From the experts at eietaasce | Uh customPcis) J Component guide e Installation ¢ TroubleshootingWELCOME x Youre just about to get the best PC youve ever owned FEW THINGS CAN compare to the satisfaction you get from building your own PC, or upgrading your existing model. With computer prices cheaper than ever, it may seem a false economy, but look deeper and you'll see the true benefits. For starters, when you build or upgrade your computer, you choose the components you want to use. In other words, you make sure you end up with the PC that fits your needs. It also means you can pick premium components, such as the ones we've recommended in this book, making your finished computer more stable and more reliable 6 6 Our step-by-step workshops and The key advantage of building a PC advice will help you choose the right _yoursettis that you can quickly take components at the right price 9 9 advantage of new technologies. In this book, for example, we've covered how to install and configure a solid-state drive (SSD). Add one of these to your new build ~ or as an upgrade to your existing PC — and you can boost its performance significantly, speeding up application loading times and the time it takes to start up. Buy a computer off the shelf and you'll find that this kind of technology is reserved only for the most expensive models. What's more, building and upgrading your computer helps you learn how your PC works. Should you run into a problem later on, you'll be armed with the skill and knowledge to fix it yourself. Our step-by-step workshops and advice will help you choose the right components at the right price, and put them together to make your perfect PC. Happy building! David Ludlow, Editor BULDABETTERPC 2051CONTENTS Contents From choosing the right kit to putting it all together and installing your software, our step-by-step guides will help you build the perfect PC Chapter 1 ESSENTIALS Find out what kit you'll need before you start building your PG, and learn some essential skills Po hullder’s toalkt Your workspace Essential skills Findi eta das Chapter 2 CHOOSING AN OPERATING SYSTEM Find out how Microsott’s latest operating system compares to previous versions of Windows, as well as the free open-source alternative, Linux Windows 7 Windows 8 Linux 20 1S Jeo Jo 8 Chapter 3 CHOOSING YOUR HARDWARE We explain what to look for when choosing the kit for your new build, and round up some of the best products available Choosing your components. 24 Budget and mid-range PCs 36 High-end and extreme PCs 35, Media centre and mini PCs 36 Essential peripherals 39 BUILD A BETTER PC 2018, Chapter 4 BUILDING YOUR PC Step-by-step guides to creating the perfect PC Taking the case apart 46. Installing the power supply 48 Installing the motherboard 50 Installing the processor 5h Installing memory 56 Fitting the internal cables. 58. Installing a hard disk 60 Installing an SSD 62. : cal dri bs Installing a graphics card 66 Installing expansion cards 38 Putting the case back together 70. Chapter 5 POWER ON Take control of how your computer works Into the UEFI Th Chapter 6 INSTALLING AN OPERATING SYSTEM Everything from configuration to installing drivers How to install Windows 7 82 How to install Windows 8 86 Setting up an SSD 90. How to install Ubuntu Linux 9%CONTENTS x Chapter 7 Photo organising & disc burning 120 WINDOWS 8 Tools & utilities 121 Your complete guide to Microsoft's latest release Saving power with your new PC 122 The Start screen 100 Creating a backup 126 Windows 8 Search 101 Adding virus protection 126 Side-by-side mode —— Desktop mode Chapter 9 Using Windows 8 Charms TROUBLESHOOTING Having problems? Don’t panic here are our tips and tricks to get your PC running smoothly Windows 8 shortcuts Changing Windows 8 settings Configuring Libraries Boot problems. 130 Conliacina ieee ascot How to restore your system 135 Satna apationenewark Windows problems 136 Configuring the Desktop Peripheral problems _ 146 Changing the look of the Desktop Testingmemery 50. Using Mail, People and Calendar Testing vour hard disk 1s Testing your new PC for heat 154 Chapter 8 Testing your processor 156 NEW PC ESSENTIALS Our pick of the best free software around JARGON-BUSTER Office software 118 Glossary 158 Security & image-editing 19° All the buzzwords and technology explained BULDABETTERPC205 3CHAPTER 1 ESSENTIALS ota UU Reng PRO takes ca Poe seen Rate? Ne Rn Tae Reg) ce Sense C require, the kind of workspace on NCNM Ramu ee Nee a Mme Tart) Dae ome rea iatss caster: Q ESSENTIALS > Beas PC builder's toolkit 6 Your workspace 8 Essential skills 10 Finding and installing drivers 12 BULDABETTERPC205CHAPTER “ESSENTIALS ESSENTIAL TOOLS No 2eresshead screwcver £150 ‘Long-nose pliers £4.50 ‘Mutti-head screwdriver so a a6 OPTIONAL TOOLS Torch £6 cabletes es cB sh ive Es Thermal paste 8 ‘Anti-static wristband £3 Tot TOTAL AMOUNT 6 BUILD ABETTER PC 2018, PC builders (CAREFUL PREPARATION IS the key to every ‘suceasstl