PLEASE, wtf with these matters?

I can't find ANYWHERE the COMPLETE system build, i mean COMPLETE, from openinx each component's boxes to be seated in front of it playing crysis.
Each and everything i've seen about homebuilt systems just covers hardware setup on the motherboard and computer case... and that's ALL.

What about software setup and everything from that point? it is not like when you install everything (hardware) you turn up the system and it tells you, "Hello, hope yer having a good day, just feed me the OS CD so i can do all the work", and next thing you just use your computer as a manufacturer-built system.
I mean what do you have to install before? what driver after which one? and you just feed the cd's of each component into the cd bay or what?
As you can see i'm quite clueless... so if you can tell me (or direct me to a page where they can) about setup JUST after you put together all your hardware i will be grateful.

Thanx for reading. If there's anything i can help you with, dont hesitate and tell me.

check out hardwaresecrets.com,,,look under tutorials,no doubt there will be some useful links,,and you can try the following link.........

http://compreviews.about.com/od/tu [...] rdware.htm

You can always go to downloads.com and click windows starter kit. It has a bunch of free ware that you can download to have a "complete" setup.

I recommend looking at the list and seeing what would be useful and downloading only what you would use. I mean, why download a online picture editing program if you are going to install Photoshop, etc.

We can't really tell you what programs to get without a deep understanding of what you are planning on doing. If you are a business user you would probably want MS office where as the home user can probably get by with open office....

So what comes between hardware assemble and OS installation?

I mean beacuse i GUESS one has to install drivers and controls and those things so that components recognize one another so they can start working as a whole compuer

And what would come first then?

I guess firs recognition has to be of the processor... then... RAM or what?
Or is it like they are just Plug-n-Play i place the processor, then RAM and the only thing that has to be recognized is the GPU?? And what about CD/DVD bays?? Are they recognized automatically? and mouse/keyboard???? and what if, say for example, my case; i will be using an HDTV as my standard screen??? it plays automatically or what?

Thanx for your help men.

Thanx badge, now i want to tell that OS installation i've done it before but not anything before that now i... guess you think i'm a little ambiguous and you may be right now im gonna tell you...
The situation is the following:

Obviously this is my first PC build
So i'm getting the components say this or the next week
I'm doing it all... all by myself (let alone the forums suport hehe)
So i get the components and assemble 'em (and this i think i will do properly, i love to do tweaking on anything and i'm good at it)

Now, what happens when i press the Power button???
REMEMBER: I've done NOTHING else than assembling the PC

My guess: The BIOS greets me... that DOS-like screen that has some
computer data like speed of this n that...
Then i have to set up some things, right?, including mobo setup..., how do i adjust or install the MoBo for example?
And then what? how do i set up everything else?
Processor needs adjusting? Only in the BIOS right?
RAM? The same thing right?
Then i set up the drivers...
Then the... what???... GPU???
Is all this "easy"?
I know i sound quite overly-concerned but i don't wanna ruin my first PC build, since its pretty neat one.

Is the info i need to know in the manuals of my components?
Including Tweaking???... my future PC is as follows so you know what i'm talking about...

GPU: HIS/SAPPHIRE 4870X2
MoBo: Asus P5E X38
Processor: Intel Q9550
RAM: Corsair Dominator (fan module) 4GB (2 x 2GB) 1066 DDR2
Case: Antec 1200
PSU: Corsair Modular PSU 1000W
DVD Bay: Samsung 22x DVD writer w/ lightscribe
Cooler: Zalman 9700 110mm LED CPU Cooler
Dual Blue Cold Cathode<--(What's this for? someone recommended it 2 me)
Thermal compound: Arctic Silver 5
HDD's: 2 x Western Digital 250GB 7200RPM in RAID-0 or RAID-1

hardware settings, tweaking and assemble... that i'll be fine with

now, considering the GPU... do you think i would have any display problems??? before drivers installation? i mean running it like just after pluggin' it?
REmember i'll be watching everything from my HDTV, pluggin' an HDMI cable to my GPU with the DVI to HDMI adaptor included.

THANX for reading!, reply would be appreciated!

So you understand how to install an OS? If not, see my earlier Step 1.

I'm thinking you are going to need some help at this point. You seem a bit disoriented as to how a computer is put together and functions as a system.

Oak tree get outta' your way huh. That's great. I think you will end up needing a little help before you are done.

So your basically going to do something you have never done before. Take a PSU, MB, CPU/heatsink/ video card, RAM, HD, DVD and assemble them. K. I'm sure there are a few tricks to be discussed, but for simplicity's sake I'm good

If you have the PSU connected to the Power On button correctly the system will power on. Hopefull (fingers crossed) the BIOS screen appears on the screen.

