George Brown College

Faculty of Technology
Casa Loma Campus
160 Kendal Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Laboratory Experiment, L2, Week 3&4

IT Essentials, COMP1151
Nada Hammady, [email protected]

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Reference:
Blackboard Lecture Slides

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1 Desktop computer disassembly

Overall Mark
Lab – Disassemble a Computer
Introduction
In this lab, you will disassemble a desktop computer using safe lab procedures and the proper tools. Use
extreme care and follow all safety procedures. Familiarize yourself with the tools you will be using in this lab.
The goal of this lab is to separate the components and practice using tools probably. The separated
components can be used in a later lab for assembly.
This lab does not include removing the motherboard, CPU, and cooling device from the computer due to the
replacement cost of these items. If possible, allow students to remove these components from spare or
broken computers that are kept in the classroom for part identification and demonstration.
Part 1: Preparation
Part 2: Parts Removal

Recommended Tools
Safety glasses Part retriever
Antistatic wrist strap Thermal compound
Antistatic mat Can of compressed air
Flat head screwdrivers Cable ties
Phillips head screwdrivers Parts organizer
Torx screwdrivers Containers for storing computer parts
Hex driver Antistatic bags for electronic parts

Instructions

Part 1: Preparation

Step 1: Power off the Computer and remove peripheral items.

a. Turn off the power to the computer and disconnect the power cable from the wall and the power supply.
b. Remove all external peripheral items, such as Ethernet cables, monitors, keyboards.

Step 2: Open the Computer Case.

Generally, computer cases are held in place using one or a combination of these three ways below:
Screwless
These cases are held together using metal or plastic clips. To open the case, the clips are released by
pressing buttons or switches to remove the side panel.
Screw
Locate all the screws that secure the side panels to the back of the computer. These screws are located
at the edge of the case. Use the proper size and type of screwdriver to remove the side panel screws. Do
not remove the screws that secure the power supply to the case. Put all the screws in one place, such as
a compartment in the parts organizer or small cup. Label the compartment or cup with a piece of masking
tape on which you have written side panel screws. Remove the side panels from the case.

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Lab – Disassemble a Computer

Thumbscrew
These cases come with screws that you can tightened or loosen with your fingers. Loose the
thumbscrews to remove the side panel. The thumbscrews are located on the edge of the computer case.
If you have a camera or smartphone, take a picture of the inside of the computer case to be used as a
reference when reassembling the computer.
Questions:

What type of screwdriver did you use to remove the screws?

Type your answers here.
How many screws secured the side panels?
Type your answers here.

Step 3: Antistatic Wrist Strap.

Put on an antistatic wrist strap. Connect one end of the conductor to the wrist strap. Clip the other end of the
conductor to an unpainted, metal part of the case.
If you have an antistatic mat, place it on the work surface and put the computer case on top of it. Ground the
antistatic mat to an unpainted, metal part of the case.

Part 2: Parts Removal

In this part, you will remove the internal drives and data cables, adapter cards, memory modules, and power
supply.
Note: Some manufacturers do not use screws to fasten components inside of the computer case. Some may
use plastic or metal clips that fasten components to the computer chassis. When in doubt, perform a web
search for manufacturer of the computer case or computer system.
Note: Be careful to remove only screws that are holding components in place, and not the screws that hold
components together.

Step 1: Remove the Hard Drive.

a. Locate the hard drive. Carefully disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the hard drive.
Question:

Which type of data cable did you disconnect?

Type your answers here.
b. Locate all the screws that secure the hard drive in place. Use the proper size and type of screwdriver to
remove the hard drive screws. Put all the screws in one place and label them.
Questions:

What type of screws secured the hard drive to the case?

Type your answers here.
How many screws secured the hard drive to the case?
Type your answers here.
Is the hard drive connected to a mounting bracket? If so, what type of screws secure the hard drive to the
mounting bracket?
Type your answers here.
Caution: Do NOT remove the screws that hold the hard drive together.
c. Gently remove the hard drive from the case. Look for a jumper reference chart on the hard drive. If there
is a jumper installed on the hard drive, use the jumper reference chart to see if the hard drive is set for a
Master, Slave, or Cable Select (CS) drive. Place the hard drive in an antistatic bag.