bull, and the very fist step i to get together the basic tots forthe job. Over the next two pages, well show you how to put together a PC builder's toot that costs just a few pounds, but contains a range of hardware and software, which you can use again and again to tackle ary buld or future upgrade project with confidence. WHAT YOU'LL GET WITH YOUR KIT ‘When you buy the components for your new PC, they wil include @ numberof essential items. Your motherboard manual will have detals of your motherboards specications and features, and an explanation ofits pots and connectors also give you help wit BIOS options and updates, and tak you through any bundled utity programs, ‘Your motherboara's box wil contain al the data cables that you'l need to connect your har disks and optical drives. There wil be more cables than you need, so keep the other ones spar fr future Uogrades. Check the box careluly for any additional ports, such as rear-mounted USB, Fieve and eSATA, Thase willbe easy tof anc your matherboard's manual wl explain how. ‘Your cate should have a manual that tals you how to take it apart and how to ft your components ins. Your ease vill eneraly ship withthe screws that youl ned tof your motherboard and other peripherals. If your case requies hard disks and optical drives to be fited ‘on runners, look for these in an accessory box either inside the packaging or the case tet It you'r instaling a graphics car, look inside its box carefully Here you" probably find DVi-to- \VGA adaptors, which you'l need if you have @ ‘monitor with analogue inputs only; Molex-o-POI Express power adaptors, which you" nged if your power supply doesn't have the necessary power connector and, If your card suppers it, DV-to- HOMI adaptors. In the case of AMD graphics cards, this last itor is really important. You have to tice the AMD DVI-to-HOM! adaptor in order to get the sound working conecty a standard adaptor wl only deliver the picture. Look inside all the component boxes for driver (CDs. You can use these to get your hardware Installed, although its best to folow cur guide on downloading the latest drivers on page 12 before you star building, OPERATING THEATRE ‘A computers useless without an operating system, go make sure that you've got your Windows or Linux disc handy betore you begin builcing your computer. ‘A Windows install CD is made by Microsoft, bears a holographic Microsoft loge and has all the ‘les needd to install the operating system. You ‘can also use this CD to recover damaged Windows. installation it you have trouble ater on ‘Your software box should also contain the licence key that you'll need to install Windows. ‘You'l need this key when you install your ‘operating system and i you ever have to reinstall Windows or contact Microsoft for support I's ctical, therefore, that you keep this key somewhere safe; without it, you'l need 10 buy a new copy ofthe software. Our complete ‘guide to instaling Windows 8 on page 86 ‘explains everthing ‘To install Linux on your new computer, you ‘rst have to create an instalation CD. Ths is easy 10.40, and our quide to inetaling Linux on page 94 ‘explains everything you need to know. ‘SAVE IT FOR LATER |When you build your PC, you'l find that you may belt with some spare parts, suchas blanking plates for expansion cards and extra crive rails ‘or more hard disks, We recommend that you keep these parts somewhere sale, as you may eed them should you decide to upgrade your ‘computer in the future. I's also worth keeping any spare screws, as you never know wien ‘they'll come in handy. TooL uP Building aPC ist a particulary complicated procedure, and you'l need only afew tos to ‘complete the job successfully. The picture ‘opposite shows you the mast common tools that youll need, and you shouldn't need anything more specialised. Our guide to essential bulding kis ‘on page 10 will show you how to use these tools, ‘and our guide to your workspace on page 8 shows {you the kin of area in which you should worktoolkit RECOMMENDED Hardware tools CHAPTER ESSENTIALS / MULT HEAD SCREWORIVER ‘CABLE TIES (rt pictures) ratchet or eacie Great or toying the nde ‘rowdrvr wth 2 wide range Styour PG, orto exp ‘titans soul cover ‘gous of ios orooco fanyting tata standard omponons ot of tho way ‘esha sorowarvor oan, ‘hile you work: Longo toe Ghooes one witha range ot remove axponsivo but, hexsocket ha nod st ‘more vreta ard you can (aoa 6 and Ym lane sp of any extra lang ANT-STATIC BAG Use a MEDIUM CROSSHEAD large ant-tati bag a a ste [SCREWDRIVER furtaceforwerking or ay ‘Thar can be uso fr almost onstive compenent, Smaller ‘very soon neide aPC, Bags areal or storing or ‘Sowmng you to Rtoredst ‘vanepotng components altho majr components. Host BC part even ‘Chooso ane wih aang. ‘asta peckegin, 50 shaft that yu can rach ‘dont tre them ay. ecesed eras TORCH Te oan be party Une when someting a PC under ini cane. owl ipyoutoved tet onthe Ccmponert aide your PC that are {Sod th smal