First time building...need a little help

[Surge1243]

Hi, I'm building a computer for the first time and I just have a few quick questions. I just received my motherboard (it is a Tyan S2390B (ATX/Socket A)) and installed it in the case just to see if everything fit ok. However, the case has seven PCI slts, but when I look at the motherboard (1 AGP/6 PCI) the slots don't exactly line up with the expansion slots on the case. There isn't a huge space between them but just enough to make me worry that an AGP graphics card or a sound card won't line up with the slot its supposed to go in. Anybody have any suggestions? Also, when I mount my motherboard and slide it in to where it is supposed to go, the ports in the back don't really line up with the back plate. I had to remove two of the motherboard screws in order to tweak the board a little to right so it would line up correctly. Any suggestions there either? Thanks a lot!

[Leef]

Corretct me if I' wrong, but a lot of times you won't need to put all the screw in. They just have several because of different case or MB designs. I only used 4 in the last one I built. You'll have to line the MB up, and only put in the screws that fit. As long as you have as least 4, you shouldn't have any problems. As least I wouldn't think so. Plus, if I'm not mistaken, the slots won't look like the match up entirely, but they do. Try putting a card in and seeing if it will fit. Just don't cram it in just in case it doesn't :P

Also, it may sound silly, but did you put the spacers in?

[Surge1243]

Ok, well this may sound silly, but...spacers? I think I read something about them but I'm not really sure how to use them. The case came with three or four of theses gold screws that have a hole in the top of them. Is this what you mean? If so, how are you supposed to use them?

[Cricket]

Hi Surge1243,

The spacers (or stand-offs) are used between the motherboard and the mounting plate. Without them, the motherboard will make contact with the mounting plate (something you don't want it to do), this will cause an electrical short and your system won't work.

To use/install the stand-offs, you hold your motherboard over the mounting plate and see which holes match up to the mounting plate screw holes. Install the stand-offs in the holes you determined to match the motherboard holes. Then you lay the motherboard on the stand-offs and screw the board to them using the screws provided. You should match as many mounting holes to the motherboard as you can so the board is well supported. This prevents the motherboard from bending too much when you install your cards, cables, wires, etc...

Since this is your first build, my suggestion is to take everything apart and then take the time to read the "Build Your Own PC" section of this website. It's very well written, has explanations of parts and terminology and will walk you though each step : http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/index.htm

Cricket

[whr2206]

yeah, about a year ago I had the same problem....just take your time....double check everything, and you'll do fine....

[Surge1243]

Great, thanks a lot for the advice. I figured out the spacers. My case only came with three of them but the three screws support the motherboard pretty well. Good thing you guys pointed that out to me or I would have been in a world of trouble. Thanks again!!