UNIT 5 – ASSEMBLY AND START UP OF

A COMPUTER SYSTEM

FUNDAMENTALS
OF
HARDWARE

Author: Lali Bellón Munera

Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Content Table

1. Precautions and safety warnings .........................................................................................................4

1.1. Workstation ..................................................................................................................................4
1.2. Electrical power precautions ........................................................................................................4
1.3. Electrostatic energy precautions ..................................................................................................4
1.4. Cautions on components ..............................................................................................................5
1.5. General cautions ...........................................................................................................................6
2. Tools and measuring devices ...............................................................................................................6
2.1. Tools ..............................................................................................................................................6
2.2. Multimeter or tester .....................................................................................................................8
3. Assembly sequence of a desktop unit............................................................................................... 10
3.1. Assembly steps .......................................................................................................................... 10
3.2. Power supply installation .......................................................................................................... 10
3.3. Mounting the motherboard in the case or chassis ................................................................... 11
3.4. Processor and cooling elements assembly ............................................................................... 12
3.5. RAM memory modules insertion .............................................................................................. 15
3.6. Fixing and connecting hard disk and DVD/CD-ROM drives...................................................... 16
3.7. Assembly and connection of other adapters and components ............................................... 19
3.8. Installation review ..................................................................................................................... 23
4. Malfunctions and their causes .......................................................................................................... 24
4.1. Starting the computer for the first time ................................................................................... 24
4.2. Problems .................................................................................................................................... 25
4.3. Factors that may affect the performance or durability of the components of a computer
equipment.............................................................................................................................................. 26
4.4. Preventive maintenance on portable equipment (laptops) .................................................... 28
4.5. Practical tips when finding out a breakdown ........................................................................... 29
4.6. Causes, symptoms and solutions to possible malfunctions ..................................................... 30
4.7. Common components failures .................................................................................................. 31
4.7.1. Common failures................................................................................................................ 31
4.7.2. Power supply failures ........................................................................................................ 32
4.7.3. Memory check failures ...................................................................................................... 32
4.7.4. Microprocessor problems.................................................................................................. 34
4.7.5. Motherboard problems ..................................................................................................... 36

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

4.7.6. Problems with floppy disks, CDs or DVDs ......................................................................... 36

4.7.7. Problems with storage devices ......................................................................................... 37
4.7.8. Problems with expansion cards ........................................................................................ 38
4.7.9. Problems with peripherals ................................................................................................ 39
4.7.10. Hardware incompatibilities and upgrades........................................................................ 41
5. Monitoring and checking tools.......................................................................................................... 41
6. Bibliography and links of interest ..................................................................................................... 46

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

UNIT 5 – ASSEMBLY AND START UP OF COMPUTER

SYSTEMS
1. Precautions and safety warnings

1.1. Workstation
The workplace should be well lit, uncluttered and suitable for the operations to be carried out there.

1.2. Electrical power precautions

Always make sure that the computer is turned off when handling components, for this it is convenient to
disconnect the power cable and the switch from the power supply (if applicable) or the battery (if it is a
laptop).

It is also recommended to always use grounded plugs.

Un-grounded plug Grounded plug

Figure 1.Source: https://www.leroymerlin.es

1.3. Electrostatic energy precautions

Electrostatic energy can damage the electronic devices sensitive
to it, as it can produce discharges of 4,000 volts
or higher, not visible to the human eye. These
components are marked on the packaging with
the ESD acronym (Electrostatic Sensitive
Device) and with a particular simbol to
differentiate them. They are usually packaged in metallic or pink
plastic bags with a printed black label .
Figure 2 https://www.vodex.co.uk/blog/what-
are-electrostatic-sensitive-components-and-
devices/

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Actions to prevent breakdowns related to static electricity:

o Use a professional antistatic bracelet or touch computer’s chassis during several seconds.
o Touch a faucet (the pipes, if they are metallic, act as a grounding point).
o Use an antistatic spray. Spray a cloth with the spray and rub the monitor, case and
keyboard.
o Avoid working on carpets that are not antistatic.
o Avoid wearing rubber-soled shoes.
o Avoid using metal bracelets.
o Avoid picking up components from areas other than the edges.

Figure 3: Antistatic bracelet Figure 4: https://www.reflexion-arts.com/precauciones-de-

seguridad-y-anti-estatica/

1.4. Cautions on components

 Microprocessor:
o Always use with the heatsink mounted and with thermal paste.
o Change the thermal paste when it is convenient, according to its use, always removing
the previous one and reapplying it before mountinig the heatsink.
o Do not manipulate the processor by the pins.

