New build procedure

[highcountryrider]

Outside case
1) Install CPU and cooler onto MB
2) Install memory sticks onto MB
3) Install I/O panel and MB into case

Inside case
1) Mount Rosewill PSU
2) Install graphics card on MB
3) Mount Noctua case fan
4) Mount Antec fan onto rear panel
5) Motherboard connections

a) 24 pin main power from PSU
b) EPS 12v 2x4 power from PSU
c) CPU fan to cpu_fan on MB
d) Noctua case fan to sys_fan on MB
e) Antec case fan to Molex from PSU
f) SATA cable from HDD to SATA_0 and SATA power from PSU to HDD
g) IDE cable from DVD burner to IDE and PATA power from PSU to burner
h) Case speaker to SPEAK on f_panel header

First boot and testing
1) Connect PSU power cord to power strip
2) Connect monitor to graphics card on rear panel
3) Connect keyboard to USB port on rear panel
4) Double check all connections in case. Check that video card and memory sticks are fully seated.
5) Turn on PSU and then Power button on case.
6) Listen for POST single beep and if successful enter BIOS (press DELETE key)
7) Check BIOS settings8) Run Memtest86+ full cycle and then test #5 for 30 minutes. Config info below

a) First press C, then 1, then 3 and finally select the test that you want to run (#5),
press Enter and then 0 to get it running.

9) If no errors proceed to Windows 7 install

Install Windows 7Final installs and updates
1) Install latest motherboard drivers from Gigabyte website for chipset, audio and LAN
2) Install latest Geforce FX 5200 drivers
3) Connect to MB headers and check front panel modules; USB, IEEE1394a, audio and card reader

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: New build procedure

All sounds good!

You will need to enable USB Keyboard support in the BIOS as well. Also in Standard CMOS page disable Floppy A at the bottom before installing windows.

I would keep your boot order as hard drive first, and be sure you put your hard drive at the top of the list in the hard disk boot priority in the Advanced BIOS section. Then just use F12 at startup to boot from CD.

If you have CD boot first, then when windows installer reboots it may start all over again from the CD, which you do not want.

[highcountryrider]

Re: New build procedure

Thanks for reply and information. I noticed that the manual shows that USB keyboard support is enabled by default. Is that accurate? If not does that mean I'll have to get a PS2 keyboard to be able to navigate in the BIOS? Thanks for the tip on Floppy A, wouldn't have known that otherwise and also the settings for boot device order.

In regards to XpressRecovery2 it sounds like it creates a recovery image of the hard drive in the partition I will have created for it. Do you have an opinion as to the value of this and it's effectiveness? I assume I would do this after I have installed all drivers necessary and before I install any programs or software in Windows 7, correct?

[wazza300]

Re: New build procedure

i wouldnt use the cd driver disk that comes with the mb,win7 will auto install all the drivers for you so you can access the net and download/install latest drivers from gigabytes website,i think youll be fine with your usb keyboard as mine works in the bios whether its enabled or not and without any drivers,it just wont work in windows unless usb/keyboard is enabled in bios first

[highcountryrider]

Re: New build procedure

I've already downloaded the drivers from the Gigabyte website for this MB. Good to know about the keyboard. I'll double check the BIOS after W7 install to be sure it's enabled.

[sin0822]

Re: New build procedure

good for you, dont forget to constantly ground yourself by touching the metal of the psu or case before you touch your processor motherboard and ram and video card, basically anything that you might touch a chip with.

[highcountryrider]

Re: New build procedure

good for you, dont forget to constantly ground yourself by touching the metal of the psu or case before you touch your processor motherboard and ram and video card, basically anything that you might touch a chip with.

I have a static wrist strap that I use plus touching the case metal.