How to Use this Module ..........................................................................................................

Introduction ............................................................................................................................ ii

Pre-Test .................................................................................................................................. iii

Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................ iv

Learning Outcome 1: Introduce the Computer System......................................................... 7

Information Sheet 1.1:Types of Computer ......................................................................... 8

Self Check 1.1 .................................................................................................................... 11

Information Sheet 1.2: Computer Components and its Characteristics ........................... 12

Activity Sheet 1.2 .............................................................................................................. 16

Self Check 1.2 .................................................................................................................... 17

Information Sheet 1.2: Distinguishing Hardware and Software

Relationship ......................................................................................................................... 18

Activity 1.3 ......................................................................................................................... 19

Learning Outcome 2: Identify of computer parts and its peripherals ................................ 20

Information Sheet 2.1: Personal Protective Equipment ................................................... 21

Self Check 2.1 .................................................................................................................... 25

Information Sheet 2.2: Hand Tools. .................................................................................. 26

Activity Sheet 2.2............................................................................................................... 28

Information Sheet 2.3 ....................................................................................................... 30

Activity Sheet 2.3............................................................................................................... 58

Self Check 2.3 .................................................................................................................... 59

Learning Outcome 3: Maintain Computer Hardware .......................................................... 61

Information Sheet 3.1: Maintain computer System ......................................................... 63

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 Information Sheet 3.2: Cleaning Your Computer System ................................................. 66

Activity Sheet 3.2............................................................................................................... 69

Information Sheet 3.1 ..................................................................................................... 70

Post Test ............................................................................................................................... 71

Answer Keys ......................................................................................................................... 72

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 Welcome to the Module “Introducing Computer System”. This module contains
training materials and activities for you to work on.

The unit of competency “Introduce Computer System” contains knowledge, skills

and attitudes required for a Computer Hardware Servicing NC II course.

You are required to go through a series of learning activities in order to complete

each of the learning outcomes of the module. In each learning outcome there are
Information Sheets and Activity Sheets. Follow these activities on your own and answer the
Self-Check at the end of each learning activity.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask your teacher for assistance.

After completing this module ask your teacher to assess your competency. Result of
your assessment will be recorded in your competency profile. All the learning activities are
designed for you to complete at your own pace.

Inside this module you will find the activities for you to complete followed by
relevant information sheets for each learning outcome. Each learning outcome may have
more than one learning activity.

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Program/ Course : Computer Hardware Servicing NC II
Unit of Competency : Introduce Computer System
Module Title : Introducing Computer System

INTRODUCTION:

This module contains information and suggested learning activities on Computer

Hardware Servicing. It includes training materials and activities for you to complete.

Completion of this module will help you better understand the succeeding module
on Computer Hardware Servicing.

This module consists of 3 learning outcomes. Each learning outcome contains

learning activities supported by each instruction sheets. Before you perform the instructions
read the information sheets and answer the self-check and activities provided to ascertain
to yourself and your teacher that you have acquired the knowledge necessary to perform
the skill portion of the particular learning outcome.

Upon completion of this module, report to your teacher for assessment to check
your achievement of knowledge and skills requirement of this module. If you pass the
assessment, you will be given a certificate of completion.

SUMMARY OF LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the module you should be able to:

LO1. introduce the computer system

LO2. identify the computer parts and their peripherals

LO3. maintain computer system

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Multiple-choice:

1. What do you call the large screen in a laptop?

a) CPU b) Mother board c) Video Card d) LCD

2. What type of motherboard design that is common in large PC network

servers and on other computers on which the processor is upgraded
frequently?
a) Motherboard b) CPU c) Backplanes d) ATX

3. It serves as the power supply for your laptop?

a) AT b)Power Supply c) CMOS d) Battery

4. It defines a motherboard’s size, shape and how it is mounted to the case?

a) Motherboard b) Form factor c) LGX d) PSU

5. It is also known as mainboard, system board or planar?

a) Motherboard b) Motherboard Style c) CPU d) LXG

6. It is the skeletal frame work of your computer system.

a) Cover b) Chassis c) Screws d) Power supply

7. It provides protection for the internal parts of the computer.

a) Chassis b) Reset c) Case d) Cover

8. The part of the computer that provides power to the entire system?
a) CPU b) Drive Bay c) Power Supply d) Reset

9. A button that allows the user to Turn off the computer.

a) Reset b) Turbo c) LED d) Power switch

10. The part of the chassis where you place the Motherboard drives.
a) Drive Bay b) Cover c) Chassis d) CPU

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Form factor - The industry standard that defines the physical and external dimensions of a
particular device.

AT - Advance Technology

ATX - (Advance Technology Extended) is a computer form factor designed by Intel in

1995.

NLX - (New Low Profile Extended) was a form factor proposed by Intel and
developed jointly with IBM, DEC, and other vendors.

Watts - is the SI derived unit of power, equal to one joule of energy per second.

Ergonomic - The study of work organization, and the human/machine interface in

particular.

Sensor - The study of work organization, and the human/machine interface in

particular.

Platter - The actual storage media in the different type of disk. In the hard drive the
platter have a core of glass or aluminum, covered with a thin layer of Ferric
oxide or Cobalt alloy (Co-Ni, Co-Cr, Co-Ni-W).

Magnetic - having the properties of a magnet; i.e. of attracting iron or steel; "the hard
disk is covered with a thin coat of magnetic material".

Static electricity- refers to the buildup of electric charge on the surface of objects.

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Program/ Course : Computer Hardware Servicing NC II
Unit of Competency : Introduce the Computer System
Module Title : Introducing the Computer System

Learning Outcome 1 : Introduce the Computer System

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

1. Types of computers according to size and use are identified.

2. Characteristics of hardware, software and firmware are identified.
3. Relationship of hardware and software in a computer system are distinguished.

RESOURCES:

Equipment and Accessories Tools Materials

LAN Card Screwdriver(standard) Software Applications
UPS Screwdriver(Philips) RJ 45
24 port-Hub Long nose pliers UTP Cat 5 cable
Modem Mechanical pliers Motherboard’s Manual
Computer Unit Allen wrench and Installer
USB External CD writer Multi-tester Sound Device Driver
USB Scanner Crimping tools Installer
USB Printers Wire Stripper
USB Flash Drive LAN Tester
Anti-static wrist wrap
Device drivers/installers

REFERENCES:

 Antoinette R. Marcelo. Understanding PC Hardware. Copyright 2007 Jemma Inc.

