Some more questions.

[barnacle]

i want a wireless internet connection because i am down the hall from my videogame room. i am setting up another computer connection with my internet service provider. I have a modem and Lan/router thing in the videogame room, what other components will i need to buy?

When i put my computer together and boot it up and it works, do i just put in the winXP disk once it is on? what is all that stuff about booting to HD, and turning off the computer all these different times that i read about earlier? i thought i would just install winXP and thats it, but that is apparently not the case, please explain what i will have to do.

what will i need to do first, when i have my computer working?
install my videocard and all my other shit, install the drivers, or what?
what firewalls and anti virus software things do you recommend?

If a Hard drive crashes, nothing can happen other than data loss?

My mobo(asus a8v deluxe) supports RAID 0 and 1. if i just hook up 2 HDs when i put together my computer, what else will i need to do to make the RAID system work?

sorry about all the questions, please help.
please help me out with my questions above and give me any suggestions you have.

 

[Asus]

i want a wireless internet connection because i am down the hall from my videogame room. i am setting up another computer connection with my internet service provider. I have a modem and Lan/router thing in the videogame room, what other components will i need to buy?

You just need the connection, Modem (DSL or Cable), a Router (wireless) and a Wireless network card for your Desktop. Make sure you encrypt the wireless connection. Have someone do it for you if you don't know how.
If at all possible I would recommend looking into how much it would cost to have it wired as it is a lot better (faster, more stable and secure).

When i put my computer together and boot it up and it works, do i just put in the winXP disk once it is on? what is all that stuff about booting to HD, and turning off the computer all these different times that i read about earlier? i thought i would just install winXP and thats it, but that is apparently not the case, please explain what i will have to do.

Set the CD Drive to boot in Bios (Repeatedly press delete when turning on your computer to enter Bios) and have the Windows XP CD in the drive the next time you boot.
It will then boot to the CD and allow you to partition the drive and format using NTFS. Then it will begin installing Windows XP.

If you have a Serial ATA or SATA drive (generally uses a thin/small red cable) then say so as there are more instructions. hehe

If a Hard drive crashes, nothing can happen other than data loss?

If a harddrive crashes it can reck the drive and prevent data recovery as the drive might not work anymore. Have it checked out if there is something on that you cannot live without.

My mobo(asus a8v deluxe) supports RAID 0 and 1. if i just hook up 2 HDs when i put together my computer, what else will i need to do to make the RAID system work?

Generally you install the RAID drivers from a Floppy disk and then install Windows. Ask blahblahblah.

 

[barnacle]

the drive is SATA.

 

[barnacle]

what will i need to do first, when i have my computer working?
install my videocard and all my other shit, install the drivers, or what?
what firewalls and anti virus software things do you recommend?

i edited this into my first post, don't want it to go unnoticed.

 

[blahblahblah]

the drive is SATA.

You have to install SATA drivers before you install windows. Your SATA drivers are probably on your motherboard CD. Put those SATA drivers onto a floppy.

Once Win2K/Xp is setting up, at the first blue screen hit "F6" to load a thrid party mass storage driver. If you miss this, you will be warned that there are no harddrives attached. Restart the machine and Tap the "F6" Key a few times as the CD is spinning up. Windows will go through its install routine, then prompt you for an OEM disk for your MASS STORAGE CONTROLLER. Insert the floppy you created in the steps above, and load the first driver on the list. <Purposely skipped part about RAID> LEAVE THIS FLOPPY IN THE DRIVE!

Let 2K/XP do the partiiton and isntall. Choose isntall to the empty disk & choose NTFS FULL format, not quick. If you don't have any other hard disks on your regular IDE channels, there can be a LONG pause after the format, be patient.

IF YOU HAD THE LONG PAUSE DURING INSTALL, you will have the same booting into 2K/XP. Once the install is all done, go into the BIOS, and change "AUTO" to "NONE" for all channels wherer there are no devices connected. NOTE: This is for your regular IDE channels, not your RAID array.

Let windows do its thing. Follow these instructions even if you don't have a RAID array

 

[blahblahblah]

i edited this into my first post, don't want it to go unnoticed.

Have you ever built a computer before?

You assemble the hardware, and then install windows and have it boot up. You then install your motherboard drivers, then video card, then sound and any other drivers you have. I then install windows updates (except SP 2 right now). I then install the rest of my software.

For firewall, I prefer the free version of zone alarm. Antivirus, I prefer Norton, though there are some really good free ones that I can't remember. I also recommend adaware and spybot to help control/prevent spyware.

 

[barnacle]

You hit the nail on the head, first time building my own PC.
i want to make sure i don't mess anything up.
Thank you all, i owe you, but i will never pay, so i will just thank you for all the help you have given me throughout my process of learning how to make my PC.
I think i will be able to do it now, just need to order that shopping cart.
once i put it together i will ask for some help if i am having trouble.
oh yeah, i have everything i need in my newegg shopping cart i need, but they don't have a x800 XT PE, should i order the vid card from www.ati.com
http://shop.ati.com/product.asp?sku=2537962

 

[Dead-Inside]

It's pretty hard getting a x800 XT PE these days. Use google.com and make sure it's a reliable site.

If you're changing the Mobo, make sure you get all the plugs on the backside (Which you screw it on to) are aligned and that none of them that are not used are left. <-- Very important.

Above that, it's pretty hard to **** up your comp beyond fixable. You need to either damage a part by running static electricity through it, break it with force or missmount it, so that some contacts gets screwed.

Now if you can do all that, then you can always correct your other faults, a monkey can build a comp today .

 

[barnacle]

alrighty, i don't wanna have to wait too long to get a x800 xt pe.
I want my new computer before half-life 2 and counter-stike source are released.
i am reorganizing my whole room to get ready for my computer, i will send in pics of my room when it is done :naughty: