PC Hardware LAB2 – Disassembly

Student name: Student ID:

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Instructions: Use pen and write your Full name and student ID on all pages.
All labs have to be done during lab time, in the lab room.
Each lab has to be checked by the instructor progressively during lab time.

You must call your instructor to check your work and sign it whenever
you reach the point asking for the instructor’s initials or signature.

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LAB 2.1 Observe the Boot Process

Note: All work will be done on the system running on Windows 7 that sits on the
desk in an HP Compaq case. Before you take apart your system make sure it boots
properly. If not, inform your Instructor.

Objectives: Describe the boot process in detail

Diagnose problems in the boot process

When you power up your Windows 7 system, the BIOS message appears on the screen,
the memory count begins, and then the following message appears on the screen:

F9- Boot Menu F10- Setup F12- Network Service Boot

Power up your Windows 7 system, and press <F10> to go in the system setup.
If the system starts the boot process, it means that you were too slow to respond.
Restart the system and try again until you enter the setup program.

If it displays a language menu, select English and hit the <Enter> key to continue.
The setup Utility displays, the following drop-down menus: File, Storage, Security,
Power and Advanced. Select each one of these menus, using the arrow keys, and note
what options are available for each menu. Select the menu that gives you the option of
Boot Order, use the up/down arrow keys, select Boot Order, and press <Enter>. The
Boot Order tells you the order the system will check to find a bootable device. Most
likely the boot order is as it follows:

USB device
ATAPI CD-ROM Drive
Hard Drive
Integrated SATA
Integrated IDE
Broadcom Ethernet controller

This menu tells you that the system will first search for a bootable USB device. If it finds
a bootable USB, it will try to boot on it. Else, it will try to find a bootable CD disk and

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boot on it. If no bootable CD disk is found, it will continue with the next option, the Hard
Disk.

To change the boot priority, using the up/down arrow keys, select the device you want to
change its priority. Then hit the <Enter > key, to select it. You can then use the up/down
arrows to move the device up/down in the priority list. You must then Accept the
changes, pressing F10, and finally, if you are done with your changes, you must go to
File | Save Changes and Exit. Practice changing the boot priority till you are confident.

If when you press F10, to enter Setup, asks you for password, we need to clear the
password so you can enter the CMOS setup without using a password. We will examine
CMOS extensively on Lab 4. For now we need to know how to clear the password.
To clear the password:
1. Power the system off and open its cover, most likely by pushing back the right
side panel.
2. Next to the main power connector P1 on the motherboard you should see a 2-pin
green/brown/grey jumper connected to 2 pins, as shown in the figure below.

This is the CMOS clear jumper. Under normal circumstances when it is

connected to the two pins (1, 2) on the motherboard connectors, it keeps the
CMOS configuration intact. Take the jumper off.
3. Power the system and let it boot.
4. Power off the system.
5. Replace the jumper back where it was initially (pins 1 and 2).
6. Power the system and press F10 when the message displays at the bottom of your
screen. The BIOS should not ask you for a password because we cleared it.

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Lab 2.2: Disassembly-Reassembly

Objectives:
After completing this lab, you will demonstrate the ability to:
 Describe ESD
 Disassembly and Reassembly a computer

Parts needed:
 Operational Windows 7
 Philips screwdriver

Note: Read, complete the last page and return it to your Instructor for marking.
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The Prevention and Control of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Introduction

We all have experienced occurrences of Static Electricity one way or the other.
For example, if you were walking on a carpeted floor and then you touched a door-knob,
you probably got the shocking experience of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD).
While this static electricity in not harmful for to the humans, it can be very dangerous to
computer components and generally to all electronic devices. This is because all
electronic devices are very sensitive to ESD.

The table below gives a list of common sources of static electricity

Object or process Material or activity

Work surfaces Waxed, painted or plastic surfaces.

Floors Waxed, common vinyl tiles, sealed concrete

Clothes Common smocks, non-conductive shoes,

synthetic materials (e.g. nylon)

Chairs Vinyl, fiber-glass, finished wood

Packaging Common plastic bags, foam, trays

Assembly area Spray cleaners, heat guns, blowers,

plastic tools (e.g. solder suckers, brushes), cathode ray tubes

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Effect of humidity
Humidity has a significant effect on the induced charge. It is not recommended to have
relative humidity (RH) that is too low, say, below 30%. A relative humidity between 40%
to 60% is recommended for the typical assembly area.
How does damage from ESD happen?
When you are statically-charged and touch an electrostatic discharge sensitive (ESDS)
device, the electrostatic charge could be drained in the device. If the electrostatic
discharge possesses sufficient energy, damage could occur in the device due to localized
overheating.
Generally, devices with finer geometries are more susceptible to damage from ESD.

