i intend to transfer the entire contents of my computer into a larger case. is this a job i can do myself? i have some experience in installing computer hardware but im worried about the potential dammage i may cause to the cpu or motherboard.
2007-02-21 19:32:22 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
You can do this fairly easily. Here are some tips:
1) Get some electrostatic discharge (ESD) gloves or wristbands, and see if you can rustle up an ESD bag or two (for placing components in during the transfer).
2) When you're all ESD'd up, disconnect your power cord and all the cables from the back of the machine. Then get the new case over next to the old one. Make sure both cases are laying on their sides.
3) Open your case up and take stock of the situation. Make sure your new case is going to fit all the components.
4) Start by unplugging all the internal cables carefully. Avoid pulling on the wires directly (grasp the plastic connectors instead). Pull straight back from the component gently but firmly until the connector comes off. Start with the ones that are easiest to reach and move the cables out of the way as you go to make it easier to get to everything else.
5) Remove the power supply and set it aside (provided you can get it out of the case without hitting any of the other components). This will allow for easier working with all the power cables out of the way. If that's not possible, it's OK, just keep the power cables out of the way and take the PS out last.
8) Determine if your new case is large enough to allow you to swap components directly from case to case while still leaving room to manipulate the motherboard (the mobo will be the last thing you take out of your old case). If yes, then feel free to swap components directly (as I describe below). If no, then you'll need to set the component aside and start with the motherboard first.
7) Remove the optical drives (CDROM, DVD, etc.) and place them in your new case. These will come out of the front of the case and go in through the front of your new case. You'll probably have to pop a couple of face plates off of your new case to get the drives in. Secure the drives with screws or with the screwless fasteners if your case supports it.
8) Remove your hard drives and place them in your new case. Secure them.
9) Remove your cards. This will be the AGP/PCIe/PCI cards attached to your motherboard. Unfasten the screw or fastener located at the front of the card on the side closest to you, where the card meets the case. Gently pull straight up on the card to remove it from the motherboard. NOTE: some cards, especially AGP or PCIe cards, will have a little fastener on the back side. These may be difficult to reach. You may need a tool like a screwdriver to manipulate the fastener to release the card. Be careful not to push too hard with the tool and whack your motherboard or the card itself.
Set the cards aside in ESD bags while you complete the next step.
10) Unscrew the motherboard. Note that it is not necessary to remove the RAM or the CPU from the motherboard. These can stay on, but do take care while moving the motherboard around, as the CPU will likely be big and heavy. And make sure the CPU heatsink is cool before messing with the board... don't want to burn yourself.
11) Take note of where the holes are on the motherboard, and make sure your new case has the brass stand-offs in the correct holes. Your new case should come with the stand-offs, but may not have them pre-screwed into place. Lift the mobo off of the old case's backplate to see what I'm talking about when I say stand-offs.
12) Lift the motherboard out of the case very carefully. Set it aside momentarily on/in an ESD bag.
13) Pop the motherboard plate out of the case (where the mouse/keyboard holes are) and put it in the new case. You might have to pop the existing one out of the new case to make room.
14) Carefully set the motherboard into the new case. Secure the motherboard in place with screws.
13) Replace your motherboard cards, carefully pressing them downward into their proper slots and securing them with screws/fasteners.
14) With all your components and power supply installed, you can begin connecting components.
15) Decide whether or not to adopt some kind of cabling scheme. When I say cabling scheme, I'm talking about securing your cables with zip ties or other material to keep them out of the way and promote proper air-flow throughout your case.
16) Connect your case wires to your motherboard (power switch, reset switch, etc.). These will never change unless you switch motherboards, so they should be given top priority for cabling schemes.
17) Separate the rails coming out of your power supply by type. I like to pull out the rails and set them over the edge of my case. If it's a newer PS, you'll probably have a primary motherboard rail, a 4 pin (square) or 8 pin motherboard auxillary rail, several 4-pin (across) rails (usually white), two PCIe rails (6 pins), and a couple of SATA rails (flat L-shaped connectors about an inch wide). You might also have some fan-only connectors or other types of connectors. It kind of depends on your PS.