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Lab – Disassemble a Computer

Question:

What is the jumper setting of the hard drive?

Type your answers here.

Step 2: Remove Optical Drive.

a. Locate the optical drive (Blu-ray, DVD, etc.). Carefully disconnect the power and data cables from the
optical drive. Remove the audio cable from the optical drive if there is one connected.
Questions:

What kind of data cable did you disconnect?

Type your answers here.
Is there a jumper on the optical drive? What is the jumper setting?
Type your answers here.
b. Locate and remove all the screws that secure the optical drive to the case. Put all the screws in one place
and label them. Place the optical drive in an antistatic bag.
Question:

How many screws secured the optical drive to the case?

Type your answers here.

Step 3: Remove the Power Supply.

a. Locate the power supply. Find the power connection(s) to the motherboard.
b. Gently remove the power connection(s) from the motherboard.
Question:

How many pins are there in the motherboard connector?

Type your answers here.
c. Disconnect the power cables from any case fans.
d. Disconnect the power cable from the video card if it requires one.
e. Disconnect any other power supply cables from where they were connected.
Question:

If there were additional cables disconnected, to what were they connected?

Type your answers here.
f. Locate and remove all the screws that secure the power supply to the case. Put all the screws in one
place and label them.
Question:

How many screws secure the power supply to the case?

Type your answers here.
g. Carefully remove the power supply from the case. Place the power supply with the other computer
components.

Step 4: Remove Adapter Cards.

a. Locate any adapter cards that are installed in the computer, such as a video, NIC, or sound card.
b. Locate and remove the screw that secures the adapter card to the case. Put the adapter card screws in
one place and label them.
c. Carefully remove the adapter card from the slot. Be sure to hold the adapter card by the mounting bracket
or by the edges. Place the adapter card in an antistatic bag. Repeat this process for all the adapter cards.
Note: Be very careful when removing video adapters. There is often a locking tab on the slot that must be
released before the card can be removed.

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Lab – Disassemble a Computer

d. List the adapter cards and the slot types below.

Adapter Card Slot Type

Blank Line, No additional information

Step 5: Remove Memory Modules.

a. Locate the memory modules on the motherboard.
Questions:

What type of memory modules are installed on the motherboard?

Type your answers here.
How many memory modules are installed on the motherboard?
Type your answers here.
b. Remove the memory modules from the motherboard. Be sure to release any locking tabs that may be
securing the memory module. Hold the memory module by the edges and gently lift out of the slot. Put
the memory modules in an antistatic bag.

Step 6: Remove Data Cables.

a. Remove all data cables from the motherboard. Make sure to note the connection location of any cable
you disconnect.
Question:

What types of cables were disconnected?

Type your answers here.
b. You have completed this lab. The computer case should contain the motherboard, the CPU, and any
cooling devices. Do not remove any additional components.
End of Document

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Computer Assembly

Lab - Install the Power Supply

Introduction
In this lab, you will install a power supply in a computer case.

Recommended Equipment
• Power supply with a compatible form factor to the computer case
• Computer case
• Tool kit
• Power supply screws

Instructions
Step 1: Open the Computer Case.
a: Remove the screws from the side panels.
b: Remove the side panels from the computer case.

Step 2: Install the Power Supply.

a: Align the screw holes in the power supply with the screw holes in the case.
b: Secure the power supply to the case with the power supply screws.
c: If the power supply has a voltage selection switch, set this switch to match the voltage in your area.

Questions:
What is the voltage in your area?
Type your answers here.
How many screws secure the power supply in the case?
Type your answers here.
What is the total wattage of the power supply?
Type your answers here.
d: This lab is complete. Please ask the instructor to verify your work.
End of Document

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Lab - Install the Motherboard in a Computer
Introduction
In this lab, you will install a CPU, a heat sink/fan assembly, and RAM module(s) on the motherboard. You will
then install the motherboard into the computer case.

