Should I plug in everything or just one at a time?

forumposter32 <UseLinkToEmail RemoveThis @HardwareForumz.com> wrote:

 > I’m building a computer so I’m wondering if I should connect
 > everything at the same time and just boot up. Or, is it way
 > better to do plug in one device at a time?

Plug in only the essentials first.

.... power supply

.... mainboard

.... memory (one stick)

.... CPU with fan

.... video card (or maybe built-in video)

.... keyboard

Make sure the CPU is seated properly and the CPU fan is running.

Nowadays, expecting everything to work, I plug in everything when
putting the system back together. But if something goes wrong, I
hunker down and remove everything except the essentials.

Good luck.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

I always build the entire system up to completely done.
I think it is easier to troubleshoot if it fails. Mostly my
build ups don't fail. To me, plugging / unplugging, and
all the mess prevents enjoying the build up and doing
a neat job. Also, I'm relaxed and tend to pay attention
to making the proper connections, and mounting the
parts carefully. If I'm in a bad mood, I tend to forget
simple things, and the troubleshooting becomes a
process of doing everything over several times.

johns
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

No reason not to go for it all.
On 6 Jun 2005 07:36:38 -0400, forumposter32
<UseLinkToEmail DeleteThis @HardwareForumz.com> wrote:

 >I’m building a computer so I’m wondering if I should connect
 >everything at the same time and just boot up. Or, is it way better to
 >do plug in one device at a time?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

 > I’m building a computer so I’m wondering if I should connect
 > everything at the same time and just boot up. Or, is it way better to
 > do plug in one device at a time?

Plug it all in. Makes you feel great when you fire it up for the
first time and everything works perfectly.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

On 6 Jun 2005 07:36:38 -0400, forumposter32
<UseLinkToEmail DeleteThis @HardwareForumz.com> wrote:

 >I’m building a computer so I’m wondering if I should connect
 >everything at the same time and just boot up. Or, is it way better to
 >do plug in one device at a time?

Well I always do it the opposite of everyone else I guess...

FIrt thing I do is get the board out, put minimal parts on
it like cpu, memory, video, hook the power supply up and get
it posting on a desk. This allows me to save time if
there were a problem, measure voltages before adding further
load, flash update the bios (after adding a floppy) with no
need to pull the board if something went wrong (which is
very rare, but it just makes more sense to me to do these
things in the order which makes problem-recovery easiest if
there were to be any problem.

Plus, with the board out I can better monitor temps,
including any potential hot-spots, in case the system case
needs airflow adjustments- I try to optimize cases to
providing minimal noise per adequate cooling, AND minimal
flow towards same end which reduces fan wear, dust buildup.
"Minimal" just meaning as close to what is actually needed,
where it's needed, as possible. Then again, for me it's
less interesting to see a box POST for the first time (don't
change a whole lot from one to another system), compared to
how the different designs cope (or don't) with
ever-increasing power demands, thermal dissipation, and of
course there's always the issue of getting a board and
finding out that it's simply not up to acceptible standards.

For example, a board may have working audio, but is it
clean? If connecting good headphones results in hearing
noise when moving the mouse during idle periods (mostly due
to direct output amp connected directly to system rails
rather than a linear regulator- a cost-savings measure), the
board either needs a sound card (if that's an acceptible
cost increase) or it gets returned. Such audio noise won't
get better with drivers and may get worse with more
componentns attached, it's often as good as it gets in a
minimal config with a new board. Thus, another reason
decide if it's decent before going to the trouble of
building a box with it.

So the gist of my post is about assessment- spending least
amount of time possible to determine if a board is deemed
suitable for the system in practice, with least amount of
work & time to rectify that if it's not... by not putting
the board into a system yet.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

"kony" <spam.DeleteThis@spam.com> wrote in message
news:jl3aa1djthqqmtlqj9ru52l5ip2dd567kt@4ax.com...
 > On 6 Jun 2005 07:36:38 -0400, forumposter32
 > <UseLinkToEmail.DeleteThis@HardwareForumz.com> wrote:
 >
  >>I'm building a computer so I'm wondering if I should connect
  >>everything at the same time and just boot up. Or, is it way better to
  >>do plug in one device at a time?
 >
 > Well I always do it the opposite of everyone else I guess...


<snip>

and IMHO, correct!!!!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

Put it all together......try it.......IF you screwed up then you'll have to
go back and begin the diag procedures. You never said you were a rookie so
I'm not going to assume so. Most problems created by rookies is the lack of
reading skills when it comes to the manual. I never pray to anything/one, I
have complete confidence in my abilities. Not confident? That's not a
computer problem. ;^) A matter a preference not fact.




"forumposter32" <UseLinkToEmail DeleteThis @HardwareForumz.com> wrote in message
news:7_284621_17f6f52cf7f01022b606e293a60d8f3c@hardwareforumz.com...
 > I’m building a computer so I’m wondering if I should connect
 > everything at the same time and just boot up. Or, is it way better to
 > do plug in one device at a time?
 >
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 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

 > <UseLinkToEmail RemoveThis @HardwareForumz.com> wrote:
 >
  >>I'm building a computer so I'm wondering if I should connect
  >>everything at the same time and just boot up. Or, is it way better to
  >>do plug in one device at a time?

In my view, the advice you got from a number of responders to your query
that it's fine to install all your computer's components in one "fell swoop"
and then press the power button (saying a prayer at the same time no doubt)
is dreadfully wrong for nearly every new or inexperienced builder. Doing it
*that* way is a virtual prescription for experiencing hours of frustration &
misery.

