Need tips for installing a power supply

I am really a novice at hardware tinkering.

I'd like some pointers for successfully installing a new power supply.

I have a Corsair 400CX 400W that I'd like to install to replace the original 300W unit.

The original is a very basic Bestec ATX-300-12E. Doesn't even have a power switch on it.

I have printed instructions from emachines with some drawings which will be quite helpful.

I am most concerned about proper handling, disconnecting the existing cables
and connecting the right cables to the right places.

The only things I've ever done are to install a combo drive, add a RAM chip,
clean the fans and install a graphics card which I later removed.

Any tips or suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks

 

When I replaced a power supply (I've done this twice in two different computers), I took off one old connector and immediately put on a connector from the new power supply. I kept doing this until the old was completely removed and the connections were all from the new supply. Then, my husband held the new supply while I screwed it into the case. I then started to wrap up the unused bits and checked to be sure none of the wires interfered with fans, touched cards, etc.

If that is not an option, another way to do this it to sketch a diagram (it can be primitive) and also take at least one picture with a digital camera.

 

Agreed with plodr - in fact, it's good practice to make a journal of any disassembly routine (especially laptops: I found that out the hard way!).

For the most part, PSU connectors are idiot proof - the rarities might involve certain graphics cards connectors.

If you do a Google for "how to install a computer power supply", you'll find many good video tutorials.

 

Since this is a 400W, your motherboard probably only needs the 20 or 24 pin main power connector(it comes apart) and perhaps half the 8 pin connector(it comes apart) for the EATX 12V connector near the CPU. If your video card needs extra power then there's a 6-pin connector, that's it for the motherboard. the rest is for your DVD and hard drive(s). Just be careful if there are two power options on your drives, use either the 4-pin or the SATA connector(longer/thinner) but not both. Do look at some videos and then you'll see at how simple it really is.

Be careful when pulling out the old connectors if there are other wires near there as if you pull say a CPU fan connection out, your machine might not start and if it does you could burn your CPU.

 

Thanks augie.

One of the reasons I'm putting this in is to support a video card since it just
has onboard graphics. I'm looking for an Nvidia GeForce 6600 GT PCI-E.
Might get one at ebay.

The hard drive is PATA. Should be easy.

Also, a graphics card will release 128MB of system RAM that the onboard uses.

Thanks for the tip about pulling out the cables.
I'll be careful.