Use Hand

Tools
Lesson
1

Prepare
Hand
Learning
Tools

Use appropriate
hand tools and
test equipment
Learning
Outcome

1.

PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS:
are
used according to

Tools
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.

1.

PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS:
are
used according to

Tools
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.

Direction. Fill in Pre

the blanks.
Write your answers on
- Test
a separate sheet of paper.
1. The purpose of an antistatic wrist strap is to
________ the electrical charge between you and
the equipment.
2. Turn the screwdriver _________ to tighten the
screw.
3. Turn the screwdriver ________________ to loosen the
screw.
4. Use a ________ head screwdriver with crosshead
screws.
5. On electrical components, an excessive buildup of

6. When compressed air is used to clean inside the

computer, the air should be blown around the
components with a minimum distance of ______
inches from the nozzle.
7. Pencils should not be used inside the computer to
change the setting of switches or to pry off jumpers
because the tip contains _____ which can act as a
conductor and may damage the computer
components.
8. To clean the screens of CRT monitors, dampen a
soft, clean, lint-free cloth with _______ water and wipe
the screen from top to bottom.
9. Clean the contacts on components with _________
alcohol.
10. Use a __________ to loosen and tighten bolts that

6. When compressed air is used to clean inside the

computer, the air should be blown around the
components with a minimum distance of ______
inches from the nozzle.
7. Pencils should not be used inside the computer to
change the setting of switches or to pry off jumpers
because the tip contains _____ which can act as a
conductor and may damage the computer
components.
8. To clean the screens of CRT monitors, dampen a
soft, clean, lint-free cloth with _______ water and wipe
the screen from top to bottom.
9. Clean the contacts on components with _________
alcohol.
10. Use a __________ to loosen and tighten bolts that

PROPER USE OF TOOLS

Proper Use of ESD Tools

PROPER USE OF TOOLS

Proper Use of ESD Tools
Anti-static
Wrist Strap
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

The wrist strap has two parts and is easy to wear:

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.

Anti-static Mat

Anti-static Mat
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 TOOLS

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.

From left to right: a 632 thumbscrew, a 6-32

screw, an M3 screw,
and
aselftappingscrew for case

Motherboard standoff nut

Cross-head screw
Slotted screw

Computer Case Screw

Floppy Screw

Computer Case Screw

CD-ROM DVD-ROM Screw

Hard Disk (HDD) Screw

Screws
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.

Flat head screwdriver

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.

Hex driver

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

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

Keeping computers clean inside and out is
Materials

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.

CAUTION:
The power supply and the fan should be cleaned
from the back of the case.

CAUTION:
Before cleaning any device, turn it off and unplug
the device from the power source.

Computer Cases and Monitors

Clean computer cases and the outside of
monitors with a mild cleaning solution on a
damp, lint-free cloth.

Computer Cases and Monitors

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.

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 will 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.

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 will 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 any streaking after you have cleaned the
monitor.

 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.
A best practice is to wear a dust mask to make
sure that you do not breathe in the dust particles.

 Blow out the dust using short bursts from the can.
Never tip the can or use the compressed air can
upside down.
Do not allow the fan blades to spin from the force
of the compressed air. Hold the fan in place. Fan
motors can be ruined from spinning when the
motor is not turned on.

Component Contacts

Clean the contacts on components with isopropyl

alcohol.
Do not use rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol
contains impurities that can damage contacts.
Make sure that the contacts do not collect any lint
from the cloth or cotton swab.
Blow any lint off the contacts with compressed air
before reinstallation.

Keyboard

Clean a desktop keyboard with compressed air or

a small, hand-held vacuum cleaner with a brush
attachment.

Keyboard

Clean a desktop keyboard with compressed air or

a small, hand-held vacuum cleaner with a brush
attachment.

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 a vacuum 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.