Topic objectives

- Identify the main components that make up a desktop computer casing and explain how they
are interconnected and interoperable
- Describe the numerous ports, slots and internal components of a laptop computer, as well as
the considerations that should be made when servicing and supporting laptops
- Describe the different hardware components found in mobile devices, as well as the various
wired and wireless connections that they can make
- As a computer hardware technician, explain the function of the various tools you’ll need.

Computer components classifications

- Computer systems
o Hardware
o Peopleware
o Software

Categories of hardware

- Input devices
- Processing unit
- Output devices
- Storage devices

Basic hardware of a computer system

- Case
- Monitor
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Speaker
- Mic
- Headphones

Categories of hardware

- Input devices
o Pointing devices
o Game controllers
o Audio input devices
o Bluetooth peripherals
o Visual and imaging devices
o Network devices
- Processing unit
o Microprocessor/CPU
 Control unit CU
 Arithmetic and logic unit ALU
 Registers and cache
 - Output devices
o Softcopy devices
 Visual display devices
 Sound devices
 Network IO
 USB IO
o Hardcopy devices
 Impact printers
 Non-impact printers
- Storage devices
o Primary memory
 DRAM
 SRAM
 ROM
o Secondary memory
 Internal memory
 External memory

Inside the computer chassis

Types:

o Tower case – sits upright and can accommodate many drives

o Desktop case – lays flat and occasionally holds the monitor
o Mobile case – utilized with laptops and tablets
o All-in-one case – used in conjunction with an all-in-one computer
- It houses the power supply, the motherboard, the CPU, the memory modules, the expansion
cards, the hard drive, the optical drive, and the other drives
- Motherboard – also known as system board
- Largest period circuit board inside the chassis
- Microprocessor – central processing unit CPU
- CPU’s produce heat, necessitating the use of a heat sink and a fan (together called the processor
cooler)
- A heat sink is made out of metal fins that are used to remove heat from a component
- Expansion cards – also known as adapters
- A circuit board that adds to the number of ports given by the motherboard
- The majority of ports are now provided by motherboards
- Memory modules – primary memory RAM
- Data and instructions are temporarily stored while they are being processed by the CPU
- Hard disk drives
o Hard disk drives are another name for hard drives HDD
 Data and programs are stored in permanent storage
o Optical and tape drives are example of other drives
- Power supply – power supply unit PSU
 o Receives and transforms household current so that it can be used by components inside
the case
o The majority of them have a dual-voltage selector switch
 allows for input voltage change between 115V and 220V

form factors

overview

- form factors are specifications that describe the size, shape, location of screw holes, and other
major characteristics of computer cases, power supplies, and motherboards
- most desktop and tower computer enclosures and power supplies have two form factors:
o ATX advanced technology extended
o Micro-ATX

ATX

- ATX advanced technology extended

o Today’s most popular form factor
o Intel created the technology in 1995
o It’s a nonproprietary, open industry standard
o Dimensions of a full-size ATX board are 12 * 9.6 in (305 * 244mm)
o The first ATX power supply and motherboards used the 20-pin P1 connection
o Auxiliary connectors, 4-pin and 8-pin, are utilized to deliver an additional 12 V of power
to growing CPUs
o The previous 20-pin P1 connector functioned in this connector, as did the 24-pin or 20+4
pin P1 connector
 The new PCI express slots were supported
o Connect directly to the video card via 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe connectors
 The video cards in a system consume the most power
- A variety of power connectors are available on an ATX power supply
o Because new technologies demand more power, power connectors have evolved
o On the next slide, you’ll find a list of common ATX power connectors
- ATX advanced technology

Micro-ATX

- Micro-ATX
o A 24-pin P1 connector is used
 There aren’t as many extra wires and connectors on this power supply as there
are on the ATX power supply
o Sometimes referred to as uATX, uATX or mATX is a standard for motherboards that was
introduced in December 1997
o The maximum size of microbat’s motherboard is 9.6 * 9.6 in (244 * 244 mm)

Motherboard

- Standard ATX
 o 9.60” (244mm)
o 12.0” (305mm)
- Micro-ATX
o 9.60” (244mm)
o 9.60” (244mm)
- Mini-ITX
o 6.70” (170mm)
o 6.70” (170mm)
- Nano-ITX
- Pico-ITX

Hard disk drives standards

- Serial ATA standard SATA

o The majority of today’s drives use it
o Get power from a SATA power connection on a power cable that connects to the drive
- Parallel ATA PATA
o Also known as the IDE integrated device electronics, interface
o 40-pin ribbon and connector were used

Laptop computers

Overview

- A laptop computer is a small personal computer

- They are intended to be more portable than standard desktop computers while yet providing
many of the same functions
- Laptops include a built-in keyboard and trackpad and can be folded for traveling

Ports

- Left side
o HDMI port
o RJ-45
o USB 3.1 Gen 1 type-C
o Headphone/microphone combo
- Right side
o 0.70 in
o Multi-format SD media card reader
o Kensington nano security slot
o USB 3.1 gen type-a
o HP fast charge power port
- Laptops have the following ports:
o USB
o Firewire
o LAN/network
 o Audio
o Video ports
- Flash memory card slots are found on the majority of laptops

Express card slots

- A USB port is used to connect most peripheral devices to today’s computers.