 McLaughlin,Robert, Sasser,Susan, Ralston,Mary.Fix Your Own PC.Philippine Graphic
Arts, Inc Tandang Sora St.Caloocan City
 Meralco Faoundation. Microcomputer Servicing Plus. Pasig City, Philippines.
 Legaspi,Carlos, Caiña, Mark Anthony. Operate A Personal Computer. Dasmariñas
Computer Learning Center.Dasmariñas,Cavite, Philippines
 Bigelow,Stephen J. PC Technician’s Troubleshooting ,McGaw Hill

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 INFORMATION SHEET 1.1

TYPES OF COMPUTER

What are computers?

 Computers are electronic devices that are capable of processing data/information given
in the form of numbers, words, pictures, and even sounds.
 They can be programmed (given instructions) to carry out various kinds of information
processing jobs.

Different Kinds of Computers

 Depending on the size and capacity, computers are classified into three types:
 MAINFRAME COMPUTERS
 MINICOMPUTERS
 MICROCOMPUTERS OR PERSONAL COMPUTERS.

 Mainframe Computers
 Large and powerful computers that are used by many people (users) at the same time;
typically installed in large organizations/companies.

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 Supercomputers
 Extremely powerful mainframe computers used in scientific and engineering
applications.

 Minicomputers
• Minicomputers are medium sized computers -- Between Mainframe computers
and Microcomputers

Application of Computers
 Various kinds of jobs that are done using computers:
 SCIENTIFIC COMPUTATIONS

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 KEEPING TRACK OF INFORMATION
Example:

Banking, Railways or Airlines Reservations

 PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS AND MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS

Examples:
Power point Presentations in
meetings and seminars.

Video presentation of films and footages

 SIMULATION OF REAL OR IMAGINARY WORLD SCENES

Example:
Virtual Reality, Computer Games

 STORING AND SHARING INFORMATION

Example:
World Wide Web(Internet)
Web Casting

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Matching Type:

Directions: Match column A to column B. Place your answer in the answer sheet given by
your teacher.

A B

1. Personal Computer

V-

2. Mainframe Computer W-

3 Mini computer

X-

4. World Wide Web Y-

5. Super Computer

Z-

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 INFORMATION SHEET 1.2
Computer components and its characteristics

Components of a Computer

1. The components of a computer are classified into the three main categories hardware,
software and documentation.
1.1 Hardware: The mechanical and electronic parts that perform the various tasks of the
computer
1.2 Software: The programs or instructions that tell the hardware what tasks are to be done
and how.
1.3 Firmware/Documentation: Instructions in read only memory (ROM).

1.1 Hardware components

The hardware of a typical computer system, irrespective of its size, consists of
the following components:
1.1.1 CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT – CPU

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 1.1.2 MEMORY

1.1.2 STORAGE DEVICES

1.1.4 INPUT / OUTPUT DEVICES

1.2 Computer Software

1.2.1 Computer Software/Program

 A software/program is a sequence of commands written in a computer
programming language that specifies a task that the computer will perform.
 Some of the computer programming languages are:
VISUAL BASIC, C, C++, JAVA

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Classification of Computer Software
Computer software can be classified into following categories:
 OPERATING SYSTEM
 USER PROGRAMS
 APPLICATION PROGRAMS

 Operating System
• Operating system (OS) is the basic software responsible for interacting with the
hardware.
• It is the foundation on which user programs and application programs are built.
• It helps the user to enter programs or data, store them in files and execute
programs.
• Two popular operating systems in use today are
 Unix – for mainframes and minicomputers.
 Windows and Linux – used for personal computers.

 User Programs
• User Programs: Written by users or programmers for themselves or for their
organization.

 Application Programs
• Computers are increasingly being used in almost every activity - business,
industry, commerce, health, education, entertainment, sports, etc.
 Word processing
 Desktop Publishing
 Spreadsheets

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 Ms Word MS Excel MS Powerpoint

1.3 Firmware

 Is the program that is embedded in a silicon chip rather than stored on a

floppy disk.
 You can access the computer BIOS utility by pressing a special key right
after you turn on your computer. The special keys are (DEL) delete key or
(F2) Function key no.2 or (F10) function key no. 10

Example: BIOS chip or CMOS

CMOS CHIP

BIOS UTILITY

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 Equipment, Tools, and Materials

Personal Computer

Directions:
1. Choose a partner to work with.
2. Given the following equipment, ask your partner to identify the functions and
characteristics of the computer components (hardware/software/firmware)
of a computer unit. (Give at least 2 for each component)
3. Exchange roles. Your partner will now do the identification, functions and
characteristics.
4. Assess each others performance using the performance criteria score card
below.

PERFORMANCE SCORE CARD

Scoring
Performance Criteria
1 2 3 4 5

1. The hardware functions are identified successfully.

2. The software and firmware function is identified successfully.

3. Proper access to the firmware is carefully observed.

4. Safety precautions are observed.

5 - Excellently Performed
4 - Very Satisfactorily Performed
3 - Satisfactorily Performed
2 - Fairly Performed
1 - Poorly Performed

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 Multiple choice:

1. What do you call a program embedded on a silicon chip?

a) Peopleware b) Software c) Firmware d) Hardware

2. What do you call the software that interacts with the computer hardware?
a) Applications b) Operating System c) Firmware d) Spreadsheets

3. The mechanical and electrical part of the computer system is the.

a) Software b) Hardware c) Unix d) Firmware

4. An operating system used in mainframes and mini-computers is the.

a)Windows XP b) Unix c) Panda d) BIOS

5. Which one is an example of an operating system commonly installed in

personal computers.
a) Unix b) Windows c) BIOS d) MS-Word

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INFORMATION SHEET 1.3
Distinguishing Hardware and Software Relationship

Hardware and Software Relationship

For a computer to produce useful output its hardware and software must work together.
Nothing useful can be done with the hardware on its own, and software cannot be utilized
without supporting hardware.
To take an analogy, a CD player and its CD purchased from the market are hardware.
However, the songs recorded on the CD are its software. To listen to a song, that song has to
be recorded on one of the CD first, which is then mounted on the compact disk and played.
Similarly, to get a job done by a computer, the corresponding software has to be loaded in
the hardware first and then executed.

