PESHT 2! I BUILT IT!!! I DID IT!

[ajsellaroli]

Hey everyone this is THE Photographically Enhanced Self Help Thread (Version 2.0). For those of you unaware of what exactly a PESHT is, here was the first: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=249166&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

Well, I spent about 3 hours today, connecting, tidying up, etc etc, and I finished my new build!!! BUT before I go on, I'd like to take this time to thank everyone in here who helped me build this computer - from the research to the actual building stage, you guys have all been amazing.

Check it out!

It's an Antec 900 Case,
Gigabyte ds3l Motherboard
Visiontek Radeon 3870 Graphics
C2D e2180 Processor
4Gb Gskill RAM
Antec PSU
Dell 20" Monitor
Barracuda 250gb hdd
Liteon DVD/CD burn

Here's an overall view of the insides:

I spent quite some time trying to make the wires look tidy (took lots of zipties)

And here is what ended up behind the motherboard tray:

Here's a view toward the hdd and the DVDburn

And another showing towards the back of the case

Near the power/hdd pins:

Near the Burner:

Dude I'm so excited. Guess what happened next? I plugged it in----and it worked!!

Next this came up (I think its called POST)

Then it told me I needed a boot disk inserted. Next, I restarted the computer and hit DELETE to bring up the "BIOS SETUP" I think and I saw this:

Then, because I was curious, I hit PC HEALTH and saw this interesting info about the fan speed, the CPU Temperature, the VCORE, etc:

So That's pretty much everything that happened to me today. However, this is still a PESHT - Meaning I still need help. How in the world do I know what do do next? What are all those things in that POST screen? How, and when do I install the operating system? How do I make sure it will boot from the right place?

Other than that, though: How does it look? Is there anything More I can do to organize the wires, or are they pretty good?

Once again, thank you all - I hope you've enjoyed seeing the fruits of your labors (and mine) but still, you guys have been a great help SO Thanks again

 

[EXT64]

OK, what you saw was the BIOS. That contains all of the Basic Input and Output settings for the motherboard. Your motherboard should have come with a mediocre guide for setting that up. Most of it is already set, but you probably will want to set it to your tastes. But in short, here is what you mast to to install an OS:

1.) Set the computer to boot from CD first (in BIOS).
2.) Insert OS CD
3.) Follow onscreen instructions and enjoy!

I believe if you wait until after the prompt to enter BIOS, the computer will automatically start searching the HD and CD drive for something to boot from.

Good Luck!

 

[jay2tall]

Throw in your windows disk and boot the machine. It should boot to the CD since there are no other bootable devices. For now just leave the BIOS alone until you install the OS.

If you are running stock you shouldn't have to touch the BIOS.

 

[EXT64]

Oh, and nice setup! All of that cable organizing will really pay off with airflow.

 

[pesh]

Excellent rig mate. And as said before, just pop in your windows/linux cd and you should be ready to go. Follow the onscreen instructions and your off. The anticipation will kill you

How did I get my name you asked? Well, my first name starts with a P, and my last name is Esh.

 

[vangvace]

I am never buying a short case again...

nice build BTW. Are those G. Skill sticks I see?

 

[ajsellaroli]

Yes they most certainly are G.Skill 2x2gb to be exact

 

[chuckm]

Nice clean build, good job.

 

[Shadow703793]

OCing?

 

[ajsellaroli]

OCing?

Definitely OC'ing. But I've gotta get past the OS installation first

 

[Shadow703793]

Good luck

But before usually installing OS, I run MemTest86+ (2+ passes) and other software found in UBCD (ie. HDD tools,etc). UBCD is a must have tool for any one.

Link:
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/



PM me if you run in to problems with OCing.

@Mods: Sticky?

 

[Reaper221]

Congrats on the build. I too love the way you tidied up the cabling. Much better than I can do. No matter what I do mine still looks like 2 squirrels took up residence in my case. Just follow what the experts here tell you and you'll gaming in no time. Congrats again and enjoy. Excellent work.

 

[EXT64]

Thanks for the link Shadow. I'd never seen that before and it looks pretty cool. They almost have too many test programs on there though.

 

[chuckm]

Thanks for the link Shadow. I'd never seen that before and it looks pretty cool. They almost have too many test programs on there though.

There is no such thing as to many programs in one place. I have a flash drive with some on it, but I really like the UBCD. Boot it up and go, one of the best disk I've ever burnt.

 

[ajsellaroli]

Hey, is there a place you can get the UBCD free?

Big Question that just came Up: Will this Unused Dell xp cd work with my computer?

Look - I put it in to try it out, and this screen came up:

Followed by this one:

I was too afraid to continue because I didn't want to mess my computer up. My question is: does the fact that the install got this far mean that this cd will work with my motherboard's bios (gigabyte ds3l). Or will it just hang at a later point in the install?

 

[pesh]

Yeah, you should be fine. Just make sure you have a cd key, assuming you do, since you had the cd.

 

[EXT64]

First off, I doubt you can mess up your comp by installing XP. I screwed up once, and all I had to do was redo it.

Secondly, I didn't think a Dell CD would work, but that is the standard install menu. Give it a try, I doubt it will hurt anything, though I have no idea if/when the Dell CD would check your MB.

 

[ajsellaroli]

The only reason I thought it might hurt the computer was because it is meant for a dell, not a regular build - thanks, I'll try it.

Now, do I partition the hard drive before or after installing XP?

 

[EXT64]

Here's your free UBCD link. Just scroll down a little ways.

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

 

[Shadow703793]

First off, I doubt you can mess up your comp by installing XP. I screwed up once, and all I had to do was redo it.

Secondly, I didn't think a Dell CD would work, but that is the standard install menu. Give it a try, I doubt it will hurt anything, though I have no idea if/when the Dell CD would check your MB.

^Agreed. You will be able to install the Dell XP but you will not be able to activate it even if you have a valid key, as those keys+CD are Dell specific.

 

[ajsellaroli]

Lol thanks EXT64 - I just found that out, thanks. I'm downloading it from ausgamers now.

Um..as this is my first build, though, I don't really know what to do with it (the ubcd). Which tests should I run, and for how long? Should this be before or after I install the OS?

 

[EXT64]

It should partition the drive during install but before it actually installs anything (if that makes since). The only thing I worry is that XP may install, but then not let you activate. Who knows, I'm guessing here. I've gotten all my XPs for free so I've never tried a Dell CD.

 

[EXT64]

Well, one test I would highly suggest running is a memtest. I'm not super familiar with the rest, but I know memtest is good.

 

[ajsellaroli]

It should partition the drive during install but before it actually installs anything (if that makes since). The only thing I worry is that XP may install, but then not let you activate. Who knows, I'm guessing here. I've gotten all my XPs for free so I've never tried a Dell CD.

Where do you get XP for free?

 

[EXT64]

Sorry, first I got it from my uncle who worked there, and now I can get it or Vista from college (which I guess isn't actually free, tuition is outrageous here). Actually, I don't think that I have ever bought an OS before (except for the ones that came preinstalled). I probably shouldn't have mentioned that (since it isn't really helpful).