Installing computer systems

and networks

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Plan and prepare for installation

Information Sheet No 1.1-1

Safety procedures

Learning objective:

Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to answer the following
questions:
1. Identify 5S of good housekeeping2.
2. Recognize safety rules and regulations3.
3. Plan installation of computer systems and networks according to
industry standards

SAFETY PROCEDURE is a common task. It is a general knowledge in our

workplace. In most cases, one must be trained to apply safety procedures in
particular place or in an environment of a certain work, such as factory where
there is heavy machineries, electronics and high voltage facilities.

SAFETY PROCEDURES may be able to promote a great stability of

accompany, to ensure safety of their own products, their facilities and most
especially their personnel during and after work responsibility. Therefore, it is
our goal and responsibility as a worker, in any field of our skills and even in
our great profession, to have these skill and knowledge for future application
in our workplace.

5S OF GOOD HOUSE KEEPING

S- sieri /Sort
o Take out unnecessary items and dispose
S- seiton /Systematize
o Arrange necessary items in good order for use
S- seiso/ Sweep
o Clean your workplace
S- seiketsu/ Sanitize
o Maintain high standard of housekeeping
S- Shitsuke/ Self- discipline
o Do things spontaneously without being told

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GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Remove power from the circuit or equipment before working on it.
2. Remove and replace fuses only after the power to the circuit has been de
energized.
3. Make sure all equipment is properly grounded.
4. Use extreme caution when removing or installing batteries containing
acid.
5. Use cleaning fluids only in well- ventilated spaces.
6. Dispose of cleaning rags and other flammable materials in tightly closed
metal containers.
7. In case of an electrical fire, de energize the circuit and report it
immediately to the appropriate authority.

HIGH VOLTAGE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. Consider the result of each act.
2. Keep away from live circuits.
3. Do not work alone.
4. Do not tamper with interlocks.
5. Do not ground yourself.
6. Never energize equipment in the presence of water leakage.

PERSONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. Work only in clean dry areas.
2. Do not wear loose or flapping clothing.
3. Wear only nonconductive shoes.
4. Remove all rings, wristwatches, bracelets, ID chains and tags, and
similar metal items.
5. Do not use bare hands to remove hot parts.
6. Use a shorting stick to remove high voltage charges on capacitors.
7. Make certain that the equipment being used is properly grounded.
8. Remove power to a circuit prior to connecting alligator clips.
9. When measuring voltages over 300 volts, do not hold the test probes.

General Safety Safe working conditions help prevent injury to people and
damage to computer equipment. A safe workspace is clean, organized, and
properly lighted. Everyone must understand and follow safety procedures.

Follow the basic safety guidelines to prevent cuts, burns, electrical shock, and
damage to eyesight. As a best practice, make sure that a fire extinguisher and
first-aid kit are available in case of fire or injury. Poorly placed or unsecured
cables can cause tripping hazards in a network installation. Cables should be
installed in conduit or cable trays to prevent hazards.

There are certain procedures you should follow when you are installing items

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in your system. Below is information to avoid damage to your system or/and
yourself.

• Before entering the computer, move computer off the carpet (for static
purposes). If you’re not able to then try not to move on the carpet to
keep the static from building.
• Disconnect all cables including power cord. I can't stress this enough.
Remove the power cord, monitor, keyboard, mouse, phone line, network
cable, speakers, printer, scanner, USB cables, cable modem, DSL
modem and anything else that is connected. (it should look similar to
the picture below)
• With everything disconnected, push the power button for 5 seconds.
(with power cord disconnected). The computer can store power even with
the power cord disconnected. Pushing the power button drains that
power (only if the power cord is disconnected). VERY IMPORTANT!!!
• Touch something metal on the case of the system to release any static
build up in your body.
• Computers are the best dust collectors. Do not blow on the dust with
your breath. Your breath has moisture and electronics hate moisture.
• If you want to clean the inside of the system of dust, use compressed air
that is designed for electronics.
• While using the compressed air, do not hold down the button. Not only
will they can get cold, moisture will also form. Use quick short bursts.
• When handling parts, do not touch the bronze teeth. Hold the parts on
the edges if at all possible.
• If you are troubleshooting noise issue, some people will stick a pencil or
other objects in the fan to stop the fan from turning to see if the noise
goes away. DON'T DO THAT! The fan might shatter the pencil, cause a
fire, cause electrical shock or short.
• If you disconnect the cable that goes to the processor fan to check for
noise, do not leave system on for long with it disconnected.
• Be careful while inside system, the system has sharp edges.
• Never put your hands inside system when the system is either plugged
in or turned on.
• Some computer desks have a compartment that you can put your
computer in. Make sure that compartment is well ventilated. If it is not
ventilated, it can fry the system. If it is not well ventilated, you can drill
holes in the desk to give it ventilation, or you can install a small fan in
the desk that will circulate air.
• Do not connect or disconnect cables while the system or device is turned
on. (unless it is USB. USB can be disconnected or connected while
system is on). Equipment can be damaged by this.
****VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOTE****

If you have access to your personal files, make sure they are backed up before

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tinkering with the system. Sometimes there can be more than one issue and
one of the issues may not show till you start tinkering with the system. For
example, I have seen a hard drive be bad but it works as long as the system is
on. However when you turn the system off, the hard drive doesn't work
anymore. Once that happens, you can't get access to your files.

Electrical Safety Follow electrical safety guidelines to prevent electrical fires,

injuries, and fatalities in the home and the workplace. Power supplies and
CRT monitors contain high voltage.

CAUTION

Do not wear the antistatic wrist strap when repairing power supplies or CRT
monitors. Only experienced technicians should attempt to repair power
supplies and CRT monitors.

Some printer parts become hot during use, and other parts might contain high
voltage. Check the printer manual for the location of high-voltage components.
Some components retain a high voltage even after the printer is turned off.
Make sure that the printer has had time to cool before making the repair.

Electrical devices have certain power requirements. For example, AC adapters

are manufactured for specific laptops. Exchanging power cords with a different
type of laptop or device may cause damage to both the AC adapter and the
laptop.

Procedures to Protect Equipment and Data Replacing equipment and

recovering data is expensive and time consuming. This section identifies
potential threats to systems and describes procedures to help prevent loss and
damage.

ESD and EMI Electrostatic discharge (ESD), harsh climates, and poor-
quality sources of electricity can cause damage to computer equipment. Follow
proper handling guidelines, be aware of environmental issues, and use
equipment that stabilizes power to prevent equipment damage and data loss.

Static electricity is the buildup of an electric charge resting on a

surface. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs when this buildup jumps to a
component and causes damage. ESD can be destructive to the electronics in a
computer system.

At least 3000 volts of static electricity must build up before a person can feel
ESD. For example, static electricity can build up on you as you walk across a
carpeted floor. When you touch another person, you both receive a shock. If
the discharge causes pain or makes a noise, the charge was probably above

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10,000 volts. By comparison, less than 30 volts of static electricity can
damage a computer component.

ESD can cause permanent damage to electrical components. Follow these

recommendations to help prevent ESD damage:

• Keep all components in antistatic bags until you are ready to install
them.
• Use grounded mats on workbenches.
• Use grounded floor mats in work areas.
• Use antistatic wrist straps when working on computers.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is the intrusion of outside electromagnetic

signals in a transmission media, such as copper cabling. In a network
environment, EMI distorts the signals so that the receiving devices have
difficulty interpreting them.

EMI does not always come from expected sources, such as cellular phones.
Other types of electric equipment can emit a silent, invisible electromagnetic
field that can extend for more than a mile (1.6 km).

There are many sources of EMI:

• Any source designed to generate electromagnetic energy

• Man-made sources like power lines or motors
• Natural events such as electrical storms, or solar and interstellar
radiations

Wireless networks are affected by radio frequency interference (RFI). RFI is

caused by radio transmitters and other devices transmitting in the same
frequency. For example, a cordless telephone can cause problems with a
wireless network when both devices use the same frequency. Microwaves can
also cause interference when positioned in close proximity to wireless
networking devices.

Climate affects computer equipment in a variety of ways:

• If the environment temperature is too high, equipment can overheat.

• If the humidity level is too low, the chance of ESD increases.
• If the humidity level is too high, equipment can suffer from moisture
damage.

Power Fluctuation Types Voltage is the force that moves electrons through a
circuit. The movement of electrons is called current. Computer circuits need

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voltage and current to operate electronic components. When the voltage in a
computer is not accurate or steady, computer components might not operate
correctly. Unsteady voltages are called power fluctuations.

The following types of AC power fluctuations can cause data loss or hardware
failure:

• Blackout: Complete loss of AC power. A blown fuse, damaged

transformer, or downed power line can cause a blackout.
• Brownout: Reduced voltage level of AC power that lasts for a period of
time. Brownouts occur when the power line voltage drops below 80
percent of the normal voltage level. Overloading electrical circuits can
cause a brownout.
• Noise: Interference from generators and lightning. Noise results in poor
quality power, which can cause errors in a computer system.
• Spike: Sudden increase in voltage that lasts for a short period and
exceeds 100 percent of the normal voltage on a line. Spikes can be
caused by lightning strikes, but can also occur when the electrical
system comes back on after a blackout.
• Power surge: Dramatic increase in voltage above the normal flow of
electrical current. A power surge lasts for a few nanoseconds, or one-
billionth of a second.

Power Protection Devices To help shield against power fluctuation problems,

use power protection devices to protect the data and computer equipment:

• Surge suppressor: Helps protect against damage from surges and

spikes. A surge suppressor diverts extra electrical voltage that is on the
line to the ground.
• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS): Helps protect against potential
electrical power problems by supplying a consistent level of electrical
power to a computer or other device. The battery is constantly
recharging while the UPS is in use. The UPS provides a consistent
quality of power when brownouts and blackouts occur. Many UPS
devices can communicate directly with the computer operating system.
This communication allows the UPS to safely shut down the computer
and save data prior to the UPS losing all electrical power.
• Standby power supply (SPS): Helps protect against potential electrical
power problems by providing a backup battery to supply power when
the incoming voltage drops below the normal level. The battery is on
standby during normal operation. When the voltage decreases, the
battery provides DC power to a power inverter, which converts it to AC
power for the computer. This device is not as reliable as a UPS because
of the time it takes to switch over to the battery. If the switching device
fails, the battery cannot supply power to the computer.

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CAUTION

UPS manufacturers suggest never plugging in a laser printer to a UPS because

the printer could overload the UPS.
Information Sheet No 1.1-2
Basic terms, concepts, functions and characteristics of PC
hardware components

Learning objective:

Upon completion of this module, the students will be able to

1. Identify different parts of the computer.

2. Define computer terms

Basic Computer Terms

Address – a number that represent a unique location in memory

ALU – Arithmetic Logic Unit, part of a microprocessor. It does all

arithmetic functions and calculation in the CPU.

ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange, code

representing the character symbols possible for specific hexadecimal codes.

BIOS – Basic Input/Output System, the part of the operating system

that controls the input and output functions.

Bit – the single smallest unit of data in a computer.

Board – a shortened reference to a printed circuit board or the insulated

surface on which circuit components are mounted and soldered in place.

Boot – a term meaning to load DOS or an operating system.

Byte – comprised of 8 bits to form a word

Character – the equivalent meaning of byte formed.

Chip – a complete electronic circuit which may contain miniature

resisters, transistors, diodes, and related circuitry all integrated into a
miniature silicon base and mounted in a common housing.

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Computer – an electronic device designed to make rapid, accurate
computations from data programmed into it.

Control Unit – decodes each instruction that enters the computer. It then
generates the necessary pulses to carry out the functions specified.

CP/M – Control Program for Microprocessors, the first operating

system developed for microcomputers.

CPU – Central Processing Unit, the heart of a system. It controls all

data transfer and devices in a microcomputer system.

DMA – Direct Memory Access, data transfer involving large blocks of

information directly between the memory and disk drives. DMA is controlled
by other processors which speeds up data transfer and unloads the central
processors of this function.

DOS – Disk Operating System, a software program used to set certain

parameters involving the operation of the computer system. To start it up
especially data transfer and the disk drives.