Damages ESD can cause in an electronic device

The two categories of damage from ESD are:
1. Catastrophic damage – In these cases the electronic device is inoperable
immediately after the ESD event.
2. Latent damage – initially, the electronic device appears to be working fine but, its
sensitive circuitry has been damaged and could fail to operate properly at some
time in the future.

Prevention
Any accumulated charge on the body of the human operator should be discharged first
before opening and touching computer components. The easiest way to discharge
yourself is to wear a grounded antistatic wrist-strap. In case where a wrist-strap is not
available, put your hands on the system chassis for a few seconds, and even better touch
the case of the power supply.

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Static-safe work bench.

The diagram above shows a typical static-safe work bench. The table top is covered by a
static dissipative mat which is grounded through a 1 Meg-ohm resistor. This resistor is
required in order to protect the users of the static-safe work bench – in the event that the
ground becomes electrically live, the resistor will prevent electrical shock at the work
bench. The same safety requirement holds true for the antistatic wrist-strap as well.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the suggested relative humidity (RH) for a typical assembly area?
30% RH to 70% RH

2. What categories of damage ESD can cause in electronic devices?

Catastrophic failures and latent defects.

3. How can you prevent damages from ESD?

Avoid friction and turn off/unplug electronics before you work on it.

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Instructor’s initials:

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COMPUTER DISASSEMBLY / REASSEMBLY

Take the following precautions before you open the case of your system:
1. Turn off the computer and all its peripherals, such as printers, monitors etc.
2. Remove the power cable
3. Disconnect the monitor.
4. Use an anti-static wrist strap or ground yourself as explained earlier in this lab.
5. Always try to hold boards from its edges and avoid contact with on-board chips.
6. Have and use proper tools.
7. Have an egg carton or a container with small compartments or a cup to place all
screws
8. Free as much work space as possible around the computer and place it on its side.
9. Put out of the way and secure case cover. The most secure place is under your
desk.
10. Never pile up computer components.
11. NEVER USE brute FORCE and Always consider HUMAN SAFETY FIRST

Disassembly
For the following procedure use the Windows 7 system, unless otherwise stated.

1. Follow the precaution steps as stated earlier in this lab. Turn your system off,
remove the power cable, and disconnect the monitor including the power cord.

2. Observe the back panel of the system and on your notebook take notes on the
location of each cable. Alternatively you can take a picture. You will use this later
when you reassemble the system.

3. Remove all external cables from the back panel of the system.

4. Put your computer flat on the desk with the right side facing up. Slide the side
panel, now facing up, towards the back and remove the cover. Place the side
cover under your desk. Never rest the cover on top of other computers as it may
fall and hurt you or may damage components.

5. Discharge yourself by touching the frame/power supply of the system

FREQUENTLY, if you do not have any antistatic wrist strap.

6. DO NOT REMOVE ANY ADAPTERS OR CABLES from inside the system

YET.
Take a picture of the inside of the computer or in the space provided below draw
the motherboard and the placement of each adapter in the slots, if any. Also,
draw the motherboard and the internal cable connections, or take another
photo. Make notes regarding how and where the cable connects to the adapter,
motherboard and computer case.

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Draw your diagram, unless you took a picture, and place all your notes here.
DO NOT DISSAEMLE THE SYTEM UNLESS THE INSTRUCTOR
SIGNED THIS PAGE. IF YOU DO, YOU LOSE MARKS.
Also make sure the system boots properly before you take it apart. If it does
not boot, inform your instructor. If you take it apart, the instructor expects
the system to be operational after you put it back.

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Instructor’s signature:

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Check to see if your system has any adapters, such as PCIe card, video or audio cards. If
it does, remove any adapters, from the computer. To do so:
a. Ensure you are discharged of static electricity by touching the metal
casing of the system.
b. Use a Philips screwdriver and remove the screw that that secures the PCIe
card to the case. Or, if the system has a thumb-screw, unscrew it and
remove the palate.
c. Pulling the card upwards, rock it front and back, slowly and gently till the
card is out.
d. Place the card in a secure place. Make sure you do not touch the gold
contacts at the bottom of the card.

