1. Chapter 1 Introduction to Computer Repair

2. Certifications Certifications May substitute for experience
May get them an interview
Shows they know the basic information for the job
Does not demonstrate ability to think logically, troubleshoot problems, or deal with people in a professional manner
Validates experienced technicians proficiency and up-to-date knowledge

3. A+ Certification & Comp TIA
Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
Created in 1982 from representatives of five microcomputer dealerships.
The A+ certification demonstrates competency as a computer technician. They have many more certifications
The A+ Certification is a non-vendor specific industry standard certification.
Does not guarantee someone a job
Is required by a lot of companies and agencies
Consists of two exams
A+ Essentials
IT Technician
CompTIA states that it measures competencies for an IT professional with at least hours of hands-on experience in the lab or field.

4. Preliminary Safety Notes02 01
Power Supply and CRT Monitor
Computer Power
Turn off and unplug the computer when taking the computer apart, installing parts, removing parts, or performing preventive maintenance.
Do not take these components apart without specific training. They hold a charge and can hurt you.
Computer power - A small amount of power is still provided to the motherboard when the power plug is attached to an electrical outlet and the computer. Turn off the computer AND unplug it when doing any work inside the computer.
Power supply and CRT monitor – have capacitors that can hold a charge even when power is removed. A technician should not take these apart unless trained in electronics.

5. Overview Qualities Parts Ports
Explore qualities of a good computer support person
Qualities
Discover the major parts of the computer
Parts
Identify ports seen on a computer
Ports

6. A good technician… Technician Qualities Active listening
Know technical terms, but explain in easy to understand words
Active listening
Good, positive attitude
Humbleness
Active listening – good eye contact, nodding the head periodically, take notes, avoid distractions (cell phone, other people, activity in the general vicinity), allow users to finish talking, ask pertinent questions.
Technical terms – Know and understand, but use analogies and simple explanations. Be careful to not be condescending or sound like a know-it-all
Humbleness – No technician can know all technologies. Be humble.

7. Traits of a tech
Dependable
Responsible
Adapt
Versitle
Sensitive

8. Safety of the computer Electrostatic Discharge Anti-Static Tools
Wrist strap
Anti-static mat
Anti-static bag
And don’t drop the computer!

9. Beginning Terms Hardware Software Firmware The physical components
Case, keyboard, power supply, mouse
Software
Operating systems such as Windows 7, Red Hat Linux, Snow Leopard
Applications such as Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft PowerPoint
Firmware
A combination of hardware and software such as chips on an adapter (hardware) that contain software to control and customize the adapter or the BIOS on the motherboard.

10. Hardware and Software Interaction
Notice how the operating system communicates with hardware through the kernel and the operating system.
Another way the operating system communicates with hardware is directly through the BIOS (which is not shown).
This is especially important for integrated components inside the computer.
What’s the BIOS?

11. How the pc works Interaction of RAM, Processor and Hard-Drive
What does the OS do?
Memory management
File management
Process management
What is a device driver?
User Interface
Utilities

12. Basic Computer Parts

13. Basic Computer Parts

14. Basic Laptop Parts

15. Basic Laptop Parts
DC power port
Media bay

16. Basic Motherboard Parts

17. Other Major Parts Motherboard Memory RAM Flash memory Expansion slots
Adapters
Memory
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Volatile or contents are gone if power is removed
ROM (Read Only Memory)
Contents cannot be changed
Stores less than hard drives

18. Basic Ports DINs are notched/ keyed
D-shell connectors are shaped like the letter D turned to the right.
DB-25 (parallel) DB-9 (serial)
DB-15 (game)

19. Video Ports DVI S-Video VGA Flat panel monitors, LCDs
TVs, VCRs, cameras, external video devices
2 channel video
VGA
Older CRT monitors
Lowest common denominator for all video cards

20. USB Ports 127 devices on a single port 1.0 2.0 3.0
But your OS/controller may not support 127 devices !!
1.0
1.5 and 12Mbps
2.0
Plus sign (+)
480Mbps
3.0
SS (SuperSpeed)
5Gbps
Mini versions available
Converters of all types are available
Devices that can connect to the USB port include printers, scanners, mice, keyboards, joysticks, CD drives, DVD drives, tape drives, floppy drives, flight yokes, cameras, modems, speakers, telephones, video phones, data gloves, and digitizers.