Following important points regarding the relationship between hardware and software are
brought out by this analogy:

1. Both hardware and software are necessary for a computer to do useful job. Both are
complementary to each other.

2. Same hardware can be loaded with different software to make a computer perform
different types of jobs just as different songs can be played using the same CD player.

3. Except for upgrades (like increasing main memory and hard disk capacities, or adding
speakers, modems, etc.); hardware is normally a one- time expense, whereas software is a
continuing expense. Like we buy new cassettes for newly released songs or for songs whose
cassettes, we do not have, we buy, new software to be run on the same hardware as and
when need arises, or funds become available.
Software

Your software is useless

without your Hardware The computer is useless
without your Software

Hardware

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Interview

Directions:
1. Work in groups of 6 as a panel. One will be the interviewer ,while the rest of
the panel will answer
2. The students will be asked the following questions.

o Why do computers need software?

o Why do we need to install different software in our computers?
o Briefly explain the relationship between computer hardware and software.

3. Rate your groups’ performance using the Performance score card below:

PERFORMANCE SCORE CARD

Scoring
Performance Criteria
1 2 3 4 5

1. Importance of computers is clearly explained.

2. Installation of different software is explained.

3. Relationship between hardware and software is well explained.

5 - Excellently Performed
4 - Very Satisfactorily Performed
3 - Satisfactorily Performed
2 - Fairly Performed
1 - Poorly Performed

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Program/ Course : Computer Hardware Servicing NC II
Unit of Competency : Introduce Computer System
Module Title : Introducing Computer System

Learning Outcome 2 : Identify of computer parts and its peripherals

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

1. Appropriate personal protective equipment used in Hardware Servicing is

identified.
2. Appropriate tools are used according to standard safety procedure.
3. Identification of the different computer parts is identified.
4. Characteristics and functions of each computer component are identified.
5. Safety precautions are observed at all times.

REFERENCES:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_service

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_standard

 http://www.technet.unsw.edu.au/tohss/swp.htm

 http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/healthsafety/safeworkprocedures

 Antoinette R. Marcelo. Understanding PC Hardware. Copyright 2007 Jemma Inc.

 http://www.empf.org/empfasis/aug04/prop.htm

 http://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/~internal/policymanual/10fiscalaffairs/1026.POL.htm

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 INFORMATION SHEET 2.1

Personal Protective Equipment

 Refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garment designed to protect the
wearer's body from injury by blunt impacts, electrical hazards, heat, chemicals, and
infection, for job-related purposes.

Personal Protective Equipment used in Hardware Servicing

There are certain personal protective devices used in computer hardware servicing, this
equipments are designed to protect the devices against ESD ( Electro Static Electricity) and
other environmental hazards.

Anti- Static Devices

Devices used to protect the computer unit against static electricity.

.1 Anti- Static Wrist Strap

.2 Anti-Static Mat

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 .3 Anti Static Spray
- Use to remove ESD from your work area

1.4 Anti- Static Bag

-Use to store your sensitive
devices safe from ESD.

2. Power Protection Devices

- Devices use to protect the user and the computer from sudden increase/dropped
of electricity. Power protection devices are also used against sort circuits.

2.1 AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator)

-Automatically maintain a constant voltage level.

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 2.2 UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
- Serves as a battery backup, provides emergency
power

2.3 Surge Suppressors

- An appliance designed to protect electrical devices
from voltage spikes.

Personal Protective Equipment application

Anti-static devices
- Always use an anti-static wrist
strap when working on a
computer except when working
on monitors: more about that
below. One end is an elastic
band that fits around your wrist
and which is connected to an
alligator clip by a wire. The clip
connects to a metal part of the
computer chassis, which
equalizes the voltage between
you and the computer, thus
avoiding static sparks.

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 Power Protection Devices
UPS
- Plug the computer to
protection device to avoid
voltage spikes and power
surges.

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Identification Type

Directions: Answer the following questions and place your answer on your test booklet.

1. A device used against power/voltage spikes.

2. A power protective equipment that serves as a backup battery for your computer.
3. It is used to store sensitive computer peripherals.
4. A anti-static device you need to use when touching components in a computer unit.
5. A device that provides a stable power system.

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 INFORMATION SHEET 2.2
Using Hand Tools
Hand Tools
- device for performing work on a material or a physical system using only hands. The hand
tools can be manually used employing mechanical force, or electrically powered, using
electrical current.
Types of hand tools

Side Cutter Pliers – a tool used for cutting or trimming of connecting

wires or terminal leads in the circuit board

Long nose Pliers – Used for holding, bending and stretching the lead of
electronics component or connecting wire.

Crimping Tool- a tool use to connect a RJ45 connector to a network

cable.

Tweezers- a tool use to hold small sensitive part of a computer.

Cutter- a tool used in cutting wires.

Flat Screw Driver – a tool used to drive or fasten negative slotted

screws

Philips Screw Driver- a tool used to drive or fasten positive

slotted screws

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 Flashlight- a small electric light, use to illuminate a dark area..

Paint Brush - use for cleaning parts of a computer.

Magnifying glass- a device made in glass with handle, to exaggerate

or to increase the apparent size of an object.

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 Equipment, Tools, and Materials
Basic hand tools

Directions:
1. Choose a partner to work with.
2. Given the following equipment you are asked to identify the hand tools and
functions.
3. Take turns in during the task.
4. Assess each other using the criteria in the score card below.

PERFORMANCE SCORE CARD

Scoring
Performance Criteria
1 2 3 4 5

1. All hand tools are identified successfully.

2. All functions are identified successfully.

3. Proper handling of tools is observed.

4. Safety precautions are observed.

5 - Excellently Performed
4 - Very Satisfactorily Performed
3 - Satisfactorily Performed
2 - Fairly Performed
1 - Poorly Performed

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Matching Type:

Directions: Match column A to column B, place your answer in the answer sheet given by
your teacher.

