CRHM

Computer Repairs and Hardware Maintenance
COMPUTER REPAIRS AND HARDWARE MAINTENANCE
Computer Hardware
These are the physical components of the computer that can be seen and touched.
Peripheral Devices
A peripheral is any device that you connect to the computer. This term includes critical components such
as keyboards, mice, and display monitors. It also includes additional components such as speakers,
scanners, printers, external hard drives, and flash drives.
Printers Digital Camera Speakers Joy Stick Smart Phones Scanner
Examples of computer hardware:
Monitor Keyboard Mouse
C.NKUNTA 36
The System Unit: this is a Casing which houses most of the computer's electronic devices
Designed to be placed under the

desk. They are recommended for
Full Tower large scale computing such as a
System Unit business center. This is because
they give extra room for
upgrading by accommodating
more hardware devices, and they
provide more space for
ventilation.
Semi Tower/
Mid range Designed to be placed on the
System Unit desk beside the monitor
Desk Top Designed to be placed on the

System Unit desk with the monitor on top
C.NKUNTA 37
Ports: A port is a dedicated outlet on a piece of equipment to which a plug or cableconnects.A 'port'
serves as an interface between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices.
Power Supply
Power supply
Fan CD Drive
Connectors
Power Button
Floppy Disc Drive

Fan
Indicator Lights
Ports
C.NKUNTA 38
The USB is intended to replace many varieties of Serial and Parallel Ports. USB
can connect Computer Peripherals such as Mice, Keyboards, Digital Cameras,
Printers, Personal Media Players, Flash Drives, And External Hard Drives. For
many of those devices, USB has become the standard connection method. USB
was designed for personal computers, but it has become commonplace on other
devices such as smart phones, PDAs and video game consoles, and as a power
cord between a device and an AC adapter plugged into a wall plug for charging.
C.NKUNTA 39
Inside The System Unit
C.NKUNTA 40
Power Supply Optical drive

bays.
CPU Fan
Case fans Hard disk drive

bays
Motherboard
The Mother Board
The motherboard includes a significant amount of supporting hardware for the system and is a primary
component that determines the overall capabilities and speed of a system. The motherboard also includes
firmware, commonly called Basic Input/output System (BIOS), which is used to start thecomputer. The
BIOS includes a program that you can use to view and configure hardware settings
C.NKUNTA 41
CPU Socket Intel Express

Chipset
RAM Slots
3.0 X 16
EXP. slots
Voltage
Regulators
covered by
heat sinks
One Expansion slot

for
Audio back panel

Back panel ports ports
C.NKUNTA 42
RA M slots This motherboard includes eight dual in-line memory module (DIMM)
slots for double data rate type 3 (DDR3) memory.
Intel X79 Express This chipset uses the Direct Media Interface (DMI) as an
Chipset interface to the CPU.
Voltage regulators The heat sinks keep the voltage regulators cool. One is providing power for the
covered by heat CPU, and one is providing power to the chipset.
sinks.
CPU socket This socket is for an Intel Core i7 processor with either four or six cores.
One PCI expansion This is for earlier-version PCI cards.
slot.
Three PCI e 3.0 x 16 These are for newer PCIe boards
expansion slots
USB ports 3.0 ports These are accessible via the back panel. Other connectors on the
board can be routed to USB connectors on the front panel.
Back panel ports This group includes two RJ-45 network interface connections, one
IEEE 1394 firewall connection, and six USB 2.0 connections.
Audio back panel This group includes multiple connections for different types
ports of audio
PCI e x1 expansion These are for smaller x1 cards
slots
 Power Supply
A standard power supply draws power from a local AC power source and connects it to direct current for
on-board electronic and Hard Disc Drives. If the power supply or its fan fail, or course erratic behavior to
the Computer, it must be replaced. When replacing a power supply, there are three things to consider:
 Power Supply Physical size: Power Supplies are available

in different sizes and shapes. They are based on the type
of the casing in which they are installed and the type of
mother board connections they will support. Different
casing shapes may consider;
 Plug fittings
 Mounting screaming
 Fans in different places
 Mother board styles
Older computers used the same type of power supply called AT - Style. Newer power supplies use
ATX styles to simply mother board connections by combining the live power lead in AT - Style power
supplies into one. The ATX style is preferable because; AT connects to the mother board through a
pair of six wire connectors whilst ATX connect through a single 20 - Pin connector.
C.NKUNTA 43
 Power Supply Wattage: Power supplies are rated according to the maximum sustained power
(measured in watts) that they can produce. When evaluating a power supply don’t rely on power
consumption alone, large power consumption occurs as the machine powers up.
 Power Supply Connectors
 Molex- HDD, CD ROM
 Mini - Floppy
 Two or three pin mini plugs - fan CD ROM to sound card
Extenders and Splitters

