i had already got a bit of experience and i had an old comp die on me and took that apart so i had an idea how to put one together.

just make sure to get a elctro static wrist strap to prevent frying your new mobo and you'll be fine. remember patience is a virtue.

im worried hes gonna break pins when he moves he processor.

Go here and read through this step by step.
http://sysbuild.corsairmemory.com/ [...] id=2&sid=1

Good God kid, building a computer is not like building an engine.

If you can assemble a LEGOS toy and know how to use a screw driver, you can assemble a computer.

Hey, Legos are MUCH more complicated!

You don't need a anti-static wrist strap unless you live in a really dry region. Just plug the ps in before starting, keep the power switch on the back off, and touch it before starting, and don't more around alot.

I've built thousands of PC's and never damaged a part by doing that one simple thing. Now I do use one on the network equipment I touch but that's cause it costs over 100k usually

http://www.albatron.com.tw/english [...] pro_id=160

there you go. be careful with ur parts and dont spill **** on them. the rest is simple. you might need a new powersupply. look into it if ur pc is old.

I dont need a motherboard.


After i install everything into the case, im going to have to boot it up right?
I still have my copy of Windows XP Pro, but i was told it would no longer work.. also, im going to need to change the "BIOS" whatever those are, and install drivers, and oh man! this is too complicated. Even if i get over the physical part of putting them all in, i still have to install things using Windows.

If you haven't run your xp product number through MS's clearing house in the last 6 months, it will register unless it's an oem from the like of HP, IBM, Dell, etc.

I got a better idea than going out and buying static wrist straps.

Use a bag! graphics cards, hard drivers, sound cards, even the motherboards come with anti static bags, just wrap it round your hand, its bound to work. Thats what I did.

ye i know you can just touch something grounded but seeing as how cautious and unsure the guys was i felt it aws better to be safe than sorry. there is also the phschological reassurance of wearing one. mayube it is just me but for my new build i used one as i didn't wan't to make a mistake.

for all other upgrades before hand i had just touched the case with both hands before starting.

Yeh, i got it built for me. I didnt know much abt it back then, wich was 2 years ago.

I dont have a friend who can do that.

If you don't think you can, don't.





Remember, whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

Sorry, no computer labs which you speak of around here, other than college computer labs, unless our terminology is different. Only thing we got around here is Best Buy, Circuit City, and such, and I wouldn't trust them to sell me a computer let alone install software.

Losing the CD isn't good. You can always borrow a friend's assuming you've written your CD-key down somewhere.

Well, if my computer is broke I fix it myself. I built it so I know it better than most. There are a few local computer shops, but they charge $$$.

As for the cd-key, putting it in a safe place just seems an obvious thing to do. I always make a backup or two of the original cd and write the cd key down. You never know when your original cd will get scratched rendering it useless or even misplace your cd.

What do u mean "associated" and who will give me the key?
I cant just go to MS's site and ask for a key, heck id have better luck trying to find it on some illegel site.

Or you can ask if your school is a member of the MSDNAA. It's Microsoft's program that gives free or cheap copies of software to students at certain schools. See if yours is listed.

OMG!

Just forget the comment about the anti static stuff and the one about having the PSU plugged in; Just use google and some common sense.

That's a great suggestion and actually how I got my copy of 64bit WinXP, can't beat the price either, at student discount rate of $6!!!!!! No lie...

I got my version of XP Pro for £2 which turns into about $3.40. No lie...

Kind of hard to believe u when u have a Core 2 Duo CPU, while the rest of us are normal ppl..

No domain support, unless you "modify" it.

XP Pro $8, it's not the upgrade like the title says, it's a full oem cd.

do not open the psu whatever you do. those things are lethal if you mess around with them.