Hardcopy – a print out or a visual copy on paper.

I/O – short for Input/Output, any operation or device that sends or

receives data from or to the CPU.

IC – short for Integrated Circuit, building blocks of a computer

system or other electronics devices comprising many electronics parts such as
transistors, resistors, etc. in a single package.

Interrupt – an input signal to the processors that sets the order to initialize
all system devices for operation.

Kilo – prefix which means 1,000 units

LSI – Large Scale Integration, describes the intensity of integration

commonly used in microprocessors, comprising many ICs.

Mainframe computers – the largest and most expensive computers designed

specifically to serve business, industry, and government in applications that
require mass storage and fast retrieval.

Example: Banks, airlines, and the Internal Revenue Service use mainframe
Computers

Mega – prefix which means 1,000,000 units

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Memory – the part of a computer that stores vital information for the
computer’s operation.

Microcomputers – the smallest and least expensive computers, designed for

desktop or portable use by an individual at home, yet versatile enough for
applications in business, industry, and government

Example: Microcomputers enjoyed early popularity in the home for both

educations and playing electronic games, but as microcomputers expand in
powers such as multi-tasking and multi-user applications, their use in
business and industry increases.

Microprocessor – the arithmetic logic unit, registers, and timing and

decoding circuitry usually contained in a single integrated circuit that controls
computer activities.

Minicomputers – medium-sized and medium-priced computers that rival

the storage capacity and operating speed of smaller main-frames, and are
used in business, industry, and government where they perform mostly
dedicated or single-task activities.

Example: Food processors, laboratories, and hospitals use minicomputers

Peripheral – any device or accessory such as a disk drive, printer, modem, or

video display added to a microcomputer to provide increased capacity for
handling, storing, or presenting data.

POR – Power On Reset, or power on routing, term to describe the

sequence of operations of a machine during power up.

Programs – contain the instructions that tell the computer what to do. It is
a sequential set of instructions to solve a particular problem.

Prototype – the first of its kind, the original from which later models are
patterned.

RAM – Random Access Memory, data can either be read from or written
to (read/write).

Read – to get data from a device.

Reset – a short pulse during power up of perform control function in

computer, used to initialize all system devices for operation.

ROM – Read Only Memory, data can only be read from this type of

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memory. It cannot be altered and contains the basic operating instruction of
the computer.

Unix – the operating system used by the IBM PC, having a more
powerful command structure and greater expandability than CP/M
Write – to put data into a device.

Computer Acronyms

• ACE - Asynchronous Communication Element

• ACPI - Advance Configuration and Power Interface
• ADC - Analog-to-Digital Converter
• ADO - Active Data Object
• ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (variant of DSL)
• AGP - Accelerated Graphics Port
• ALU - Arithmetic Logic Unit
• AMR - Audio Modem Riser
• API - Application Programming Interface
• ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange
• ATA - Advanced Technology Attachment
• BCD - Binary Coded Decimal
• BEDO RAM - Burst EDORAM
• BIOS - Basic Input Output System
• BIU - Bus Interface Unit
• CGI - Common Gateway Interface
• CAD - Computer – Aided Design
• CMOS - Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
• CPU - Central Processing Unit
• CRT - Cathode Ray Tube
• DMA - Direct Memory Access
• DTE - Data Terminal Equipment
• DDR - Double Data Rate
• DIMM - Dual Inline Memory Module
• DLL - Dynamic Link Library
• DNS - Domain Name System
• DOS - Disk Operating System
• DRAM - Dynamic Random Access Memory
• DSL - Digital Subscriber Line
• DVD - Digital Versatile Disc
• EDO - Enhanced Data Output
• EPROM - Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
• FAT - File Allocation Table
• FRAM - Ferro-Magnetic RAM
• FDD - Floppy Disk Drive
• FSB - Front Side Bus

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• FTP - File Transfer Protocol
• GIF - Graphics Interchange Format
• GPRS - General Packet Radio Service
• GSM - Global System for Mobile Communication
• GUI - Graphical User Interface
• HDD - Hard Disk Drive
• HTML - Hypertext Markup Language
• HTTP - Hypertext Transport Protocol
• IC - Integrated Circuit
• IBM - International Business Machines
• ICT - Information and Communication Technology
• IDE - Integrated Drive Electronics
• I/O -Input/ Output
• IP - Internet Protocol
• IRQ - Interrupt Request
• IT - Information Technology
• ISA - Industry Standard Architecture
• JFET - Junction Field Effect Transistor
• JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group
• LAN - Local Area Networking
• LED - Light Emitting Diode
• LBA - Logical Block Addressing
• LSB - Least Significant Bit
• MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
• MB - Megabyte
• MHz - Megahertz
• MIDI - Musical Instrument Digital Interface
• MPEG - Motion Pictures Experts Group
• MODEM - Modulator Demodulator
• MPU - Microprocessor Unit
• NTFS - New Technology File System
• OCR - Optical Character Recognition
• OS - Operating System
• PATA - Parallel ATA
• PC - Personal Computer
• PCB - Printed Circuit Board
• PCI - Peripheral Component Interconnect
• PIC - Programmable Interval Controller
• PPI - Programmable Peripheral Interface
• PDF - Portable Document Format
• PNG - Portable Network Graphics
• PnP - Plug-and-Play
• PS/2 - Personal System/2
• RAID - Redundant Array of Independent Disks
• RAM - Random Access Memory
• RMW - Read/Modify/Write

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 • R/W - Read/Write
• ROM - Read Only Memory
• RGB - Red Greed Blue
• SATA - Serial ATA
• SCSI - Small Computer System Interface
• SDRAM - Synchronous Dynamic RAM
• SRAM - Static RAM
• SVGA - Super Video Graphics Array
• SMART - Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology
• SSRAM - Synchronous Static RAM
• TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol
• URL - Uniform Resource Locator
• USB - Universal Serial Bus
• VGA - Video Graphics Array/Adapter
• VIRUS - Vital Information Resource Under Seize
• WAN - Wide Area Network
• WAP - Wireless Application Protocol
• Wi-Fi - Wireless Fidelity
• WLAN - Wireless Local Area Network
• www - World Wide Web

As A technician, you should know and be able to identify the components

found in a typical personal computer system. The PC is modular by design. It
is called a system because it includes all the components required to make a
functional computer.

System unit – The main computer cabinet, usually

referred to as a case, housing the primary components of
the system. This includes the main logic board (System
board or mother board), processor, memory, disk drives,
switching power supply, and the interconnecting wires
and cables. The system unit also includes expansion
cards to provide audio, video, networking and other
functionality. Expansion cards vary from system to
system.

Keyboard – The most familiar computer

input device, the keyboard is used to
introduce characters and commands into
the system.

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 Mouse – An input device used with
graphical user interfaces (GUI) to point
to, select, or activate images on the
video monitor. By moving the mouse
along a surface, the user can cause a
cursor on the display to move in a
corresponding manner.

Video display – A Visual output device

that displays characters and graphics on
screen.

Printers – A hard copy output device that

applies data to paper. Normally, methods of
placing information on a page include dot-
matrix printer, inkjet printer and laser
printer.

Speakers – Audio output devices used to deliver

voice, music and coded messages.

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 System Unit Cases

The system unit case is typically a metal chassis and removable cover that
includes a plastic front panel for aesthetic purposes. The box typically
contains the basic parts of the computer system. PCs have been packaged in
various case designs. Each design offers characteristics that adapt the system
for different environments. Primary characteristics for case design include the
following:

Ventilation characteristics
Total drive capacity
Portability
Mounting methods for the printed Circuit boards
Footprint(the amount of desk space the case takes up)

With this list of characteristics. PC case designs fall into four basic styles:

1. Desktops – PC units that are

designed to sit horizontally on a
standard desktop behind a keyboard
and mouse, usually with the display
monitor sitting on the top of the
case(hence the name). These cases
are typically wider than they are tall.

2. Low-profile desktops – A special

variety of desktop case, referred to
as low-profile desktops that reduce
the vertical height of the unit by
using a short bus extender card,
called a backplane that mounts in
an expansion slot and permits
option adapter cards to be mounted
in the unit horizontally.

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3. Towers – Tower
cases are
designed to sit
vertically on the
floor beneath a
desk to provide
more usable
workspace on the
desktop. Mini
towers and mid
towers are short
towers designed to
take up less
vertical
space. Tower cases also can be placed on a desktop. Internally, their
design resembles a vertical desktop unit. They are considerably less
expensive than the larger towers because of the smaller amount of
materials needed to produce them. Unlike their taller relatives, mini
towers do not provide abundant space for internal add-ons or disk
drivers.

4. Portables (laptops) – To free

users from the desk, an array of
portable PCs have been developed
these units package the system
unit, input units, and output unit
into a single, lightweight package
that can be carried along with the
user. The capabilities of modern
portable computers make them
the equivalent of desktop or tower
units in most respects.

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 Inside the system unit

The system unit is the main portion of the microcomputer system and is the
basis of any PC system arrangement. The components inside the system unit
can be divided into four distinct subunits: a switching power supply, the disk
drivers, the system board, and the option adapter cards.

The major components of interest in a PC system are the following:

• Power supply – The component in the system that converts the AC

Voltage from the commercial power outlet to the DC voltage required by
the computer circuitry.

• System board – The main component of a personal computer. It

contains the major structures that make up a computer system.

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 • Disk drives – The system’s mass storage devices that hold data for an
extended time, even when power is removed from the system. Disk
drives include hard disk drives, CD-ROM/DVD drives, floppy disk
drives, and tape drives.

• Adapter cards – Interface cards used to enhance the basic system with
additional functions. Examples of common adapter cards include video
display adapters, modems, and Local Area Network (LAN) cards.

• Signal cables – Connecting cables, typically configured in a flat ribbon

format, that pass control signals and data between system components
such as disk drives and the system board.

Form factor

Form factor is a term used to describe specifications for physical dimensions

and electrical compatibility that enables components from different
manufactures to work together.

In a PC, from factor is used to describe system board and adapter card sizes,
mounting hole patterns for system boards and power supplies, microprocessor
placement, and airflow.

These factors determine whether component

❖ (Such as a system board) will fit properly with component
❖ (Such as a system unit case) and connect to component
❖ (Such as a power supply).

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You should be aware of the three major active form factors: ATX, BTX, and
NLX.

1. The Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) form factor was introduced

in the mid 1990s as an upgrade to the IBM PC-AT standard that had
become the pseudo standard form factor for PCs. It continues to be
most widely used form factor currently in use with PC components.

2. The Balanced Technology Extended (BTX) form factor is a newer

scalable form factor specification that provides for a wide range of
system sizes and profiles. Its main goal is to establish components
positions that optimize cooling outside the case to support higher
component operating speeds. The BTX form factor design is

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 incompatible with the ATX standard, except that you are able to use
ATX power supplies with BTX boards and systems.

3. The new low-profile extended (NLX) form factor, which is the

replacement form factor specification form Intel for the Older LPX low-
profile specification. The NLX specification is designed to support newer
PC technologies, such as larger memory modules, advanced
microprocessors, and their cooling systems. The NLX system
incorporates a backplane that mounts in a slot on the main board and
enables adapter cards to be plugged in horizontally. This is one of the
major keys to its low profile.

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 Information Sheet No. 1.1-3
Structure of operating systems

Systems in the Computer System

1. Process Management
2. Main Memory Management
3. File Management
4. I/O System Management
5. Secondary Management
6. Networking
7. Protection System
8. Command-Interpreter System

PROCESS MANAGEMENT

A process is a program in execution: (A program is passive, a process active.)

A process has resources (CPU time, files) and attributes that must be
managed.
Management of processes includes:

• Process Scheduling (priority, time management, . . . )

• Creation/termination
• Block/Unblock (suspension/resumption )
• Synchronization
• Communication
• Deadlock handling
• Debugging

MAIN MEMORY MANAGEMENT

• Allocation/de-allocation for processes, files, I/O.

• Maintenance of several processes at a time
• Keep track of who's using what memory
• Movement of process memory to/from secondary storage.

FILE MANAGEMENT

A file is a collection of related information defined by its creator. Commonly,

files represent programs (both source and object forms) and data.