 Power supply
o Avoid unpplug the power cord when the equipment is in operation, this includes stand-
by or suspended.
o Do not locate the power supply or the equipment in a place with high temperature or
humidity.
o Extreme caution when handling the power supply even after it has been disconnected, as
high voltages are stored inside.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Motherboard
o It is not recommended to place the board on the antistatic bag in which it is protected for
handling and assembling the components on it, as this bag may have stored the
electrostatic charge in the external area.
o Always hold the board by the edges, never by the components.
o Avoid handling the board unnecessarily and only remove it from the bag when it is to be
assembled.
o Do not stack boards on top of each other as this may damage the connectors.

 Memory
o Do not hold the memory sticks by the connectors, but by the edges.
o Carefully insert it into the board slots, paying attention to the position of the notch that
separates the two rows of connectors.

 Magnetic hard disks

o Place the disks in a horizontal position.
o Do not move a disk connected to the power supply.
o Do not expose the diskto magnetick sources that could damage the stored data.
o Avoid hitting the disc or handling it roughly as the heads may damage the platter.
o Do not open the disk.
o Do not touch the electronic circuitry on the bottom of the disk.

 CDs, DVDs y Blu-Ray

o Always clean from the center to the ends, never in a circular motion.

1.5. General cautions

 Do not force any component when inserting them into bays or slots, follow the instructions on
the motherboard, heatsinks, fans…
 Safeguard the contacts of the screws that join the motherboard to the chassis with protective
pads.
 Avoid contact of liquids with the equipment. If any liquid is spilled on an electronic component,
let it dry for a few days in an environment as dry as possible.
 Avoid dust accumulation inside the equipment. It is recommended to remove it using a soft bruxh,
a small vacuum cleaner or a specific spray.

2. Tools and measuring devices

2.1. Tools
The following tools are the most commonly used by technicians when manipulating computer
systems:

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Screwdrivers

Screwdrivers of different sizes and tips will be used, especially Phillips and flat screwdrivers, as well as
Tork screwdrivers for opening mechanical hard disks.

Figure5. Source: https://www.mechanicalbooster.com/2018/05/types-of-screwdrivers.html

 Tweezers

They can be useful for support or handling of small components, such as jumpers.

 Pliers

Different types of pliers can be usefuul in the computer technician’s work, such as:

o Jawed: to clamp the plates of bays or expansion slots.

o Elongated: for the same purpose as the clamps.
o Cutting: for cutting flanges and other hard materials.

 Thermal paste

Because the surface of the heatsink is not strictly smooth, thermal paste must be applied to cover those
gaps that remain between the two surfaces when mounted on the motherboard, as it conducts heat
better thatn the air that would remain between those gaps. It is also important to apply the right amount
and to do it on the processor surface, spreading it with a card so that it is well distributed.

In the following pictures, three different states of the thermal paste are showed:

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Correct, both phases are well Dry due to time and high Too liquid, the solid phase has
mixed working temperature precipitated inside the syringe

Nowadays there are heatsinks that already come with thermal paste from the factory, so it is not
necessary to apply it in the initial assembly of the equipment, but it is interesting to change it from time
to time (every year or every 2 years, depending on the quality of the paste and the use given to the
equipment).

 Other
o Brushes
o Flanges

o Soldering iron and solder: these can be useful when repairing or splicing cables, or replacing
components.

Figure 6: Soldering iron and tin solder wire

2.2. Multimeter or tester

The multimeter is an instrument for measuring several quantities (voltage,
current, resistance, continuity measurement, diode and transistor
testing…) that may be necessary for the repair or testing of certain
computer components.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Voltage measurement (voltmeter)

The voltage is measured in paralel, you

have to se the multimeter selector in the
correct scale and the test leads in the right
places (black or ground in the COM plug
and the red or positive one in the V plug)

 Current measurement (ammeter)

The current is measured in series, you

have to se the multimeter selector in the
correct scale and the test leads in the
right places (black or ground in the COM
plug and the red or positive one in the 10
A or AΩhFE plug)
Test leads

 Resistance measurement (ohmmeter):

The resistance is measured as the

voltage, but placing the selector and
the test leads in the correct places.

