Computer Assembly &

Repair
What is Computer Assembly?

Essentially, computers are like puzzles made up of many different parts that work
together to perform tasks. Now, just like any machine, these parts sometimes
break or stop working efficiently. That’s where the skills we’re going to learn come
into play.
Why Learn Computer Repair and Assembly?

Self-Sufficiency: Imagine if your computer stops working right before an assignment deadline or a project
submission. Knowing how to quickly diagnose and fix common issues can save you a lot of stress—and
money!

Career Skills: Whether you want to work in IT, tech support, or even freelance, understanding how to
repair and build computers is a valuable skill.

Customization: If you’re into gaming or graphic design, knowing how to assemble a computer means you
can build one that perfectly suits your needs. You can choose each part to match what you want in terms
of speed, storage, and power.
What Is Inside a Computer?

Motherboard: This is the main circuit board, like the nervous system of the computer. It connects all the
parts together.

CPU: Think of this as the brain of the computer. It processes instructions and controls how everything
operates.

RAM (Memory): This is the short-term memory. It helps the computer remember things temporarily, so it
can access information quickly.

Storage (Hard Drive or SSD): This is the long-term memory, where all your files, documents, and
software are stored.

Power Supply Unit (PSU): It powers everything, providing electricity to all the components.
 Common Issues Faced

Your computer suddenly shuts down or won’t start: That might be a power supply issue.

Your computer is running really slow: Could be a problem with RAM or storage being full.

Your computer keeps freezing: Maybe the CPU is overheating, or the cooling system isn’t working
properly.
 Lab -1 Demonstration of Hardware Peripherals: CPU, RAM, SMPS, Motherboard, NIC
card, Processor, Processor cooling fan, PCI card, HDD
Aim: To identify the computer hardware parts.

Requirements: CPU, RAM, SMPS, Motherboard, NIC card, Processor, Processor cooling fan, PCI card, HDD

CPU/PROCESSOR

The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located inside the

computer case on the motherboard.

The CPU is usually a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon chip located inside. The chip is usually

about the size of a thumbnail. The CPU fits into the motherboard's CPU socket, which is covered by

the heat sink, an object that absorbs heat from the CPU.

A processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), or millions of instructions per second; and gigahertz (GHz), or billions of instructions per
second.
RAM (random access memory)

RAM is your system's short-term memory.

This short-term memory disappears when the computer is turned off. When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which acts as
long-term storage.

The more RAM a computer has, the faster it can handle multiple tasks, like running different applications simultaneously.

RAM is measured in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB).

POWER SUPPLY UNIT

The power supply unit in a computer converts the power from the wall outlet to the type of power needed by the computer. It sends power
through cables to the motherboard and other components.

The SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supply) converts the AC power from the wall socket into DC power, which the computer components use.

It supplies power to all internal components of the computer, such as the motherboard, hard drive, and optical drives.
MOTHERBOARD

The motherboard is the computer's main circuit board.

It connects all the components together, including the CPU, RAM, and peripheral devices. The motherboard connects directly or indirectly to
every part of the computer.

It allows communication between all hardware components.

It also contains slots for expansion cards (like graphic cards or network cards), connectors for storage devices, and ports for external peripherals.
EXPANSION CARDS

PCI (peripheral component interconnect) cards. You may never need to add any PCI cards because most motherboards have built-in video,
sound, network, and other capabilities.

They extend the capability of the motherboard by adding additional ports or features that the system may need.

The network card allows your computer to communicate over a network and access the Internet. It can either connect with an Ethernet cable or
through a wireless connection (often called Wi-Fi).

The NIC (Network Interface Card) allows the computer to connect to a network, whether it’s a local area network (LAN) or the internet.

It provides the interface for the computer to send and receive data over the network.

Simple Difference:

● NIC: A card specifically for network connections (internet or local network).

