Guide to Managing

and Maintaining
your PC
Computer Systems Repair
Ms. Julia Nambili

Objectives
Learn about tools youll need as a PC
support technician
Learn how to develop a preventive
maintenance plan and what to include in it
Learn how to work inside a computer case
Learn what happens when you first turn on
a PC before the OS is loaded

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Objectives (continued)
Learn how to approach and solve a PC
problem
Learn how to troubleshoot a failed boot
before the OS is loaded

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Introduction
Basic repair skills

Developing a maintenance plan

Implementing a maintenance plan
Working inside a computer case
Following sequence of events that occur at startup

Advanced repair skills

Using common-sense guidelines to solve problems

Interviewing a user
Determining if a problem occurs before or after boot
Troubleshooting and solving a problem of a failed boot
Computer Systems Repair

PC Support Technician
Tools

Help you maintain a computer

Help you diagnose and repair computer
problems
Criteria for choosing tools:
Level of PC support you expect to provide
Amount of money you can spend

Some essential tools:

Ground bracelet, ground mat, or ground gloves
Torx screwdriver set
Recovery CD, DVD, or floppy disk for target OS

Store tools in toolbox for PC troubleshooting

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Figure 3-1 PC support technician tools

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Recovery CDs
Used to boot a system
Also used to repair and reinstall Windows
Primary recovery CD sources
PC manufacturer (preferred)
Operating system distributor, such as Microsoft

Some hard drives have a hidden recovery

partitions
A hidden partition can be used to reinstall Windows
A utility for creating recovery CDs may be provided
Access hidden utilities by pressing a Fn key at
startup
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Figure 3-2 Windows Setup CD and Windows Recovery CDs

for a notebook computer

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Loop-Back Plugs
Used to test various ports
Some port types: serial, parallel, USB,
network

How to use a loop-back plug

Plug in the loop-back plug
Run the software that comes with the plug

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Figure 3-3 Loop-back plugs used to test serial and parallel ports

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Cleaning Pads and

Solutions
Various types are designed for specific uses
Example: contact cleaner
Cleans contacts on expansion cards

Warning: solutions may be flammable and/or

toxic
Sources of safety and emergency instructions:
Side of the can of solution
Material safety data sheet (MSDS)

Adhere to safety procedures of your employer

Example: fill out an accident report (if required)
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Figure 3-5 Each chemical you use should have available

a material safety data sheet

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Post Diagnostic Cards

Report computer errors and conflicts at POST
How to use a POST diagnostic card:

Install card in an expansion slot on the motherboard

Attempt to boot your system
Record any error codes appearing in LED panel
Look up the entry associated with the error code

Examples of Post diagnostic cards:

PCI Error Testing/Debug Card by Winic Corporation
POST card V3 by Unicore Software, Inc.
Post Code Master by MSD, Inc.

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Figure 3-6 Post Code Master diagnostic card by MSD, Inc.

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Personal Computer Preventive

Maintenance
Preventive maintenance reduces number of
problems
Goals of preventive maintenance plans:
Prevent failures
Reduce repair costs
Reduce downtimes

Goal of disaster recovery plan: manage

failures
Some causes of PC failure: heat, dust, spills,
viruses
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When a PC is your Permanent

Responsibility
Tasks and procedures to prepare for
troubleshooting
Keep good backups of data and system files
Document all setup changes, problems, and
solutions
Protect the system against viruses and other
attacks
Always use a firewall (software or hardware barrier)
Install and run antivirus software
Keep Windows Updates current

Physically protect your equipment

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Figure 3-9 Configure antivirus software to scan e-mail and

instant message attachments and to download updates
automatically

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Creating a Preventive
Maintenance Plan
Plan based on history or pattern of
malfunctions
Example: PCs in dusty areas need more
maintenance

Goals common to maintenance plans

Extend the working life of a PC

Anticipate problems that could disrupt service
Ensure data is secure and backed up
Provide support to PC users

Basic steps involved in designing a plan

Define your overall goals
Incorporate procedures for achieving goals
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Dealing with Dust

Dust accumulates in layers over
components
Two major problems due to dust blankets
PC components directly overheat
Cooling fans jam, also resulting in overheating

Maintenance task: remove the layer of dust

Two tools used to remove dust:
Antistatic vacuum
Compressed air

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Preparing a Computer for

Shipping

Adverse factors to consider:

Rough handling
Exposure to water, heat, and cold
Misplacement or theft of computer

Some shipping guidelines to follow:

Backup the hard drive onto a backup medium

Remove inserted disks, tape cartridges, or CDs
Coil and secure all external cords
Separately wrap hardware components
Purchase insurance on the shipment
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Disposing of Used
Equipment
Various guidelines for disposing of equipment:
Table 3-2
Manufacturer documentation
Local environmental regulators

Danger posed by monitors and power supplies

Residual charge in capacitors can cause shock
Modern devices discharge if unplugged for 60
minutes
Older devices may require discharge with a probe

Destroy secondary storage devices with

sensitive data
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Table 3-2 Computer parts and how to dispose of them

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How to Work Inside a

Computer Case
Objective: dismantle a computer, put it back
together
Some safety precautions to follow:

Make notes that will help you backtrack

Keep screws and spacers orderly
Do not stack boards on top of each other
Do not touch the chips on circuit boards
Do not use a graphite pencil to change DIP settings
Turn off the power, unplug and ground the computer
Do not remove covers of monitors or power supplies
Keep components away from hair and clothing