tex orm ‘Nome wth rman. STORAGE DEVICE Asie USB Mash memory device les you vansor any vers ‘r patnes you need rom nother POA ager hard ek doco poroet fo {okang al backaps yours ranting data and roams tom another PC. ‘PNE PLIERS You can ve these toremove and umes, ‘lnc sweet trove. You can aia vse thom Deewresoreabl fn and {wis out metal blarkng ates froma ove by [ANTLSTATIC WRISTBAND Wearing ti raduces he hance thet sat lecy ‘el damage senatve Componente auch as your Sxpansion cards, motorboard, ‘THERMAL PASTE ‘You may need tis forthe ‘rubles nstalloton of 2 ow processor or gaps ard hotank, or when {rentoring «processor to a tow mothorboard Make ro {hat you dort uy teal late by mst, BULDABETTERPC203 7QP aver PY. ESSENTIALS Your workspace & BUILD ABETTER PC 2018,ESSENTIALS » DESK ‘You need a clear desk or table to work on your PG. As cases can have sharp edges, put ‘down a cloth before you start work to prevent scratches. If you haven't got a suitable cloth, lining your desk with paper should do the job. PLASTIC CUP ‘Scrows and clips from inside your case can ‘easily get lost. Aplastic cup is a handy way of storing everything so you don't lose them. RADIATOR It's good to work near a radiator, so you ‘can touch an unpainted part of it to discharge static. Alternatively, wear an anti-static wristband. LAMP A desk lamp will help make sure that you have enough light inside your PC. MANUALS Keop any manuals that came with your kit handy, as they'll help you build your PC correctly. COMPONENTS Keep your components in or on top of their anti-static bags until you're ready to use them. BUILDA BETTERpe 10 CHAPTER ESSENTIALS ‘Preven he build-up of static by wearing an anti-static wrist strap Essential skills BEFORE YOU UNWRAP ail the shiny new ‘components you've bought and start shoving them Into your ease, there are some safety lessons. tollearn, along with some key ekils that all ‘make building your PC much easier Without these, you nun the risk of damaging your computer before you've even turned it on. The worst partis that mos ofthe time, youl be Unable to tell that you've caused any damage Uuntl you turn on your PC forthe fist time. At this Point, tracking the problem down can be a real rightmare. Well take you through the main pitas you'l face when building a new computer nd, mare importantly, how to avoid them, sTavic Wie all know about static electricity isthe charge: that builds up when we walk across a carpet and. slscharges when we touch someone else. Thistle flash of electricty may not seem very powerful, but its potently fatal for sensitive electronic components. Geta build-up of static and touch your processor and you may have destroyed one BUILD A BETTER PC 2018, ‘ofthe most expensive pants of your computer before you've even stated. Fortunately, avoiding problems ie that hard you've got one, wear an anti-static waist strap. This wal prevent state elactrcty from building Up, ‘making it safe to touch any component in your Computer you haven't got one, don't panic, as there are other ways around the problem. Try to work near a radiator To discharge any build-up of static, simply touch the unpainted part of the raciator You's then safe to work Finally all computer components come in anti-static bags to protect them. Don't remove any Component from is bag unt you're ready to ft. MAGNETIC SCREWDRIVER Insige you PC, you'lfind that there re lots of parts of your case that are awkward to reach to screw components into place. The easiest way to Amagnetic Screwdriver is3 PC builder's bestfriend BULDABETTERPC205 1ESSENTIALS I meet Finding and installing drivers ANY NEW HARDWARE you buy will come with 2 ver disc, so that you can installit easily. Some ‘motherboards even have fancy instalation wizards that automatically detect which drivers you need and install them automaticaly. However, while this sounds straightforward, the drivers that you get on the dise are usually out of date. It you already have a working computer, your first job isto go online and downlad the latest ver fle, saving them to a USB key or external hard disk. you don't have access to aPC, don’t worry. Simply use the crivers that came on the disc Luntilyour new computers working, and then follow these instructions to download the latest vers and install them afterwards, Thanks tothe internet, getting criversis incredibly easy and shouldn't take too long. The motherboard isthe main pat of your PC and it comes with plenty of bul-in features, including onboard sound, networking, storage drivers anc potentally even graphics. Wincows wil have livers for many of these things, but f you want the best performance and the best range ot features, you'l need the lat drivers. ‘ AMD gives you a choice of files to download, bu the fll Catalyst Contrel Suite isthe best choice fer new computers 2 BUILD A BET ER PC 01 You can get everthing for your motherboard from the manufacturers website: you'l find the address in your motherboard's