PCs can run out of power connections, and large cases (full tower) can have drives beyond the reach of
any plug on the supply. A good technician has a quick solution on hand to both of these common
problems: extenders and splitters.
 Extenders are sets of wiresthat have a Molex connector on each end; they are used to extend a power
connection to a device beyond the reach of the power supply’s own wiring.
 Splitters are similar to extenders, with the exception that they provide multiple power connections
from a single power supply connector.
Power Supply Problems

Problem can come from both internal and external sources.Power Supplies are affected by the quality of
the local power source.
 Surges and Spikes: These are brief increases in the voltage.They can originate with the power source
(Power Company) but often due to lightning strikes.
 Sags: These are brief decrease of voltage at a power source.
 Brown Out: This isa sag which lasts longer. It may come up
as a result of Overloading of a primary power source. Some
Brown Outs are scheduled to Prevent over loading of
circuits.
 Black Out: This is a complete Power Supply failure which
can be caused by equipment failure or accidental cutting of
power cables. When power retains, there is a spike and the
danger of a power surge.
Power Supply Protection Devises:

 Surge Suppressors: They are used to filter out the effects of
voltage spikes and surges that are Present in commercial
power sources and smooth out power variation.
 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): protect the computer
system from surges and act as a backup battery when
power dips or fails.
C.NKUNTA 44
THE C.P.U
A CPU is the brain of the computer which performs most of
the processing activities, as RAM is used to store
applications and data being used by the
CPU.Microprocessors are divided into three:
 Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
 Input/output unit (I/O unit)
 Control Unit (CU)
The term CPU is used to denote a combined CU and
ALU on a single package.The 1/0 unit fetches data
from the outside and passes it back to the external
data bus.
There are two primary manufacturers of computers used in computers: Intel and Advanced
Micro Devices (AMD).
 Intel. Intel is the largest dealer of CPUs. It manufactures other products as well, including chipsets,
motherboards, memory, and SSDs.
 An Intel Core i7-960 Processor 3.2 GHz 8 MB Cache Socket LGA 1366. This name indicates that
it is an Intel processor in the Core i7 family with a model number of 960 and a 3.2-GHz CPU speed.
The 8-MB cache phrase refers to the total amount of cache.Last, LGA 1366 indicates the type of
socket into which the processor will plug
 AMD.AMD is the only significant competitor of Intel for CPUs. It also manufactures other products,
including graphic processors, chipsets, and motherboards.
 Phenom II X4 965 AM3 3.4 GHz 512 KB 45 NM. This indicates that it is an AMD Phenom II
processor with a model number of 960. X4 indicates that the processor has four cores, and AM3
indicates the socket type. The 3.4-GHz clock speed is the internal speed of the processor. Cache
size is indicated by 512 KB.
32-bit vs. 64-bit

CPUs are identified as either 32-bit or 64-bit. Similarly, operating systems and many applicationsare
referred to as either 32-bit or 64-bit. The following points are to be remembered:
 Windows operating systems come in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
 A 64-bit CPU is required to run a 64-bit operating system.
 A 64-bit operating system is required for 64-bit applications.
 A 64-bit CPU will also run 32-bit software.
CPU Cores
Most CPUs today have multiple cores within them.
Each core is a fully functioning processor. With
multiple cores, the CPU can divide tasks among each
core. The result is a faster system.Operating systems
view the multiple cores as individual CPUs. For
example, a singleEight-core processor will appear in
Task Manager as though it is eight separate processors.
C.NKUNTA 45
Hyper-Threading
Hyper-Threading Technology (HT) is used on some Intel CPUs to double the number of instructions that a
CPU can process at a time. Within a CPU, a thread is an ordered group of instructions that produce a result.
When hyper-threading is used, a single CPU can process two threads at a time.This is not physically the
same as a multiple-core CPU. However, just as a dual-core CPU simulates two physical CPUs, a single-core
CPU with hyper-threading simulates two physicalCPUs. Operating systems can’t tell the difference.
CPU Socket Types

A CPU is plugged into a socket on the motherboard. There was a time when just about every motherboard
had the same socket type, but that certainly isn’t the case today. Instead, there are a wide variety of
different socket types for different types of CPUs. If you ever need to replace a CPU, it’s important to
recognize that there are different types of sockets.
 Zero Insertion Force: It’s important that each of the pins on a CPU has a good connection to the
motherboard. Replacing a CPU required technicians to use some force to plug it into the socket.
Unfortunately, it was easy to bend one or more pins. The bent pins would often break,making the
CPU unusable.
Manufacturers came up with a great idea to eliminate the problem by introducing the Zero Insertion
Force(ZIF) sockets. A ZIF socket has a locking lever. You can place a CPU into a socket without any
force other than gravity, and after the CPU is in place, you lock the lever to secure it. Thislever ensures
that the pins are making a solid connection to the motherboard.
PGA
The socket shown below is a Pin Grid Array (PGA)

