Computer Assembly and

Disassembly
Disassemble a Computer
Part 1: Preparation
• Step 1: Power off the Computer.
• Step 2: Open the Computer Case.
• Step 3: Antistatic Wrist Strap.
Part 2: Parts Removal
• Step 1: Remove the Hard Drive.
• Step 2: Remove Optical Drive
• Step 3: Remove the Power Supply.
• Step 4: Remove Adapter Cards.
• Step 5: Remove Memory Modules.
• Step 6: Remove Data Cables.
Computer Assembly
Computer Assembly
• Computer Assembly is a large part of an IT
technician’s job. It requires you to work in a
logical and methodical manner.
• Through practice, you can be able to improve
your computer assembly skills
Open the Case
• You need to prepare your workspace before
opening the computer case. This involves:
– Having a workspace that has adequate
lighting, good ventilation, and comfortable
room temperature
– Having a workbench that is accessible from all
sides
– Avoid having clutter caused by tools and
computer components on the workbench
– Having an antistatic mat on the table to
prevent ESD
 Cases
• The case houses the internal components such as the power
supply, motherboard, CPU, memory, disk drives, and
assorted adapter cards.
• The term form factor refers to the physical design and look
of a case. Common desktop computers are available in form
factors including:
• Horizontal case
• Full Size Tower
• Compact Tower
• All in one
 Choosing a Computer case
• The type of motherboard you choose determine the type of
case that can be used. The size and shape must match exactly
• Size: If a computer has many components, it will need more
room for airflow to keep the system cool.
• Power Supply: you must match the power rating and
connection type of power supply to the type of motherboard
you have chosen
• Status display: LED indicators that are mounted on the
outside of the case can tell you if the system is receiving
power, when computer is asleep etc.
• Vent: some cases are designed with more vents in the event
that the system needs a way to dissipate an unusual amount
of heat especially when many devices are installed close
together in the case.
Install the Power Supply
Install the Power Supply
– Use cable ties to secure all the cables out of
the way
Select a Power Supply
• Type of motherboard: the power supply must be
compatible with the motherboard
• Required wattage: add the wattage for each
components
• Number of components: power supply should
supply enough wattage to support the number of
components plus another 25% at a minimum
• Types of components: the power supply should
provide the right types of power connectors
• Type of case: power supply can be mounted in the
desired case
Attach components to the
motherboard
• You must Attach components to the
motherboard and then attach the
motherboard to the computer case; not the
other way round.
• Ensure the motherboard is placed on a
grounded antistatic mat when handling it.
You should also wear an antistatic wrist strap.
Attach components to the
motherboard
Installing the CPU
Attach components to the
motherboard
Installing the CPU
• The CPU and the motherboard are highly
sensitive to ESD
• When handling a CPU,
do not touch the CPU
contacts
• The CPU is secured to
the socket on the motherboard with a locking
mechanism
Attach components to the
motherboard
Thermal compound
• The Thermal compound is a substance that
increases the transfer of heat from the CPU to
the heat
sink, where it can
then be dissipated
• Apply it onto the
top surface of the
CPU
 Attach components to the
motherboard
Heat Sink/Fan Assembly
• The heat sink/fan assembly is
a tow-part cooling device
• A heat sink is designed to
maximize its surface area in
contact with the cooling
medium surrounding it, such
as air
Attach components to the
motherboard
Heat Sink/Fan Assembly
Select the CPU and CPU
Cooling
• make sure that the CPU is compatible with
the existing motherboard.
• Socket type: Heat sink and fan type must
match the socket type of the motherboard
• Motherboard physical specifications: Heat
sink/fan type must not interfere with any
component attached to the motherboard
• Case size: Heat sink/fan must fit within the
case
• Physical Environment: Heat sink/fan must be
able to disperse enough heat to keep the CPU
cool
Attach components to the
motherboard
RAM
• RAM is volatile memory and the contents are
lost when the computer is shut down. Adding
more RAM typically enhances the
performance of the computer.
• RAM is mounted on a memory module for
easy installation
• A memory module is a printed circuit board
on which memory integrated circuits are
mounted
Attach components to the
motherboard
 Attach components to the
motherboard
RAM
• RAM is highly sensitive to ESD
• RAM is designed to install in
one specific direction. Make
sure to check the notches
before applying pressure
• When selecting new RAM,
ensure that it is compatible
with the current motherboard.
Also, the speed of the new
RAM must be supported by
the chipset.
Attach the motherboard to the case
Attach the motherboard to
the case
• Plastic standoffs are used to mount the
motherboard to prevent it from touching the
metal portions of the case
• You should install only the standoffs that align
with the holes in the motherboard. Installing
any additional standoffs may prevent the
motherboard from being seated properly in
the computer case.
Select the Motherboard
• New motherboards often have new features or
standards that may be incompatible with older
components
• make sure a replacement motherboard supports the
CPU, RAM, video adapter, and other adapter cards.
• The socket and chipset on the motherboard must be
compatible with the CPU.
• number and type of expansion slots match the existing
adapter cards and allow for new cards that will be
used.
• existing power supply must have connections that fit
the new motherboard.
• motherboard must physically fit into the current
computer case.
Install internal drives
• Drives that are installed in internal bays are
called internal drives. For example, a hard
disk drive (HDD)
• The empty bay must match the drive’s size
• The drive’s metal plate should face up to
support better dissipation of heat
Install internal drives
Install external drives
• Drives that are installed in external bays are
called external drives. For example, an optical
drive storage, floppy disk drive (FDD)
Select Hard Drives