A B

1. Phillip Screw driver

H-

2. Crimping Tool I-

3 Flash Light

J-

4. Tweezer K-

5. Magnifying glass

L-

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 INFORMATION SHEET 2.3
Hardware Components and Peripheral

Your PC’s system case is probably high on the list of components you think about the
least. However, in spite of the fact that the system case has only one or two components
that are active, namely the power supply and the front panel, the PC’s case plays a major
role in the PC’s operation.

In spite of the fact that the PC’s case just seems to sit there, it does perform a
number of very valuable functions.
 Provides the aesthetics of the system
 Provides the PC with its structure
 Provides protection and cooling for the electronics and other devices
mounted inside

Computer case comes in al sizes, shapes, colors and faces. These variations in size
and shape are driven by the case’s form factor. The form factor of the case is its shape, the
way its components fit together and most of all its size.

 Chassis the skeletal framework that provides the structure, rigidity and
strength of the case.
 Cover plays an important role in the cooling, protection and structure of
the PC.
 Power Supply a very important component, not only to the case
assembly, but to the PC and its other components.
 Front panel in addition to providing the PC with its looks and color, the
front panel also provides information on the PC’s status, allows the user
to physically secure the PC and on some case types, it is the starting
point for removing the case cover.
 Power switch
 Reset switch
 Status LED
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  Power LED (Light Emitting Diode) typically green in color and
illuminated when the PC’s power is on.
 Hard drive LED when the drive is seeking, reading or writing data, this
red, orange or amber LED is lit and flashes.
 Turbo LED if present, this yellow LED indicates that the PC is in turbo
mode.
 Switches most new systems now have their two main switches, the
power switch and the reset switch, on the front panel.
 Power button - in older PCs, the power switch was a part of the power
supply and located on the right rear corner of the PC.

 Reset button performs a hardware reset when pressed. This provides

the user with a means of restarting the PC should it halt and not
respond to normal shutdown or restart command.
 Drive bays disk drives with removable media have been mounted in the
system case so that they can be accessed from the front panel. Typically,
the drive bays are used for 3.5-inch disk drives, optical drives and
removable hard drives.
 External drive bays these drive bays are actually internal to the case
and chassis, but they can be accessed externally.
 Internal drive bays these drive bays are completely inside the system
case and are not accessible from outside the chassis

Cover

Switches
Power Supply

Drive Bays

Chassis
Front Panel

System Case Styles

1. Desktop case – the flat, boxy one is the desktop case PC. It doubles as the
base for PC’s monitor.
2. Tower cases – the tall, thin case are the tower style. Below are the
popular variations of the tower case
 Full tower are the largest standard PC cases available. They offer
the most of any case style in the way of expandability, typically
having three to five external drive bays and a few internal drive
bays as well.
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  Mid-tower is a slightly shorter version of the full tower.
 Midi-tower exist somewhere between the mid-tower and the
mini-tower. By definition, a midi-tower is smaller than a mid-
tower and larger than a mini-tower.
 Mini-tower this is the most popular case today. It provides slightly
more expansion capacity than desktop cases.

Desktop Case

Tower Case

The Power Supply

The power supply unit (PSU) in a computer regulates and delivers the power to the
components in the case.

Power Supplies contain dangerous voltages and should only be opened by experienced and qualified
engineers; there are no user serviceable parts inside.

Always disconnect the PSU from the mains supply before removing the cover of the PC.

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 Standard power supplies turn the incoming 110V or 220V AC
(Alternating Current) into various DC (Direct Current) voltages
suitable for powering the computer's components.

Power supplies are quoted as having a certain power output

specified in Watts, a standard power supply would typically be
able to deliver around 350 Watts.

The more components (hard drives, CD/DVD drives, tape drives,

ventilation fans, etc) you have in your PC the greater the power
required from the power supply.

By using a PSU that delivers more power than required means it won't be running at full
capacity, which can prolong life by reducing heat damage to the PSU internal components
during long periods of use.

Always replace a power supply with an equivalent or superior power output (Wattage).

There are 3 types of power supply in common use:

 AT Power Supply - still in use in older PCs.

 ATX Power Supply - commonly in use today.

 ATX-2 Power Supply - recently new standard.

A power supply can be easily changed and are generally not expensive, so if one fails (which
is far from uncommon) then replacement is usually the most economic solution.

The power supply connectors

4 Pin Berg Connector
-Used to connect the PSU to small form factor devices, such as 3.5" floppy
drives.
-available in: AT, ATX & ATX-2
4 Pin Molex Connector
-This is used to power various components, including hard drives and optical
drives.
-available in: AT, ATX & ATX-2
20 Pin Molex ATX Power Connector
-This is used to power the motherboard in ATX systems.
-available in: ATX( ATX-2 have four extra pins)

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 4 Pin Molex Power Connector
-Used specifically for Pentium 4 Processor Motherboards.
-available in: ATX (integrated into the power connector in ATX-2)

6 Pin AUX Connector

-Provides +5V DC, and two connections of +3.3V.
-available in: ATX/ATX-2

ATX Power Supply Pin outs

Below are pin out diagrams of the common connectors in ATX power supplies.

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The Motherboard

The motherboard is easily the most important part of the computer. Although there
are a number of components that a PC cannot function without, it’s the motherboard that
ties them all together and turns them into a personal computer.
The motherboard, or main board, of a PC is a large printed circuit board that is home
to many of the most essential parts of the computer, including the CPU, chipset, cache,
memory sockets, expansion bus, parallel and serial ports, mouse and keyboard connectors
and IDE, EIDE or SCSI controllers. Thee motherboard binds the PC’s operational components
together.

Motherboard Form Factors

Form factors define a motherboard’s size, shape and how it is mounted to the case.
However, form factors now include the size, shape and function of the system case; the type,
placement and size of the power supply; the system’s power requirements; the location and
type of the external connectors, and the case’s airflow and cooling system.

AT(Advance Technology) Form Factor

The initial design of motherboards introduced by IBM (International Business
Machines)

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ATX Form Factor
It was released by Intel in 1995 and was an improvement over the LPX form factor.

Mini ATX
This is slightly smaller than ATX but all the specifications of the ATX are included.

NLX Form Factor

A new standardized form factor. The three primary focuses of the NLX are the
processor and system cooling, the number of connections for multimedia hardware and
reducing the clutter of interior cables.