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The operating system is responsible for the following activities in connections
with file management:
• File creation and deletion.
• Directory creation and deletion.
• Support of primitives for manipulating files and directories.
• Mapping files onto secondary storage.
• File backup on stable (nonvolatile) storage media.

I/O MANAGEMENT

• Buffer caching system

• Generic device driver code
• Drivers for each device - translate read/write requests into disk
position commands.

SECONDARY STORAGE MANAGEMENT

• Disks, tapes, optical, ...

• Free space management ( paging/swapping )
• Storage allocation ( what data goes where on disk )
• Disk scheduling

NETWORKING

• Communication system between distributed processors.

• Getting information about files/processes/etc. on a remote
machine.
• Can use either a message passing or a shared memory model.

PROTECTION

• Of files, memory, CPU, etc.

• Means controlling of access
• Depends on the attributes of the file and user

SYSTEM PROGRAMS

• Command Interpreters -- Program that accepts control

statements (shell, GUI interface, etc.)
• Compilers/linkers
• Communications (ftp, telnet, etc.)

Modifying the Operating System program for a particular machine. The goal is
to include all the necessary pieces, but not too many extra ones.

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 • Typically a System can support many possible devices, but any
one installation has only a few of these possibilities.
• Plug and play allows for detection of devices and automatic
inclusion of the code (drivers) necessary to drive these devices.
• A sysgen is usually a link of many OS routines/modules in order
to produce an executable containing the code to run the drivers.

System Calls

A System Call is the main way a user program interacts with the Operating
System.

Two ways of passing data between programs.

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 Msg Passing Shared Memory

These are examples of various system calls.

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How An Operating System Is Put Together

A SIMPLE STRUCTURE:
Example of MS-DOS.

Application Programming

Resident System Programming

MS-DOS Drivers

ROM - BIOS Device Drivers

A LAYERED STRUCTURE:

Example of Windows 2000

System Services
Windows Security
VM Process
MGR Reference
& GDI Manager Manager Monitor
IO
Graphics Manager
DeviceWindows 2000 Kernel
Drivers
Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)
Virtual Machine

In a Virtual Machine - each process "seems" to execute on its own processor

with its own memory, devices, etc.
• The resources of the physical machine are shared. Virtual devices are
sliced out of the physical ones. Virtual disks are subsets of physical
ones.

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• Useful for running different OS simultaneously on the same machine.
• Protection is excellent, but no sharing possible.
• Virtual privileged instructions are trapped.

Virtual User
Physical User
Virtual Machine

Monitor Mode Physical Machine

Example of MS-DOS on top of Windows XP

DOS APPLICATION
Physical
BIOS DRIVERS
User
Windows XP Physical
Machine

26
 Information Sheet No. 1.1-4

Familiarization with the various computer systems’

components and peripherals system configuration/ settings of
computer systems and devices

A peripheral device connects to a computer system to add functionality.

Examples are a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer and scanner. Learn about
the different types of peripheral devices and how they allow you to do more
with your computer.

A computer peripheral is a device that is connected to a computer but is

not part of the core computer architecture. The core elements of a computer
are the central processing unit, power supply, motherboard and the computer
case that contains those three components. Technically speaking, everything
else is considered a peripheral device. However, this is a somewhat narrow
view, since various other elements are required for a computer to actually
function, such as a hard drive and random-access memory (or RAM).

Most people use the term peripheral more loosely to refer to a device
external to the computer case. You connect the device to the computer to
expand the functionality of the system. For example, consider a printer. Once
the printer is connected to a computer, you can print out documents. Another
way to look at peripheral devices is that they are dependent on the computer
system. For example, most printers can't do much on their own, and they only
become functional when connected to a computer system.

Types of Peripheral Devices

There are many different peripheral devices, but they fall into three
general categories:

Input devices, such as a mouse and a keyboard

Output devices, such as a monitor and a printer

27
 Storage devices, such as a hard drive or flash drive

Some devices fall into more than one category. Consider a CD-ROM
drive; you can use it to read data or music (input), and you can use it to write
data to a CD (output).

Peripheral devices can be external or internal. For example, a printer is

an external device that you connect using a cable, while an optical disc drive
is typically located inside the computer case. Internal peripheral devices are
also referred to as integrated peripherals. When most people refer to
peripherals, they typically mean external ones.

28
 Install Equipment Device System

Information Sheet No. 1.2-1

Basic computer configuration set up

You have a new computer and are ready to set it up. While this may seem like
an overwhelming and difficult task, it is actually quite simple. It doesn't
matter what brand of computer you have because most computers are set up
in a similar way.

If you're setting up a newly purchased computer that's still in the box, you'll
probably find a how-to guide in the packaging that includes step-by-step
details. However, even if it didn't include instructions you can still set up the
computer in a few easy steps. In this lesson, we'll go through the different
steps needed to set up a typical computer.

Setting up a desktop computer

Step 1

Unpack
the monitor and com
puter case from the
box. Remove any
plastic covering or
protective tape. Place
the monitor and
computer case where
you want on a desk
or work area.

Think about where

you want your desk
or work area to be
located, and where
you want your monitor, computer case, and other hardware to be. Be sure to
place your computer case in an area that is well ventilated and that has good
air flow. This will help to prevent overheating.

29
Step 2

Locate the monitor cable. There are

several types of monitor cables, so the one
on your computer may not look like the
one in the image at the left. If you're
having trouble finding your monitor cable,
refer to the instruction manual for your
computer. (If you have an all-in-
one computer that's built into the
monitor, you can skip to Step 4).

Step 3

Connect one end of the cable to

the monitor port on the back of
thecomputer case and the other end
to the monitor. Hand tighten the
plastic-covered screws on the
monitor cable to secure it.
Many computer cables will only fit a
specific way. If the cable doesn't fit,
don't force it or you might damage
the connectors. Make sure the plug
aligns with the port, then connect it.
To figure out which cables belong in
which ports, try our Connecting
Cables interactive.

30
Step 4

Unpack the keyboard and determine

whether it uses a USB(rectangular)
connector or a PS/2 (round)
connector. If it uses a USB connector,
plug it into any of the USB ports on
the back of the computer. If it uses a
PS/2 connector, plug it into
the purple keyboard port on the back
of the computer.

Step 5

Unpack the mouse and determine

whether it uses a USB (rectangular)
connector or a PS/2 (round)
connector. If it uses a USB
connector, plug it into any of the
USB ports on the back of the
computer. If it uses a PS/2
connector, plug it into
the green mouse port on the back of
the computer.

If your keyboard has a USB port, you

can connect your mouse to the
keyboard instead of connecting it
directly to your computer.

If you have a wireless mouse or keyboard, you may need to connect a

Bluetooth dongle (USB adapter) to your computer. However, many computers
have built-in Bluetooth, so a dongle may not be necessary.

31
Step 6

If you have external speakers or headphones, you can connect them to your
computer's audio port (either on the
front or the back of the computer
case). Many computers have color-
coded ports.

Speakers or headphones connect to

the green port, and
a microphone connects to
the pink port. The blue port is
the line in, which can be used with
other types of devices.

Some speakers, headphones, and

microphones have USB connectors
instead of the usual audio plug. These
can be connected to any USB port. In addition, many computers have
speakers or microphones built into the monitor.

Step 7

Locate the two power supply

cables that came with your
computer. Plug the first power
supply cable into the back of
the computer case, and then into
a surge protector. Then, using the
other cable, connect the monitor to
the surge protector.

Step 8

Finally, plug the surge protector into a wall outlet. You may also need to turn
on the surge protector if it has a power
switch.
If you don't have a surge protector, you
can plug the computer directly into the
wall. However, this is not
recommended because electrical
surges can damage your computer.

32
Setup complete

Your basic computer hardware is now set up. Before you start it up, spend
some time arranging your workspace. A workspace that is arranged well
can improve your productivity and promote health.

Challenge!
• If you have a desktop computer that is already set up at home, take a
look at it.
o Look at the monitor cable, and see where it connects to the
computer case and monitor.
o Locate the power cords for the monitor and computer case.
o Locate the audio ports.
• Does your computer have a VGA monitor port, or another kind?
• Do you have a USB or PS/2 mouse?
• Do you have a USB or PS/2 keyboard?
• Is your computer plugged into a surge protector?

Step-by-step how to set the computer, boot sequence

to boot from installation media.
BIOS ROM (Basic Input Output System) has a built in Setup program that
allows users to modify the basic system configuration. The Setup program
store the computer information in CMOS RAM that is powered by a little
battery that is located on the computer motherboard so that it will retain the
computer information even if the computer is turned off.

To make computer to start or to boot from the CD-ROM, we need to

configure the Bios Setup or CMOS Setup program and set the first boot
sequence to CD-ROM drive.

How to enter the BIOS / CMOS Setup Program Utility.

1. When the computer power on, black screen appear on you monitor, wait
until the message appears briefly at the bottom of the screen.

example of the massage at the bottom of the computer boot up screen:

33
2. From the boot up screen message above, we know that the key need to
press to enter the BIOS setup is [F2] key. Now press [F2] key to enter the
setup program. This key may be vary from one machine to other machine,
because this is key base on the manufacture of the BIOS Setup program.
Note: Other key that commonly used to enter the CMOS setup (BIOS setup)

Delete key.
Esc key.
F1 key.
F2 key.
F3 and F2 key.
F10 key.
Ctrl + Alt + Esc key.
Ctrl + Alt + S key.

How to change the boot sequence.

3. Press [F2] key until you see the BIOS Setup Utility screen, then go to
the Boot Option tab then change the Boot sequence to CD-ROM drive as the
first boot device.

NOTE: Use the < + > key to move the CD-ROM Drive up. Make sure that you
read help menu on or blow the window screen

34
Item Specific Help

Key used to view or configure devices:

< Enter > expends or collapses devices with a + or -
< Ctrl + Enter > expands all
< Shift + 1 > enables or disables a device.
< + > and < - > moves the device up or down.
< n > May move removable device between Hard Disk or Removable Disk
< d > Remove a device that is not installed.

3. Save the configurations changes and exit the BIOS Setup / CMOS Setup
Utility by pressing the [F10] and then hit [ENTER] key to 'Save configuration
changes and exit now?'.

Item Specific Help

Exit System Setup and save your changes to CMOS.

NOTE: Press [ F10 ] key to Save all the CMOS changes and Exit the BIOS /
CMOS Setup Utility.

Keyword: set computer boot sequence, change boot sequence, boot cd, boot
from cdrom, boot sequence, boot from installation media, boot from cd, boot
from cd rom, set boot sequence, bios setting, cmos setting, change cmos

35
setting, change bios setting, computer boot sequence, boot installation media,
boot CD-Rom.

Three Basics Kind of Computer

Analogue Computer
• Analog computers are used to process analog data. Analog data is of
continuous nature and which is not discrete or separate.
• Such type of data includes temperature, pressure, speed weight, voltage,
depth etc.
• These quantities are continuous and having an infinite variety of values.

Digital Computer
• A Digital Computer works with digits to represent numerals, letters or other
special symbols.
• Digital Computers operate on inputs which are ONOFF type and its output is
also in the form of ONOFF signal.
• Normally, an ON is represented by a 1 and an OFF is represented by a 0.
• A digital computer can be used to process numeric as well as non-numeric
data.

Hybrid Computer
• A hybrid is a combination of digital and analog computers.
• It combines the best features of both types of computers, i-e. It has the speed
of analog computer and the memory and accuracy of digital computer.
• Hybrid computers are used mainly in specialized applications where both
kinds of data need to be processed. Therefore, they help the user, to process
both continuous and discrete data.

Computer Operations

A. Input
• It is the process of capturing or acquiring the information, or it is the process
of accepting data or information, by using input the computer can do any
process.
• Information or data that is entered into a computer or computer device using
an input device.
• Data is gathered
– Manually
– Automatically
– Both

36
Types of Computer Input
• Data – the raw facts given to the computer.
• Programs – the sets of instructions that direct the computer.
• Commands – special codes or key words that the user inputs to perform a
task.
• User response – the user's answer to the computer's question.

