IT WORKSHOP HARDWARE

TASK - 1 HARDWARE DESCRIPTION

A Personal Computer (PC) is a computer, in a small cabinet or case (above illustration), that is sized to fit on a desk. It can be in different cabinet configurations such as a mini-tower, tower, laptop, desktop, etc. A PC normally consists of a monitor, a cabinet, a keyboard, a mouse, one or more floppy drives, and one or more hard disk drives. In the majority of cases, a PC will also contain a CD-ROM, a MODEM, and other components. BASIC PC COMPONENTS

Monitor Keyboard Motherboards Central Processing Units (CPU) Floppy Drive(s) Hard Drive(s) CD-ROM Enhancements:
1. MODEM 2. Sound Card 3. Mouse, etc.,

PC MONITORS
The terms "monitor", "crt", and "display" are often used to mean the same thing - the screen on which you are seeing this text. They are actually different things - the crt or display is the image producing device (the cathode ray tube (CRT)), and the monitor is the the box containing the controls and support circuitry to the display. The monitor contains the buttons, yoke, connectors for electric power and to connect to the video card in your PC. The resolution of a screen is normally the number of pixels that used to display a full screen image, or you might say the "fineness" of the detail that it can display. It is really a function of both screen size and something called "dot-pitch". The Video Adapter Card is another component that helps with total picture quality. The information going to the monitor or CRT must pass through the video adapter, and the the video adapter must be able to send information to the screen in the format required and at the proper speeds. However, for a video card to work properly, you must have a high quality monitor.

PC KEYBOARDS
The "keyboard" is the primary input device for a user. It is similar to a typewriter keyboard as for as its key locations; however, a computer keyboard has many extra keys which perform special functions.

PC MOTHERBOARDS
The motherboard is the board that contains the logic circuits that tie all parts of your PC together. It provides the connectors for the CPU, the memory, BIOS, CMOS, Video devices, sound devices, storage devices, chipsets, etc. in order to form an integrated set of components.

This illustration is just to show what a motherboard looks like. It has each of the following components, and a lot more. The problem is to tell you where each of them is: 1. Expansion Slots (4 - long black slots at upper left) 2. PCI Expansion Slots (4 - mid length white slots in middle) 3. Pentium II CPU Slot (long slot near right edge) 4. Memory (SIMM) bank (4 white slots to right of PCI slots). 5. Memory (DIMM) bank (2 gray/black slots to right of SIMM slots). 6. CPU (Microprocessor)Slot - (lower right, 2nd from bottom) 7. External Cache (L2) (integrated into Pentium II CPU) 8. ROM Chip (BIOS Chip) 9. Clock Oscillator and more The motherboard also contains other components such as BIOS chips, the CPU clock, cache chips, bus, etc. To see every detail, you will need to get a "User's Manual" for the specific motherboard you have, and to locate all components on the board. The bus is actually a set of circuits that run throughout the board and connect all the expansion slots, memory, and CPU, etc. together

MOTHERBOARD CHIPSET
The "Chipset" is the set of components that control most of the activities that take place on the motherboard, and interfaces most of the parts of the motherboard. First, the "chipset" is more than just the BIOS and the CPU. In fact, the CPU is not actually part of the CHIP set, but the chipset specifies what components the system will support. Among them are: 1. The type and number of CPU slots. 2. Size and type of L2 cache. 3. Type of DRAM you can use. 4. Amount of DRAM. 5. DRAM Error Correction Code 6. Universal Serial Bus support 7. PCI Specifications And more....

PC MEMORY
MEMORY is only one of the REQUIRED hardware components of a PC. It is not more important, nor less important than the other components of your PC. But much of our modern day software will not operate efficiently, if at all, without "gobs" of memory. MEMORY is a term that is used to represent storage that has "almost" instantaneous access by the CPU or other processor. Every computer will have some type of memory. However, the memory we speak of the most often is Random Access Memory (RAM). RAM is the primary memory used when we "boot" (start up) a microprocessor and the PC's operating system and device drivers are loaded into RAM. RAM has many functions, but its primary function is to store programs and drivers for the various system devices. It is probably the most important type of memory in your PC.

We will discuss three types of memory: a. RAM b. ROM c. Cache

When you enter a command from your keyboard, the CPU (microprocessor) processes the command and calls for data (a program or data file) to be copied from a storage device (hard disk, floppy, CD-ROM, etc.) into memory, where it is stored temporarily until the CPU needs it. The memory then provides the data to the CPU more quickly than from the storage device. This data may be a program and actual data. This bulk memory is called "RAM", and is what you are referring to when you say "my system has 8, 16, 32 MB of memory". RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM). RAM MEMORY provides the work areas where your operating system (DOS, Win95, NT, etc.), and applications are loaded and perform their functions. RAM holds temporary instructions and data needed to complete a task! RAM consists of chips of memory, either in short chips (Dual In-line Pin (DIP) chips) or in memory modules called "Single Inline Memory Module" SIMMs, "Single Inline Pin Packets" SIPPs, DIMMs (Dual In-Line Memory Modules), etc.

READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM)

ROM MEMORY is reserved for use by operating systems (DOS, Win95, NT, etc.), and hardware devices, BIOS, CMOS, etc. You cannot use this memory for applications such as MS-WORD, buffers, etc. "BIOS" controls the computer's startup processes and other basic components such as the keyboard, monitor/display, disk drives, etc. BIOS is always on a ROM or version of ROM such as EPROM, etc.

CACHE MEMORY (RAM)

CACHE MEMORY provides the quick access to information. Main memory access by the CPU may take as long as 180ns; however, it make take 45ns to access external cache memory, even less for internal (L1) or on-board (L2) cache. While the CPU is processing information retrieved from cache, the cache controller is refreshing cache with data and instructions from main memory or a storage device. Cache memory chips look something like this illustration: In older CPUs, and even in some current CPUs, Internal cache is memory located in the CPU, and external is located on the motherboard between the RAM and the CPU. It is often called 'cache RAM'. Internal Cache memory is often called "level 1" or L1 cache. External cache is often called "level 2" or L2 cache. L2 Cache may be on-board (in the CPU chip) or in Static RAM (SRAM) chips on the motherboard. L2 Cache RAM is a small block of high-speed memory, usually SRAM (Static RAM), located between the CPU and main memory. It is used to store data or instructions that are used often. It also has the quickest access for memory for the CPU. There are several types of SRAM with the fastest having a speed of 4-8 ns. External cache acts as a quick access buffer between the RAM and L1 cache in the CPU.

PC BUSES
The PC's bus is the circuitry that ties all the devices on your motherboard together. The bus concept is to: "extend and link the signals of your system"; however, you have to know what it means to understand it. In this 1. 2. 3. 4. section we will discuss: Bus Basics Bus Types Multiple Buses Bus Standards

BUS BASICS: To understand a PC's bus, you must be aware that a computer has many components such as a Central Processing Unit (microprocessor), clocks, storage devices, input/output devices, etc. These devices must be linked together to perform a function. The 'bus' (or should I say 'BUSES'?) provides a highway for passing information between the devices on the system. Since this is not an electrical engineering level tutorial, let me say that the bus ties these devices together, so that a signal from your keyboard is displayed on your screen (CRT); a record from a file on a hard disk drive is read into memory and processed at the direction of your CPU; a file is sent to a printer for printing, etc. SO, electrical signals representating information flows along the bus from one device to another. Your computer may contain several types of buses, among them are: 1. CPU bus or 'system' bus. 2. An address bus 3. Memory bus 4. I/O or Expansion Bus and they are all located on the motherboard! There is a new bus called the "Universal Serial Bus" that connects to the motherboard, and some consider the wires between the connector and the devices attached to it to be the bus. When we speak of the 'bus', most of us are speaking of the 'expansion' bus. Most external devices and storage devices will be connected to the I/O bus through the local bus. External devices are usually connected to "expansion" cards (like this illustration) or controllers which are placed in an "expansion" bus slot located on the motherboard. Electronic circuitry connects the expansion slots together and connects to the system bus. Each of the expansion slots have an address, used to route information to a particular expansion card installed in the expansion slot. Other devices also have addresses such as the keyboard, the memory, etc. Buses have many factors that affect their performance and that must be considered and solved for them to function: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Data Sharing Addressing Power Timing Flow Control System Control