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The Components of the Motherboard
The motherboard is composed of the following parts:
Back panel

Expansion
slots
CPU

CMOS

Power Memory
Conner Slots
stor

The Central Processing Unit

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. It is the brain
of the computer unit.

The reason the CPU is called a processor is because it

can work with data. And it has two important jobs:
 It can do calculations.
 It can move data.
The CPU is very fast at doing both jobs. The
faster the CPU can do calculations and move data, the
faster we say the PC is. What follows is a short
description of how to achieve faster data processing.
Read it, and see if you understand all the concepts.
There are three ways to improve a PC’s performance.

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The Evolution of the CPU
Intel CPU Family Tree
1. First Generation: 8088, 8086, 80188, 80186and 8087 – these were introduced in
1978 and had a clock speed of 4.77MHz. .

Intel 8088

2. Second Generation: 80286 and 80287 – it has a clock speed of 6 to 8 MHZ and uses
16 bit data bus.

80286 CPU

3. Third Generation: – this was a full 32 bit processor and has clock speed of 16 MHz.

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 4. The Fourth Generation:– this CPU incorporates a cache memory and an integrated
math coprocessors. This was the first to use Intel’s new socket numbering system,
the Socket 1.

486DX and Socket 1

5. The Fifth Generation: Intel “P5” Pentium and Pentium MMX

“5” was originally known as 80586, but Intel found out that model numbers
could not be copyrighted. So, instead of numbers, they used a trademark name,
Pentium.

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 6. The Sixth Generation, Part1 : ‘P6” Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Celeron and Pentium II
Xeon

Intel Pentium Pro and Socket 8

CPU Accessories

CPU Cooling System

CPU Heat sink – It is use to cool down the CPU.

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Computer Ports and Connectors

The first input and output devices you encounter are the external devices, such as the
keyboard, video monitor, printer and so forth. Some of these devices have connectors that
are the same as, or very similar to, the connectors used for other devices. In most cases
plugging a new device into the wrong connector can damage the device or the system, so
you need to know all the different connectors and which devices use them.

Connector Types

USB Port LAN Port

Keyboard Port

Audio Port
Video Out

 Keyboard port – connects the computer keyboard.

 Video Out – Provides Video output for your computer.
 USB (Universal Serial Bus)- connect computer peripherals such as mice, keyboards, PDAs,
gamepads and joysticks, scanners, digital cameras, printers, personal media players,
flash drives, and external hard drives.

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The Computer Keyboard

This is the most common input device. The keyboard allows the user to communicate with
the PC through keystrokes that represent character data and commands.

Keyboard Elements
1. Alphanumeric keys – the alphabet keys along with row numbers and special
characters. These keys match those on a typewriter.
 Alphabet keys
 Punctuation and special characters
 Actions keys
 Character selection keys
 Command control keys
 Enter key
 White space keys
 Number/special character keys
2. Cursor control key – located on the right side of the alphanumeric keys, this
group of keys has two smaller groups of keys: the cursor function keys and cursor
arrow keys.
3. Function keys- located across the top of a keyboard.
4. Numeric keypad – the number pad, which is located on the extreme right side of
nearly all modern keyboards, contains keys for ten numbers, as well as the four
arithmetic functions. This can also be used as a cursor control pad by toggling the
NUM LOCK key.
5. Toggle and Lock keys
6. Special purpose keys
 ESC key
 Print Screen key
 Pause/break key
7. Window keys
 Windows key
 Application/Context key

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Keyboard Layout and Design
1. 83-keys PC/XT keyboard – the keyboard included in the original IBM PC and the
XT

2. 84-keys AT keyboard – it is a step closer to the standard keyboard layout used

today

3. Enhanced 101- keys keyboard - it is the one most familiar to computer users
today. Later models are really just enhancements of the design. This is the
industry standard today.

4. Windows 104- keys keyboard – this is identical to 101-keys keyboard layout

except for the addition of three new keys; two Windows keys, located between
the CTRL and ALT keys on both sides and an Application key on the right side,
next to the Windows key.

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 5. Natural and Ergonomic Keyboard – this keyboard help relieve the stress caused
by the position of the user’s hands and wrist and prevent repetitive stress
injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Keyboard Elements/Layout

Alphanumeric keys – the alphabet keys along with row numbers and special
characters. These keys match those on a typewriter.
 Alphabet keys
 Punctuation and special characters
 Actions keys
 Character selection keys
 Command control keys
 Enter key
 White space keys
 Number/special character keys
Cursor control key – located on the right side of the alphanumeric keys, this group of
keys has two smaller groups of keys: the cursor function keys and cursor arrow keys.

Function keys- located across the top of a keyboard.

Numeric keypad – the number pad, which is located on the extreme right side of
nearly all modern keyboards, contains keys for ten numbers, as well as the four
arithmetic functions. This can also be used as a cursor control pad by toggling the
NUM LOCK key.

Special purpose keys

 ESC key
 Print Screen key
 Pause/break key
Window keys
 Windows key
 Application/Context key

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 Keyboard Layout

Function keys
Numeric
Special keypad
purpose keys

Windo
w keys Cursor control
Alphanumeric key
keys

Keyboard Connectors
1. The 5 pin DIN connector - this is the oldest of the keyboard connectors, also
known as the AT form factor.
Pin Number Signal
1 Keyboard Clock
2 Keyboard Data
3 Unused
4 Ground
5 + 5v Power

2. The 6 pin Mini DIN Connector – it is designed to used six pins arranged in a
circular pattern around a plastic case, also known as PS/2 connector.

Pin Number Signal

1 Keyboard Data
2 Unused
3 Ground
4 + 5v Power
5 Keyboard Clock
6 Unused

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 3. The USB Connector – the universal serial bus is a multifunction peripheral bus
that is growing rapidly in popularity, and the keyboard is one of many devices
that can use it.

4. IrDA (infrared) connector - it is a wireless keyboard.

Pointing Devices
1. Traditional Mice/Mouse - a palm-sized plastic housing with a rubber ball
protruding from the bottom and a cord coming out the back.

2. Trackballs – it is an upside-down mouse with a larger than normal ball. Instead

of rolling the ball by moving the whole mouse across a surface, you move the ball
directly while the device itself remains stationary.

