TLE-ICT-CSS - 9

Personal Computer Disassembly

Step 1. Unplugging - The first thing you do is to unplug every cable that is plugged in to your computer. That includes the
cables such as Power, USB, Mouse, Keyboard, Internet, Ethernet, Modem, AM\FM Antenna, Cable TV, etc. Just unplug all the
cables for safety purposes. Now that your computer is fully unplugged, move your PC to a clean work space
Step 2. Opening the Outer Shell/Case - First, unscrew the four screws at the back of the computer. On most computer cases,
there will be large knobs that you can unscrew by hand or by screw driver on the back-right side of the computer. The left
side has small screws because on that side you can't access much on the inside. Once the screws are removed, you can
remove the side panels. On most computers, they just slide off. Start with the left side panel (the side that once had the
knobs), slide it towards the back of the computer. Now you can remove the left panel. Just like the other side, slide it towards
the back of the computer.
NOTICE: If you are working on a carpet, about every five minutes touch something that is grounded (Sink faucet / pipe, wire
coming from the ground part of a wall outlet). This is done so you do not shock your motherboard or other parts.
Step 3. Removing the System Fan - First, unplug the fan from the motherboard. You can find the plug by following the wire
from the fan. It should be labeled "SYS_FAN1". Next, you will have to unscrew the fan from the outside.
Step 4. Removing the CPU Fan - The CPU fan is located right on top of the CPU heat sink, which is a large piece of metal with
fins on the top. The CPU fan plugs into the motherboard in an awkward place that is hard to access. But just follow the wires
and you should easily find it. It is labeled "CPU FAN1". To remove the fan from the heat sink, remove the four screws securing
it in place.
Step 5. Power Supply - The first thing to do is unplug every wire coming from the power supply. You must disconnect the
motherboard (very large connector/plug), CD/DVD drive(s) power, internal hard drive power and portable hard drive slot
power. Once everything is unplugged, unscrew the four screws holding the power supply in place, on the back of the
computer. Next, push the power supply from the outside, and then lift it out.
Step 6. CD/ DVD Drive(s) - First, unplug the ribbon from the back of the drive. Once that is completed, pull on the tab
securing the drive in place, and then push it out from the inside.
Step 7. Hard Drive - First, unplug the connector at the back of the slot, and unplug the other end from the motherboard. Also
unplug the SATA cable from the motherboard and the hard drive. The portable hard drive slot is secured the same way the
CD/DVD drive is, with a tab. Pull on the tab, then slide the slot out.
To remove the hard drive from the side of the slot, unscrew the four screws securing it in place. You must be very careful not
to drop the hard drive, since it is very delicate!
Step 8. Memory (RAM) - To remove the RAM, push down on both tabs holding the RAM in place, which are located at both
ends of the RAM.
Step 9. Motherboard - The motherboard has seven screws holding it to the frame, which are indicated by large white circles
around them. Remove them and then lift the motherboard out of the frame.

