Tools for Testing Computer System

Tools and equipment play vital roles in troubleshooting. They help the user
determine the errors found in their computer hardware and network.

Tools used to test hardware problems:

1. Screw drivers - are used for installing and removing screws in the computer unit.

Figure 17.Screw Drivers

2. Pliers and tweezers - are used for picking small parts in the computer unit.

Figure18. Pliers and Tweezers

1. Soldering iron- is primarily used for connecting terminals in the power supply and circuit
board with the use of a soldering lead.
 Figure19. Soldering iron

4. Anti-static wrist strap, mat and spray- are used for eliminating electrostatic discharge
in the work area.

Figure20. Anti- static wrist strap, mat and spray

5. Lens cleaner – a device used for cleaning optical media, such as DVD-ROMS and
CD-writers.

Figure21. Lens Cleaner

1. Thermal paste-is a paste used for heat dissipation of the processor.

 Figure22. Thermal Paste

Network Troubleshooting Tools

1. LAN Tester – is a device used for testing the network connection.

Source: www.nudata.com
Figure23. LAN Tester
2. Crimping tool- is a device used to crimp the RJ45 connector to the UTP cable.

Source: www.ted-kyte.com
Figure24. Crimping Tool

Troubleshooting computer system network

Causes of Network Trouble

If a computer is unable to connect to a network or see other computers on a

network, it may be necessary to troubleshoot the network. A network may not work
because of any of the reasons below.

1. Network card not properly connected.

2. Bad network card drivers or software settings.
3. Firewall preventing computers from seeing each other.
4. Connection related issues.
5. Bad network hardware.

Computer System and Network Configurations

Computer Networks

Networks are collections of computers, software, and hardware that are all
connected to help their users work together. A network connects computers by means
of cabling systems, specialized software, and devices that manage data traffic. A
network enables users to share files and resources, such as printers, as well as send
messages electronically (e-mail) to each other.

The most common networks are Local Area Networks or LANs for short. A LAN
connects computers within a single geographical location, such as one office building,
office suite, or home. By contrast, Wide Area Networks (WANs) span different cities or
even countries, using phone lines or satellite links.

(Review for Cabling) UTP Cable

A UTP cable (category 5) is one of the most popular LAN cables. This cable
consists of 4 twisted pairs of metal wires (that means there are 8 wires in the cable).
Adding RJ45 connectors at both ends of the UTP cable it becomes a LAN cable they
usually use.
Preparation

You need a UTP Cable, Crimping Tool, RJ45, and Cutter

Figure 25. Materials for Cabling

Making Cable
Follow the steps below.

1. Remove the outmost vinyl shield for 12mm at one end of the cable (we call this side
A-side).
2. Arrange the metal wires in parallel (refer the each section's wire arrangement table).
Don't remove the shield of each metal line.
3. Insert the metal wires into RJ45 connector on keeping the metal wire arrangement.
4. Set the RJ45 connector (with the cable) on the pliers, and squeeze it tightly.
5. Make the other side of the cable (we call this side B-side) in the same way.
6. After you made it, you don't need to take care of the direction of the cable. (Any
cable in this page is directionless --- that means you can set either end of the cable
to either device.)

How to see the wire arrangement

Take the UTP cable with your left hand and a RJ45 connector with your right
hand. Hold the RJ45 connector in the way you can see the contact metal face of the
RJ45 connector.

The tables below are for the case where the UTP cable consists of green/green-
white, orange/orange-white, blue/blue-white, brown/brown-white twisted pairs.

10 Base T / 100 Base T Straight

10BaseT and 100BaseT are most common mode of LAN. You can use UTP
category-5 cable for both modes. (You can use UTP category-3 cable for 10BaseT, in
which there are only 3 wires inside the cable.)

A straight cable is used to connect a computer to a hub. You can use it to

connect 2 hubs in the case one of the hubs has an uplink port (and you use normal port
on the other hub).

Pin ID side A side B

1 orange-white orange-white
2 orange orange
3 green-white green-white
4 blue blue
5 blue-white blue-white
6 green green
7 brown-white brown-white
8 brown brown
Replacing different Components

When replacing computer parts and peripherals, you need to consider the following
factors:

1. Compatibility of the component or part

2. Consider the component specification
3. Components form factor

Compatibility of the Component

When replacing computer parts you should check if it is compatible with your
unit. Double check on your computer manual if the component you are replacing is
compatible or not with the unit because this may lead to system crash.
Component Specification

This focuses on the specification of the component. Check if the voltage rating,
current rating, memory size and frequency matches your computer unit.

Form factor

The components’ manufacturer should be considered. Check if the unit you are
trying to repair or upgrade is generic or branded units. Branded units have their own set
of components compatible only to their units, while genetic types can be used only to
generic type of units.

List of Components Commonly Replaced in a Computer System

1. Memory
2. Video Cards (also referred to as a graphics accelerator)
3. Network Interface Card
4. Hard disk drive
5. Motherboard
6. Processor
7. CMOS Battery
8. CD/DVD Drive
9. Sound card
Upgrading Your Computer Components

To upgrade means to change some parts with faster and better performing ones.
These parts may even cost less and more powerful.

Commonly Upgraded Computer Parts

1. Monitors- replace old CRT monitors to new LCD or LED monitors.

2. Optical drives- old CD-ROMs drives are commonly replaced with DVD-ROM and
DVD writers.
3. Hard Drives- small capacity hard drives are replaced with faster and high capacity
hard drives.
4. Keyboards and mouse- keyboards and mouse are commonly replaced with optical
mouse and wireless keyboards.
5. RAM (Random Access Memory)- upgrading the computer’s memory or RAM
speeds up the performance of the computer
6. Video cards- upgrade computer’s graphics card to improve the computer
performance in terms of graphics and games.
7. Processors- replacing the processors increase the data processing speed.
8. Modem- installing a modem enables your computer to connect to the internet.

How to Speed up the Computer

1. Defragmenter utility: Automatically analyzes the empty disk space on the hard
disk and defrag all scattered files.
 Figure 26. Defragmenter Utility

1. Shutdown Unnecessary programs: Close all unwanted programs at the Windows

start up and this will automatically increase the windows loading time and speed of
the computer will also be increased.

2. Increased memory: Increasing the memory in the system will result to exceptional
speed of your computer.

3. Disk Cleanup: You can delete unwanted programs and files from your computer
and this will be helpful in increasing the speed.

Figure 27. Disk Cleanup

4. Empty Recycle Bin: Delete all the files and folders from the recycle bin and you will
get the space of C drive for reusability.
Ipconfig (sometimes written as IPCONFIG) is a command line tool used to control the network connections
on Windows NT/2000/XP machines. There are three main commands: "all", "release", and "renew". Ipconfig displays
all current TCP/IP network configuration values and refreshes Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and
Domain Name System (DNS) settings. Used without parameters, ipconfig displays the IP address, subnet mask,
and default gateway for all adapters.

The ping command is usually used as a simple way to verify that a computer can communicate
over the network with another computer or network device. The ping command operates by
sending Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo Request messages to the destination
computer and waiting for a response.

DNS Domain Name System/Server

DHCP

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network management protocol used on
UDP/IP networks whereby a DHCP server dynamically assigns an IP address and other network
configuration parameters to each device on a network so they can communicate with other IP
networks.

An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device connected
to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.[1][2] An IP address serves
two main functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.

Router IP Address – 192.168.1.1 / 192.168.0.1