Thursday, July 19, 2012

Building a computer: It's easier than you may think!

Sorry I haven't been posting in a while! I've been maximizing theta waves , so I was too lazy busy to write in this blog. So, here's what happened over the summer. I learned how to fly a plane (In a simulator, since I can't get my pilot's license... yet.), learned how to program in Python, and swam in a pool. You know, the usual 14-year-old stuff. Though, you may be wondering what building a computer has to do with this. Well, I've always wanted to build a computer, and I found a camp (Labelled as a course, because they couldn't legally call it a "Camp", because it doesn't count as a camp.) that is about building computers. So, with the help of Community Resources, I got the funding I needed to go to the camp. (And just in time, too! There was tons of people who missed the deadline.)  Before long, the first day began. We began talking about the different parts, and we took apart an old computer. I used my dynavox to ask questions, and answer them. On the second day, we began building the computers. On the third day, I created my computer. We began attaching the CPU to the motherboard. Then, we attached two pieces of RAM. (Which helps make the computer go faster) We then attached the motherboard to the case, and plugged it in. Then, we attached the hard drive and dvd drive to the motherboard, and plugged everything in. When we plugged it in, and pressed the power button... Nothing happened! We checked the obvious errors, and we found out that one of the cables was put in wrong.After fixing the problem, it booted. Today, we installed Windows, and the drivers. I named the computer "AnyKey", after the fabled key people sometimes can't find. (It's also known as the f13 key.) We're supposed to take the computer home tomorrow, and I can't wait. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this break from our regularly-scheduled hiatus, and I'll finish this post tomorrow... Maybe.