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#16 Nicholas Steel

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 11:33 AM

All of the parts have arrived (apart from the band to lessen static. Will have to go without as the best time to complete this PC is tomorrow (only time until a few weeks later that both me and my Dad (who will be assisting me) are able to work on it) and the band could take between tuesday and early december to get here, and my laptop is really starting to collect problems (definately slowing down over the last few days and now the headphone port doesn't work)), so I'll likely be working on building it tommorow. Hopefully, this will be sucessful.

 

EDIT: Before I try to build it, should I wait a few weeks and hope the band arrives or is it safe to build it as long as I keep contact with the case metal?

You should be fine so long as you retain some kind of skin > metal contact and aren't wearing clothes that are prone to generating a charge (Like wooly jumpers/pants). Just make sure you install the power supply first, connect it to the wall but keep the outlet switched off (Or keep the outlet switched on but turn the PSU off).


Edited by franpa, 10 November 2013 - 11:35 AM.


#17 Mudkipz

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Posted 10 November 2013 - 06:05 PM

Well, with a bit of difficulty and a lot of frustration (Wouldn't boot up and then the display didn't appear right at the end. Both fixed now though (forgot the CPU power cable for the 1st one and for the 2nd one, I am honestly not sure how it was fixed. One of the cables must not have been fully plugged in :/)), the PC has been built. Once I have enough free time outside of college, I will install winddows 7 and the necessary programs and my PC will be complete.

Had to leave out the CPU cooler and use the stock cooler though. Had no thermal compound and I had no idea how to put that thing in :/. At least it is there for when that fan starts to fail.

 

Again, Thanks for helping me!


Edited by Mudkipz, 10 November 2013 - 06:06 PM.


#18 Nicholas Steel

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Posted 11 November 2013 - 12:44 AM

Since you've built your own PC, you may want to poke around in the BIOS and make sure everything is configured optimally. You can take pictures of each screen/section and provide them here for me to look at if you want an idea of how to configure stuff (Hopefully).


Edited by franpa, 11 November 2013 - 12:45 AM.


#19 Mudkipz

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Posted 11 November 2013 - 01:16 PM

What is the BIOS? I have managed to plug nearly everything in to the motherboard (apart from the pesky 1394 cable. Turns out there is no slot in the motherboard for it).



#20 Nicholas Steel

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Posted 12 November 2013 - 02:46 AM

When you turn the computer on and there is text on the screen or a large graphic saying the brand of the Motherboard, press Delete or F1 (Or whatever it asks for to enter Setup). That's the BIOS.

#21 Mudkipz

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Posted 12 November 2013 - 11:15 AM

Oh, ok. I am using a tutorial (Newegg TV's How To Build a Computer) to build the pc at the moment, but if I need help, I'll let you know.

 

Is it still possible to sort the BIOS once windows is installed?


Edited by Mudkipz, 12 November 2013 - 11:16 AM.


#22 Nicholas Steel

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Posted 12 November 2013 - 12:28 PM

For the most part, yes. It's optimal to configure it before installing Windows but not necessary. Again, take some pictures of all the options in your BIOS (BIOS is different for every motherboard model) and I'll let you know how to configure it and if any recommended setting changes will work best with a reinstall of Windows.

#23 Mudkipz

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Posted 12 November 2013 - 01:07 PM

Would that require reinstalling everything on the pc so far? Thankfully, I am just installing drivers atm.



#24 Nicholas Steel

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Posted 12 November 2013 - 02:25 PM

Would that require reinstalling everything on the pc so far? Thankfully, I am just installing drivers atm.

The BIOS is an important part of a computer and needs to be properly setup to enable the full capabilities of things like HDD's, RAM and some CPU features for example. By default the settings in the BIOS are setup for maximum compatibility with most pieces of hardware available on the market, what you want to do is tailor the settings to your specific hardware so that your computer will take full advantage of what your particular hardware has to offer.

Seeing as you do have Windows already installed, you may as well update the BIOS to the latest version (Usually the update is located on the Motherboard manufacturer's website) as this can resolve obscure problems like hardware incompatibility and other issues that aren't readily apparent until after you've installed all the drivers. It can also expose new options to configure.

Once the BIOS is up to date, take pictures of all the settings and I'll tell you how to tailor all the settings to suit your computer hardware (To the best of my knowledge). Once it's all set up you can then install Windows and all your expensive hardware should work optimally (This is the optimal approach to take, ie: configuring the BIOS and then installing Windows).