B. Processing

• It is the transformation process to convert the input into output.

• A process is an instance of running a program.
• It cause the computer to follow instructions from the Memory.
• Perform by Central Processing Unit (CPU).
• The CPU has three parts:
– Arithmetic / Logic Unit (ALU)
– Control Unit
– Input / Output Unit (I/O)

Arithmetic / Logic Unit (ALU)

• The part of a computer that performs all arithmetic computations, such as
addition and multiplication, and all comparison operations.

Control Unit
• The control unit is the circuitry that controls the flow of data through the
processor, and coordinates the activities of the other units within it.

Input / Output Unit (I/O Unit)

• The computer components that control input and output devices.

C. Computer Output
• It is the result, which comes from the transformation process or it is the
outcome of the process.
• Anything that comes out of a computer.
• Example:
– Report
– Music
– Graphic
– Video clip

Types of Computer Output

• Hard copy – Printed on paper or other permanent media.
• Soft copy – A soft copy is the unprinted digital document file.
– Displayed on screen or by other non-permanent means.
– It can be transported from one computer to another.

37
Categories of Output
• Text documents – reports, letters, memo.
• Graphics – charts, graphs, pictures
• Multimedia – combination of text, graphics, video, audio

D. Storing
• It is the process of storing or retaining the data or information or
instructions, so that the user can retain and retrieve it whenever required.
• Capability to store information after processing.
• Storage are used to store programs and data when they are not being used
in memory.

E. Controlling
• It is the process of directing the manner and sequence in which all the
operations are to be performed.

Hardware vs. Software

• Hardware is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such
as the computer monitor or keyboard.
• Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. It is
what guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task.

38
 Information Sheet No. 1.2-2
System’s Specifications

The user has agreed to the project through signing off the user requirement
specification. The developers know what to do through the design
specification,

A. Software Applications to be used:

- These could be off-the-shelf application modified to suit the project or they
maybe bespoke applications already available within the company.

B. Storage Requirement:
- This includes local storage requirements such as hard disk size or it maybe
networked storage such as file servers.

C. System Memory:
-How much memory will be required by the system in order for to run
effectively.

D. Input Devices needed:

-These includes OMR devices, scanners, barcode readers, keyboard, mouse, or
touch screens.

E. Output Devices to be used:

- These may include printers, monitor or even plotter.

F. Computing/ Processing Needed:

- For a huge system, it may need mainframe level computing power, on the
other hand it may only need a standard personal computer to run.

G. Security and Backup Systems:

-How the passwords are handled and controlled, authentication methods, how
backups are to be handles and so on.

H. People Required:
-The system may need a fulltime network administrator/ manager and a team
of support technicians for example.

I. Buildings and offices required:

-The system may need a dedicated data room or even an external data centre.

39
J. Network Configuration:
-If it is networked system then this includes topology, server, router, hubs to
be used.

K. System Feeds:
- Many systems are inter-linked. For instance an accounting system may be
connected to the production system to keep track of products being made and
sold.

The main purpose of these specifications dpcumentation is to lay down

exactly how the system is made up.

40
 Information Sheet No. 1.2-3
Identifying common symptoms and problems associated with
each devices

Windows error "Data or no disk loaded" with audio CD

Bad or non audio CD is inserted

Make sure the CD you have currently in the computer is

not bad or being misread by the computer by inserting
another known good audio CD into the computer.
If another audio CD works it is likely either that the CD
is dirty or may be an enhanced CD incompatible with
the CD Audio player. Steps on properly cleaning a CD
can be found on our cleaning page.

MCI CD audio driver not installed or is corrupt

If no audio CD is working in the computer but other CDs work fine, it is likely
that the MCI CD audio driver is not installed or is corrupt on the computer.
• CD-ROM not working in Windows 9x, 2000, or XP.

To reinstall or install the MCI CD audio drivers follow the steps below:
1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel
2. Double-click on Multimedia
3. Click the Advanced tab or Device tab.
4. Double-click Media Control Devices.
5. Double-click CD Audio Device (Media Control).
6. If this device is present and no audio CDs are working, click remove on
the general tab in CD Audio Device (Media Control) properties.
7. Close out of all open Windows to get back to the Control panel
8. In Control panel double-click Add New Hardware.
9. Click Next, select No, click Next -- In the box listing the available
hardware, select Sound Video and Game controllers and click Next.
10. In the Manufacturers box select Microsoft MCI.
11. In the Models box select CD Audio Device (Media Control).
12. Click Next and Finish.
13. Once Windows has completed the installation of the new device,
reboot the computer.

41
My computer is running slow, what steps can I
do to fix it?
Tip: This page only covers an overall slow computer and not a computer that
has a slow boot up or slow
Internet.
Below are steps for Microsoft
Windows users that can help
speed up the computer or
determine why the computer
is running slow.
Reboot
If your computer has not
been rebooted recently, make
sure to reboot it before
following any of the steps
below.

Background programs

One of the most common reasons for a slow computer are programs running
in thebackground. Remove or disable any TSRs and startup programs that
automatically start each time the computer boots.

Tip: To see what programs are running in the background and how much
memory and CPU they are using, open Task Manager. If you are
running Windows 7 or higher, run Resmon to get a better understanding of
how your computer is being used.

If you have an antivirus scanner on the computer, spyware protection

program, or another security utility, make sure it is not scanning your
computer in the background. If a scan is in progress, it can decrease the
overall performance of your computer. If this is the case, allow the scan to
complete and the computer's performance should improve afterwards.

42
Delete temp files

As a computer runs programs, accesses web pages, and is being used in

general, temporary files are being stored on the hard drive. Deleting these
temp files can help improve computer performance.
First, we suggest using the Windows Disk Cleanup utility to delete temporary
files and other files no longer needed on the
computer.
Unfortunately, the Disk Cleanup may not
delete all of the files in the temp directory.
Therefore, we also suggest deleting
temporary files manually by opening
the Start menu and type %temp% in the
Search field (in Windows XP and prior, click
the Run option in the Start menu and
enter %temp% in the Run field). Press Enter
and a Temp folder should open. You can
delete all files found in this folder and, if
any files are in use and cannot be deleted,
they can be skipped.

Free hard drive space

Verify that there is at least 200-500MB of free hard drive space. This available
space allows the computer to have room for the swap file to increase in size, as
well as room for temporary files.
• Determining available hard drive space.
• Regaining computer hard drive space.

Bad, corrupted or fragmented hard drive

• Run ScanDisk, chkdsk, or something equivalent to verify there is
nothing physically wrong with the computer's hard drive.
• Run Defrag to help ensure that data is arranged in the best possible
order.
• Use other software tools to test the hard drive for any errors by looking
at theSMART of the drive.

Scan for malware

Today, spyware and other malware is a big cause of many computer problems,
including a slow computer. Even if an antivirus scanner is installed on the
computer, we recommend running a malware scan on the computer. Use the
free version ofMalwarebytes to scan your computer for malware.

43
Scan for viruses
If your computer is infected with one or more viruses, this can cause your
computer to run slow. If your computer does not have an antivirus program
installed, you can run Trend Micro's free Housecall online utility to scan for
viruses on your computer, as well as remove them. It is also recommended
that you install an antivirus program for active protection against viruses.

Hardware conflicts
• Verify that the Device Manager has no conflicts. If any exist, resolve
these issues as they could be the cause of your problem.

Update Windows
• Make sure you have all the latest Windows updates installed on the
computer.
• If you are on the Internet when your computer is slow,make sure all
browser plugins are up-to-date. You can also try disabling browser plug-
ins to see if one of them is causing the slowness.

Update your drivers

Make sure you have the latest drivers for your computer hardware, especially
the latest video drivers. Having out-of-date drivers can cause an assortment of
issues, including slow performance.

Reboot computer again

If you have done any of the above steps but your computer is still acting slow
try rebooting the computer again at this point.

Memory upgrade
If you have had your
computer for more than two
years, you may need more
memory. Today, we suggest
computers have a
minimum of 1GB ofmemory
(RAM) for 32-bit system
and 2GB for a 64-
bit system. By having
enough memory for
programs to run within
memory, your computer
will not need to swap
information stored within
memory to theswap file. If
your computer hard drive

44
light is constantly active, its a good indication that your computer is
continuously swapping information between your memory and hard drive
because of the lack of space in memory.
• Determining how much RAM is installed and available.
• How much memory or RAM should my computer have?
• What type of computer memory to use in a memory upgrade?

Hard drive upgrade

One of the biggest bottlenecks of a computer is the hard disk drive. For
anyone with a slow computer or just looking for something to upgrade in the
computer to improve overall system performance, upgrading from a traditional
hard drive to a Solid State Drive (SSD) will significantly improve the overall
system performance.

Run Registry cleaner

We normally do not recommend Registry cleaners. However, if you have

followed all of the above steps and your computer is still slow, try running a
Registry cleaner on the computer.

Computer or processor is overheating

Make sure your computer and processor is not overheating. Excessive heat
can cause a significant decrease in computer performance because most
processors automatically reduce the speed of the processor to help
compensate for heat related issues.
• What temperature should my processor be running at?
Dust, dirt, and hair can also constrict proper air flow inside your computer,
which can cause a computer to overheat. Make sure your computer case is
clean and fans are not obstructed.
• Steps on cleaning your computer.

Erase computer and start over

If none of the above solutions resolve your issues, another option is to

either reinstall Windows or erase everything and then start over.

Erasing everything and starting over can increase performance by getting rid
of old software or drivers that may be on the computer and causing the
computer to be slow. Installing a fresh copy of Windows, software programs,
and the latest drivers help verify there is no software related issues causing
your computer to be slow.

Hardware issues

45
Finally, if your computer continues to be slower than normal after going over
each of the above recommendations (including erasing and starting over), it's
possible that your computer is experiencing a more serious hardware related
issue, such as a failing component in the computer. This could be a failing or
bad hard drive, CPU, RAM,motherboard, or other component.
You can run hardware diagnostic tests using the Ultimate Boot CD (UBCD)
utility. This utility provides many diagnostic tests that you can run and
determine if your computer has a bad piece of hardware.

Old computer

If your computer is older than five years, the age of the computer could be the
cause of the slow performance. Computers advance in technology and
capabilities and newer, more advanced software programs come out to run
properly on the new computers. Older computers are not able to run the new
programs as well, which can cause them to slow down. If your computer is
older than five years, we suggest purchasing a new computer or accept that, if
all the above options do not work to speed up your computer, it will just run
slower than a newer computer.

Missing or lost sound in Windows

Verify software volume control settings
First, verify you see a small sound
icon or in the Windows notification
area, also known as Systray (bottom
right-hand corner of the Windows
Desktop). If this icon is missing, follow
the steps below. If you see this icon,skip
to next section.

Windows 8
1. Open the Control Panel
2. Click the "Taskbar" icon.
3. On the "Taskbar" tab, click the
"Customize" button next to "Notification
area".
4. Scroll down in the list until you
see the "Volume" option and speaker
icon. On the right side, in the drop-down list, make sure "Show icon and
notifications" is selected. If it is not, select this option.
If the drop-down list is grayed out, uncheck the box for "Always show all

46
 icons and notifications on the taskbar" to allow you to change the drop-
down list selection.
5. If you changed the selection in the drop-down list, click OK in that
window and the Taskbar Properties window and close out of the Control
Panel.

Windows Vista or 7
1. Open the Control Panel
2. Click the "Taskbar and Start Menu" icon.
3. On the "Taskbar" tab, in the "Notification area" section, click the
"Customize" button.
4. Scroll down in the list until you see the "Volume" option and speaker
icon. On the right side, in the drop-down list, make sure "Show icon and
notifications" is selected. If it is not, select this option.
If the drop-down list is grayed out, uncheck the box for "Always show all
icons and notifications on the taskbar" to allow you to change the drop-
down list selection.
5. If you changed the selection in the drop-down list, click OK in that
window and the "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" window and close
out of the Control Panel.

