1. The document discusses common hardware problems and troubleshooting methods for personal computers. It covers electrostatic discharge and how to prevent damage from static electricity when working with computer components.
2. The document then outlines a six point process for troubleshooting problems: gathering information, checking power and cables, determining if it's a user error, restarting the computer, defining if it's a hardware or software problem, and finding and solving the problem.
3. The document also provides an overview of the typical components of a desktop computer, both inside and outside the system case, including the processor, memory, storage drives, motherboard, power supply, keyboard, mouse, and monitor. It describes the basic functions of these
Introduction to common PC hardware problems and troubleshooting methods
1. 1 | SENAY APPS
0919040866
SENAY APPS
Computer Application And Android Developer
se
Laboratory Notebook 2019/20
Introduction to PC hardware maintenance
Common type of hard ware problems and trouble shootings:
Safety and Tools
ESD
ESD stands for electrostatic discharge. ESD happen when two objects of dissimilar charge
(for example, man and the computer components) contact each other. This charge can
damage the computer components like CPU, RAM, Motherboards, cards and other
electronic components.
To prevent ESD, simply touch the metal part of the case (power supply) in every
movement while working inside the computer. Or use anti-static wrist strap.
Figure 1: Anti-Static Wrist Strap (Touch metal case)
Why use anti-static tool?
Greatest killer of PCs:
2. 2 | SENAY APPS
0919040866
SENAY APPS
Computer Application And Android Developer
se
Electrostatic discharge (ESD).
ESD simply means the passage of a static electrical charge from one item to
another.
All PCs are well protected against ESD on the outside.
Unless you take a screwdriver and actually open up your PC, you don’t need to
concern yourself with ESD.
Physical Safety
3. 3 | SENAY APPS
0919040866
SENAY APPS
Computer Application And Android Developer
se
Remove any jewelry or loose-hanging clothing before working on a computer. If you
have long hair, you might consider tying it.
You don’t want anything getting caught in a fan or stuck on a component. This can
save you and your components a lot of pain.
Basic Tech toolkit
TROUBELESHOOTING METHODS
Troubleshooting is the process of identifying and correcting problems. The best
troubleshooters are usually people who have been exposed to most problems. They have
seen different types of problems and their solutions. Therefore, if they run into a
particular problem, they might see it before and can quickly address the problems.
Most of the solutions are quite simple, so you don't have to be a technical expert to work
with your PC in good condition. If you want to be a good troubleshooter, just follow the
procedures detailed in this book.
STARTING POINT FOR TROUBLESHOOTING
Every technician [computer users] has his or her own way to troubleshoot. Some people
4. 4 | SENAY APPS
0919040866
SENAY APPS
Computer Application And Android Developer
se
use their instincts while others need an advice from other people. But let us see a
common troubleshooting method.
POINT 1: GATHER INFORMATION
Ask the customer the following questions to define the problems:
Can you tell me something about the problem?
What did you do to your computer lastly [Before it stopped working]?
How often does this happen? Have you installed new software Have you deleted some
files?
Have you added a new hardware device?
Have you made any other changes to the computer recently?
POINT 2: CHECK THE POWER AND CABLE CONNECTORS
Check the power line.
Check the wall outlet power.
Check the power sockets.
Check the cables.
Is it plugged in?
Is it turned on?
Is the computer ready to accept command from the user?
Open the case covers and Reset chips and cables.
POINT 3: CHECK IF THE ERROR IS USER'S ERROR
Because the user cannot print.
Because the user cannot save the files
Because the user cannot run application etc.
If the user is wrong, show him her how to use the computer.
POINT 4: RESTART THE COMPUTER
This process is called a "cold boot" (since the machine was off or cold when it started). A
"warm boot" is the same except it occurs when the machine is rebooted using
{CTRL+ALT+DELETE}.
