Impliment Maintenance Procedures

Ethiopian TVET- System
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

SERVICE
Level II
LEARNING GUIDE # 1
Unit of Competence: Implement
Maintenance procedure
Module Title: Implementing
Maintenance procedure
LG Code: ICT ITS2 06 1110
TTLM Code: ICT ITS2 TTLM 1011
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NEKEMTE TVET Inistitution level two learning material of Impliment maintenance procedures
Prepared by ICT Trainer, Jamara, Date 25/1/2021
What is maintenance?
.
This will require maintenance of hardware, software and data.
Types of maintenance
Maintenance falls into two broad categories:
 preventative (or routine maintenance), and
 Corrective (or non-routine).
Preventative maintenance
For example, you periodically have your car serviced, which involves changing the engine oil, air filter, spark
plugs and so on. If you don’t do this, chances are at some later time your car’s performance will suffer, and you
may even be stranded at a great inconvenience to you! This is preventative maintenance, and the situation is
really quite similar with IT equipment. We need to carry out preventative maintenance on a periodic basis to
prevent problems occurring in the future that may interrupt business continuity.
Corrective maintenance
Reactive maintenance refers to actions taken to fix problems after they have occurred. To continue with the car
example, when you get a flat tyre and have to replace it, this is a simple example of reactive maintenance. You
can probably think of many IT examples. Replacing a broken cable is one.
Apart from preventative and reactive maintenance, there is another type of maintenance that deals with
upgrading the organisation’s infrastructure to minimise the level of risk to business continuity.
Maintenance of software
It’s not only the hardware in an organisation that needs to be maintained — software maintenance is also
required. An organisation that has custom-built software needs programmers to maintain it. This will include:
 preventative maintenance to detect and correct code that may cause future errors (eg to validate input
data)
 adaptive maintenance to adapt the software in line with changes to business requirements (eg to make it
run on an Intranet)
 perfective maintenance to simply improve the performance of the software
 reactive maintenance to fix software bugs.
But apart from custom-built software, organisations need to maintain other software. There may be patches,
version updates, driver updates, etc to be installed. Upgrading packaged software across an organisation to
standardise software versions is a good way of helping to reduce the level of support and maintenance required.
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Maintenance of a hard disk is really a form of software/data maintenance. A variety of tools are available for
‘cleaning up’ a disk, removing unwanted programs and data, backing up data and so on. Protecting the system
from viruses and malware is also part of this sort of maintenance.
External view of a complete, modern PC system.
This section discusses some of the major components of a typical, modern PC. Some PCs have some of these
combined into one physical unit, but inside, somewhere, you'll find most if not all of these pieces. (Most
modern PCs also have components not listed here; I'll be expanding this later on to include more device types.)
This section is an extremely summarized short form of the Systems and Components Reference Guide.
System Case
The system case, sometimes called the chassis or enclosure, is the metal and plastic box that houses the main
components of the computer. Most people don't consider it a very important part of the computer (perhaps in the
same way they wouldn't consider their own skin a very important body organ). While the case isn't as critical to
the system as some other computer components (like the processor or hard disk), it has several important roles
to play in the functioning of a properly-designed and well-built computer.
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General Safety Guidelines
Follow the basic safety guidelines to prevent cuts, burns, electrical shock, and damage
toeyesight.
As a best practice here are some general safety guidelines:
■ Remove your watch or any other jewelry and secure loose clothing.
■ Turn off the power and unplug equipment before opening the case and performingservice.
■ Cover any sharp edges inside the computer case with tape.
■ Never open a power supply or a monitor.
■ Do not touch areas in printers that are hot or use high voltage.
■ Know where the fire extinguisher is located and how to use it.
■ Know where the first aid kit is located.
■ Keep food and drinks out of your workspace.
■ Keep your workspace clean and free of clutter.
■ Lift heavy objects with your legs to avoid back injury.
Caution
Power supplies and monitors contain very high voltage. Do not wear the antistatic wrist strap
whenreplacing power supplies or monitors
Identify Safety Procedures to Protect Equipment from

Damage and Data from Loss
Static electricity is the buildup of an electric charge resting on a surface. This buildup andsudden
release of energy, called electrostatic discharge (ESD), can be destructive to theelectronics in a
computer system.
ESD Protection Recommendations