 Continuity measurement:

Finally, to measure if there is continuity along a wire, we have to select the diode or musical note
symbol and put the test leads on the ends of the cable or component we want to test. If we heard a
beep there is current passing through it.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Tips for correct use

o Do not touch the metal tips when taking measurements.
o Do not exceed the margins indicated for each scale value.
o Adjust the function and range to appropriate values in accordance with the
measurements.
o Disconnect the tips before changing the scale.
o Do not perform resistance tests on powered circuits.
o Do not perform capacitance measurements without first checking that the
capacitor is discharged.
o Do not use the multimeter with wet hands or in a very humid environment.

3. Assembly sequence of a desktop unit

3.1. Assembly steps

The steps to assemble a desktop computer are listed below and are developed in the following sections,
although it is important to indicate that the assembly sequence is indicative, since in case of having any
component that, due to its size or special difficulty of mounting requires it, the order will be altered to
facilitate its installation.

o Power supply installation

o Motherboard assembly
o Processor assembly
o RAM connection
o Mounting the hard disk and optical drives
o Expansion cards assembly
o Assembly of the rest of the components

Before proceed to assembly, we take the secure and safety measurements already studied.

3.2. Power supply installation

The first step is to open the case by removing the screws from the right side cover on the back of the case
and store them in a safe place. Slide the cover backwards.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

We lay the box horizontally on the table to work comfortably inside it.

To begin with, and depending on the model and age of the case, we will screw the power supply to the
case. Although it is common sense, remember that the power supply must be disconnected from the
mains during the whole assembly process..

Figure7: Power supply installation into the case

3.3. Mounting the motherboard in the case or chassis

As indicated above, the assembly sequence does not necessarily have to be the same as described below;
it is up to the user to follow this order or vary it, depending on the type of equipment and elements to be
assembled.

Remember to hold the board by the edes, without touching the circuitry.

To fix the motherboard to the chassis, we must have the screws that comes
with the case and may also include pastic parts, all to prevent the
connections and soldering of the bottom of the board, are in contact with
the metal part of the case and could produce a short circuit or damage the
board.

Screw fastening system Clip fastening system

Figure 8: motherboard fastening systems

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Locate the screw-in points on the plate, round holes

surronded by a silver crown. These screw points must
coincide with the holes in the chassis.

Once we have locate the points and screwed the

spacers that will support the board, it is recommended
to proceed to assemble the processor and memory
sticks in their sockets, before finally placing the board in
the chassis, for convenience and ease.

Figure 9: Location of bolting points and spacers

Figure 10: Motherboard appearance once the processor, fan and

memory are already assembled.

3.4. Processor and cooling elements assembly

 Processor

Locate the socket and its side lever. Remove the plastic protector and unlock it (by briefly moving the
lever outwards and then lifting it until it is in a vertical position forming an angle between 90° and 120°.
Lift the upper metal cover.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Hold the processor by the edges and remove the protective cover without touching the connectors on the
bottom. Remove any stickers on the top of the processor.

The processor supports only one position into the socket. Identify the position in which it must be
inserted.

Once the position of the processor is clear, place the lower part of the micro in contact with the socket,
without forcing or pressing, until it fits correctly. Subsequently, lower the metal cover and place the
clamping lever in its horizontal position.

 Cooling elements

Check the compatibility between heatsink/fan and processor and the type of fastening required (press-fit
or screwed).

Both AMD and Intel compatible heatsinks/fans are available on the market.

Use the processor manufacturer corresponding frame.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Figure 11: Different components to assembly the fan for AMD and Intel processors.

Use conductive thermal paste for proper heat transfer between the processor and the heatsink.

It may already come in the heatsink itself but if not, you can use a tube-shaped thermal paste dispenser
as shown in the following images:

Tube-shaped termal paste dispenser Placing the termal paste on the processor

Screw or fasten the heatsink frames to the motherboard from the top and bottom if necessary, following
the instructions in the heatsink manual.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Screw the heatsink frame on the processor Screw the heatsink frame at the bottom if
needed.

Carefully place the heatsink on the processor, fit the last anchoring piece and attach the fan power
connector to the motherboard (CPU_FAN).

Fix the heatsink and connect the fan to the motherboard

3.5. RAM memory modules insertion

Locate in the motherboard manual the possible memory module configurations supported, specifications,
supported speeds, maximum sizes, if Dual/Triple/Quad Channel technologies are available.

Locate the notch between the memory connectors to orient them correctly for insertion.

Figure 11: Notch between the connectors

Lower the side safety tabs (white plastic clips)

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Place the memories in their slots, so that the notch on the bottom
is correctly aligned with the notch on the motherboard. Press down
until it stops and the memory connectors are correctly snapped
into place. Press down on both sides at the same time and without
forcing until the white clips are vertical and a click is heard.

