Yeah, well...

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I didn't get back to the dishes, so no shower yet.  I did open up the space for tinkering with the computer.  I laid out the anti-static mat, hooked up the various connections for the various bands and other grounds, if they aren't yet hooked up to the power supply, nor is that plugged in.  I then set up the components and case for easy access.

While I was at it, I decided to do some of the minor things which do not require me being grounded.  I changed out two of the 230 mm fans.  Actually I changed them all out.  I had hoped to put a blue one on the front panel and side panel.  Nope.  The front panel simply didn't have mounting holes that worked with the new fan.  I must have spent an hour trying various alignments, comparing it to the fan I removed, and just... working everything I could imagine.  It simply would not fit.  I didn't give up so much as realize that without some dubious physical modding, it just would not fit.  And the modding?  I could always use small bungee cord or the material and a little imagination.  It would always be a bit doubtful.  I'd have to use the small gauge bungee cords that look like parachute cord.  Some come with balls, with which to wrap and tighten.  Hmm.  I may have some of those somewhere.  I might just try it.  The trick is to get it tight enough that there is no rattling!  That is unnerving.

I also put in the two blu-ray drives.  Yes, writers.  They (manufacturers and makers, big and small) are pushing people away from discs.  They want us to download everything.  Some of it is to be green (a fiction) or to push downloading software (supposed to secure patents, copyrights, and such, but just as often a way to break into your computer for any number of reasons, and not in your favor in any way save lazy convenience).  Don't do it, boy!  Force them to offer cd/dvd/blu-ray discs.  If you don't own a copy, do you even honestly own the software?  No.  You are renting, and that rent is subject to their changing the rules at any time, potentially requires being online to even use "their" software, and their stuff might remove software you have put on it if it thinks you shouldn't have it... software unrelated to it.  Yeah, I'll keep those drives.  And I might begin learning to crack.  If they want war, they'll get it.

I also added the hybrid drives.  I did a few other odds and ends as well.  Installing the 120 mm fan for video card cooling shield (not vital now, but I'll be doing sli/xfire when my card's price drops $100, then it will be needed), then reinstalled the shield, installed the power supply, and just gave the case and some of the other components a once over, as I think about how to keep the installation clean.  Hiding wires can be easy or not.  Sometimes, no matter what, something just doesn't, and can't be made to, look just right.

Yes, I really enjoy this sort of thing.  It is risky, which is something I do enjoy.  It is technical, if in a more minor way.  I would say there is more tech in figuring out what runs best with what, aiming and tweaking the building, listening to pro's but not just following like a complete tool, and such.  Putting it together is minor work.  The real work is using the mind to begin with, and learning what these things actually mean.  Some suggest that you aren't really tech unless you know how these things work.  The problem, and argument, I have with that notion is... I don't think even the manufacturers honestly know how these things work.  They know, sort of, mostly, that they can get certain functions from the electronic components (most of the time).  But just as often, that is merely a buildup of engineering that has worked more than theory that has been brought to practical applications.  Much like rocket science.  Even now, neither are truly science, merely engineering stacked to a point where, when someone goes into those fields with practical application, they just use those stacks of data, then trial and error, until... *poof* it... sort of, mostly, usually, or sometimes works... depending on how well they did their trial and error and engineering studies.  Bleh.

If the ssd's arrive tomorrow... I just am not sure.  Depends on when they arrive and when I wake.  I might be able to get some things going tomorrow, though I won't swear to it.  One thing I forgot is that I need a grounded shielded multi-outlet kit, and probably a grounded extension cord, so I can get the grounding I need before working on the hard drive and motherboard.  I will be putting that together outside, making sure it will post and the components work, before putting that all in the case.  It just works better that way.  If I can, I might get out tonight and get that.  I'd have to do dishes first, and get a shower in.  Being done with the new computer, having done as much as is possible without the rest of the required grounding equipment, I just might get to those dishes, and a shower.  Walmart is good enough for this sort of thing, and is 24/7 minus Christmas?  Yeah, I think that is it minus floods and other natural disasters.

Well, later.