Computer Build Update

It took me awhile to install everything into the case last night. Unfortunately I started out trying to do "proper" cable management; what a pain. The GPU is so big that you really can't manage all of the cables well. However, the tangle that they are currently in has an artistic component so it does not bother me.

I am a little concerned about the CPU fan since I am not sure that it is properly seated but I didn't want to push too hard and crack the mobo. Two of the attachments are in, but the other side is where I am not sure. I think I can remove it and reseat it which I might try to do. I definitely do not want that thing coming loose and falling on the GPU; it'd pretty much be endgame at that point.

Other than that, the only other thing I had to guess on (the documentation SUCKED!) was where to attach the ground wire from the power supply. It said attach to the mobo and gave a tiny picture so I guessed, unscrewed one of the mobo attachment screws, and put the gound wire between the screw head and the washer. I think that is right.

Once everything was in, I hooked it up to the externals and it worked from the start (YEAH!). However, when installing Vista I got a BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) so I removed one of the memory modules and was able to install Vista with 2GB. Once that was done, I reinstalled the remaining card as well as connected the second HD.

Vista only recognizes 3.25GB memory (I think the 768Mb graphic card has sequestered the rest) and the second HD is not recognized in the BIOS.

So, tonight and this weekend I get to...

1. Attempt to get the second HD working,


2. Attempt to see if I can get the CPU fan more secure,


3. Install the card reader that should arrive today,


4. Reattach the SATA drives to different ports (the OS HD is currently on SATA port 3, I want it on 1) … yeah, I know, very anal of me,


5. Do a little bit more cable management since some are too close to some fans for my comfort,


6. Re-clock my memory (factory settings are worse than what it's rated at),


7. Figure out if I can get Vista to see all 4GB of memory (don’t think so),


8. Figure out exactly where I'm putting the case in my room,


9. Do external cable management for all the wires of the 3 PCs (time to pull out that old KVM until I get everything I want off of the oldest computer (it's a P3) so I can give it away),


10. Install all the software and transfer files to the new machine,


11. Clean up the mess in the living room (I assembled it there and the place looks like a tornado hit).

... and anything else that comes up.

Oh, and finally, I need to get some sleep.