Check that the side tabs are in thir initial position, fixing the
memory definitively.

Nowadays all personal computers automatically recognize the memory inserted in the motherboard, so,
initially, no configuration settings in the BIOS for size, quantity and speed will be necessary.

To remove a memory module, simultaneously release the side safety tabs at each end of the socket, pull
the module upwards and place it in its antistatic bag/box.

3.6. Fixing and connecting hard disk and DVD/CD-ROM drives

Most current hard disks (and DVD/CD drives is available) connect to the motherboard via the SATA
connector.

The SATA data cables are connected to the disk and the
motherboard. They have just two connectors so that only
one drive (hard disk, optical drive…) can be connected per
cable.

The connectors on the SATA data cables are 7-pin

connectors. One oned of the cable will be connected to the
motherboard and the other end to the SATA data
connector on the disk.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

To hard disk drive installation:

Insert the disk into on of the available 3½ bays.

Secure the disk to the chassis with the screws or

clamps, or, if the case has removable bays, remove
one of them, place the disk, and insert it back into the
case.

The disk must be properly fixed (specially if it is a mechanical type), since it rotates at high speed and is a
shock-sensitive device.

Figure 12: Solid State Disk screwed on the chassis

The next step will be to power the hard disk via the SATA power connector.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

And finally, connect the SATA data cable (on end to the drive and the other to the SATA port on the
motherboard).

We will to the same for all the SATA drives we have to install, other hard disks, DVDs, CD-ROM…

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

In case of using a drive with IDE/PATA interface (not very common nowadays), we will use the power
supply for this type of devices, look for the IDE data connector on the motherboard, and using the
master/slave system, we will configure the jumpers of the devices. Then we will install and connect
everything to the motherboard.

3.7. Assembly and connection of other adapters and components

 Wiring connection of enclosure front, LED/SW, USB, audio and speaker

To continue and following the instructions in the manual of the board, we will connect the wiring from
the front of the case to the motherboard.

We have several different cables, speaker/audio AC97-HD, LED/SW, USB and eSATA wiring.

o Speaker/audio AC´97–HD connector

If we have audio-micro connections on the front of the case, we will have a cable with AC’97-HD audio
that we will have to connect to the motherboard. Normally we will only connect one of the two types
(AC’97 or HD) depending on our system. In the BIOS we will have to choose the one we have connected.
We will look at the location and correct positioning in the manual and simply connect it.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

o Front USB connectors

If the front of the case has USB connectors we will have to connect them to the motherboard through
their specific cables.

Depending on the motherboar model, we may have a support tab to facilitate the connection. It is
important the correct placement of all the pins, because if we fail in the position (especially in the 5v
power pin), the motherboard will not allow the computer to boot.

Once we have located both the USB connection point on the board and the cables coming from the front
in their correct position (with or without chip support), we only have to connect them without forcing.

Never insert an IEEE 1394 cable into the USB connector, as this could damage the board.

Figure 13: USB conection on the motherboard

o Front panel wiring connection, LED/SW

The remaining cables that come from the front of the case are the LEDs that indicate the operation of the
hard disk (IDE_LED) and the equipment running light (PLED), as well as the reset and start buttons of the
computer (Reset SW and Power SW).

As before, we will look at the board manual to locate the location and position of all the cables. If we have
a support card we will use it to facilitate the task. Although on most motherboards, it is silkscreened where
each cable goes next to the front panel connector.

Once the cables are correctly placed in position, we only have to connect them to the motherboard.

Figure 14: LED/SW connection schematic and support tab for connection to the board.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Graphics card and expansion cards connection

If our motherboard does not have a graphics card or we want to improve the existing one, it is necessary
to install a card through the different types of bus of our motherboard.

As discussed in the expansion cards units, PCI and AGP type cards are obsolte, so we will normally install
a PCI Express x16 type card.

Locate the PCI Express x16 slot

on the motherboard. If there
is more than one, check the
motherboard manual to see
which one is the most suitable
for the connection of the main
graphics card.

Figure 15: PCI Express x16 to

Locate the tab on the chassis corresponding to the graphics card output and, graphic card installation (blue
ones)
using a pair of small pliers, carefully remove the protective metal plate.

If your graphics card needs its own power supply, locate the connectors and the necessary wiring and
connect them (see Figure 16)

Figure 16: Graphics card power supply connectors and connection

Hold the graphics card by the top/side edges and gently align it over the PCI Express slot and press it down
until it clicks into place without forcing it. Once installed, screw it into the chassis to secure it in place.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Figure 17: Graphics card insertion

There are models on the market that occupy two outputs, so we must take this into account at the time
of installation and anticipate that we will lose a PCI slot. In our case, the PCI Express slot in the middle of
the two PCI Expressx16 slots is blocked by the graphics card.

