[Build Log] Mini-ITX PC - Middle School

[zeyuanfu]

Do you perhaps have a friend/student who has a disc?
You could also try Linux

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I want windows and would not using someone else's disk be a violation of the license? After all it's already installed somewhere else.

I tried one of the school's floating license disks fir Win 7. Ok for temporary use, especially since I have a disk for a dead, decommissioned computer.

Until I figure out what's with the drivers, I'm not going to try something new.

 

[RazerZ]

"7. Now when I start the computer, it boots to a very primitive looking DOS style interface, Nero?????"

Do you mind posting a screenshot so we can see exactly what you're talking about?

When I installed 7 I had no optical drive so what I did was go through the typical installation and booted with the primitive drivers. After that I downloaded the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website on a separate computer, and loaded the drivers to the new computer via USB drive.

 

[zeyuanfu]

I want windows and would not using someone else's disk be a violation of the license? After all it's already installed somewhere else.

I tried one of the school's floating license disks fir Win 7. Ok for temporary use, especially since I have a disk for a dead, decommissioned computer.

Until I figure out what's with the drivers, I'm not going to try something new.

Well, for one, using the disc isn't necessary illegal, it's the product key that would be and for two, I suppose using someone else's disc for a few minutes wouldn't be too bad, wouldn't it?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

RazerZ. The WiFi and Internet are pretty tight at school and most commercial and entertainment sites are blocked. I can't get newegg, for example.

So, I start the computer up and get into the BIOS?

Then what?

I'll have to get the screen shot from a camera since I won't be able to get it off the computer. It will take a couple of days to clear it.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I want windows and would not using someone else's disk be a violation of the license? After all it's already installed somewhere else.

I tried one of the school's floating license disks fir Win 7. Ok for temporary use, especially since I have a disk for a dead, decommissioned computer.

Until I figure out what's with the drivers, I'm not going to try something new.

Well, for one, using the disc isn't necessary illegal, it's the product key that would be and for two, I suppose using someone else's disc for a few minutes wouldn't be too bad, wouldn't it?

No you are right there. I would not have a problem for testing purposes, but if it works, then what, I can't keep it and would have to scrub it, how would that help?

 

[RazerZ]

RazerZ. The WiFi and Internet are pretty tight at school and most commercial and entertainment sites are blocked. I can't get newegg, for example.

So, I start the computer up and get into the BIOS?

Then what?

I'll have to get the screen shot from a camera since I won't be able to get it off the computer. It will take a couple of days to clear it.

BIOS>Select primary boot order, put your optical drive first (make sure the Win 7 disc is inside)>start windows 7 installation.

Windows 7 Installation:
1. Select Language, click next
2. Should have an install now button, click Install now
3. Agree to T&C
4. Should now see a screen with the options of upgrade or Custom( advanced) install. Click advanced.
5. Choose the drive you want to install Windows on, Click on Drive Options (advanced)
6. Click Format, click ok then click next
7. You're done! It should now load the basic drivers and you should boot to your desktop.

From there all you need to do is update the drivers. Here's the site to go to for your motherboard:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H97M-ITXac/?cat=Download&os=Win764

 

[zeyuanfu]

I want windows and would not using someone else's disk be a violation of the license? After all it's already installed somewhere else.

I tried one of the school's floating license disks fir Win 7. Ok for temporary use, especially since I have a disk for a dead, decommissioned computer.

Until I figure out what's with the drivers, I'm not going to try something new.

Well, for one, using the disc isn't necessary illegal, it's the product key that would be and for two, I suppose using someone else's disc for a few minutes wouldn't be too bad, wouldn't it?

No you are right there. I would not have a problem for testing purposes, but if it works, then what, I can't keep it and would have to scrub it, how would that help?

It would prove that it works if it works

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I've been tuning my MineCraft built to get more GP gaming. How does this look for $450?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($21.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($38.00 @ Newegg)
Total: $451.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-09 13:38 EST-0500

 

[tiny voices]

Looks good to me! Case is a bit junk but will certainly work perfectly fine.

 

[RazerZ]

Looks good. For $30 there's a Deepcool windowed case which isn't too bad.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/deepcool-case-tesseractsw

It has slots cut out for cable management compared to the thermaltake as well as rear facing drive bays.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Never heard of Power Color How's their stuff? The alternative would be a 260X.

As with all of these builds, the case will be selected to the remaining budget and the best deal at the time.

It's always easy to spend $10 to get a little bit more, it's called budget creep.

I went up to this PSU from the Antec Basiq VP450. Tiny Voices had expressed his concerns. I can live with a crappy case, but not a sub-par power supply. With a case this large and modest components, I hope cable management will be OK, with plenty of cable ties.

According to specs this will play 1080p at moderate settings.

 

[tiny voices]

Powercolor are a company that make AMD cards. They have some great designs. I like them.

The build looks good. It should run modern AAA games at a mix of medium/high settings at 1080p.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

You are happy with the PSU, up from the Antec Basiq VP450?

Plenty of upgrade possible with i5/Xeon/i7, cooler, SSD and GPU.

 

[Superkoopatrooper]

This is an amazing idea, just amazing!!! I wish we had teachers like you in my middle school.

 

[tiny voices]

You are happy with the PSU, up from the Antec Basiq VP450?

Plenty of upgrade possible with i5/Xeon/i7, cooler, SSD and GPU.

Yes quite happy. Great budget unit.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

This is an amazing idea, just amazing!!! I wish we had teachers like you in my middle school.

Are you a Middle School student?

If yes-ish, how would a computer construction course, 10 weeks, 1 hour per week, $500, but you get his computer at the end to build, configure, benchmark, keep and use, go down??

 

[DonkeyOatie]

I have still to figure out how to get the OS.

I'm planning to let students pay extra for better CPU, Case, and GPU.

 

[zeyuanfu]

Linux?
Mac OS X (joking)?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

No! Nyet! Iie!

 

[zeyuanfu]

Okay
It's hard to find drivers for Linux, though.
You could still borrow a disc from someone...

 

[tiny voices]

OR make a DVD/ USB for Win 8.1.

 

[zeyuanfu]

You would need a W8/8.1 product key or ~100$ for that.

 

[tiny voices]

I thought he had a product key for 8.1.

Also, you do not need a product key to make the DVD or USB. Only to use it to install an OS.

 

[zeyuanfu]

No, in the tool Microsoft has provided, you NEED to enter a valid product key (or pay ~100$) to download the ISO file which then can be burned to a CD/DVD/USB drive.
OP has a W7 disc, not W8.1 disc/key.