Assemble Computer Hardware

(System Unit Assembling and Disassembling)

You can save money if you know how to build your own PC. You can choose your
preferred processor, motherboard, memory, expansion cards and even a system unit
casing. You can add some features to your system unit like LED light, double or
triple cooling fan and more. You can also upgrade the components of your old PC to
the latest model.

Building a new PC usually revolves around a new processor and motherboard, but
there’s a decent chance you’ll be able to drag your older graphics card, storage,
memory, or case over, especially if you’re replacing a PC that you purchased in the
new one.
What is It

In assembling and disassembling a system unit, it is very important to understand

and apply the OHS standard in the workplace to avoid future problem.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), referred to as Occupational Safety and

Health (OSH), is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and
welfare of people at work. The goal of an occupational safety and health program is
to foster a safe and healthy work environment. OHS may also protect co-workers,
family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by
the workplace environment.

It is vital also to understand and apply the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
standard in the workplace. We know that OHS is a multidisciplinary field
concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at work. The goal of an
occupational safety and health program is to foster a safe and healthy work
environment. OHS may also protect co-workers, family members, employers,
customers, and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment.
Below are some of the OHS in the workplace:

1. Always power off the computer and unplug the computer before working on
it.

2. Always ground or discharge yourself before touching

any part of the computer or use anti-static wrist strap
band. (If anti-static wrist strap is not available, just hold the cover casing or
any metal to ground yourself)

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3. Do not work alone so that there's someone who can take care of you in case
of an accident or an emergency.

4. Use instructional manual.

5. Take away any liquid near your working area to avoid getting electrocuted or
accidentally damaging computer parts.

(All Photos credit to Edz Quijano)

6. Be careful with tools that may cause a short circuit.

7. Do not use excessive force if things don't quite slip into place.

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8. Hold the components on the edges and do not ouch the Integrated Circuit
(IC) parts.

9. Make sure that the pins are properly aligned when connecting a cable
connector.

10. Use a brush, compressed air or blower in cleaning the computer system.

(All Photos credit to Edz Quijano)

11. Wear rubber shoes when standing on the ground or in a concrete floor.

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 12. Clean the area before and after using it to maintain sanitation and prevent
accidents.

13. Always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) following the

organization's OHS procedures and practices.

14. Contingency measures during

workplace accidents, fire, and other
emergencies are recognized.

(Photos credit to Edz Quijano &CORE JDVP students)

COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM UNIT

System unit - is a box that contains the central electronic components of a

computer. It is sometimes called “Tower” or “Chassis”. It provides protection and
support for internal components. The size and layout of a case are called a form
factor power supply.

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1. Motherboard – a system core actually, it is the “heart of the computer”.
Other system elements are connected to motherboard, and the whole
system is managed and controlled by it. Motherboard contains special
chips on which some ICs (Integrated circuits) are etched. It contains the
buses or electrical pathways found in a computer.

2. Processor / Central Processing Unit (CPU) – a computer engine, referred

to as the “brain of the computer”. It manages most of the computer
operations. Processors can be with pins or pin-less. It contains a control
unit and a logic unit.

3. Random Access Memory(RAM) – is a computer's short-term memory,

volatile storage. It storages all data processed by programs and apps on
(All Photos credit to Edz Quijano)
the computer. There are dynamic and static RAMs.
It is a form of computer memory that can be read and changed in any
order, typically used to store working data and machine code. A random-
access memory device allows data items to be read or written in almost the
same amount of time irrespective of the physical location of data inside the
memory.

4. Hard Disk Drive (HDD) - also known as a hard disk, hard drive, or fixed
disk. It is an electromechanical data storage device that uses magnetic
storage to store and retrieve digital data using one or more rigid rapidly
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 rotating platters coated with magnetic material. The platters are paired
with magnetic heads, usually arranged on a moving actuator arm, which
read and write data to the platter surfaces.

5. Floppy Disk Drive (FDD) - also known as a floppy, diskette, or simply

disk, is a type of disk storage composed of a disk of thin and flexible
magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic enclosure lined
with fabric that removes dust particles. It reads and writes a floppy disk
or diskette

( A ll Photos credit to Edz

6. Optical Disc Drive (ODD) - is a disc drive that uses laser
Quijano)
light or electromagnetic waves within or near the visible light
spectrum as part of the process of reading or writing data to or from
optical discs. Some drives can only read from certain discs, but recent
drives can both read and record, also called burners or writers (since they
physically burn the organic dye on write-once CD-R, DVD-R, and BD-R
discs). Compact discs, DVDs, and Bluray discs are common types of
optical media that can be read and recorded by such drives.