ESD can cause permanent damage to electrical components. Follow these recommendationsto
help prevent ESD damage:
■ Keep all components in antistatic bags until you are ready to install them.
■ Use grounded mats on workbenches and on the work area floor.
■ Use antistatic wrist strapswhen working on computers.
■ Avoid working on carpeted areas if possible.
Climate also affects risks when working with computer equipment. Consider the following
recommendations:
■ 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.
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Identify Tools and Software Used with Personal
Computer Components and Know Their
Purpose
For every tool there is the right job, and for every job there is the right tool. Ensure that youare
familiar with the correct use of each tool and that the right tool is used for the currenttask.
This will reduce the chances of damage or injury. Skilled use of tools and softwaremakes the job
less difficult and ensures that tasks are performed properly and safely. The Figureshows a sample
tool kit used to install, connect, remove, and repair PC components.
In addition to hardware tools, software tools are also available that help diagnose
problemsand determine which computer device is not functioning correctly.
Identify Hardware Tools and Their Purpose

A tool kit should contain all the tools necessary to complete hardware repairs. Using the
wrong tool for a job might lead to bodily injuries or result in equipment damage.
Hardware tools are grouped into the following four categories:
■ ESD tools
■ Hand tools
■ Cleaning tools
■ Diagnostic tools
ESD tools
There are also devices that enable us to protect ESD. These devices include:
1) Anti-static wristband: these devices have a strap that you wrap around your wrist or ankle on one end. The
other end of the strap is attached computer case to keep ground between the computer and you.
2) Anti-static mats: these are mats that you place on the work surface and on the floor in front of work area.
They make an excellent place to place your tools and components when you work on a system.
3) Anti-static bags (pouches): they have special coating or filament that prevents ESD. They are used to store
any sensitive electronic device like cards, RAM, drives, etc when they are not installed in a computer.
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Hand Tools
Most tools used in the computer assembly process are small hand tools. They are
availableindividually or as part of a computer repair tool kit. Tool kits range widely in size,
quality, and price.
The list that follows describes the small hand tools that you will most commonly use:
■ Flat head screwdriver: Used to loosen or tighten slotted screws.

■ Phillips head screwdriver: Used to tighten or loosen cross-head screws.
■ Torx screwdriver: Used to tighten or loosen screws that have a star-like depression on
the top, a feature that is mainly found on laptops.
Hex driver: Sometimes called a nut driver, this tool is used to tighten nuts in the same
way that a screwdriver tightens screws.
■ Needle-nose pliers: Used to hold small parts.

■ Wire cutters: Used to strip and cut wires.
■ Tweezers: Used to manipulate small parts.
■ Part retriever: Used to retrieve parts from locations that are too small for your hand to fit in.
■ Flashlight: Used to illuminate areas that you cannot see well.
Cleaning Tools
The appropriate cleaning tool sare essential when maintaining or repairing computers.
These tools will ensure that computer components are cleaned correctly. The list that follows
describes the cleaning tools that you will most commonly use:
■ Soft sloth: Used to clean different computer components without scratching or leavingdebris.
■ Compressed air: Used to blow away dust and debris from different computer partswithout
touching the components.
■ Cable ties: Used to bundle cables neatly inside and outside of a computer.
■ Parts organizer: Used to hold screws, jumpers, fasteners, and other small parts to prevent
them from getting mixed together.
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1: Examining inside the computer’s system unit
The following operation sheet will identify the internal components of a PC by removing the case and looking
inside it. You will then re-assemble the case.
Remove the case of the system unit.
1. Identify internal components inside the system unit.

2. Re-assemble the case of the system unit.
Examining inside the computer’s system unit
Part 1: Remove the case of the system unit
1. Turn off the computer.

2. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
3. Disconnect the power cord from your computer.
4. Remove the screws from the sides and back of the system unit.
5. Remove the case of the system unit.
6. Put on your anti-static wrist strap and connect it to the chassis of the PC.
Part 2: Identify internal components inside the system unit
Sketch the inside of the system case. Your sketch should note the location of the following components:
Memory chips (RAM).
Floppy disk drive
Hard disk drive
Motherboard
CD ROM
Power supply unit
Graphics card
Sound card
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Network interface card
Power cable for the motherboard
Signal cable of the hard disk drive
Signal cable of the floppy disk drive
Signal cable of the CD ROM drive.
Part 3: Re-assemble the case of the system unit
1. Place the case over the system unit.

