CHAPTER 1

PC Technician Essentials

PC Tools
A technician’s best tools are his or her senses and hands. However, a technician
needs hardware tools to open the PC and to install and replace components.
There are several personal computer (PC) tools that should be a part of every
technician’s toolkit including

■ Phillips and straight-blade screwdrivers— Used when hex drivers are not
compatible; non-magnetic preferred
■ Torx drivers— Required for some Compaq models; non-magnetic preferred

■ Hex drivers— Used for opening and closing cases and securing and remov-
ing cards and motherboards; non-magnetic preferred
■ 3-claw parts retrieval tool— Retrieves loose parts from computer interior;
prevents lost parts, which can lead to dead shorts
■ Hemostat clamps— Replaces tweezers for inserting and removing jumper
blocks and cables
■ Needle-nose pliers— Straightens bent pins

■ Eyebrow tweezers— Replaces normal tweezers in toolkit for removing and

replacing jumpers
■ Penlight— Illuminates dark cases

■ Magnifier— Makes small parts and markings easier to read

■ Jeweler’s screwdriver set— Enables repairs to devices that use small screws

You can buy toolkits that contain many of these items, but don’t hesitate to sup-
plement a kit you already have with additional items from this list or other items
you find useful. Figure 1-1 illustrates some important tools.

From the Library of Lee Bogdanoff

4 CompTIA A+ Cert Guide

1. Screwdriver with removable tips

(shown in #2 and #3)
2. Hex driver tips
3. Screw and Torx tips
4. Chip puller (also useful for
removing keytops)
5. Jeweler’s screwdriver set
6. Flat-blade screwdriver
7. Small Phillips-head screwdriver
8. Phillips-head screwdriver
9. Pliers
10. Needle-nose pliers
11. Torx driver
12. Hex driver
13. 3-claw parts retrieval tool
Figure 1-1 Typical tools used by computer technicians.

Preventing Electrostatic Discharge

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs when two objects of different voltages come
into contact with each other. The human body is always gathering static electricity,
more than enough to damage a computer component. ESD is a silent killer. If you
were to touch a component without proper protection, the static electricity could
discharge from you to the component, most likely damaging it, but with no discern-
able signs of damage. Worse yet, it is possible to discharge a small amount of voltage
to the device and damage it to the point where it works intermittently, making it
tough to troubleshoot. It only takes 30 volts or so to damage a component. On a dry
winter day, you could gather as much as 20,000 volts when walking across a carpeted
area! Ouch! There are several ways to equalize the electrical potentials, allowing you
to protect components from ESD:
■ Use an antistatic wrist strap— The most common kind is inexpensive and only
takes a moment to put on and connect to the chassis of the computer (an un-
painted portion of the frame inside the case). By using an antistatic wrist strap
you are constantly discharging to the case’s metal frame instead of to the com-
ponents that you handle. Of course, the chassis of the computer can only absorb
so much ESD, so consider another earth-bonding point to connect to or try to
implement as many other antistatic methods as possible. Most wrist straps come
equipped with a resistor (often 1 megaohm) that protects the user from shock
hazards when working with low-voltage components.
More advanced types of wrist straps are meant to connect to an actual ground; a
ground strip or the ground plug of a special dedicated AC outlet. These are
used in more sophisticated repair labs. Do not attempt to connect the alligator
clip of a basic wrist strap (purchased at an office store), to the ground plug of an
outlet in your home.

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 Chapter 1: PC Technician Essentials 5

■ Touch the chassis of the computer— Do this to further discharge yourself be-
fore handling any components. This is also a good habit to get into for those
times when an anti-static strap is not available.
■ Use an antistatic mat— Place the computer on top of the antistatic mat and
connect the alligator clip of the mat to the computer’s chassis in the same man-
ner that you did with the wrist strap. (Some people stand on the mat and con-
nect it to the computer.)
■ Use antistatic bags— Adapter cards, motherboards, and so on are normally
shipped in antistatic bags. Hold on to them! When installing or removing com-
ponents, keep them either inside or on top of the bag until you are ready to
work with them.
Remember: ESD need only happen once, and that $500 video card you are trying to
install is toast!

The CompTIA Six-Step Troubleshooting Process

It is necessary to approach computer problems from a logical standpoint. To best ac-
complish this, PC technicians will implement a troubleshooting methodology (or
maybe more than one). CompTIA has included a six-step process within the 2009
A+ objectives. Memorize the steps listed in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1 The Six-Step CompTIA A+ Troubleshooting Methodology

Step Description
Step 1 Identify the problem

Step 2 Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious)

Step 3 Test the theory to determine the cause
Step 4 Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution
Step 5 Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventative measures
Step 6 Document findings, actions, and outcomes

As you attempt to troubleshoot computer issues, think in terms of this six-step

process. Plug the problem directly into these steps. If you test a theory in Step 3,
and the theory is disproved, return to Step 2 and develop another theory. Continue
in this manner until you have found a theory that is plausible.

From the Library of Lee Bogdanoff