If we have to install more expansion cards, such as video capture cards, TV tuners, port expansion cards,
etc., we will follow the same steps: locate the bus type, remove the corresponding metal tab and finally
insert the card and screw it into the chassis.

Figure 18: Graphics card connectors, occuping 2 slots

 Connecting the power supply to the motherboard

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Connecting case fans to the motherboard FAN connectors

3.8. Installation review

Before putting the finishing touches and closing the box, it is advisable to connect the computer to the
power supply and examine the correct operation of the equipment. To do this we connect the power
cord to an electrical outlet, and plug in at least the keyboard and monitor.

We have to check in the BIOS that all the memory and disk drives that are installed are detected, that
all the fans/sinks are operational, that the Power and Reset buttons work correctly, that the indicator
LEDs are illuminated, etc.

If everything is correct, we disconnect the equipment from the electric current and we will place all
the internal cables in such a way that they are grouped, do not disturb or get caught with the devices.
For this we will use flanges or fasteners.

The new boxes have cable glands and outlets at the rear to facilitate this work, thus achieving greater
order in the wiring.

Finally, we put the box covers in place, screwing them correctly.

We only need to connect all the peripherals and external devices and proceed with the installation of
the operating system.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Figure 19: Different views of the box with the cables arranged by ties or fasteners and already closed once the assembly has been
completed.

4. Malfunctions and their causes

4.1. Starting the computer for the first time

In today's PC, most software-related problems can be solved by reinstalling and resetting the software.
Other problems, even if they seem to be software related, may be due to the installation of some
hardware element and the incompatibility of the hardware with the software, or between the board and
any element that has to be mounted on it; for example, hard disks, cards, memory, micro, etc.

Sometimes, as soon as the computer does not work, attempts are made to locate the fault in hardware
devices or in some other component of the computer, when in fact the fault is simpler to locate. For
example, it may happen that the keyboard does not respond because the connector has been accidentally
disconnected, or that nothing is visible on the screen because we have inadvertently unplugged the
monitor connection. You should always start looking for the simplest solutions to each problem, no matter
how obvious or simple it may seem.

There are no magic formulas to solve all the problems that may occur in the computer, but there are a
series of processes or general guidelines that we can follow to identify what may be causing the problem.
In this topic different guidelines, tips and suggestions are presented to locate and solve the problems that
may arise. In addition, some very useful programs are proposed and explained when we have to repair a
computer.

 Initial checks

Once the assembly of the PC has been completed, we have to make an initial study to avoid the
appearance of problems. We must check:

o If the motherboard is well connected to the case and receives power from the power supply.
o If the microprocessor, the heatsink and the fan are well fastened and connected, and if they
receive power from the power supply.
o Whether the memory modules are securely fastened and in the proper position.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

o Whether the cards are properly inserted into their slots and fastened with the screws.
o If the hard disk, DVD, CD and floppy disk drive connectors are properly connected to the power
supply and the motherboard.
o If the connectors on the front of the case are properly connected to the position indicated on the
motherboard.

After this first check, and before plugging in the computer, we will check:

o That the external connections, as they are keyboard, mouse and monitor, are correctly in their
connector.
o That the power supply reaches the power supply of the PC and the monitor.

After carrying out these checks, we can now plug in the PC. We will then examine if all the fans are
spinning, if the LEDs on the front panel light up and if the different units also light up.

If everything is OK, you will hear a single beep and the typical BIOS messages will appear on the screen.

4.2. Problems
 Illuminated and audible warning signals

It may happen that when you plug in the PC and start the boot process, the computer emits a series of
beeps. This is the motherboard's way of communicating the system status.

The meaning of some beeps may be as follows:

o A single beep indicates that everything is OK.

o One, two or three beeps or a continuous beep usually indicate a memory error. There may be
several reasons for this: it is not installed correctly, the memory speed is incompatible with the
motherboard, or there is a faulty socket on the motherboard.
o One long beep and two or three short beeps may indicate a video card failure. We must check
that it is properly inserted in its slot. We can try another video card.
o Six beeps, keyboard failure. The most immediate solution is to replace the keyboard. If the new
keyboard does not work, the port is bad.
o Eight beeps, video card problems.

