a few n00bish questions about my build
 

OK... today I got all of the parts for my computer, and after spending nearly three hours working, and installing only a PSU, a DVD burner, and a HDD cooler (with the HDD in it), I have run into a problem.

So brace yourselves, because for anyone here who has ever built a computer, this (mainly the third question) is going to sound very dumb. So the questions are:

1) My Zalman heatsink comes with a plastic backplate and tells me to install it, however it appears that my mobo has one already attatched. So do I install Zalman's backplate at all, or do I stick with the one attached to the mobo?

2) Zalman's install instructions for socket 939 coolers assumes that the mobo doesn't have a guide rail attatched, but mine does. Does this eliminate the need for the spacers they provide, or should I remove the guide rail completely and use the spacers?

3) (the stupidest question) The plastic guide thing is attatched to the backplate with some little plastic (maybe hard wax) plugs, but I can't figure out how to get the plugs out to screw in the heatsink.

You can consult the pictures below to better understand my problems...

Plastic guide around CPU socket
Plastic backplate attached to mobo
Plastic backplate included with Zalman cooler

And after looking at the pictures, I have one final question... When I remove the plastic plugs, and I screw the heatsink onto the plastic guide, will the guide still be firmly attatched to the backplate? (the screws which attatch the heatsink are less than 1cm long, not enough to go all the way through the mobo to the backplate)

I know these are very simple problems, but I am completely lost and I cant keep building until I get past this... so thanks for any help you can offer.

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

im not sure, but i would take the plastic guide off the mobo and install the one the zalman heatsink supplies you with. it should all work if you read the instructions.

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

Noone els can help??? I know these are the kind of questions that everyone hates answering, but I really need help with this, and I can't continue building without knowing how to mount the heatsink...

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

have you tried searching your problem on google or any other search engines?, ive got a lot of upgrading tutorials just by searching.


http://forums.filefront.com/images/smilies/google.gif. he can be your best friend

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

Hmmm...as I haven't built a PC yet, I can't reallly answer your questions, but if it were me, I would do whatever the instructions say, and replace what they say needs replacing. Sorry I can't be of more help. http://forums.filefront.com/images/s...28frown%29.gif

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

About the backplate:try pulling the center out of the white plastic knobs

shown in your somewhat fuzzy picture.

The centerpiece should come out fairly easy,allowing the hooks to flex inwards.

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

That's what I thought was the (obvious at the time) solution, but I have tried screw drivers, tweasers, my fingers, and I can't get the darn thing out. I guess I'll just keep working at it until I either get them out or break my motherboard.

Sorry about the fuzzy pictures, my camera was free with my old computer (so as you can imagine, its quite cheap).

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

I now this is n00bish but I know men, like me don't read directions:p Do the directions tell you to take it off?

I know directions are sometimes confusing, but you have english skillz:p

BTW: w00t 5400th post!

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

Or you could just cut the plastic knobs off,since you`re replacing the heatsink anyway.

If it do not work,use violence.
If it still don`t work,use more.
If it STILL don`t work,it will likely break.:)

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

The directions that came with the heatsink assume that it isn't on there in the first place... so I don't know weather or not to use it or to take it off. The directions that came with the motherboard, in the section on installing a heatsink, basically just tell you 1)install the heatsink 2)plug in the fan, it doesn't mention how.

From the look of it, taking off the guide involves removing the little white plug anyways...

And now that I look at it more closely, the white plugs are all that blocks the wholes for the screw, but they are also the only thing attatching the guide to the motherboard... so if I remove them to screw in the heatsink, the backplate and guide will fall right off.

It frustrates me that an incredibly small issue like this has had me sitting here with a bunch of computer parts laid out on the pool table doing nothing for two days...

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

this may not be a big help, but do you have a local computer store or do you know a guy who knows about computers? Because if you do, you can ask them these questions also. It's always nice to have a real person to help you out, maybe even show you. Your local computer store would most likely help. And, as a wise man once said(Okay... Eagle One) Google!

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

If you live near a Best Buy, their Geek Squad is most helpful. They might not even charge you for what you need, but umm, I would ask any "nerdy" friends to help you, because if they have built a computer, chances are they've come across your problem.

Re: a few n00bish questions about my build
 

I finally got an email back from Gigabyte, and I think I know where to go from here. I'll go try out what they recommended.... but I think the problem has been resolved. Thanks for all the help guys.