type of a socket. It includes holes into
Which the pins can be plugged.
A newer type of a socket is a Land Grid Array (LGA)

socket. Instead of the processor having pins and
plugging into a socket with holes, the socket has
small pins, and the CPU has small pins created as
bumps or pads. When the CPU is installed,the pins
and bumps line up, making the connection.
LGA
When using an LGA socket, the CPU sits on top of the socket but is
locked in place with a Flip-Top case. Below is an example of a flip-top
case used with an Intel processor.This socket has a hinged top and a
lever that locks the case when it’s closed. You unlockthe lever, open
the case, and remove the CPU. When installing a new CPU, ensure
that thekeys line up, place the CPU in the case, close the top, and
lock it with the lever..
C.NKUNTA 46
COOLING
CPUs have millionsof miniaturized transistors within them, allconnected with extremely small wires. If
these transistors or wires get too hot, they can easilybreak, rendering the CPU useless. Manufacturers
spend a lot of time designing these chips,and one of their goals is to keep temperatures within acceptable
limits. However, most of thecooling occurs externally.
Fan
Thermal Paste
CPU
Fan Connector
 Heat sink. A heat sink is a piece of metal that draws heat from the CPU and dissipates it into the air.
Heat sinks have multiple fins to increase the surface area and to allow airto easily flow through them.
The fins are usually flared to allow more air through.
 Fan. A fan is attached to the heat sink to increase the air flow around the fins. These are called CPU
fans. They aren’t attached to the CPU but usually plugged into the motherboard close to the CPU.
Many CPU fans have variable speeds and spin faster when theCPU gets hotter.
 Thermal paste. Heat sinks have locks to secure them to the motherboard and provide a better
connection with the CPU. However, there are microscopic (tiny or small) gaps in the metal on both
the CPU and the heat sink, so it isn’t possible to get 100 percent contact between the components.
Thermal paste is used to improve this connection. The paste fills these microscopic gaps and also
helps draw heat from the CPU into theheat sink.
Common Symptoms
The following are some common symptoms and possible causes related to the CPU or RAM:
 Unexpected Shutdowns. If the system is randomly shutting down or rebooting, themost likely cause
is a heat problem. Check the ventilation and clean out the fans.
 System Lockups.When a computer stops responding to inputs from the keyboardor mouse,
technicians refer to it as Frozen or LockedUp. This can also be due to heatissues. Check the
ventilation.
 Continuous Reboots.In some cases, a hardware issue can prevent the system from booting
completely. It starts, and then resets itself. This is more common after a faulty software update, but
it can be due to a hardware problem. If you’ve just replaced hardware, double-check your steps.
C.NKUNTA 47
REGISTERS
These are temporal memory storage areas used during data manipulation.Changes in data during an
operation are also stored in a register, and then sent out to other components as the job is finished. The
number and width of registers vary according to the type of the machine.
The wider the register, that is the more bits the machine can handle at one time, (e.g. 4-8-16-32-64-128
bits) the better the performance.
Types of Registers
 Storage Register: Temporally store data waiting processing or about to be sent to the main memory
 Address Register: Contain the address of the data to be used in executing a command.
 Accumulators: Holds the results of computation as each Arithmetical operation occurs. From the
accumulator, results are moved to the main memory.
 General register: Holds data, address or arithmetic results.
CODES: (ASCII)
These are codes used to represent information in computers. ASCII (American Standard Code for
Information Interchange) which is a binary representation of characters on a keyboard. These codes are
sent on the external data bus by a system component to be read by other devices. When you press a key
on thekeyboard, an ASCII code is generated and sent over the Data Bus.
ASCII Is the standard code for handling text characters on modern computers. It consist of 123 codes
representing the English alphabet, punctuation and other specialcharacters, today systems recognize
256codes of which128 are called extended character set.
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)
RAM is used to store applications and data being used by

the CPU. The bigger the RAM, the more space your
computer will have to perform its functions. In some cases,
the size of the RAM affects the speed of the computer. RAM
is measured in Giga Hertz (GHz)
It is a volatile memory because it loses its contents when

ever power is withdrawn from the computer system.
C.NKUNTA 48
HARD DISC DRIVES

These are huge storage devices. The first Hard Disc Driveswere small in capacity, physically large and
expensive compared to HDDs of today. The first HDDs came in the early 80s and were
calledLampWinchester .They were fixed disks as they were not removable by the end user. They are
composed of several platters, housed in a sealed case to prevent contamination from the surrounding
environment.
 Platters are always made up of
 Aluminum allay
 Thin magnetic coating on both sides
 They are the polished and gives another thin layer of graphite for protection against
mechanical damage caused by physical contact between the data head and the platter
surface
 Platters spin at 3500 – 12, 000 Revolutions per minute (RPM).
 The distance between the R/W head and the surface of the platter can be like that of the
thicknesses of a fingerprint.
Head to Disk Interference (HDI)

