With the CPU installed, it's time to turn our attention to RAM. Like the CPU, RAM only goes in one way. If you somehow manage to get it in backwards (which is impossible really because the notches in the RAM has to line up with the notches on the DIMM slot), you can kiss the RAM good bye. For this computer, I use 2 strips of 64 Megs PC-125 SDRAM from Micron. Just pop the RAM into place and the outer clip will snap it in place.

At this point I like to put in the IDE and floppy cables. The AOpen motherboard has its floppy connector located in a strange place. As you can see I had to route it around the back of the CPU. IDE and floppy cables only go in one way. When attaching these cable, look for the pin 1 label at the end of the connector. Most IDE cable have a color strip on one side. That is the pin 1 connection. The pin 1 is at the bottom of the IDE connector on the motherboard.

Now plug in all the wires for the power, power LED, hard drive LED, reset switch and internal speaker.  If you put these wires in backwards, you won't blow anything up, but your power LED and hard drive LED won't light up. If that is the case, then reverse the the connection. It doesn't matter which way your insert the speaker and power switch.

You may need to crack out the motherboard manual for this part of the operation. I use to do this part of the install last but I have since found it easier to do this part before you install any of the PCI devices. No sound or other cards to get in your way. :)

Next Page: Installing the drives