What is the easiest/hardest hardware to install?

astros99 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 04:18 AM

This is a thread I made because I was curious. I have installed some, but not all hardware by myself. In the future I want to install a new video card, a new hardrive, and a new sound card. But, I also shy way from adding a video card and sound card because I think it's hard. So I want to know what's the easiest and hardest hardware to install. I can't speak for hardest, because I haven't done anything. But, for easiest I would have to say RAM. RAM is so easy to install. You just pop it in, and it works. No configuring, no nothing.

hr1s7o · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2006, 05:49 PM

There is even an easier part to change - the bios battery :) Although I had some trouble while I realised I had to change it. I've never quite asked myself how my computer seems to remember the day and hour. In my view the hardest to change is the CPU but sooner or later it must be done.

colenn · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2006, 11:44 PM

All pc card are easy to install (allmost same as installing RAM) just put them slightly in the slot. Before doing this turn off your computer and turn the power cable off too (not needed but safety at first place). After finished start the computer and the OS should recognize, install software automaticaly (or if not you should install the drivers came on the CD) and maybe restart if asked. After this final step you new hardware is completely installed and ready.

For the hard drive on SATA you can't go wrong (but I'm not sure as I never have one and you'll have to ask an expert). When installing an IDE You'll have to set the jumpers on position you need (disk has a description for positions SINGLE/MASTER/SLAVE/CS (cable select). Last three if you have another device on same IDE cable. The marked side of IDE cable goes on the side of the power cable.

By the way don't mess with the BIOS or worse BIOS(firmware) update. It is quite a procedure that can be done by proffeionals only.

Worst of all is connecting the cables - USB, PowerLED, PowerON etc. on the motherboard. Why? Because are very tiny and always can put one in a wrong place. (But not to worry nothing will heapen, it will just not work at all in worst case).

hr1s7o · #4 (**permalink**) 11-14-2006, 09:46 PM

Thank God :) I'm going to connect my new parts with my old ones tomorrow. I had to detach all the cables from the mainboard and I forgot to write down which connected to which. I hope they give me a manual or I'll be calling someone to connect all for me - the easiest way :)

kslokesh · #5 (**permalink**) 12-12-2006, 06:28 PM

It Depends on the Support of the Mother Board & Cabinet and the type of hardware you are installing.

Installing a Hard Drive 80 GB to a new system is very easy, but installing it to a old system with 133MHz processor (or still lower) will be very difficult.

The most Difficult i felt was installing the USB InfraRed Adapter (BAFO Company), the device was not recognized by my system, i tried a lot even modifying the registry and I/O settings but in vain, then i searched for the alternate driver over the net and installed it..

2nd was the USB Panasonic CD R/RW, it was made in yr 1999 and i had installed it to my system in Win 98 SE. It didnt work till i installed the Service Pack.

Other hardware like PCI Modem, LAN Card, AGP Card, TV Tuner Card, Bluetooth, CD/DVD R/RW, Hard Disk, RAM, ZIP Drive, DigiCams, WebCam Etc. are easy to install as i didnt have any problems while instlling.

Installing a Processor is more cumbresom as we should replace the fan, clamps etc..

astros99 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-15-2006, 04:53 AM

Bluetooth? How can you install that in your computer? I have been trying to figure out for a while but I just don't get it. Hmm, I never knew that installing the hard drive is that hard. I guess it makes sense that new parts are harder with old processors because of the rapid advance in technology.

maggots · #7 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 06:01 AM

are computers really that hard to asemble?

it usually takes only one lesson, and one would easily find his/her way of getting into the computer assembly thing, it's really not that hard, everythin's got their ports and specific connection design, just plug it in and play lol

astros99 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006, 05:47 AM

Yeah computers really aren't that hard to build. All you really need is a solid knowledge of computers. If this is your first time building a computer, then you probably need to read a guide or something. But if you can change out hardware and install it then you shouldn't have too much of a problem assembling a computer.

natasha85 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006, 09:03 AM

duh, it is much easier said than done, especially for girls like me :P

astros99 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-26-2006, 07:55 PM

Heh, well obviously it's much easier said than done. But, I also believe that most people have the misconception that building a computer is hard, or replacing hardware or something is also hard. All it really takes is a basic knowledge of computers. There are so many guides out on the internet, just reading a few will have you set to go!

fadyllan · #11 (**permalink**) 02-05-2007, 11:25 AM

Hey! I'm a girl and i have no problem assembling my own pc. Sometimes even my guy friends ask for my help. It's easy once you get the hang of it, really.

richiekotzenrules · #12 (**permalink**) 03-16-2007, 01:46 PM

Thankfully PCI won out over IBM's MCA. Micro Channel Architecture was hard to install back in the day. Anything Windows 3.1 was difficult with IRQ conflicts, memory ranges, and so on. There days we have it easy with WinXP.

fredilan · #13 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astros99

Bluetooth? How can you install that in your computer? I have been trying to figure out for a while but I just don't get it. Hmm, I never knew that installing the hard drive is that hard. I guess it makes sense that new parts are harder with old processors because of the rapid advance in technology.

bluetooth? its just like plugging a flash drive in your USB port. Bluetooth dongles uses USB ports. Just install the software, plug in the dongle, then you're ready to go.

astros99 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 11:28 PM

Where do you get the software? I've visited electornic stores here in the US and I can't seem to find them. But, I bet they are on Ebay. I bet there is a rule that would make bluetooth on computers illegal. Because, data cables for cell phones which are popular for transferring ringtones from the computer to the phone are also illegal in the US, but can be found on Ebay.

samkhan · #15 (**permalink**) 03-30-2007, 06:23 AM

I can assemble a PC by my self.

But i generally confused to connect powersupply to mother board. This is the hardest thing during hardware installetion for me.