HNC1 IT Systems Troubleshooting and Repair Hardware & Software Tools and Techniques

2 Aims Discuss the types of hardware and software tools Look into what is the purpose of a multi-meter and a loop-back plug Discuss the terms BIOS, CMOS and POST Look at diagnostic software

3 Hardware tools and techniques A technician’s toolkit should consist of conventional tools such as: Screwdrivers and other basic tools Bootable disk Diagnostic hardware Manufacturer’s specifications of hardware

4 Hardware tools and techniques Electrical faults These faults could lie within a PSU - power supply unit Hardware component Cabling Connectors

5 Hardware tools and techniques What device can be used?

6 Multi-meter A multi-meter can be a hand-held device useful for basic fault finding and field service work or a bench instrument which can measure to a very high degree of accuracy. They can be used to troubleshoot electrical problems in a wide array of industrial and household devices such as batteries, motor controls, appliances, power supplies, and wiring systems.

7 Hardware tools and techniques Self test routines When the computer is switch on the boot process begins (BIOS). Once BIOS starts to execute the POST process beings.

8 Hardware tools and techniques Self test routines Cont. POST is a hardware diagnostic routine that checks the configuration in CMOS against the actual hardware configuration.

9 Hardware tools and techniques Self test routines Cont. What is CMOS? COMPLEMENTARY METAL-OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR Chip located on the motherboard – holds both the BIOS program and expected hardware configuration details.

10 Hardware tools and techniques Monitoring devices Pinging This is a test that can be performed by a technician to ensure something is there and responding. Example will be given by your tutor.

11 Hardware tools and techniques Suitable Tools ESD wrist strap This is a strap that is connected to the computer’s chassis. It is used to channel any static electricity away from the technician and to the ground.

12 Hardware tools and techniques Suitable Tools Touch Angled mirror – like you would expect in a dentist Screwdrivers Cleaning materials Wire stripper/cutter Chip tools Paperclip – to test a connection between one pin to another. Electrical tape

13 Hardware tools and techniques Suitable Tools loop-back plug Can be used to isolate a problem with a port – performs a loop back test.

14 Software tools and techniques Diagnostics Used to examine the computer and it records the system’s current settings. Measures the performance of the system Checks for the presence of viruses

15 Software tools and techniques Diagnostics - Examples BIOS POST SCANDISK AVG - ANTIVIRUS

16 Software tools and techniques Monitoring and error logging Monitoring the computer can make sense of why the performance of the computer has decreased in someway. Audit trail Record details about each event that has occurred Event viewer Allows you to predict and identify sources of system problems by recording events in three logs based on type of event: security, system and application Others include: Dr Watson and WinVNC

17 Conclusion Discussed the types of hardware and software tools Looked into what is the purpose of a multi- meter and a loop-back plug Discussed the terms BIOS, CMOS and POST Looked at diagnostic software