7. Power Supply Unit( PSU) - converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC

power for the internal components of a computer. Modern personal
computers universally use switched-mode power supplies. Some power

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 supplies have a manual switch for selecting input voltage, while others
automatically adapt to the mains voltage.

8. SATA data cables - are used to connect hard disks, SSDs and optical
drives to a PC's motherboard. Our range includes standard cables,
versions with right-angled connectors to fit into tight spaces, SATA power
adapters and SATA-to-MOLEX power connectors. SATA stands for Serial
Advanced Technology Attachment.

(All Photos credit to Edz Quijano)

9. IDE data cables – IDE an acronym for Integrated Drive Electronics, is a

standard type of connection for storage devices in a computer. Generally,
IDE refers to the types of cables and ports used to connect some hard
drives and optical drives and to the motherboard.

10.CPU Fan with Heatsink- these two components work together in keeping
the CPU from overheating. The metal is called the heatsink as it conducts
heat from the CPU while the CPU Fan blows the air to the heatsink.

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 11.Expansion cards - are cards inserted into an expansion slot on the
computer’s motherboard and create an electronic link between the two
with edge connectors so data can be communicated across. They became
popular soon after they were first introduced and remain popular to this
day due to the opportunities they offer users to fully customize their
computing experience.

(All Photos credit to Edz Quijano)

TYPES OF EXPANSION CARDS

1. Video Card - is more often called a graphics card or display card, and
is responsible for generating images to a visual display such as a computer
monitor or laptop screen. Although all motherboards have some degree of
integrated graphics, a dedicated video card allows for higher quality graphics
and better speeds. Video cards can offer such functions as the rendering of
high-quality 3D and 2D graphics, the ability to connect to a TV and the ability
to display graphics across multiple display screens. Modern video cards
support HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface), VGA(video graphics
array) and DVI (digital visual interface).

2. Local Area Network (LAN) Card - also referred to as network adapter

or Network Interface Controller (NIC). A card that is installed in the
motherboard to allow access to a network like an internet or a home network.
It is both an input and output device

3. Modem Card - is an internal type of MODEM that is plugged into the

PCI slot of a PC motherboard. A modem is a communications device that
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allows a computer to send and receive data through telephone or cable lines.
MODEM stands for modulator-Demodulator.

(All Photos credit to Edz Quijano)

4. Sound Card (also known as an audio card) - is an internal expansion

card that provides input and output of audio signals to and from a computer
under control of computer programs. The term sound card is also applied to
external audio interfaces used for professional audio applications.

5. Firewire or USB Expansion Card – add this card if you need more USB
ports in your computer. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus.

ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY OF A SYSTEM UNIT

In assembling and disassembling a system unit, always follow the OHS procedures
like placing the components in an anti-static mat; using accurate screwdrivers and
wearing an anti-static wrist strap band or grounding yourself by holding the casing
of the system unit or any metal before handling any electronic devices. This is the
best practice you should follow before assembling a computer.

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 (All Photos credit to Edz Quijano)
STEPS IN SYSTEM UNIT ASSEMBLY
1. Prepare the system unit casing 5. Install the Random Access Memory
(RAM)

2. Install the motherboard 6. Install the Power Supply Unit (PSU)

3. Install the CPU/Processor 7. Install the Hard Disk Drive(HDD)

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4. Install the CPU fan with heatsink 8. Install DVD or Optical Disc Drive(ODD)
& Floppy Disk Drive( for old system unit)

9. Install the expansion cards 13. Connect the front panel connector

10. Install the cooling fan 14. Close the cover casing

11. Connect the bus or data cable 15. Fasten with locks and screws
(IDE & SATA Data Cable)

12 Connect the power cables

(All Photos credit to Edz Quijano)

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STEPS IN SYSTEM UNIT DISASSEMBLY
The steps in disassembling the units of a system are reverse in system unit
assembly.

1. Remove the locks and screws

2. Remove the cover casing
3. Disconnect the front panel connectors
4. Disconnect the power cable
5. Disconnect the bus or data cable
6. Remove the cooling fan
7. Remove Expansion cards
8. Remove the CD/DVD or Optical Disc Drive(ODD) and Floppy Disk
Drive(FDD
9. Remove the Hard Disk Drive(HDD)
10. Remove the Power Supply Unit (PSU) or SMPS
11. Remove the Random Access Memory(RAM)
12. Remove the CPU fan with heat sink
13. Remove CPU or processor
14. Remove the motherboard

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