The last topic reminded me that I’ve been interested in maybe building my own PC, especially since it’s often cheaper and you get a better rig that way. But everyone I know who builds them is sighted. Does anyone have any recs or resources for someone who’s never built a pc, is about averagely tech literate, and blind?
ojosnobueno6 points3y ago
Honestly if I were in your shoes I would go find someones junk pc that has a semi standard (atx ish case) grab a screwdriver and start taking it apart, get used to how things feel what vertain sockets are the clips that do or dont hold them in etc, Im not fully blind but i pretty much just stick my handsi n there and feel my way around carefully havent trashed a componet yet, Feel free to reach out if youd like more help,
razzretina [OP]2 points3y ago
Thank you! I’ve known several blind people who build their own rigs and I know it’s gotten easier now. A sighted friend even helped me fix my current pc when some stuff got knocked loose (he had to do it by text with me sending pics). It didn’t seem nearly as complicated as I’d expected.
Laser_Lens_43 points3y ago
The most sensitive component in a PC is probably the CPU, and the biggest risk is when it's being installed. It's difficult to align it without sight but it is possible if you're very patient.
AMD uses a pin grid array which does allow for a small amount of leeway when putting it into the socket and aligning it. I would take care to put on some gloves as well as an anti-static bracelet if you were going to start touching components. I'm not sure if the entire process is possible to do without sight. Motherboard manufacturers love to move connectors around. the front panel connectors for stuff like the power button indicator LEDs are particularly bad.
Blinky_X2 points3y ago
Hey, over the years I’ve built many PCs by myself as a blind person. The first thing you need to do is to get over the fear of messing things up. I also tell folks that if they can put together a 10 piece puzzle, then they can pretty much build a PC. The one thing I’d seriously consider is to purchase the motherboard and case from the same place. In that way you can avoid the hassle of mounting the motherboard and messing with jumpers and stuff like that. Once the motherboard is mounted, it’s pretty easy after that. Like someone mentioned in an earlier post, try familiarizing yourself with the peripherals, eg: hard drives feel like a slice of pound cake; memory feels like a large stick of gum; data cables usually are flat wide and ribbon-like, while power cables are usually small and rectangular in shape. Anyway, pardon the long post, but hope this helps. Peace.
razzretina [OP]1 points3y ago
Thank you! This is very helpful!
Blinky_X1 points3y ago
You’re welcome.
UnfortunateOkibum1 points3y ago
Would be cool if the circuit cards had Braille on them so you can do that.
theawesomeaquarist1 points3y ago
I am visually impaired and I built one but my dad and brother ended up doing most of it since I couldn't see the small connectors and lining stuff up
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