DEFINITION OF TERMS

Bin - a container or enclosed space for storage.

Computer chassis - the enclosure that contains most of the components of a

computer.

Diagnostic tools - used to test the integrity of circuits and the quality of
electricity in computer components and to test the functionality of computer
ports.
Hazards - risks; dangers.

Insulation - - - - - - a material that reduces or prevents the transmission of

heat or sound or electricity.

Nozzle - - - - - - - - -a projecting part with an opening, as at the end of a hose,

for regulating and directing a flow of fluid.

Preventive - intended or used to prevent or hinder.

Static electricity - an accumulation of electric charge on an insulated body.

Tool - - - - - - - - - a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task.

Toolkit - - - - - - - a set of tools designed to be used together or for a

particular purpose.

PROPER STORAGE OF TOOLS, PARTS, AND EQUIPMENT

To ensure that tools and equipment remain in good condition and last for a long time, store
them properly. Properly stored tools and equipment will be easy to find when needed and
are less likely to be lost.

Good practices include:

Parts should be properly stored and labeled (Figure 1).
Tools should be properly placed on the board, and labeled (Figure 2). Consider
drawing the shapes of the tools on the board so that they always get put back in the
same position.
Use bins for storing small parts (Figure 3).
Consider making an individual (or individuals) responsible for the good maintenance
of tools and parts.
Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3.

Benefits:
Tools and parts are kept in good condition and are easy to find
Costs are reduced.
Productivity is increased because time is not wasted looking for tools, parts and
equipment.
Workshop staff develop a sense of responsibility and pride in their work.

Proper tool selection

A tool is a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task. Tools range from a
traditional metal cutting part of a machine to an element of a computer program that
activates and controls a particular function.

Preparing for the task to be undertaken includes proper tool selection.

1. How do you select the best tool for the job? First, know and understand in detail the
scope of work to be accomplished, second, plan for the scope taking into account the
sequence of tasks.
2. Selecting the best tool for each task requires training in the proper use of the tools,
field experience in their safe use, and following the manufacturer’s guidance and
instructions for that specific tool.
3. When obtaining the tool all the associated tooling and consumable parts, as
recommended by the manufacturer, must be included. In addition, related
consumable parts must also be selected and used according to their manufacturer’s
instructions.

Safe Use of tools

Once selected, use the tool for the purpose for which it was designed. Not all tools
come with detailed instructions, but there are those that do spell out the safety ―Do’s and
Don’ts‖ for the your safety. If there are set-up/use options, operator judgment must always
be based on what is the safest way to use the tool.

Environmental Safety and Health Program requires the following:

• All tools be kept in good condition with regular maintenance
• The right tool be used for the job
• Each tool be examined before use AND damaged or defective tools NOT to be used
• Tools be operated according to manufacturer’s instructions
• The right protective equipment for the tool and activity be used

HARDWARE TOOLS
To complete hardware repairs, it is important to have a toolkit that should contain all of the
necessary tools. As you gain experience, you will learn which tools to have available for
different types of jobs. Hardware tools are grouped into these four categories:
Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) tools
Hand tools
Cleaning tools
Diagnostic tools

Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) Tools

Static electricity is easily generated by friction on carpets, tile flooring, clothing, hair, fabric,
and etc. The friction of moving air alone will charge suspended particles and cause the
buildup of static electrical charges on people and objects in the environment. Grounded
antistatic work mats used with antistatic wrist straps provide the most basic means for the
controlled discharge of electrostatic electricity. Examples of ESD Tools:
Anti-static wrist strap – used to prevent ESD damage to computer
equipment.
Anti-static mat – used to stand on or place hardware on to prevent
static electricity from building up.

COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING 10

K to 12 – Technology and Livelihood Education

Hand Tools
A hand tool is a device for performing work on a material or a physical system using only
hands. The hand tools can be manually used employing force, or electrically powered, using
electrical current. Examples of Hand Tools:
Flat head screwdriver – used to loosen or tighten slotted
screws.
Philips head screwdriver – used to loosen or tighten crosshead
screws.
Torx screwdriver - used to loosen or tighten screws that
have a star-like depression on the top, a feature that is
mainly found on laptop.
Hex driver – sometimes called a nut driver, is used to
tighten nuts in the same way that a screwdriver tightens
screws.
Needle-nose plier – used to hold small parts.
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING 11
K to 12 – Technology and Livelihood Education

Wire cutter – used to strip and cut wires.