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 3. IBM /Track Point – also known as Glide point mouse. It is created by IBM for its
ThinkPad line of notebook computer to solve the pointing device problems.

4. Touch Pads – it is a rectangular pad located below the spacebar on a laptop

keyboard. The pad senses the capacitance of your finger as you move it across
the surface.

5. Joystick – a type of pointing device that is used primarily with game software on
a PC.

6. Graphic Tablets – similar in conception with the touch pad, but it is larger and
used with a stylus instead of your finger.

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Hard Disk Basics
A device that allows the user to store large amounts of data in the computer unit,
sometimes refered also as the hard drive or Winchesters drive.
.

Here is a typical hard-disk drive:

Inside the Hard Disk

Platters

Arm

 The platters - These typically spin at 3,600 or 7,200 rpm when the drive is operating.
These platters are manufactured to amazing tolerances and are mirror-smooth.

 The arm - This holds the read/write heads and is controlled by the mechanism in the
upper-left corner.

The Floppy Disk

The floppy disk drive (FDD) was the primary means of adding data to a computer
until the CD-ROM drive became popular. In fact, FDDs have been a key component of most
personal computers for more than 20 years.

Basically, a floppy disk drive reads and writes data to a small, circular piece of metal-
coated plastic similar to audio cassette tape. In this article, you will learn more about what is
inside a floppy disk drive and how it works. You will also find out some cool facts about FDDs.

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Optical drives

Optical drives uses laser light or electromagnetic waves near the light spectrum as part of
the process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs

Portable Devices

Devices that are compact and portable and often enable wireless high-speed broad
band access, including laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), gaming consoles, mobile
phones.

Types of portable devices

Laptop - a personal computer designed for mobile use and small and light enough to sit on
one's lap while in use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop
computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device (a touchpad, also known as a

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track pad , and/or a pointing stick), speakers, and often including a battery, into a single
small and light unit.

Smart phones and PDA’s - PDA and Smart phones are examples of portable, hand-held
devices that are becoming more popular. PDA’s offer features such as games, web surfing,
e-mail, instant messaging, and many other features offered by PCs

Basic parts of a laptop

System Board – The system board is the main logic board in any laptop. All internal
components are connected to the system board. This is one of the most expensive parts in a
laptop

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Memory - temporary data storage. It’s a volatile type of memory. When you turn off the
laptop, all the information stored in a RAM module is lost.

Hard Drive - is the main storage of information in a laptop. All system files, personal files are
stored inside the hard drive. Find the difference between SATA and IDE hard drives. Faster
hard drive you have installed – faster data access you get.

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Processor – the brain of the computer. The processor is one of the main components in a
laptop. Laptop processors are made mainly by Intel and AMD.

Optical Drive - The CD/DVD drive allows you to read/write data from/to a CD or DVD disc.

Cooling Fan -The cooling fan is a part of the cooling module in a laptop. The fan helps to cool
down the processor when the laptop is turned on.

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Video card - In most modern laptops the video card is integrated into the system board. If
the video card fails you have to replace the whole motherboard.
In some laptops the video card is a discrete module and can be removed or replaced
separately from the motherboard.

Audio and Sound - In most laptops the audio board is a part of the motherboard. If that’s
the case, all audio board input/output components such as volume control, microphone jack
and headphone jack are soldered directory to the motherboard.

Wireless card - The internal wireless card helps you to connect to the Internet without
running a cable. Learn about different types of internal wireless cards and how they are
connected to the motherboard.

CMOS Battery - The CMOS battery provides power to the CMOS chip when the laptop is

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turned off or disconnected form the wall outlet.

LCD screen - one of the most expensive parts in a laptop computer. The LCD screen mounts
inside the display panel.If you accidentally cracked the screen, it has to be replaced. You
cannot repair a cracked screen.

Inverter board - is a power supply for the backlight lamp inside the LCD screen. When
inverter fails, the LCD screen goes very very dark and you barely can see any image on the
screen. In most laptops the inverter board is mounted inside the display panel below the
LCD screen.

Backlight lamp - is the main source of light in the LCD screen. The backlight lamp is mouted
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iside the screen. When the backlight lamp fails, you have to replace the whole LCD screen.
It’s possible to replace just the lamp inside the screen but it’s very hard and has to be
performed by an experienced technician.

Video cable - connectes the Laptop screen to motherboard. The video cable carries data
signal for the LCD screen and power for the inverter board.

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Web Camera - Many modern laptops come with a web camera built into the display panel.
The web camera is not a part of the LCD screen. The web camers is located on a separate
board and can be replaced separately from the LCD.

Display hinges - connect two main parts of any laptop – the display panel and base assembly.

The AC/DC power adapter - converts high voltage AC power from the mains to low voltage
DC power required by the laptop.

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Main Battery - a secondary source of power for a laptop. The battery gets charged while the
laptop is plugged into the mains and keeps the laptop running when it’s unplugged from the
mains.

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Directions:

1. Work in groups using a Personal Computer complete with peripherals.

2. Given the following tools, materials and equipment, identify the different parts of a
personal computer starting from the front up to the internal parts of the PC.
3. Take turns doing this until every member of the group is done.
4. You will be assessed using the criteria in the score card below.

PERFORMANCE SCORE CARD

Scoring
Performance Criteria
1 2 3 4 5

1. The components are identified successfully.

2. The peripherals are identified successfully.

3. Safety precautions are carefully observed.

4. Connecting the proper connections are performed.

5 - Excellently Performed
4 - Very Satisfactorily Performed
3 - Satisfactorily Performed
2 - Fairly Performed
1 - Poorly Performed

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Multiple-choice:

Test A:

1. What do you call the large printed circuit board inside your computer?
a) CPU b) Mother board c) Video Card d) PSU

2. What type of input device that I common referred to as mice?

a) Keyboard b) CPU c) Backplanes d) Mouse

3. What type of form factor that was released by Intel in 1995 was an
improvement over the LPX form factor?
a) AT b) BABY AT c) NLX d) ATX