2. Secure all screws on the side and back of the system unit.
3. Connect the power cord to the system unit.
4. Plug the power cord into the wall outlet.
5. Turn on the computer and test to make sure that it is working.
Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics of Storage Drives

A storage drive reads or writes information to magnetic or optical storage media. It can be
used to store data permanently or to retrieve information from a media disk. Storage drives
can be installed inside the computer case, such as a hard drive. For portability, some storage
drives can connect to the computer using a USB port, a FireWire port, or a SCSI port.
These portable storage drives are sometimes called removable drives and can be used on
multiple computers.
■ Floppy drive
■ Hard drive
■ Optical drive
■ Flash drive
■ Network drive
The following sections describe these storage drives in greater detail.
Floppy Drives
 A floppy drive, or floppy disk drive, is a storage device that uses removable 3.5-inch floppy
disks.
 These magnetic floppy disks can store 720 KB or 1.44 MB of data.
 In a computer, the floppy drive is usually configured as the A: drive.
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 The floppy drive can be used to boot the computer if it contains a bootable floppy disk.
Hard Drives
 A hard drive, or hard-disk drive, is a magnetic storage device that is installed inside the
computer.
 The hard drive is used as permanent storage for data.
 In a computer, the hard drive is usually configured as the C: drive and contains the operating
system and applications.
 The storage capacity of a hard drive is measured in billions of bytes, or gigabytes (GB).
 Multiple hard drives can be added to increase storage capacity.
Optical Drives
An optical drive is a storage device that uses lasers to read data on the optical media.
Two types of optical drives exist:
■ Compact disc (CD)
■ Digital versatile disc (DVD)
CD and DVD media can be prerecorded (read-only), recordable (write once), or rerecord able
(read and write multiple times). CDs have a data storage capacity of approximately 700 MB.
DVDs have a data storage capacity of approximately 8.5 GB on one side of the
disc.
Several types of optical media exist:
■ CD-ROM is CD read-only memory media that is prerecorded.
■ CD-R is CD recordable media that can be recorded once.
■ CD-RW is CD rewritable media that can be recorded, erased, and rerecorded.
■ DVD-ROM is DVD read-only memory media that is prerecorded.
■ DVD-RAM is DVD random-access memory media that can be recorded, erased, and
rerecorded.
■ DVD+/-R is DVD recordable media that can be recorded once.
■ DVD+/-RW is DVD rewritable media that can be recorded, erased, and rerecorded.
Flash Drives
 A flash drive, also known as a thumb drive, is a removable storage device that connects to a USB
port.
 A flash drive uses a special type of memory that requires no power to maintain the data.
 These drives can be accessed by the operating system in the same way other types of drives are
accessed.
 The storage capacity of a flash drive varies from a couple of megabytes to 16 gigabytes.
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Network Drives
A network drive is a connection to a remote computer’s storage for access to files, directories,
and applications. Network connections are covered in more detail in later chapters.
Types of Drive Interfaces

Hard drives and optical drives are manufactured with different interfaces that are used to connect
the drive to the computer. When you install a storage drive in a computer, the connection
interface on the drive must be the same as the controller on the motherboard. Some common
drive interfaces are as follows:
■ Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), also called Advanced Technology Attachment
(ATA), is an early drive controller interface that connects computers and hard-disk drives. An
IDE interface uses a 40-pin connector.
■ Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE), also called ATA-2, is an updated
version of the IDE drive controller interface.
An EIDE interface uses a 40-pin connector.
■ Parallel ATA (PATA) refers to the parallel version of the ATA drive controller
interface.
■ Serial ATA (SATA) refers to the serial version of the ATA drive controller interface. A
SATA interface uses a seven-pin connector.
■ Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) is a drive controller interface that can
connect up to 15 drives. SCSI can connect both internal and external drives. A SCSI interface
uses a 50-pin, 68-pin, or 80-pin connector.
Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics of Internal Cables

