Assemble PC using old and new parts - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wilson__
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 06:16:32 pm
content: I would like to re-use old parts. Want to be on safe side.The motherboard user manual states assemble the whole PC and turn on all-at-once.Would below partial steps be safer? It would not hurt parts in partial configuration, right?1. Install motherboard with CPU, cooler, one (of total two) RAM, HDMI monitor, Keyboard, Mouse2. Power up in BIOS, run RAM test from BIOS (continue for some time), set boot sequence USB thumb disk first, Power down3. Install second RAM, Power up, run RAM test from BIOS (continue for some time), Power down4. Plug in USB boot thumb disk, power up, should boot into Linux OS from USB. Run (some test software on USB)…., Power down5. Install M.2 SSD6. Power up, should boot into Linux OS from USB. Set 25% disk space for the OS partition. Install/Copy OS from USB to SSD, Power down7. Power up, should boot into GRUB, up/down arrows on keyboard to select what to boot. Also set default boot order if no keyboard input is received after time-out

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 06:30:11 pm
content: QuoteWhile it may make some sense not plugging in everything into unknown motherboard at once, this is just a stupid waste of time. What for would you test a single RAM stick separately and do all those steps? If you're afraid about damaging components, start from installing a CPU and a single RAM stick. If it starts and nothing blows up, install the rest of components and run any tests you want afterwards.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 06:40:57 pm
content: Also the more times you tinker with hardware, the higher the chance you make a mistake (like forgetting to unplug it from mains) and damage something.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2025, 01:12:11 pm
content: Wraper is right - there is usually no need to tinker on modern PCs. Assemble, maybe run a MemTest for good measure, just to be sure everything works, install.If something is not working, it will usually not show up at installation time, unless it's really broken.Maybe check for BIOS update before installing, that might fix things that didn't even happen - yet.

author: golden_labels
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2025, 01:42:50 pm
content: Are you sure you didn’t change the meaning, while paraphrasing the motherboard manual? The advice seems weird. It’s not sound and, more importantly, why would motherboard manufacturer even care?If you are worried the motherboard is malfunctioning to the point it’s going to damage components, install CPU with cooling and one RAM stick first. If that starts, just follow with assembling the rest in one step. Not because it’s certainly safe, but because you can’t gain anything by further delays. If the motherboard is broken, there are two options. One is a complete breakage: it will not start at all or, but that’s unlikely in current hardware, power regulation fails and damages something. The other is some hidden, minor malfunction. You can’t predict, if installing this or that triggers the issue. Or if it’s going to manifest itself instantly or after a year of flawless operation.

author: Wilson__
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2025, 02:10:56 pm
content: yes, thanks.true on BIOS version check

author: Wilson__
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2025, 02:18:59 pm
content: Thanks for the advises. I guess they wrote the manual in simplest format to avoid confusing users. It lists all possible connections then a new paragraph "starting up".=====Starting up for the first time1.After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.2.Ensure that all switches are off.3.Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system chassis.4.Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge protector.5.Turn on the devices in the following order:a.Monitorb.External storage devices (starting with the last device on the chain)c.System power

author: SteveThackery
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 01:47:27 pm
content: I've just built a new PC from individual components. I've been building PCs for the past 35 years or so. Powering it up in stages is ridiculous and completely unnecessary.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 08:50:41 pm
content: Yes. Besides, in case of problems when first booting the entire system, you can always proceed backwards in steps, by removing things you suspect are causing the problem one by one and rebooting.