4. It defines a motherboard’s size, shape and how it is mounted to the case?

a) Motherboard b) Form factor c) LGX d) PSU

5. It is also known as mainboard, system board or planar?

a) Motherboard b) Motherboard Style c) CPU d) LXG

6. It i the skeletal frame work of your computer system.

a) Cover b) Chassis c) Screws d) Power supply

7. It provides protection for the internal parts of the computer.

a) Chassis b) Reset c) Case d) Cover

8. The part of the computer that provides power to the entire system?
a) CPU b) Drive Bay c) Power Supply d) Reset

9. A button that allows the user to change the clock speed of old computers.
a) Reset b) Turbo c) LED d) Power switch

10. The part of the chassis where you place the internal drives.
a) Drive Bay b) Cover c) Chassis d) CPU

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Test B:

Identification
Direction: Identify the name of each connector found in the power supply. Write your
answer on a separate sheet

The power supply connectors

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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Program/ Course : Computer Hardware Servicing NC II
Unit of Competency : Introduce Computer System
Module Title : Introducing Computer System

Learning Outcome 3 : Maintain Computer System

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Appropriate personal protective equipment are identified, used and checked

based on the standard procedures.
2. Computer normal function is checked based on correct operation and safety.
3. Periodic maintenance of the equipment is performed following manufacturer’s
requirements.
4. Safety precautions are observed at all times.

RESOURCES:
Equipment/Facilities Tools & Instruments Supplies & Materials

Computer peripherals Protective eye wear Floppy disk

Desktop computers Wire stripper with cutter Compact Disk
Laptop Computer Pliers(Assorted)
OHS guidelines Screw drivers (Assorted)
Phil. Environmental Soldering iron/gun
protection standards De-soldering tool
Monitors Flashlight
Motherboard Tweezers
Power supply Mirrors
Network device and Antistatic wrist wrap
cablings LAN Tester
Hubs Crimping tool
Switches Software installer
LAN Cards Work bench
Printers and Scanners Magnifying glass
Routers
USB Flash Drives

REFERENCES:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_service
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_standard
 http://www.technet.unsw.edu.au/tohss/swp.htm
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 http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/healthsafety/safeworkprocedures
 Antoinette R. Marcelo. Understanding PC Hardware. Copyright 2007 Jemma Inc.
 http://www.empf.org/empfasis/aug04/prop.htm
 http://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/~internal/policymanual/10fiscalaffairs/1026.POL.htm

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 INFORMATION SHEET 3.1
Maintaining Computer System

Planning and preparing systematic maintenance procedure save time, money and
frustration. It is a good idea and opportunity to learn the proper care and maintenance of
your computer.
PC maintenance is an important topic for anyone who owns a PC. Looking after your
PC properly ensures you of trouble-free use. Regular PC maintenance also keeps the
machine’s performance optimal.

TYPES OF MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE:

1. Hardware maintenance is the testing and cleaning of equipment.

2. Information system maintenance is the routine updating of master files, such as adding
and deleting employees and customers and changing credit limits and product prices.

3. Software or program maintenance is the updating of application programs in order to

meet changing information requirements.

4. Disk or file maintenance is the periodic reorganizing of disk files that have become
fragmented due to continuous updating.

Work place
 Identify hazards and risks.
 Safety policies are executed and carried out along with the task.
Following certain procedure is very important to perform a given operation or
evolution or in reaction to a given event. The table below shows different elements and
their corresponding performance criteria to be able to identify occupational health and
safety hazards, and assess risk, as well as follow instructions and procedure in the workplace
with minimal supervision. The students will also be capable of participating and
contributing to OHS management issues.

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SAMPLE MAINTENANCE PLAN:

MONTHLY COMPUTER MAINTENANCE PLAN

JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

Cleaning your
computer

Disk space
utilization

Scan for viruses

Check for
hardware and
software issues

Personal Protective Device

There are tools and equipments used to protect the user and the computer system.
Types of personal protective devices
1. Anti-static devices
2. Power surge protectors
3. Personal equipments

Personal Equipment
1. Small paint brush
2. Screw drivers
3. Pliers and tweezers
4. Compressed air
5. Handheld vacuum

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Sample Hardware Inspection Checklist

Computer no:____________________

Component Working Not Working

Monitor

Keyboard

Mouse

Speaker

Printer

Voltage regulator

Sample Software Inspection Checklist

Computer no:____________________

Software Working Not Working

Applications

Operating System

User programs

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INFORMATION SHEET 3.2
Cleaning Your Computer System

Appropriate cleaning procedures

Proper routine cleaning is the easiest, least expensive way to protect and to extend the life
of a laptop. It is very important to use the right products and procedures when cleaning a
laptop. Always read all warning labels on the cleaning products. The components are very
sensitive and should be handled with care. Consult the compuer manual for additional
information and cleaning suggestions.

Keyboard Cleaning Procedures

1. Turn off the computer

2. Disconnect all attached devices.

3. Disconnect laptop from the electrical outlet.

4. Remove all installed batteries.(for laptops)

5. Wipe the keyboard with a soft, lint-free cloth that is lightly moistened with water or
computer-screen cleaner.

Ventilation Cleaning Procedures

1. Turn off the computer/laptop.

2. Disconnect all attached devices.

3. Disconnect computer from the electrical outlet.

4. Remove all installed batteries. .(for laptops)

5. Use compressed air or a non-electrostatic vacuum to clean out the dust from the
vents and the fan behind the vent.

6. Use tweezers to remove any debris.

LCD Cleaning Procedures

1. Turn off the computer..

2. Disconnect all attached devices.

3. Disconnect computer from the electrical outlet.

4. Remove all installed batteries. .(for laptops)

5. Wipe display with a soft, lint-free cloth that is lightly moistened with a mild cleaning
solution.

CAUTION: Do not spray cleaning solution directly onto the LCD display. Use products
specifically designed for cleaning LCD displays.
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Touch Pad Cleaning Procedures

1. Turn off the computer.

2. Disconnect all attached devices.

3. Disconnect computer from the electrical outlet.

4. Remove all installed batteries. .(for laptops)

5. Wipe surface of touch pad gently with a soft, lint-free cloth that is moistened with an
approved cleaner. Never use a wet cloth.

