How To Manual 48
Running Head: HENDERSON HOW TO MANUAL
How to Manual
Dale Henderson
Kaplan University
IT190-15 Foundations in Information Technology
Professor Vandercreek
May 27, 2009
Table of Contents
1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..3
A. The Purpose of the Manual……………………………………………………….3
B. Safety Precautions………………………………………………………………..3
C. How to identify the motherboard make and model and why?...... 4
D. Identify five troubleshooting techniques to isolate a problem before you start?...5
E. Proper Documentation…………………………………………………………...7
2. Introduction to Computers…………………………………………………………...8
3. Computer Repair and Motherboards………………………………………………...10
4. System Configuration and Disassembly and Power………………………………….18
5. Memory and Floppy and IDE/SCSI Drives…………………………………………..24
6. Multimedia and Printers………………………………………………………………28
7. Introduction to Operating Systems……………………………………………………30
8. Windows XP and Windows Vista…………………………………………………….36
9. Network Configuration and Security………………………………………………….39
10. Maintenance and Trouble Shooting…………………………………………………...44
11. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………..48
A. Ethical considerations when dealing with the customer…………………………...48
B. Proper client communications and Techniques……………………………………49
C. Where to go for additional help on topics not covered in this manual…………….50
12. References……………………………………………………………………………..51
Introduction
This manual is for you, the technician who needs to know more about computers and repairing of many different types of systems. This manual will help you gain more knowledge and experience. To succeed with this company any with that matter is to know how to work on any system that runs Windows operating system. You must know the basic knowledge concepts of computer repair and know what every component does, and how to troubleshoot when errors occur. Window XP and Windows are the main operating systems that are used today, and most work will be done with them operating systems. This manual will help you achieve all that is necessary to work on computers with this company.
The purpose of this manual
This manual is written in APA (American Psychological Association) format. This manual describes information on computers giving details on everything associated with modern computers. There are diagrams that will help the technician to have a better view of what they are working on. This manual is to be used as a reference source or for any technician that is not well seasoned. This will be your starting point.
Safety Precautions
Every component inside the computer or on the motherboard is subject to ESD (electrostatic discharge). As a technician you have to be aware of these at all times when working on any computer. Before working on any computer make sure you are using an antistatic wrist strap, one end connects to your wrist, and the other side one with the alligator clip connects to the computer. The clip should attach to a ground, post, or metal part of the computer. The strap allows the technician and computer to be at the same voltage. Antistatic bags are good for storing spare adapters and motherboards when the components are not being used. Antistatic bags are useless after a few years.
· Antistatic mats are also available to place under the computer being repaired; many of the mats have a snap for connecting the antistatic wrist strap. Antistatic heel straps are also available.
· When a computer component device on the motherboard or just about any component inside the computer goes bad it usually is not repairable, and if it is, it is much cheaper and easier to replace the component.
· Monitors are only repairable by certified technicians. So it is not recommended or your job to work on any monitor. Refer the customer to a certified technician within the company. Do not take upon yourself in trying to work on them yourself.
How to identify the Motherboard make and model and why is it important?
The motherboard documentation is the first best choice to finding this information, but not all the time will documentation be ready available and you will have to depend on other sources in finding this information. . If the computer can access the internet you can go to certain sites that will tell you what the make and model is. If that doesn’t work you can open the computer and find it stamped on the motherboard (most newer motherboards have this stamped somewhere on it). There also is software that can find this information for you. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) has numbers for this when you first boot your computer, you will need to record the BIOS ID string, which will be located at the bottom-left corner during startup. On most systems, you can press the Pause key during the memory test to suspend the process and allow more time to properly copy the ID string. With this ID number you can search for it on the internet and it will find the make and model of the motherboard. It is really important to know this because if you ever need to upgrade the mother board like memory you need to know what the maximum amount and type of memory you can use. Also if you ever need to update the BIOS you also will need to know this information.
Figure 1: Motherboard
Identify five troubleshooting techniques to isolate the problem before you start
1. Recreate the problem: Have the user demonstrate or recreate the problem for you. A lot of times the user is the problem, you can save a lot of time with this step. Do not assume anything. Ask the user if anything has been changed, but be very nice about it. Otherwise they might not be honest about it.
2. Divide it into hardware or software related issues: The technician can use his or her senses to isolate a problem, with sight, hearing, and smell. This can reveal a lot to the technician. Smell for burning components, watch the computer boot, look for lights, listen for beeps, and notes. Most times a hardware problem is detected during POST (Power On Self-Test) executed by the BIOS during a cold boot. Beep error codes are important and every BIOS manufacturer have different codes. So search for the right codes.
Software errors occur when the user accesses a particular application or when the system boots. Many software programs have a patch or a service release that fix know problems. The patches and service releases can be found at the manufacturers’ website. It can be as simple as a missing file. Most software errors are corrected by installing the patch or reinstalling the software. Make sure the system is backed up before making any changes to the system.