- Laptops used to have express card slots before USB.
- PCMCIA (personal computer memory card international association) cards are another name for
them
- Hot-pluggable, hot-swappable, and supports auto-config

Docking stations

- A docking port is a connection found on some computers

- A docking station is a device that connect a laptop to a full-sized monitor, keyboard, AC power
adapter, and other peripheral devices via ports

Internal components

- Battery pack
- Hard drive
- CPU, heat sink, and fan
- Memory
- Wireless card
- System board
- Optical drive

Overview of all-in-one AIO computer

- All-in-one computer combines components from both a desktop and a laptop computer
o Because some components are possible proprietary, you will have to get replacements
from the manufacturer
o For exact instructions on how to replace parts, consult the service manual

Internal components

- Inside the AIO computer .jpg

MOBILE DEVICES

Smartphone

- A smartphone is a handheld electronic device that provides a connection to a cellular network

- Smartphones allow people to make phone calls, send text messages, and access the internet

Tablet

- A tablet is a wireless touch screen personal computer PC that is smaller than a notebook but
larger than a smartphone
 - Phablets are more about the mobility and portability while tablets are all about delivering as
much content on the screen as possible

Other mobile devices

- E-readers
- Smart cameras
- Wearable technology devise
- Smart watches, wristbands, arm bands, eyeglasses, headsets, and clothing

Connection types

- A mobile device can link to the outside world in a variety of ways, including:
o Wi-fi local wireless network and cellular network
o Bluetooth and infrared
o Near field communication NFC
o Wired connection
o Tethering and mobile hotspots
- Tethering vs hotspot
o Tethering is the linking of a device to the smartphone via USB cable
o Hotspot connects one device to the other to get the internet availability over the wi-fi
- To determine its location, a mobile device can employ the following methods:
o Gyroscope or accelerometer
 Motion and position sensing device
 Adjusts the screen’s orientation
 Games use this to detect device movement
o GPS
 Mobile devices might contain a GPS receiver
 Reports its location to the OS’s owner on a regular basis
 Companies can track the location of their devices using geotracking

Storage

- A solid-state drive is used to store software and data on mobile devise SSD
o A type of flash memory
- To provide more storage, a gadget may contain an external slot for a smart card

Mobile device accessories

- Example of accessories
o Wireless keyboards
o Speakers
o Ear buds
o Headsets
o Game pads
o Docking stations
o Printers
 o USB adapters
o Credit card readers

MAINTAINING LAPTOS AND MOBILE DEVICES

General guidelines

- Do not touch LCD panel with sharp objects

- Do not pick up or hold by the lid
- Use OEM recommended battery packs
- Do not tightly pack in a suitcase – use carrying case
- Do not move while hard drive is being accessed
- Do not put close appliances generating strong magnetic field
- Always use password to protect your laptop when connected to a public network or if device is
stolen
- Keep notebook at room temperature
- Keep away from smoke, water, dust
- Do not power up and down unnecessarily
- Do not run it while it is in the case, resting on a pillow or covered by a blanket
- Protect notebook against ESD
- Remove CD/DVD or USB flash drives before traveling
- Take precautions if notebook gets wet
- Keep current backups of important data

Cleaning tips:

- Clean LCD panel with a soft dry cloth

- Use compressed air
- To clean keyboard, track ball, and touch pad
- To blow out air vents
- Remove keyboard if keys are sticking and then blow air under keys
- Use contact cleaner
- Remove battery and clean battery connections

COMPUTER HARDWARE TECHNICIAN TOOLS

Essential tools

- Essential tools
o ESD strap (ground bracelet)
o Flat-headed screwdriver
o Phillips-head or cross-head screwdriver
o Torx screwdriver set (size T15)
o Insulated tweezers
o Extractor
o OS recovery CD or DVD
- Many other nonessential tools exist
 - Use a toolbox

Other tools

- Other tools
o Flashlight
o Gloves
o Cable ties
o Multi-meters
o Blowers
o Vacuum cleaner
o Drivers
o Cable testers

Post diagnostic cards

- Hels discover, report computer errors and conflicts at power-on self-test POST
- Tests performed by startup UEFI/BIOS

Multimeter

- A multimeter is a measuring instrument that can measure multiple electrical properties

Loopback plugs

- A loopback plug is a device used to test ports (such as serial, parallel USB and network ports) to
identify network and network interface card NIC issues

COMPUTER PARS AND TOOLS SUMMARY

- The serial ATA (SATA) standards are used by the majority of hard drives, optical drives, and tape
drives
- The keyboard, hard drive, memory, smart card reader, optical drive, wireless cared, screen, DC
jack, battery pack, touch pad, speaker, system board, and CPU, heat sink/fan are all internal
laptop components
- A combination of components meant for desktop computers and laptops are used in an all-in-
one computer
- Smart phones, tablets, phablets, e-readers, smart cameras, GPS devices, and wearable
technology gadgets are among the mobile devices that an IT support expert may service.
- A mobile device can connect to the internet via a cellular network, wi-fi network, Bluetooth, IR,
NFC, tethering, setting up its own hotspot, or a physical connection
- An ESD strap, screwdrivers, tweezers, flashlight, compressed air, and cleaning solutions and
pads are all common instruments for a computer hardware technician.
- A POST diagnostic card, power supply tester, multimeter, and loopback plugs are some of the
special instruments a PC support specialist would need.