manual. not then use a search engine to find the URL. (Once you're on the website, there should be a link for Suppor. Just keep following the links for motherboards and drivers. Eventually, you'll get to ‘ point where you'll ned to enter the detals of your motherboard to locate the driver download page for our model's vital you get exactly the Fight mode! in order to get the correct drivers for ‘your computer. f you can find the deals on the box orin the manual, then the metherboard’s name is usually written on the board itt. Alter you've entered your metherboard's details, you'll be presented with along list of ddrvers divided by type, such as graphics or networking. For each heading, downoad one ver, making sure that you select the latest version. Most driver packages cater forall versions of Windows, but check the details to ensure that you dowrioad the corect driver PSs Ht you're using onboard graphics, you'll be able totfind the latest drivers on the motherboard ‘A You'll need to perform several le downloads to get the latest motherboard driversCn ‘8 You can find the latest drivers for all your devices on the internet, manutacturers website. you're using a dedicated sTaphics card, you should download the drivers lrecty ftom AMD's or Nvidia's sits. This wall ensure that you get the best performance and stabilly tom your graphics card NVIDIA Nvidia Uses unified driver package, so one lownload wil work for most os graphies cards “This makes instalation simple. Visit wunuvia. ‘comand selact Download Drivers trom the Dovenioad Drivere menu in the top-left ofthe seraen. Select the type of card (GeForce for consumer graphics cards) and the aries of card that you hava, such as Sox series fora GeForce 19600 GT. Select your language as Englich (UK) and click Search. Tick the box to accept the ligence agreement and chk Download, I's important to select your graphics cars ‘madel, as not every civ package has the driver ‘or every graphics card. It you downloss the wrong package, your card won't install AMD AMO has a similar unified hive architecture to Nvidia. Vist to /support.ame comfus/Pagest sls AMDSunportitih.as0x and cick the Download ae traphice crivers link under Support & Drivers, On ee the next page, selact which operating system you'll be installing, calect Radeon from thelist consumer ery graphics cards ae all Radeon models), and then eens select your ear, Click Go to’be taken to the dever a page. The Catalyst Software Suite includes the zi chiver and the Catalyst Control Panel for thing else. configuring settings. Make sure you select your CHAPTER fo ESSENTIALS > ‘Nvidia has a unified driver architecture, soa single download is all you need "madi! om the list, or you may get aversion ofthe These surrounds eaten Jaton carcometie Although wireless mice are fine for using ja ne eaten, as ow, ply aa of gros wed ypu making hem mmouse a much ater epton Ths is because mevaren stp ited medals don't have as much lag, so each ‘mouse movement is replicated instantly onthe Screen ~ essential ifyou want to get that accurate head shot. you're a keen gamer, we'd recommend buying @ dedicated gaming mouse, such as Raze’s Death Ader (P40 including VAN, “Those who love playing the latest games, shoul also consider buying @ mouse mat, rather ‘than using the surface of a desk. With the right rat, such as the ICEmat 2nd Eesti (around £30), you'll get a low-fction surface, so your mouse will ghde around effortlessly. ‘SPEAKERS To get the best out of your computer, you need to ‘bass. you primarly use your computer for invest in 2 decent set of speakers. Dont rely on ‘music or games, ten these kinds of speakers those built into your monitor, as they'll never be vill sult your neds. The best set we've reviewed able to produce the clean balanced sounds of a Logitech's 2-523, costs around £50, and produces dedicated set. Fortunately, buying speakers Incredbty rich and detaled sound. doesnt have to be expensive, Next, you have the choice of suround-sound Ft, work out what Kinds of speakers you ‘speakers. These are idea if you want immersive want. Standard 2.1 sts have two stereo speakers ‘ound around you when you're watching fms and and a sub-wooter, which produces rch, thumping \want to enjy the fll sounctrack, for example. ‘Surreund:-sound speakers typically come in 5.1 (0°71 speaker configurations, where the 1 is, the bass sub-woofer and the and 7 refer to the number of satelite speakers. To be honest, 7.1 sets arent worth it uriess you'll be using your computer in a massive room. Besides, the extra two speakers and cables mean that you're just adding clutter to your home. A5.1 set wil suit most people. ‘Again, there's a choice of sets to consider. ‘Standard 5.1 PC speakers, such as Logteci's 2-508 around £75), use analogue mini-lack plugs that connect to the sound cards outputs at the roar of your PC. To enjoy suround sound on your DVDs and HD movies, you! need software capable of decoding the sound to