Edited by franpa, 12 November 2013 - 02:40 PM.


#25 Mudkipz

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Posted 12 November 2013 - 04:51 PM

Ok, I got as much of the pics that I could up on imageshack. There might be one or two missing as I had to use an iPad to take them and it was difficult to even get any onto my laptop.

http://imageshack.us....php?uploads=19

There was no BIOS update on the website though.



#26 Nicholas Steel

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Posted 12 November 2013 - 07:21 PM

Wrong link to the images ^_^"

I'm actually rather tired right now and will probably be going to bed real soon. Sorry :/

Edited by franpa, 12 November 2013 - 07:21 PM.


#27 Mudkipz

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 11:31 AM

Technology. Y u fail me?
 
Ok, here they are... hopefully.

 

Spoiler

Edited by Mudkipz, 13 November 2013 - 11:34 AM.


#28 Nicholas Steel

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 07:33 PM

Can you separate each image with a line break? I'll then start writing down some comments. Whats with all the pictures being out of focus? Is your iPhone not configured for best quality photos?

Edited by franpa, 13 November 2013 - 07:33 PM.


#29 Nicholas Steel

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 08:04 PM

Technology. Y u fail me?
 
Ok, here they are... hopefully.

Ah UEFI BIOS, I haven't personally used a Motherboard that features one of these so I expect there will be a fair few settings I'm not familiar with.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://imageshack.us...um/841/ic8v.jpg
I am unsure what ISCT is and can't comment on it. (Explain it to me)

http://imageshack.us...ium/29/wuw3.jpg
Disabling the Internal Graphics will save you having to deal with software that controls whether a program uses the Integrated graphics chip built in to the CPU or your Video Card. There's various reports of the software that facilitates this not being easy to use, hence my recommendation to just straight up disable it. The only reason you would want it enabled is if you're super in to being energy efficient/power saving or if you're debugging an issue with your video card and want to compare visual results between your video card and another video device.

http://imageshack.us...um/189/snzr.jpg
Tell me what options are available for the Extreme Memory Profile setting.

http://imageshack.us...s/713/b4wr.jpg/
Not entirely sure what these do, but it very likely won't hurt to enable the CPU Temerature Warning, System Temperature Warning, CPU Fan Fail Warning settings. (If there are multiple choices, list them and I'll see which to choose.)

http://imageshack.us...um/198/onpc.jpg
- Dynamic Storage ***** I can't make out the last part of that name (Second last option).
- Can you also mention the available choices when adjusting the OS Type setting?
- When enabling Fast Boot, do other options become available? If not then leave it enabled as disabling it generally just wastes time/is pointless (Enabling it very likely prevents the computer repeating the basic RAM test that is performed during bootup, 3 times [which is fine]).
- You can disable the Full Screen Logo here if you want to see what your computer is doing during bootup instead of showing a logo/picture. You might want to disable the logo for the first week of using the computer and take note of anything you find odd/pecuiliar/problematic during bootup, if everything appears to be working fine then re-enable the logo if you desire.

http://imageshack.us...ium/20/qten.jpg
Could you get a better picture of this?

http://imageshack.us...um/197/huor.jpg
Please list the available choices for PEG Gen3 Slot Configuration.

http://imageshack.us...ium/27/vc3j.jpg
- If you insist on keeping the Internal Graphics enabled, then increase the Internal Graphics Memory to at least 256MB (512MB recommended). This will improve compatibility and performance of the Integrated Graphics chip with a wide range of software. (Note the amount you set here will likely be reserved, so if you set it to 512MB then you'll have 7.5GB of RAM available for Windows/Games.)
- I am unsure of XHCI Mode and XHCI Hand Off options, is their an explanation of these available somewhere?
- Please explain the available PCIE Slot Configuration options
- Explain the DVMT Total Memory Size setting, I have no idea what this is.

http://imageshack.us...ium/42/zxa2.jpg
You can very likely disable the Serial Port A & Parallel Port settings unless you have some very old hardware/printer lying around that makes use of them. This just frees up a tiny amount of resources for Windows.

Edited by franpa, 13 November 2013 - 08:11 PM.

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#30 Mudkipz

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Posted 13 November 2013 - 08:42 PM

http://imageshack.us...um/841/ic8v.jpg
I am unsure what ISCT is and can't comment on it. (Explain it to me)

The BIOS doesn't give an explanation. Sorry.

http://imageshack.us...ium/29/wuw3.jpg
Disabling the Internal Graphics will save you having to deal with software that controls whether a program uses the Integrated graphics chip built in to the CPU or your Video Card. There's various reports of the software that facilitates this not being easy to use, hence my recommendation to just straight up disable it. The only reason you would want it enabled is if you're super in to being energy efficient/power saving or if you're debugging an issue with your video card and want to compare visual results between your video card and another video device.

