CSS COURSE: EXPLORATORY

Department of education
MALIDONG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Malidong, pio duran 4516 albay

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 1

IDENTIFY COMPUTER TOOLKITS

Background Information for Learners:

Tools  A variety of hardware, software, and organizational tools specific to
working with computers and peripherals.
Hardware tools  Tools used in repairing the physical parts or components that constitutes a
computer system.
Hand tools
1. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) tools
 There are two ESD tools: the antistatic wrist strap and the antistatic mat.
a. The antistatic wrist strap – protects computer equipment when grounded
to a computer chassis.
b. The antistatic mat – protects computer equipment by preventing static
electricity from accumulating on the hardware or on the technician
 Screwdriver – A screwdriver is a tool, manual or powered, for screwing and
unscrewing screws. A typical simple screwdriver has a handle and a shaft,
ending in a tip the user puts into the screw head before turning the handle.
2. Flat-head screwdriver – Used to tighten or loosen slotted screws.
3. Phillips-head screwdriver – Used to tighten or loosen cross-headed screws.
4. Torx screwdriver – Used to tighten or loosen screws that have a star-like
depression on the top, a feature that is mainly found on laptops.
5. Hex driver – Used to tighten or loosen nuts in the same way that a
screwdriver tightens or loosens screws (sometimes called a nut driver).
6. Needle-nose pliers – Used to hold small parts.
7. Tweezers – Used to manipulate small parts.
8. Part retriever – Used to retrieve parts from locations that are too small for
your hand to fit.
9. Flashlight –Used to light up areas that you cannot see well.
10. Wire stripper – A wire stripper is used to remove the insulation from wire
so that it can be twisted to other wires or crimped to connectors to make a
cable.
11. Crimper – Used to attach connectors to wires.
12. Punch-down tool – Used to terminate wire into termination blocks. Some
cable connectors must be connected to cables using a punch down tool
Cleaning tools
1. Soft cloth – Used to clean different computer components without
scratching or leaving debris.
2. Brush – Use to remove dust and dirt in computer.
3. Compressed air – Used to blow away dust and debris from different
computer parts without touching the components
4. Cable ties – Used to bundle cables neatly inside and outside of a computer
5. Parts organizer – Used to hold screws, jumpers, fasteners, and other small
parts and prevents them from getting mixed together

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 CSS COURSE: EXPLORATORY
Diagnostic tools
1. Multimeter – is a device that can take many types of measurements. It
tests the integrity of circuits and the quality of electricity in computer
components.
2. A loopback adapter – also called a loopback plug, tests the basic
functionality of computer ports.
3. LAN tester – is mainly used for testing ethernet cables for faults or missing
pair connections.
4. The toner probe – a two-part tool: The Toner part is connected to a cable
at one end using specific adapters, such as an RJ-45, coaxial, or metal
clips. The toner generates a tone that travels the length of the cable. The
Probe part traces the cable. When the probe is in near proximity to the
cable to which the toner is attached, the tone can be heard through a
speaker in the probe.
Software Tools  Software tools help diagnose computer and network problems and
determine which computer device is not functioning correctly.
1. Disk Management Tool – Initializes disks, creates partitions, and formats
partitions.
a. Scandisk or CHKDSK – Checks the integrity of files and folders on a hard
drive by scanning the file system. These tools might also check the disk
surface for physical errors.
b. Defrag – Optimizes space on a hard drive to allow faster access to
programs and data.
c. Disk Cleanup – Clears space by deleting unwanted files safely.
2. Protection Software Tools – Designed to guard against attacks and to
remove malicious programs.
a. Antivirus program – Protects against virus attacks.
b. Antispyware program – Protects against software that sends information
about web surfing habits to an attacker. Spyware can be installed without
the knowledge or consent of the user.
c. Firewall – Runs continuously to protect against unauthorized
communications to and from your computer
Organizational 1. Reference Tools – A documentation of all repairs and computer problems
Tools as reference for future troubleshooting.
a. Personal Reference Tools
b. Internet Reference Tools
2. Miscellaneous Tools – With experience, you will discover many additional
items to add to the toolkit.

FOR GUARDIANS/PARENTS

Please allow your students to answer testing and

documentation religiously. Thank you.

