Chapter 03PC Repair Fundamentals
PC Repair Fundamentals In this chapter you will learn: ► About tools you’ll need as a PC support technician ► How to work inside a computer case ► How to approach and solve a PC problem ► How to troubleshoot a failed boot before the OS is loaded
PC Support Technician Tools ► Antistatic
mat and wrist strap ► Flat head and Philips head screw drivers ► Torx screw driver (T15) ► Tweezers ► Extractor ► CD and or thumb drive with System Recovery Software
Recovery CD’s ► System
Specific ► Can be ordered from the manufacturer ► Can sometimes be created by the computer ► Contain your OS, applications and drivers ► Must change the boot sequence to use them ► Must have a working CD/DVD drive
Loop Back Plugs ► Used
to test a serial, parallel, USB, network and other ports
Cleaning Pads and Solutions MSDS-Material Safety Data Sheet ► Solvents ► Paints ► Cleaners ► Pure Chemicals
Post Diagnostic Cards ► Diagnostic
Card ► Installs Into a PCI Port ► Monitors Boot Process and Reports Errors ► Not All Cards Do the Same Thing List of Vendors: ► www.unicore.com ► www.winic.com ► www.postcodemaster.com
Personal Computer Preventive Maintenance
When a PC is Your Permanent Responsibility ► Keep
good back ups of system data and system files ► Document all setup changes, problems and solutions
Protect the System Against Viruses and Other Attacks ► Always
Use a Firewall ► Install and Run Antivirus Software ► Keep Windows Updates Current
Physically Protect Your Equipment ► Don’t
Move or Shake Your Computer While it is On ► Don’t Smoke Around Your Computer ► Don’t Leave the PC Turned Off for Long Periods of Time ► Don’t Block the Air Vents ► Use Keyboard Covers
Physically Protect Your Equipment ► Humidity
is Bad for Hard Drives ► Keep Magnets Away From Your Computer ► Lock Up Your Data in a Safe Place ► Protect Your CD/DVD’s
Creating a Preventive Maintenance Plan Yearly Plan: ► Clean Inside the Case Monthly Plan: ► Delete Temporary and Recycling Bin Files ► Defragment Your Drives ► Clean Mouse, Keyboard and Monitor ► Run System Maintenance Software Weekly Plan: ► Update Antivirus Software ► Update Anti Spyware Software ► Run Full System Scans
Dealing with Dust ► Can
Cause Overheating ► Can Cause Fans to Jam You Can Use: ► Anti Static Vacuum ► Compressed Air ► Face Mask ► Eye Protection
Disposing of Used Equipment ► Monitors
Contain Charge After They Are Turned Off ► A High Voltage Probe Is Used To Discharge the Monitor with the Case Opened
Disposing of Used Equipment Part
How To Dispose
Alkaline batteries including AAA, AA, A, C, D and 9 Volt
Dispose of these batteries in the regular trash. First check to see if there are recycling facilities in your area.
Button batteries used in digital cameras, Flash Path and other small equipment; battery packs used in notebooks
These batteries can contain silver oxide, mercury, lithium or cadmium and are considered hazardous waste. Dispose of them by returning them to the original dealer or by taking them to a recycling center. To recycle, pack them separately from other items. If you don’t have a recycling center nearby, contact your county for local regulations for disposal.
Ink-jet printer cartridgesComputer Cases, power supplies and other computer partsMonitorsChemical solvents and cans-
Check with local county or environmental officials for laws and regulations in your area for proper disposal of these items. The county might have a recycling center that will receive them. Discharge a monitor before disposing of it.
Storage media such as hard drives, CD’s and DVD’s
Do physical damage to the device so it is not possible for sensitive data to be stolen. Then the device can be put in the trash.
How to Work Inside a Computer Case ► Make
notes as you work ► Stay organized ► Do not stack boards ► Protect the chip ► Do not use a graphite pencil ► Turn off the power and disconnect ► Never open monitors
Static Electricity ► Electro
Static Discharge (ESD) ► Static Electricity Can cause two types of failure: ► Catastrophic Failure ► Upset Failure To protect from ESD use: ► Anti Static Mat ► Anti Static Wrist Band ► Anti Static Gloves ► Anti Static Bags
Understanding the Boot Process
Booting a Computer Booting-”Lifting yourself up by your bootstraps” ► Hard/Cold Boot – Power On Switch ► Soft/Warm Boot – Using the OS to reboot
Choosing Between a Hard Boot and a Soft Boot ► Power
buttons are for cold boots ► Reset buttons are for hard boots ► The OS does a soft boot ► Soft Boots are preferred ► Use a hard boot when your computer is completely stuck/frozen ► Hard boots can cause damage to your data and your hardware
The Startup BIOS Controls the Beginning of the Boot 1.
2. 3. 4.
Startup BIOS runs the POST and assigns system resources- IRQ’s, I/O Addresses, Memory Addresses and DMA Channels The startup BIOS program searches for and loads an OS The OS configures the system and completes its own loading Application software is loaded and executed
POST and Assignment of System Resources ► POST
is a 17 step process ► Review the process on pg. 113
Startup BIOS Finds and Loads the OS ► Master
Boot Record (MBR) ► Partition Table ► Active Partition ► Boot Record ► Program File ► Ntldr – NT Loader for Win NT/2000/XP ► Io.sys – Input Output System file for 9x/Me along with Msdos.sys and Command.com
Changing the Boot Sequence ► Access
the BIOS activity
How to Troubleshoot a PC Problem ► Troubleshoot
- figure out what is wrong
and fix it. ► Listen to Mr. Fords Guide to the A+ Certification – Troubleshooting Podcast Episode 06
Steps to Solving a PC Problem
Step 1: Interview the User ► Begin
by asking the user questions to learn as much as you can about the problem and its cause
Step 2: Back Up the Data ► After
you have talked with the user, be sure to back up any data that is not currently backed up before you begin to work on the PC.
Step 3: Solve the Problem ► Establish
Your Priorities ► Know Your Starting Point ► Approach The Problem Systematically
Make No Assumptions ► Analyze
The Problem and Make an Initial Determination ► Check Simple Things First ► Beware Of User Error ► Divide And Conquer ► Trade Known Good For Suspected Bad ► Trade Suspected Bad For Known Good ► Become A Researcher
Make No Assumptions ► Write
Things Down ► Keep Your Cool And Don’t Rush ► Don’t Assume The Worst ► Reboot And Start Over
Step 4: Verify the Fix and Document the Solution ► Reboot
and check again ► Ask the user to test it out ► Keep a record of the symptom, the source of the problem and how you fixed it
Troubleshooting a Failed Boot
My Computer Wont Boot
Troubleshooting Major Subsystems Used for Booting
Troubleshooting the Electrical System
Troubleshooting POST Before the Video is Active
Troubleshooting Video
Troubleshooting Error Messages During the Boot