Installing the CPU and RAM

If your CPU is different.
Our Pentium III CPU we are installing, as well as Pentium II and Celeron CPU's use what is called a "Slot 1" design. If you are not installing one of these CPU's you are most likely using a "Socket 7" design. This design is used by the original Pentium and also AMD and Cyrix chips. If you are using this type of CPU, your motherboard will probably make use of a ZIF (zero-insertion force) socket. Follow these instructions to install a Socket 7 CPU design:

1) Orient the Chip. This is easy to do, the chip is always marked at Pin 1. The mark may be a little dot on one corner, a slightly notched corner, or a mark at one of the pins under the chip. On the socket, there is usually a notch on one corner, or a big "1". These corners will be matched up for correct installation.

2) Open the ZIF Socket. Pull the lever from the closed, level position, to the open, vertical position. You may need to pull the lever out a bit before it will open. Do this slowly and don't force it. You don't want to break the socket.

3) Insert the Processor. Bearing in mind the orientation determined in Step 1, insert the chip into the socket. With a ZIF socket, the chip should install very easily. It should almost fall into the socket with all pins lining up. If not, the socket is probably not open all the way. When done, there should be no gap between the bottom of the processor and the socket.

4) Close the ZIF Socket. Just close the lever. You will probably feel some resistance. This is normal. If you really need to lean on it, though, check to be sure that the chip is installed correctly. When down, make sure the lever snaps into place. You're done.

5) Now you need to install the fan to the heat sink. This step is often already done for you, but if not, you must do it yourself. This is done using the four screws that came with the CPU fan.

6) Most setups use heat sink compound. Apply just enough to cover the surface of the CPU chip. If you have portions of the chip higher than others, apply compound only to the raised areas. The layer should be thin. More won't hurt anything, but will be a mess when you press the heat sink down. On some setups, you can skip heat sink compound.

7) Attach The Heat Sink. Place the heat sink squarely on top of the CPU, pressing down lightly. Most heat sinks use a set of clips on each side to fasten itself down. These clips attach to a pair of tabs on each side of the socket. It will probably take a little bit of force to bend the clip down over the tab.

If your RAM chips are different.
If you are not using 168-pin DIMMs like we are, you are using either 30-pin or 72-pin SIMMs. DIMMs can usually be installed alone. SIMMs need to be installed in "banks". Consult your motherboard manual for required configurations; there is usually a chart that shows what chips can be installed in what combination. If you are installing a SIMM, you will do so by inserting in at about a 45 degree angle. Obviously, SIMMs don't sit in the motherboard at a 45 degree angle so now you need to rotate it to the vertical position. This may require a bit of pressure, but do not force it. If it is too hard, it is probably installed backwards. When it is vertical, you should see the little plastic or metal clips snap into place, and hold the SIMM securely.