Drives require both a power cable and a data cable. A power supply has a SATA power
connector for SATA drives, a Molex power connector for PATA drives, and a Berg four-pin
connector for floppy drives. The buttons and the LED lights on the front of the case connect to
the motherboard with the front panel cables.
Data cables connect drives to the drive controller, which is located on an adapter card or the
motherboard. Some common types of data cables are as follows:
■ Floppy disk drive (FDD) data cable has up to two 34-pin drive connectors and one 34-
pin connector for the drive controller.
■ PATA (IDE) data cable has 40 conductors, up to two 40-pin connectors for drives, and
one 40-pin connector for the drive controller.
■ PATA (EIDE) data cable has 80 conductors, up to two 40-pin connectors for drives,
and
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one 40-pin connector for the drive controller.
■ SATA data cable has seven conductors, one keyed connector for the drive, and one
keyed connector the drive controller.
Install, configure and test internal hardware components
Activity 2: Disassembling and reassembling a PC
This activity involves disconnecting internal peripherals from the motherboard, as well as removing the CPU
and memory module. The PC is then re-assembled. Specifically you will:
1. Disassemble the PC
2. Reassemble the PC
3. Install a power supply
4. Install a new motherboard
5. Install storage media
6. Install a range of controller cards (into bus slots).
Firstly, organize your tools and work area..
Then click on each of the above steps to get your instructions. Follow the steps in the order given.
Disassembling the PC
You should label all components as they come out of the PC. This is in case you forget where they go. Try
placing a number on a sticky note on each component and on its corresponding connections for easy recall.
1. Boot up the PC and check that the PC is operational. This is fundamental, otherwise you won’t know
whether the PC worked in the first place when you reassemble it!
2. Disconnect power from your PC.
3. Disconnect all cables at the back of the PC (use sticky notes if needed to remember where they go).
4. Identify how the PC case comes off. If you have a manual that came with the PC, this will tell you. If
not, many cases are secured with screws, thumbscrews and others are simply secured using latches.
5. Remove the PC case.
6. Disconnect all cables that go to the motherboard including hard disk drive (HDD) and floppy disk drive
(FDD), power, etc. Remember to label everything.
7. Remove the HDD, CD ROM, and FDD and any other storage device.
8. Remove all jumper-connected wires from the motherboard. For instance, HDD activity LED, Reset
switch, power switch and so on. Remember to label everything.
9. Undo any screws securing the main board. Some boards will have around six or more small screws. Be
careful not to damage any delicate components or to exert too much pressure on the board.
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10. Remove the actual main board from the chassis. Be very careful when doing this. Try not to rub the
board against any other metallic components or edges as this could scratch the system board causing
damage to tiny printed circuitry. Place the board on a large anti-static bag (the bags motherboards come
in) or a soft, packing foam sheet.
11. Remove the memory module from the main board.
12. Remove the CPU from the main board. Some CPUs are easily removed by simply lifting a lever and
pulling the CPU out. However, some are held in place using very tight fittings.
13. Inspect all the components and identify each of them.
Re-assembling the PC
Now you are going to carry out the previous procedure in reverse.
1. Mount the CPU (take great care!).

2. Mount the RAM.
3. Mount the main board on the case’s chassis. Use the same precautions as you did when removing it.
4. Secure the board using screws. Make sure that the board aligns perfectly. Otherwise you could be
shorting out the board and potentially damaging it.
5. Install the HDD, FDD, CD ROM, other storage devices, etc.
6. Reconnect all jumper-connected wires to the board (eg HDD LED, Reset, etc).
7. Reconnect the power cable(s) to the main board.
8. Reconnect the data ribbons (cables) to the HDD and FDD controllers. You might also need to reconnect
serial and parallel data connections if using an older system.
9. Reconnect storage devices to their data and power connection.
10. Check that everything is connected correctly.
11. Check again.
12. Replace the case top but do not secure yet.
13. Re-connect cables and connections at the back of the PC.
14. Reconnect the power and turn on the computer.
15. Does it work? If it does, turn off the computer, disconnect the power, and secure the top with screws.
16. If it does not work, revisit all of your steps. Pay attention to the POST screen. This screen will give you
valuable information.
Installing a power supply
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These instructions include:
1. Removing the power supply unit

2. Installing the power supply unit.
PRECAUTIONS
 Disconnect the power source.

 Wear an anti-static strip.
 Don’t use force to connect and disconnect any cables.
1 Remove the power supply unit

2. Unplug the power cord from the wall socket.
3. Disconnect the power cord from your computer.
4. Remove screws from the sides and back of the system unit.
6. Disconnect all power cables gently from each internal component inside the system unit such as:
a. motherboard (connector P8 and P9)
b. cooling fan of the CPU if present
c. hard disk drive
d. floppy disk drive
e. CD-ROM drive
f. tape drive and/or other devices.
7. Disconnect the power cable from the power-on/off switch on the front panel.
8. Remove the screws of the power supply unit at the rear of the system unit.
9. Remove the power supply unit from the system unit.
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2 Install the power supply unit
1. Place the power supply unit on the tab and align all screw-holes in the system unit.
2. Secure the screws of the power supply unit at the back of the system unit.
3. Connect power cable to the power-on/off switch on the front panel.
4. Replace the case to the system unit.
Power Supply Connectors
Power supplies employ several types of connectors, all of which are easy to identify and use.
On the outside of the computer enclosure, a standard male AC plug and three-conductor wire (two power
wires and a ground) draws current from a wall outlet, with a female connection entering the receptacle in the
back of the power supply.
AT-Style Connections to the Motherboard

A pair of almost identical connectors, designated P8 and P9, links the power supply to the motherboard
Figure P8 and P9 connectors and motherboard fitting
ATX-Style Motherboard Connections
The newer ATX main power connection found on Pentium II computers and later, is much easier to install.
A single 20/24 pin plug is set into a fitted receptacle and secured with a catch on the side of the plug that
snaps over the fitting.
Typical ATX 1 .3 power supply.
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Connections to Peripheral Hardware
Two standard types of connectors are used to connect the power supply to peripheral hardware:
1. Molex connector. This is the most commonly used power connector. It provides both 12-volt
and 5-volt power. Hard disk drives, internal tape drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD (digital video
disc) drives, and older.

