I'm freakin' out here...

[xynder]

The rest of my computer is coming monday (only got the case, vid card, and speakers today from newegg), and am freaking out.

What do I do if, one day, something quits working? I can fix almost any software problem just by reformatting (which does wonders), but what if, say, something happens and I don't know what the heck is wrong? Is there any number I can call for tech support or something? I'd hate to have to take it to a local shop and pay like 75 an hour for them to "fix" it, plus more for them to just LOOK at it.

What if some of the parts don't work when they come? ARG! What if I hook something up wrong to the motherboard and it shorts out!?!? WHAT THEN!

What if the athlon overheats? I mean, the A7V333 should prevent that with C.O.P., but I mean, WHAT IF!?

Guys help me before I o.d. on prozac.

 

[Dre]

I would recommend you return everything and buy a dell.

 

[bozo1]

That's the risk you take when building your own. There is no number to call for help. Seriously, if you aren't comfortable with building your own, troubleshooting hardware problems/failures/conflicts, etc., a prebuilt system from a company that provides support would have been a better route.

 

[Barrei]

Try some valium with the prozac.

 

[xynder]

I don't want to buy suck systems from places... even like with custom configurators, they don't tell me exactly what brands are going in.

I mean, how hard is it really?

For each person posting on anandtech with problems, there's prolly 20 who are fine.

 

[Budman]

Here's a little song, I wrote
I might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy

Every life we has some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy ho?
(Don't worry, be happy yeah)
Uh uh uh uh don't worry be happy?.(4x)

I arco place who lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy

The land lord say your rent is late
Hey may have to lit the gate
Don't worry, be happy (look at me I'm happy)
Uh uh?,don't worry, be happy

(I give you my phone no.
When you worried call me
I make you happy) oh?
Don't worry, be happy

Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
In gumble gull to make you smile
But don't worry, be happy

Coz when you worry your face will frown
In that will bring everybody damn
So don't worry, be happy?(5x)

Now then, this song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
(Like good to children) don't worry, be happy
Listen to what I say in your life inspect some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy?(7 times?till fade)

 

[Sniper82]

If this is your first time building don't worrie. Just do your research and you will be fine. There are thousands of sites that tell you step by step on how to build one. Just take your time and you will be fine. If you try and rush things you will most likely have problems.

If your system won't power up just come here for suggestions. I been fooling with PC's for almost 7 years and can build one with my eyes shut(except when I have to connect the case switches to the mobo). I have never and I mean never had to take my PC to a PC shop and never will. I just come here.

 

[flexy]

i can tell you what *I* wouldn't do: Ordering parts online for a car - since i dont have any freakin' clue about building cars.

I have, however, 'some' knowledge about computers and parts..therefore i built my own system.

If someone has no knowledge..then i'd really rather go with a pre-built sys instead of getting parts and trying to somehow make a computer out of it..


"Reformatting" - sorry...i hear that soooooooooo often, not only here...but in almost each forum/newsgroup i am on.

If someone swears by it.....good. Be it. Not to sound arrogant....but *for me* this 'reformatting cures it all' "help" sounds like pure b.s....some help people give who actually have no clue about computers/OS whatever.... Yes...it does wonders...lol It formats your HD and then you install the OS again and you have a 'virgin' PC. That's what it does.
That 'reformatting' solves software problems is kinda new to me

"Somethign happens" - hell yeah ! A lot can happen !!! A lot regarding h/w can happen....and even MUCH MORE regarding setup/config. I cant help you there...but in the case you actually might get a defective h/w part delivered (kinda rare)..newegg for sure will replace it.

"What if the MoBo" shorts off...the Athlon overheats...a small meteorite hits earth and goes straight thru your mobo...etc..etc...

I recommend reading related webpages, about how to assemble a MoBo/CPU...how to apply the thermal paste.....how to do EVERYTHING......you definetly CAN destroy a lot if you dont KNOW what you're doing and HOW to do it.... even 'pros' often make some dumb mistakes...