21. USB “mini” Connectors Common on Cameras Digital media readers
External hard drives
Three types
Mini-A
Mini-B
Mini-AB
Mini-B USB Connector

22. Parallel Port Also known as a printer port DB-25 (25-pin) female port
Replaced by USB
Transmits data 8 bits at a time

23. Serial Port Also known as a COM, RS-232, or asynchronous port
DB-9 (9-pin) male port and an older DB-25 male port
Replaced by USB (Actually also serial transmission)
Transmits data 1 bit at a time
If a serial port is needed such as to configure a router, a USB to serial converter can be purchased.
This is not a simple converter but requires a device and driver

24. Keyboards and Mice Wired Mouse types Keyboard types
Mini-DIN or PS/2 port (not interchangeable)
USB port
Wireless
Bluetooth RF
Mouse types
Mechanical (rubber ball)
Optical (LEDs)
Keyboard types
Mechanical
Cheaper, most common, more error-prone
Capacitive
More complex design
Mouse
Keyboard

25. Preventive Maintenance
Mouse
Cleaning kits
Optical: damp, lint-free cloth for the bottom
Mechanical mouse ball: clean with mild detergent, rinse, and dry thoroughly. For rollers, lint-free cloth with alcohol; otherwise, fingernail, small screwdriver, straightened paper clip.
Keyboard
Cleaning wipes
Compressed air
Cotton or lint-free swab between keys
Upside down shake

26. Wireless Input Devices
Infrared
Shorter distances and cheaper
Radio
Interferences from other devices
Troubleshooting
Battery
Line of site with infrared
Move device or transceiver
Interference
Device recognized by operating system

27. Other Input Devices

28. Sound Card Ports
Converts digital signals to sound (analog signal) and vice versa
Can be on the motherboard or on an adapter

29. Sound Card Ports
Commonly have symbols that designate the purpose of the port
Standardized colors
Orange – Center speaker or subwoofer
Black – Rear speaker
Light blue – Line in
Lime – Line out
Pink – Microphone
Gray – Side speaker

30. IEEE 1394 Port 63 devices can connect to a single port (using hubs)
Speeds of 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200Mbps
Also called FireWire or i.Link
Faster than USB
Supports hot swapping

31. IEEE 1394 Port 4-, 6-, and 9-pin connectors
4-pin on consumer electronics
6-pin on computers
9-pin used on 800Mbps connections
Newer standards support RJ-45 and fiber connectors
6-pin
4-pin
9-pin

32. Network Ports
Connects a computer to other computers, a network, which could include a server and a printer among other devices.
Two types
Ethernet
Most common type
RJ-45 port
Token Ring
Not very common
A Token Ring adapter has a 4/16 sticker on it commonly because it runs at 4 or 16Mbps.

33. Ethernet Ports Most common Types Connects to UTP cable
BNC (old)
15-pin female D-shell (old)
RJ-45
Connects to UTP cable
Ethernet – These adapters are the most common type of network card with BNC, RJ-45 (most common today), a 15-pin female D-shell connector (sometimes called AUI), or any combination of all of them.
Speeds include 10, 100, and 1000Mbps.
Another way of showing 1000Mbps is 1Gbps.

34. Modem Ports A modem connects a computer to a phone line.
Has one or two RJ-11 ports
A modem can be an adapter or an external device.
The adapter has two connectors for connecting the phone cables.
Line port has a cable that goes to the phone jack on the wall.
Phone port has a cable that connects to a telephone.
An external modem connects to a serial port.
Phone cables use the same ports as the internal modem.

35. Integrated Motherboards
Mini- IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
RJ-45 NIC
RJ-45 NIC
6 audio ports
Optical S/PDIF
IEEE 1394
Mouse
Keyboard
Line in
Line out
Microphone
2 USB ports
2 USB ports
2 USB ports
Center speaker
Rear speaker
Side speaker
Coax S/PDIF
2 USB ports

36. Pros of Integrated Motherboards
Fewer slots needed
Saves on the number of expansion slots needed or used
Ease of support
Easier to troubleshoot and support
Data to the port faster
Gets data to the port faster than if the port was on an adapter
Another “pro” of having an integrated motherboard that is not mentioned is that is reduces the total cost of the computer

37. Cons of Integrated Motherboards
What if a port goes bad?
You have to add an adapter or replace the motherboard. What if there is not an available slot?
Quality???
The port may not be as high a quality as an adapter you might buy
Waste of ports
May have ports you don’t need or want

38. Docking Station
A docking station allows a laptop to be more like a desktop computer.
Commonly has connections to a monitor, printer, keyboard, and mouse

39. Port Replicator Similar to a docking station
Does not include any expansion slots or drive storage bays.
Attaches to the laptop and allows external devices such as monitor, keyboard, and mouse to be connected.
A port replicator is for quick & easily taking your laptop on the go, a dock station is to make it like a desktop computer

40. Port Round-up
Being able to quickly and accurately identify computer ports is a critical skill.

41. Questions???