2. Mini connector. Most power supplies provide one or more mini connectors . The mini is used
primarily for 3.5-inch floppy disk drives. It has four pin-outs and, usually, four wires. Most are
fitted with keys that make it.
3. Serial ATA Power Connector :Molex offers power connectors for Serial ATA Solutions Designed for Serial
ATA disk drive power applications, Molex's power connectors a variety of configurations to meet
various power supply requirements.
Installing a new motherboard

PRECAUTIONS

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 Place the new motherboard on an anti-static mat.
Install the new motherboard
1. Take the new motherboard out of the anti-static bag and set it on the anti-static mat.
2. Set jumpers on the motherboard to match the installed CPU according to the motherboard
manufacturer’s manual.
3. Find the holes in the motherboard for the metal spacers and plastic standoffs and then screw any metal
spacers into the computer case in the proper positions to align with the screw holes on the motherboard.
4. Install the plastic standoffs into the motherboard from underneath until they are firmly snapped into
place.
5. Mount the motherboard into the computer case by placing it to ensure that all standoffs engage the case.
6. Secure the screws and any plastic washers to fix the motherboard on the case.
7. Connect the power cable into both connectors P8 and P9.
8. Connect the power cable to the cooling fan of the CPU.
It is assumed that the motherboard has onboard I/O card, video adapter card and sound card. The following
steps show the connection of the signal cables of the floppy disk drive, the hard disk drive and indicators in the
front panel.
1. Connect the 34-pin floppy cable between the connector (marked FDD) on the motherboard and the back
of the floppy disk drive.
2. Connect the 40-pin IDE cable between the primary IDE connector on the motherboard and the rear of
the hard disk drive.
3. Connect the 40-pin IDE cable between the secondary IDE connector on the motherboard and the back of
the CD-ROM drive.
4. Connect the audio cable between the sound card and the back of the CD-ROM drive.
5. Connect the power cables to all internal components such as the floppy disk, the hard drive and the CD-
ROM drive.
6. Connect the power indicator LED cable from the front panel to the power LED connector on the
motherboard.
7. Connect RESET switch cable from the front panel to the RESET connector on the motherboard.
8. Connect hard disk drive access indicator cable to the connector on the motherboard.
Install storage media
In this step you will install a:
1. floppy disk drive

2. hard disk drive
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3. CD-ROM drive.
PRECAUTIONS

 Place the new motherboard on an anti-static map.
 Be aware of the sharp edge of the metal drive bay in the computer case.
1 Install a floppy disk drive

3. Disconnect the power cord from the computer
4. Remove the screws form the sides and the back of the system unit.
6. Slide the floppy disk drive into any available open drive bay in the system unit.
7. Secure the floppy disk drive with 2 screws on each side of the bay.
8. Connect the floppy disk signal cable to the floppy drive.
9. Connect the power cable to the floppy drive.
2 Install a hard disk drive

3. Disconnect the power cord from the computer.
6. Slide the hard disk drive into any available open drive bay in the system unit.
7. Secure the hard disk drive with two screws on each side of the bay.
8. Connect the hard disk signal cable to the hard drive.
9. Connect the power cable to the hard drive.
14. Turn on the computer and reconfigure the BIOS updating the information for the new hard disk drive.
15. Test the hard disk drive.
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3 Install a CD-ROM drive

4. Remove the screws form the sides and the back of the system unit
6. Slide the CD-ROM drive into any available open drive bay in the system unit.
7. Secure the CD-ROM drive with 2 screws on each side of the bay.
8. Connect the CD-ROM drive signal cable to the CD-ROM drive.
9. Connect the power cable to the CD-ROM drive.
10. Connect the audio signal cable between the connector on a sound card and the CD-ROM drive.
15. Turn on the computer and reconfigure the BIOS updating the information of the new hard disk drive.
16. Test the CD-ROM drive.
Install a range of controller cards (into bus slots)
In this step you will install a:
1. sound card
2. video adapter card
3. network interface card.
PRECAUTIONS

 Place the new motherboard on an anti-static map.
Part 1: Install a sound card

6. Set jumpers on the sound card if it is not plug_and_play according to component documentation.
7. Insert the sound card into available bus slop on the motherboard.
8. Secure a screw to fix the sound card on the motherboard.
9. Connect an audio cable between the audio-out-connector of the CD-ROM and the audio-in connector of
the sound card.
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14. Turn on the computer.
15. Install the device driver of the sound card.
16. Test the sound card.
Part 2: Install a video adapter card

