[SOLVED] $1300+ PC Finally here!

dem0x7 · 02-01-2009, 09:05 AM

Hi guys,

I finally have everything ordered. Half of the stuff is already here sitting in front of me, and the other half should be coming in around Wednesday. I wanna say thanks for all the help, especially wrench97 you helped me pick out a lot of the parts.

I remember my first thread, my budget was only around $600 or so, but I finally just went all out and I hope it will be worth it!

Here is the final build:

ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236052

EVGA 01G-P3-N880-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130429

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128359

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319

LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM SATA Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106100

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184

NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146025

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007

Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speaker
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...gitech%20x-540

Saitek PK02 2-Tone 104 Normal Keys USB Standard Eclipse II Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823175001

------------------------------------------------------------------

What do you guys think of the system? It's mainly gonna be for gaming, music, photoshop, stuff like that.

My only concern is that I have never put together a computer before, so I don't want to do anything wrong on my first build; and if something goes wrong I will have no clue what to do and will probably freak out, lol!

Any tips you can give me? Is that everything I need, I should be good with no sound card? I wanted to have dual monitors, but that was really pricey to get two of the monitors, maybe for my birthday which is in 5 days.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks guys

**linderman** · 02-01-2009, 11:18 AM

nice rig ............ you did very well !

do some google searching for youtube videos about computer building ............. pick a day when you are fresh ................ have all to spend uninterupted !

most of all ............. enjoy

also I suggest you read this and follow it closely .............. dont make the mistake of trying to stuff everything into the case right at the start !

How to Bench Test Your System

dem0x7 · 02-01-2009, 09:00 PM

Oh I'm glad you said something, cause that's what I would have done - tried to fit everything in the case first thing!

dem0x7 · 02-04-2009, 05:50 PM

I'm trying to load Windows Vista but it won't recognize my hard drive, so it won't allow me to continue with installation because I need to select a HD to install it on!

I don't know what to do. I went into the BIOS and changed some of the SATA stuff to enabled, and put one thing on RAID. What else is there to do?

**simpswr** · 02-04-2009, 06:06 PM

Try going back into BIOS and resetting it to defaults . . Vista should have no problems with a SATA drive

dem0x7 · 02-04-2009, 06:07 PM

I did, for some reason it won't come up, I'm not too sure what else to do!!
Is there another way for me to test to see if it's there or not, other than the vista install?

**linderman** · 02-04-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dem0x7

I did, for some reason it won't come up, I'm not too sure what else to do!!
Is there another way for me to test to see if it's there or not, other than the vista install?

???? please clarify ? what wont come up ?

if its there or not ? is what there or not ?

**linderman** · 02-04-2009, 06:12 PM

did you try the bench build test ?

dem0x7 · 02-04-2009, 07:17 PM

Okay in the BIOS I found somewhere and it said my hard drives name, and said 640 GB so I'm guessing it's hooked up correctly, and now when I try to install Windows Vista, it still isn't detecting any drives to choose from.

When I click on browse, I can now navigate to the C:/ folder (That wasn't there before) and then it asks if I want to format C:\ and I click on OK and it says:

Windows can't format C:\
Check to see that the disk and drive are connected properly, make sure that the disk is not read-only, and then try again.

So I still have no drivers to choose from to put my windows install on :(

**linderman** · 02-04-2009, 08:12 PM

sounds to me like you have your drive connected to the wrong sata plugs on the motherboard ?

check your manual ............. see if you have a sata connector on your motherboard labeled "sata 0" try that ........ trying shifing the sata drive data cable to other connectors ..................... make sure you are not connected to the raid controllers plugs ?

dem0x7 · 02-04-2009, 08:23 PM

My Hard drive is connected to SATA2_3 and then underneath it is SATA2_1
I'm not sure why there is two of them.

My cd/dvd rom is connected to SATA2_2 and SATA2_0

Fourth Stooge · 02-04-2009, 08:34 PM

You said earlier you had the SATA set to RAID. Is it still that way or did you switch it back to Native IDE?

dem0x7 · 02-04-2009, 08:35 PM

I switched it back to default, which is disabled.

dem0x7 · 02-04-2009, 10:09 PM

I'm using a SATA Bracket, is that right?

veritas88 · 02-04-2009, 10:44 PM

I noticed you said you set up your hard drive in a RAID configuration, but it appears as though you only have one hard drive. RAID is designed for multiple hard drives (usually at least 3). I hope I've at least shed some light on the problem

dem0x7 · 02-04-2009, 11:19 PM

Couple of things:
First off, I re-did the wiring so I'm not using a bracket anymore. My HDD is using SATA cable into the motherboard and a power cable from the PSU. Same goes for my CD/DVD ROM.

I still get no drivers showing up when I try to install Windows.
In my BIOS, here is what I have:

My HDD is set to: IDE Channel 0 Master
and my CD/DVD ROM is set to: IDE Channel 1 Master

Is that okay, or is something wrong there?

Also I set my BIOS back to default, but another question.
For "Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode" what should that be set to?
- IDE
-AHCI
- RAID/IDE

Thanks! Hope I can get this figured out

dem0x7 · 02-05-2009, 12:23 AM

I got it working guys :)
I changed some BIOS settings, my thing as set to 32-bit instead of 64. I think I changed some RAID/IDE stuff. I also went on the WD site and burned a copy of a driver tool they had, and I ran a test and everything was fine then I cleared the whole hardrive and tried it again and it worked. I'm not sure which one was it that fixed it, but I'm so glad that's over with.

Thank you guys!

