MODULE

WESTERN AKLAN ACADEMY, INC.

A.Y. 2021-2022, First Semester
5

Buttons, Sockets and Slots on a Desktop Computer

Introduction

Take a look at the front and back of your computer case and count the number
of buttons, sockets, and slots you see. Now, look at your monitor and count any that appear
there. You probably counted at least 20.

Each computer is different, so the buttons, slots, and sockets will vary from computer
to computer. However, there are certain features you can expect to find on most
desktop computers. Being familiar with the names of each and how they are commonly
used will help you later on when you connect that new printer, mouse, digital camera, or
other device.

Front of Computer Case

  
1. Optical Disc Drive: Often called a CD-
ROM or DVD-ROM drive, these let your computer
read CDs and DVDs. Most optical disc drives can
also write (or "burn") data to CD-R and DVD-
R discs. More recent drives can read Blu-ray Discs
and write to BD-R (Blu-ray Disc recordable) discs,
and these drives are often called BD-ROM, BD-RE,
or Blu-ray drives.
2. Power Button: The power button is used to power
the computer on and off. Additionally, you can use
the power button on some computers to place the
computer in different energy-saving modes such as
hibernate, sleep, and standby. It is a good idea to
read your manual to learn how these features work
on your computer.
3. Audio In/Audio Out: Many computers
include audio ports on the front of the computer
case that allow you to easily connect speakers,
microphones and headsets, without fumbling with
the back of the computer.
4. USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port: Most desktop
computers have several USB ports. These can be
used to connect almost any type of device, including
mice, keyboards, printers, digital cameras and more.
They will often appear on the front and back of the computer.

A typical Blu-ray disc can hold 25 gigabytes of data, and some can hold 50 gigabytes or
more. This is much more than CDs or DVDs, making BD-R discs ideal for storage.

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Back of Computer Case

On the back of the computer case are connection ports that are made to fit specific
devices. The arrangement of these vary from computer to computer, and many companies
have their own special connectors for the specific devices. Some of the ports may be color
coded to match a color on the device, which will help you determine which port is used with a
particular device.

1. Power Socket: This is where you'll

connect the power cord to the computer.
2. Audio In/Audio Out: Almost every
computer has two or more audio
ports where you can connect various
devices, including speakers, microphones,
headsets, and more.
3. Ethernet Port: This port looks a lot like
the modem or telephone port but it is a
little bit wider. You can use this port
for networking and also connecting to the
internet.
4. USB Ports: On most desktop computers,
most of the USB ports are on the back of
the computer case. Generally, you'll want
to connect your mouse and keyboard to
these ports, and keep the front USB ports
free so that they can be used for digital
cameras or other devices.
5. Monitor Port: This is where you'll connect
your monitor cable. In this example, the
computer has both a DisplayPort and
a VGA port. Other computers may have
other types of monitor ports, such as DVI
(Digital Visual Interface) or HDMI (High-
Definition Multimedia Interface).
6. Expansion Slots: These empty slots are
where expansion cards are added to
computers. For example, if your computer
did not come with a video card, you could
purchase one and install it here. 

The following ports are less common

today:

7. Serial Port: This is an older port that was

frequently used to connect peripherals such as digital cameras, but today it has been
replaced by USB and other types of ports.
8. PS/2: These ports are sometimes used for connecting the mouse and keyboard.
Typically, the mouse port is green, and the keyboard port is purple.

TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL LIVELIHOOD TRACK COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING NC II

 WESTERN AKLAN ACADEMY, INC.
A.Y. 2021-2022, First Semester

9. Parallel Port (or Printer Port): This is an older port that is less common on new
computers. Like the serial port, it has now been replaced by USB.

Video Ports

Video Graphics Array (VGA)

Alternatively referred to as a grafport (graphics port), a video port is a port that can be used

to connect a monitor or other display, such as a TV, to a computer. 

VGA port is DE-15.found in many computers, projectors, video cards and High
Definition TVs. It is a D-sub connector consisting of 15 pins in 3 rows. The
connector is called as
VGA port is the main interface between computers and older CRT monitors.
Even the modern LCD and LED monitors support VGA ports but the picture
quality is reduced.

Digital Video Interface (DVI)

DVI is a high speed digital interface between a display controller like a

computer and a display device like a monitor. It was developed with an aim
of transmitting lossless digital video signals and replace the analogue VGA
technology.

High Definition Media Interface (HDMI)

HDMI is a digital interface to connect High Definition and Ultra High

Definition devices like Computer monitors, HDTVs, Blu-Ray players,
gaming consoles, High Definition Cameras etc.

HDMI can be used to carry uncompressed video and

compressed or uncompressed audio signals. The
HDMI connector consists of 19 pins and the latest
version of HDMI i.e. HDMI 2.0 can carry digital video signal up to a
resolution of 4096×2160 and 32 audio channels

Separate Video connector (S-Video)

S-Video is used for transmitting only video signals. The picture quality is
better than that of Composite video but has a lesser resolution than
Component video.