Windows XP
1. Open the Control Panel
2. Open the "Sounds and Audio Devices" icon.
3. Verify the "Place volume icon in the taskbar" checkbox is checked. If this
option is not available or is grayed out, skip to the next section of this
document.
4. If you were able to check this box, click OK and close out of this window
and the Control Panel.
5. Double-click the sound icon in the Systray and verify that all the sound
volumes are mid-way or higher.

Conflicts section

If conflicts exists with your sound card or other devices installed in your
computer, it is likely that either the drivers are not properly installed for that
device or the sound card or other devices are conflicting. If you open the
properties of the device that is conflicting and view the properties, additional
details about the conflict can be found. Additional information about error
codes, as well as help with Device Manager, can be found on our Device
Manager section.
If you are unable to locate additional information about your issue or are
unable to resolve the issue, follow the steps below.
1. Under "Sound, video and game controllers", highlight each device
and press the delete key to remove the device.

47
 2. Reboot the computer.
3. As the computer is booting, the system will detect the sound card and
any of its devices and reinstall those devices. If prompted for a location
of drivers, try pointing it to your sound card CD or your Windows CD. If
this does not work or is unable to locate the proper files, you need to get
the latest sound drivers from your sound card manufacturer.
Other devices section
If Other devices are listed, these could be the sound card or another
conflicting device. If any other devices are listed, it is recommended you
remove those devices, reboot the computer and let Windows re-detect the
devices.
If this does not work, determine what device is not being detected and resolve
that issue first.

Missing sound card section.

If you are missing the "Sound, video and game controllers" category in Device
Manager, it is likely that the sound card drivers are not installed properly,
sound card has been disabled, sound card is bad, or no sound card is
available in the computer. First, verify no conflicts or other devices are present
in the Device Manager. If these are present, it is likely they are the sound card
or devices causing the sound card not to be detected. Second, verify that the
computer has a sound card and that the sound card is enabled on the
computer.

If this is an on-board sound card, you can verify that it is enabled in

the CMOS setup.

If you have no adapters or cannot click the down arrow to select the correct
adapter, close out of this window. In the Control Panel, double-click the
System icon, click theDevice Manager tab within Device Manager, and ensure
there are no yellow ! or red X.

If you have either of these on any of your sound devices, remove everything
under "Sound, video and game controllers" and reboot the computer. If after
rebooting the computer you still have the same conflicts, double-click on the
conflicting device and refer to our Device Manager error code section for
additional information on the error code you are experiencing.

Verify speaker connections

Verify the speaker settings and speakers are not at fault by running
through computer speaker troubleshooting.

Sound card drivers

48
If you have followed the above recommendations and you are still unable to
get the sound card to work, in the Device Manager, remove all sound, video,
and game controllers and reboot the computer. This should cause Windows to
reinstall all missing drivers and often can correct corrupt drivers. If this does
not work after rebooting the computer, download and install the latest sound
card drivers from the computer or sound card manufacturer. A listing of
manufacturer web pages for sound card drivers can be found on our sound
card driver page.
Defective hardware

Finally, if all of the above recommendations do not resolve your issue, it is

likely that either the sound card is not working and defective or that the
operating system is corrupted. We recommend you contact the
manufacturer of the sound card or computer for a replacement or additional
recommendations.

No display or black screen on a computer monitor

Note: This page contains some of the more common monitor troubleshooting
options and tips. If you are unable to resolve the issue after trying all options
on this page, it is recommended that you take your computer and monitor to a
computer repair shop for diagnostic testing.

Tip: The following monitor troubleshooting steps are not for users who see
a readable picture that gets distorted when Windows opens.

1. Monitor is not on

Make sure the monitor is on. If you do not see a power LED (blue, green, or
orange light) on the front of the monitor, press the power button until it comes
on. If no light comes on after several attempts, make sure the connections are
properly connected.

2. Computer is asleep

If your computer monitor was on and you stepped away from the computer,
then upon returning, it was black, it is likely that the computer is asleep. Try
moving your mouse, clicking the mouse buttons, or pressing any key (space
bar) on the keyboard to wake it up.

49
3. Connections not properly connected

A. Check the data cable

Make sure that you are connecting the monitor's VGA cable to the back of the
computer in the 15-pin connector, as shown to the right, or the older
computer 9-pin connection.

Note: Newer computers may be using a DVI or HDMIcable for the monitor.
Make sure the data cable you are using is firmly connected to the computer.

B. Check the power cable

If the data cable is plugged in, make sure the monitor is getting power by
verifying there is a light (blue, green, or orange) on the front of the monitor.
If you see no lights on the monitor, make sure it is connected to a
working wall outlet. If the power cord is removable from the back of the
monitor, try replacing it with another power cable. If you still cannot power on
the monitor after trying another wall outlet and cable, the monitor is bad and
should be replaced.

C. Check the LED status

If the monitor has a light on the front, but that status light is orange or
flashing, make sure the monitor is not in a suspend mode by moving the
mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard. If this does not help, turn the
computer and monitor off and reconnect the data cable on the back of the
computer and, if removable, on the back of the monitor. Turn the computer
and monitor back on. If you still encounter the same issue, continue reading
through the other possibilities.

50
4. Monitor settings are not correct

Verify the brightness and contrast are turned up or adjust the brightness and
contrast. If adjusting the brightness or contrast has no affect on the monitor,
continue reading through the other possibilities.

5. No POST

Does the computer beep when it is turned on or does it sound like the
computer is working? If the computer does not beep or beeps abnormally, the
computer is experiencing a hardware issue or is exhibiting a No POST. Run
through the POST troubleshooting steps to determine the failure.

6. Hardware Issue

If you have followed the above recommendations and still have the same issue,
your computer may have either a bad video card or monitor. The best method
of determining this is to do one or both of the suggestions below.
• Disconnect your monitor and connect it to another computer. For
example, try connecting it to a friend or family's computer or a computer
at a service center.
• Borrow a computer monitor and connect it to your computer.

If your monitor works on another computer, it is safe to assume that the video
card or potentially the motherboard in the computer is bad.
• Troubleshooting a bad video card.
• Troubleshooting a bad motherboard.
If another monitor works on your computer, it is safe to assume that your
monitor is bad and should be replaced. While it may be possible to have the
monitor serviced, it is often cheaper and easier to purchase a new monitor.

51
General printer troubleshooting
A. Printer does not have power indicator
First, make sure that
the printer is on.
When a printer is on it
should have some
light or LED(usually
green) indicating it's
receiving power.
If you do not have any
indicator light, make
sure the printer is
connected to a
working power outlet
by verifying each end
of the power cable.
Next, press the printer
power button.
If after following the previous steps your printer still does not display a power
status indicator, it's likely you are encountering a serious printer issue and we
suggest contacting the printer manufacturer for additional instructions on
repair or replacement.

B. Cables not connected properly

Your printer should have two cables connected to it: the power cable and the
data cable. Make sure the power and data cables (parallel cable or USB cable)
are connected to both the printer and computer.

C. Printer error (orange or blinking light)

After your printer has completed its initial startup, you should see a solid
colored light. If the indicator is blinking or orange often this is an indication of
a printer error; like a paper jam or an issue with the ink or toner cartridge. As
there are not standards for all printers, if you see a blinking light, visit the
manufacturer's site for specific error details.

D. No paper or paper jam

Without paper, your printer will not be able to print. Make sure you have
paper in the paper loaded into the printer paper cartridge or tray. Next, verify
that no printer paper is jammed or partially fed into the printer. If you suspect
paper is stuck somewhere it shouldn't be.

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E. Inkjet printer ink related issues

Often when you're encountering an ink related issue you're printer status
indicator light (mentioned above) should be flashing. If this is not occurring
you may want to skip to the next section. However, if you've recently inserted
a new ink cartridge you may want to try the below suggestions.

F. Printer self tests

Most printers have a way of printing a test page. This page allows you to
determine if the printer is physically working or not. This test is usually
accomplished by holding down a series of keys. If you are not sure if your
printer has this feature or how to perform it refer to your manual or visit
your printer manufacturers website.

In addition to testing the printer using the printer self-test Microsoft Windows
users can also perform a software self-test to determine if their computer can
see the printer and it's able to print. Follow the steps below to perform this
test.

Microsoft Windows users

1. Click Start, Settings, and open Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Printers or Printers and Fax icon.
3. Right-click on the Printer you want to test and click Properties. If you do
not see your printer listed your printer is not installed.
4. In the Printers Properties window click the Print Test Page button.
5. If the printer can print a test page, your printer is installed and setup
properly. However, if you are unable to print in other programs the
program you are attempting to print from has issues.

Parallel (LPT) printers

If the printer you're connecting to the computer is an LPT (parallel port)
printer we also suggest verifying the below suggestions if your printer is not
working.

Parallel port in CMOS

1. Enter the computers CMOS setup.
2. Once in CMOS verify that your parallel port is enabled or installed.
3. Next, verify the printer or parallel port mode. If your parallel port is set
to ECP mode, we suggest trying a different mode.
Other parallel device

53
If you have a parallel printer with other parallel devices such as a parallel
scanner or zip drive, temporarily disconnect these devices to verify they are
not causing your issue.

Mouse not being detected or working in Windows

There may be several

issues which can
cause your mouse to
not work properly with
Microsoft Windows.
This document
contains the more
common solutions
that should be
followed in order for
best results.
Note: If you are
having trouble with a
touchpad mouse on a
laptop, see our laptop
touchpad not
working page.

A. Computer frozen

1. Using the Num Lock key

Make sure the computer is not frozen by pressing the Num Lock key on the
keyboard. When Num Lock is pressed repeatedly, the Num Lock indicator
LED on your keyboard should turn on and off. If this indicator does not
change, your computer is frozen; meaning all hardware on the computer
(including the mouse) will not work. Reboot the computer to resolve this issue.
If you don't have an indicator light, proceed to the next part of this section.
2. Keyboard doesn't have Num Lock indicator light

If your keyboard does not include the LED described in the previous section,
anywhere in Windows, press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys at the same time. This
action should bring up a blue Windows options screen (you may leave this

54
menu by pressing the Esc key). If you are not taken to the blue screen within
a few seconds, your computer is frozen. Reboot your machine to resolve this
issue.

B. Mouse conflict

If any new hardware has been recently installed on the computer, remove it to
help verify the new hardware is not causing a conflict with your existing
mouse.

C. Not connected properly

1. USB mouse

If you are using a USB mouse, disconnect the mouse cable and then reconnect
to a different USB port. If the mouse is connected to a USB hub, unplug the
mouse cable and the connect it to a USB port on the back of the computer.

2. PS/2 mouse
If you are using a mouse with a PS/2 connection, check
the back of the computer to verify that it is plugged into
the PS/2 mouse port and not the PS/2 keyboard. If the
mouse has worked properly in the past (I.E. this is not a
new mouse), turn off the computer, then disconnect and
reconnect the mouse.

Note: A PS/2 mouse should not be disconnected and

reconnected while a computer is turned on.
Tip: If the computer's keyboard is working, you can
shutdown Windows properly by pressing the Windows
key, and then using the arrow keys to move to the shut down option on
the Start Menu.

3. Wireless mouse
1. Make sure the mouse is receiving power by checking for some indication
of power (usually a light). If your mouse has a power switch, it is often
located on the bottom side.
2. If the mouse does not appear to be on, replace the batteries.
3. Make sure the wireless receiver is within range and is not blocked by
another object.
4. Disconnect the wireless USB adapter and try plugging it into a different
port.

55
D. Mouse software or driver conflict

Boot into Windows Safe Mode. If the mouse is working in Safe Mode, there is
likely adriver or software conflict. To fix this problem, follow the steps below.
1. Open Windows Device Manager.
2. Expand the mouse (mice) option in Device Manager by clicking
the + symbol.
3. Remove all mice listed by highlighting each device and then pressing
the Delete key on the keyboard.

If the mouse still does not work in Normal Windows, follow the basic
troubleshooting steps for your version of Windows.

E. Outdated or missing mouse driver

Check if a driver has been installed for the mouse. You can check in the
Device Manager for this. While Windows may have a standard or default driver
for the mouse, installing a driver for your specific mouse may fix the issue.
You can check our driver list page to find links to some of the more popular
manufacturers' websites to download a driver for the mouse.
If a driver is installed for the mouse, it is recommended that you check if there
is an updated driver for the mouse. Updating the driver may fix issues with a
non-functioning mouse.