 It described the contract that may occur between the surface of the disk and the R/W head.
 The contact may cause considerable damage to both R/W head and the disk.
 Never move or even pick up a HDD until it is stopped
C.NKUNTA 49
Cluster
Read /write head
Track Sector
Actuator Arm File Fragments

Actuator Actuator Axis Track
 Platters Hard drives have multiple spinning platters, and each platter can be written to on both sides.
 Read/write A hard drive will have one read/write head for each platter side. This drive has two platters
head and four read/write heads.
 Actuator The actuator controls the movement of the arm.
 Actuator arm The actuator arm is moved back and forward by rotating around the actuator axis. This
and axis positions the read/write head on different parts of the platter.
Each platter is logically divided into multiple tracks, which are circular areas on the Disk.
 Tracks When the head is positioned over a track, it can read or write data on the track as the platter
spins.
 Sectors Tracks are logically separated into track sectors. A sector can be between 512 bytes and 2
KB in size.
 Clusters A cluster is a group of multiple sectors. Clusters are also known as Allocation Units and are
the smallest element of a drive to which an operating system can write.
Files are written to clusters. If the file is bigger than a single cluster, the file is written to
 Files multiple clusters. A file will be written to clusters that are next to each other, or adjacent
(connected) clusters. However, if other data is already written on an adjoining cluster, the
file is split and written to another available cluster.
C.NKUNTA 50
Geometry
HDDs are composed of one or more platters on which data is stored. The geometry of HDDs is the
organization of data over platters. The main numerical values that describe geometry are:
 Heads
 Is relative to the total number of sides of all the platters used to store data
 HDD with 4 platters, have 8 heads
 Cylinders
 Data is stored in circular paths on the surface of each platter
 Each circular path is called a track
 There are 100s of tracks on the surface of each platter
 A set of tracks of the same diameter is known as a cylinder
 Sectors Per Track

 Tracks are cut into tens of thousands of small arc like a pie.
Tracks and sectors are the storage locations on the disc. When you store something, they will be allocated
a track and a specific sector on which they will be stored. No wonder when you are playing a musical CD,
and it display “track 8 now playing”, it means that the song that is playing is stored in “Track number 8”.
A song is not a track and a track is not a song. When you access track 8 it means you are going to listen to
a song stored in that track.
INSTALLING THE HDD
Physical installation and cabling

CMOS setup
Low level formatting (if necessary)
Partitioning
Formatting
CMOS Set up
The geometry of the device must be entered into the CMOS before the computer can recognize the new
device.
 If only one HDD is installed , it is configured as 0 or Master
 If a second HDD is installed configured as 1 or Slave
 Many CMOS configurations use drive letter C and D for HDDs
 The only devices which has fixed drive letters are A and B for the Floppy Disc Drive, and the C, for the
boot drive where the Operating System reside.
 Confusion in drive letters can also confuse the Operating System making it hard or impossible to
locate the drivers.
 In this case, you re-install the drives
Low Level Formatting

Low level formatting is the creation of sectors, tracks, cylinders, and head information on the drive. In
today’s computers, low level formatting by end users has virtually been eliminated for it is now done by
the manufacture. With IDEs, low level formatting is not required.
C.NKUNTA 51
Partitioning
These are the logical divisions of a hard drive. A computer might have only one physical hard drive (hard
drive 0), but it can anywhere from 1 to 24 logical drives, identified as C to Z. Dividing the disc into several
drive letters makes it easier to:
 To accommodate more than one operating system.
 Organize data files
Primary and Extended Partitioning
 The primary partition is the locations were the boot information for the Operation system is stored.
To boot from the hard drive, the drive must have a primary partition. This partition is used to store
the boot sector, which tells the computer where to find the operating system. This partition is
always identified as drive C.
 The Extended partition is the part of the Hard Disc Drive that does not have an operating system.
The partition is not associated with a physical drive letter. The partition is further divided into
logical drives starting with D to Z.
Advanced Operating system creates a special partition called Boot partition, which prompts the users to
pick the Operating system to use. Boot managers then set the chosen partition to active, which starts
the Operating system located in the partition.
One Physical HDD (350 GB)
DRIVE C D E F G F H I
LETTER (20 GB) (100 GB) (20 GB) (50 GB) (50 GB) (10 GB) (70 GB) (30 GB)
Content Operating Movies Music Software Empty Empty Empty Books
system
Primary Partition Extended Partition
C.NKUNTA 52
IDE V.S SATA
40 pin 80 Master/ Slave Molex