Recommended Equipment
• Computer case with power supply installed
• Motherboard
• CPU
• Heat sink/fan assembly
• Thermal compound
• RAM module(s)
• Motherboard standoffs and screws
• Antistatic wrist strap and antistatic mat
• Tool kit
• Motherboard manual

Instructions
Step 1: Install the CPU.
a. Place the motherboard, the CPU, the heat sink/fan assembly, and the RAM module on the antistatic mat.
b. Put on your antistatic wrist strap and attach the grounding cable to the antistatic mat.
c. Locate Pin 1 on the CPU. Locate Pin 1 on the socket.
Note: The CPU may be damaged if it is installed incorrectly.
d. Align Pin 1 on the CPU with Pin 1 on the socket.
e. Place the CPU into the CPU socket.
f. Close the CPU load plate and secure it in place by closing the load lever and moving it under the load
lever retention tab.
g. Apply a small amount of thermal compound to the CPU.
Note: Thermal compound is only necessary when it is not included on the heat sink. Follow all
instructions provided by the manufacturer for specific application details.
h. Align the heat sink/fan assembly retainers with the holes in the motherboard around the CPU socket.
i. Place the heat sink/fan assembly onto the CPU and the retainers through the holes in the motherboard.
j. Tighten the heat sink/fan assembly retainers to secure it.
k. Plug the fan connector into the motherboard. Refer to the motherboard manual to determine which set of
fan header pins to use.

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Lab - Install the Motherboard in a Computer

Step 2: Install the RAM.

a. Locate the RAM slots on the motherboard.
Questions:
In what type of slot(s) will the RAM module(s) be installed?
Type your answers here.
How many notches are found on the bottom edge of the RAM module?
Type your answers here.
b. Align the notch(es) on the bottom edge of the RAM module to the notches in the slot.
c. Press down until the side tabs secure the RAM module.
d. Ensure that none of the RAM module contacts are visible. Reseat the RAM module if necessary.
e. Check the latches to verify that the RAM module is secure.
f. Install any additional RAM modules using the same procedure.

Step 3: Install the Motherboard.

a. Install the motherboard standoffs.
b. Install the I/O connector plate in the back of the computer case
c. Align the connectors on the back of the motherboard with the openings in the back of the computer case.
d. Place the motherboard into the case and align the holes for the screws with the stand-offs. You may need
to adjust the motherboard to line up the holes for the screws.
e. Attach the motherboard to the case using the appropriate screws.
This lab is complete. Please have the instructor verify your work.
End of Document

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Lab - Install the Drives
Introduction
In this lab, you will install the hard disk and optical drives.

Recommended Equipment
• Computer case with power supply and motherboard installed
• Antistatic wrist strap and antistatic mat
• Tool kit
• Hard disk drive
• Hard disk drive screws
• Optical drive
• Optical drive screws
• Motherboard manual

Instructions

Step 1: Install the Hard Disk Drive.

a. Align the hard disk drive with the 3.5 inch drive bay.
b. Slide the hard disk drive into the bay from the inside of the case until the screw holes line up with the
holes in the 3.5 inch drive bay.
c. Secure the hard disk drive to the case using the proper screws.

Step 2: Install the Optical Drive.

Note: Remove the 5.25 inch cover from one of the 5.25 inch external drive bays if necessary.
a. Align the optical drive with the 5.25 inch drive bay.
b. Insert the optical drive into the drive bay from the front of the case until the screw holes line up with the
holes in the 5.25 inch drive bay and the front of the optical drive is flush with the front of the case.
c. Secure the optical drive to the case using the proper screws.
This lab is complete. Please have the instructor verify your work.
End of Document

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Lab - Install Adapter Cards
Introduction
In this lab, you will install a NIC, a wireless NIC, and a video adapter card.

Recommended Equipment
• Computer with power supply, motherboard, and drives installed
• NIC
• Wireless NIC
• Video adapter card
• Adapter card screws
• Antistatic wrist strap and antistatic mat
• Tool kit
• Motherboard manual

Instructions
Step 1: Install the wired NIC.
Question:
What type of expansion slot is compatible with the NIC?
Type your answers here.
a. Locate a compatible expansion slot for the NIC on the motherboard.
b. Remove the slot cover from the back of the case, if necessary.
c. Align the NIC to the expansion slot.
d. Press down gently on the NIC until the card is fully seated.
e. Secure the NIC by attaching the PC mounting bracket to the case with a screw.