F. Hardware issues

1. Bad Port
If the previous solutions did not solve the problem, try another mouse. If that
mouse works, try the mouse that is not working with another computer. If
multiple mice do not work, the likely issue is the port you are connecting the
mouse to. If you are using the PS/2 or USB port on the back of the computer,
the motherboard is potentially bad and would need to be replaced.

2. Bad Mouse
If the mouse does not work with more than one computer, the mouse is bad
and should be replaced. If you are using a wired mouse, check the mouse
wire. If the wire has been partially cut or is frayed, this is likely the cause of
the mouse not working. Replace the mouse if this is the case.

G. Corrupt operating system files

If all of the above solutions do not resolve the issue, there is a possibility of
corrupt system files in the operating system. You may need to run an
operating system repair using the system installation disc.

56
Another option, and possibly less drastic, is to activate a restore point in the
operating system prior to when the mouse stopped working. This restore point
can restore the corrupt system files to a working state and resolve the issue.

No power or computer does not turn on

Notice: If the computer is turning on but is not posting (beeping) or giving any
picture on the display.

Note: This page relates primarily to desktop computers. For more specific
troubleshooting steps for a laptop computer.

If you are uncertain if the computer is turning on or not, this can be checked
by locating any fans in the computer or visible from the outside of the
computer. If these fans are spinning, the computer is receiving power and this
document may not apply to your issue.

A. Power cord not connected properly

Verify that the power cord is connected properly
to the wall and the back of the computer. If it
appears to be connected properly, disconnect
and reconnect both ends of the power cord to
make sure the cable is not loose.
If you have a power strip (surge protector) or
switch used to turn everything on at once,
temporarily disconnect the computer power cord
from that switch and connect it directly to the
wall. This helps verify that the strip or switch is
not bad.

Verify that the outlet works by connecting another electrical device to that
switch.

B. Third-party hardware

If additional hardware has been recently added to the computer, it is

recommended that you temporarily disconnect or remove the hardware from
the computer to verify it is not preventing your computer from turning on.

Note: If the computer was working fine before you added the new hardware,
removing the third-party hardware did not resolve the issue, and the computer
is not beeping but is turning on.

57
Verify that the cable supplying power to your computer is not bad or damaged
by using another power cable. If you have a standard CRT monitor, this cable
can be used in place of the computer power cable.

If you have a portable computer or laptop, when the cables are plugged into
the laptop, you should see a power light or battery charge light. If this light is
seen, this is a good indication that the power cable is good.

C. Incorrect power supply

If you are building your own computer or if the computer has never turned on
since you purchased it, you may have a defective power supply that does not
supply enough power or the incorrect power supply for your computer. Verify
your power supply meets the requirements of your motherboard and
processor.
• How do I determine how big my power supply is?
• How big of a computer power supply should I get?

D. Bad battery

If your computer is a laptop or portable computer that utilizes a battery for

mobility, it may be causing your issue.
• If your computer powers on when the cable is connected to the portable
computer, but not when it is disconnected, we recommend you
purchase a new battery.
• If your computer does not power on when the battery is connected and
when the power cable or charger cable is connected, try removing the
battery and seeing if the computer can power on with only the power
cable connected. If no power is still received, skip to the final section.

E. Bad power supply, power button, power board, or inverter

If, after following the above sections, your computer still receives no power, it
is likely that a hardware component in the computer has failed. It is high
possibility that the power supply has failed. If you do not plan on replacing the
power supply yourself or if you have a portable computer, we recommend
having the computer serviced by your computer manufacturer or a local
computer repair shop.

If you have a desktop computer and plan on trying to repair the computer
yourself, we recommend you replace the components in your computer in the
below order.
1. First open the computer and verify the power connections. We
recommend disconnecting the main power cable and reconnecting the

58
 power cable to make sure it has not become loose. Also, verify the power
button cable is correctly connected to the motherboard.
2. Replace the power supply with a new power supply.
3. Replace the motherboard.

Basic network troubleshooting

Because of the variety of network configurations, operating systems, setup,

etc. not all of the below information may apply to your network or operating
system.

Note: We cannot assist you with network problems due to an unknown

passwords or unknown ISP settings. Since we have no method of verifying or
determining this information.

Adapter resources

Verify that the network adapter is properly installed and detected by the
computer with no conflicts. If you're using Microsoft Windows check in Device
Manager and verify there are no errors and "Network adapters" is present with
each network adapter installed in the computer listed, similar to the example
on the right.
• How do I get into Windows Device Manager?
• Identifying problems in Windows Device Manager.

If conflicts exist or the network adapter is being detected as an Other device.

The network card has not been properly installed in the computer. Try letting
Windows re-detect and install the Network card by removing the network

59
adapter and any other conflict devices from Device Manager and then
rebooting the computer. If Windows re-detects the card but does not find the
drivers, download the network adapter drivers from the computer
manufacturer or the network card manufacturer.
• How do I remove a device in Windows Device Manager?
• Listing of network drivers and network card manufacturers.

Verify connections

Wired Network
If this is a wired network, verify that the
network cable is properly connected and
make sure the LEDs next to the network jack
are properly illuminated. For example, a
network card with a solid green LED or light
usually indicates that the card is either
connected or receiving a signal. If the green
light is flashing, this is an indication of data
being sent or received. In the picture is an
example of LAN port with two LED indicators
next to the RJ-45 port. With this port, one
LED will light up if connected properly and
the other will flash when transmitting data.
If there are no lights or the lights are orange or red the card may be bad, not
connected properly, or that the card is not receiving a signal from the network.
If you are on a small or local network and have the capability of checking
a hub, switch, or router verify that the cables are properly connected and that
it has power. If after checking the connections the LED indicators appear bad,
the network adapter, port, or cable may be defective.
Wireless Network

60
 If you're using a laptop with a wireless
network make sure if the laptop has a
Wi-Fi button that it is turned on. Many
laptops have a Wi-Fi button that allows
the wireless network to be turned on
and off. In the picture is an example of a
Wi-Fi button that is currently enabled.
If the Wi-Fi button is turned on, make
sure you're connecting to the correct
Wi-Fi hotspot by right-clicking on the
Network icon in the Windows
notification area and clicking "Connect
to a network". Usually, the network with
the strongest connection (the most bars)
will be your wireless router.
Finally, when connecting to most
wireless networks you need to enter the proper SSID (password) in order to
connect to the network. If the incorrect SSID has been entered you cannot
access the network.
Adapter functionality

Verify that the network card is capable of pinging itself by using the ping
command. Windows users can ping the computer from a Windows command
line. Unix and Linux users can ping from the shell.
To ping the card or the localhost, type either
ping [Link]

or
ping localhost

61
Doing either of the above commands should get replies from the network card.
If you receive an error or if the transmission fails the network card is not
physically installed into the computer correctly, has the incorrect drivers, or
that the card is bad.

Connect to the router

If all of the above steps have been checked and your network has a router,
make sure the computer can connect to the router by performing the below
commands.
Determine the routers address
Using the ipconfig command (or ifconfig command for Linux) determine the
router's address by looking at the Gateway address. Below are the steps for
Microsoft Windows users, Linux users can substitute ipconfig for ifconfig.

1. Open the Windows command line.

2. From the command prompt type ipconfig and press enter. This
command should give you an output similar to the example below.
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : [Link].
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : [Link]
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : [Link]
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : [Link]
The Default Gateway is the address of your router. Most home routers have a
gateway address that starts with 192.168 like the address shown above.
Assuming your gateway address is [Link] attempt to ping the router to
see if it can send and receive information by running the below command.

ping [Link]

62
If you get replies back from the router, the connection between your router
and computer are good, and you can skip to the next step.
If you do not receive any replies back from the router either the router is not
setup properly or your connection between the router and the computer are
not correct. Reset your router to make sure it is not a problem with your
router by following the steps below.

1. Turn off the power to the computer and leave it off.

2. Unplug the power to your router and cable modem or DSL modem.
3. Leave the power cables disconnected for 10-15 seconds and then
plug in your modem and then your router again.
4. Finally, turn on your computer again and repeat this step to see if
you can ping your router.
If you're using a wireless network and have followed all the above steps and
still are unable to ping the router try turning off the computer again and
connect the computer to the router using a cable instead of trying to connect
using wireless. If a wire does also not work connect the manufacturer of the
router for additional support or replacement.
Firewall

If your computer network utilizes a firewall, make sure all

required ports required are open, especially port 80, which is the HTTP port. If
possible, disable the firewall software program or disconnect the computer
from the firewall to make sure it is not causing the network problems.

Internet is not working

If you're able to ping the router, but are still unable to connect to the Internet,
either your router is improperly configured or the ISP is having issues.
Note: Some ISPs such as Comcast require special software be installed. Make
sure any software included with your Modem or other hardware has been
installed on at least one computer if you are setting up a new Internet
connection.

63
If your Internet has been working but recently stopped working, give it a few
minutes to make sure it is not a temporary outage. If after waiting a few
minutes, you still have problems and you have not disconnected the power to
your router and modem already follow the steps below.
1. Turn off the power to the computer and leave it off.
2. Unplug the power to your router and cable modem or DSL modem.
3. Leave the power cables disconnected for 10-15 seconds and then
plug in your modem and then your router again.
4. Finally, turn on your computer again and repeat this step to see if
you can ping your router.
If after following the above steps the Internet is still not working, open the
Windows command line and run the below command.

ping [Link]

Running the above command should get a reply from Google. If you get a
reply, this is an indication that the Internet is working, but you may be
encountering a problem with the Internet browser you are using to browse the
Internet. Try an alternative browser such as Firefox or Chrome.
If you're getting no reply from Google, your router or modem is not reaching
the Internet. If you have a router, make sure your router has DHCP enabled
and that theWAN or Gateway address is the proper ISP address.
Finally, after verifying all of the above settings if your Internet is still not
working we suggest contacting the ISP to make sure it is not a problem on
their end and to assist you further with any special configurations that may
not be mentioned in this document.
Additional troubleshooting

Another method of determining network issues is to use the tracert

command if you are a Windows user or the traceroute command if you are a
Linux or Unix variant user. This command gives you an overview of each of the

64
devices (routers) a packet travels (hops) over a network and can give you an
idea of where a problem exists in your network or outside of your network.
To use this command you must be at the command line and type one of the
below commands depending on your operating system.
tracert [Link]

or
traceroute [Link]

If run successfully you should begin to see each hop between the computer
and network devices. When the connection fails, determine what device is
causing the issue by reviewing the traceroute listing.

65
 Information Sheet No. 1.2-4
Troubleshooting and isolating PC hardware problems

5 Common Computer Problems & Solutions

Blue Screen of Death (BSoD)

Many people think of blue as a calming color; however, when it comes up
on your computer screen with a bunch of white text, it probably has the
opposite effect. The blue screen of death (BSoD or STOP Error) may appear
to be one of the scariest computer problems you'll come across. However,
all your computer may need is for you to reboot it. This STOP error appears
on your screen for a variety of reasons: failing hardware, damaged
software, corrupt DLL files, problems with drivers and more. The remedy
for a blue screen of death depends on the original problem. The screen
provides you with codes that can help you identify and fix your computer
problems.

Missing DLL File

Dynamic-Link Library (DLL) files house information for your operating
system on how to perform certain functions. Occasionally, your computer
loses DLL files or something damages them. When your PC can't read the
particular DLL file, it doesn't know how to respond in certain situations.
You may have a missing or corrupt DLL file if you receive an error message
every time you perform a certain function, such as saving. If your computer
problems are stemming from missing and damaged DLL files, you can
restore them by downloading them back onto your PC.

Applications That Won't Install

If you're having trouble with an application not installing, it may be
because your computer doesn't have enough hard drive space. If this is the
case, you need to free up some space. This is one of the computer problems
that's, well, least problematic. You can free up some hard drive space by
getting rid of files and folders you don't need. These may be temporary files,
duplicate files or data for software you've uninstalled.