analogue ‘outputs, Windows Media Center will decode Dolby Digital sounctracks, but not DTS; CyberLink's APA decent set of2.1 PowerDVD wil do all formats, but you'll need to speakers will produce rch upgrade tothe ful version from any ‘ite’ version sounds in games and music that came bundled with your optical dive BULDABETTER PC 205 41CHAPTER 3 CHOOSING YOUR HARDWARE eas Alternatively, buying a sot of 8.1 speakers with a built-in decoder, such as Logitech's 2-906 (@round £260), wil enable you to connect your ‘computer digitally tothe speakers and at thera do the hard work of decoding, For histo work, You'll nee to have an S/PDIF output from your PC, The 2-906 speakers have optical and coaxial ‘SIPDIF inguts and can decode Dolby Digital ang DTS sounctracks. They also have 5.1 channel analogue inputs, $0 you could stil let your PC do the audio decoding, The benefit ofthis system is ‘hat you can also connect your regular DVD player to the speakers, s0 you can use them for your home cinema setup, too. ‘TV TUNERS, With Media Center built into Windows 7 and an ‘option for Windows 8, turing your PC into a fully ‘ledged hard disk recorder simply requires you to ‘add a TV tuner. With Mesia Centers excelent ree programme guide, youl find 2 PC the easiest hard disk recorder to use. When you make your choice, there are a few things to consider Firs, i's not worth buying an analogue-only tuner The analogue TY service is being turned off ‘over the next fw yaar, leaving only dill TV. ‘That eaid, i you cant got a very good reception {or digital TV look to get a hybrid tuner with beth sdigtal and analogue capabilities: this way you ‘can use the best signal but stil switch over to ForanSsDyou need to have BUILD A BETTER PC 2018 Setting up an SSD A solid-state disk can make your computer boot much faster than a traditional hard disk, but it needs configuring in Windows first. Here we show you what to do A SOLID-STATE DISK (SSD) has alot of advantages over a traditional mechanical hard disk. SSDs use fast memory chips, so your ‘computer wil boot more quickly and Windows and your other applications wil oad alot fasten our tests, we've seen the boottime of Windows 7 fall ‘rom 54 to 24 seconds on a Core 15-750 PC simply by switching trom a hard disk to an SSD. Furthermore, SSDs have no moving pats, ‘they're immune toa lot ofthe problems from wiich ‘mechanical disks suffer, such as being damages by being knockes. However, SSDs do have a wt limit, so you'l reed to conrigure Windows to get the most out cof them, Over the next few pages wel take you through al the settings you need to adjust. “There are some ether downsides to using ‘SSDs. You have to pay alot more per megabyte whan buying an SSD, and the largest mode's are still alot smaller than regular hard disks. For this reason, t's worth having an SSD for booting and running applications, and a tradtional hard dick for storing all your data. We recommend a minimum Pee) ‘Boot mee messured on Windows 7 PC With a Gore 5750 procesot ss0| Hard disk En capacity of 6408 for an SSD, although 12868 is preferable. If you're planning on using an SSD on its own as a single drive, 128GB should be the absolute minimum, Another problem with SSDs involves the technology they use. Most consumer SSDs Use mult-tevel call (MLC) memory chips. A cell Is an area for storage tha'ssplitinto pages (typeally around 4KB each) and grouped into blocks (usualy 128 pages fora total cf 512KE). ‘Because ofthe technology used, each page can be wten to individually, but only fits empty Ha page is considered to have data int, thas toCHAPTER 6 INSTALLING AN OPERATING SYSTEM ‘Advanced Options ) Selected drive: Di [New Volume] ‘Space avaleble: — 64BHEME © System managed size No paging fle Tota paging fe sze fora drives Manimum alowed: 16M, Recommended: 5835 M6 CCurentyalocated: 395708 Cx) Cora) f| U icine [Re] Fie Setinge pe ented les ~ Yet nr words wth ocr as ferent words Det ond x aoa) Taubnsot sem od des Index ocabon ‘Grentcaten: oProgandatapirsott Ne locaton, afer sevice restarted: ‘anced ema beta ‘8 Move the paging file for virtual memory toa regular hard disk be erased trst. However, only entire blocks can be erased at once, ‘This causes an issue whereby overwriting ate ‘means the original data has tobe wiped frst. So, an SSO has to read the existing block, wipe the storage space and wite back the data. Tis can cause problems with performance, as there's more of an overhead involved in writing data I can also cause longevity problems; MLC calls have a lMespan of only arcund 10,000 writes. Aerts, ‘cell cant be witen to or erased, although the data can be read, so an SSD that has been worn cout completely can stil be read. To erase data securely, the disk has to be physically destroyed. Information about cells wearing out has led 10 alot cof panic about the qualty and usabilty of SSDs, butts mostly unfounded. ‘According to esearch, MLC dives last lot longer than you might think. According toa