PC Hardware in a Nutshell, Second Edition

Step 3: Install the Processor

Before you begin processor installation, place the motherboard flat on a firm surface, padding it with the anti-static foam or bag supplied with it. Installing the CPU (and memory) may require substantial force, so it’s important to ensure that the motherboard is fully supported to avoid cracking it.

Tip

We’re installing a Socket 478 Pentium 4 processor, so the instructions and illustrations in this section refer specifically to that processor. If you’re installing a different processor, see Chapter 4 for more detailed information.

To install the processor, take the following steps:

1. Remove the processor from its packaging and examine it closely to make sure that no pins are bent. A new processor should never have bent pins. If one or more pins are bent, that’s certain proof that you were sold a used or repackaged processor. Do not attempt to straighten bent pins. Return the processor and insist on a replacement processor in original factory shrinkwrap.

2. The processor fits a Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket on the motherboard. To prepare the socket to receive the processor, lift the small lever on one side of the socket to the vertical position.

3. Examine the socket to determine which corner is pin 1. pin 1 may be indicated by a small diagonal cutout on the socket, by a dot or arrow, by a number 1 printed on the socket or motherboard itself, or by other similar means. Once you have located pin 1 on the socket, locate pin 1 on the processor, which is also ...