Please review the following guidelines carefully to better help you understand what is involved in installing a mainboard. If you do not understand the terminology or are not comfortable attempting the installation, a Positronic Service Technician can install your mainboard / CPU for a reasonable charge. Due to limited staffing, we do not provide any phone support!

Guidelines for installing a NEW mainboard into a NEW case.

PREPARATION: clean flat surface, i.e. kitchen table, grounded electrical outlet/surge suppressor, Philips #2 screwdriver, case/mainboard mounting screws/standoffs (included with a new case).

• Before installing the mainboard into the case:
  
  • Read mainboard manual for any precautions and installation tips.
    
  • Discharge static electricity by touching bare metal, i.e. inside of case.
    
  • Place mainboard on table. Avoid touching electrical traces (handle mainboard by the edges).
    
  • CPU – handle CPU by edge – don’t touch contacts. If present, remove covering from bottom of heatsink!
    • Place CPU into socket of mainboard and mount heatsink / fan. When mounting the fan/heatsink, do not use any tool that can slip when force is applied! Always put on heatsink before applying power to prevent overheating of CPU. For Socket 775 CPU, make sure all 4 heatsink retaining clips are firmly in (turn over motherboard and visually verify). For Athlon 64 CPU’s, do not use a heavy thermal paste as it will bond to CPU and cause CPU to pull out of socket when removing.
  • • Remove memory from container – avoid touching electrical contacts (handle by edge) and install. Be sure memory fully locks into place (review manual for location of memory slot 1).
    
  • • Review the manual for any jumper settings that need to be changed. Check the CMOS jumper (if there is one) and be sure it is set to NORMAL.
    
  • Open up case and do the following:
    • Install ATX cover; remove punch-outs for speaker/mic/joystick/LAN if needed.
    • Determine which PCI/ISA/AGP add-on cards will stick out the back of the case and remove case backplate covers.
    • Determine which front bays will be used for floppy/CD-ROM/DVD/CDRW and remove covers.
    • If applicable, install case feet to bottom of case.
    
  • Hold mainboard over mounting holes to determine which mounting holes are to be used.
    
  • Take out any STANDOFF's that do not line up with the mainboard mounting holes to prevent shorting out the mainboard. (Standoff's are any metal/plastic riser that the mainboard mounts onto. Metal Standoffs that do not line up with a mounting hole and touch the mainboard circuitry could cause irreparable damage).
    
  • Install STANDOFF's (either metal or plastic) into each hole that lines up with the mainboard mounting hole.
    
• Mount the mainboard on the standoffs (to prevent damage make sure there are standoffs for every hold, and, that screw heads do not touch any part of mainboard circuitry. NOTE: There are 2 thread sizes, use the correct screw otherwise the screw may fall out. Do not over-tighten or mainboard may fracture!
  
• Install Power connector (ATX power supply – can only mount one way – be sure to press firmly down until it clips in place. If present, install 2x2 (or 2x8) power connector or system may not boot up.
  
• If video is not integrated, install Video Card. Note-make sure video card is fully seated into slot otherwise may not boot.
  
• Connect the Power Switch wire from the case to the mainboard connector – see manual for location.
  
• Hook up the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Plug in the A/C power cord and switch on the power supply (back of case – though not all ATX power supplies have a switch), and, push the Power button on the front of the case.
  
• Does it boot up? If so Congratulations! Now install harddrive/floppy/CD-ROM and other components. Note: if PS2 Keyboard & Mouse are plugged in backward the computer may not boot up.