wire ribbon Jumpers Power Power Data
cable
C.NKUNTA 53
ROM BIOS
This is a chip that contains data that specifies the characteristics of hardware devices, such as memory,
hard disc, and floppy disk drives, so the system can access them. BIOS (Basic Input/ Output System) is a
program which is stored on ROM chips because the information required to start and run the computer
must not be lost or changed.
This is the firmware. It stores the instructions for starting the computer and includes a program that can
be used to change some settings. The firmware can be updated in a procedure known as flashing the BIOS.
BIOS can be subdivided into three classes, depending on the type of hardware it controls.
 The first class, called core chips include support hardware that is common to all computers,
necessary, and never changes. Commonly used for the keyboard, parallel and serial ports, speakers,
and other support devices.
 The second chips class, called updateable chips, encompasses hardware that is also common and
necessary, but that might change from time to time. Commonly used for upgradeable devices such
as hard disc drives. This is stored in a special chip called the Complementary Metal Oxide
Semiconductor (CMOS).
 The third class of chips includes anything that is not included in one of the first two classes.
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS).

CMOS is volatile, meaning that the data is lost if the system is turned off. Motherboards include a CMOS
battery to retain the CMOS data even if the system is turned off. If the data stored on the CMOS is different
from the hardware characteristics, the computer, or part of it, will not probably work. Example, if the hard
disc drive information is incorrect, the computer can boot from a CD-Drive. The technician will have to
reset the CMOS values before the computer can use the device. If you change any related hardware, the
CMOS must be updated to reflect those changes. If CMOS loses its power from its battery, it will lose its
data.
Typically, CMOS contains the following information:
 Hard Disc Drive type
 CPU information
 RAM size
 Date and time
 Serial and parallel port information
 Plug and play (PnP) information
BIOS Configuration
There are a few configuration settings that are important to understand. Changes you make in the
configuration will remain in the system even after the system has been powered off. Some some key
configurations include:
 Time and Date. A very basic setting for the BIOS is the time and date. You’ll often see these settings
on the very first page of BIOS, which is sometimes called the Main Page or the Standard CMOS
Features Page. The computer keeps time with a real-time clock, and the CMOS battery keeps the
clock ticking even when the system is turned off. You rarely need to change this except when the
CMOS battery is failing. If the battery is failing, the real-time clock is slow and needs to be reset
often.
C.NKUNTA 54
After unplugging the power to the system, you can remove the battery with a small screwdriver and
replace it. After replacing the battery, you’ll need to set the date and time, and you might need to
reconfigure other BIOS settings. When replacing the battery, make sure that you replace it with the
correct type. Motherboard manufacturers warn that the wrong battery could explode. Also, always
follow local regulations when disposing of the original battery.
 Boot Sequence: One of the most important BIOS settings for a PC technician to understand is the
boot sequence. The boot sequence setting tells the computer the device from which it should try to
boot first. Currently, it’s set to boot to the Hard Drive. If the hard drive doesn’t have a bootable
operating system, it will look for a bootable perating system on the CD-ROM, then on a floppy drive.
 Security: Many BIOS utilities include security settings, and the most common security setting is
related to BIOS passwords.
 supervisor password and a user password. When set, the supervisor password provides full
control over any BIOS settings and is sometimes set to ensure that they can override any
changes made by a user.
 The User Password provides different access. It might allow the user to do anything except change
the supervisor password, or it might allow the user to change only limited settings such as the
date and time. In some systems, it requires a user to enter the password every time the system is
started.
 Enabling and Disabling Devices: You can often enable and disable devices in BIOS. For example, If
you want to disable any of the devices, you can select Disabled.
POWER ON SELF TEST (POST) AND OTHER DIAGNOSTICS

When a computer boots, it will run some basic tests commonly known as Power-On Self Test (POST). POST
performs fundamental checks on a few vital devices. It ensures that:
 the CPU and system timer are both running
 the RAM and graphics are accessible
 that the keyboard is working
 BIOS is not corrupt
If the computer passes these tests, it will continue to boot. If it fails one of these tests, it stops and gives
you an warning of the failure. You’ll usually see an error the screen, but POST can’t rely on the screen, so
it uses different types of beep codes.The following are a few examples of what you might hear:
 No beep: This often indicates that a system has no power or has a problem with the power supply.
However, some systems do not beep at all, and this is normal
 One Short Beep: This usually indicates that the system has passed the POST. In some systems, it
indicates that the RAM might have a problem
 Continuous Beep or Repeating Beeps: This often indicates a problem with the power supply, the
motherboard, or the keyboard
 Buzz or Quickly Repeating Beeps: This often indicates a problem with RAM
C.NKUNTA 55
EXPANSION DATA BUS