7. Remove memory module.

a. Locate the memory module(s) on the main board.
b. Push the two ejector tabs on the slot outward simultaneously.

c. Pull out the DIMM module and place it in safe place.

d. Make sure you do not touch the contacts of the module and do not pile
them up.

8. Disconnect and remove all SATA data cables and power connectors from the hard
disks

9. Remove the DVD drive if any. If the drive is bolted or is not coming easily out,
leave it in its bay. To remove the DVD drive:
a. Disconnect and remove the power cable and the data cable that connects
the DVD drive and the motherboard.
b. Pull the quick green release lever outwards and slide the drive out of its
bay. If the CD/DVD drive has some security screws you may leave the
drive in its bay.
c. Place the CD/DVD drive in a safe place.

10. Remove the hard disk. To do so:

a. Disconnect and remove the power connector and the data cable that is
connected to the hard drive and motherboard.
b. Pull the quick green release lever, that is located on the side of the hard
disk bay outwards and slide the SATA drive out of its bay.
c. Place the hard drive, in a secure place.

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11. Disconnect the main power connector.
a. In the center, on one of the sides of the main power connector there is a
latch. Using your thumb and pointer press the latch.
b. Pulling the power connector up, rock it left and right (lengthwise), slowly
and gently till the connector is out.

12. Disconnect any other connectors that may exist

13. Make a note of the location of the power supply fan and disconnect it.

14. If there are any screwdrivers available, unscrew and remove the power supply.

15. Call you Instructor to verify all components are removed.

Instructor’s initials:

16. Use your notes and put the system together, except the system cover. Usually you
follow the reverse order of the steps taken to disassemble the system.

17. Boot your system on Windows 7.

18. Call you Instructor to verify all components are installed and the system is
running.

Instructor’s signature date and time:

19. Cover the system.

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LAB 2-3 Evaluate an Upgrade

Objectives: Determine whether a system needs to be upgraded

List the components needed to be upgraded
Find upgraded components

Activity: Sometimes you will come to the point to debate whether to buy a new system
or upgrade an existing one. Factors that affect the ease of upgrading include the
processors supported by the motherboard, the size of the case, and the number and type
of ports and expansion slots.

1. In the table below list the components currently installed in the Windows 7 system.
You can use Device Manager and Control Panel, or any software available, to extract
needed information. The command “systeminfo” can also give you some
information. If the device is integrated, state so.

Component Description
Motherboard (make and model) 531991-001 HP Compaq 8100 Elite SFF
Intel Desktop Motherboard s775
Processor type and frequency Intel Core i3 530 @ 2.93Ghz

RAM amount and type Samsung 2GB DIMM DDR3

HDD type, capacity and speed 3.5” WDC 250GB, 7200rpm

Monitor type and size Samsung S20D300 19.4”

Video card integrated

Sound card integrated

CD-R drive / DVD HP DVD-RAM (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-

RW)
Keyboard Microsoft PS/2

Mouse Dell PS/2

NIC (Network Interface Card) integrated

OS Microsoft windows 7

Applications Microsoft Office 2013, PuTTy

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2. Using the information you collected, select three components to upgrade.

Make sure the upgraded component is compatible with the rest of the components.
Record the following information for each component

Component 1 – 2GB

i) Replacement component
2x 8GB DDR3

ii) Cost of the upgrade

$37

iii) Do other components need to be upgraded for this upgrade to work? If

so, what are they?
No.

Component 2 – Integrated Video Card

i) Replacement component
GTX 750ti 2GB

ii) Cost of the upgrade

$175

iii) Do other components need to be upgraded for this upgrade to work? If

so, what are they?
Yes – True rated PSU @ 500W

Component 3 – Hard Disk Drive

i) Replacement component
240GB Solid State Drive

ii) Cost of the upgrade

$25

iii) Do other components need to be upgraded for this upgrade to work? If

so, what are they?
No.

Instructor’s initials:

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Student Name:

Student ID:

Date Due:

Date Submitted:

Student Signature:

Note: ON THE DUE DATE RETURN ONLY THIS PAGE TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR
FOR MARKING.

It is the student’s responsibility to have the Instructor sign all steps stated in the
Lab. Failing to do so will result in the loss of marks.
In addition, 10% will be deducted for each day late.

Check Points Instructor’s Signature Date and Time

Page # Step

9 16

9 19

11

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