NOTE: PRACTICE PERSONAL HYGIENE PROTOCOLS AT ALL TIMES 2

 CSS COURSE: EXPLORATORY
Department of education
MALIDONG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Malidong, pio duran 4516 albay

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 2

DEMON STRATE PROPER U SE OF TOOLS

Background Information for Learners:

Safety in the  Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. You are much less
Workplace likely to injure yourself or damage components when using the proper tool
for the job.
 Before cleaning or repairing equipment, make sure that your tools are in
good condition. Clean, repair, or replace items that are not functioning
adequately
ESD Tools 1. ANTISTATIC WRIST STRAP
 An example of ESD is the small shock that you receive when you walk
across a carpeted room and touch a doorknob. Although the small shock is
harmless to you, the same electrical charge passing from you to a
computer can damage its components.
 The purpose of self-grounding or wearing an antistatic wrist strap is to
equalize the electrical charge between you and the equipment. Self-
grounding is done by touching a bare metal part of a computer case. The
antistatic wrist strap is a conductor that connects your body to the
equipment that you are working on. When static electricity builds up in
your body, the connection made by the wrist strap to the equipment, or
ground, channels the electricity through the wire that connects the strap.
 Procedure to Antistatic Wrist Strap
 Step 1. Wrap the strap around your wrist and secure it using the snap or
Velcro. The metal on the back of the wrist strap must remain in contact
with your skin at all times.
 Step 2. Snap the connector on the end of the wire to the wrist strap, and
connect the other end either to the equipment or to the same grounding
point that the antistatic mat is connected to. The metal skeleton of the case
is a good place to connect the wire. When connecting the wire to
equipment that you are working on, choose an unpainted metal surface.
NOTE: Attach the wire on the same side of the equipment as the arm wearing
the antistatic wrist strap. This helps keep the wire out of the way while you are
working.
 Although wearing a wrist strap helps prevent ESD, you can further reduce
the risks by not wearing clothing made of silk, polyester, or wool. NOTE:
Technicians should roll up their sleeves, remove scarves or ties, and tuck in
shirts to prevent interference from clothing. Ensure that earrings,
necklaces, and other loose jewelry are properly secured.
CAUTION: Never wear an antistatic wrist strap if you are repairing a CRT
monitor or a power supply unit.

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 CSS COURSE: EXPLORATORY
2. ANTISTATIC MAT
 You might not always have the option to work on a computer in a properly
equipped workspace. If you can control the environment, try to set up your
workspace away from carpeted areas. Carpets can cause the buildup of
electrostatic charges. If you cannot
avoid the carpeting, ground yourself to the unpainted portion of the case of
the computer on which you are working before touching any components.
An antistatic mat is slightly conductive. It works by drawing static electricity
away from a component and transferring it safely from equipment to a
grounding point.
 Procedure to Antistatic Mat
 Step 1. Lay the mat on the workspace next to or under the computer case.
 Step 2. Clip the mat to the case to provide a grounded surface on which
you can place parts as you remove them from the system.
 When you are working at a workbench, ground the workbench and the
antistatic floor mat. By standing on the mat and wearing the wrist strap,
your body has the same charge as the equipment and reduces the
probability of ESD. Either connect the table-top mat and the floor mat to
each other, or connect both to the electrical earth ground.
 Reducing the potential for ESD reduces the likelihood of damage to delicate
circuits or components.
NOTE: Always handle components by the edges.
Hand Tools SCREWS
 Match each screw with the proper screwdriver. Place the tip of the
screwdriver on the head of the screw. Turn the screwdriver clockwise to
tighten the screw and counterclockwise to loosen the screw.
 Screws can become stripped if you over-tighten them with a screwdriver. A
stripped screw may be stuck in the screw hole, or it may not tighten firmly.
Discard stripped screws.
1. FLAT-HEAD SCREWDRIVER
• Use a flat-head screwdriver when you are working with a slotted screw. Do
not use a flathead screwdriver to remove a Phillips-head screw. Never use
a screwdriver as a pry bar.

CAUTION: If excessive force is needed to remove or add a component,

something is probably wrong. Take a second look to make sure that you have
not missed a screw or a locking clip that is holding the component in place.
Refer to the device manual or
diagram for additional information.