Expansion Data buses connect devices to the Motherboard using the motherboard's data bus. They allow
the flow of data between internal and external devices that makes up the computer system. Early
computers moved data between devices and the processor at about the same rate as the processor. Every
device in the computer, the CPU, RAM, Keyboard, NIC, Sound Card, are connected to the external data
bus
Expansion slots on the Motherboard are

standardized connections that allow the installation of devices not soldered to the Motherboard. The
function of an expansion slot is to provide configuration flexibility when devices are added to a computer.
Whether a device is soldered to the Mother Board or connected through an expansion slots, all integrated
Circuits are regulated by a quartz Crystal. Quartz Crystal sets the timing for the system, giving all parts
access to a common reference point for performing action.
Although CPU speed has continually increased as technology has improved, the speed of Expansion Cards
has remained constant. It was not practical to redesign and replace every card each time a new processor
was released. This would have been complicated and expensive. To resolve this problem, designers have
divided the external data bus into two:
 System Bus: This support the CPU, RAM, and other Motherboard components and runs at the speed
that support the CPU.
 Expansion Bus: This supports any add on devices by means of the expansion slots, and runs at a
steady rate, based on the specific bus design.
Because the CPU runs off the system Clock, upgrading a CPU requires changing only the timing of the
system bus and existing expansion cards continued to run as before.
Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)

When IBM designed the first computers, it took steps that powered rapid development of the computer
market. IBM designed the computer as an open system, capable of using standard, off the shelf
components.
 This allowed third party developers to manufacture cards that could snap into the computer bus.
 It also allowed competitors to copy the computer bus technology.
 The establishment of the ISA interface generated the market for clones.
 A host of third party companies developed products that enhanced the basic computer design and
kept prices lower.
Problem with ISA

 Lack of speed
 Compatibility problems because of the card design
C.NKUNTA 56
The need to overcome the expansion cards lack of speed and compatibility problems led to a search for a
new, standard expansion card interface, one that everyone could agree on and that would gain user
acceptance.
Micro Channel Architecture (MCA)

By late 80s, most manufactures stuck to the same ISA design. Expansion devices based on an ISA
technology for the AT class machines could be placed in new clones without problems. Because of
competition from cheaper clones, IBM designed the PS/2 (Personal Systems/2), and created the expansion
bus called MCA.
A feature of MCA was its ability to “self-configure” devices. Unlike devices in which the computer
configures itself automatically to work with peripheral devices like the monitors, printers, and modems,
MCA devices came with a configuring disc.
The PS/2 and its MCA expansion cards never gained enough market share to compete with the clones.
USB
The most common method of connecting peripherals to a computer is by
using UniversalSerial Bus (USB), and a popular USB device is a USB flash
drive
USB Versions
Version Common Name Speed

USB 1.1 Low Speed 1.5 Mbps (low speed)
Full Speed 12 Mbps (full speed)
USB 2.0 High Speed 480 Mbps (60 MBps
USB 3.0 Super Speed 5 Gbps (625 MBps)
Most computers support USB 1.1 and USB 2.0, but USB 3.0 is relatively new and not ascommon.
Some larger devices, such as printers and video recorders, use the Standard Type B port.One end of the
cable is a Standard Type A connector that plugs into the computer,
and theother end of the cable is a Standard Type B connector that
plugs into the device. Smallerdevices, such as Smartphone, digital
cameras, and global positioning system (GPS) devices,need smaller
connections and use the mini and micro connections.
Type A
Type B
Mini/Micro Type B
C.NKUNTA 57
TROUBLESHOOTING
This is the most difficult task of a computer professional. Frequently, the problems reported are just
symptoms, not the cause. It takes investigation to pinpoint the real cause. What matters worse, computer
never fail at convenient times, they fail in the middle of a job or when there is a deadline and the user
must have the problem fixed immediately to be effective and efficient, you approach a problem in an
organized and methodical manner. Remember, you are looking for the cause and not the symptom.
PHASE 1: Define the Problem

This phase is the most critical and often most ignored. It involves understanding the entire
problem. The only tool is a pen and paper. Listening from the client/user is the best sources of
information. Don’t underrate the operator, you might know how the computer works and how
to find the technical cause of the failure, but the user was there before and after the problem
started and they are likely to recall the events that led to the failure.Ask a few specific questions
to help identify the events that led to failure.At this point, it is often a good idea to examine the
computer and verify the client’s statements as much as possible.
PHASE 2: Zero in on the cause

Isolate the problem. The best method is to eliminate any obvious problems and work from the
simplest problem to the more complex. Be sure to observe the failure yourself. If possible, have
someone demonstrate the failure to you.
PHASE3: Conduct the repair

Create a planned approach to isolating the problem based on your knowledge. Your plan should
start with the most obvious or easiest solution to eliminate and move forward. Put the plan in
writing! The first step of any plan should be to document and back up if possible make no
assumption. If so write them down for future reference.
Follow the Plan from Beginning to End