These audible codes are not the same for all BIOS, as each one has its own code. To consult the audible
codes (beeps) and error messages, it is advisable to access the BIOS manufacturer's website.

In addition to audible warnings, messages may appear on the screen, such as, for example

o ROM BIOS checksum error. When checking the ROM BIOS status, an error has been detected.
These types of errors are serious and the only solution is to replace the board.
o CMOS battery failed (CMOS battery failed). The battery needs to be replaced. although we can
still start the computer if we press F1 as indicated by the error itself, but the BIOS parameters that
we had saved will not be loaded.
o Keyboard error or keyboard not present (keyboard error or no keyboard present).

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

o Hard disk install failure (hard disk install failure). Cannot find the hard disk. Check that the hard
disk is working properly and that it is properly connected and configured.
o Boot failure (boot failure). Cannot find the boot disk.

4.3. Factors that may affect the performance or durability of the

components of a computer equipment.

 The temperature

Temperature is one of the main factors of failure and degradation of electronic devices. It is often the
devices themselves that destroy themselves, since a large part of the energy they receive is transformed
into heat.

The millions of transistors that make up the microprocessors are to blame for the fact that these are the
elements that heat up the most in a computer. Every time a transistor changes from one state to another,
it consumes energy and therefore heats up and causes the microprocessor to heat up.

New manufacturing technologies are focused on reducing heat and power consumption and increasing
performance. To this end, microprocessors are manufactured with a greater number of cores each time,
which increases performance, and the manufacturing size of the transistors is reduced, thus reducing
voltage and therefore heat.

However, there are elements to combat excess temperature in microchips, such as heatsinks and fans.

 What happens if the fan breaks down?

If the fan fails (because it is faulty or because dirt does not allow it to work properly) the components can
be damaged, as they reach high temperatures in a short time. The core of the microprocessor is made of
silicon crystal and can break down at extreme temperatures. As a rule, however, microprocessors already
have built-in temperature control technologies that cause them to stop working when a certain threshold
is exceeded.

 Maximum acceptable component temperatures

Components Ideal maximum temperature

Processor 65°
Hard Disk 55°
Case 45°
Power Supply 99°

These components could theoretically operate at higher temperatures, but this would result in a longer
lifespan. The temperature can be measured via software or hardware sensors.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Dust and particles

Dust is everywhere suspended in the air and is deposited on the surfaces of objects.

The problem with electronic devices is that the deposited dust decreases the cooling of the components
by clogging ventilation slots, fans, etc. To avoid dust in the equipment, you can use anti-dust grids, clean
the outside of the case with a damp cloth with an anti-dust product and periodically clean the inside of
the equipment (every 6 months - 1 year) by displacing the dust with an anti-dust spray. These sprays carry
pressurized air and due to their composition do not damage the components. Avoid spraying with other
types of sprays.

 Humidity and corrosion

Normally the equipment is designed to work with a certain degree of humidity. Humidity causes corrosion
to occur on equipment components. However, if the equipment is expected to operate somewhere with
very high humidity (above 80%), a dehumidifier should be used.

Liquids are another hazard. In case any liquid falls on any electronic component, the first thing to do is to
turn it off. Once it has been switched off, it is recommended to disassemble it as well as possible, dry it
well piece by piece and reassemble it. In the case that the liquid is not water, it is necessary to remove
the liquid using the minimum possible water and to dry it well before assembling it. It is necessary that
the parts are well dried before putting the device into operation.

 Shock and vibration

Normally the element that suffers the most from impacts is the hard disk. An impact is not the same when
the equipment is switched off as when it is switched on. In the latter case it is much worse.

Vibrations can damage the hard disk and can sometimes cause components to come loose from their
connectors or sockets. To prevent vibrations from affecting the equipment, the components must be
properly secured. A good enclosure also greatly reduces vibrations.

 Electrostatic energy (electrostatic discharges)

Static energy accumulates in the human body, this is unavoidable. It can occur when walking on a
carpet, unpacking and removing plastic from a product, etc.

When a person is statically charged and touches a component then it discharges. These discharges are
often not visible to the human eye but are lethal to electronic components.

Tips to avoid electrostatic discharges are:

o Avoid working on carpets, rugs, or plastic floors such as vinyl.

o Avoid wearing wool or synthetic clothing.
o Keep components in their antistatic bag until they are assembled.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Magnetism

Magnets and electromagnets often have a negative effect on magnetic devices (such as hard disks,
floppy disks, tapes...) As magnetic elements are less and less used, magnetism is becoming less and less
dangerous for computing.