test performed by Toshiba, atypical user wil write up to 24GB per day and a heavy user wil write upto 9.268 per day, including autosave and hibernate features in the operating system. Taking this into account, SSDs are rated to last at east thes ‘years, for up to 20GB of data per day; for atypical ‘fh Move the system index toa regular hard disk ityouhave one user wring 2.4GB per day, nat’ a fe span of 25 years, which should be plenty. ‘This longevity is achiovad in soveral ways. Fist, i you're using an operating system that supports it such ae Windows 7, there's the TRIM command. ‘This alows the operating system to tall the SSD ‘which blocks are considered fee in the file system, ‘erating the disk’ controller to take care of ‘overwrites. Second, wear leveling ensures that datas spread evenly over a csk so that one cel doesr't wear out before the others. However, you wil nead to perform some extra ‘configuration to make your SSD last as long as possible; this includes disabng systems that ‘constanty ute toa disk, such as virtual memory = welll show you how using Windows 7. We've spit the quide into two parts: one fo systems that have ‘more than one disk (an SSD and a hard disk) and ‘one for systems with Just an SSD. INSTALLING WINDOWS. ‘An SSD will be smaller than your existing hard disk, ‘90 you must decide how to tansler your operating system. Most SSDs come as akt with cloning ‘software that wll do the job for you, but this BULDA BETTER PC 2015 1INSTALLING AN OPERATING SYSTEM requires that the amount of data on your hard dl is equal to or less than the eapacity ofthe SSD. fit sn, yout need to move some fies of the hard isk unt! there's enough room, For this reason, the best option is afresh installation of Windows. Betore you install Windows, make sure thatthe advances host controll iterface (AHCI is turned ‘on in the UEFI (see page 74), This is the SATA native mode and supports allthe advanced ‘features that SSDs require t's usualy found inthe ‘menu with storage options. Make sure that your UEFIis set so the SSD is the primary boot hard disk ater the optical drive. Windows should detect your SSD and disable sderagmentation (which can damage i), but you should check. Open Computer, right-click your SSD and select Properties, then click Tools. Cck Defragment now, cick Configure schedule, ten liek Select disks. Make sure that your SSD is a) Fbei Socom 8) \ rae, cron tay rows shun omgnn re ‘A Windows 7 makes it easy to move your user files to another hard disk BUILD A BETTER PC 2018 decelactad; Windows should automatically remava your SSD from ths it, so don’t wory it you can't see. USING AN SSD WITH A TRADITIONAL DISK ‘The chances are you'll be ading an SSD to a computer with a hard disk. This gives you both speed and lots of storage, Once you've got Windows up and working, you can work through ‘making the system changes. First, make sure Virtual memory is tured off on the SSO. Virtual Imemory saves data from RAM tothe hard disk to free up space for other applications, butt can hammer a disk. Right-click Computer inthe Start ‘menu and select Properties. Click the System protection link, select Advance and then click Setting under Performance. Click the Advanced tab and click Change. Untick the ‘Automatically manage paging fle size fr al drives’ option. Ciick Ci, select "No paging fle" and then click Set. ‘Yu should see a warning tli you that your computer could run out of memory, but lick OK. Repeat for any partitions on your SSO. Now you naed to turn on vitual memory for a hard dick. Select an internal hard disk, such a8 D: and lick System managed siza, then click Set. Click OK on al the epen dialog boxes. Next you need to cort ut Indexing. This the service that indexes all your files so you can find them quickly and can be responsible for uite a few file wites, Click on the Star menu and type Index. Glick on Advanced, Indexing options and "Select new’ under ‘Index location’. Browse 10 a regular hard isk and click OK. The index can only bbe moved to the root ofa dive and the changes. won't stick you select a folder I's worth moving your Documents, Pictures, “Music and Videos folders to a hard disk to save ‘ace on your SSD. Windows 7 makes this easy Using Libraries. To move the Documents foe, go to your physical hard disk and make a folder for fle, such as d\documents oF d\\ documents. To change the location of your Documents folder, type Libraries into the Stat ‘menu and cick Libraries. Right-click Documents and select Properties. Click Inciude a folder. navigate to your new folder and click Include‘Virtual Memory automaticaly manage pagn fle sie for al drives Paging fe ie foreach dive Drive [Volume Label ‘Disable virtual memory ona laptop to prolong the ite of the SSO folder Select the existing entries in th “Library locations’ window, salact Remove and click OK. Use the above instructions for the Music, Pictures, and Videos Libraries. Once done, every time you access one of these