Building your own computer can be a very fun process and will usually result in a computer faster than most you can buy in stores if you do it properly.  It can also be very frustrating when you have problems that seem to make no sense.  However, the sense of accomplishment after fixing them can really boost your ego! 

What To Consider:

Your own knowledge is one of the most important things to consider.  The first time I built a computer I didn't have any problems, but it took me awhile to figure out how the power connected to the motherboard and that you have to pull the lever back on the socket to insert the CPU.  While I can't go over all these little bits, I will go over the basics of assembling a computer. 

Difficulty Level:

I won't say it's easy, but it's definitely a lot easier than most would think.  All it really involves is putting cards in slots and connecting a few cables to the proper connectors.  There isn't any real wiring or anything required. 

Recommendations:

• Start with the basics.  Only connect your motherboard, CPU, video card, hard drive, and memory in the case.  Wait to add other components like sound cards, CD-ROM drives, and modems until later.  You can actually start up without the hard drive connected, but it won't do much.  Before purchasing items, make sure that they will all work together okay and are compatible with the system you are building. 
• I'll go over the basic procedures, but there may be more required than this.  I'm trying to keep it simple. 
• First, open your case, there will be a plate that the motherboard will go on.  Use screws or the plastic anchors to connect the motherboard solidly to the plate.  Insert the plate back into the case (if it was a removable one).  For CPUs, if you are using a Pentium II, you need to make sure the CPU bracket is in place on the motherboard before putting the motherboard on the plate.  After the motherboard is in the case, slide the CPU into the slot or if you have a socket CPU, lift the lever on the socket all the way up and place the CPU into the socket.  Then push the lever back down.  Put the CPU heatsink/fan on top of the CPU (if it doesn't already have one), preferably using thermal paste to create a good seal, and connect a power supply connector to the heatsink/fan. 
• Before you go on, make sure you have the jumpers set correctly for the CPU's voltage, bus speed, and multiplier.  Also, make your power supply connections on the motherboard.  For an AT case, make sure that P9 is above P8 (P9 closer to the back of the case or the top of the case).  Most motherboards are now ATX and only have one power connector to worry about.  You can also connect the wires to the jumpers on the motherboard for the power LED, hard drive LED, speaker, keylock, etc., but they aren't that important and you may want to wait until you have everything else working okay.  
• Now secure the hard drive into a bay in the case.  Connect a powersupply connector to the hard drive and connect the hard drive to its cable and the other end to your IDE controller on the motherboard or your SCSI controller.
• Secure the floppy drive in a bay in the case and connect a power supply connector to it.  Then connect the data cable to the floppy drive and connect the other end to the motherboard's floppy connector. 
• Put your memory into the proper DIMM, RIMM, or SIMM slot(s).  Push down until they snap into place.  If they are fully seated, the clasps at the ends should fit over your memory. 
• Place your video card into any PCI slot or the AGP slot if it is an AGP video card (most current ones are).  Connect your monitor to the back of the video card. 
• If it's an AT motherboard, connect the COM ports, serial ports, and parallel port connectors to the motherboard and secure the other ends in the case's slots.  Connect your printer, mouse, etc. to these, and connect the keyboard to the keyboard connector.
• You've got the basics done, now try starting up your computer.  Now would be a good time to fdisk and format your hard drive (both programs should be on the disk that came with your hard drive). 
• You can now add your CD-ROM drive which you will probably need to have to access to your Windows 95 or 98 installation CD.  Once this is in, boot with a DOS or Windows 95 (or 98) startup disk, copy the system files to the hard drive (sys c:).  Then install the drivers for your CD-ROM drive to your hard drive.  Once you've done this, restart and you should have access to your CD-ROM drive.  Now you can go ahead and install your operating system.  Or, you could wait and install your sound card, modem, etc. before installing the operating system.  
• Insert the modem, sound card, network card, and/or whatever other hardware you may have into the other PCI or ISA slots.  Add any other hard drives, removable drives, scanners, speakers, etc. after your operating system is functioning correctly.   

     * Email me if you have any questions...