BUS TYPES:
There are several "bus" standards, among them are: Industry Standard Architecture (ISA). Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) Universal Serial Bus (USB)

ISA BUS
From about 1984 on, every PC had a standard bus which was used for I/O tasks. That was the ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) bus. Right up until about 1999 there were still ISA slots in most PCs. In the later years, however, they were only kept for compatibility, so that plug-in cards of the old ISA type could be re-used. This was particularly the case for sound cards from SoundBlaster; they worked quite well on the ISA bus, and many games were programmed to directly exploit this type of hardware. It therefore took many years to get away from the ISA bus, but we have managed to now. The ISA bus is not used much today, but it had enormous significance in the years up until the middle of the 1990s. The ISA bus had twofaces in the old PC architecture: An internal ISA bus, which the simple ports (the keyboard, floppy disk and serial/parallel ports) were connected to. An external expansion bus, to which 16-bit ISA adapters could be connected.

The PCI bus

PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect. The bus is an Intel product which is used in all PCs today, and also in other computers, as the PCI bus is processor independent. It can be used with all 32-bit and 64-bit processors, and is therefore found in many different computer architectures. PCI is designed to replace older buses such as ISA, EISA, and MCA.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU in a PC is the Microprocessor (80386, 80486, Pentium, Cyrix 5x86, etc.). You should be aware that there are several brands of CPU's. The most popular as of 1997 are probably the Pentium (many versions), AMD K series, CYRIX Mx series, and Motorola microprocessors. CPU's are primarily of two types: Socket 7 and Single Edge Contact (SEC). Intel CPU's prior to the Pentium II were Socket 7, as are the CYRIX and AMD CPUs. The Pentium II is a SEC CPU, and it is believed that in the future most if not all Intel CPUs will be SEC design. The CPU is the "brain" of the computer; however, even your brain needs some stimuli to process information. So, the CPU needs an electrical system, an input (senses), etc. to work; just like your body needs direction and motivation to do things. Electricity, in computers, is like the heart, blood, and calories (energy) in your body. A CPU that has no operating system is useless. It is like your brain on the day you were born - all you knew was to eat; the CPU along with the BIOS at boot time, knows only that it has to load an Operating System and check out its parts.

As you grew older, you learned; as the operating system is loaded the computer learns enough to operate. When you turn on your computer, something called the "BOOT PROCESS" takes place. The boot process is essentially the "Power On Self-Tests (POST)" EVERY PART of a PC must be functioning to truly process data into information! When you turn on your computer the boot process performs the "POST" test after the ROM BIOS is loaded into memory: The "POST" tests are made to determine if all its parts are in working order. The POST process consists of checking each of the following parts of the computer: 1. CPU 2. Power System 3. Speaker 4. Disk Drives 5. Monitor 6. Keyboard 7. Memory 8. etc. The POST process is responsible for the "beeps" you hear when booting, and also the messages the error messages such as: "keyboard error press to continue for setup" ROM BIOS program starts the POST tests using permanent records stored on chips and the steps are: 1. The CPU to checks itself and the POST programs. 2. Sends signals over the system bus to all devices to make sure they are working. 3. The "kernel" and the timing are checked. 4. Memory on the display adapter is tested, and the adapter's BIOS code is made a part of the system's BIOS and memory configuration. 5. RAM is tested to make sure all RAM chips are working properly. 6. Checks to see the keyboard is working properly. 7. Checks to see if the Disk Drives are working. 8. Compares the results of the POST tests against CMOS to see if what it found matches the CMOS setup record. 9. Finds devices that have their own BIOS and includes it in the system BIOS. 10. Newer systems may run a "Plug and Play (PnP) operation. If everything in the POST worked, the PC is now going to load the operating system.

Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) DRIVE & INTERFACE: Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) is the name for the AT Attachment (ATA) design, and IDE has the drive controller built into the drive itself. Still, an IDE can connect to the motherboard bus by connectors embedded in the motherboard, or by connecting to an expansion card in an ISA or PCI slot. The cost of producing a motherboard with the embedded IDE connectors is less than having an additional controller board installed in an expansion slot. Consequently, most motherboards available today will have multiple embedded IDE connectors.

CONNECTORS
Most modern motherboards have two IDE connectors (a Primary and a Secondary IDE connector), as well as an "auto-detect" for IDE boards. An IDE connector is a 40-pin plug. You can only attach two devices to an IDE cable. Most motherboards have two 40 pin connectors, as does most IDE expansion cards. So, if you have a motherboard with a built-in IDE interface, it will normally have 3 sets of connector pins. You can connect floppy drives, hard drives, CD-ROM drives, etc. However, you may want more drives, and if you elect to go IDE, you can purchase a "controller" card that you can place in an "expansion" slot on the motherboard. This will allow you to connect two additional cables for 4 more devices. An IDE connector interfaces to a maximum of two devices. The cable to connect devices is a flat ribbon cable with 3, 40 pin, connectors. The end of the cable with the connectors close together connects to the devices, and the long end connects to the IDE connector on the motherboard. One side of the cable has a RED edge. The RED edge goes to pin 1 on the device and pin 1 on the motherboard connector.

Hard disks
What we normally refer to as a "hard drive" is a storage with one or more metal disks (called platters), arranged on a spindle, one above the other; with a read/write head (most often on an arm that can be moved to a specific point on the recording surfaces. This read/write apparatus is probably the first true 'robot'.

Hard disks consist of one or more magnetic plates mounted in a metal box. The standard size (as in Fig. 213) is about 10 x 14.5 x 2.5 cm, and such a device can contain hundreds of gigabytes of data. Inside the box, a number of glass or metal plates whir around at, for example, 5400 or 7200 revolutions per minute these being the two most common speeds.

The read/write heads hover over the magnetic plates, and can transfer data at a tremendous speed:

Figure 214. One of the read/write heads, which can swing across the plates.

Tracks and sectors

Each hard disk plate is divided into tracks. Each track is subdivided into a number of sectors, the disks smallest unit. A sector normally holds 512 bytes of data. The individual files are written across a number of disk sectors (at least one), and this task is handled by the file system. The file system is part of the operating system, which the disk has to formatted with. In Windows 98, the FAT32 file system is used. In Windows 2000/XP, you can also use NTFS. They are different systems for organizing files and folder structures on the hard disk.

Enhanced IDE
The IDE standard wasnt especially fast, and couldnt handle hard disks bigger than 528 MB. So the ATA standard came out in the mid-1990s, and is still used today for cheap, high-performance, mass-produced hard disks. ATA is an enhanced edition of IDE, where the interface was moved from the ISA bus to the high-speed PCI bus. In principle, ATA (or parallel ATA) can be used for a number of different devices. The most common are: Hard disks, CD-ROM/DVD drives and burners. Other drives (such as the diskette formats, Zip and LS-120, etc.) and tape units. ATA was developed as a cheap, all-round interface, designed for the different types of drives.

Host controller with two channels

The ATA interface can be seen as a bus, which is managed by a host controller. Up to four devices can be connected per host controller, and the devices connect directly to the motherboard. The slightly unusual thing about the ATA interface is that there are two channels, which can each have two devices connected. They are called the primary and secondary channels. If two devices are connected to one channel, they have to be configured as one master and one slave device:

These four channels are standard on todays motherboards using parallel ATA. Motherboards typically have connectors for two ATA cables, which can each connect two devices (master and slave). These rectangular, male ATA connectors are placed in a fairly accessible location, and are used to connect the ribbon cables which fit hard disks and CD/DVD drives.

