CHAPTER 3 PART 2

PC REPAIR
FUNDAMENTALS
 Report computer errors and conflicts at
POST.
 How to use a POST diagnostics card:
-install card in a expansion slot on the
mother board
- boot your system record any error
codes on LED.
-look up the entry associated with the
error code.
 Examples of POST diagnostic cards:
 -PCI error testing/Debug card by Winic
Corporation.
-POST card V3 by Unicore software, Inc.
-Post code master by MSD, Inc.
 Preventive maintenance reduces
problems
 Goals of preventive maintenance plans:
-prevent failures
-reduce repair costs.
-reduce downtimes
 Goal of disaster recovery plan: manage
failures
 Some causes of PC failure: heat, dust,
spills,viruses
 Important tasks and procedures
- Keep good backups of data and system files
- Document all setup changes, problems, and
solutions
- Protect the system against viruses and other
attacks.
 Always use a firewall (software or hardware
barrier)
 Install and run antivirus software
 Keep windows updates current
- physically protect your equipment.
 Plan based on history or pattern of
malfunctions
- example: PCs in dusty areas need more
maintenance
 Goals common to maintenance plans
- Extend the working life of a PC.
- Anticipate problems that could disrupt
service
- Ensure data is secure and backed up
 Basics steps involved in designing a plan
- Define your overall goals
- Incorporate procedures for achieving goals
 Dust accumulates in layers over components
 Two major problems due to dust blankets
- PC components directly overheat
- cooling fans jam, also resulting in
overheating
 Maintenance task: remove the layer of dust
 Two tools use to remove dust
- antistatic vacuum
- compressed air
 Adverse factors to consider:
- rough handling
- exposure to water, heat and cold
- misplacement or theft of computer
 Some shipping guidelines to follows:
- backup the hard drive onto a backup medium
- remove inserted disk, tape cartridges, or
CDs
- coil and secure all external cords
- separately rough hardware components
- purchase insurance of the shipment
 Various guidelines for disposing of
equipment:
- manufacturer documentation
- local and environmental regulators
 Danger posed by monitors and power
supplies
- residual change in capacitors can cause
shock
- modern devices discharge in unplugged for
sixty minutes
- order devices may require discharge with a
probe
 Destroy secondary storage devices with
sensitive data
 Diagnostic cards
 Preventive maintenance plans
 Dust
 Disposing of hardware
 Create a preventive maintenance plan?