5. 5 | SENAY APPS
0919040866
SENAY APPS
Computer Application And Android Developer
se
NOTE: -Reboot can solve or show the problem. Rebooting doesn't work, try to power down
the system completely, and then power it up
POINT 5: DEFINE IF THE PROBLEM IS HARDWARE OR SOFTW
RERELATED
Is it a startup problem?
Is it windows problem?
Is it a program problem?
Is it a device problem?
Startup problem: An error occurs before or during boot process.
Window Problem: An error occurs with window system itself.
Program Problem: An error occurs with a specific program.
Device Problem: An error occurs with a specific piece of hardware parts.
POINT 6: FIND OUT THE PROBLEM AND SOLVE IT!
If the problem is hardware related, determine which component is failing and try to
solve the problem.
If the problem is software related; determine which is corrupted or missed and try
to solve the problem.
6. 6 | SENAY APPS
0919040866
SENAY APPS
Computer Application And Android Developer
se
Lab One
Introduction to Computer and its Components
Objectives
Understand the functions of computer
Identify types of computers
Identify components of Desktop Computer
Safety
Check for Static Electricity before you touch system case
Turn-off power supply or unplug power cable before system inspection
7. 7 | SENAY APPS
0919040866
SENAY APPS
Computer Application And Android Developer
se
Computer
Computer is an electronic and digital device, it take data as input, process it and gives
information as output and save it. Computer is used because it is more efficient and
effective. Computer hardware is accessed through Software (operating System) computer is
Extensible: means we can add any number of application software to this and extend its
functionality.
Versatile: means it is used in almost all places like hospitals, business, education, Research
etc.
Computer is not similar to any other electronic and digital machine but its Versatile and
Extensible. Block Diagram of modern Computer.
Figure 2: Block Diagram of Computer
Computer uses many electronic Components which run on Direct Current such as Integrated
circuits, Capacitors, Transistors, Resistors, Buses, Printed Circuit boards.
Components of a Personal Computer
1. System Case: The system case or System Unit, sometimes called the chassis or
enclosure, is the metal and plastic box that houses the main components of the computer.
2. Monitor - Your monitor is the component that displays the visual output from your
computer as generated by the video card.
8. 8 | SENAY APPS
0919040866
SENAY APPS
Computer Application And Android Developer
se
3. Keyboard - This is the input device to enter the text data in to the computer.
4. Mouse - A point and click interface for entering commands which works well in
graphical environments.
Figure 3: Components of Personal Computer
Components inside the System Case
1. Power Supply (SMPS) it’s a Switch Mode Power Supply, which takes 220 V/ 110 V AC
current as input and converts that in to multiple DC voltages.
2. Hard disk drive(s) this is where your files are permanently stored on your computer.
Also, normally, your operating system is installed here.
3. CD/DVD drive(s) This is normally a read only drive where files are permanently stored.
There are now read/write CD/DVD drives that use special software to allow users to read
from and write to these drives.
4. Motherboard is the central printed circuit board (PCB) holds many of the crucial
components of the system, while providing connectors for other peripherals. It is also known
as Main Board.
9. 9 | SENAY APPS
0919040866
SENAY APPS
Computer Application And Android Developer
se
Components on a Motherboard
Processor Socket: processor is installed in this socket.
Memory Slots: Primary memory RAM is installed in this slot
IDE Connectors: Hard Disk Drive, CD/DVD Drive, Floppy drive connected here.
PCI Slot: Adapter cards are installed in this slot like Display card, Sound card,
Network Interface card, etc.
AGP or PCI-Ex Slot: it is used to connect Advanced Graphics cards.
Power Connectors: power supply is connected to this.
Chipset: Group of specialized chips on the mother board
Back Panel Connectors: External devices are connected to motherboard or system
through this back panel.
Mother Board
10. 10 | SENAY APPS
0919040866
SENAY APPS
Computer Application And Android Developer
se
Back-Panel Display Connector (VGA) PS/2 Mouse and Keyboard RJ 45 Network
Connector Audio Connectors USB Others ( HDMI, LPT, COM1, Mini USB, SATA
connector etc)
Back Panel
Back Panel