Libeares you'llbe lverted tothe new folder on your mechanical hard clisk. There's itt point in changing other user settings or hunting for a way to move the Windows “Temp folder and Program fies. You may want to consider maving the defautt download divectory of ‘your web browser, though, so it eaves fils to your hard lick rather than the SSD. USING AN SSD ON ITS OWN It you've decided to buld your computer with only an SSO, your configuration options are more limited, as you cant move fies to another dik: “This means you have to disable some services. I's worth disabling vitual memory a tis ean harm an SSD. To do this, youll need 4GB of PAM, cor Windows could runout of memory You can CHAPTER 6 INSTALLING AN OPERATING SYSTEM ‘ee [ans [eeu Serve name Dest nae: Desceton Wea dow Seach Frovdes corr nde, pope cach. and = eserg. Rechrenulerton eal endabercetet | Panto emcee Won yton22 Sachin ax Exbeding Sane nee (Csi ae cof see at cts = ‘You can disable Windows Search, but we don't recommend it leave it enabled if you have less RAM, but you could wear out your SSD mare quicky. Fight-clck Computer inthe Start menu and select Properties. ick System protection, select ‘Advanced and click Setting under Performance, Click the Advanced tab and then cick Change. Untick the “Automatically manage paging fle size for all ves" option. You'll be prompted to restart. In Windows, folow the instructions above to get ‘back'to the Virtual Memory dialog box and cick C:, select ‘No paging fle’ and cick Set ‘Yu can't move the Indexing service on a laptop, but you can disable it. However, we don't recommend it, ast willbe hard to find programs and fas. If this doesnt bother you and you want to dlicable the service, click on the Stat menu and typein Services. Click Services from the ist and double-click Windows Search inthe Ist, Select Disabled from the Startup type drop-down box, then click the Stop button and OK te continue snot worth making any other changes. BUILDA BETTER PC 2015 9Bye _ INSTALLING AN OPERATING SYSTEM 94 BUILD A BET ER PC 2018, HOW TO. Install Ubuntu DOWNLOAD UBUNTU Linux is reqularty updated, so check the website unucubuntu.cam/gatubuntu to download the latest version. Make sure you pick the ight version for your computer (82-bit or 64-bit Essential, uniess your processor suoports only 32-bit operating systems, you should dovioad the 64-bit Os. (Once you've downloaded the corect ISO (aise Image) fies, you'll need to burnt toa CD before you can use i. We recommend using CDBurnerXP, hich is tree download trom hitn!/cdbumertD. ‘se. Ateratively, you can use the free UNetboctin uty (htolanetbaotin,sourceforge.net to create ‘ bootable USB flash dive wth the ISO image. You don't need to commit to using Linx at this stage: if you just want to give it a try, you can run it rectly trom your installation disc (see Step 3 for more detail) BOOT FROM THE CD Put the Ubuntu CD that you've created into your optical crve and wait forthe ‘Press any key to boot from CO’ message. If you miss ths message, you'll ave to restart your computer to lead the ‘owniaad Ubunte Linux Ubuntu instalation routine, The frst splash sereen should load very quickly If you don’ got this ‘message, you'l need to go into your PC's UEFL and change the boot options to make the CD the first boot device (s0e page 74 [START THE INSTALLATION You'l now be presented witha Language ‘menu and a choice of two options. The default installation option is to try Ubuntu without making any changes to your computer. This simply loads Ununtu rom the CD and doesn't write any files to yourhard sk ‘This is an excellent way to tryout Linux before commiting yourself fully to operating system and filing up your hard disk, and is the wisest option it you're not totally sure about whether Linux is for you. You can't do too much to the OS, butit'sa ‘900d way to get a fee! fort before you commit to it you do want to install Usuntu property, select the Install Ubuntu option, CHECK INSTALLATION CRITERIA, You'i now see a splash screen that has alist cof ertera to make the instalation go as smoothlyCHAPTER 6 INSTALLING AN OPERATING SYSTEM as possible. Make sure your computer is Connected to the internet, a this allows itto ‘download the latest updates. Select Download Updates whila installing to force this option, and you'l save yoursel time inthe long run. For the best results, Ubuntu will need to install some tic! party software inorder to be able to play MPS, Flash and other muitimedia fies. Select Install this third-party sotware and click Forward ERASE HARD DISK your hard disk has any other operating system installed ont, you'll see a warning on the next screen. You'll have the option to install Ubuntu alongside your existing OS or if you're running Ubuntu already, upgrade it For the best results, select the Erase option “This will wipe your har disk and let you star from scratch, This saves any confusion inthe future of having more than one operating system