Disassembling a Desktop Computer

Step 1: Power Down and Prepare the Work Area

 Shut down the computer properly from the operating system.

 Unplug the power cable from the wall socket to avoid electrical hazards.
 Disconnect all external peripherals, including the monitor, keyboard, mouse, USB
devices, and speakers.
 Press and hold the power button for about 10-15 seconds to discharge any residual
electricity.
 Place the computer on a clean, flat surface with sufficient lighting.
 Wear an anti-static wrist strap or touch a metal surface to discharge static electricity.

Step 2: Open the Computer Case

 Locate the screws securing the side panel (usually on the back of the case).
 Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws holding the left-side panel.
 Slide or pull off the panel carefully to expose the internal components.

Step 3: Remove Internal Components

1. Remove the RAM Modules

 Locate the RAM slots on the motherboard.

 Push down the retention clips on both sides of the RAM stick until it pops up.
 Gently pull the RAM stick out in a straight motion to avoid damaging the connectors.

2. Remove the Hard Drive and SSD

 Identify the storage drives (HDDs and SSDs) installed in drive bays.
 Disconnect the SATA data cable and the power cable from each drive.
 Unscrew the mounting brackets or drive trays.
 Slide out the drive carefully from its slot.

3. Remove the Graphics Card (if present)

 Locate the PCIe slot on the motherboard where the graphics card is installed.
 Unscrew the GPU retaining screw from the back panel.
 Press the PCIe slot latch (if present) to unlock the card.
 Hold the card firmly and pull it out carefully to avoid bending the PCIe slot.

4. Remove the Power Supply Unit (PSU)

 Follow the power cables to identify where they are connected (motherboard, CPU, GPU,
storage devices).
  Unplug all power connectors:
o 24-pin ATX connector (to the motherboard).
o 4-pin or 8-pin CPU power connector.
o SATA and Molex power cables (to storage drives).
o PCIe power cables (to the GPU, if applicable).
 Unscrew the PSU from the case (usually 4 screws at the back).
 Carefully slide out the PSU from the case.

5. Remove the CPU and Cooler (Optional)

 Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

 If a cooler is installed, unscrew or unclip it from the CPU socket.
 If using a fan cooler, unplug its power connector from the motherboard.
 If a liquid cooling system is installed, disconnect the radiator and tubes.
 If removing the CPU:
o Lift the CPU retention lever.
o Carefully lift the CPU out of its socket while avoiding touching the metal pins.

Step 4: Remove the Motherboard

 Disconnect all remaining cables and connectors, including front panel connectors
(power switch, USB, audio).
 Unscrew the motherboard from the case standoffs (usually 6-9 screws).
 Carefully lift the motherboard out of the case, handling it by the edges.

Reassembling a Desktop Computer

Step 1: Install the Motherboard

 Align the motherboard with the standoff screws in the case.

 Secure it using the screws, ensuring proper alignment with the I/O shield.
 Reconnect necessary power cables (24-pin ATX and 4/8-pin CPU power).

Step 2: Install the CPU and Cooler

 If removed, carefully place the CPU in the socket, aligning the triangle markers.
 Lower the CPU retention lever and secure the CPU in place.
 Apply a small amount of thermal paste on the CPU (pea-sized drop).
 Secure the cooler (air or liquid) over the CPU.
 Plug the CPU fan connector into the motherboard.

Step 3: Install the RAM Modules

 Align the notch on the RAM stick with the slot.

 Insert the RAM into the slot firmly until the retention clips lock into place.
Step 4: Install Storage Drives

 Slide HDD/SSD into their respective bays and secure them with screws.
 Connect SATA data cable from the motherboard to each drive.
 Connect power cables from the PSU to each drive.

Step 5: Install the Graphics Card (if applicable)

 Insert the GPU into the PCIe slot and press down firmly until the latch clicks.
 Secure the retaining screw at the back panel.
 Connect PCIe power cables if required.

Step 6: Install the Power Supply (PSU)

 Place the PSU into its designated slot in the case.

 Secure it with screws from the back panel.
 Reconnect power cables:
o 24-pin ATX to the motherboard.
o 4/8-pin CPU power connector.
o SATA/Molex power to storage drives.
o PCIe power to the graphics card (if applicable).

Step 7: Cable Management and Case Reassembly

 Arrange the cables neatly to improve airflow and cooling.