Personal Computer Assembly

Step 1. Prepare your workplace
1. Take Inventory:
Before you start, take an inventory of your parts. Do not begin assembling your computer if you don't have everything you
need. Begin the step-by-step process once you are ready with everything you need.
2. Make Space, Make Time:
Building a PC takes up space - about a dining room table worth. So make sure you have plenty of working room and a few
hours to proceed with minimal interruption. Work on a flat, stable table top surface, or bare floor, where you have room to
layout all of the items.
3. Prepare Grounding Protection:
Use an inexpensive antistatic wrist strap. Make sure you are wearing your antistatic wrist strap correctly (it does you no good
at all if you do not wear it!), and you are ready to proceed.
4. Have the Drivers Ready:
Assuming you have another internet connected PC, download the latest drivers from the vendors' websites for each
component you will be installing. Sometimes drivers are updated between the time the component was manufactured and
the time you are installing it. It is always best to have the latest. Copy them to a CD for easy access.
Step 2. Prepare the Motherboard
1. Great care should be taken when installing the motherboard. First, take the board out of its packaging and put it on top of
the antistatic bag it came in. Remember, you always want to safeguard your components from potentially hazardous static
electricity (wear your strap).
2. Before you secure the motherboard onto the PC case/chassis, inspect it carefully for any visible defects.
3. Next, review the motherboard manual, to make sure you are familiar with the motherboard layout and understand which
socket is which. Manuals are extremely helpful, usually easy to read, and include illustrations. Below you can find instructions
on how to install the processor, the heat sink and the memory modules on the motherboard. You should not place the
motherboard in the computer case until you are told to do so.
Step 3. Install the CPU
1. Use the unlocking mechanism to open the CPU socket which is usually a lever.
2. Carefully line up the pins and place the chip in its socket; it will fit only when oriented the proper way. An arrow or a
missing pin on one corner of the chip will show you how to line things up.
3. Align Triangular CPU and socket key marks. 4. Lower the lever to lock the CPU into place.
Step 4. Install the CPU Heat Sink
1. Follow the manufacturer's directions to install the heat sink and the fan that will cool the processor. If you bought an OEM
CPU and a separate heat sink, you may need to spread a thin layer of the thermal grease that came with the heat sink over
the chip to ensure proper transfer of heat (some heat sinks come with this grease already applied).
2. Attach the clip that holds the heat sink in place keeping in mind that it may require a fair amount of force. Again, follow the
instructions that came with the heat sink. They will show you how to fit it correctly. If you are in doubt, you can visit the
manufacturer's website for more information.
3. Plug the CPU fan's power connector into the proper connector on the motherboard.
Step 5. Install Memory (RAM Modules) Step 6. Place the motherboard into the case
Step 7. Connect the Power Supply Making the proper connections are crucial to successfully assembling your PC system.
Fortunately, manufacturers provide color-coded power cables and unique connector shapes to make the job easy.
1. First, plug the large ATX power connector from your power supply into the matching port on your motherboard. Look
Figure X for details.
2. Locate the smaller, square processor power connector (you cannot miss it - it is the one sprouting the yellow and black
wires) and attach it to the motherboard. Note: your connector is usually located near the processor. As always, refer to your
motherboard's manual for the exact locations.
3. Use your motherboard user manual and find the description about front-panel connectors.
NOTE:
You are going to be doing work that requires attention to detail and can be quite frustrating if you do not go into it with the
right attitude.
4. Attach each of the tiny leads from the power and reset switches (Figure 56), the hard-disk activity lights, the PC speaker,
and any front-panel USB and FireWire ports to the corresponding pin on your motherboard. The needle-nose pliers are useful
for manipulating small pieces.
Step 8. Install Graphics / Video Cards
1. Begin by removing the backplane cover from the AGP or PCI Express X16 slot (the metal piece where the monitor connector
will emerge)
2. Install the graphics board in that slot, and then secure the card with a screw
Step 9. Install Internal Drives
Now it is time to install your drives. This is an easy process, but it requires attention to detail.
1. Make any necessary changes to jumpers on the drives before mounting them in the case. A two-drive system (one or two
SATA (Serial ATA- is a standard hardware interface for connecting hard drives and CD/DVD drives to a computer) hard drives,
plus one parallel ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) optical drive, for example) is easy to set up; the SATA drives are
jumper less, and the optical drive can be set as master on its own parallel ATA channel. Many cases have removable drive rails
or cages to house drives.
2. Use the included screws to attach your drives to the rails or cage, and slide them into the case. For externally accessible
drives such as a DVD recorder, you can save time by installing one drive rail and sliding the drive in for a test fitting to make
sure that its front is flush with the case.
3. When the drives are installed, connect power and data cables to each one. Parallel ATA drives use wide, flat data cables
that can be installed only in the correct way. Floppy drives use a similar but smaller cable; SATA drives use a thin, 1cm-wide
data cable. SATA drives use a new type of power connector that many power supplies don't come with. Fortunately, many
motherboards ship with adapters for converting a standard four-pin power connector to a SATA power connector.
Step 10. Install the Add- in Cards
1. For each add-in card, you must choose a free PCI slot.
2. Remove its backplane cover to allow access from the rear of the case.
3. Carefully position the card above the slot, and press down firmly to seat the card.
4. Secure the card with a screw.
Many motherboards have additional sound connectors or ports housed on small add-in boards. Some of these plug
into slots on the motherboard; others screw into the back of the case in place of slot covers. Usually the additional ports are
not essential to your PC's operation. For example, if you install a sound card, you do not need connectors to the motherboard's
built-in sound chip. Check your motherboard manual to determine what each of these boards does.
Keep in mind: 1. When attaching cables, never force a connection. 2. Plug in the power cable after you have connected all
other
Connecting Peripherals of a Personal Computer
When attaching hardware and peripherals of the computer, ensure that they are connected to the correct locations or ports.
For example, some mouse and keyboard cables use the same type of PS/2 connector. So, you must know first the different
ports that can be found in the back panel of the computer.
Steps in Connecting Peripherals of a PC Step 4. Plug the mouse cable into the PS/2 mouse port.
Step 1. Attach the monitor cable to the video port. Step 5. Plug the USB cable into a USB port.
Step 2. Secure the cable by tightening the screws on the connector. Step 6. Plug the network cable into the network port.
Step 3. Plug the keyboard cable into the PS/2 keyboard port. Step 7. Plug the power cable into the power supply.