If you use all four ATA connections, it might look like this: ATA connection Primary, master Secondary, master Secondary, slave Device Hard disk 1

Primary, slave Hard disk 2 CD ROM burner DVD drive

SATA - Serial ATA

The old well-known, parallel ATA system is clumsy and in-flexible. The big ribbon cables take up to much room in the computer cabinet and they reduce the circulation of air. The cables have a fixed length and they make it difficult to mount the harddisks. Furthermore the PATA-system with master/slave channels is difficult to work with, and the band width is limited. The successor to the ATA system is called Serial ATA. Here we have an interface using small handy cables with only 7 wires in stead of the big 40/80-wired cables used in the Parallel ATA-interface.

Serial ATA is a high-speed serial interface in family with Ethernet, USB, FireWire and AMD's Hyper Transport. All these interfaces use a serial technology. They only have two channels: one receiving data and one transmitting them. This can be achieved with a very simple cabling. The data communication only requires 0,25 Volt compared to the 5 Volt of parallel ATA.

Figure 230. The connectors on the SATA hard disk.

Floppy Drive Storage (CPU)

The original purpose of floppy drives was to store data and transport data in a useable form. Floppy diskettes were inexpensive and easy to handle. They are becoming somewhat overshadowed by today's technology of CD-ROM, ZIP, and JAZ drives. There are basically two popular sizes of floppy drives. (however, I consider there have been at least 4 types.): Type 1 = 5 1/4 inch Floppies. They are almost never used anymore. They are low capacity, and slow; however, they look like this:

Originally, 5 1/4 Inch floppies had 1 side and 185 KB space, they later were formatted at 360KB, and even later, you could format for 720 KB. Type 2 = 3.5 inch Floppies. These are still very popular; however, they are taking a back seat to CD-ROM for software distribution from most vendors. CD-ROM Storage (CPU) CD-ROM stands for Compact Disk - Read Only Memory. The actual CDROM disk looks similar to this:

CDs are the actual Compact Disks that you place in the CD-ROM drive. CDs hold approximately 650 MB of information. However, you must have a "CD-ROM" drive to be able to see or use the contents of a CD. You will need a "recordable" CDROM drive if you want to record on a CD. A compact disk (CD) is a plastic disk, coated with aluminum alloy. The "plastic" base is made of a polycarbonate wafer (if you want to know more, consult a chemical engineer). The CD is written to by a laser, and read by a laser. CDs are available in 63 and 74 minute versions.

TASK 2 ASSEMBLING & DE-ASSEMBLING

ASSEMBLING
Preparing To Fit the Components

Overview of all components (from left to right and top to bottom): network adapter card; floppy disk drive; CD-ROM drive; sound card; hard disk; ribbon cable; graphics card; RAM; CPU cooler; and, motherboard. Fitting the Motherboard

Empty tray with six motherboard spacers.

Our case has a slide-out tray, which provides a very elegant way to install the motherboard and all of its components. Cheaper cases will have a mounting plate fixed permanently to the case. If you have this type, you should first lay the case on its side. Next, screw in the spacer mounts for fixing the motherboard. The photo shows six spacers already fitted to the mounting plate. There are usually more holes drilled in the mounting plate than you actually need. There are standard locations for these holes on the mounting plate, which correspond to the holes on the motherboard. How many of these are actually used depends on the board manufacturer. Cases are normally designed to accept any motherboard. Compare the available holes with the ones on your motherboard to determine where to fit the threaded spacers.

Spaced well away from the metal - the motherboard on the mounting plate. Installing The CPU And Cooler

Lift the lever on the CPU socket.

When the processor is in its socket, push the lever back down. First, insert the CPU in its socket. To do this, raise the small lever at the side of the socket. If you examine the CPU from underneath, you will notice that there is a pin missing at one corner. Match this corner with the corner on the socket where there is a hole missing. The processor is keyed in this way to make sure it is inserted correctly. Please bear in mind that you should not force the CPU when inserting it! All pins should slide smoothly into the socket. If you are sure that you have positioned the CPU correctly (using the missing pin as reference), yet are unable to insert the CPU, it is likely that one of its pins is bent. If this has happened, straighten the pin using tweezers or a screwdriver. Once you have installed the processor, lock the lever back down. Don't Forget To Use Thermal Paste or a Thermal Pad

Applying thermal paste to the processor. You must apply thermal paste or a thermal pad to the top of the CPU. This will help to transfer heat from the processor to the cooler. Failure to apply a thermally conductive medium to the processor can cause it to fail! Unless you use thermal paste, any slight misalignment of the contact surface of the cooler, or

even the presence of tiny specks of dust, will prevent heat from being efficiently transferred away from the processor. Thermal paste also fills the microscopic valleys in the contact surface of the CPU (known as the die). Some cooler manufacturers supply thermal paste with their products. If yours did not, it is available from most good computer or electronics stores and costs around two to three dollars. Mounting the Cooler A cooler made of copper is recommended, since this material is a very efficient heat conductor.

Make sure that the cooler is in the correct position. Here is the cooler about to be connected with the socket.

Fan Power Connection

Plenty of air flow. Here is the power connection for the cooler's fan. You may have wondered why the connector lead for the fan has three wires. Two of these carry the power; the third is used for monitoring the speed of the fan. Therefore, the BIOS is always aware of the speed at which the fan is running.

Attaching a Pentium cooler Installing the RAM The RAM must be suitable for the motherboard. There are currently three types of RAM available: SDRAM, DDR SDRAM and RDRAM. The motherboard's chipset determines which type of RAM may be used. You will find the specification on the motherboard's box or in the motherboard manual.

Installing RAM. A notch at the bottom of the memory module ensures that the RAM is fitted correctly. The notch is located in different places on SDRAM, DDR SDRAM and RDRAM. DIMM memory modules have a notch underneath that lines up with a key on the memory slots. Although it is not possible to insert the modules the wrong way, you should line up the RAM with its slot before installing it. Then, carefully press the module into the slot. Caution is recommended, as too much pressure may damage certain tracks on the motherboard. It is best to push one side down first, and then the other. The notch will snap into its key as soon as one side is seated correctly. To make sure it is seated correctly, you can always take the memory module out again. Releasing the clips will pop the module out of its socket. Then, you can just lift it out.

Passed the first hurdle. Motherboard with processor, cooler and memory.

Graphics, Sound And Network

In place - sound card (left) and graphics card (center) in white PCI slots. There is room for a network card, if required. Nowadays, graphics cards are usually fitted in the AGP slots provided specifically for this purpose. These are brown in color, in contrast to the PCI slots, and are generally located in the center of the motherboard. PCI graphics cards are rarely used. Now, select a PCI slot for each of your other plug-in cards, including the sound card. Before fitting an expansion card, remove the appropriate slot insert from the back panel of the case (or of the motherboard tray). As a rule, you need to undo a screw to do this, although sometimes convenient plastic clips are used. The insert may also form part of the back panel. Installing the Hard Disk And Floppy We assume that you have already configured your hard disk the way you want it - single, master, or slave. The photo below shows the hard disk already fitted. As you can see, we can look right through the case here. If we had slid the motherboard tray back into position, it would have been impossible to screw the hard disk in from the left.

At the moment, we still have good access to the hard disk (bottom) and the floppy drive (top). You can see the screws for the drive on the side. Use two screws per side on each drive. We would like to touch briefly on the topic of drive cooling, as it is quite important with the current 7,200 rpm drives. Hard

disks running at 7,200 rpm can quickly reach temperatures in excess of 50C. You should, therefore, always leave some space above them to prevent heat buildup. The power supply fan is normally powerful enough to provide adequate air circulation inside the case. Installing The CD-ROM Drive Installing a CD-ROM drive is similar to installing a hard disk. First, check that the jumper configuration is correct.