The small screen of a PDA or Smartphone requires special care. The user operates these
devices by touching the screen with a stylus. If dirt is present, the PDA may not accurately
detect the stylus position or movement. The dirt can also scratch the screen. Clean the
screen with a small amount of non-abrasive cleaning solution on a soft cloth. To protect the
screen surface from a stylus, use self-adhesive screen covers.

CAUTION: Use a soft, lint-free cloth with an approved cleaning solution to avoid damaging
laptop surfaces. Apply the cleaning solution to the lint-free cloth, not directly to the laptop.

Floppy Drive Cleaning Procedures

Use a commercially-available cleaning kit to clean a floppy drive. Floppy drive cleaning kits
include pre-treated floppy discs that remove contaminants from the floppy drive heads that
have accumulated through normal operation.

1. Remove all media from the floppy drive.

2. Insert the cleaning disc and let it spin for the suggested amount of time.

Optical Drive Cleaning Procedures

Dirt, dust, and other contaminants can collect in the optical drives. Contaminated drives can
cause malfunctions, missing data, error messages, and lost productivity.

1. Use a commercially-available CD or DVD drive cleaning disc. Many floppy disc

cleaning kits include an optical disc cleaner. Like the floppy disc cleaner, optical disc
cleaner kits contain a cleaning solution and a non-abrasive disc that is inserted into
the optical drive.

2. Remove all media from the optical drive.

3. Insert the cleaning disc and let it spin for the suggested amount of time to clean all
contact areas.

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Cleaning a CD or DVD Disc
Inspect the disc for scratches. Replace discs that contain deep scratches; they may cause
data errors. If you notice problems such as skipping or degraded playback quality with your
CDs or DVDs, clean the discs. Commercial products are available that clean discs and provide
protection from dust, fingerprints, and scratches. Cleaning products for CDs are safe to use
on DVDs.

1. Hold the disc by the outer edge or by the inside edge.

2. Gently wipe the disc with a lint-free cotton cloth. Never use paper or any material
that may scratch the disc or leave streaks.

3. Wipe from the center of the disc outward. Never use a circular motion.

4. Apply a commercial CD or DVD cleaning solution to the lint-free cotton cloth, and
wipe again if any contaminates remain on the disc.

5. Allow the disc to dry before it is inserted into the drive.

Computer operating environment

An optimal operating environment for a omputer is clean, free of potential contaminants,

and within the temperature and humidity range specified by the manufacturer.

It is important to transport or ship laptops carefully. Use a padded computer case to store
your laptop. When you carry it, use an approved computer bag. If the

Laptops and computers are transported to many types of environments. Dust particles,
temperature, and humidity can affect the performance of a laptop.

Follow these guidelines to help ensure optimal operating performance from your
computers/ laptop:

 Clean the PC frequently to remove dust and potential contaminants.

 Do not obstruct vents or airflow to internal components. A laptop can overheat if air
circulation is obstructed.

 Keep the room temperature between 45 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 32 degrees

Celsius).

 Keep the humidity level between 10 to 80 percent.

CAUTION: Use a soft, lint-free cloth with an approved cleaning solution to avoid damaging
laptop surfaces. Apply the cleaning solution to the lint-free cloth, not directly to the laptop.

Temperature and humidity recommendations will vary by laptop manufacturer. You should
research these recommended values, especially if you plan to use the laptop in extreme
conditions

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Equipment, Tools, and Materials:

Personal Computer complete with peripherals

Cleaning tools

Directions:
1. Groups yourselves into five. The teacher will assign a computer unit to your group.
2. Create checklist for your hardware and software.
3. Given the following tools, materials and equipment, inspect and clean your computer
hardware.
4. Take turns in doing the task.
5. You will be assessed using the criteria in the score card below.

PERFORMANCE SCORE CARD

Scoring
Performance Criteria
1 2 3 4 5

1. Proper inspection is performed.

2. The peripherals are checked successfully.

3. Safety precautions are carefully observed.

4. Proper cleaning of devices are performed.

5 - Excellently Performed
4 - Very Satisfactorily Performed
3 - Satisfactorily Performed
2 - Fairly Performed
1 - Poorly Performed

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Written
Answer the following questions in your answer sheet.

1. Why do we need to perform a system inspection?

2. Why is it important to clean your computers hardware?

PC HARDWARE SERVICING
The Strengthened Technical-Vocational Education Program 70 | P a g e
Multiple-choice:

1. What do you call the large screen in a laptop?

a) CPU b) Mother board c) Video Card d) LCD

2. What type of motherboard design that is common in large PC network

servers and on other computers on which the processor is upgraded
frequently?
a) Motherboard b) CPU c) Backplanes d) ATX

3. It serves as the power supply for your laptop?

a) AT b)Power Supply c) CMOS d) Battery

4. It defines a motherboard’s size, shape and how it is mounted to the case?

a) Motherboard b) Form factor c) LGX d) PSU

5. It is also known as mainboard, system board or planar?

a) Motherboard b) Motherboard Style c) CPU d) LXG

6. It i the skeletal frame work of your computer system.

a) Cover b) Chassis c) Screws d) Power supply

7. It provides protection for the internal parts of the computer.

a) Chassis b) Reset c) Case d) Cover

8. The part of the computer that provides power to the entire system?
a) CPU b) Drive Bay c) Power Supply d) Reset

9. A button that allows the user to Turn off the computer.

a) Reset b) Turbo c) LED d) Power switch

10. The part of the chassis where you place the Motherboard drives.
a) Drive Bay b) Cover c) Chassis d) CPU

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Self Check 1.1 Self Check 2.3
1. Z Test A:
2. V 1. B
3 Y 2. D
4. X 3. C
5. W 4. B
5. B
Self Check 1.2 6. B
1. C 7. D
2. B 8. C
3. B 9. B
4. B 10. A
5. B Test B:
1. 4 pin Berg Connector
Self Check 2.1 2. 4 pin Molex Connector
1. Surge Suppressor 3. 20 pin Molex Connector
2. UPS 4. 4 pin Molex Connector
3. Anti-static Bag 5. 6 pin AUX Connector
4. Anti-static Wrist strap
5. AVR Post and Pre Test

Self Check 2.2 1. B

1. K 2. A
2. L 3. C
3. I 4. C
4. J 5. A
5. H 6. B
7. A
8. C
9. D
10. C

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