I'd also consider asking a friend for help if you know someone who might have knowledge...

 

[xynder]

The CPU comes with a thermal pad thingy. That's good, right?

My friend built his so he's coming to help me. I built the one I'm currently on, but it was when I was like 14 and my dad helped me and my dad dropped the mobo so I have bad memories.

"Naw, it's fine, son. Go get me another Miller."

 

[farmercal]

I have to agree with Flexy on the reformat issue. That is not cure-all if one of the programs you put back on your system caused the problem in the first place. I had a problem with WIN 98SE and Millennium that locked my system up tighter than a drum whenever I tried to switch screens with the ALT + TAB combination keystrokes (been doing that for years BTW) I'd get a Win 34 dll error and the system would lock up. Nobody could offer any plausible explanation or had a similar problem, anyway by trial and error I finally uninstalled IE6 and reverted back to IE5.5 and the problem has not resurfaced again. The point is that reformatting did NOT eliminate the problem because I put the problem back on when I loaded IE6 back on the system. As far as building a system yourself - I just build my first system about four months ago and I had the same concerns you are having. I followed the directions from the manufacturers and visited sites with instructions and tips for certain procedures. You know what? It booted and ran great the first time and kept running until the motherboard bit the dust two months later. Multiwave RMA'd the mb and I am running smooth as silk again. So don't sweat the small stuff, keep talking to these guys on the forum and things should work out fine. Good Luck!

 

[xynder]

How'd you know it was the mobo? Did you use the stock hsf?

 

[CrazySaint]

xynder said:
The CPU comes with a thermal pad thingy. That's good, right?

Not especially, no. Thermal pads are pretty much crap, get a good thermal paste like Arctic Silver 3.

 

[xynder]

I'm sure the thermal pad is good for someone who isn't overclocking... i mean, if it isn't good enough, it's AMD's fault and they can happily replace it for free.

 

[Sniper82]

If you use a compound(doesnt have to be ASII/III) it will keep the CPU alot cooler no matter what. It will transfer heat better and faster.

 

[xynder]

Great, that means I have to get the thermal pad crap off the HSF and probably spill acetone all up in the northbridge while I'm at it.

 

[metaxasm]

It is supposed to be fun you know.

 

[Yossarian]

If you're not overclocking there is no reason not to use the thermal pad on the stock HS.

 

[bozo1]

If you're not overclocking there is no reason not to use the thermal pad on the stock HS.

Agreed.

 

[Strych9]

"Naw, it's fine, son. Go get me another Miller."

Words to live by

 

[Dreadogg]

Not especially, no. Thermal pads are pretty much crap, get a good thermal paste like Arctic Silver 3.

If it is your first build just keep the thermal pad on as long as your not overclocking it will be fine, I have left them on a couple of systems I have built and there temps are just a couple of degrees higher than my main rig that is slightly OCed! Best thing to do would be to buy a good heatsink fan combo, think quiet and all around good cooling! Also make sure your case ventalates well with fan or fans blowing in and fan or fans blowing out, I have four 2 in 2 out all though I think it is overkill, and my case gets dusted out! Oh yea if something goes wrong hardware wise, and you have a questions your always welcome to ask on this forum we always have the answers!

 

[xynder]

Ok, thanks guys!

Oh, and about the case cooling; I have 2x Antec rear exhaust, 1x Antec side exhaust, and 2x Thermaltake intake (one of which blows over the hard drive bay).

So yeah, the case is pretty chilly.

 

[Adul]

ask questions here on the forums where more experienced members can guide you into the proper direction fo trouble shooting what is wrong.

 

[Fun Guy]

Actually, the best thing you can do when you build your first machine is have someone who has already built one themselves 'around' so they can watch you and make sure you don't do anything silly. This would be the best thing to do.

If you don't know someone personally, just ask in the forum and maybe someone who lives nearby can come over for a couple of hours. Anandtechers seem like some pretty nice guys - I bet someone would do this ...