 Use cable ties or Velcro straps to organize excess cables.
 Reattach the side panel and secure it with screws.

Step 8: Test the System

 Reconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cable.

 Turn on the power supply switch and press the power button.
 Check if the system boots properly (POST screen should appear).
 If the system does not boot, recheck connections and component seating.

Step 9: Install the Operating System (if needed)

 If a new hard drive or SSD is installed, install an OS using a bootable USB.

 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete installation.

Installing an Operating System (OS) on a Desktop

Computer
Installing an operating system (OS) is essential to make a computer functional. The process
involves preparing a bootable installation media, setting up the BIOS/UEFI, and following step-
by-step installation instructions.

Step 1: Prepare the Bootable Installation Media

Before installing the OS, you need a bootable USB drive or installation disk with the operating
system files.

Creating a Bootable USB Drive (For Windows or Linux)

1. Download the OS ISO File

o Visit the official website of the OS you want to install (e.g., Microsoft Windows,
Ubuntu Linux).
o Download the latest ISO image file of the OS.
2. Create Bootable USB Using a Tool
o Use software like Rufus (Windows), Balena Etcher, or Ventoy to create a
bootable USB.
o Insert a USB drive (at least 8GB) into your computer.
o Open Rufus and select:
 Device: Your USB drive
 Boot selection: The downloaded ISO file
 Partition scheme: GPT (for UEFI) or MBR (for Legacy BIOS)
 Click Start and wait for the process to complete.
3. Verify the USB Drive is Bootable
o After completion, safely eject the USB and reinsert it to check if it contains the
installation files.

Step 2: Configure BIOS/UEFI Settings

Before installing the OS, you need to configure the BIOS/UEFI settings to boot from the USB
drive.

1. Access BIOS/UEFI
o Turn on the computer and press the BIOS key (usually F2, F10, F12, Del, or
Esc) repeatedly during startup.
o The BIOS/UEFI setup screen will appear.
2. Change Boot Order
o Navigate to the Boot Menu or Boot Order section.
o Set USB drive as the first boot device.
o Save changes and exit (press F10 and confirm).
3. Enable/Disable Required Settings
o For UEFI-based systems: Enable UEFI mode (disable Legacy Boot).
o For older BIOS-based systems: Enable Legacy Boot (disable Secure Boot).
Step 3: Install the Operating System
Once the computer boots from the USB, follow the installation steps based on the OS you are
installing.

Installing Windows OS (Windows 10/11)

1. Boot from the USB Drive

o Restart the computer.
o The Windows Setup screen will appear.
2. Select Language and Preferences
o Choose your language, time format, and keyboard layout.
o Click Next.
3. Click "Install Now"
4. Enter Product Key (if required)
o If you have a genuine Windows license key, enter it.
o If you don’t have a key, click “I don’t have a product key” and activate it later.
5. Select Installation Type
o Choose Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced).
6. Partition the Hard Drive
o If installing on a new hard drive, select New to create a partition.
o If reinstalling Windows, delete old partitions and create a new one.
o Click Next to start the installation.
7. Wait for Installation to Complete
o The system will copy files and restart multiple times.
o The installation process takes 10-30 minutes depending on system speed.
8. Complete Windows Setup
o Set up username and password.
o Choose privacy settings and network connection.
o Install necessary drivers and updates.

Installing Linux OS (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.)

1. Boot from the USB Drive

o Restart the PC and select Try Ubuntu (or any Linux version).
2. Start Installation
o Click “Install Ubuntu” (or equivalent).
3. Choose Keyboard Layout
o Select the appropriate keyboard and click Continue.
4. Select Installation Type
o Choose between:
 Erase disk and install Linux (Recommended for fresh installation).
 Something else (Advanced users can manually partition the disk).
5. Create User Account
o Set up a username, password, and computer name.
 6. Begin Installation
o Click Install Now and confirm partition changes.
7. Complete Setup
o Wait for the installation to finish.
o Restart the computer and remove the USB drive when prompted.

Step 4: Install Drivers and Updates

1. Windows Users:
o After installation, install chipset, graphics, and network drivers from the
manufacturer's website.
o Open Windows Update to install the latest security updates.
2. Linux Users:
o Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade (Ubuntu/Debian-based).
o Install additional drivers using Software & Updates settings.

Step 5: Restore Data and Install Software

 Transfer backed-up files (if applicable).
 Install essential software like browsers, office suites, and security tools.