CD Drive in Drive Cage. You only get to see the metal below the decorative plastic front panel when installing your system; the case metal is actually hidden by plastic panels. The entire front section, or at least the part where the drives will be installed, is manufactured from a single, large piece of metal, in which the drive holes are then punched. In practice, there are two options. If the metal knockouts are pre-stamped, you have to either take them out using metal cutters, or knock them out using force. If you have a high quality computer case, you can remove and replace these metal panels whenever you like. Check carefully to see if there is an easy way to remove these panels that will reduce the chances of your accidentally damaging one or more of them. When we have opened up the hole, we can feed the CD-ROM drive in and screw it into place. You will need the fine-threaded type screws. Always use four screws. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, as excess pressure can put a strain on the case that could lead to twisting. The faster a drive's rotational speed, the more serious the effect. Tighten the screws only enough to ensure that the drive is secure. Heat is a consideration with CD-ROM drives, as it is with disk drives. Drive Power Connectors

Four-pole for 5 and 12 volts. Disk drive power connector on the right next to the ribbon cable. Power supplies are fitted with at least five plugs for delivering power to the drives. If you need more than this, consider buying one or more splitter cables. A splitter cable provides two connectors from a single one. The corners of the plugs and sockets are keyed to ensure correct polarity. Floppy drives have smaller plugs, which are easily recognized among the cables coming from the power supply. Finally, there is the large ATX plug that plugs into the power socket on the motherboard. ATX12 or P6 should be connected where required. The latter provides extra power for power-hungry processors, as you already learned in Part 1. Opening the Empty Case

Empty case with motherboard tray withdrawn. Our tower case is built to ATX specification and includes a 300-watt power supply. Two side panels can be individually removed after undoing the screws. Some other cases have a one-piece outer cover in the shape of an upside down 'U.' No matter how the case is constructed, you can normally gain access to the interior of the PC-to-be from both sides. The price of a case is a good indicator of its modularity and build quality. Cheaper cases often force you to assemble the PC in a specific order, are made of softer and/ or thinner metal, and may contain sharp edges. Expensive cases provide clever design features, a more solid construction, better finish, and are often fitted with more capable power supplies. When you have opened the case by removing the side panels, you will see what accessories the case manufacture has supplied. A power cord and screws should always be included, and you will also often find a set of case feet.

Disassembly
Disassembling a computer is a straightforward task. In most cases, you will need to remove little more than the outer cover or shroud of the case to gain access to the memory, expansions slots/cards, and the CPU. Because there are many manufacturers, each seeking to establish its own unique marketing identity, each brand has some custom components or layout. The best strategy for efficient disassembly is to locate and use the manual that came with the computer. Often, manuals don't provide a lot of technical information, but they usually tell you how to remove the cover. The extent to which you will have to disassemble a computer depends on the specific problem or repair. Following the following procedure will help you establish a routine for completely and efficiently disassembling most computers: 1. Make a complete backup of necessary operating-system and working files. 2. Document the system (hardware and software). 3. Create a clean work area with plenty of room and light. 4. Gather all the necessary tools for the job. 5. Implement safety procedures. (See Chapter 13, "The Basics of Electrical Energy," and Chapter 19, "Maintaining Computer Hardware," for details.) 6. Turn off the computer. 7. Disconnect the power cables. 8. Wear an antistatic wrist strap. 9. Locate the screws for the covercheck the manual to discover the location of the screws (sides or back). 10. Remove the screws. It's a good idea to store them in a box or plastic tube to keep them from getting lost. 11. Remove the cover from the computer. 12. Document the location of expansion cards and drives. 13. Remove all the cards and place them in antistatic bags. 14. Document the location and connections for each drive (pay special attention to the red wire on the data cablesthis identifies the location of pin 1 on the device and driver). 15. Remove the data and power supply cables. 16. Remove the drives from their appropriate bayslook on their sides for the screws (check the manuals). 17. Remove the motherboard

TASK 3 XP OPERING SYSTEM INSTALLATION What is an Operating System

An operating system (OS) is a program that allows you to interact with the computer -- all of the software and hardware on your computer. How? Basically, there are two ways With a command-line operating system (e.g., DOS), you type a text command and the computer responds according to that command

About Windows XP Operating System

Windows XP is a line of proprietary operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on general-purpose computer systems, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. The letters "XP" stand for eXPerience. The most common editions of the operating system are Windows XP Home Edition, which is targeted at home users, and Windows XP Professional, which has additional features such as support for Windows Server domains and dual processors, and is targeted at power users and business clients Windows XP is known for its improved stability and efficiency over previous versions of Microsoft Windows. It presents a significantly redesigned graphical user interface, a change Microsoft promoted as more user-friendly than previous versions of Windows XP INSTALLATION Windows XP Professional System Requirements

1. PC with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended;

233 MHz minimum required (single or dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended.

2. 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features) 3. 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space 4. Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor 5. CD-ROM or DVD drive 6. Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device INSTALLATION PROCEDURE: 1. First Enter the BIOS Setup and set the First boot device as CD-ROM. 2. Save Changes and Exit. 3. After the system reboots, the setup wizard continues 4. Press the Enter Button to continue the Installation process.

5. Press F8 when the License Agreement page appears

6. To create a new partition out of Unpartitioned space, use the arrow keys
to select the Unpartitioned space, then press C. 7. Type in the size of the partition you want to create out of the unpartitioned space. The default size listed is the maximum size that can be created. After you have typed in a number, press Enter 8. Use the arrow keys to select the newly created partition 9. Press Enter to install Windows XP into the selected partition

10. Select the file system to format the partition. Use the arrow keys to select
the file system. 11. Press Enter to initiate formatting. A progress of the formatting action is displayed 12. After formatting is complete, files are copied to the destination partition. This might take 10 minutes 13. After the file copy procedure completes, the system automatically reboots 14. After it's rebooted, Setup launches a basic Windows GUI environment. After performing numerous operations (these could take 10 minutes or more), the Setup Wizard appears displaying the Regional and Language Options page. The defaults are for English and a US keyboard; if you require other settings, click the Customize of Details buttons to change them

15. Type in your name and a company name if appropriate. Choose a

computer name that is unique. It must differ from any other computer or workgroup on the network. You'll probably want to enter your name or a name of your own choosing, though Setup supplies some cryptic name for you. Click Next. 16. The Data and Time Settings page appears. Set the date and time and select a time zone

17. Click Next. If a network interface is detected, the system installs

networking components, then the Networking Settings page appears. If no network interface is installed in your system, skip to next step 18. Setup proceeds with installing the OS using the settings you've just provided. This takes 20 minutes or more 19. At this point, the Setup process is complete and the system needs to be rebooted. This might occur automatically or you might be prompted to confirm the reboot 20. Windows XP is booted, but there are still several steps remaining before you can gain access 21. The Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen appears, accompanied with an animated wizard.

TASK 4 LINUX INSTALLATION AS A DUAL BOOTING Linux

Linux is the kernel of an operating system. Linux was built on the Unix tradition. Linux was originally developed by Linus Torwalds of Finland, who currenctly owns the Linux trademark. Linux stands for Linus' Unix. Using the open source code of the Linux kernel, people have been developing operating systems based on the Linux kernel. These are called the "Linux distributions Also Known As: Linux Operating System

Basically, there are two ways With a command-line operating system (e.g., DOS), you type a text command and the computer responds according to that command With a graphical user interface (GUI) operating system (e.g., Windows), you interact with the computer through a graphical interface with pictures and buttons by using the mouse and keyboard

One of the reasons of Linuxs popularity stems from the license under which it was released, the GNU General Public License. It ensures that the Linux source code is freely available to everyone, and everyone can contribute to its development. This effectively added thousands of programmers to the Linux development team. Despite of the concern that many cooks may spoil the soup, the fact is that the large number of Linux developers yielded an operating system of unprecedented efficiency and robustness, with countless freely available software packages for both business and pleasure Linux Advantages Low cost: You dont need to spend time and money to obtain licenses since Linux and much of its software come with the GNU General Public License. You can start to work immediately without worrying that your software may stop working anytime because the free trial version expires. Stability: Linux doesnt need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance levels. It doesnt freeze up or slow down over time due to memory leaks and such. Continuous up-times of hundreds of days (up to a year or more) are not uncommon. Performance: Linux provides persistent high performance on workstations and on networks. It can handle unusually large numbers of users simultaneously Network friendliness: Linux was developed by a group of programmers over the Internet and has therefore strong support for network functionality; client and server systems can be easily set up on any computer running Linux. It can perform tasks such as network backups faster and more reliably than alternative systems

