OBJECTIVES 1. Identify the unique components of portable systems and their unique problems. 2. Describe basic procedures for adding and removing FRU modules associated with portable systems. 3. Identify proper procedures for identifying installing peripheral devices commonly used with portable systems. 4. Describe the applications that the three types of PCMCIA cards can be used to perform. 5. Discuss and recognize the different PCMCIA devices currently available. 6. Describe the purpose of a docking station.

Storage Devices Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for portable systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequences. Portable components: FDD HDD CD/CDRW DVD/DVDRW Removable storage Power sources AC adapters DC adapter Batteries PCMCIA adapters Network Interface Card (NIC) Modem SCSI IEEE-1394/Firewire USB Storage (memory and hard drive) (continued)

Memory Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for portable systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequences. Portable components: (continued) Keyboard Mouse/pointer devices Touch screen Display device Input devices Docking station/port replicators Adapter/controller Antenna LCD panel Wireless

Figure 7-1: Portable Computers

Continued advancements in integrated circuitry and peripheral technology allowed the PC’s circuitry to be reduced. This allowed portable sizes to be reduced further so that they could achieve sizes of 8.75"d x 11"w x 2.25"h and smaller. Portables in this size range are referred to as notebook computers. The weight of a typical notebook dropped down to 5 or 6 pounds.

However, the market was revived by the introduction of palmtops known as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Figure 7-2 depicts a typical PDA. These handheld devices use a special stylus, referred to as a pen, to input data and selections instead of a keyboard or mouse. Basically the PDA is an electronic time management system that may also include computer applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, and databases.

Figure 7-2: A Personal Digital Assistant

Portable computers have two ideal characteristics: They are compact and lightweight. Portable computer designers work constantly to decrease the size and power consumption of all the computer’s components. Special low-power ICs and disk drives have been developed to extend battery life.

One of the biggest problems for portable computers is heat buildup inside the case. Since conventional power supplies (and their fans) are not included in portable units, separate fans must be designed into portables to carry the heat out of the unit. The closeness of the portable’s components and the small amount of free air space inside their cases also adds to heat-related design problems.

Figure 7-3: Inside a Portable Computer

Figure 7-4: Typical Notebook System Board

The I/O ports included in most notebook computers consist of a single parallel port, a single serial port, an external VGA monitor connector, an external keyboard connector, and a docking port expansion bus. Some models can be found with a second serial-port connector, but they are not common.

Figure 7-5: Notebook Backpanel Connections

Figure 7-6: The Mobile Pentium

Figure 7-7: The Mobile Pentium Installation

It is not a common practice for notebook and other portable computer manufacturers to use traditional SIMM and DIMM modules in their designs. Instead, these types of computers routinely use the smaller SODIMMs and MicroDIMMs form factor memory modules described in Chapter 2. The key to upgrading or replacing internal RAM in a portable computer can be found in its documentation. Only memory modules recommended by the portable manufacturer should be installed, and only in the configurations suggested.

Not working at all Giving beep coded error messages Producing soft-memory errors Producing short memory counts in the POST Locking up while booting the operating system If only the new RAM type is installed, the system could present a number of different symptoms, including:

Know why notebook computers show short memory counts during the bootup process. TEST TIP

Figure 7-8: Replacing a SODIMM Module

Figure 7-9: Portable Disk Drives

Know that notebook display panels are powered by low-voltage DC power sources such as a battery or converter. TEST TIP

Liquid Crystal Displays ¾ The most common flat-panel displays used with portable PC’s are Liquid Crystal Displays. They are relatively thin, flat, and lightweight, and require very little power to operate. In addition to reduced weight and improved portability, these displays offer better reliability and longer life than CRT units.

Figure 7-10: LCD Construction

Figure 7-11: LCD Operation

The most widely used notebook keyboard is the 84-key version. The keys are slightly smaller and shorter than those found in full-size keyboards. A number of keys or key functions may be combined or deleted from a notebook keyboard.

Figure 7-12: 84-Key Notebook Keyboard

Figure 7-13: Win and Application Keys

Table 7-1: Win Key Definitions

Figure 7-14: Attaching Standard I/O Devices

Figure 7-15: A Trackball Unit

Figure 7-16: A Touch Pad

Figure 7-17: Inside a Touch Pad

Figure 7-18: PCMCIA Connector Standard

Table 7-2: 68-Pin Connector Definitions

Three types of PCMCIA adapters currently exist. The PCMCIA Type I cards, introduced in 1990, are 3.3 mm thick and work as memory expansion units. In 1991, the PCMCIA Type II cards were introduced. They are 5 mm thick and support virtually any traditional expansion function, except removable hard drive units. Type II slots are backward compatible so that Type I cards will work in them. Currently, PCMCIA Type III cards are being produced. These cards are 10.5 mm thick and are intended primarily for use with removable hard drives. Both Type I and Type II cards can be used in a Type III slot.