Tweezers – used to manipulate small parts.
Part retriever – used to retrieve parts from location that
are to small for your hand to fit.
Flashlight – used to light up areas that you cannot see
well.

Cleaning Tools
Having the appropriate cleaning tools is essential when maintaining or repairing computers.
Using these tools ensures that computer components are not damaged during cleaning.
Examples:
Lint-free cloth – used to clean different computer
components without scratching or
leaving debris.
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING 12
K to 12 – Technology and Livelihood Education
Compressed air – used to blow away dust and debris from
different computer parts without
touching the components.
Cable ties – used to bundle cables neatly inside and
outside of a computer.
Parts organizer – used to hold screw, jumpers, fasteners
and other small parts and prevents
them from getting mixed together.

Diagnostic Tools
Computers are easier to use and more dependable with each new generation of hardware
and operating system update, but that doesn't mean they're problem-free. Here's the most
popular tools for diagnosing your computer problems:
Multimeter – used to test the integrity of circuits and the
quality of electricity in computer components.
Loopback Adapter – used to test the functionality of

COMPUTER MAINTENANCE
COMPONENTS TO CLEAN SCHEDULE Tools to use
Computer case and outside
monitor
Daily (sample)
Keyboard
Direction: Using the given tools, segregate the following according to its classification.
(The teacher will provide the tools for classification)
Show that you learned something by doing this activity.

How Well Did You Perform?

COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING 17
K to 12 – Technology and Livelihood Education
1. Workshop
2. Tables and Chairs
3. Computers
4. USB Flash Drive
5. LCD
6. ESD Tools
7. Hand Tools
8. Cleaning Tools
9. Diagnostic Tools
Materials
Use appropriate hand tools and test equipment

LEARNING OUTCOME 2
1. Tools are used according to tasks undertaken.
2. All safety procedures in using tools are observed at all times.
3. Malfunctions, unplanned or unusual events are reported to the
supervisor.
PROPER USE OF TOOLS
Proper Use of ESD Tools
The purpose of an antistatic wrist strap is to equalize
the electrical charge between you and the equipment.
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.
The wrist strap has two parts and is easy to wear:
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.
2. Snap the connector at 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. A painted surface does not conduct the electricity as well as
unpainted metal.
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:
1. Lay the mat on the workspace next to or under the computer case.
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.
Reducing the potential for ESD reduces the likelihood of damage to delicate circuits or
components.
Proper Use of Hand Tools
A technician needs to be able to properly use each tool in the toolkit. This topic covers many
of the various hand tools used when repairing computers.

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 get stuck in the screw hole, or it may not tighten firmly. Discard stripped screws.
Flat head screwdriver
Use a flat head screwdriver when you are working with a slotted screw. Do not use a flat
head screwdriver to remove a Phillips head screw. Never use a screwdriver as a pry bar. If
you cannot remove a component, check to see if there is a clip or latch that is securing the
component in place.
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.

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.

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. Do not
use a hex driver that is too large for the bolt that you are using.
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.

Part retriever, Needle-nose pliers, or tweezers

The part retriever, needle-nose pliers, and tweezers can be used to place and retrieve parts
that may be hard to reach with your fingers. 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
components.

Proper Use of Cleaning Materials

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. On electrical components, an excessive buildup of dust will act like an insulator
and trap the heat. This insulation will impair the ability of heat sinks and cooling fans to keep
components cool, causing chips and circuits to overheat and fail.
CAUTION: When compressed air is used to clean inside the computer, the air should be
blown around the components with a minimum distance of four inches from the nozzle. The
power supply and the fan should be cleaned from the back of the case.

Computer Cases and Monitors

Clean computer cases and the outside of monitors with a mild cleaning solution on a damp,
lint-free cloth. Mix one drop of dishwashing liquid with four ounces of water to create the
cleaning solution. If any water drips inside the case, allow enough time for the liquid to dry
before powering on the computer.

TOOL AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

All tools and equipment must be properly maintained so that workers are not endangered.
Regulations require inspections of tools, machines and equipment before use.
Preventive maintenance is the systematic care and protection of tools, equipment and
machines in order to keep them in a safe, usable condition, limit downtime and extend
productivity. We must always be aware that maintenance tasks themselves are potentially
hazardous and can result in injury. The successful maintenance program is:
well organized and scheduled,
controls hazards,
defines operational procedures, and
trains key personnel.