Once the plans are created, it is important to follow it through. Jumping around and randomly
trying things, can often lead to problems. That is more serious. Document every action you take
and its result. If the first plan is not successful, create a new plan based on what you discovered
with the previous plan
PHASE 4: Confirm the Results

No repair is complete without confirmation that the job is done. Confirmation involves the
following two steps:
 Make sure the problem no longer exist. Ask the user to test the solution and confirm client
satisfaction.
 Make sure that the fix did not create other problems. You have not done a professional job
if the repair has been complete at the expense of something else.
PHASE 5: Document the results

Finally document the problem and the repair; there is no substitute for experience in
troubleshooting. Every new problem presents you with an opportunity to expand that
experience. Keeping a copy of the repair documentation may come handy later when the
problem (or one like it) occurs again. This is one way to build maintain and shape experience
C.NKUNTA 58
DISASSEMBLING THE COMPUTER

Disassembling a computer is a straight forward task, because of the number of manufacturers, each
seeking to establish its own unique marketing identity; each brand has some custom components or
layout. The extents to which you have to disassemble a computer depend on the specific problem or
repair. The procedure below outlines the routine for completely and officially disassembly most
computers.
 Make accessory backup of O.S and files
 Document the system (software and hardware)
 Create clear working area with plenty of room and light.
 Gather all the necessary tools for the job.
 Turn off computer.
 Disconnect power cables.
 Locate the screws for the cover.
 Remove the screws and keep them in a box or plastic tube.
 Document the location of ex cards, and drives.
 Remove all cards.
 Document the location and connections for each drive.
 Remove data and power supply cables.
 Remove the devices.
 Remove the mother board.
ASSEMBLING THE COMPUTER

To assemble a computer, simply follow the same procedures for disassembling, but in reverse order.
When installing components
to remember the following;
 Do not force connectors into place if they don’t fit easily, they are probably in the wrong place
 Expansion cards often require some force or side to side movement to fit into a place.
 Connect the cables to the drive before installing them in the bay.
 Pest the system before replacing cover.
C.NKUNTA 59
THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB
Assembling a Complete Tool Kit

Knowledge, preparation, and having the right
tools are the main requirements for a
successful and efficient maintenance activity,
system upgrade, or computer repair. Before
attempting any work on the computer, you
should have a good understanding of the
procedure or problem at hand. One thing that
can make any job easier is having the right set
of tools and reference materials at all time.
Tools for the Trade

 Hardware Toolkit: Use these hand and
electronic tools for assembling and
disassembling of the computer.
 Software Toolkit: use this to
troubleshoot and correct Operating
System, hardware, drivers, and
application problems. The software
toolkit should also include good Anti-
Virus with an updated upgrade.
 Spare Parts: Keep a basic set of the most commonly replaced computer system components such as
the power supply, HDDs, Power and Data cables, and RAM chips so that they can be replaced when
you are on location. When in doubt, exchanging a problematic part with a well-known to be working
part can help you troubleshoot.
Recommended Tools and Resources

 Screw Drivers: Two (one large and one small) flat head and cross screw drivers are usually sufficient.
 Tweezers: Very convenient for picking up small parts such as screws.
 Needle Nose Pliers: This can be used to pick up dropped items and to hold or loosen screws, nuts,
and bolts.
 Tube or Plastic Bag: A short plastic tube will keep loose screws and small parts from getting lost.
 Flash Light: A small bright light is necessary for lighting the hard to see places.
 Compressed Air: A can of compressed air is helpful for removing dust.
 Laptop(with Internet connections), Blank CDs, External HDD, and Flash Discs: This combination can
save time. These can be used to download drivers from the Internet. Blank Discs can be used to move
/ backup files to and from an ailing computer.
Recommended Software
Assemble a collection of the software that supports the computers you normally work on, such as the
Operating System, Drivers, and Application Software.
…………………………………………………
C.NKUNTA 60
PLANNING AND PERFORMING

REGULAR MAINTAINANCE
Maintenance is not the same as repair but it can prevent the need for repair when performed in a timely
fashion. A computer is a device built on the very concept of logic and a logical approach can go a long way
towards keeping them running properly.You need a well-organized predefine set of plans and procedures
covering the different aspects of computer care.A plan is a broader scope of a care, and it can contain
several procedures. It should detail the activities and tasks to take place at regular intervals, daily, weekly,
monthly, annually etc. A procedure is a detailed list of steps that should be performed, often in the form
of a checklist. This can also include the necessary tools, parts and remarks about important issues
regarding the procedure. One way to organize plans and procedures is to have a maintenance policy
manual.
A basic Maintenance Plan
SEQUENCE NO CHECKS AND WORKS TO BE DONE

