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Assemble PC using old and new parts

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Wilson__:
I would like to re-use old parts.  Want to be on safe side.

The motherboard user manual states assemble the whole PC and turn on all-at-once.

Would below partial steps be safer?  It would not hurt parts in partial configuration, right?

1. Install motherboard with CPU, cooler, one (of total two) RAM, HDMI monitor, Keyboard, Mouse

2. Power up in BIOS, run RAM test from BIOS (continue for some time), set boot sequence USB thumb disk first, Power down

3. Install second RAM, Power up, run RAM test from BIOS (continue for some time), Power down

4. Plug in USB boot thumb disk, power up, should boot into Linux OS from USB.  Run (some test software on USB)…., Power down

5. Install M.2 SSD

6.  Power up, should boot into Linux OS from USB. Set 25% disk space for the OS partition.  Install/Copy OS from USB to SSD, Power down

7. Power up, should boot into GRUB, up/down arrows on keyboard to select what to boot. Also set default boot order if no keyboard input is received after time-out

wraper:

--- Quote ---1. Install motherboard with CPU, cooler, one (of total two) RAM, HDMI monitor, Keyboard, Mouse

2. Power up in BIOS, run RAM test from BIOS (continue for some time), set boot sequence USB thumb disk first, Power down

3. Install second RAM, Power up, run RAM test from BIOS (continue for some time), Power down

4. Plug in USB boot thumb disk, power up, should boot into Linux OS from USB.  Run (some test software on USB)…., Power down

5. Install M.2 SSD
--- End quote ---
While it may make some sense not plugging in everything into unknown motherboard at once, this is just a stupid waste of time. What for would you test a single RAM stick separately and do all those steps? If you're afraid about damaging components, start from installing a CPU and a single RAM stick. If it starts and nothing blows up, install the rest of components and run any tests you want afterwards.

wraper:
Also the more times you tinker with hardware, the higher the chance you make a mistake (like forgetting to unplug it from mains) and damage something.

Haenk:
Wraper is right - there is usually no need to tinker on modern PCs. Assemble, maybe run a MemTest for good measure, just to be sure everything works, install.
If something is not working, it will usually not show up at installation time, unless it's really broken.
Maybe check for BIOS update before installing, that might fix things that didn't even happen - yet.

golden_labels:
Are you sure you didn’t change the meaning, while paraphrasing the motherboard manual? The advice seems weird. It’s not sound and, more importantly, why would motherboard manufacturer even care?

If you are worried the motherboard is malfunctioning to the point it’s going to damage components, install CPU with cooling and one RAM stick first. If that starts, just follow with assembling the rest in one step. Not because it’s certainly safe, but because you can’t gain anything by further delays. If the motherboard is broken, there are two options. One is a complete breakage: it will not start at all or, but that’s unlikely in current hardware, power regulation fails and damages something. The other is some hidden, minor malfunction. You can’t predict, if installing this or that triggers the issue. Or if it’s going to manifest itself instantly or after a year of flawless operation.

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