Flexibility: Linux can be used for high performance server applications, desktop applications, and embedded systems. You can save disk space by only installing the components needed for a particular use. You can restrict the use of specific computers by installing for example only selected office applications instead of the whole suite. Compatibility: It runs all common Unix software packages and can process all common file formats. Choice: The large number of Linux distributions gives you a choice. Each distribution is developed and supported by a different organization. You can pick the one you like best; the core functionalities are the same; most software runs on most distributions. Fast and easy installation: Most Linux distributions come with user-friendly installation and setup programs. Full use of hard disk: Linux continues work well even when the hard disk is almost full. Multitasking: Linux is designed to do many things at the same time; e.g., a large printing job in the background wont slow down your other work. Security: Linux is one of the most secure operating systems. Walls and flexible file access permission systems prevent access by unwanted visitors or viruses. Open source: If you develop software that requires knowledge or modification of the operating system code, Linuxs source code is at your fingertips

Installation Disk Space Requirements

Personal Desktop A personal desktop installation, including a graphical desktop environment, requires at least 1.7GB of free space. Choosing both the GNOME and KDE desktop environments requires at least 1.8GB of free disk space. Workstation A workstation installation, including a graphical desktop environment and software development tools, requires at least 2.1GB of free space. Choosing both the GNOME and KDE desktop environments requires at least 2.2GB of free disk space. Server A server installation requires 850MB for a minimal installation without X (the graphical environment), at least 1.5GB of free space if all package groups other than X are installed, and at least 5.0GB to install all packages including the GNOME and KDE desktop environments. Custom A Custom installation requires 475MB for a minimal installation and at least 5.0GB of free space if every package is selected

Installing Red Hat Linux in a Dual-Boot Environment

After Windows is installed and you have free disk space ready for Linux, you can start the Red Hat Linux installation program. At this point, the only difference between a Red Hat Linux installation and configuring a dual-boot system during the Red Hat Linux installation is partitioning the hard drive and configuring the boot loader. Disk Partitioning Setup Partitioning allows you to divide your hard drive into isolated sections, where each section behaves as its own hard drive. Partitioning is particularly useful if you run more than one operating system. On this screen, you can choose to perform automatic partitioning, or manual partitioning using Disk Druid. Automatic Partitioning Choose Keep all partitions and use existing free space. This option will leave your Windows partitions on the hard drive and partition the free space or additional hard drive for Red Hat Linux. Automatic partitioning allows you to perform an installation without having to partition your drive(s) yourself. If you do not feel comfortable with partitioning your system, it is recommended that you do not choose to partition manually and instead let the installation program partition for you. Manual partitioning with Disk Druid Do not delete the existing Windows partitions. Create your Linux partitions on the additional hard drive or in the free space you have reserved for Red Hat Linux. To partition manually, choose the Disk Druid partitioning tool. Configuring the Boot Loader When you arrive at the Boot Loader Installation screen during the Red Hat Linux installation, choose to install the boot loader. The Red Hat Linux installation program will usually detect Windows and automatically configure the boot loader (GRUB or LILO) to boot either Red Hat Linux or Windows. This can be seen on the boot loader screen of the installation program. An entry named DOS appears in the list of operating systems to boot Post-Installation After the installation, whenever you start the computer, you can indicate whether you want to start Red Hat Linux or the other operating system from the boot loader screen. Choose Red Hat Linux to boot into Red Hat Linux, and choose DOS to boot into Windows.

TASK 5 Command cat BASIC LINUX COMMANDS Example Description Sends file contents to standard output. This is a way to list the contents of short files to the screen. It works well with piping. cat .bashrc Sends the contents of the ".bashrc" file to the screen. Change directory cd /home Change the current working directory to /home. The '/' indicates relative to root, and no matter what directory you are in when you execute this command, the directory will be changed to "/home". cd httpd Change the current working directory to httpd, relative to the current location which is "/home". The full path of the new working directory is "/home/httpd". cd .. Move to the parent directory of the current directory. This command will make the current working directory "/home. cd ~ Move to the user's home directory which is "/home/username". The '~' indicates the users home directory. Copy files cp myfile yourfile Copy the files "myfile" to the file "yourfile" in the current working directory. This command will create the file "yourfile" if it doesn't exist. It will normally overwrite it without warning if it exists. cp -i myfile yourfile With the "-i" option, if the file "yourfile" exists, you will be prompted before it is overwritten. cp -i /data/myfile . Copy the file "/data/myfile" to the current working directory and name it "myfile". Prompt before overwriting the file. cp -dpr srcdir destdir Copy all files from the directory "srcdir" to the directory "destdir" preserving links (-p option), file attributes (-p option), and copy recursively (-r option). With these options, a directory and all it contents can be copied to another directory. Disk duplicate. The man page says this command is to "Convert and copy a file", but dd if=/dev/hdb1 although used by more advanced users, it can of=/backup/ be a very handy command. The "if" means input file, "of" means output file. Show the amount of disk space used on each mounted filesystem. Similar to the more command, but the user can less textfile page up and down through the file. The example displays the contents of textfile. Creates a symbolic link to a file. ln -s test symlink Creates a symbolic link named symlink that points to the file test Typing "ls -i test symlink"

cd

cp

dd

df less

ln

locate slocate -u

locate whereis logout ls ls

ls -al

more more /etc/profile ls -al |more

mv mv -i myfile yourfile

mv -i /data/myfile . pwd more /etc/profile shutdown shutdown -h now shutdown -r now whereis whereis ls

will show the two files are different with different inodes. Typing "ls -l test symlink" will show that symlink points to the file test. A fast database driven file locator. This command builds the slocate database. It will take several minutes to complete this command. This command must be used before searching for files, however cron runs this command periodically on most systems. Lists all files whose names contain the string "whereis". Logs the current user off the system. List files List files in the current working directory except those starting with . and only show the file name. List all files in the current working directory in long listing format showing permissions, ownership, size, and time and date stamp Allows file contents or piped output to be sent to the screen one page at a time. Lists the contents of the "/etc/profile" file to the screen one page at a time. Performs a directory listing of all files and pipes the output of the listing through more. If the directory listing is longer than a page, it will be listed one page at a time. Move or rename files Move the file from "myfile" to "yourfile". This effectively changes the name of "myfile" to "yourfile". Move the file from "myfile" from the directory "/data" to the current working directory. Show the name of the current working directory Lists the contents of the "/etc/profile" file to the screen one page at a time. Shuts the system down. Shuts the system down to halt immediately. Shuts the system down immediately and the system reboots. Show where the binary, source and manual page files are for a command Locates binaries and manual pages for the ls command.

System Administration Commands : BASIC LINUX COMMANDS IN BASH: cal Display a calendar cal [-mjy] [[month] year] SYNTAX

cat Display the contents of a file cd Change Directory chgrp Change group ownership chmod Change access permissions chown Change file owner and group cp Copy one or more files to another location date Display or change the date & time df Display free disk space dir Briefly list directory contents ls List information about file(s) man Help manual mkdir Create new folder(s) mount Mount a file system mv Move or rename files or directories passwd Modify a user password pwd Print Working Directory rm Remove files rmdir Remove folder(s) shutdown Shutdown or restart linux su Substitute user identity touch Change file timestamps useradd Create new user account

who whoami

Print all usernames currently logged in Print the current user id and name (`id -un')

Hard Links and Symbolic Links

Today we're going to test your virtual imagination ability! You're probably familiar with shortcuts in Microsoft Windows or aliases on the Mac. Linux has something, or actually some things similar, called hard links and symbolic links. Symbolic links (also called symlinks or softlinks) most resemble Windows shortcuts. They contain a pathname to a target file. Hard links are a bit different. They are listings that contain information about the file. Linux files don't actually live in directories. They are assigned an inode number, which Linux uses to locate files. So a file can have multiple hardlinks, appearing in multiple directories, but isn't deleted until there are no remaining hardlinks to it. Here are some other differences between hardlinks and symlinks: 1. You cannot create a hardlink for a directory. 2. If you remove the original file of a hardlink, the link will still show you the content of the file. 3. A symlink can link to a directory. 4. A symlink, like a Windows shortcut, becomes useless when you remove the original file. So far this is probably a bit tough to grasp, but stick around, we're going to explain it. ----------------------IMPORTANT: The tips in this document require the use of command-line commands. For more information about how to read and execute Linux command-line prompts and commands, please check the Linux Clues Linux Cheat Sheet, especially Linux Prompt Basics and Linux Command-Line Nomenclature.