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Static Electricity
Build-up of charge due to absence of conductors
Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Due to dissimilar electrical surfaces making contact
Only 10 volts of ESD can damage PC components
Walking across carpet generates up to 12,000 volts

Two types of damage: catastrophic and upset

failure
Tool and methods for grounding yourself and the PC
Ground bracelet, ground mats, static shielding bags,
antistatic gloves

If working inside a monitor, do not ground yourself

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Figure 3-13 A ground bracelet, which protects computer

components from ESD, can clip to the side of the computer case
and eliminate ESD between you and the case

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Steps to Take Apart a

Computer

Essential tools:

Ground bracelet
Phillips-head screwdriver
Flat-head screwdriver, paper, and pen

Follow safety precautions at all times

Summary of Steps 1 - 4
1. Enter CMOS and write down customized
settings
2. Power down the system, unplug all components
3. Put the computer on a good-sized table
4. Remove the cover of the PC
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Figure 3-19 Removing the cover

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Steps to Take Apart a

Computer (continued)
Summary of steps 5 - 11
5. Diagram cable connections and switch
settings
6. Identify cables connecting drives to
motherboard
7. Remove the cables to all drives
8. Remove the expansion cards
9. Remove the motherboard (or drives)
10. Remove the power supply from the case
11. Remove each drive (if not already
removed)
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Figure 3-33 Remove the motherboard from the case

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Steps to Put a Computer Back

Together
1. Install power supply, drives,
motherboard, cards
2. Connect all data and power cables
3. Plug in the keyboard, monitor, and
mouse
4. Ask instructor to check work (if in a
classroom)
5. Turn on the power and check PC
functions
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Understanding the Boot

Process
Key learning objectives
Know how to boot a PC
Understand what happens first when a PC is
turned on
Understand how an operating system is loaded

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Booting a Computer
Process that drives a computer to a
working state
Hard (cold) boot: turn the power switch
on
Soft (warm) boot: allow the OS to reboot
How to soft boot Windows XP
Click Start
Click Turn Off Computer
Click Restart
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Choosing Between a Hard

Boot and a Soft Boot
Hard boots are more stressful on machines
Power surges through system when PC is turned on

Reasons to choose a soft boot over hard boot

Less stressful on the machine
Faster due to skipping initial steps

Some computers have a soft and hard power

switch
Soft power switch shuts down and restarts Windows
Hard power switch cuts power and restarts machine

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The Startup BIOS Controls the

Beginning of the Boot
The startup BIOS gets a system up and
running
Four phases of the boot process:
BIOS runs the POST and assigns system
resources
POST: power-on self test

BIOS searches for and loads an OS

OS configures system and completes its own
loading
Application software is loaded and executed
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Figure 3-40 Boot Step 1: The ROM BIOS startup

program surveys hardware resources and needs and
assigns system resources to satisfy those needs

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Changing the Boot

Sequence
BIOS looks to CMOS RAM to locate the OS
Boot sequence: order of drives checked
for an OS
Change boot sequence using CMOS setup
utilities
Access CMOS setup utilities when PC is
turned on
Example: press F8 before Windows screen
appears
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Figure 3-42 Numbered steps show how BIOS searches for and begins
to load an operating system (in this example, Windows NT/2000/XP is
the OS)
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How to Troubleshoot a PC
Problem
Assume the attitude of an investigator
Do not compound the problem by your
own actions
Look at the problem as a learning
opportunity
Ask questions until you understand the
problem
Believe that you can solve the problem

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Steps to Solving a PC
Problem
Key advice:
Ask good questions
Document the process

Four-step problem solving process:

Step 1: Interview the user

Step 2: Back up data
Step 3: Solve the problem
Step 4: Verify the fix and document the
solution

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Figure 3-44 General approach to troubleshooting

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Troubleshooting a Failed
Boot
It takes time to acquire troubleshooting
skills
Hands-on training: troubleshooting a
failed boot

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My Computer Wont Boot

First step: maintain your calm
Second step: develop a game plan
Figure 3-45 provides a procedure
Plan is driven by a set of yes-no questions
Example: Does the PC boot properly?
If no, troubleshooter is directed to another
question
If yes, troubleshooter is directed to stop (for now)

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Figure 3-45 Use this flowchart when first facing a computer problem
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Troubleshooting Major
Subsystems Used For Booting
Categories of troubleshooting steps in
Figure 3-45
The electrical subsystem
Essential hardware devices
The motherboard, memory, and the CPU

Video
Reading from the hard drive

Key aides: tables identifying error codes

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Table 3-4 Beep codes and their meanings

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Summary
Some PC repair tools: recovery CDs,
screwdrivers, POST, cleaning pads and solutions,
diagnostic cards
Preventive maintenance plans extend the life of a
PC
Follow an organizations preventive maintenance
plan, or develop one if it does not exist
Computers present chemical and electrical
hazards
Protect components in case from ESD by
grounding yourself and the PC
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Summary (continued)
Assembling and reassembling a PC prepares
the technician for actual repair work
Startup BIOS controls when the boot
process begins
Four step boot process: POST, loading the
OS, OS initializing itself, loading and
executing applications
Expert troubleshooters ask good questions
Before tackling a problem, develop a game
plan
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