 Lab 3.2 take a computer apart and put it

back together again
- turn in review questions
Chapter 3 part 3
PC Repair Fundamentals
 Objective: dismantle a computer, out it back
together.
 Some safety precautions to follow.
-Make notes that will help you backtrack.
-keep screws and spacers orderly.
-Do not stack boards on top of each other.
-Do not touch the chips on circuit boards.
-Do not use graphite pencil to change DIP settings.
-Turn off the power, unplug and ground the
computer.
-Do not remove covers of monitors or power
supplies.
-Keep components away from hair and clothing
 Build-up of charge due to absence of conductors
 Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
-Due to dissimilar electrical surfaces making
contact
-Only 10 volts of ESD can damage basic
components
-Walking across carpet generates up to 12,000
volts
 Two types of damages: catastrophic and upset
failure
 Tool an methods for grounding yourself and the
PC
-Ground bracelet, ground mats, static shielding
bags, gloves
 Essential tools:
-Ground bracelet , paper, and pen
-Philips-head and flat-head screw driver
 Follow safety precaution at all times
 Summary of steps 1-4
-1.Enter CMOS and write down customized
settings
-2.Power down the system , unplug all
components
-3.Put the computer on a good-sized table
-4.Remove the cover of the PC
 Summary of steps 5-11
-5.Diagram cable connection and switch
settings
-6.Identify cables connecting drives to
motherboard
-7.Remove the cables to all drives
-8.Remove the expansion cards
-9.Remove the motherboard(or drives)
-10.Remove the power supply from the case
-11.Remove each drive(if not already remove)
 1.Installpower supply, drives ,
motherboard , cards
 2.Connect all data and power cables
 3.Plug in the keyboard , monitor , and
mouse
 4.ask instructor to check work (if in a
classroom)
 5.Turn on the power and check PC
functions
 Working inside a computer
 Static electricity
 Steps to take apart and put back together
 What is static electricity and discuss
 Lab 3.3 choose a system
-turn in review questions
 Lab 3.4 determine the system
requirements
-turn in review questions
Chapter 3 Part 4
PC Repair Fundamentals
 Keylearning objectives
- know how to boot a pc
- Understanding POST
- Understand how an operating is loaded
 Hard (cold) boot: turn the power switch on
 Soft (warm) boot: allow the OS to reboot
 How to soft boot windows XP
-Click start
-Click turn off computer
-Click restart
 Hard boot are more stressful on machines
-Power surges through system when PC is
turned on
 Reasons to choose a soft boot over hard boot
-Less stressful on the machine
-Faster due to skipping initial steps
 Some computers have a soft and hard power
switch
-Soft power switch shuts down and restarts
Windows
-Hard power switch cuts power and restarts
machine
 The startup BIOS gets a system up and
running
 Four phases of the boot process:
-BIOS runs the POST and assign system
resources
•POST: power-on self test
-BIOS searches for and loads an OS
-OS configures system and completes
loading
-Application software is loaded and
executed
 BIOS look to CMOS RAM to locate the OS
 Boot sequence : order of drives to
checked for an OS
 Change boot sequence using CMOS setup
utilities
 Access CMOS setup utilities when PC is
turn on
-Example: press F8 before Windows
screen appears
 Ittakes time to acquire troubleshooting
skills
 Hands on training: troubleshooting a
failed boot
 The boot process
 What is POST and discuss?
 Lab 3.5 Compare Needs and Affordability
-Turn in Review Questions
 CHAPTER 3 PART 5
PC REPAIR FUNDAMENTALS
 Assume the attitude of an investigator
 Do not compound the problem
 Look at the problem as a learning
opportunity
 Ask question to help understand the
problem
 Believe that you can solve the problem
 Key advice
-Ask good questions
-Document the process
 Four-step problem solving process:
-Step 1: Interview the user
-Step 2: Back up data
-Step 3: Solve the problem
-Step 4: Verify the fix and document the
solution
 First step: Maintain your calm
 Second step: develop a game plan
 Follow a good procedure
-Plan is driven by a set of yes-no questions
-Example: Does the PC boot properly?
●If no , troubleshooter is directed to
another question
● If yes, troubleshooter is directed to
