Re: Can 11 year old little girls make their own computers?

        I wanted to make a computer. But unfortunately, I did not know if it was possible. I was just wondering.

What a wonderful idea!

Your ability to build a computer depends on your knowledge and effort, not on your age, and certainly not on being a girl! Furthermore, I think that an eleven-year-old with your ambition is not "little", either.

I searched for build your own computer on Google and came up with quite a few websites that give you complete instructions. Have a look there first to judge whether you think you can do it. If you cannot, what do you need to learn so you can? You can use the Web to help you there, too. Or ask a knowledgeable adult you know.

OK, so what do you need to know to build a computer?

Well, you need to know basic electrical safety (very important - electricity can kill you!) and how to protect the computer and its parts from electrical damage. You should also know how to use screwdrivers, pliers, and wire cutters. Also, know that many parts can be very sharp or very delicate or both - you will need to be extra careful.

You will need to understand what the different parts are, what they do, and how they are connected to each other. Then you will want to figure out what you will mostly use the computer for - the Web, games, schoolwork, etc. Then you will select the parts you need. (It will probably cost about $200 - $400 to buy everything, not including the monitor.)

You will need plenty of patience, and you should always double and triple-check your work to make sure the parts are in their proper places, securely attached, and wired correctly.

Finally, I would definitely enlist some adult help and supervision in your project!

Good luck!

Aaron