6. Set jumpers on the video card if it is not plug and play according to component documentation.
7. Insert the video card into an available bus slot on the motherboard.
8. Secure a screw to fix the video card on the motherboard.
14. Install and configure the device driver of the video card.
15. Test the video card.
Part 3: Install a network interface card (NIC)

6. Set jumpers on the NIC if it is not plug and play according to component documentation.
7. Insert the NIC into available bus slop on the motherboard.
8. Secure a screw to fix the NIC on the motherboard.
9. Connect a network cable to the NIC.
15. Install a device driver for the NIC.
16. Configure the computer to connect to the network.
17. Test the NIC card.
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Motherboard
The "motherboard" is a central element of the personal computer, the main circuit board to which one connects
memory, peripherals and other devices, which extend the capabilities of the computer.
A motherboard is a multi-layered printed circuit board. Copper circuit paths called traces that resemble a
complicated roadmap carry signals and voltages across the motherboard. Layered fabrication techniques are
used so that some layers of a board can carry data for the BIOS, processor and memory buses while other layers
carry voltage and ground returns without the paths short-circuiting at intersections. The insulated layers are
manufactured into one complete, complex sandwich. Chips and sockets are soldered onto the motherboard.
Motherboard Layouts
• The particular way in which the components are positioned on a motherboard is called the form
factor
• IBM invented the AT form factor in the early 80s
• Massive in size as they carry a large number of individual chips
• Lacked support for any connections other than the keyboard
• Expansion slots were used to add additional connectors to the motherboard
• As the technology grew demand for smaller PCs led to creating a smaller motherboard called the
Baby AT
Motherboard Form Factors
 AT-Type
 Baby or Mini AT
 ATX-Type
 LPX
 Mini LPX
 Proprietary Designs
An AT Motherboard
Baby AT” on an Older AT Board
The Need for a New Form Factor

• Added components such as a mouse and modem created a demand for a new form factor with
more dedicated connectors
• The new form factors integrated dedicated connectors for the mouse and printer, as well as added
connectors for video, sound, and phone
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• The first slimline form factor was known as LPX and was replaced by the NLX form factor
• The LPX, and now the NLX, provide a slot for the insertion of a special riser card
• Inflexibility was the main problem with form factors like the LPX
ATX
• The ATX form factor was created in 1995

– Uses the soft power feature to turn a PC on and off through software
• Micro ATX and Flex ATX two smaller versions of ATX
– Many techs and web sites use the term mini-ATX to describe these boards
Main Components of Motherboard
 CPU and Chipsets

 ROM BIOS
 RAM
 BUS and Expansion slot
 On board ports
 CMOS chip and CMOS Battery
 Data and power connection
ATX Motherboard Parts
ATX Motherboard External Connection Ports
The motherboard also has external connectors for devices such as keyboards mice and printers. We will take a
quick look at these connectors and show which is which. Although it is difficult to plug pieces in the incorrect
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slot due to there shape and size differences, it helps to have the knowledge of what you are doing rather than
just finding the one that fits. Again you can click on the numbers on the image to take you to the section you
require.
The Importance of Motherboard
Control: The motherboard contains the chipset and BIOS program, which between them control most of the
data flow within the computer.
Communication : Almost all communication between the Pc and its peripherals other PCS, and the user, goes
through the motherboard.
Processor Support: The motherboard dictates directly your choice of processor for use in the system
There are different types of I/O buses. These are:

 ISA(Industry standard architecture)
 EISA(Extended ISA)
 MCA(Micro Channel Architecture)
 PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect)
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 VESA(Video electronics Standard Association)
 USB(Universal Serial Bus)
Peripheral Support: The motherboard determines in large part, what types of peripherals you can use in your
PC. For example, the type of video card yours system will use (ISA, VLB, PCI) is dependent on what system
buses your motherboard uses.
Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics of ROM and RAM

ROM and RAM provide memory for a vast amount of computer equipment. They come in
different memory sizes and module sizes and have different features. The following sections
cover ROM and RAM in greater detail.
Cpu(central processing unit)
The processor (really a short form for microprocessor and also often called the CPU or central processing unit)
is the central component of the PC. It is the brain that runs the show inside the PC. All work that you do on your
computer is performed directly or indirectly by the processor. Obviously, it is one of the most important
components of the PC, if not the most important. It is also, scientifically, not only one of the most amazing parts
of the PC, but one of the most amazing devices in the world of technology.
8.2 Parts of CPU
 Input/output (I/O) unit