stop (for now)
 Categories of troubleshooting steps
-The electrical subsystem
-Essential hardware devices
-Motherboard , memory, and CPU
-Video
-Reading from the hard drive
 Key aides: tables identifying error codes
 PC repair tools: recovery CDs,
Screwdrivers, POST, cleaning pads and
solution, diagnostic cards
 Preventive maintenance plans extend the
life of PC
 Follow an organization’s preventive
maintenance plan, or develop one if it
does not exist
 Computers present chemical and
electrical hazards
 Protect components from ESD by
grounding your self and the PC
 Assembling and reassembling a PC
prepares the technicians for actual repair
work
 Startup BIOS controls the boot process
start
 Four step boot process: POST, loading the
OS, initializing itself, loading and
executing application
 Expert troubleshooters ask good
questions
 Before tackling a problem, develop a
game plan
 Explain the steps for troubleshooting a PC
 Lab 3.6 system compatibility
-Turn in review questions
 Lab 3.7 evaluate an upgrade
-Turn in review questions
 CHAPTER 4 PART 1
FORM FACTORS AND POWER SUPPLIES
 Learn about the different form factors and
computer cases
 Learn how electricity is measured
 Learn how to protect your computer
system against damaging changes in
electrical power
 Learn about energy star specification
 Learn how to troubleshoot electrical
problems
 Power supply: passes power to PC
components
 Elements driving type of power supply used
in a PC:
-The motherboard
-The form factor of the computer case
 Energy star devices: designed to save energy
 Electricity topics covered:
-Measurement of electricity
-how electricity is delivered
-Protecting a PC from electrical damage
-changing a defective power supply
 Form factor
-Specifies size, shape, features of a hardware
device
 Form factor for motherboard is chosen first
-Same form factor is used for case and power
supply
 Using the same form factor assures you that:
-The motherboard fits the case
-Holes in the motherboard align with holes in
the case
-Wires on the case match connections on
motherboard
 AT(advanced technology) form factor
-specified motherboard dimensions of 12”x 13.8”
-Utilized by IBM AT PC in the 1980s
 Baby AT form factor
-Specify motherboard dimensions of 13”x8.7”
-Industry standard form factor from 1993 to 1997
 ATX form factor
-Specified motherboard dimensions of 12”x9.6”
-Open specification that is most commonly used
today
-Includes all AT voltage plus a +3.3-volt circuit
 Micro ATX form factor
-Reduce number of I/O slots on the motherboard
 BTX (Balanced Technology Extended) form factor
-Focuses on reducing heat and supporting
motherboard
 LPX and Mini-LPX form factors
-designed for low-end PC motherboards
 NLX form factor
-developed to improve the LPX form factor
 backplane systems (active and passive)
-use boards with slots ,but little or no circuitry
 Computer case(chassis)
-houses power supply , motherboard , cards,
drives
-panel switches/lights are used to control/monitor
PC
 Desktop cases
- motherboard on the bottom , power supply to the
rear
 Tower cases
-are up to 2 feet high and can contain several
drives
 Notebook cases
-used for all portables and have desktop
component
 Computer cases
 Form factors
 What is the most popular form factor
used?
 Lab 4.1 identify form factors
-turn in review question
CHAPTER 4 PART 2
FORM FACTORS AND POWER
SUPPLIES
 Successful PC technicians:
-understand electricity
-know how to use electricity
-know how to measure electricity
-can protect computer equipment from
electricity
 Units used to measure characteristics of
electricity
-volts ,amp ,ohm, and watt
 Alternating current(AC)
-Oscillatory current driven by an alternating
voltage
-example: house current oscillates at 60 Hz
 Direct current (DC)
-single direction current driven by constant
voltage
-required by computer in small amounts, such
as 5 V
 Rectifier: converts AC to DC
 Transformer: changes ratio of current to
voltage
 Power supply acts as a transformer and
rectifier
Completing a circuit;
-AC travels from power station to house on a hot line
-AC travels from panel to device using black (hot)wire
-AC flows out of device circuit in a white (neutral)wire
-AC returns to power stations on a neutral line

