Download the Tom's Hardware App from the App Store
The reference for current tech news
Yes No
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > Homebuilt > [Solved] Minimum Equipment for a Computer to Boot?

[Solved] Minimum Equipment for a Computer to Boot?

Forum Homebuilt Systems : Homebuilt [Solved] Minimum Equipment for a Computer to Boot?

Related Content
You have searched for " [Solved] Minimum Equipment for a Computer to Boot?" . You might be interested in the following threads:

See more for " [Solved] Minimum Equipment for a Computer to Boot?"

Can't find your answer?
Ask!

Best answer from hugostiglitz.

Homebuilt

|

New Build

|

Prebuilt

|

CyberPower

Word :    Username :           
 
warhammer3025   02-09-2012 at 10:51:54 PM

An extremely basic hardware question: what is the absolute minimum equipment needed to get a PC to boot to the BIOS? Does it need RAM installed? A CPU? Hard drive?

Reply to warhammer3025
Register or log in to remove.
motopsychojdn   02-09-2012 at 11:04:25 PM

Motherboard, chip and ram will give you a post into bios
You could have linux on a usb drive as the Os, if you wanted to
Moto

------------------------------ Once you start watercooling, you are almost automatically inducted into the modding circles as well, because theres rarely a 'from the box, fits everyone' solution, its your ingenuity and resourcefulness that makes it all happen,
Reply to motopsychojdn
hugostiglitz   02-09-2012 at 11:41:19 PM
Best answer

Mobo
CPU
RAM
PSU

this will give you POST and the ability to program BIOS (with the aid of a keyboard)

------------------------------ 2700K @ 4.5 | Maximus IV Extreme-Z | 16gb RipjawX DDR3 1866mhz | 2x 2GB 5870's | Eyefinity @ 5760*1080 | 2x WD Black 1TB Raid 0 | EK&XSPC Water Cooled | Thermaltake 1200w PSU | Thermaltake Tai-Chi Case
No liability accepted or warranty given for advice
 Reply to hugostiglitz
motopsychojdn   02-10-2012 at 12:09:50 AM

Hehe, psu, good catch hugo :-)
Moto

------------------------------ Once you start watercooling, you are almost automatically inducted into the modding circles as well, because theres rarely a 'from the box, fits everyone' solution, its your ingenuity and resourcefulness that makes it all happen,
Reply to motopsychojdn
willard   02-10-2012 at 12:24:21 AM

You should also probably have a keyboard so you can interact with the computer in some way. Staring at the screen telling you that it can't find a boot disk sounds like loads of fun, but probably isn't terribly useful.

Reply to willard
aaab   02-10-2012 at 12:29:18 AM

Umm you will need a video card of some sort if you don't have onboard lol. Kinda hard to see the bios otherwise.

Reply to aaab
warhammer3025   02-10-2012 at 01:05:03 AM

Thanks. One motherboard I had (a while ago, admittedly) had problems when I installed memory to all 4 RAM slots. Turned out the voltages were somehow set wrong in the BIOS; was wondering if I could get to the BIOS without installing RAM to make sure all the settings were correct before putting in the sticks.


Message edited by warhammer3025 on 02-10-2012 at 01:05:48 AM
Reply to warhammer3025
aaab   02-10-2012 at 01:17:11 AM

You will need to reset your BIOS. Usually there is a jumper on your motherboard that will reset the BIOS to defaults

Or you can pull out the battery and leave it for a few hours.

Reply to aaab
motopsychojdn   02-10-2012 at 05:15:13 AM

No, you cannot post without ram
Moto

------------------------------ Once you start watercooling, you are almost automatically inducted into the modding circles as well, because theres rarely a 'from the box, fits everyone' solution, its your ingenuity and resourcefulness that makes it all happen,
Reply to motopsychojdn
Mousemonkey   02-10-2012 at 10:45:39 AM

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey

------------------------------ http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/3995/bl11.gif
 Reply to Mousemonkey
Register or log in to remove.
See all topics related to "Minimum Equipment for a Computer to Boot?"
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > Homebuilt > [Solved] Minimum Equipment for a Computer to Boot?
Go to:

There are 700 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 5.729 seconds
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Latest best answer
Son
By pdxalex, 15 days ago:

I'm not familiar with the HW2 or HST1 but some years ago when I had a Sony camcorder I...

They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?
Partners