1 Back up data
Do this 2 Check computer ventilation to ensure that it is clean.
Daily Remove any paper, books, or boxes that might impede
the flow of air into or out of the computer
3 Clean the outside of the System Unit
Do this 4 Clean the monitor screen
Weekly
5 Run the appropriate disc inspection programs for the
Operating System in use on all HDDs
6 Run a current updated anti-virus program and check
Do this all drives
Monthly
7 Inspect all peripheral devices
8 Clean inside the computer (system unit)
9 Vacuum the keyboard and the mouse
Do this after 10 Defragment all HDDs
six months 11 Delete any unnecessary temporal files
12 Perform an intensive preventive maintenance checks
13 Apply an anti-static solution to the entire computer
Do this
14 Check and re-set all cables
annually
15 Run printer self-test program
16 Re format HDDs and re-install all programs
17 Consider an upgrade to your computer. Check to see
that tour components can handle your workload
C.NKUNTA 61
Basic Hardware Maintenance
Computer equipment is very reliable and last long time. However dirt and other borne contamination will
greatly quicken, the deterioration of computer acquired. Part of a good preventive maintenance routine
is keeping the equipment clean.
The first step is to be sure that the computer is installed in a computer friendly environment. That is, it
should be dust free, smoke free, and Humidity controlled location. In the event that the location of the
computer is not as appropriate as it should be, the frequency of preventive maintenance (Cleaning) should
be done more often. In these instances, consideration should be given to establish a computer friendly
zone around the computer, for instance, installations of cabinet and providing a source of clean fresh air.
 Located in a dust and smoke free environment.

 Subjected to controlled humidity.
 Subjected to controlled temperature (do not place it to close to the hoard or in direct
sunlight, avoiding any excess temperatures)
 Have good ventilation (make sure fans and ventilations vents are not blocked)
General Practice Maintenance

Monitors
 Keep it clean-with periodic cleaning
 Use simple cleaning solution; do not use window cleaning sponges on a monitor screen.
 Do not leave unattended monitors on for long periods. Use screen savers or computer power
serving options.
 Do not try to work inside in monitors.
Hard Disc Drive

Avoid Rough handling.
 Never move a hard disc, when it is still spinning.
 Never expose the internal housing to open air.
 Perform regular data Backup and DISC maintenance task.
Keyboard and Pointing Devices

 Use hand held vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the small crevice
 Never use spray cleaners.
 When using light pen, never touch the ends with your fingers.
SOFTWARE
Maintenance of the Windows
 Disc clean up.
 File backup.
 Disc defragmentation.
 Virus projection.
C.NKUNTA 62

CRHM

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CRHM

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Computer Repairs and Hardware Maintenance

COMPUTER REPAIRS AND HARDWARE MAINTENANCE

Printers Digital Camera Speakers Joy Stick Smart Phones Scanner

Examples of computer hardware:

Monitor Keyboard Mouse

Designed to be placed under the

Desk Top Designed to be placed on the

Floppy Disc Drive

Inside The System Unit

Power Supply Optical drive

Case fans Hard disk drive

The Mother Board

CPU Socket Intel Express

One Expansion slot

Audio back panel

 Power Supply Physical size: Power Supplies are available

Extenders and Splitters

Power Supply Problems

Power Supply Protection Devises:

32-bit vs. 64-bit

CPU Socket Types

The socket shown below is a Pin Grid Array (PGA)

A newer type of a socket is a Land Grid Array (LGA)

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

RAM is used to store applications and data being used by

It is a volatile memory because it loses its contents when

HARD DISC DRIVES

Head to Disk Interference (HDI)

Read /write head

Actuator Arm File Fragments

 Sectors Per Track

INSTALLING THE HDD

Physical installation and cabling

Low Level Formatting

Primary and Extended Partitioning

One Physical HDD (350 GB)

Primary Partition Extended Partition

IDE V.S SATA

40 pin 80 Master/ Slave Molex

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS).

POWER ON SELF TEST (POST) AND OTHER DIAGNOSTICS

EXPANSION DATA BUS

Expansion slots on the Motherboard are

Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)

Problem with ISA

Micro Channel Architecture (MCA)

Version Common Name Speed

PHASE 1: Define the Problem

PHASE 2: Zero in on the cause

PHASE3: Conduct the repair

Follow the Plan from Beginning to End

PHASE 4: Confirm the Results

PHASE 5: Document the results

DISASSEMBLING THE COMPUTER

ASSEMBLING THE COMPUTER

THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB

Assembling a Complete Tool Kit

Tools for the Trade

Recommended Tools and Resources

PLANNING AND PERFORMING

A basic Maintenance Plan

SEQUENCE NO CHECKS AND WORKS TO BE DONE

Basic Hardware Maintenance

 Located in a dust and smoke free environment.