Memorize the physical sizes of the three card standards. Also, know what applications each type of card is capable of. TEST TIP

Figure 7-19: PCMCIA Cards

To determine whether a particular system is a Cardbus-enabled system: Insert the Cardbus card into your system’s PC Card slot, if it doesn’t insert completely, then the slot is not a Cardbus slot. 1 Check the system BIOS setup and verify that the PC Card option is set to the CardBus option. If there is no option for Cardbus, then the system does not support Cardbus devices. 2 (continued)

To determine whether a particular system is a Cardbus-enabled system: (continued) Check the version of Windows installed on your system under the Settings/Control Panel/System/General path. If you do not have version B or later, you do not have the necessary software to use CardbBus PC Cards. 3

Figure 7-20: PC Card Connections

The operating system, such as Windows 9x or Windows 2000, immediately recognizes the card and installs the driver without restarting. There are three ways in which the card services utility delivers the proper drivers to the card: The operating system recognizes the card and has its driver, but needs to reboot in order to load the driver. The operating system does not recognize the card and requires that an external driver be loaded. Under Windows 9x, a PC Card Wizard is started to guide the user through the driver installation process. Windows 2000 does not supply a PC Card Installation wizard.

CHALLENGE #1 You are traveling away from your office, and you want to get as much work done on the airplane as possible. You notice that the notebook takes several minutes during the PnP configuration portion of the boot process. Your notebook has a PCMCIA modem and network card, and you want to disable these devices while you are traveling so that their drivers are not loaded. How can you do this without permanently removing them? (You want to use them when you get back to the office.)

Figure 7-21: A LAN Adapter

Figure 7-22: A Wireless Network Adapter PC Card

Figure 7-23: A PC Card Modem

Figure 7-24: Laptop/Notebook Power Supplies

better battery design better power-consumption devices better power management Portable designs continuously push forward in three design areas:

Be aware that the external power supply used with portable systems basically converts ac voltage into a dc voltage that the system can use to power its internal components and recharge its batteries. TEST TIP

Figure 7-25: Removing Battery Packs

The hard disk will spin down after 3 minutes of inactivity. 1 After 2 additional minutes of inactivity, the system will enter the standby mode. 2 After 10 additional inactive minutes, the system will store the hibernation file on the hard drive and enter suspend mode. 3 If the Hard Disk Timeout value is set to 3 minutes, the Standby Timeout to 5 minutes, and the Auto Suspend value to 10 minutes, the following activities will occur:

The video screen is turned off. When the system suspends operation, the following events take place: The CPU, DMA, clocks, and math coprocessor are powered down. All controllable peripheral devices are shut down.

Figure 7-26: An External Floppy Drive

Figure 7-27: Installing an External CD-ROM Drive

Figure 7-28: A Docking Station

Figure 7-29: Disassembling a Notebook Computer

Receiving warning messages about the battery not charging Several other battery-related problems that present the following types of symptoms: Intermittent system shutdowns when operating with only on the battery The computer does not recognize its network connection when operating with only the battery The computer and input devices are slow when operating with only the battery The computer loses the time and date information when operating on battery power

KEY POINTS Continued advancements in IC and peripheral technology allowed the PC’s circuitry to be reduced. This allowed portable sizes to be reduced further so that they could achieve sizes of 8.75"d x 11"w x 2.25"h and smaller. Portables in this size range are referred to as notebook computers. The weight of a typical notebook dropped down to 5 or 6 pounds.

KEY POINTS However, the market was revived by the introduction of palmtops known as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). These handheld devices use a special stylus, referred to as a pen, to input data and selections instead of a keyboard or mouse. Basically the PDA is an electronic time management system that may also include computer applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, and databases.

KEY POINTS The drawback of portable computers from a service point of view is that conventions and compatibility disappear. Therefore, interchangeability of parts with other machines or makers goes by the wayside.

KEY POINTS One of the biggest problems for portable computers is heat buildup inside the case. Since conventional power supplies (and their fans) are not included in portable units, separate fans must be designed into portables to carry the heat out of the unit. The closeness of the portable’s components and the small amount of free air space inside its case also adds to heat-related design problems.

KEY POINTS Portable computers have two ideal characteristics: They are compact and light weight. Portable computer designers work constantly to decrease the size and power consumption of all the computer’s components. Special low-power consumption ICs and disk drives have been developed to extend battery life.

KEY POINTS The I/O ports included in most notebook computers consist of a single parallel port, a single serial port, an external VGA monitor connector, an external keyboard connector, and a docking port expansion bus. Some models with a second serial port connector can be found, but they are not common.