 Shorts circuit: failure due to excess flow of electricity

-fuses protect circuits by melting wire(breaking circuit)
-grounded neutral lines fast detoured AC to earth

Line and three-prong plugs; hot, neutral, and ground

-verify wiring of outlet for plug using a receptacle tester
 Materials used to make components:
-conductors: weakly resist flow of current ;
e.g., copper
-insulators: highly resist flow of current; e.g.,
ceramics
-semiconductors: allow flow if charged; e.g.,
silicon
 Transistors
-used to switch current on (1)and off(0)
-also used to amplify current
-made of three layers of semiconductor
materials
-change applied to center layer controls
switching
 Capacitors
-holds electrical charge for a period of time
-used to create even flow of current in a PC
 Diode
-allows electricity to flow in one direction only
-used to rectify current (convert AC to DC)
 Resistor
-controls the amount of current flowing
through device
-degree of resistance is measured in ohms
 Properties of electricity

 AC and DC

 Common electrical component

 Transformer
 Explain
differences of common electrical
components

 Lab 4.2 Measure the Power Supply Output

-Turn in Review Questions
Chapter 4 part 3
Form factors and Power Supply
 Electrical threat to a computer system
-Static electricity
-Electromagnetic interface
-Power surges
 Objectives in the section
-Understand natural of each threat
-Learn how to protect your system from
these threat
 Static electricity (electrostatic discharge or ESD)
-Due to change difference between user and
device
-touching device causes discharge damaging
device
 ESD is particularly severe in dry and cold
climates
 How to protect system from ESD;
- use ground bracelet or ESD gloves
- touch computer case before touching
components
 Safety rule: unplug power cord before working in
case
-Residual power in plugged device can cause
damage
 Caused by magnetic fields generated by current
flow
 RFI(radio frequency interface);
-BMI in radio frequency range effecting
reception
 The crosstalk problem
-Data in cables crossing BMI fields gets
corrupted
-control crosstalk by shielding cable and power
supply
 Use a turned –down AM radio to detect EMI
 Other ways to protect a device from EMI
- Use line conditioners to filter out electrical noise
- move the PC to a new location
 Storms and uneven AC flow cause power
surges
 Prevent power surges by installing an AC
filter
 Types of devices used to manage power
surges
- surge suppressors
- power conditioners
- uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs)
 Use devices with UL ( underwriters
laboratory) logo
 Also called a surge protector
 Protects equipment from sudden changes in power
- works by observing and/or blocking the surge
 Recommended features:
- joules rating that is a greater than 600 joules
- protection activated in less than 2 nanoseconds
- warranty for connected equipment and UL seal
- light indicating that surge protection is working
- data line protector for telephone line to modern
- let through voltage rating and line noise filtering
 Sometimes called line conditioners
 Functions :
- protect against spikes or swells(voltage surges)
- raise voltage during brownouts(voltage sags)
 Load supported measured in watts volt-amps(VA)
 Determining the VA needed to support your
system:
- multiply the amperage of each component by
120V
- add up the VA for each component
 UPS offers three benefits:
- conditions line to account for brownout and
spikes
- provides power backup when AC fails(blackout)
- provides protection against very high spikes
 Designs: standby, inline, and line-interactive
 Smart (intelligent) UPS: controlled with software
 What to consider when buying a UPS:
- IPS rating should exceed VA load by at least 25%
- degree of line conditioning
- warranties , guarantees , and service policies
 Energy star systems have the U.S Green Star
- Indicates device meets energy conserving
standard
- Devices: computers, monitors, printers,
copiers, faxes
 Goals of Energy Star (a.k.a. Green) standards:
- Reduce overall electricity consumption
- protect and preserve natural resources
 How computer components meet standards
- uses standby program for switching to sleep
mode
- no more than 30 watts used during sleep mode
 Methods used to meet Energy Star standards:
- Advanced Configuration and Power
Interface(ACPI)
 Standard used by most desktops and notebooks
 Comprises four power-saving modes: S1-S4
 Some features controlled by BIOS, others by
Windows
- Advanced Power Management(APM)
specification
- AT Attachment (ATA) for various drives
- Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS)
 Display Power Management Signaling(DPMS)
- specifications applying to video card and
monitor.
- allow both devices to simultaneously enter
sleep mode
 Accessing energy settings in Windows 2000/XP
- Right-click the desktop and select properties
 the display properties dialog box opens
- click the screen saver tab
 If monitor is Energy-Star-compliant , logo is at
bottom
- Click Power button to open Power Options
Properties
 Electricalthreats
 Protection
 Power Management
 Energy star
 What is the best protection against electrical
threats and why?