You'll need to start by logging in as root. If you're not sure how to do that, read Logging in and out as Root. ----------------------Hardlinks Let's do a little experiment to demonstrate the case. Make a new directory called Test and then move into it. to do that, type: $ mkdir Test $ cd Test Then make a file called FileA: $ vi FileA Press the I key to enter Insert mode: i Then type in some funny lines of text (like "Why did the chicken cross the road?") and save the file by typing: Esc ZZ So, you made a file called FileA in a new directory called "Test" in your /home. It contains an old and maybe not so funny joke. Now, let's make a hardlink to FileA. We'll call the hardlink FileB. $ ln FileA FileB Then use the "i" argument to list the inodes for both FileA and its hardlink. Type: $ ls -il FileA FileB This is what you get: 1482256 -rw-r--r-1482256 -rw-r--r-2 bruno bruno 2 bruno bruno 21 May 5 15:55 FileA 21 May 5 15:55 FileB

You can see that both FileA and FileB have the same inode number (1482256). Also both files have the same file permissions and the same size. Because that size is reported for the same inode, it does not consume any extra space on your HD! Next, remove the original FileA: $ rm FileA And have a look at the content of the "link" FileB: $ cat FileB

You will still be able to read the funny line of text you typed. Hardlinks are cool. Symlinks Staying in the same test directory as above, let's make a symlink to FileB. Call the symlink FileC: $ ln -s FileB FileC Then use the i argument again to list the inodes. $ ls -il FileB FileC This is what you'll get: 1482256 -rw-r--r-1 bruno bruno 1482226 lrwxrwxrwx 1 bruno bruno 21 May 5 15:55 FileB 5 May 5 16:22 FileC -> FileB

You'll notice the inodes are different and the symlink got a "l" before the rwxrwxrwx. The link has different permissions than the original file because it is just a symbolic link. Its real content is just a string pointing to the original file. The size of the symlink (5) is the size of its string. (The "-> FileB" at the end shows you where the link points to.) Now list the contents: $ cat FileB $ cat FileC They will show the same funny text. Now if we remove the original file: $ rm FileB and check the Test directory: $ ls You'll see the symlink FileC is still there, but if you try to list the contents: $ cat FileC It will tell you that there is no such file or directory. You can still list the inode. Typing: $ ls -il FileC will still give you: 1482226 lrwxrwxrwx 1 bruno bruno 5 May 5 16:22 FileC -> FileB

But the symlink is obsolete because the original file was removed, as were all the hard links. So the file was deleted even though the symlink remains. (Hope you're still following.)

OK. The test is over, so you can delete the Test directory: $ cd .. $ rm -rf Test

(r stands for recursive and f is for force)

Note: Be cautious using "rm -rf"; it's very powerful. If someone tells you to do "rm -rf /" as root, you might loose all your files and directories on your / partition! Not good advice. Now you know how to create (and remove) hardlinks and symlinks to make it easier to access files and run programs. See you on the links!

TASK 6 TROUBLESHOOTING HARDWARE

Another powerful improvement, especially useful to computer technicians, is its ability to troubleshoot hardware and software problems. Although the new Plug and Play hardware takes a lot of the work out of installing and troubleshooting, there are still times when hardware and software doesn't work correctly and we must apply our skills. The best way to repair a failure is to prevent it from happening in the first place. It is a well-known fact of life that failures occur at the most inopportune times. A little preventive maintenance can minimize the impact by either catching and repairing the failure before it happens, or preventing it altogether.

How To Diagnose PC Hardware Problems

Symptom When I turn it on... It makes no sound and there are no lights When I turn it on... It just beeps When I turn it on... It sounds normal but the screen is blank When I turn it on... It starts up but never loads the operating system When I turn it on... It freezes WHILE the Check

Check the Power Supply Check the Motherboard Check the CPU Read our Beep Codes List Check the Keyboard Check the Video Card Check the Memory Check the Motherboard Make sure the monitor has power Check the connection to the video card Check the Video Card Check the Hard Disk Check the Memory Check the Motherboard Check the CPU Check the Keyboard Check the Video Card Check the Memory Check the Power Supply Check the Motherboard Check the CPU

When I turn it on... It freezes BEFORE the operating system starts loading

This is probably a software problem not covered in this hardware guide. If you are using Windows, try booting into safe mode by holding down the "F8" key or in some cases the "CONTROL" key.

operating system is loading While it is on... It makes a screeching or other loud noise While it is on... It shuts itself off Check the Power Supply Check the Power Supply, CPU, Case or other Internal Fans Check the CD-ROM Check the Hard Disk Check the Floppy Drive Check the power features in the BIOSCheck the power features in the Windows Control Panel

How To Diagnose CD-ROM Problems

These are some symptoms that may be caused by the CD-ROM.

Symptom I cannot access the drive and the light does not go on

Check

Check that the power and controller cables are securely attached to the drive. Verify that pin #1 of the controller cable is matched to pin #1 on the drive and on the motherboard. The operating system may not be configured to use or "see" the drive. If it never worked, verify that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly. The CD may be damaged or unreadable. Try removing and reinserting the disk. Try cleaning the CD. Verify that pin #1 of the controller cable is matched to pin #1 on the drive and on the motherboard. If it never worked, verify that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly. Press the button once and wait at least a minute. In Windows, go to "My Computer", right click on the CDROM drive and choose "Eject" from the menu. With the computer unplugged, you can open most CDROM drawers with a unwound paper clip. Poke it, as straight as possible, into the hole and push with moderate force (the paper clip may bend a little) to force the drawer

I cannot access the drive but the light does go on

The drive drawer will not open

open a half inch. Now pull the drawer the rest of the way open. If the problem persists, check that the power connector and controller cable are securely connected to the drive. A CD may be jammed or broken inside the drive. Access may require the removal of the drive's outer case. If this is necessary, it is very likely that the drive will have to be replaced. The CD may be damaged or unreadable. Try removing and reinserting the disk. Try cleaning the CD. Verify that pin #1 of the controller cable is matched to pin #1 on the drive and on the motherboard. If it never worked, verify that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly. Is the drive on the same controller cable as the primary hard drive? If so, performance will be slowed because only one device can communicate at a time. Move it to the second IDE controller.

I hear it spinning and then stopping repeatedly

The drive seems to transfer data too slowly

How to Diagnose Floppy Drive Problems

These are some symptoms that may be caused by the floppy drive.

Symptom

Check

Indicator light never goes on

Check that the power connector is properly and securely connected. Check that the interface cable to properly and securely connected to both the drive and the motherboard. The interface cable may be reversed. Check the connection to the drive and to the motherboard. Check for proper configuration in CMOS. The floppy drive may need to be replaced. The floppy disk may be defective. The drive may not be properly configured in CMOS.

Indicator light never goes off

Drive type mismatch during boot

"Invalid media" or "Track 00 bad" error when formatting

You may be using the wrong floppy disk density for your drive. Refresh the view. Reinsert the disk, making sure it goes in all the way. Check that the interface cable to properly and securely connected to both the drive and the motherboard. The floppy drive may need to be replaced. There is no disk in the floppy drive. Reinsert the disk, making sure it goes in all the way. The floppy drive may need to be replaced. The disk in the drive is not formatted. You may be using the wrong floppy disk density for your drive. The drive is out of alignment. The drive is out of alignment.