KEY POINTS It is not a common practice for notebook and other portable computer manufacturers to use traditional SIMM and DIMM modules in their designs. Instead, these types of computers routinely use the smaller SODIMMs and MicroDIMMs form factor memory modules. The key to upgrading or replacing internal RAM in a portable computer can be found in its documentation. Only memory modules recommended by the portable manufacturer should be installed, and only in the configurations suggested.

KEY POINTS The most common flat-panel displays used with portable PC’s are Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs). They are relatively thin, flat, and lightweight, and require very little power to operate. In addition to reduced weight and improved portability, these displays offer better reliability and longer life than CRT units.

KEY POINTS The most widely used notebook keyboard is the 84-key version. Its keys are slightly smaller and shorter than those found in full- size keyboards. A number of keys or key functions may be combined or deleted from a notebook keyboard.

KEY POINTS Three types of PCMCIA adapters currently exist. The PCMCIA Type I cards, introduced in 1990, are 3.3 mm thick and work as memory expansion units. In 1991, the PCMCIA Type II cards were introduced. They are 5 mm thick and support virtually any traditional expansion function, except removable hard drive units. Type II slots are backward compatible so that Type I cards will work in them. Currently, PCMCIA Type III cards are being produced. These cards are 10.5 mm thick and are intended primarily for use with removable hard drives. Both Type I and Type II cards can be used in a Type III slot.

KEY POINTS The PCMCIA bus was developed to accommodate the space conscious notebook and sub-notebook computer market.

KEY POINTS Notebook computer designers work constantly to decrease the size and power consumption of the computer’s components.

KEY POINTS The drawback of portable computers from a service point of view is that conventions and compatibility disappear. Therefore, interchangeability of parts with other machines or makers goes by the wayside.

REVIEW QUESTIONS How are mobile processors optimized for use in portable units? 1

REVIEW QUESTIONS List three considerations that must be taken into account when replacing disk drives in a portable. 2

REVIEW QUESTIONS What is the purpose of a docking station? 3

REVIEW QUESTIONS List three power management modes and describe how they are different. 4

REVIEW QUESTIONS What is the purpose of the Fn key on a portable computer keyboard? 5

REVIEW QUESTIONS How are notebook and laptop computers different? 6

REVIEW QUESTIONS Where is the network adapter normally located in a portable computer? 7

REVIEW QUESTIONS Describe some of the the major maintenance problems that are associated with notebook computers. 8

REVIEW QUESTIONS How are active and passive matrix LCD displays different? 9

REVIEW QUESTIONS What type of device is a touch pad? 10

REVIEW QUESTIONS Describe two typical connection methods for adding an external CD-ROM drive to a portable system. 11

REVIEW QUESTIONS Which type of LCD panel uses less power than the others? 12

REVIEW QUESTIONS Describe two methods of connecting a portable computer to a network. 13

REVIEW QUESTIONS Describe what a port replicator does. 14

REVIEW QUESTIONS What functions do socket services provide for PC cards in a notebook computer? 15

EXAM QUESTIONS What form factor does a notebook computer’s system board conform to? a. AT b. Baby AT c. ATX d. none 1

EXAM QUESTIONS A Type I PCMCIA card is _______ thick. a. 3.3 mm b. 5.0 mm c. 7.5 mm d mm 2

EXAM QUESTIONS A Type II PCMCIA card is _______ thick. a. 3.3 mm b. 5.0 mm c. 7.5 mm d mm 3

EXAM QUESTIONS A Type III PCMCIA card is _______ thick. a. 3.3 mm b. 5.0 mm c. 7.5 mm d mm 4

EXAM QUESTIONS Where would you usually expect to find a PCMCIA card? a. In an ISA expansion slot b. In a serial port c. In a notebook computer d. In an MCA expansion slot 5

EXAM QUESTIONS Which of the following functions can be served by a Type I PCMCIA card? a. Memory expansion functions b. Serial port functions c. Parallel port functions d. Game port functions 6

EXAM QUESTIONS Which of the following functions cannot be performed with a Type II PCMCIA card? a. Memory expansion functions b. Removable hard drive functions c. Serial port functions d. Parallel port functions 7

EXAM QUESTIONS Select the battery technology that would not likely be used to provide power to a notebook computer. a. Nickel Metal-Hydroxide b. Lithium-Ion c. Nickel Cadmium d. Lithium-Ion Polymer 8

EXAM QUESTIONS What sort of power source uses electrochemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen to produce electrical power? a. Lithium batteries b. NiCad batteries c. Solar Power batteries d. Fuel cells 9

EXAM QUESTIONS Which of the following items cannot be used with portable computer systems? a. Full-size keyboards b. VGA monitors c. 3-button mice d. PCI modem 10