2. PHILLIPS-HEAD SCREWDRIVER
• Use a Phillips-head screwdriver with crosshead screws. Do not use this type
of screwdriver to puncture anything. This will damage the head of the
screwdriver.
3. HEX DRIVER
• Use a hex driver to loosen and tighten bolts that have a hexagonal (six-
sided) head. Hex bolts should not be over-tightened because the threads of
the bolts can be stripped.

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 CSS COURSE: EXPLORATORY
CAUTION: Some tools are magnetized. When working around electronic
devices, be sure that the tools you are using have not been magnetized.
Magnetic fields can be harmful to data stored on magnetic media. Test your
tool by touching the tool with a screw. If the screw is attracted to the tool, do
not use the tool.

4. COMPONENT RETRIEVING TOOLS

• Needle-nose pliers and tweezers can be used to place and retrieve parts
that may be hard to reach with your fingers. There are also tools called
part retrievers that are specifically designed for this task. Do not scratch or
hit any components when using these tools.

CAUTION: Pencils should not be used inside the computer to change the
setting of switches or to pry off jumpers. The pencil lead can act as a
conductor and may damage the computer computer.

5. VARIOUS SPECIALTY TOOLS

• Torx bits, antistatic bags and gloves, and integrated circuit pullers, can be
used to repair and maintain computers. Always avoid magnetized tools,
such as screwdrivers with magnetic heads, or tools that use extension
magnets to retrieve small metal objects that are out of reach.
Cleaning Tools  Keeping computers clean inside and out is a vital part of a maintenance
program. Dirt can cause problems with the physical operation of fans,
buttons, and other mechanical components

NOTE: When using compressed air to clean inside the computer, blow the air
around the components with a minimum distance of 4 in. (10 cm) from the
nozzle. Clean the power supply and the fan from the back of the case.

CAUTION: Before cleaning any device, turn it off and unplug the device from
the power source.
Computer • Clean computer cases and the outside of monitors with a mild cleaning
Cases and solution on a damp, lint-free cloth.
Monitors • Mix one drop of dishwashing liquid with 4 oz (118 ml) of water to create
the cleaning solution.
• If water drips inside the case, allow enough time for the liquid to dry before
powering on the computer.
LCD Screens • Do not use ammoniated glass cleaners or any other solution on an LCD
screen, unless the cleaner is specifically designed for the purpose.
• Harsh chemicals damage the coating on the screen.
• There is no glass protecting these screens, so be gentle when cleaning
them and do not press firmly on the screen.
CRT Screens • To clean the screens of CRT monitors, dampen a soft, clean, lint-free cloth
with distilled water and wipe the screen from top to bottom.
• Then use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the screen and remove streaking.
Components • Clean dusty components with a can of compressed air.
• Compressed air does not cause electrostatic buildup on components.
• Make sure that you are in a well-ventilated area before blowing the dust
out of the computer.

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 CSS COURSE: EXPLORATORY
• A best practice is to wear a dust mask to make sure that you do not
breathe in the dust particles.
Component • Clean the contacts on components with isopropyl alcohol.
Contacts • Do not use rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol contains impurities that can
damage contacts.
• Make sure that the contacts do not collect lint from the cloth or cotton
swab.
• Before reinstallation, use compressed air to blow lint off the contacts.
Keyboards • Clean a desktop keyboard with compressed air and then use a handheld
vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove the loose dust.

CAUTION: Never use a standard vacuum cleaner inside a computer case. The
plastic parts of the vacuum cleaner can build up static electricity and discharge
to the components. Use only vacuums that are approved for electronic
components.
Mouse • Use glass cleaner and a soft cloth to clean the outside of the mouse.
• Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mouse.
• If cleaning a ball mouse, you can remove the ball and clean it with glass
cleaner and a soft cloth.
• Wipe the rollers clean inside the mouse with the same cloth.
• Do not spray any liquids inside the mouse.
Heat Sink • Compressed air,
RAM • Isopropyl alcohol and lint-free swab,

FOR GUARDIANS/PARENTS

Please allow your students to answer testing and

documentation religiously. Thank you.

NOTE: PRACTICE PERSONAL HYGIENE PROTOCOLS AT ALL TIMES 4