on the hard disk Be warned, however that erasing your hard disk will mean you' ose al data curently cit, so make sure you have a backup of your Important fies beore you select this option. When you're ready, click Forward nil eee Seen Crete! Pee etrecl eres CHOOSE PARTITION SIZES Ubuntu usas a simple partitioning system on your PC's hard disk. Tweaking this vill enable you to choose where your user ls are kept and to creata separate pattions for program fles and \iual memory. Linux stores user fs inthe home folder and moving this toits own partion is easy. However i you opt to setup one parttion ‘manvally, you'll have to set them all up this way. It you want to stck with Ubuntu's default cption, click Install Now and skip to Step 12. by MANUALLY ERASE PARTITIONS To define your hard dsk’s partitions manually, select the advanced partitioning tool The installer will scan your hard isk and display the disk Parttoning tool. The ist step is to delete all the ‘existing parstions onthe hard disk, so select each ‘one inte list and click the Delete button. Ifyou have more than one hard ask in your PC, your fst isk i /dev/sda or devinda (dev/sdb or dev/ndb is your second cis). You should configure the fist disk n your system, generally I your disks are in the wrong order, you can switch the internal SATA cables to fix this, BUILDA BETTER PC 2015 95 a3) ad 96 HAPTER 6 INSTALLING AN OPERATING SYSTEM BUILD A BETTER PC 2018 CREATE BOOT PARTITION ‘You should now have ree space isted under ‘deu/eda. Since we're making partons by hand, we need to create all the partons that Linux requires, stating withthe boot partition. Select free space in th ist of parttions and click New. Enter a size of 50 we're working in megabytes) and then select ‘boot asthe mount point. ick 0K to continue, CREATE SWAP PARTITION Linux also needs a /swap partion, which is the equivalent of the Windows swap fle used for \iual memory. When your PC's real memory fil ‘up, Ubuntu wil swap bits of the memory that aren't currently being used - such as RAM being used for Inactive applications, for example -to the hard disk, This gves the impression that your computer has more memory than it actually does, enabing youto run more applications. First, create ancther new partition inthe free space and then enter a size (n megabytes) that is equal to the amount of RAM in the Computer, remembering that one gigabyte is 1,024MB. Select Swap area from the ‘Use 23° drop-down lst, eave the ther settings at ther defaults ang click OK. (CREATE HOME PARTITION Next, you need to set the ‘home partton, hich is where user files ae kept, This Is the equivalent of Windows’ My Document folder, but itis kept on a separate parttion. The advantage ofthis method is that if you ever ‘eed to reinstall Linux, you can do so and your documents won't be overwnten Make this parttion as large as you like, but ‘make sure you keep around 15G8 free fr the final ‘root parton. Select home as the mount point betore clicking OK. ry SET ROOT PARTITION ‘The final custom parttoning task you need +0 performis to set the root or / partion. This is where Ubuntu installed, and it will use al the remsining space. Set the mount point as / and click OK. You can 86 the final partion structure from the soreen above. Click install Now when you're ready to continue, ‘SET CONFIGURATION SETTINGS Ubuntu wall now start instaling to your computer Wile its copying fles, you need to specify a few settings. First, you need to set your ciurrent location on a map ofthe world inorder forUountu to set the date and time comecty You can also start typing the name of your town or cy into the text box. Click Forward wen you've done this. [Next youll be asked to configure your keyboard and mouse settings by selecting the language and ‘ype from the ist. Cick Forward When you're done ‘SET USERNAME AND PASSWORD You'll now be prompted to enter a username ‘and password for your computer Enter your password twice, and Ubunts wil el you i it's a weak, fair cr strong password, You can now change the name of your PC. ‘You then need to decide how you want to log in. Logging in automatically will boot straight to the dewktop, but the ‘equire my password t log in? ‘option is much more secure. you choose the latter option, you can also select ‘Encrypt my home folder for extra secuity. Howeve, if you forget Your user password, your files will be completely locked and you'l be unable to recever them. Oniy ‘choose this option if security is a paramount ‘concern. Glick Forward when you're ready. FINALISE INSTALL \With your configuration options set, Ubuntu will now go through the process of fnaling the met CHAPTER 6 INSTALLING AN OPERATING SYSTEM instalation and copying the remaining fies to your hard disk. Tis process takes a far while, so you ‘can leave it copying, MANAGE SOFTWARE ‘Once Ubuntu has finished inetaling, go to the Software Cant, the online app store available ‘rom the Launcher on the left-hand side ofthe