Applications Run Slowly

There are several reasons software might be running at turtle speed. You
may have computer problems that involve your operating system or an
application, your operating system might be missing updates or your
computer doesn't have enough hard drive space. If you don't have enough
hard drive space, you can scan, clean and optimize your hard drive.

Abnormal Applications Behavior

Computer problems that involve applications acting strangely oftentimes

66
 leave you wondering what has happened. Your application has been
working just fine, but now, seemingly without reason, it is doing something
strange.

For instance, your Word document will no longer show the top margin of
your document. It still says it's there, and when you print it, there's not a
problem. You just can't see it on your monitor. If this is happening, you
may want to restart your computer. Conducting an internet search for the
type of problem you're experiencing or consulting your user manual may
help you as well.

Using System Repair Software

If you have computer problems, chances are, system repair software can help
you fix it. Most of these applications can repair operating system problems
that lead to the Blue Screen of Death. They can also replace missing or
damaged DLL files. System repair software can also free up space you need for
another application, and it can optimize your computer so it runs faster. It
may even identify problems you're having with applications, but it depends on
the software you use and the application that's having problems.

67
 Information Sheet No. 1.2-5
Diagnosing and troubleshooting hardware conflicts

How to Diagnose a Computer Problem?

Step 1: Check the POST.

POST stands for Power On Self Test. This is generally the first or second thing
that appears on a computer after turning on the power. This appears before
the operating system begins to load. The POST will display any problems
found with hardware that makes the computer unable to boot, POST may also
display problems with hardware that allow the computer to boot, but not
operate at its full capacity during operation.

68
Step 2: Notice the load time of the OS (operating system). A longer than
usual load time may indicate seek errors (or other errors) in the hard drive.

Step 3: Notice any graphics problems once the OS has loaded. Reduced
graphics may indicate driver failures or hardware failures with graphic cards.

69
Step 4: Perform an auditory test. An auditory test is an unorthodox, but still
effective way of judging how hard a computer is working. With the computer
on and running, play any decent length audio file (usually above 30 secs). If
the audio is choppy or slow, it usually means that the processor is working at
an elevated level, or there is not enough RAM to run all programs loading.
Changing the startup sound is a great way to apply this test. Another issue
associated with choppy sounds is PIO (Programmed Input/Output) Mode. This
affects how the hard drive reads and writes data from a drive. Switching to
DMA allows for faster reads and writes, and can sometimes repair choppy
audio.

70
Step 5: Check any newly installed hardware. Many operating systems,
especially Windows, can conflict with new drivers. The driver may be badly
written, or it may conflict with another process. Windows will usually notify
you about devices that are causing a problem, or have a problem. To check
this use the Device Manager, this can be accessed by entering the Control
Panel, clicking the System icon, clicking theHardware tab, and clicking
on Device Manager. Use this to check and arrange the properties of hardware.

71
Step 6: Check any newly installed software. Software may require more
resources than the system can provide. Chances are that if a problem begins
after software starts, the software is causing it. If the problem appears directly
upon startup, it may be caused by software that starts automatically on boot.

72
Step 7: Check RAM and CPU consumption. A common problem is a choppy
or sluggish system. If a system is choppy it is good practice to see if a program
is consuming more resources than the computer can provide. An easy way to
check this is to use the Task Manager, right click on the taskbar select Task
Manager, and click the Processestab. The CPU column contains a number that
indicates the percentage of CPU the process is consuming. The Memory Usage
column indicates how much memory a process is consuming.

Step 8: Listen to the computer, if the hard drive is scratching or making

loud noises, shut off the computer and have a professional diagnose the
hard drive. Listen to the
CPU fan, this comes on a
high speed when the CPU is
working hard, and can tell
you when the computer is
working beyond its capacity.

73
Step 9: Run a virus and malware scan. Performance problems can be caused
by malware on the computer. Running a virus scan can unearth any
problems. Use a commonly updated virus scanner (such as Norton Antivirus
or Avast! Antivirus) and a commonly updated malware scanner (such as
Spybot Search & Destroy).

Step 10: Check for the problem in safe mode. As a last ditch effort, check
the problem in safe mode. To enter safe mode, tap F8 repeatedly during POST
(this works on most systems). If the problem persists in safe mode, it is a fair
bet that the operating system itself is to blame.

74
 Information Sheet No. 1.2-6
Installing Computer peripherals, network devices and other
I/O

How to Connect the Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, Scanner and

Printer in Your Computer?

The remaining components for your new computer are called peripherals.
These are all external devices that will not be installed inside the case. They
will allow you to interact with the computer by inputting commands, viewing
the screen as well as printing out documents and pictures.

Keep your computer case open and on its side on your table. We are going to
attach the peripherals, then start up the computer to make sure everything is
working before closing up the case and moving the computer to your
workstation.

1. Let's install the keyboard first.

✓ All you have to do is remove it from the box and insert the cable into the
purple PS/2 socket at the top left of the I/O panel.
✓ The I/O panel is the portion of the motherboard that is exposed out the
back of the case. Some keyboards have USB connectors that would

75
 obviously plug into one of the USB ports on the I/O panel rather than
the PS/2 port.
2. To connect the mouse you plug the cable into the green PS/2 socket
at the upper right of the I/O panel.
✓ Pretty easy stuff here. Some mouse have USB connectors that would
obviously plug into one of the USB ports on the I/O panel rather than
the PS/2 port.

3. The speakers will also be connected via the I/O panel.

✓ If your set of speakers has just one cable it will plug into the pale green
Line-Out jack.
✓ If you have a fancier set of speakers you may need to use the side
speaker jacks as well.

4. The microphone that came in the motherboard box can be plugged into
the pink jack that matches it's pink plug.

5. If you will be using a wireless home network be sure to connect the Wi-
Fi antenna into the Wi-Fi Antenna In jack at the bottom of the I/O panel.
✓ The antenna came in the motherboard box.
✓ Most motherboards do not come with a wireless antenna, which means
you would have to buy and install a separate wireless network card in
your computer.
✓ That is another great reason I recommend the Asus M2N32
motherboard.
✓ Most scanners and printers are connected via a USB cable to a USB jack
on the I/O panel.

6. Connect the printer through a USB port or through a parallel port.

7. Attach the monitor.

✓ If you are using an old, bulky CRT monitor you will attach the monitor
cable to the analog jack on the externally exposed panel of the video
card.
✓ If you are using a flat-panel LCD monitor you should use the provided
DVI cable to plug in to the DVI jack on the video card.
✓ Some monitors come with a DVI adapter to add to the end of the
monitor cable in order to plug into the DVI jack.
✓ You can attach a flat-panel monitor to the analog jack, but the picture
quality won't be nearly as good so don't do that.

You have now installed all the components. You computer is essentially fully
assembled. You are not done yet however. There are still plenty of things to do
before your computer is ready for use.

76
The next thing we need to do is take the computer for a short spin to make
sure everything works properly.

77
DIAGNOSING
AND
TROUBLESHO
OTING
COMPUTER
SYSTEM

78
 Plan and
prepare for
diagnosis
of faults of
computer
systems
79
 Information Sheet No. 2.1-1
Different types of computer systems error

Information Sheet No. 2.1-2

Software as tools for diagnosing computer systems

Techniques for Diagnosing Computer System

Techniques for diagnosing computer system

1. Computer Diagnosis
2. Rules In Diagnosing Computer System
3. Factors Causing Computer Failures and Defects
4. Problem Isolation
5. Component Isolation

Computer Diagnosis
Sometimes when the problem with a system is not totally apparent
and the problem may be intermittent, using a basic common
diagnostic procedure may help determine what is wrong. This
procedure has a number of steps that, if followed each time, can be
of help.

Rules in Diagnosing Computer System

1. Know the facts

• Educate oneself on all aspects and operation of computer parts.

• Continuous learning on computer technology.

2. Use your common sense

3. Focus on Field Replaceable Units

• Identify the different types of FRU that can be used for

replacement or subassembly.

4. Proper assembly and disassembly

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Factors Causing Computer Failures and Defects

1. Peopleware
2. Firmware
3. Software
4. Hardware
5. Static(ESD)
6. Electricity

Peopleware
• Untrained personnel would probably damage programs in PC.

Firmware
• Programs or software burnt in chips may be corrupted.

Software
• Corrupted operating systems would cause the system to fail.

Hardware
• Defective hardware components would lead to computer
malfunction.
• Hardware conflicts and viruses can hinder your computers
performance.

ESD (Electro Static Discharge)

• Electro static discharge can easily damage sensitive components
in your computer.

Electricity
• Incoming supply from AC outlet must be regulated, power surges
can damage computer units.

Problem Isolation

Problem isolation is a detective work in which you need to

determine what is out of the ordinary by making detailed
observation of what is not working normally and record any
information as you proceed. The information you will be able to
gather will help diagnose your computer. You need to observe

81
wisely. Look for any abnormalities in the unit, any change in smell
or foreign smell, listen to all the sounds, and error codes.

Component Isolation

This section will aid in determining components in your system

which are failing. First, most systems have 3 major components;
monitor, system unit, and printers. Some have multiple external
devices. To troubleshoot, you need to isolate major components
which are failing to operate.

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 Information Sheet No. 2.1-3
Hand tools and its uses

Computer Hand Tools

When performing computer upgrades, maintenance or troubleshooting,

you will often need to remove or replace hardware.

You should have a number of key tools in your possession to make this
process easy and safe. Though your first thought might be to buy a
prepackaged computer toolkit, these types of kits are often cheap or flimsy.
Instead, you'll find it worth the cost to assemble your own computer tool-kit,
composed of quality, branded tools.

Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) Tools

Static electricity is easily generated by friction on carpets, tile flooring,

clothing, hair, fabric, and etc. The friction of moving air alone will charge
suspended parties and cause the buildup of static electrical charges on people
and objects in the environment. Grounded antistatic work mats used
electrostatic electricity. Examples of ESD Tools:

Anti-static wrist strap

Anti-static wrist strap-used to prevent ESD damage to computer equipment.

83
Anti-static mat

Anti-static - used to stand on or place hardware on to prevent static electricity

from building up.

Hand Tools
A hand tool is a device for performing work on a material or a physical system
using only hands. The hands tools can be manually used employing force, or
electrically powered, using electrical current. Examples of Hand Tools:

Flat head screwdriver

Flat head screwdriver - used to loosen or tighten slotted screws.

84
Philips head screwdriver

Philips head screwdriver - used to loosen or tighten cross-head screws.

Torx screwdriver

Torx screwdriver - used to loosen or tighten screws that have a star-like

depression on the top, a feature that is mainly found laptop.

Hex driver

Hex driver - sometimes called a nut driver, is used to tighten nuts in the same
way that a screwdriver tightens screws.

85
Needle-nose plier

Needle-nose plier - used to hold small parts.

Wire cutter

Wire cutter - used to strip and cut wires.

Tweezers

Tweezers - used to manipulate small parts.

86
Part retriever

Part retriever - used to retrieve parts from location that are too small for your
hand to fit.

Flashlight

Flashlight - used to light up areas that you cannot see well.

Cleaning Tools

Having the appropriate cleaning tools is essential when maintaining or

repairing computers. Using these tools ensures the computer components are
not damage during cleaning. Examples.

87
Lint-free cloth

Lint-free cloth - used to clean different computer components without

scratching or leaving debris.

Compressed air

Compressed air - used to blow away dust and debris from different computer
parts without touching the components.

Cable ties

Cable ties - used to bundle cables neatly inside and outside of a computer.

88
Parts organizer

Parts organized - used to hold screw, jumpers, fasteners and other small parts
and prevents them from getting mixed together.

Diagnostic Tools
Computers are easier to use and more dependable with each new generation of
hardware and operating system update, but that doesn't mean they're
problem-free. Here's the most popularb tools for diagnosing your computer
problems:

Multimeter

Multimeter -used to test the integrity of circuits and the quality of electricity in
computer components.

89
Loopback Adapter

Loopback Adapter - used to test the functionality of computer ports.

PC Tools for Software and Hardware Trouble Shooting.

These are the PC Tools and Components that will be used in PC Hardware and
Software Trouble Shootings.