4.4. Preventive maintenance on portable equipment (laptops)

When using a laptop there are several rules to follow to prevent possible failures or breakdowns. You
could call them rules of good conduct:

 Software: Perform periodic backups of both data and the entire system. There are many
alternatives for this (CD, DVD, pendrive, external hard disks, network drives...). An
effective way of safeguarding data is to make a disk image every so often and copy the
user's data more frequently. It is also necessary to protect the computer against possible
viruses and other malware with antivirus, firewall, etc.

 Liquids and other products: Prevent liquids, crumbs, dust... from falling into the
equipment. Normally they fall to the keyboard and from this to the interior of the
equipment. In the case that some liquid falls it is necessary to turn off the portable one,
to retire it and to dry it during long time (48 hours at least) in a dry and ventilated place
so that it dries completely. Do not turn the equipment back on until it is completely dry.

 Transport: The laptop must be transported in the best conditions. Use a case or backpack
in which the equipment (and accessories) can be properly secured. The carrying bag must
be hard and properly padded to avoid possible damage if it is knocked or bumped.

 Functioning: Place the notebook on a smooth, hard surface to work on. If placed on a soft
surface the air inlets and outlets will become clogged and the notebook will end up
overheating excessively.

 How to use: When it is not going to be used for a long time, the laptop should be turned
off. Use standby or hibernation only when necessary, do not abuse this feature (it saves
energy and extends the life of the laptop).

 Battery: Always work with the battery. When the battery is low, the notebook should be
charged. If the equipment is going to be used for a long time, the battery can be
disconnected and plugged into the mains if desired. Nevertheless it is necessary to bear
in mind that always with the use the batteries are losing load capacity.

 Proper cleaning and maintenance: Cleaning your laptop components and change the
thermal paste, for example, can help extend the life of your laptop.
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Figure 20: Source: www.comuterhoy.com

4.5. Practical tips when finding out a breakdown

As has been said many times before, do not handle the equipment with the power cord plugged in.

Static energy is the worst partner of the components.

When the failures occur once the operating system is booted, it is necessary to rule out a possible software
error by using a linux live CD (to see if an operating system can work properly on the machine), update
the latest drivers...

In the event that an operation is performed, you must know at all times what you are doing. If we touch
without control and without precautions we can damage the equipment even more.

Think about any hardware or software operation performed recently to see if it can be related to the new
failure.

When a change is made, it is tested individually. If too many changes are made, the technician may get
lost and not know what is really wrong.

It is always better (and sometimes faster) to use diagnostic tools such as parted magic, hdtune, torture
test, etc ... rather than manipulate the equipment. It is necessary to open just when it is strictly necessary.

The failures can be of the components themselves or sometimes of a BAD CONNECTION of the same ones.
A graphics card may not work because it is not properly installed and therefore the card does not have to
be broken.

Carefully analyze the symptoms of the malfunctions and try to find the component that is failing. For it if
it makes fatla will be consulted forums of Internet, pages Web specialized…

When you do not know for sure what is happening, you will check by elimination by testing component
by component. Sometimes it is the combination of components that fails, so you have to take this into
account (sometimes the power supply cannot handle all the installed components and you remove a disk
and the equipment works. It would be wrong to say that it is the fault of the disk).

What if more than one component is damaged? This point should never be ruled out.

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Many errors can be detected from the POST and BIOS. Pay attention to the messages and sounds of the
computer during and before the operating system boot.

There are many components or models of equipment that present the same faults. Usually the problem
you are facing is not the first one. For that, a good tool is the Internet through forums and other specialized
pages.

4.6. Causes, symptoms and solutions to possible malfunctions

Equipment shuts down suddenly
Thermal paste may not have been applied to the
Put thermal paste (just enough) and test again.
microprocessor during assembly
Clean the dirt and check that the fan is working
The fan does not work because of dirt.
properly.
Replace the fan and if you can't find one, replace
The fan does not work (it is faulty).
the heatsink and fan.
The fan does not work Check that it is connected to the motherboard
The fan or heatsink does not cool enough (they Change heatsink and fan for a more efficient
are too small for the micro). model.
Evaluate if it is safe to increase this parameter in
the BIOS and modify it to a higher but safe value.
The value in the BIOS to have an overheat
If after increasing the value the computer
shutdown is very low.
continues to overheat, the problem must be
different.
There may be an error in the operating system,
drivers or in some of the programs that are
running.
A very good option is to boot with a Linux live CD
Could it be a software bug?
for example and work with it for a while in case
the problem is reproduced. If the live CD works
correctly we have two options: investigate or
reinstall (the latter is sometimes much faster).
Sometimes the power supply can cause
capricious system shutdowns and reboots,
especially if it is low power. A good way to check
Could it be the power supply?
this is to have another power supply of higher
power and plug the components to this new
power supply.
The equipment turns on but the monitor does not show anything on the screen.
Before going on to check for a more serious fault,
The cable from the monitor to the computer is
it is necessary to rule out these truisms. Also rule
not properly connected.
out that the cable is making a bad contact.
To check this, you can install a graphics card on
the computer if the graphics card is integrated on
Graphics card failure. the board or replace it with another one. If this
still does not work, the problem could be in
another component.
If we have checked the different components and
Motherboard failure. they work, the fault may be in the motherboard.
The solution is to replace it.
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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Sometimes it may be a false adjustment (it is

