My Super PC

Build A PC - Build Your Own Computer

Computer Assembly - How To Assemble A PC

The Hard Drive

The hard drive I chose is the Western Digital WD7500AAKS 750GB SATA hard drive, OEM version. It's an amazingly quiet and fast hard drive. I purchased the OEM version (so called "white box") of the hard drive because it's cheaper. The OEM version does not include mounting brackets, but the Antec Sonata II computer case I'm using doesn't need them. It also does not include mounting screws, which I do need, but these are included with the Antec Sonata II computer case.

Here is typical OEM packaging. Bubble wrap with the hard drive sealed in an antistatic bag.
How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, Typical OEM (White Box) Hard Drive Packaging, Western Digital 750GB SATA Hard Drive How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, Hard drive Antistatic Bag, Western Digital 750GB SATA Hard Drive
Here are front and rear shots of the hard drive.
How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, Western Digital 750GB Hard Drive WD75000AAKS Front View How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, Western Digital 750GB Hard Drive WD75000AAKS Rear View

Data Lifeguard Diagnostics

Data Lifeguard Diagnostics is available for free from Western Digital's Software Library Download page. The right one for the SATA II hard drive is the "Data Lifeguard Diagnostics For DOS (CD)" version for a "2nd Gen. Serial ATA WD Caviar@SE - 7200 RPM" hard drive. The download will end up creating Data Lifeguard Diagnostics on a CD.
How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostic main menu
Data Lifeguard Diagnostics is used to certify the integrity of Western Digital hard drives. The diagnostics will be loaded by booting the computer from the CD in the optical drive once the hard drive is installed and prior to installing anything on the hard drive. Although it's not absolutely necessary to use the Data Lifeguard utility as part of the hard drive install, it's certainly a good idea. After all, we're talking about the integrity of the data on the computer! The ideal time to use Data Lifeguard is now, while the computer is being built, and prior to it's having anything valuable on it, so that the full battery of tests can be run, including the ones that write data. However even the read-only tests are worthwhile.

To find a similar utility for a hard drive made by a different manufacturer, check the My Super PC - Hard Drive page for reference links.


My complete recommendations for building a computer with quality components at unbeatable prices is on my home page at Build A Computer Like My Super PC - Cost To Build A Computer. Here again are the recommendations for a hard drive!
Description Where I Would Get It Today Today's Price Comments
Western Digital 1TB RE4 SATA 3 Gb/s 7200rpm SATA 3
Amazon
$60.00 OEM version. Serial ATA III hard drive. Clicking the link takes you directly to it. Plenty of storage with 1000GB. Quiet, reliable and very fast.

Backup Tips - Protect Your Valuable Data.
Westerm Digital 1 TB External Hard Drive
Amazon
$54.99 Free shipping! Clicking the link takes you directly to it. This external hard drive connects to the computer via a USB port. Then copy over critical files periodically using software like SyncBack.
2BrightSparks SyncBack
2BrightSparks
Free Free download! Clicking the link takes you directly to the download page. The freeware version is near the bottom of the page. Use a freeware utility like SyncBack to schedule automatic copy operations to your backup hard drive. SyncBackSE, a feature rich version, costs $30. See the SyncBack version comparison chart for details.
Online Backup
Mozy
Free Off-site backups give maximum backup protection. Mozy is free for under 2GB with no credit card required. Unlimited backup space is available for $4.95 per month.



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

  Parts List
  Tools
  Computer Case and Power Supply
  Motherboard
  Processor, CPU Cooler and Thermal Compound
  RAM - System Memory
  Video Card
  Monitor
  Keyboard and Mouse
  Hard Drive
  DVD RW
  Sound Card and Speakers
  Modem
  Install the Processor onto the Motherboard
  Install the CPU Cooler
  Install the RAM - System Memory
  Install the Motherboard into the Computer Case
  Install the Video Card
  Connect the Power Supply to the Motherboard
  Connect the System Panel Cables
  Ready the Monitor
  Ready the Keyboard and Mouse
  First Boot
  First Boot Common Problems
  Install the DVD RW Drive
  Install the SATA Hard Drive
  Connect the Speakers (if using built-in sound)
  Second Boot
  Configure the BIOS Parameter Settings
  Test The Hard Drive
  Install the Operating System - Windows XP
  Install the Operating System - Windows Vista
  Driver Installation


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