The S-Video port is generally black in color and is present on all TVs and
most computers. S-Video port looks like a PS/2 port but consists of only 4
pins.

Types of Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

SATA HDD PATA HDD

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SATA Cable PATA Cable

- Stands for "Serial Advanced Technology
Attachment," or "Serial ATA." It is an
interface used to connect to SATA hard
drives to a computer's motherboard. They
also use smaller, thinner cables, which
allows for better airflow inside the computer.
SATA cables can be as long as one meter,
while PATA cables max out at 40cm.
- Stands for "Parallel Advanced Technology
Attachment". It is an interface used to
connect to PATA hard drives to a computer's
motherboard. PATA are flat cables with 40-
pin connectors (in a 20x2 matrix) on either
side of the cable. One end of the cable
plugs into a port on the motherboard, usually
labeled IDE, and the other into the back of a
storage device like a hard drive.

Sockets

The following are the most common sockets found in the motherboard. The CPU socket where
the CPU itself is inserted and the CMOS slot where the CMOS battery (which lets the
motherboard remember the date and time of the computer) that is replaced after it has worn out.

Front Panel

The front panel header is where the connectors of hard disk drive activity lights, reset button,
power on/off button, computer and power on light are connected to make them function
smoothly.

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 WESTERN AKLAN ACADEMY, INC.
A.Y. 2021-2022, First Semester

Tools and Equipment

Most tools used in computer system servicing are hand tools. These can be part of a computer
repair toolkit as well. In this lesson, you will learn about the common hand tools and equipment
that you will be using especially in handling computer equipment such as disassembly/assembly
of a computer, as well as repair and maintenance.

Hand Tools

Electrostatic Discharge Tools

When working with electronic equipment, it is important to make sure that there is no static
electricity to avoid damage of computer parts. 

TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL LIVELIHOOD TRACK COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING NC II

 WESTERN AKLAN ACADEMY, INC.
A.Y. 2021-2022, First Semester

Static electricity can be easily generated by friction on carpets, clothing, hair, fabric, flooring,
etc. 

Thus, these tools should be utilized:

  Anti-static wrist wrap 

Worn to prevent ESD damage to computer hardware

Anti-static mat 

Used to stand on or place tools to prevent buildup of static electricity.

Cleaning Tools

Lint-free cloth 

For cleaning computer parts without leaving marks or scratches.

Compressed air 

For clearing or blowing away dust from computer parts.

Cable Ties 

Used to organize and bundle cable together.

Parts organizer  

For holding and organizing screws and other small computer parts.

Diagnostic Tools

Digital Multimeter 

A tool that can be used to measure amps, volts, and ohms. It can test the
integrity of circuits and the quality of electricity in computer components.
Information is flashed on the screen.

TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL LIVELIHOOD TRACK COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING NC II

 WESTERN AKLAN ACADEMY, INC.
A.Y. 2021-2022, First Semester

Loopback Adapter 

Also called as loopback plug. This tool tests the basic functionality of computer ports. The
adapter is specific to the port that you want to test.

   Toner Probe 

A two-part tool that generates a tone that travels the length of the cable. The
toner part is attached to a cable at one end using specific adapters, such as
RJ-45, coaxial, or metal clips. When the probe is near to the cable where the
toner is attached, a tone can be heard from the speaker.

Screws

TYPES OF COMPUTER SCREWS

TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL LIVELIHOOD TRACK COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING NC II

 WESTERN AKLAN ACADEMY, INC.
A.Y. 2021-2022, First Semester

Name: ____________________________________ Section: __________

Activity:

Answer the following brain teasers. Write your answer on the space provided.

1. A boy was playing with a book and tore out pages 7, 8, 100, 101, 102, 222 and 223.
How many pages were torn out?
___________________________________________________________________

2. When I was 6, my sister was half my age. Now I’m 70, how old my sister is?
___________________________________________________________________

3. A boy and his big sister are sitting around the kitchen table chatting.
The boy says, "If I take two years away from my age and gave them to you, you'd be
twice my age." The sister added, "Why don't you just give me one more and then I'll
be three times you age." How old are the siblings?

4. A man wanted to encrypt his password but he needed to do it in a way so that he

could remember it. He had to use seven characters consisting of letters and
numbers only (no symbols like! or <). In order to remember it, he wrote down “You
force heaven to be empty.”

5. A farmer has 17 sheep and all but nine die. How many are left?
__________________

Answer the following questions based on your own understanding.

1. What is front panel and how it works?

____________________________________________________________________________
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2. Why we have to select the proper tools when we do computer repairs?

____________________________________________________________________________
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3. Do you think computer will boot up without CMOS battery? What is the purpose of putting
CMOS battery in motherboard?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL LIVELIHOOD TRACK COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING NC II

 WESTERN AKLAN ACADEMY, INC.
A.Y. 2021-2022, First Semester

4. Why we have to use the proper screws in installing computer parts? What do you think will
happen if you use an inappropriate screws?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL LIVELIHOOD TRACK COMPUTER SYSTEMS SERVICING NC II