 Arithmetic logic unit(s) (ALU)
 Control unit
page 23
Inserting CPU
Computer Memory
Memory is used to hold binary strings of data that is going to be manipulated by CPU. There are two major
classes of memory: non-volatile and volatile. Non-volatile memory keeps the content even if the computer is off
or power is gone. The set up data held in CMOS uses this technique. In volatile memory, the data is lost when
the computer loses power. It keeps data as long as only computer is on. Random Access Memory is good
example of volatile memory. By default, when we say memory, we mean RAM.
ROM
Read-only memory (ROM)chips are located on the motherboard. ROM chips contain
instructions that the CPU can access directly. ROM stores basic instructions for booting the
computer and loading the operating system.
ROM chips retain their contents even when the computer is powered down. The contents cannot
be erased, changed, or rewritten by normal means. ROM types include the following:
■ Programmable read-only memory (PROM): Information is written to a PROM chip after it
is manufactured. A PROM chip cannot be erased or rewritten.
■ Erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM): Information is written to an EPROM
chip after it is manufactured. An EPROM chip can be erased with exposure to UV light. Special
equipment is required.
■ Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM): Information is written
to an EEPROM chip after it is manufactured. EEPROM chips are also called flash ROMs. An
page 24
EEPROM chip can be erased and rewritten without removing the chip from the computer.
Note
ROM is sometimes called firmware. This is misleading, because firmware is actually the
software
that is stored in a ROM chip.
RAM
Random-access memory (RAM)is the temporary storage for data and programs that are being
accessed by the CPU. RAM is volatile memory, which means that the contents are erased when
the computer is powered off. The more RAM in a computer, the more capacity the computer has
to hold and process large programs and files, as well as enhance system performance.
The different types of RAM are as follows:
■ Dynamic RAM (DRAM)is a memory chip that is used as main memory. DRAM must be
constantly refreshed with pulses of electricity to maintain the data stored in the chip.
■ Static RAM (SRAM) is a memory chip that is used as cache memory. SRAM is much faster
than DRAM and does not have to be refreshed as often.
■ Extended Data Out (EDO) RAM is memory that overlaps consecutive data accesses. This
speeds up the access time to retrieve data from memory, because the CPU does not have to wait
for one data access cycle to end before another data access cycle begins.
■ Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) is DRAM that operates in synchronization with the memory
bus. The memory bus is the data path between the CPU and the main memory.
■ Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM is memory that transfers data twice as fast as SDRAM.
DDR SDRAM increases performance by transferring data twice per cycle.
■ Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) SDRAM is faster than DDR-SDRAM memory. DDR2
SDRAM improves performance over DDR SDRAM by decreasing noise and crosstalk between
the signal wires.
■ RAMBus DRAM (RDRAM) is a memory chip that was developed to communicate at very
high rates of speed. RDRAM chips are not commonly used.
Memory Modules
Early computers had RAM installed on the motherboard as individual chips. These individual
memory chips, called dual inline package (DIP) chips, were difficult to install and often became
loose on the motherboard. To solve this problem, designers soldered the memory chips on a
special circuit board called a memory module.
The different types of memory modules are as follows:

■ Dual Inline Package (DIP) is an individual memory chip. A DIP had dual rows of pins
page 25
used to attach it to the motherboard.
■ Single Inline Memory Module (SIMM)is a small circuit board that holds several memory
chips. SIMMs have 30-pin and 72-pin configurations.
■ Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) is a circuit board that holds SDRAM, DDR
SDRAM, and DDR2 SDRAM chips. There are 168-pin SDRAM DIMMs, 184-pin DDR
DIMMs, and 240-pin DDR2 DIMMs.
■ RAM Bus Inline Memory Module (RIMM) is a circuit board that holds RDRAM chips. A
typical RIMM has a 184-pin configuration.
Note
Memory modules can be single-sided or double-sided. Single-sided memory modules contain
RAM on only one side of the module. Double-sided memory modules contain RAM on both
sides of the module.
Cache Memory
SRAM is used as cache memory to store the most frequently used data. SRAM gives the
processor faster access to the data than retrieving it from the slower DRAM, or main memory.
The three types of cache memory are as follows:
■ L1 is internal cache integrated into the CPU.
■ L2 is external cache originally mounted on the motherboard near the CPU. L2 cache is now
integrated into the CPU.
■ L3 is used on some high-end workstations and server CPUs.
North South Bridge Architecture