You mean you have assembled the components like RAM or a DVD palayer. I don't know, I'm asking. You mean you have just assembled your PC and are going to push the Power on button on the case? Oh.

The BIOS screen appearing would be ideal. Time for Hi fives dude. Well almost.

That's the thing, the MB would already be installed if you see the BIOS. MB CD with drivers and utilities comes in to play now. Well, backtrack here. The OS installation comes first. Then the MB CD with the 'uhmmm...MB adjustments (drivers and utilities). I don't know what to say. That CD that came with your ASUS MB has all the drivers for your MB. Install it after you have installed the OS system.

Well, after the OS and MB CD driver install the next thing would be to pop in the driver disk that came with your video card. Install the video card driver. THEN, go online and get all the updates for your OS system. Recommend an AV/Spyware protection installation. Then install your games and other personal software you will be using.

Processor speed and voltages are adjustable in BIOS, but your processor will run fine at default with no adjustments. Not necessary to adjust the FSB and voltages at this time.

RAM speed (data transfer rate), timings and voltage is adjustable in BIOS. You may want to use one DIMM only to install your OS and MB drivers. If you have both DIMMs installed and the system is stable under stress, your good. But yeah, adjusting the RAM data transfer rate, timings and voltage to Mfg. specs will help to stabalize your system. That's later if your system is running at this point.

Here is where I ask, "what are you going to drive?"

You should install the GPU driver immediately after installing the OS and MB system drivers.

Oh hell yes. Knock youself out.

I'm thinking you will be fine, if you are gentle (not RMAing damaged parts) and patient . I think you may need a little help having never installed a MB from the ground up before. It doesn't take long to aquire the touch. And don't end up blaming ASUS

Yes, it is. The MB manual is very helpful. Follow the instructions in the MB manual. Reading the MB manual would get you off to a great start for sure.

Well, I would not be too concerned with tweaking you new system out right away. If you get it up and running, run some games and do some stress testing and check for stability. The tweaking will come later if you stick around the Forumz.

I would recommend installing your OS on a single HD. Onboard RAID is not the easiest software to work with.

The BIOS will detect the graphics card and the OS will provide a driver for setup until you install the driver fr your specific card (the CD that came with your card).

Yeah, I do that with my HTPC. I have my 9600GT connected to my Samsung 40" 1080i with an HDMI cable. Bitchin!!!!!

I think you hit the nail on the head, Proximon. If you get everything connected correctly, the components will already have some rudimentary capabilities. You won't be able to jump right into playing games or watching movies, but the motherboard, processor, memory, and video card will all recognize that the other components exist.

First, hit whichever key you need to hit to get into the BIOS. Set all your CPU and RAM to the factory specs. Set the DVD drive as the primary boot drive. Insert your OS installation CD. And just follow the on-screen prompts.

Then insert the installation CD that came with your motherboard.

Then go to the ATI website and download the latest driver for your card. I would not recommend using the CD that comes with the GPU as there's a good chance the drivers on the CD have already been replaced (the HD4870x2 is new enough that it may not be the case for you, but in general I'd suggest avoiding the driver CD that comes with the GPU).

Now you should run a couple stress tests. MemTest86+ (here's the wikipedia) will check your RAM, and Prime95 (wikipedia) will check your CPU. These will each take 12+ hours to run, so go find something else to do and just let it run and do it's thing. Stress testing your GPU with 3Dmark06 (wikipedia) wouldn't be a bad idea either. Here's a thread over at AnandTech with a more detailed description. Reading throught the whole thread wouldn't be a bad idea.

Then install all the other programs that you'd like on your computer MSOffice/OpenOffice, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, games...etc.

Hold off on doing any tweaking/OCing for a little while, especially since you're using AS5 which has a considerable cure time (meaning that it'll take a few days for it to work to it's fullest potential). Speaking of AS5, make sure you know exactly how much to use because using too much is almost as bad as not using enough. And be especially careful that you don't get any of the AS5 on the motherboard circuitry because it is a conductive material and if you're not careful you could short out the board.

Why avoid the driver CD that came with the video card. That's the driver the card was tested with and most certainly works without any major issue. Either way is fine, but to say 'avoid' the driver that the card was tested with is not sound advice.

XP Pro is 32 bit. As far as recommending a new OS, Vista 64 with 4 GB RAM is my recommendation.

No reason to 'avoid' the driver CD your video card came with. Probably better to use the driver the card was tested with before you run in to any potential problems a later driver could present. If troubleshooting a video card, going back to the driver the card was tested and released with is also an option. You know the driver on the CD is going to work properly. If not, put the card back in the box and return it. At OP, like I said, you can go online and download the latest video card driver and install it immediately. Either way is fine, but there is no reason to 'avoid' the driver the card was issued with.