• Internal or External
• HDD,SSD or SSHD
• Hot Swappable
• Heat generation
• Noise Generation
• Power Requirements
Install adapter cards
• Adapter cards are installed in order to add
functionality to a computer
• Adapter cards are installed on expansion
slots. They must therefore be compatible
with the expansion slots available.
• Examples of adapter cards include:
– Network Interface Card (NIC): Enables a
computer to connect to a network.
 Install adapter cards
• Adapter cards are inserted into
two types of expansion slots on
a motherboard:
– Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) – PCI is
commonly available to
support older expansion
cards.
– PCI Express (PCIe) – PCIe has
four types of slots; x1, x4, x8,
and x16. These PCIe slots
vary in length from shortest
(X1) to longest (x16)
respectively.
Install adapter cards
Select Adapter Cards
• Graphics card - The type of graphics card installed
affects the overall performance of a computer. For
example, a graphics card that needs to support
intensive graphics could be RAM intensive, CPU
intensive, or both. The computer must have the
slots.
• Sound card - The type of sound card installed
determines the sound quality of your computer. A
computer system must have quality speakers and a
subwoofer to support the full functionality of an
upgraded sound card.
• NIC - Customers often upgrade a network interface
card (NIC) to get wireless connectivity or to
increase bandwidth.
Install adapter cards
– Wireless Network
Interface Card
(Wireless NIC):
Enables a computer
to connect to a
network. It uses PCI
and PCIe expansion
slots on the
motherboard
Install adapter cards
– Some wireless NICs are installed externally
and connect via a USB connector
 Install adapter cards

• A video adapter card

provides an interface
between the system unit
and a display monitor. It
can provide better
graphics capabilities for
PC games, and graphic-
related programs.
Video adapter cards use
PCI and PCIe expansion
slots on the motherboard.
 Connecting internal cables

Power cables
• Power cables are used to
distribute electricity from the
power supply to the motherboard
and other components
• Be careful when connecting the
power supply cables to other
components. If you have a
difficult time inserting a
connector, try repositioning it, or
check to make sure that there are
no bent pins or foreign objects in
the way.
• Never force a connector or
component.
Connecting internal cables
Connecting internal cables

• Power Supply includes

several different
connectors to power
various internal
components e.g. disk
drives

20-pin/24-pin slotted
connector
 Connecting internal cables
• SATA Connector connects disk drives
• Molex Connector connects hard drives, optical drives
• Berg Connector: connects to legacy floppy drives
• Auxiliary power connector: two or four pins, supplies
power to different areas of the motherboard
• 6/8-pin PCIe power connector: supplies power to internal
components.
Connecting internal cables

Data cables
• Data cables transmit data between
the motherboard and the storage
devices. They include:
– PATA cable: Iinterface standard
for the connection of storage
devices such as hard disk drives,
floppy disk drives, and optical
disc drives in computers.
– Sometimes
called a ribbon cable
because it is wide and
flat. It has 3 40-pin
connectors
Connecting internal cables
Data cables
– SATA data cable: Has a 7-pin connector. One end
of the cable is connected to the motherboard.
The other end is connected to any drive that has
a SATA data connector.
Connecting internal cables
 Install the Front Panel
Cables
• computer case has a power button and visible activity lights on the front
of the case. The case will include front panel cables that must be
connected to a common system panel connector on a motherboard
System panel connectors include:
• Power Button - The power button turns the computer on or off. If the
power button fails to turn off the computer, hold down the power button
for several seconds.
• Power LED - The power LED remains lit when the computer is on, and
often blinks when the computer is in sleep mode.
• Drive Activity LEDs - The drive activity LED remains lit or blinks when the
system is reading or writing to hard drives.
• System Speaker - The motherboard uses a case speaker (if available) to
indicate the computer’s status. For example, one beep indicates that the
computer started without problems.
Generally, if a button or LED does not function, the connector is incorrectly
oriented.
Install the Front Panel
Cables
Complete physical
installation
• Now that all the internal components and the
power supply have been installed and
connected to the motherboard, the following
tasks should be done:
– Re-attach the side panels
– Connect the external cables (for example the cables
that connect the system unit to the monitor, the
keyboard, and the mouse, USB cables, Ethernet
cables, and lastly the power cable)
– You can now power on the computer
Complete physical installation
 Thank you!

Any Questions?