02-01-2009, 09:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
dem0x7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 65 OS: Windows Vista 64-Bit My System	[SOLVED] $1300+ PC Finally here! Hi guys, I finally have everything ordered. Half of the stuff is already here sitting in front of me, and the other half should be coming in around Wednesday. I wanna say thanks for all the help, especially wrench97 you helped me pick out a lot of the parts. I remember my first thread, my budget was only around $600 or so, but I finally just went all out and I hope it will be worth it! Here is the final build: ASUS VH242H Black 23.6" 1080P Widescreen LCD Monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236052 EVGA 01G-P3-N880-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130429 Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036 GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128359 CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319 LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM SATA Combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106100 CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146025 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007 Logitech X-540 70 watts 5.1 Speaker http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...gitech%20x-540 Saitek PK02 2-Tone 104 Normal Keys USB Standard Eclipse II Keyboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823175001 ------------------------------------------------------------------ What do you guys think of the system? It's mainly gonna be for gaming, music, photoshop, stuff like that. My only concern is that I have never put together a computer before, so I don't want to do anything wrong on my first build; and if something goes wrong I will have no clue what to do and will probably freak out, lol! Any tips you can give me? Is that everything I need, I should be good with no sound card? I wanted to have dual monitors, but that was really pricey to get two of the monitors, maybe for my birthday which is in 5 days. Let me know what you think. Thanks guys

02-01-2009, 11:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! nice rig ............ you did very well ! do some google searching for youtube videos about computer building ............. pick a day when you are fresh ................ have all to spend uninterupted ! most of all ............. enjoy also I suggest you read this and follow it closely .............. dont make the mistake of trying to stuff everything into the case right at the start ! How to Bench Test Your System __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

02-01-2009, 09:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
dem0x7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 65 OS: Windows Vista 64-Bit My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! Oh I'm glad you said something, cause that's what I would have done - tried to fit everything in the case first thing!

02-04-2009, 05:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
dem0x7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 65 OS: Windows Vista 64-Bit My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! I'm trying to load Windows Vista but it won't recognize my hard drive, so it won't allow me to continue with installation because I need to select a HD to install it on! I don't know what to do. I went into the BIOS and changed some of the SATA stuff to enabled, and put one thing on RAID. What else is there to do?

02-04-2009, 06:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,249 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! Try going back into BIOS and resetting it to defaults . . Vista should have no problems with a SATA drive __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

02-04-2009, 06:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
dem0x7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 65 OS: Windows Vista 64-Bit My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! I did, for some reason it won't come up, I'm not too sure what else to do!! Is there another way for me to test to see if it's there or not, other than the vista install?

02-04-2009, 06:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! did you try the bench build test ? __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

02-04-2009, 07:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
dem0x7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 65 OS: Windows Vista 64-Bit My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! Okay in the BIOS I found somewhere and it said my hard drives name, and said 640 GB so I'm guessing it's hooked up correctly, and now when I try to install Windows Vista, it still isn't detecting any drives to choose from. When I click on browse, I can now navigate to the C:/ folder (That wasn't there before) and then it asks if I want to format C:\ and I click on OK and it says: Windows can't format C:\ Check to see that the disk and drive are connected properly, make sure that the disk is not read-only, and then try again. So I still have no drivers to choose from to put my windows install on :(

02-04-2009, 08:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! sounds to me like you have your drive connected to the wrong sata plugs on the motherboard ? check your manual ............. see if you have a sata connector on your motherboard labeled "sata 0" try that ........ trying shifing the sata drive data cable to other connectors ..................... make sure you are not connected to the raid controllers plugs ? __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

02-04-2009, 08:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
dem0x7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 65 OS: Windows Vista 64-Bit My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! My Hard drive is connected to SATA2_3 and then underneath it is SATA2_1 I'm not sure why there is two of them. My cd/dvd rom is connected to SATA2_2 and SATA2_0

02-04-2009, 08:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
Fourth Stooge Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 102 OS: WinXP Pro SP3	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! You said earlier you had the SATA set to RAID. Is it still that way or did you switch it back to Native IDE?

02-04-2009, 08:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
dem0x7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 65 OS: Windows Vista 64-Bit My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! I switched it back to default, which is disabled.

02-04-2009, 10:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
dem0x7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 65 OS: Windows Vista 64-Bit My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! I'm using a SATA Bracket, is that right?

02-04-2009, 10:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
veritas88 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 57 OS: XP, Vista, 7	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! I noticed you said you set up your hard drive in a RAID configuration, but it appears as though you only have one hard drive. RAID is designed for multiple hard drives (usually at least 3). I hope I've at least shed some light on the problem

02-04-2009, 11:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
dem0x7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 65 OS: Windows Vista 64-Bit My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! Couple of things: First off, I re-did the wiring so I'm not using a bracket anymore. My HDD is using SATA cable into the motherboard and a power cable from the PSU. Same goes for my CD/DVD ROM. I still get no drivers showing up when I try to install Windows. In my BIOS, here is what I have: My HDD is set to: IDE Channel 0 Master and my CD/DVD ROM is set to: IDE Channel 1 Master Is that okay, or is something wrong there? Also I set my BIOS back to default, but another question. For "Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode" what should that be set to? - IDE -AHCI - RAID/IDE Thanks! Hope I can get this figured out

02-05-2009, 12:23 AM	#17 (permalink)
dem0x7 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 65 OS: Windows Vista 64-Bit My System	Re: $1300+ PC Finally here! I got it working guys :) I changed some BIOS settings, my thing as set to 32-bit instead of 64. I think I changed some RAID/IDE stuff. I also went on the WD site and burned a copy of a driver tool they had, and I ran a test and everything was fine then I cleared the whole hardrive and tried it again and it worked. I'm not sure which one was it that fixed it, but I'm so glad that's over with. Thank you guys!