The same directory is displayed for different diskettes

"General failure" error "Sector not found" error

"Drive not ready" error

How to Diagnose Video Card Problems OR Graphics Adapter Card

These are some symptoms that may be caused by the graphics card.

Symptom It makes a squealing or other loud noise

Check

The fan on the graphics card may need to be cleaned or it may be failing. The fan on most cards is not replaceable. Check that the monitor is turned on. Most have a light to indicate power and another to indicate that it is receiving a signa;l from the PC. Check that the video cable's connectors are securely and properly fastened to the graphics card and on some models to the monitor. Check that no pins are bent or miossing from the connector. Unplug the PC and make sure the graphics card is securely and properly installed into it's slot. The resolution is not set correctly in Windows. Go into the display settings in the Control Panel, and change the

The screen is black and completely blank

The display doesn't fit properly on my monitor

 OR The text or resolution is the wrong size

resolution settings. The monitor may have controls that allow you to adjust the size and position of the display. Use the monitor's controls to move or resize the display. You may need to install a different or updated driver for your graphics card and/or monitor. Reset the display's refresh rate in the Windows Control Panel. Do not use a refresh rate that is not supported by your monitor or damage may result. The color depth is not set correctly in Windows. Go into the display settings in the Control Panel, and change the resolution settings. You may need to install a different or updated driver for your graphics card and/or monitor. The color depth and/or resolution is not set correctly in Windows. Go into the display settings in the Control Panel, and change the resolution settings. You may need to install a different or updated driver for your graphics card and/or monitor

The display seems to flicker

The colors don't look right

The display is completely unreadable

How to Diagnose CD-RW Problems

These are some symptoms that may be caused by the CD Writer.

Symptom

Check
Click on underlined items for further information

I cannot access the drive and the light does not go on

Check that the power and controller cables are securely attached to the drive. Verify that pin #1 of the controller cable is matched to pin #1 on the drive and on the motherboard. The operating system may not be configured to use or "see" the drive. If it never worked, verify that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly. The CD may be damaged or unreadable. Try removing and reinserting the disk. Try cleaning the CD. Verify that pin #1 of the controller cable is matched to pin #1 on the drive and on the motherboard.

I cannot access the drive but the light does go on

If it never worked, verify that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly. Press the button once and wait at least a minute. In Windows, go to "My Computer", right click on the CDROM drive and choose "Eject" from the menu. With the computer unplugged, you can open most CDROM drawers with a unwound paper clip. Poke it, as straight as possible, into the hole and push with moderate force (the paper clip may bend a little) to force the drawer open a half inch. Now pull the drawer the rest of the way open. If the problem persists, check that the power connector and controller cable are securely connected to the drive. A CD may be jammed or broken inside the drive. Access may require the removal of the drive's outer case. If this is necessary, it is very likely that the drive will have to be replaced. The CD may be damaged or unreadable. Try removing and reinserting the disk. Try cleaning the CD. Verify that pin #1 of the controller cable is matched to pin #1 on the drive and on the motherboard. If it never worked, verify that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly. Is the drive on the same controller cable as the primary hard drive? If so, performance will be slowed because only one device can communicate at a time. Move it to the second IDE controller.

The drive drawer will not open

I hear it spinning and then stopping repeatedly

The drive seems to transfer data too slowly

Other problems, such as failure to write, unreadable disks and slow operation are generally related to software issues.

How To Diagnose Hard Disk Problems

These are some symptoms that may be caused by the hard disk. Check

Symptom

I hear a whining sound sometimes

The hard disk is spinning at high speed inside its enclosure. This may be the sound you hear. If it powers down to conserve energy, you may hear it occasionally speed up when data is being accessed or written. If the sound is new or unusually loud, it could be an

indication of a hard disk failure. Back up any critical data before taking further action. I hear a ratcheting or "tick tock" sound As the drive reads and writes data, the heads are moving. This may be the sound you are hearing and it may not be a cause for concern. If the sound is new or unusually loud, it could be an indication of a hard disk failure. Back up any critical data before taking further action. The boot sector of the drive may be damaged. This may require a reformat of the drive. (Reformatting wipes out all programs and data). The drive may failed and requires replacement. The PC is unable to communicate with the hard drive. It may simply be a loose power connector, or interface cable. Check the cables to the hard disk. The power supply has failed and needs to be replaced. You may have a boot sector virus or otherwise damaged boot sector. Scan with an up to date virus scanner.

The PC starts to boot but the Operating system never starts, or I get a message similar to "Cannot load Operating System"

I can access the hard disk only after booting from a floppy I get a "Hard Disk Failure" message

The PC is unable to communicate with the hard drive. It may simply be a loose power connector, or interface cable. Check the cables to the hard disk. The power supply could be failing. If this is a newly installed drive, the drive may not be properly formatted or BIOS settings may need to be changed.

Diagnose NIC(Network Interface Card or Lan Card) Problems

The Network Interface Card must be functioning for your PC to be able to communicate on a network. When network problems occur, the NIC is less likely to be the cause than infrastructure such as cables, routers and hubs. All problems below assume that you are experiencing a complete or intermittent failure of network connectivity. Symptom The cable is connected but there is no light on the NIC Check

Unplug and replug the network connector into the NIC and at the other end. Check that the other end of the cable is connected to a device that is powered on. Try switching the cable to a different port if available.

Try a different network cable. Check the control panel in Windows to make sure the card is recognized and working. Check that the far end of the network cable is connected to the proper port, or try a different port. Check that your PC is not using an IP address that is already in use on your network. Make certain that your PC is not using a name that is already in use by another PC on the network. Make certain that other network devices are powered on. Make certain that your PC is configured with the proper Workgroup or Domain name. Check that your PC is not using an IP address that is already in use on your network. Make certain that your PC is not using a name that is already in use by another PC on the network. Allow up to 20 minutes for network polling to identify all available resources. Check the network cable connections and use a different port if available. If Windows is configured for more than one NIC, make certain that the correct one is being used for this network.

The data collision light is frequently or continuously lit

The lights on the NIC are normal but I cannot connect to the network

How To Diagnose CPU Problems

These are some symptoms that may be caused by the CPU. Other components may also cause these same symptoms. Whether a complete failure or an intermittent problem, CPUs rarely fail. However, if it does fail, it is most commonly as a result of some sort of electrical anomaly such as a power surge, brown out or spilling a Pepsi on it and causing a short. A faulty CPU, memory or motherboard may be impossible to distinguish. They each can cause some of the same symptoms. The symptoms may repeat frequently or infrequently. The same problem may repeat or you may get a variety of strange behaviors. In most cases, the only way to know for sure if a CPU is causing a problem is to replace it with one known to be working. Since most people don't have spare CPUs sitting around, this solution is usually a last resort. That is why in this table we try to steer you to other causes that are more easily tested and ruled out before replacing the CPU. Check

Symptom We had a power failure and now my PC doesn't

The Operating System may have been corrupted.

work or doesn't work properly

The power supply may have been damaged. The motherboard may have been damaged. The memory modules may have been damaged. The CPU may have been damaged. The power supply may have failed and needs to be replaced. The power supply may not be properly connected to the motherboard. The memory modules are not properly installed or have failed. The motherboard may have failed. The CPU is not properly installed or has failed. Many things can cause random freeze ups, software is the most common cause. The CPU is the least likely of all things to cause freeze ups. The power supply could be overheating, check that the fan is working. The power supply could be failing. See also your BIOS and Control Panel power settings. The CPU may be overheating, check the CPU fan.

Nothing happens when I turn on the PC but I do hear the fan running.

