just got a new system. now all i needa do is put it together but i could use some help.

Member

2. August 2006 @ 12:44

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first time building.

I was wondering, once my computer is fully put together *[but before its ever been booted up]*, when do i use the motherboard cd? do i put that in before the operating system? i have doubts it would even work because id have to get into cmos to change the cd drive to the first boot device. so it would seem pointless to have to use the motherboard cd if after the motherboard is already up and running.

and how do i know how to configure my motherboard, will their be papers in the box? could anything be tweaked for better performance with the jumper pins?

also, how much space should i partition on my C drive for windows xp pro. ive got a 160 c drive.

thanks in advance.

tailschao

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2 product reviews

2. August 2006 @ 13:07

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the motherbard CD is usually drivers for the onbard audio, USB 2.0 (for older OS's) and other non-vital things like that, so you install the OS first.

DoubleDwn

Senior Member

2. August 2006 @ 13:10

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Ok...first off, the CD has drivers for the chipset on the motherboard. Use it AFTER you install XP. As far as tweaking performance.....wait. Wait till you get it running the way it should, ie. proper cooling, everything hooked up properly, etc. You really dont need any more than 10gig for the OS. As long as you make sure that you install ALL your programs to the other partition, you should never run out of room with 10gig. To be on the safe side though, I would kick it up to 20 or 30gig (you can afford the space).

Make sense???

~Rich

lecsiy

Senior Member

5 product reviews

2. August 2006 @ 13:59

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Hey good luck mate!

My only tip would be if you have the time bread board the pc. Meaning just build it so its working on the floor not in the case. That way if you do have any problems finding the problem will be soooo much easier trust me!!

Apart from that ground yourself and have fun!

Also about your motherboard cd dont bother with that until youve got your system completly up and running. There no essential. First thing to do is install the OS. Then you should install the graphics card drivers. Then the motherbvoard drivers. Then get your internet up and running. Then get the latest drivers install them. Then flash your bios. Then overclock (Optional). Then you have a totally up and running pc!

Enjoy mate!!

Good luk lecsiy!

Zer0ink

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2. August 2006 @ 14:02

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when do i use the motherboard cd? do i put that in before the operating system?

After loading OS...should be second CD you load.

i have doubts it would even work because id have to get into cmos to change the cd drive to the first boot device. so it would seem pointless to have to use the motherboard cd if after the motherboard is already up and running.

CMOS isnt on the motherboard CD...it's kept like a negative on a chip on your motherboard...the CD has drivers on it for sound, USB, ethernet, etc.

and how do i know how to configure my motherboard, will their be papers in the box? could anything be tweaked for better performance with the jumper pins?

Before doing anything read the steps to installing the motherboard and follow each step exactly..dont try to overclock or anything fancy on your first build...stable is alway better. Pin the motherboard as the manuel suggests.

also, how much space should i partition on my C drive for windows xp pro. ive got a 160 c drive.

Why partition the drive at all? do you have reasons to do so? IF you feel you need to 30-40 gig is good ..my OS and data is at 20 gigs (used space) and one always wants enough space to add (like an extra 10-20 gigs). My free space is 60 gigs. I use a 30 gig as a slave drive and put my OS back up on that. If i have a hard drive crash or virus i cant kill right away I change boot up sequence in cmos from HD0 to HD1 and that lets me boot from the back up.

good luck

lecsiy

Senior Member

5 product reviews

2. August 2006 @ 14:06

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Ooops yer soz forgot to mention make sure your comfortable with overclocking your CPU. Dont wanna cause no forest fires lol!!

Lecsiy

Zer0ink

Member

2. August 2006 @ 14:13

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Flashing Bios?

Beware! thats something you only do usually if an experienced person is upgrading to put a higher CPU on a MB that originally wasnt designed for it. Some other reasons too.

The main point I wanted to make to that advice is dont try flashing bios unless you ready know what you are doing because the prcedure is very unforgiving if done wrong the first time.

Pinning Over clocking?

Overclocking just gives you 10-20% faster speeds..maybe even less.
As you over clock you will also loose stability (ie:auto rebooting for no apparent reason). You you wanted faster just spend the extra for better equipment.

OK i'm done preaching

Member

3. August 2006 @ 10:11

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thanks. heres what im thinking...

install OS.
then should i install other drivers(video card and sound card)or should i put in the motherboard cd? some of the comments contradicted each other.

i'll use the onboard ethernet for right now till its up and running then later i will throw on the pci card.

ill use 20-30 gigs for the OS, but i think last time i put my OS on a 160 it automatically recommended i use 15Gigs.

lastly, will the motherboard tell me exactly how to configure it? i need to set the voltage and processor speed and all that good stuff so i hope it will tell me how to.

ozzy214

Senior Member

3. August 2006 @ 10:48

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Muhaha! 15 gigs for os storage? Damn what ya smoking...pass some over here. LOL!

Nah seriously it dont take no more than 3-4 gigs max for windows xp home sp2 or pro. Ya must be thinking of vista. I heard vista needs 10 gigs. Hell I successfully run windows xp sp2 on a 5 gig drive with pagefile!!

Two the is the right order. Load the OS! Then all the motherboar5d drivers. Then ya grapics card. Then sound card.

Three chuck that mobo cd out the window. If the mobo can go online right after install go download the latest if not download and burn them to disc. To name a few

Nvidia drivers

http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

Sis

http://www.sis.com/download/

Via

http://www.viaarena.com/?PageID=2

Never load the mobo cd unless indeed the latest. Its a pia to reload mobo drivers twice.

Have fun!

epox mobo EP-9NPAJ
amd 3700+ san diego core oc to 2.50
antec true power 430 watt dual +12 volt rails @ 18 amps each
bfg geforce 6800 gt oc edition
dragon case
2 x 512 DUAL CHANNEL ELIXOR RAM
Ibm P260 dvi & vga 21 inch crt monitor 1600 x 1200 @ 85 htz Oh yeah!!

Member

9. August 2006 @ 14:26

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It's all together but I'm having problems booting from the HD. It always automatically tries to boot from the CD/DVD drive and I don't know why. Ive got The jumpers set for the HD to be the master and the two DVD drives are slaves. Also, in BIOS I've got my HD set up to be the first boot device. The only way I can boot up sometimes is if I put the windows xp cd in the DVD drive.

Member

10. August 2006 @ 11:39

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Any Suggestions ?