Step 2: Install the wireless NIC.

Question:
What type of expansion slot is compatible with the wireless NIC?
Type your answers here.
a. Locate a compatible expansion slot for the wireless NIC on the motherboard.
b. Remove the slot cover from the back of the case, if necessary.
c. Align the wireless NIC to the expansion slot.
d. Press down gently on the wireless NIC until the card is fully seated.
e. Secure the wireless NIC by attaching the PC mounting bracket to the case with a screw.

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Lab - Install Adapter Cards

Step 3: Install the video adapter card.

Question:
What type of expansion slot is compatible with the video adapter card?
Type your answers here.
a. Locate a compatible expansion slot for the video adapter card on the motherboard.
b. Remove the slot cover(s) from the back of the case, if necessary.
c. Align the video adapter card to the expansion slot.
d. Press down gently on the video adapter card until the card is fully seated.
e. Secure the video adapter card by attaching the PC mounting bracket(s) to the case with a screw.
This lab is complete. Please have the instructor verify your work.
End of Document

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Lab - Install Internal Cables
Introduction
In this lab, install the internal power and data cables in the computer.

Recommended Equipment
• Computer with power supply, motherboard, drives, and adapter cards installed
• Hard disk drive data cable
• Optical drive data cable
• Antistatic wrist strap and antistatic mat
• Tool kit
• Motherboard manual

Instructions
Step 1: Connect the motherboard power supply connector.
a. Align the motherboard power supply connector to the socket on the motherboard.
b. Gently press down on the connector until the clip clicks into place.

Step 2: Connect the auxiliary power connector.

a. Align the auxiliary power connector to the auxiliary power socket on the motherboard.
b. Gently press down on the connector until the clip clicks into place.
Note: This step is necessary only if your computer has an auxiliary power connector.

Step 3: Connect the internal disk drive power connectors.

Plug a power connector into the hard disk drive and the optical drive.

Step 4: Connect the video adapter card power cable.

Plug the PCIe power connector to the video adapter card.
Note: This step is necessary only if your video adapter card has a PCIe power connector.

Step 5: Connect the fan power connector.

Connect the fan power connector into the appropriate fan header on the motherboard.
Note: This step is necessary only if your computer has a fan power connector.

Step 6: Connect the hard disk data cable.

a. Align and plug the hard disk drive data cable into the motherboard connector.
b. Align and plug the other end of the hard disk drive data cable into the hard disk drive connector.
Note: SATA cables are keyed to ensure correct orientation with the connector.

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Lab - Install Internal Cables

Step 7: Connect the optical drive data cable.

a. Align and plug the optical drive data cable into the motherboard connector.
b. Align and plug the other end of the optical drive data cable into the optical drive connector.

Step 8: Verify the connections.

This lab is complete. Please have the instructor verify your work.
End of Document

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Lab - Install Front Panel Cables
Introduction
In this lab, install the front panel cables in the computer.

Recommended Equipment
• Computer with power supply, motherboard, drives, and adapter cards installed
• Antistatic wrist strap and antistatic mat
• Tool kit
• Motherboard manual

Instructions
Step 1: Connect the reset switch connector.
Gently press down on the reset switch connector until the pins are fully inserted.

Step 2: Connect the power switch connector.

Gently press down on the power switch connector until the pins are fully inserted.

Step 3: Connect the power LED connector.

Gently press down on the power LED connector until the pins are fully inserted.

Step 4: Connect the HDD LED connector.

Gently press down on the HDD LED connector until the pins are fully inserted.

Step 5: Connect the speaker connector.

Gently press down on the speaker connector until the pins are fully inserted.

Step 6: Connect the USB and front audio jacks.

If your case also has front USB and front audio jacks, gently press down on the connector until the clip clicks
into place or the pins are fully inserted.

Step 7: Verify the Connections.

Note: If any LED or switch does not work when the computer is first started, remove the connector for that
item, turn it around, and reconnect it.
End of Document

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