Transcript Module 2
Module 2
PC Technician
Safety Measures
Personal safety is your top priority when working with computer components.
• Exercise great care when working with electricity.
• Before handling a system component, make sure that it is powered off and
that the main power cord is unplugged from the wall socket.
• DO NOT open the power supply which houses a capacitor (stores a large
charge of electricity).
• Anti-static wrist straps not only protect components, but can reduce the
chance of accidental electrical shock. Properly ground yourself before
working with components.
• Do not use a grounding strap when working with monitors, power
supplies, laptop LCD panels, or other high-voltage components.
Safety Measures
• Maintain and periodically review the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
The MSDS describes safe handling procedures for dangerous materials.
Keep in mind the following specific issues that can also be hazardous:
• Do NOT service CRT monitors. They can store 30,000 volts of electricity,
even when unplugged. Be sure to discharge capacitors or turn the
equipment over to qualified personnel for servicing.
• Components such as the CPU heat sink and fan, the printing head of a dot
matrix printer, or components inside a laser printer can be hot.
• Some studies suggest that laser printers emit tiny particles which could be
dangerous when inhaled. As a precaution, do not locate laser printers
immediately next to desks, and keep the area ventilated.
• Replace faulty power supplies instead of trying to repair them.
ESD
Static electricity is the accumulation of an electric charge (produced by
friction) on a non-grounded object. The static charge can jump
when it contacts the surface of any grounded object. This electric
discharge is known as electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD can be very
destructive to a computer.
ESD can cause immediate failure of components, or could gradually
degrade components, causing only intermittent problems.
ESD
Implement the following measures to protect against ESD.
• Keep the relative humidity between 40-70% and temperature between 7277 degrees. Avoid dry air in the computer repair location.
• Use antistatic mats under the PC and on the floor.
• Discharge yourself before touching any computer component.
• When touching anything inside the computer, wear an antistatic wrist
strap that is attached with an alligator clip to the metal PC chassis.
• Ground both yourself and the computer to the same ground. This provides
a single path for the flow of electrical potential.
• Never touch the metal connectors on a circuit board.
• Store sensitive components in static-shielded bags (also called anti-static
bags; they are usually tinted gray)
• If a wrist strap is unavailable, keep your body in constant contact with the
metal frame when working inside the computer.
Note: Unplug the system before working on internal components. Do not rely
on the power cord for an electrical ground.
Environmental Facts
Component or Material
Disposal Method
Alkaline batteries
Recycle if possible, otherwise dispose of in the regular trash.
Notebook battery packs Considered hazardous waste. Return to manufacturer, recycle, or contact local
Button batteries
authorities for disposal procedures.
Monitor
Contact local authorities. CRTs contain many toxic and caustic substances that are
illegal to incinerate and must be encased in cement before being buried. Also,
discharge before disposal (CRTs can contain high voltages.).
Power supply
Contact local authorities. Discharge before disposal (contains high voltages).
PC system
Contact local authorities. Recycle if possible: the typical PC contains $5 to $25 worth of
precious metals.
Laser printer toner
Return to manufacturer for recycling (to clean up spills, use a toner vacuum or a scoop
and a damp cloth; never use a regular vacuum).
Ink-jet printer cartridges Consult with local authorities for recycling possibilities.
Cleaning solutions and Consult the MSDS, a licensed disposal organization, or local authorities for handling
solvents
and authorized disposal procedures.
PC Maintenance Facts
Consideration
Description
Keep temperature between 70 and 74 degrees to prevent components
Heating,
from overheating. Keep humidity between 40 and 70 percent to
ventilation, and air prevent ESD.
conditioning
For areas with heavy smoke or dust, add filters to air intake systems to
(HVAC)
filter out airborne particulates.
Interference
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)
Magnetic fields
Magnetic fields located close to a computer can cause undesired
effects or even data loss. Getting a magnet too close to these
components could erase data.
Magnets near a CRT monitor can distort the images on the screen.CRT
monitors, speakers, motors, and generators contain magnets (keep
sensitive components away from these devices).
Solid state storage devices (such as RAM or flash drives) are not
affected by magnetic fields.
Power Protection Facts
Problem
Description
Surge
Over voltage that lasts seconds
Spike
Over voltage that lasts milliseconds
Sag
Under voltage that lasts milliseconds
Brownout
Under voltage that lasts seconds (lights dim)
Blackout
Complete power failure
Troubleshooting Process Facts
1. Identify the problem. Resist the urge to start fixing things
at this point.
2. Before making changes to the system, back up user and
system data.
3. Identify possible causes and identify a theory of a
probable cause.
4. Test your theory to verify the cause of the problem.
5. Create an action plan, addressing the most likely problem.
6. Test the result.
7. Demonstrate the result.
8. Document the solution and process
Windows Utilities Facts
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Control Panel
Task Manager
Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
Computer Management
Event Viewer
Services
Performance Monitor
Reliability Monitor
System Information (Msinfo32)
System Configuration Utility (Msconfig)
Command Prompt
Regedit