HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN SUPER7 COMPUTER
Last updated: 4/10/99

So, you bought an Epox MVP3G-M Super7 Motherboard, got a bargain on a AMD 400 Mhz K6-2 CPU, and you are sure you have purchased some quality memory, and you are ready to start putting all of your hard earned goodies into an AOpen HX45 case.   But, you have never built a computer before.  Well, here's is how to do it by the numbers...

I hope this check-off list (and comments) is of value to more experienced computer builders, as well.  Although it is based on one specific set of components, it should provide a good basis for building any Socket 7 computer.

  Obtain the parts. 

• AOpen HX45 Computer Case
• Epox MVP3G-E Super7 ATX motherboard
• 400 Mhz AMD K6-2 processor
• AOpen 64 Mbyte, 100 Mhz, 8 ns,  PC-100, 168-pin SDRAM
  Part # 73.08864.P8R (which is made for AOpen by Micron)
• PentAlpha 3-wire, oversize, ball-bearing CPU fan
• Focus 2001W Keyboard
• Logitech M-S34 2-button PS/2 mouse
• Four 9-inch cable-ties (also known as zip-ties) Garbage bag twisties will do, but won't look as good.
• AOpen PG 128 display adapter
• AOpen 7254e 15" SVGA monitor
• Panasonic 3 1/2" 1.44 MByte floppy drive
• Western Digital AC26400 6.4 GByte, UDMA, EIDE hard disk drive
• Acer 640A 40X CD-ROM drive
• Additional IDE cable
• AOpen FX-3D Plus ISA PnP Sound Board
• MLi 699 Speakers
• AOpen FM56-P PnP PCI V.90/K56Flex 56K MODEM
• Windows 98

1) If you obtain the above parts, 2) if they are all good (they usually are), and 3) if you follow my check-off list, you should be able to build a professional-looking, quality computer with the least amount of trouble.  This particular computer went together and ran the first time without any glitches or hassle.

  Gather the tools.

Required

• Knife
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Socket driver

Optional

• Anti-static wrist strap
• Anti-static mats
• Workbench
• Forceps (handy for moving jumpers)

  Download the latest motherboard software.  You will need the following motherboard-specific software:

• Latest Motherboard BIOS and Award Flash Utility.  Download from EpoX.  Note the date of the BIOS and the check sum.  Print a copy of the BIOS installation instructions.
• VIA IRQ Routing Miniport Driver from VIA.
• VIA MPC AGP Driver from VIA.
• VIA MPC USB Filter VIA.
• Epox/Highpoint IDE Driver from EpoX

Although the software is on the CD which accompanies the motherboard; it is best to download the most recent versions. This is best done before building the computer, but can be done right after installing Windows, the MODEM, and configuring the computer for the Internet.

[ Top | Contents | Next - Setup the Chassis ]