A lens

A lens is an optical device

which transmits and refracts light,
converging or diverging the beam.
A simple lens consists of a single
optical element.

A compound lens is an array of simple

lenses (elements) with a common axis;
the use of multiple elements allows
more optical aberrations to be
corrected than is possible with a
single element.

Lenses are typically made

of glass or transparent plastic.
Elements which
refract electromagnetic
radiation outside the visual spectrum are also called lenses: for instance,
a microwave lens can be made from paraffin wax.

90
A multimeter

A multimeter or a multitester, also known as a VOM (Volt-Ohm meter), is

an electronic measuring instrument that
combines several measurement functions in
one unit. A typical multimeter may include
features such as the ability to
measure voltage, current and resistance.
]
Multimeters may use analog or digital
circuits--analog multimeters (AMM)
and digital multimeters (often
abbreviatedDMM or DVOM.)

Analog instruments are usually based on

a microammeter whose pointer moves over a
scale calibrated for all the different
measurements that can be made; digital
instruments usually display digits, but may
display a bar of a length proportional to the
quantity being measured.

A multimeter can be a hand-held device useful for basic fault finding and field
service work or a bench instrument which can measure to a very high degree
of accuracy. They can be used to troubleshoot electrical problems in a wide
array of industrial and household devices such as electronic equipment, motor
controls, domestic appliances, power supplies, and wiring systems.

An eraser

An eraser or rubber (elsewhere) is an

article of stationery that is used for
removing pencil markings. Erasers
have a rubbery consistency and are
often pink or white. Some pencils
have an eraser on one end. Typical
erasers are made from synthetic
rubber, but more expensive or
specialized erasers are vinyl, plastic,
or gum-like materials. Cheaper
erasers can be made out of
synthetic soy-based gum.

An eraser can be used of cleaning the RAM, a memory chip of the PC.

91
Paint brush

brush 1 (brsh)
n.
1. a. A device consisting of bristles fastened into a handle, used in scrubbing,
polishing, or painting.
b. The act of using this device.
2. A light touch in passing; a graze.
3. An instance of contact with something undesirable or dangerous: a brush
with the law; a brush with death.
4. A bushy tail: the brush of a fox.
5. A sliding connection completing a circuit between a fixed and a moving
conductor.
6. A snub; a brush off.

A vacuum

A vacuum is a space devoid of air or matter, or a tool that uses suction to

clean.(noun)

1. An example of a vacuum is a space with nothing in it.

2. An example of a vacuum is something used to clean up dirt on a floor.

92
To vacuum is to clean using a tool that sucks dirt or other elements into a
storage container. (verb)

An example of vacuum is to clean the dirt off the carpet using a vacuum cleaner.

A soldering gun

A soldering gun is an approximately pistol-shaped tool for soldering metals

using tin-based solder to achieve a strong mechanical bond with good
electrical contact. The tool has a trigger-style switch so it can be easily
operated with one hand. The body of the tool contains a transformer with a
primary winding connected to mains electricity when the trigger is pressed,
and an incomplete single-turn secondary winding of thick copper with very low
resistance. A soldering tip, made of a loop of thinner copper wire, is secured to
the end of the transformer secondary by screws, completing the secondary
winding. When the primary of the transformer is energized, several hundred
amperes of current flow through the secondary and very rapidly heat the
copper tip. Since the tip has a much higher resistance than the rest of the
tubular copper winding, the tip, used for soldering, gets very hot while the
remainder of the secondary warms much less. A tap on the primary winding is
often used to light a pilot lamp which also provides illumination of the work
piece.

Pliers

Pliers are a hand tool used to hold objects firmly,

for bending, or physical compression. Generally,
pliers consist of a pair of metal first-class
levers joined at a fulcrum positioned closer to one
end of the levers, creating short jaws on one side of
the fulcrum, and longer handles on the other side.
This arrangement creates a mechanical advantage,
allowing the force of the hand's grip to be amplified
and focused on an object with precision. The jaws

93
can also be used to manipulate objects too small or unwieldy to be
manipulated with the fingers.

Diagonal pliers

Diagonal pliers (or wire cutters or diagonal cutting pliers)

are pliers intended for the cutting of wire (they are generally not used to grab
or turn anything). The plane defined by the cutting edges of the jaws intersects
the joint rivet at an angle or "on a diagonal", hence the name. Instead of using
a shearing action as with scissors, they cut by indenting and wedging the wire
apart. The jaw edges are ground to a symmetrical "V" shape; thus the two jaws
can be visualized to form the letter "X", as seen end-on when fully occluded.
The pliers are made of tempered steel with inductive
heating and quenching often used to selectively harden the jaws.

A Phillips screw driver

A Phillips screw driver is primarily used to fasten and unfasten screws with a
star-like hole in their heads.

94
A screwdriver

A screwdriver is a tool for driving screws or bolts with special slots, and
sometimes for rotating other machine elements with the mating drive system.
The screwdriver is made up of a head or tip, which engages with a screw,
a mechanism to apply torque by rotating the tip, and some way to position
and support the screwdriver. A typical hand screwdriver comprises an
approximately cylindrical handle of a size and shape to be held by a human
hand, and an axial shaft fixed to the handle, the tip of which is shaped to fit a
particular type of screw. The handle and shaft allow the screwdriver to be
positioned and supported and, when rotated, to apply torque. Screwdrivers are
made in a variety of shapes, and the tip can be rotated manually or by
an electric motor or other motor.

The flat head is also one of the most abused tools, often substituted for any
number of other tools that might not be available. The fact is the flat head
screwdriver is quite useful for more than tightening screws. Used for light
prying, scraping, nudging or holding it can be pretty versatile. Treat it too
badly, though, and it'll snap, leaving you with a fishing weight in your
toolbox.

Goggles or safety glasses

95
Goggles or safety glasses are forms of protective eyewear that usually enclose
or protect the area surrounding the eye in order to prevent particulates, water
or chemicals from striking the eyes. They are used in chemistry laboratories
and in woodworking. They are often used in snow sports as well, and
in swimming. Goggles are often worn when using power tools such
as drills or chainsaws to prevent flying particles from damaging the eyes.
Many types of goggles are available as prescription goggles for those with
vision problems.

A glove

A glove (Middle English from Old English glof) is

a garment covering the whole hand. Gloves have
separate sheaths or openings for each finger and
the thumb; if there is an opening but no covering
sheath for each finger they are called "fingerless
gloves". Fingerless gloves with one large opening
rather than individual openings for each finger are
sometimes called gauntlets. Gloves which cover
the entire hand or fist but do not have separate
finger openings or sheaths are called mittens.
Mittens are warmer than gloves made of the same
material because fingers maintain their warmth
better when they are in contact with each other.
Reduced surface area reduces heat loss.

LAN tester

A LAN tester is a circuit used to check the LAN cables.

96
An antistatic wrist strap

An antistatic wrist
strap, ESD wrist strap,
or ground bracelet is
an antistatic device used to
safely ground a person
working on very
sensitive electronic equipme
nt, to prevent the buildup
of static electricity on their
body, which can result
in electrostatic
discharge (ESD). It is used
in the electronics industry
by workers working on
electronic devices which can
be damaged by ESD, and also sometimes by people working around
explosives, to prevent electric sparks which could set off an explosion. It
consists of a stretchy band of fabric with fine conductive fibers woven into it,
attached to a wire with a clip on the end to connect it to a ground conductor.
The fibers are usually made of carbon or carbon-filled rubber, and the strap is
bound with a stainless steel clasp or plate. They are usually used in
conjunction with an antistatic mat on the workbench, or a special static-
dissipating plastic laminate on the workbench surface.

A crimping tool

A crimping tool is a tool designed to crimp or connect a

connector to the end of a cable. For example, network
cables and phone cables are created using a crimping
tool to connect the RJ-45 and RJ-11 connectors to the
end of the cable. In the picture to the right, is an
example of what a crimping tool looks like. This example
shows a tool capable of crimping both RJ-11 and RJ-45
connectors.

97
Sharp Pointed Tweezers

The Tweezerman Pointed Tweezers

feature perfectly aligned, hand filed
tips made from 100 stainless steel.
The fine, precision design makes
eliminating even the most stubborn
stray hairs a cinch. Caution:
Tweezers are very sharp. Use with
care. Keep out of the reach of
children. Tweeze in the direction of
hair growth, after a hot shower, or
use a hot wash cloth to open pores.
For ingrown hairs, cleanse skin and disinfect the tips of the tweezers with
alcohol. After any work under the skin, clean area with hydrogen peroxide.
Always replace protective cap on tweezer tips.

A soldering iron

A soldering iron is a hand tool used in soldering. It supplies heat to melt

the solder so that it can flow into the joint between two workpieces.

A soldering iron is composed of a heated metal tip and an insulated handle.

Heating is often achieved electrically, by passing an electric current (supplied
through an electrical cord or battery cables) through a resistive heating
element. Portable irons can be heated by combustion of gas stored in a small
tank, often using a catalytic heater rather than a flame. Simple irons less
commonly used than in the past were simply a large copper bit on a handle,
heated in a flame.

98
 Information Sheet No. 2.1-4
Procedures in Diagnosing Computer Systems

99
 Information Sheet No. 2.1-5
Safety precautions

Safety precautions

Proper preparation is the key to a successful built. Before you

begin, make sure that you have the tool you will need, and secure a
clear well-lit workplace. Gather all the components you’ll be using
and unpack them at the same time. Find a dry, well-ventilated
place to do your work, you should choose an area without carpets,
because it tends to create static electricity. Always keep in mind
that personal protection is one of the traits of a good technician.

Preventive Maintenance

Maintenance is keeping something in working order. It includes

repair, testing, adjusting, and replacing parts of a computer or a
peripheral.

Types of Preventive Maintenance

• Active
• Passive

Active – this is carried out before problems develop in a computer

unit.
Passive – this is carried after problems have developed in the
computer unit.

Accident reports

Forms used to give specific details with regards to the accidents happed
in the laboratory during experiments.

Accident reports contain the following details:

 Name of the person injured
 Date and time of the accident
 Type of injury
 First aid given
 Action taken to prevent further accidents

100
General Safety Tips and Reminders

Observe good housekeeping in the area of the machines

during and after maintenance.
Place removed covers and other parts in a safe place, away
from all personnel, while you are servicing the machine.

Dress for the Job

▪ Keep your tool case away from walk areas so that other
people will not trip over it.
▪ Do not wear loose clothing that can be trapped in the moving
parts of a machine. Ensure that your sleeves are fastened or
rolled up above your elbows. If your hair is long, use hair net
or hair cap.
▪ Insert the ends of your necktie or scarf inside clothing or
fasten it with a nonconductive clip, approximately 3 inches
from the end.
▪ Do not wear jewelry, chains, metal-frame eyeglasses, or metal
fasteners for your clothing.

Electrical safety

Electric current from power, telephone, and communication cables

can be hazardous. To avoid personal injury or equipment damage,
disconnect the attached power cords, telecommunications systems,
networks and modems before you open the server/workstation
covers, unless instructed otherwise in the installation and
configuration procedure.

Precautions
• Disconnect all power before:
− Performing a mechanical inspection
− Working near power supplies
− Removing or installing main units
• Before starting work on the machine, unplug the power cord.
• Never assume that power has been disconnected from a
circuit.

101
 • First, check that it has been powered-off.
• Always look carefully for possible hazards in your work
− Moist floors
− Non-grounded power extension cables
− Power surges.
• If an electrical accident occurs:
− Use caution
− Switch off power
− Send another person to get medical aid

Safety Inspection Guide

1. These steps will help you to identify potentially unsafe

conditions on these products:
 Check exterior covers for damage (loose, broken, or sharp edges)
 Power-off computer. Disconnect the power cord.
 The power cord should be the appropriate type.
 Insulation on the power cord must not be frayed or worn out.
 Remove the cover.
 Check for any obvious alteration. Use good judgment as to the
safety of any alterations.
 Check for worn out, frayed or pinched cables.
 Check that the power-supply cover fasteners (screws or rivets)
have not been removed or tampered with.

102