Ok, I'll try to disable internal graphics if it'll allow me to.

http://imageshack.us...um/189/snzr.jpg
Tell me what options are available for the Extreme Memory Profile setting.

The available options are just Disabled and Profile 1

http://imageshack.us...s/713/b4wr.jpg/
Not entirely sure what these do, but it very likely won't hurt to enable the CPU Temerature Warning, System Temperature Warning, CPU Fan Fail Warning settings. (If there are multiple choices, list them and I'll see which to choose.)

Just enabled and disabled for the warnings

http://imageshack.us...um/198/onpc.jpg
- Dynamic Storage ***** I can't make out the last part of that name (Second last option). Dynamic Storage Accelerator
- Can you also mention the available choices when adjusting the OS Type setting? Other OS, Windows 8 and Windows 8 WHQL
- When enabling Fast Boot, do other options become available? If not then leave it enabled as disabling it generally just wastes time/is pointless (Enabling it very likely prevents the computer repeating the basic RAM test that is performed during bootup, 3 times [which is fine]). In the option, there is Disabled, Enabled and Ultra Fast. Enabled/Ultra Fast will give the 5 greyed out options below it.
- You can disable the Full Screen Logo here if you want to see what your computer is doing during bootup instead of showing a logo/picture. You might want to disable the logo for the first week of using the computer and take note of anything you find odd/pecuiliar/problematic during bootup, if everything appears to be working fine then re-enable the logo if you desire. Ok

 

Turns out there were more options down the screen that did not appear on the picture. They were CSM Support [Always], Boot Mode Selection [UEFI and Legacy], Onboard LAN Boot Option Control [Disabled], Storage boot option control [Legacy only], Other PCI Device ROM Priority [UEFI OpROM], Network Stack [Disabled], Ipv4 PXE Support [Enabled], Ipv6 Support [Enabled], System Mode State [Setup. No option box], System Boot state [Disabled. No option box], Secure Boot [Enabled], Secure Boot Mode [Standard], Image Execution Policy [Enter. No option box] and Key Management [Enter. No option box]

http://imageshack.us...ium/20/qten.jpg
Could you get a better picture of this?

I cant get you a picture, but the options are Power Loading, Resume by Alarm, Wake up by day/hour/minute/second, ErP, Soft-Off by PWR-BTTN, RC6(Render Standby), AC BACK, Power on by keyboard, Power on Password and Power on by Mouse

http://imageshack.us...um/197/huor.jpg
Please list the available choices for PEG Gen3 Slot Configuration.

Auto, Gen 1, Gen 2 or Gen 3

http://imageshack.us...ium/27/vc3j.jpg
- If you insist on keeping the Internal Graphics enabled, then increase the Internal Graphics Memory to at least 256MB (512MB recommended). This will improve compatibility and performance of the Integrated Graphics chip with a wide range of software. (Note the amount you set here will likely be reserved, so if you set it to 512MB then you'll have 7.5GB of RAM available for Windows/Games.) I was going to disable internal graphics based on your recommendation above
- I am unsure of XHCI Mode and XHCI Hand Off options, is their an explanation of these available somewhere?  XHCI mode says 'Mode of operation of xHCI controller' and XHCI Hands off says 'This is a workaround for OSes without XHCI hands off support. The XHCI ownership change should be claimed by XHCI driver'
- Please explain the available PCIE Slot Configuration options Auto, x1 or x4
- Explain the DVMT Total Memory Size setting, I have no idea what this is. The label says 'Select DVMT5.0 Total Graphic Memory size used by the Internal Graphics Device'

http://imageshack.us...ium/42/zxa2.jpg
You can very likely disable the Serial Port A & Parallel Port settings unless you have some very old hardware/printer lying around that makes use of them. This just frees up a tiny amount of resources for Windows. Ok

 

Added my response to the quote box. Will start the changes in the morning. Bit too sleepy to do it reliably at the moment.

 

Sorry about the bad quality of the Pictures. I had to borrow my Mums iPad to take the pictures and I barely know how to use it :/. Only other options I had was to use the 3DS camera or my phone's even worse camera.


Edited by Mudkipz, 13 November 2013 - 08:45 PM.



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