Most of earlier Intel chipsets and all non-Intel chipsets are broken down into a multi-tiered architecture. This
includes what is referred to as north bridge, south bridge, and super I/O chip.
North Bridge:
The North Bridge handles communication between the CPU, RAM, AGP on PCI Express and South Bridge. It
handles communication with faster devices. Because different processors and RAM requires different signaling,
North Bridge will typically work with one or two classes of CPU and generally one type of RAM. There are a
few chipsts that support two types of RAM. This occurs when there is a shift to new standard.
South Bridge:
Because the south bridge is further removed from CPU, it is given the responsibility for slower devices on a
typical micro computer. A particular South Bridge will usually work
page 26
C P U
R A M
N o rth B r id g e A G P
P C I B u s
S o u th B r id g e U S B
re a l tim e c lo c k
o th e r d e v ic e s lik e ID E ,
a u d io c h a n n e l
Fig 7 north and south bridge
with different North Bridges but these two chips must be designed to work together. Traditionally the interface
between North Bridge and South Bridge was the PCI Bus. The functionality found on contemporary South
Bridge includes:
 PCI bus
 ISA bus
 Interrupt controller
 DMA controller
 IDE controller(SATA or PATA)
 Real time clock
CPU Cooling
Specialized cooling system became serious starting from 486. Earlier chips ran at alow speed and contained
relatively few transistors. Because of this they needed no specialized cooling. Heat sinks conduct heat from
CPU to heat sink and then radiate it to air. Good cooling depends on the transfer of heat between the CPU and
heat sink. The heat sin and CPU should contact each other to the maximum surface area possible. This allows
heat to flow easily.
There are two cooling mechanism:
Passive Heat Sink

Passive heat sinks have no moving parts. They are made up of aluminum. An aluminum extrusion creates fins.
They cool the CPU by using thermal conduction and radiation. The heat sink draws heat from the CPU and air
flowing through the heat sink cools the heat sink itself.
Active Heat Sink

Active heat sink adds a small fan that blows directly onto the heat sink metal to ensured direct air flow. An
active heat sink cools better than passive heat sink by forcing air flow. Unfortunately, the fans have short life
span and they are the first thing to fail in most PCs.
Overheated CPU causes:

 System crash
 Random reboot
 Memory errors
 Disk problems
page 27
 Application errors
CMOS
CMOS is a memory area with battery backup used to store system configuration settings. The CMOS
chip retains configuration information such as the date and time, and specifics about components
common to all PCs, such as serial and parallel ports, keyboard settings, and more.
averabation
Serial ATA (SATA or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)

-ISA(Industry standard architecture)
-EISA(Extended ISA)
-MCA(Micro Channel Architecture)
-PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect)
-VESA(Video electronics Standard Association)
-USB(Universal Serial Bus)
-PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect)

-AGP(Advanced Graphics Port)
-I/O address (Input Output Address)
-IRQ (Interrupt Request)
-DMA (Direct Memory Access)
Advanced Technology Extended (ATX)
. Advanced Technology (AT)
SCSI( Small Computer System Interface)
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)
SATA or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)
page 28

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Ethiopian TVET- System

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

External view of a complete, modern PC system.

Identify Safety Procedures to Protect Equipment from

ESD Protection Recommendations

Identify Hardware Tools and Their Purpose

■ Flat head screwdriver: Used to loosen or tighten slotted screws.

■ Needle-nose pliers: Used to hold small parts.

■ Flashlight: Used to illuminate areas that you cannot see well.

Remove the case of the system unit.

1. Identify internal components inside the system unit.

Examining inside the computer’s system unit

Part 1: Remove the case of the system unit

1. Turn off the computer.

Part 2: Identify internal components inside the system unit

Memory chips (RAM).

Floppy disk drive

Hard disk drive

Power supply unit

Power cable for the motherboard

Signal cable of the hard disk drive

Signal cable of the floppy disk drive

Signal cable of the CD ROM drive.

Part 3: Re-assemble the case of the system unit

1. Place the case over the system unit.

Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics of Storage Drives

The following sections describe these storage drives in greater detail.

Types of Drive Interfaces

Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics of Internal Cables

Install, configure and test internal hardware components

Activity 2: Disassembling and reassembling a PC

Firstly, organize your tools and work area..

1. Mount the CPU (take great care!).

Installing a power supply

1. Removing the power supply unit

 Disconnect the power source.

1 Remove the power supply unit

1. Turn off the computer.

Power Supply Connectors

AT-Style Connections to the Motherboard

Figure P8 and P9 connectors and motherboard fitting

ATX-Style Motherboard Connections

Typical ATX 1 .3 power supply.

disc) drives, and older.

fitted with keys that make it.

Installing a new motherboard

 Disconnect the power source.

Install the new motherboard

Install storage media

In this step you will install a:

1. floppy disk drive

 Disconnect the power source.

1 Install a floppy disk drive

1. Turn off the computer.

2 Install a hard disk drive

1. Turn off the computer.

1. Turn off the computer.

Install a range of controller cards (into bus slots)

In this step you will install a:

 Disconnect the power source.

Part 1: Install a sound card

1. Turn off the computer.

Part 2: Install a video adapter card

1. Turn off the computer.