18) Connect the motherboard primary and auxilary power cables and manage them however you like.
19) Connect the power cables to your SATA drives (could be hard drives and/or optical drives). SATA power is furthest from you, so we do it first. Manage the cable however you like.
20) Connect the IDE devices to their ribbon cables. Hopefully you have the round ribbon cables since they're so much easier to work with, but if not, oh well.
21) Connect the SATA data cables (also L-shaped, but smaller than the SATA power connectors)
22) Connect the IDE device power cables.
23) Do any additional cable management you desire, and connect your case fans as appropriate.
24) Moment of truth... plug it all in and see what happens!
Just remember that any time you monkey with a computer, whether you are new to it or a veteran, you risk messing something up. So be careful, and if you can't chance it, take it to a pro.
2007-02-21 20:06:05 · answer #1 · answered by wa-webguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Damage by electrostatic discharge is easy to avoid. If you do not take basic precautions, the risk is very low.
1. Touch metal regularly to discharge static build-up. This is as simple as touching the metal case.
2. Create safe places for the components. Have some old anti-static bags or hard-drive packing to temporarily store things during the transfer.
3. Use anti-static devices. An anti-static strap will discharge static from your skin to any metal object it is attached to continuously. An anti-static floor and table mat might be overkill, but if you work with sensitive material a lot or are in an extremely dry atmosphere, they will help.
4. Wait until it is a bit humid. If a cool, moist change is expected, wait until that blows in. Hot, dry wind can carry and impart a lot of charge.
When you start taking things apart, note how they connect This is usually a no-brainer, because plugs only fit one way, right? Well some floppy drives allow the power socket to be attached upside down, with spectacular results.
New case means new power supply. Make sure that you understand where all of those connectors go. Download a manual for the power supply before you start if it has anything out of the ordinary.
Since you are moving to a bigger case, clashing drives, cables and bits shouldn't be a problem. However, you might need longer cables. Rounded cables allow much better airflow and look nice too.
You won't need to remove the CPU. However, be careful about how you move the motherboard around. If you have a large heatsink, that movement could stress the motherboard.
Make sure that you unscrew and remove all PCI and AGP cards and drives and place them on the anti-static surface that you set aside. Place the screws near the components, so you can find them after.
Take care of the sockets at the rear when removing the motherboard. They should snap out easily, so don't force it. Have a suitable landing place for the motherboard.
Check where you need to put the motherboard supports in the new case.
Be extra careful as you assemble. It is safer to install the components and then start plugging cables later.
Check and double-check all connections before you plug in. Start up with the case off so that you can confirm that the fans are spinning and nothing is burning!
2007-02-22 06:45:09 · answer #2 · answered by templeblot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If u have idea then u can!........... but its a little bit risky.......... If u try to do so . Discharge the Static charge from ur Hand's first before touching any majot component like Motherboard. then open the screw and remove the componenet one by one...
if u are still not sure then dont try,
Gud Luck.
2007-02-22 03:45:01 · answer #3 · answered by Dr Virus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of your biggest risks is static electricity damaging the components. You can transfer damaging static even if it's so mild you can't feel it.
You can help prevent it by wearing a static guard wristband and attaching it to something grounded. You can also use an antistatic mat.
2007-02-22 03:41:58 · answer #4 · answered by licketychick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely no risk if u do it with a little bit care, try to shake the motherboard very hardly when transfering,this is the only thing i can suggest to u as u told that u know abt hardwre,
2007-02-22 03:38:45 · answer #5 · answered by chaitu 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well esd(electrostatic discharge) is a huge problem but if your careful you should be fine no issues really cause its the same hardware
2007-02-22 03:39:24 · answer #6 · answered by steolav 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