Install Rear Panel FireWire And USB2.0 Connectors

The EPoX 8RDA+ comes with built-in IEEE 1394 (Firewire) as an optional add-on. All that's needed to have it available is to attach the cable which is included with the retail motherboard. The cable conveniently provides the external connections on a slot cover.

Plug the cable onto the Firewire IEEE 1394 connector on the motherboard. The connector is white on the EPoX 8RDA+ motherboard and is shown circled in red in this shot of the lower half of the EPoX 8RDA+ motherboard. The connector is keyed so it can only be plugged in one way. The other end of the cable is a slot cover. Remove one of the PCI slot covers and put this one in its place. I chose to use the slot cover right next to the video card since it seemed like it would be difficult use that PCI slot anyway with the video card protruding out as far as it does.

The EPoX 8RDA+ motherboard I/O panel already includes two USB 2.0 ports, but it includes a second cable that provides another two USB 2.0 ports. As with the Firewire IEEE 1394 cable, external access is provided via a slot cover. Having a total of four USB 2.0 ports is a lot, especially considering that it's not unusual to daisy-chain USB devices off a single port, but may as well install the cable for the extra connections while we're here.

Plug the cable onto the USB 2.0 connector on the motherboard. The connector is blue on the EPoX 8RDA+ motherboard and is shown circled in red in this shot of the lower half of the EPoX 8RDA+ motherboard. The connector is keyed so it can only be plugged in one way. The other end of the cable is a slot cover. Remove one of the PCI slot covers and put this one in its place. This time I chose the slot cover next to the modem since if and when I do add additional PCI boards into My Super PC I would not use an adjacent PCI slot unless I had to. Instead I'll space them out to allow more air flow in between the cards.

Here's how the computer looks now with these accessories included. As usual, I've been mindful of the impact on airflow when deciding how to run the cables inside the computer.

The back of the computer now looks like this.

Next: Computer Assembly - Install the Computer Case Fans

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How To Build A Computer. Step By Step Instructions To Assemble. Skip To Any Assembly Step.

	Parts List [go]
	Tools [go]
	Antistatic Wrist Strap [go]
	Computer Case and Power Supply [go]
	Motherboard [go]
	Processor, CPU Cooler and Thermal Compound [go]
	RAM - System Memory [go]
	Video Card [go]
	Monitor [go]
	Keyboard and Mouse [go]
	Floppy Drive [go]
	Hard Drive [go]
	CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD RW [go]
	Sound Card and Speakers [go]
	Modem [go]
	Install the Processor onto the Motherboard [go]
	Install the CPU Cooler [go]
	Install the RAM - System Memory [go]
	Install the Motherboard into the Computer Case [go]
	Install the Video Card [go]
	Connect the Power Supply to the Motherboard [20-pin Connector  or  24-pin Connector]
	Connect the PN1 and PN2 Indicators to the Motherboard [KS-282 to EPoX 8RDA+  or  Sonata to MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Ready the Monitor [go]
	Ready the Keyboard and Mouse [go]
	First Boot [go]
	First Boot Common Problems [go]
	Install the CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD RW Drives [go]
	Install the Hard Drive and Floppy Drive [PATA Hard Drive  or  SATA Hard Drive]
	Connect the Speakers (if using built-in sound) [go]
	Second Boot [PATA  or  SATA]
	Configure the BIOS Parameter Settings [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Test The Hard Drive [PATA  or  SATA]
	Install a Second SATA Hard Drive For RAID (optional) [go]
	Install the Operating System - Windows XP [on PATA hard drive  or  on SATA hard drive]
	Driver Installation [go]
	How To Copy Big Files From Another Computer Using Just a Floppy Drive [go]
	Install the Modem [go]
	Install the Motherboard Chipset Drivers [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Install the Monitor Driver [go]
	Install the Video Card Drivers [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Install the Sound Card and Speakers [go]
	Install System Information Utility - EVEREST [go]
	Diagnostic Test - DirectX [go]
	Speed Test - System Memory (RAM) Performance [go]
	Speed Test - Hard Drive Performance [PATA and SATA results]
	Speed Test - CD Performance [go]
	Speed Test - Total System Performance [go]
	Stress/Torture Tests [go]
	Connect Front Panel Ports For Audio, Firewire and USB 2.0 [go]
	Install Rear Panel Ports For Firewire And USB 2.0 [go]
	Install The Computer Case Fans [go]
	Post Assembly Needs [go]
	Graduation [go]
	Video Card Driver Settings [go]
	BIOS Flash Update [go]
	BIOS Settings [go]

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