 Lab 4:3 replace a power supply

- turn in review questions
Chapter 4 Part 4
Form Factors and Power Supplies
 Problems can occur before or after boot.
 Problems can be consistent or inconsistent.
 Possible symptoms of an electrical problems:
- The PC appears “DEAD”.
- The PC sometimes hats during booting.
- Error codes or beeps occur during booting.
- You smell burnt parts or odors.
 Check the simple things first:
example: Determine whether all switches are
on.
 Brownout (reduced current)may create
issues.
- check out other devices using the same
circuits
- Remove other devices to see if voltage
increases
 Dealing with intermittent errors caused by
noise:
-Use a line monitor to monitor and condition
voltage.
 Can cause a system to appear dead or reboot
itself.
 Troubleshooting task:
-Remove the cover of the case
-Check all power connections
o Check cables linking power supply to
motherboard
o Check cables linking power supply to drives
 Intermittent symptoms indicating a post boot
problem.
-The computer stops or hangs or reboots for no
reasons
-Memory errors appear intermittently
-Data is written incorrectly to the hard drive
-The keyboard stops working at odd times
-The motherboard fails or is damage
-Power supply overheats and becomes hot to the
touch
-The power supply fan becomes very noisy or
stops.
 Intermittent problems are often difficult to solve.
 Power supply may not meet needs of new
devices
 Testing for an adequate power supply
-Make all devices in the system work at the same
time.
-Example: copy files from new drive to old drive.
 Simple solution: upgrade to a higher power
supply
 Calculating total wattage needed by system
-Multiply volts circuit from amps required for
device
-add all products to determine total wattage.
 Power supply range: 200 watts to 600 watts
 Issues:
-Inadequate or faulty power supply
-Components drawing power might be bad
 Problem caused:
- Systems hangs or gives intermittent errors
- Systems reboot or does not boot at all
 Actions to take:
- Isolate and remove any faulty expansion cards
- upgrade or switch the power supply
- test voltage output of power supply with a
multimeter
 Defective fan usually hum before they stop
working
 Response to diagnosis of detective fan
- replace fan or the entire power supply
 If replacement does not work , suspect another
short
 Do not operate a PC if the fan does not work
- computers will overheat , damaging circuit
boards
 Indirect sources of fan problems:
- shorts in drives . Motherboard or expansion
cards
 Bad contact between board component and chassis
- Short can seriously damage the motherboard
- Check for missing or extra standoffs (spacers)
 Shorts in the circuit on the motherboard
- Look for the damage to the bottom of the
motherboard
- Looked for burned-out capacitors
 Frayed wires on connections can also cause shorts
- test hard drives cables connected to motherboard
 Causes intermittent problems
 May also cause the system to reboot or not boot
 Temperature in a case should not exceed 100˚ F
 Some possible solution:
-Remove dust from power supply, verts , heat
sink
-Secure cables and cords with tie wraps
-Install another exhaust fan on the rear of the
case
-Install a fan in expansion slot next to video card
-Replace component that is damaged
 The power supply is a field replaceable unit
(FRU)
 Criteria for replacement power supply to meet:
-Uses the correct form factor
-Adequately rated power in watts
-Has all power connectors needed by your system
 Before replacing power supply, test new device
-Connect components to new power supply
-Turn on PC and observe whether problem is
solved
-If problem is solved, perform replacement
procedure
 Form factor: specifies size, shape, features
of device
 Motherboard, power supply, and case share
the same form factor, such as ATX
 Three types of cases: Desktop, tower, and
notebook
 Quantities that characterize electricity:
voltage, current, resistance, and power
 Current flows from hot wires to neutral
wires; excess current escapes through
grounds
 AC supplied by power station transformed
and rectified before flowing into the PC
 Major components in a circuit board:
transistor, capacitor, diode, resistor
 Electrical threats: ESD, EMI, uneven current
flow, sudden power surges (or spikes)
 Energy star standards promote energy
conservation
 PC’s comply with Energy Star standards by
enabling devices to enter into a low power
sleep mode
 What problems might you experience with a
bad power supply?
 Lab 4.4 find documentation on the internet
- Turn in review question
 Lab 4.5 Choose the Right Power Supply
-Turn in Review Question