Booting without a case

[MattJNew]

Is it possible to boot your computer without putting your motherboard in the case? For example, if you just have your motherboard on an anti-static mat and have the motherboard connected to the power supply in the case, will this fry the motherboard?

(sorry if this is a dumb question -- I'm completely new at this.)

 

[Proximon]

Use cardboard not an anti-static bag. See the sticky post at the top of the forum:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-build-post-checklist

for instructions on how to do this properly.

 

[Outlander_04]

if you actually have a case installing everything in that first off means you only handle sensitive components once

but other seem to like bradboarding and say it helps them check all is good b4 they install the hardware .

A DRY wooden chopping board is a good base [ instead of cardboard ]

 

[jitpublisher]

Yes, it is possible, it is called "bread-boarding" because you use a wood breadboard, cutting board, or even a piece of cardboard, and it is the proper way to begin a build. It is much easier to test a board out of the case with only the memory, video card, and CPU/Heatsink installed, than to get it all mounted, and find it will not boot. It is the basic first step to troubleshooting a build, and the basic first step to prevent you from tearing it all apart if you have a no boot.
And a no boot situation happens an awful lot, especially with new builders!

And I kind of disagree with Outlander_04 a little bit here, because if it works during the bread boarding phase, all you have to remove is the GPU, and then drop the board into the case. No big deal.
If you put it all in the case, and something does not work right, you are going to be handling things a lot more than once. And you may end up having to take everything apart again, and again, and again, I have seen this many times. Especially if it turns out you have mounted the board wrong!
Breadboarding is the best, fastest safest, most fool proof way to start things off, I strongly believe.

 

[jsc]

jit, did I make a convert or have you also always done this?

I have always been a proponent of installing the CPU & HSF and RAM before putting the board in the case. It's just a short jump to plugging in the video card, PSU, and case speaker. Then turn it on and listen to the short beep.

 

[jay2tall]

^
I usually always boot before installing in a case. It's a pair to take it all apart if something doesn't work. I always use the mobo box to set it in, its a perfect place.