I’m not talking about switching on a computer, I’m talking about opening the CPU case and touching the internal components, like adding or changing RAM, adding new HHD, adding new CPU fan, I’m scared I might damage or mess up my computer, like mess up the motherboard or something.
Well to start with what are you like on general DIY as that is a good indication if you should ever undertake your own computer upgrade or build.
Most computer upgrades aren’t complex, but you have to exercise care as static can reap havoc on electrical components. Most will advise you have an anti-static wrist strap grounded to your system some say it isn’t necessary, I fall into the former category. It is best to have switched of your computer and left it for a while before undertaking any mods.
If you have to use a lot of force, generally that isn’t correct.
This really isn’t the medium/forum to ask of this as the tasks aren’t all simple. There are no doubt specialist forums dealing with this.
I would agree with DavidR,I have upgraded ram on a HP G6000 which,to me seemed relatively easy.Then I upgraded the Ram on a Acer Aspire One,which I had to virtually take the whole Netbook to bits.
I usually Google what I intend to do,find out how others have done it with tutorials on YouTube etc.Then decide if I am competent enough.But I have always been fairly good at taking things apart,and putting them together again.
It can either save or cost you a lot of money,depending on your success,or not,as the case may be.Like David said,get a anti static wrist band.I got one from Amazon for less than £2.00p that works adequately well.
Been there, done that, got the video but no tee-shirt ;D
That was the very first thing I did on my Acer Netbook, upgraded to 2GB:
Acer Aspire One, Win7 Starter (32bit), 2GB DDR3 RAM, Intel Atom N255 (1.5GHz dual core) CPU.
That really was much more difficult (and I have built my own systems before) and I to used google to find videos of upgrading RAM for it. I found a couple of youtube videos that were quite good and watched them through a couple of times before proceeding and referring back to them also.
I used to build models as a kid (a very long time ago) and was quite competent at the fiddly stuff.
The Acer Aspire One 725-0802 that I just bought for my wife was very easy to upgrade the RAM. Just one screw and the bottom slid off. It came with 2GB of DDR3 Ram, so I upgraded it to the max 4GB of RAM.What surprised me is that it came with Windows 7 Home premium x64 and a dual core AMD C60 processor. I didn’t expect this in a Netbook. I was going to get it for Christmas, but got it for her birthday so It wouldn’t have that Windows 8 cr@p.
To the OP, When one of my sons wanted to learn about computers, I bought a used older system for him to work on (It was $20) that way if he messed it up,it was no big deal. As David said, Make sure your grounded by using a grounding strap, or touching the metal part of the case.,
I have to agree with Marc in that the best way to learn is to buy a used cheap computer to learn with. You don’t want to mess up your primary computer as that becomes costly. You can find instructions on-line as well as in computer magazines about once a year on how to build a computer. One such magazine is Maximum PC.
Still it is best to learn on an old cheap computer. And, always wear a grounding strap! A slip of the hand off the case (or the need to use both hands) can cause static electricity that can ruin an otherwise nice computer. Also, try very hard to keep your fingers/hands off any electrical connections even when grounded. Dirt & body oils are not good for any of these electrical connections.
The Acer Aspire One netbook is an entirely different ball of wax, it is really small and cramped, I can’t remember right now (I’d have to find the video again), but I think I had to remove 5 or 6 screws after prying off the back plate, felt like you were going to break it.
Desktop systems are many times easier to upgrade more room and in some cases (excuse the pun) easier access. But care and an anti-static strap are the order of the day.
The first time I damaged my pc was when a drop of water from the cup fell on the motherboard. It never turned on after that. When I took it for repair they told me the motherboard is damaged.
But soon after that, I learnt to
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/378599_433928439983764_1320516539_n.jpg
Not to put drinks on top of my computer.
Not to drink when repairing my computer.
That isn’t how a water cooled system is meant to work.
This video shows how easy the back comes off my wifes Acer Aspire One.
Go to 4:20 into the video. The memory is on the top right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVDTNpI8f_g
As David said, The older Aspires were a real pain to get into.
That is a very different beast to the original 10.1 Acer Aspire One, much easier all around, will full win7 (not starter) edition and 4GB or RAM. Quite a difference with the SSD drive, not sure if the AMD 1Ghz dual core isn’t letting it down a little or how it compares with the Intel Atom 1.5Ghz dual core of the Acer Aspire One D255.
Interesting topic and I totally agree with ths comment.