The PC freezes randomly

The PC randomly shuts itself off

How to Diagnose Keyboard Problem

The keyboard is a fairly standardized component and not prone to many problems. Repair is not really practical, replacement is typically the best option. Check

Symptom The key repeats too fast (or slow) I try to type one letter and it types several The PC beeps or gives me a "Keyboard Error" message

The character repeat rate or delay is set too fast. Go to the Windows control panel and click on "Keyboard" to change the settings.

Turn off the PC and check that the keyboard connector is securely plugged into the back of the PC. Make sure the keyboard is not plugged into the mouse port. If you are using a USB keyboard, make sure USB is

enabled in BIOS and in Windows. The keys are sticking Check that none of the keys are stuck or being held down. Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it vigorously to dislodge any dust or debris. Try removing the key by using a paper clip as a lever to pop it off. Check for debris or other cause of sticking, clean with a cotton swab. With the key off, make sure any spring or mechanical parts are properly positioned to support the key.

How To Diagnose Power Supply(SMPS) Problems

These are some symptoms that may be caused by the power supply. Symptom It makes a squealing or other loud noise Check

The power supply fan is failing and needs replacement. In most cases, the entire power supply must be replaced. Check that it is securely plugged into the outlet and into the back of the PC. Check that the outlet has power. Check for a second power switch near the power supply. The main power switch has failed and needs to be replaced. The power supply has failed and needs to be replaced. If the power supply does not supply the proper, stable voltages to the various components it may prevent the PC from starting. The voltages can be tested with a multimeter. The power supply could be overheating, check that the fan is working. The power supply could be failing. See also your BIOS and Control Panel power settings.

Nothing happens when I turn on the PC

The PC freezes before the operating system starts loading

The PC randomly shuts itself off

How To Diagnose DVD-ROM Problems

These are some symptoms that may be caused by the DVD-ROM.

Symptom I cannot access the drive and the light does not go on

Check

Check that the power and controller cables are securely attached to the drive. Verify that pin #1 of the controller cable is matched to pin #1 on the drive and on the motherboard. The operating system may not be configured to use or "see" the drive. If it never worked, verify that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly. The disk may be damaged or unreadable. Try removing and reinserting the disk. Try cleaning the disk. Verify that pin #1 of the controller cable is matched to pin #1 on the drive and on the motherboard. If it never worked, verify that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly. Press the button once and wait at least a minute. In Windows, go to "My Computer", right click on the DVDROM drive and choose "Eject" from the menu. With the computer unplugged, you can open most DVDROM drawers with a unwound paper clip. Poke it, as straight as possible, into the hole and push with moderate force (the paper clip may bend a little) to force the drawer open a half inch. Now pull the drawer the rest of the way open. If the problem persists, check that the power connector and controller cable are securely connected to the drive. A disk may be jammed or broken inside the drive. Access may require the removal of the drive's outer case. If this is necessary, it is very likely that the drive will have to be replaced. The disk may be damaged or unreadable. Try removing and reinserting the disk. Try cleaning the disk. Verify that pin #1 of the controller cable is matched to pin #1 on the drive and on the motherboard. If it never worked, verify that the jumpers on the drive are set correctly. Is the drive on the same controller cable as the primary hard drive? If so, performance will be slowed because only one device can communicate at a time. Move it to the second IDE controller.

I cannot access the drive but the light does go on

The drive drawer will not open

I hear it spinning and then stopping repeatedly

The drive seems to transfer data too slowly

Diagnosing Memory Problems

These are some symptoms that may be caused by the memory module(s). Symptom When I turn it on... It just beeps When I turn it on... It starts up but never loads the operating system When I turn it on... It freezes BEFORE the operating system starts loading The computer reports a memory error Check Check that the memory module is properly seated in the slot. Make sure the memory module is installed in the first bank (often labeled "Slot 0") If you have more than one module, try removing all but one, put that module in the first bank (often labeled "Bank 0") and restart the system - If it still doesn't work, swap in another memory module for the first one. If your system uses memory banks, memory must be installed in matching pairs. The contacts on the memory module or the slot may need cleaning or worse, they have corroded. Check your BIOS settings. The memory may be bad. The slot may be bad. Compatability issues can prevent memory from being recognized. Use only manufacturer recommended memory. A memory chip may have failed and may need to be replaced. Compatability issues can prevent memory from being recognized. Use only manufacturer recommended memory. Your motherboard or operating system may only recognize a certain amount of memory which has been exceeded with the newly installed memory.

The computer doesn't recognize all of the installed memory

I installed new memory and it doesn't work

In addition to all of the above, consider these things: Compatability issues can prevent memory from being recognized. Use only manufacturer recommended memory. Turn off the PC and check that it is properly installed.

Turn off the PC and check that the memory is installed in the correct slot. The memory may not be compatible with existing memory. Remove all but the newly installed memory and test the PC.

How To Diagnose Fan Problems

These are some symptoms that may be caused by the cooling fans.

Symptom It makes a squealing or other loud noise

Check

The power supply fan is failing and needs replacement. In most cases, the entire power supply must be replaced. The CPU fan is failing and needs replacement. Another cooling fan, such as a case, drive or auxiliary fan is failing and needs replacement. The power supply fan is failing and needs replacement. In most cases, the entire power supply must be replaced. The CPU fan is failing and needs replacement. Another cooling fan, such as a case, drive or auxiliary fan is failing and needs replacement. Any of the fans listed above are dirty and need to be cleaned. The system may be overheating because of inadequate cooling. Check that all cooling fans are working properly.

The fan is slow or does not spin at all

The PC freezes or shuts itself off unexpectedly

How To Diagnose Modem Problems

Symptom I don't get a dial tone Check Take the phone cord out of the back of the PC and plug it into a phone to make certain that dial tone is available through the wire. Make certain you have plugged the phone cord into the line plug and not the phone plug on the modem.

Use the wizard to create a new dial-up connection and configure it to dial your cell phone or other phone line to determine it you can make it ring. If newly installed, try uninstalling and reinstalling the device. Once installed correctly, this error is unusual and may mean the device is faulty and needs to be replaced. Some modems must be installed in a very precise order as dictated by the manufacturer. Be certain to closely follow the installation instructions. Consult the manufacturer's web site for a copy of the instructions or for an updated driver. Check if you have other programs running that are trying to use the modem at the same time

Windows says there is a problem with the modem

The modem won't hang up

TASK 7 PC Software Troubleshooting

Most problems that occur with computers are the result of software-related issues: programs that lock up, printers that suddenly wont print, operating systems that wont boot and lots of other common quandaries are all somehow related to the operation of software on your PC.

Unfortunately, the bad news is that troubleshooting software problems on PCs is unquestionably the hardest problem-solving task youre ever likely to run into (on your computer, that is). The reason for this is because of the Byzantine-like structure of todays PC applications and operating systems. In essence, the problem can be boiled down to this: All the various pieces of software on your computeryour main applications, the drivers for your specific peripherals, and the various Windows system fileswork together in an enormously complex web of inter-relationships. Adding, removing or altering one piece of that puzzle can (and often will) lead to software that just doesnt work. One good general rule of thumb to keep in mind when doing software-related troubleshooting is to make sure you have the most recent versions of your applications, drivers and operating system. Usually that means taking an inventory of the software and hardware you have installed on or in your computer, and then trolling the web sites of the companies who make those products in search of updates, patches, service packs and other types of bug fixes. Also remember to check for viruses. Most of the times you get a virus on your PC you'll know about it, but some of them work "stealthily" in the background, so you always have to be careful. Make sure that any computer you work on has good anti-virus software installed and properly configured so that it's regularly checking for viruses. Even more importantly, make sure that you keep the virus definition files for the program current. Unless you update those definitions on at least a monthly basis, your data will be at risk. Many of the software problems that people run into stem from the confusing nature of todays Windows applications. Instead of consisting of one large chunk of code (as they generally used to do, and still in many cases do on the Mac), todays software programs are actually made up of lots and lots of little pieces held together by an umbrella application. This umbrella app is typically the main program file you double-click on to get an application started. To confound matters further, these different pieces are often strewn across several different locations on your hard disk, which creates even more possibilities for errors or other breakdowns.