3. Divide and Conquer: Divide the problem into logical areas and continue subdividing the problem until it is isolated. Make a list of possibilities and eliminate the potential problems one by one.
4. Swapping out components: Swapping out components until the problem is isolated. This technique is very good when it comes to hardware errors. This can save you a lot of headaches. It also lets you make sure each part is working fine until you find the component that is not working, if that is the case.
5. The small things: Many times it can be the most simple things that is causing the error, letting it be a loose cord, a adapter card that is not seated completely in the expansion slot, or the hardware connector came loose from the motherboard. So never over look the small things.
Explain how to properly document a project
Everything that is performed at a job should be documented, from the first initial visit to the service. Giving the customer a detailed invoice insures the customer of what was done and what was provided. Documenting is a detailed list of what was performed. Breaking it down every step that was performed and what was charged and how much for each item. You need to document everything and not just for the customer, it also helps you know what you actually did, so when someone comes back six months later or the customer says you did not perform this you have a copy with their signature stating the service was performed. It also helps the billing department keep track of accounts and if it was billed. If the customer has a account that is not due upon receipt this helps billing keep track of the customer account and status. It also helps your employer know what you actually did at the job. So document everything, this is a very good practice to get in the habit of doing.
Introduction to Computers
· A Computer Security Specialist: who are they and what do they do? With the ever growing threat of computer leaks there is a rise in the IT (Information Technology) field for these specialists. To make sure security is at the upmost importance. They make sure systems are safe and secured. Let it be from making Installations that make the systems better to installing security software. They are there to make it a secure network and that no unauthorized person or persons are doing something that is against company rules. They are the spies of their field. They are the watchdogs.
· Data Mining is a collection of data that is used to research habits of the general public, and their buying habits. When they buy and how they buy it. It has been abused for many people and for me it has came in the form of junk mail things that I have bought in the past I get ads wanting me to buy certain items. When I shop on-line and buy a certain item I am recommended another item sucking me in to buy it when I really have no need for the item. I buy it anyway and later I have no need for it and was a waste of money so it has abused me into buying items I don’t need. I do see it as unethical and waste of time and is not an ethical way to do business.
Vocabulary words
· Computer forensics: Software and applications that is used to gather possible legal evidence.
· Data Mining: The process of gathering information and taking that information and researching the data so that patterns and trends can be spotted.
· Public Domain: Software that is not copywriter or protected. Some of this can be created by Individuals.
· Software: Programs that tells the computer what do or perform.
· Spam: Unwanted email that is trying to sell you something or offering a service of some kind.
· Nanoscience: Studying of molecules and nanostructures ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers.
· Digital Divide: Those people who have advantages to the opportunities and know how computer and offers and those that do not.
Computer Repair and Motherboards
Parts of the Motherboard
· BIOS (basic input/output system) it has many operations, but the most important one is to load the operating systems. It does a power-on self-test (POST), and important hardware configurations.
· Clock usually measured in MHz, it is a device that provides timing signals to all motherboard components.
· Front side bus (FSB) independent nervous system that connects the CPU to the motherboard.
· Expansion slots built in slots on the motherboard where addition adapters can be added, when added can add functionality. Modems, video cards, and sound cards are just a few examples.
· CPU (Central Processing Unit) the brains of the computer, the power. Executes instructions, performs functions and operations. Input/output operations. Figure 1 shows a basic CPU.
Figure 2: CPU
· Expansion slot built in slot on the motherboard where addition adapters can be added, when added can add functionality. Modems, video cards, and sound cards are just a few examples.
Figure 3: Expansion Slot
Basic Computer Parts
· Monitor displays information to the user from the computer.
Figure 4: Monitor
· Keyboard is an input device used by the user to input data into the computer.
Figure 5: Keyboard
· Mouse input device where the user moves it to select menus and options.
Figure 6: Mouse
· System Unit sometimes called the main unit or PC (Personal Computer) houses the chassis, microprocessor, main memory, bus, ports, and hardware devices.
Figure 7: System Unit
· Hard drive is a rectangular device that is used to store data and comes in many different storage sizes.
Figure 8: Hard Drive
· Floppy drive a device that allows data to be stored on a floppy disk.
Figure 9: Floppy Drive
· CD/DVD Drive holds disks that have data, music, videos, movies, or software programs.
Figure 10: CD/DVD Drive
· Serial port also known as COM port. Can be a 9-pin male D-shell connector or a 25-pin male D-shell connector. Transmit one bit a time and is used for input devices such as mice, modems, and trackballs.
Figure 11: Serial Port
· DIN connector a round connector with small holes, usually with a metal piece or notch so that cable inserts in only one way.
Figure 12: DIN Connector
· Ethernet ports most common type of network port. BNC connectors, RJ-45, and D-shell connector.
Figure 13: Ethernet Ports
· USB (Universal Serial Bus) it can allow up to 127 devices on a single port. Can transmit 480 Mbps, 12 Mbps, or 1.5 Mbps.