The advice you got from Kony is the correct one. When you begin building
your computer you should have *one and only one objective* in mind at the
very outset. And that is to get a screen display using the *minimum* amount
of components to do so. That means installation of the motherboard, the CPU
(and CPU fan), heatsink, the RAM, the power supply, a video card, and a
connection to your monitor. NOTHING ELSE! You can connect a mouse and/or
keyboard at this point but even that is unnecessary at this stage. At this
point you boot to get a screen display. And when you do, you heave a great
sigh of relief because then you know that your basic components work. It's a
crucial first step. You do *not* go on until you correct what has to be
corrected to get a screen display.

And so it goes. You install one component at a time and test each out to
make sure it's functional and without defect. There's no magic to this
process. You must approach it methodically and systematically.

In my experience, the most significant mistake made by first-time or
inexperienced builders is that they assemble and install all the computer's
components before testing them step-by-step. Then when they turn on the
power and get that black screen, it's a much more tortuous & frustrating
process to learn why this happened, and more importantly, to correct the
situation.


I emphasize the above because, in my opinion, too many builders install all
the components without testing them every step of the way. And when problems
arise when all the components (hard drives, CD-ROMS, DVD-burners, graphics
cards, sound cards, etc.) it's the devil to diagnose, let alone correct
them. Take it step-by-step, making sure each component works, and you won't
be sorry. Yes, it will take a bit more time this way but it will result in
your avoiding hours of unnecessary work and frustration.

Anna<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

forumposter32 wrote:

 > I’m building a computer so I’m wondering if I should connect
 > everything at the same time and just boot up. Or, is it way better to
 > do plug in one device at a time?
 >

Depends on your perspective and how 'lucky' you feel.

I see the 'vast majority' plug it all together and go for broke, which is
one way, but those of us who do a lot of systems, and especially those who
also repair, will (usually) begin with the absolute minimum to first
establish that at least *something* works, in particular the mainboard,
cpu, mem, and video, as a starting point because if it's all together and
it doesn't work guess what you're going to do: strip it back down to bare
minimum to establish that at least the mainboard, CPU, mem, and video work.
So, unless you're one of the 'lucky' types, might as well do it the first
time through.

I say "usually" because the other method those who do it a lot use is the
"slap it all together because they're all working pulls anyway" approach
which, more often that we care to admit (praise be to Murphy), ends up with
it stripped back down to bare minimum to find out why the heck the known
working stuff isn't working <!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

"philo" <philo RemoveThis @privacy.net> wrote in message
news:ndudnfDx_5HY9TjfRVn-3A@athenet.net...
 >
 > "kony" <spam RemoveThis @spam.com> wrote in message
 > news:jl3aa1djthqqmtlqj9ru52l5ip2dd567kt@4ax.com...
  >> On 6 Jun 2005 07:36:38 -0400, forumposter32
  >> <UseLinkToEmail RemoveThis @HardwareForumz.com> wrote:
  >>
   >>>I'm building a computer so I'm wondering if I should connect
   >>>everything at the same time and just boot up. Or, is it way better to
   >>>do plug in one device at a time?
  >>
  >> Well I always do it the opposite of everyone else I guess...
 >
 >
 > <snip>
 >
 > and IMHO, correct!!!!

LOL..........I usually build the whole thing and hit the power button (pray
to the 'puter gods) and see if their is a problem. Usually not. If there is
a problem it is very easy to then unplug all but minimum (HDD, video,
memory. etc.) and go from there. IMO, most problems, at least mine, are
because I got into a hurry somewhere and made some dumb@&&# mistake during
the build and is usually obvious. For example, during the build of this
system I powered up and everything came to life except the
processor...... The problem was that I didn't have the main 24 pin MB
connector pushed all the way into the socket 'till it clicked. Easy
enough.......

Ed
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

Ed Medlin wrote:

<snip>
  >>
  >><snip>
  >>
  >>and IMHO, correct!!!!
 >
 >
 > LOL..........I usually build the whole thing and hit the power button (pray
 > to the 'puter gods) and see if their is a problem. Usually not. If there is
 > a problem it is very easy to then unplug all but minimum (HDD, video,
 > memory. etc.) and go from there. IMO, most problems, at least mine, are
 > because I got into a hurry somewhere and made some dumb@&&# mistake during
 > the build and is usually obvious. For example, during the build of this
 > system I powered up and everything came to life except the
 > processor...... The problem was that I didn't have the main 24 pin MB
 > connector pushed all the way into the socket 'till it clicked. Easy
 > enough.......


well my most common error is having the floppy's power connector pushed
in wrong...and the machine is totally dead until i replug it correctly <!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

On Tue, 7 Jun 2005 10:28:05 -0400, "Anna" <myname.RemoveThis@myisp.net>
wrote:

<snip>

 >And so it goes. You install one component at a time and test each out to
 >make sure it's functional and without defect. There's no magic to this
 >process. You must approach it methodically and systematically.
 >

Well I'd ideally be that methodical but I usually just test
the minimum, the board functions outside a case then when it
comes time to mount the board, I do finish up with all parts
already acquired at same time- though some shipments don't
come in at the same time and it's good to get as much as
possible tested (working) in case there's a need to RMA
part(s).<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time? 

OK, if I do plug and test everything one at a time, how do you TEST things once they are plugged in? (I haven't plugged in the computer because my keyboard has not arrived and I am still house-sitting.)
 >> Stay informed about: Should I plug in everything or just one at a time?