● PCI card: A card used to add any extra features to your computer, including
networking, sound, graphics, and more.
PROCESSOR FAN

A fan on top of a computer processor. It helps pull and blow hot air off the processor, helping keep it cooler.

The processor cooling fan ensures that the CPU doesn’t overheat. Since the CPU generates a lot of heat while processing data, the fan helps
maintain an optimal temperature.

It protects the CPU from overheating and ensures smooth performance by keeping the system cool.
HARD DRIVE

The HDD is the computer's long-term storage device. It stores the operating system, software, and files such as documents, music, and videos.

Unlike RAM, the data stored on an HDD remains even when the computer is powered off.

The hard drive is where your software, documents, and other files are stored. The hard drive is long term storage, which means the data is still
saved even if you turn the computer off or unplug it.
Lab- 2 Demonstration of various ports: CPU, VGA ports, PS/2 (Keyboard,
Mouse), USB, LAN, Speaker, Audio.

Aim: To identify the computer hardware parts various ports.

Requirements: Motherboard

CPU PORTS

Ports are slots on the motherboard into which a cable of external device is plugged in.

The CPU itself doesn’t have ports directly, but the computer's casing (motherboard) provides various ports for
connecting external devices.

Examples of external devices attached via ports are the mouse, keyboard, monitor, microphone, speakers, etc.

Male ports. Have pins that protrude out from the connector and require a cable with a female connector.

Female ports. Have holes in the connector to accept the male cable’s pins.
 Female Ports

Key Function:

● These ports allow data transfer between the computer and

external devices like printers, keyboards, or USB drives.
VGA (Video Graphics Array) Port

VGA ports also known as Video Graphic Array connector are those which connect the monitor to a computer’s video
card. VGA port has 15 holes and it is similar to the serial port connector.

● The VGA port is used to connect the monitor to the computer.

● It is an older standard and primarily used for analog signals to display the video on a monitor.

Key Function:

● Transfers visual display data from the computer to the monitor. You’ll typically find it on older monitors and
projectors.
 PS/2 PORT:

PS/2 ports are special ports used for connecting old computer keyboard and mouse. It was invented by IBM. In old
computers, there are minimum of two PS/2 Ports, each for the keyboard and the mouse. It is a 6 pin mini Din connector.

● PS/2 ports are round connectors that were commonly used to connect keyboards and mouse to the computer.
● They are color-coded: Purple for the keyboard and Green for the mouse.

Key Function:

● These ports allow input from the keyboard and mouse to be processed by the computer.
 USB (Universal Serial Bus) port:

In 1997 USB was first introduced. This can connect all kinds of external USB devices, like external hard disk, printer,
scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.

● USB ports are the most common ports found on modern computers. They are used to connect a wide range of devices
like flash drives, keyboards, mice, printers, smartphones, and more.

Key Function:

● USB allows for data transfer and sometimes powers devices (like charging a phone or powering an external drive).
Ethernet Port:
Ethernet Port helps to connect to a network and high-speed Internet (provided by LAN or other sources). It connects the
network cable to a computer and resides in a Ethernet card. It provides a data travel speed of 10 Mb to 1000 Mb(megabits)
per second.

● The LAN port, also called the Ethernet port, is used to connect the computer to the internet or a local network via an
Ethernet cable.

Key Function:

● It enables network communication, allowing the computer to access the internet, transfer files, and connect to
networked printers.
Sockets: for Speaker and Audio
Microphones and speakers are connected with the help of Sockets to the sound card of the computer.

● The speaker port, also called the audio-out port, is where external speakers or headphones are connected to the computer.

Key Function:

● It outputs audio from the computer so you can listen to music, videos, or any sound from your applications.

Audio Port (Mic and Line-In)

○ Audio ports can be used to connect microphones or other audio input devices to

the computer.

● Key Function:
○ The mic port (usually pink) allows you to input sound into the computer

(e.g., recording your voice).

○ The line-in port is used to connect other audio sources

(like an external player) to feed sound into the computer.