Chapter 2 - PC Repair Fundamentals PDF

Chapter 2 PC Repair Fundamentals  Introduction  Basic repair skills  Developing and implementing a maintenance plan  Working inside a computer case  Following sequence of events that occur at startup  Advanced repair skills  Using common-sense guidelines to solve problems  I...

Chapter 2 PC Repair Fundamentals  Introduction  Basic repair skills  Developing and implementing a maintenance plan  Working inside a computer case  Following sequence of events that occur at startup  Advanced repair skills  Using common-sense guidelines to solve problems  Interviewing a user  Determining if a problem occurs before or after boot  Troubleshooting and solving a problem of a failed boot  PC Support Technician Tools  Help you diagnose, repair and maintain a computer  Criteria for choosing tools:  Level of PC support you expect to provide  Amount of money you can spend  Some essential tools:  Ground bracelet, ground mat, or ground gloves  Magnetized screwdriver set  Recovery CD, DVD, or floppy disk for target OS  Store tools in toolbox for PC troubleshooting Figure 2-1 PC support technician tools  Recovery CDs  Used to boot a system  Also used to repair and reinstall Windows  Primary recovery CD sources  PC manufacturer (preferred)  Operating system distributor, such as Microsoft  Some hard drives have a hidden recovery partitions  A hidden partition can be used to reinstall Windows  A utility for creating recovery CDs may be provided  Access hidden utilities by pressing a Fn key at startup Figure 2-2 Windows Setup CD and Windows Recovery CDs for a notebook computer Cleaning Pads and Solutions  Various types are designed for specific uses  Example: contact cleaner  Cleans contacts on expansion cards  Warning: solutions may be flammable and/or toxic  Sources of safety and emergency instructions:  Side of the can of solution  Material safety data sheet (MSDS)  Adhere to safety procedures of your employer  Example: fill out an accident report (if required) Figure 2-3 Each chemical you use should have available a material safety data sheet  Personal Computer Preventive Maintenance Preventive maintenance reduces number of problems Goals of preventive maintenance plans:  Prevent failures  Reduce repair costs  Reduce downtimes Goal of disaster recovery plan: manage failures Some causes of PC failure: heat, dust, spills, viruses When a PC is your Permanent Responsibility  Tasks and procedures to prepare for troubleshooting  Keep good backups of data and system files  Document all setup changes, problems, and solutions  Protect the system against viruses and other attacks o Always use a firewall (software or hardware barrier) o Install and run antivirus software o Keep Windows Updates current  Physically protect your equipment Creating a Preventive Maintenance Plan Plan based on history or pattern of malfunctions  Example: PCs in dusty areas need more maintenance Goals common to maintenance plans  Extend the working life of a PC  Anticipate problems that could disrupt service  Ensure data is secure and backed up  Provide support to PC users Dealing with Dust Dust accumulates in layers over components Two major problems due to dust blankets  PC components directly overheat  Cooling fans jam, also resulting in overheating Maintenance task: remove the layer of dust Two tools used to remove dust:  Antistatic vacuum  Compressed air  How to Work Inside a Computer Case  Objective: dismantle a computer, put it back together  Some safety precautions to follow:  Make notes that will help you backtrack  Keep screws and spacers orderly  Do not stack boards on top of each other  Do not touch the chips on circuit boards  Do not use a graphite pencil to change DIP settings  Turn off the power, unplug and ground the computer  Do not remove covers of monitors or power supplies  Keep components away from hair and clothing  Static Electricity  Build-up of charge due to absence of conductors  Electrostatic discharge (ESD)  Due to dissimilar electrical surfaces making contact  Only 10 volts of ESD can damage PC components  Walking across carpet generates up to 12,000 volts  Tool and methods for grounding yourself and the PC  Ground bracelet, ground mats, antistatic gloves Figure 2-4 A ground bracelet, which protects computer components from ESD, can clip to the side of the computer case and eliminate ESD between you and the case  Steps to Take Apart a Computer  Essential tools:  Ground bracelet  Phillips-head screwdriver  Flat-head screwdriver, paper, and pen  Follow safety precautions at all times  Standard Procedure to follow:  1. Enter CMOS and write down customized settings  2. Power down the system, unplug all components  3. Put the computer on a good-sized table  4. Remove the cover of the PC Figure 2-5 Removing the cover Steps to Take Apart a Computer (continued)  5. Diagram cable connections and switch settings  6. Identify cables connecting drives to motherboard  7. Remove the cables to all drives  8. Remove the expansion cards  9. Remove the motherboard (or drives)  10. Remove the power supply from the case  11. Remove each drive (if not already removed) Figure 2-6 Remove the motherboard from the case. Steps to Put a Computer Back Together 1. Install power supply, drives, motherboard, cards 2. Connect all data and power cables 3. Plug in the keyboard, monitor, and mouse 4. Ask instructor to check work (if in a classroom) 5. Turn on the power and check PC functions Booting a Computer Process that drives a computer to a working state Hard (cold) boot: turn the power switch on Soft (warm) boot: allow the OS to reboot How to soft boot Windows  Click Start  Click Turn Off Computer  Click Restart Choosing Between a Hard Boot and a Soft Boot  Hard boots are more stressful on machines  Power surges through system when PC is turned on  Reasons to choose a soft boot over hard boot  Less stressful on the machine  Faster due to skipping initial steps  Some computers have a soft and hard power switch  Soft power switch shuts down and restarts Windows  Hard power switch cuts power and restarts machine The Startup BIOS Controls the Beginning of the Boot The startup BIOS gets a system up and running Four phases of the boot process:  BIOS runs the POST and assigns system resources o POST: power-on self test  BIOS searches for and loads an OS  OS configures system and completes its own loading  Application software is loaded and executed Figure 2-7 The ROM BIOS startup program surveys hardware resources and needs and assigns system resources to satisfy those needs How to Troubleshoot a PC Problem Assume the attitude of an investigator Do not compound the problem by your own actions Look at the problem as a learning opportunity Ask questions until you understand the problem Believe that you can solve the problem Steps to Solving a PC Problem Key advice:  Ask good questions  Document the process Four-step problem solving process:  Step 1: Interview the user  Step 2: Back up data  Step 3: Solve the problem  Step 4: Verify the fix and document the solution Figure 2-8 General approach to troubleshooting. It takes time to acquire troubleshooting skills. My Computer Won’t Boot First step: maintain your calm Second step: develop a game plan Figure 2-9 provides a procedure  Plan is driven by a set of yes-no questions  Example: Does the PC boot properly? o If no, troubleshooter is directed to another question o If yes, troubleshooter is directed to stop (for now) Figure 2-9 Use this flowchart when first facing a computer problem Troubleshooting Major Subsystems Used For Booting Categories of troubleshooting steps in Figure 2-9  The electrical subsystem  Essential hardware devices o The motherboard, memory, and the CPU  Video  Reading from the hard drive Key aides: identifying error codes in Figure 2-10 Table 2-10 Beep codes and their meanings - END -