removed and put in). Replace the memory with a
Memory failure.
functioning and compatible one to rule out this
point.
Were any BIOS parameters changed? It can happen when overclocking has done.
Check the supply voltages and whether the
Faulty power supply
power is sufficient.
It can be checked by connecting it to another
Monitor failure.
monitor.
The PC does not turn on
Check that the cable connected to the equipment
Is it connected? has power (e.g. by connecting it to the monitor).
Check if the source switch is set to off.
We will check the power supply (bypass the
Faulty power supply.
power supply and see if the fan works).*
To check this, it would be best to have another
computer to change the components of the
Motherborad failure.
faulty one except the board (micro, memory...) or
another motherboard to test.
If the fault is in the microprocessor, the computer
does nothing at all (neither beeps nor displays
anything on the screen because the POST is not
executed). The quickest check is to replace the
microprocessor with another one that is the
Processor failure
same or compatible with the computer. If the
equipment now works, the microprocessor may
have "burned out". Do not forget to apply
thermal paste or silicone when replacing a
microprocessor.
First make sure that it is the memory that is
failing. We should replace it with another one
Memory failure.
and restart the PC. If the error persists, it was not
the memory.
Table 1: Cause, symptoms and solutions to possible malfunctions

4.7. Common components failures

4.7.1. Common failures

Some of the most common failures we may find out are the following:

o Computer does nothing when turned on

o Nothing is visible on the monitor screen
o The hard disk is not detected by the computer
o The mouse pointer does not move or the keyboard does not respond
o The CD or DVD drive does not read disks.

The following sections attempt to provede a solution to this type of problem.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

4.7.2. Power supply failures

The power supply is a component responsible for at least one third of PC failures. Problems will usually
appear due to lack of electrical power supply. Some of the most common electrical problems are as
follows:

o Voltage Spikes: these are high voltage fluctuations that occur unexpectedly and usually last
for a short period of time.
o Outages: is the total loss of electrical current.
o Surges: is the increase in voltage out of normal levels that does not drop suddenly, as in the
case of spikes, but is sustained. It can occur when someone nearby is using an electrical
appliance that requires a large amount of energy and suddenly turns it off.
o Voltage sags: this is the opposite of overvoltage, except that the spike will be eliminated
quickly, although it can last for several seconds or even minutes. If it drops too much or for too
long, it can be considered a blackout.

Some of the symptoms that may signify a feeding problem include:

 The PC crashes or restarts for no apparent reason.

 Hard disk failures, write errors, file access errors, etc. occur.
 Errors occur in data transmission between network nodes.
 Some internal components fail.
 Lights flicker and vary in intensity.
 The PC behaves strangely when a power-hungry device is connected.

There are a few devices that can be used to protect the computer and its power supply. Some of them
are:

 Voltage suppressors: Many multi-tap connectors include the ability to protect

devices connected to it from surges or spikes. They have a built-in component
to divert surge energy to a grounding circuit.

o Uninterrumptible Power Supplies or UPS: They function like a

large battery and battery charger. It provides connected
devices with a constant flow of power sithout current
fluctuations. Likewise, it provides protection to the computer
against spikes, blockouts, surges and brownouts.

To check the power supply without an spetific tester (like the figure 22), the procedure is to short-circuit
the green pin with any black pin (ground) of the ATX connector and once connected to the mains proceed
to measure the different voltages obtained on each of the pins. The results should be the following:

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Figure 21: Power supply connector voltage values

Figure 22: Power supply tester

4.7.3. Memory check failures

Memory problems are difficult to troubleshoot, and can occur during the startup process or when an
application is running.

Some of the situations in which these problems occur are:

o After installing the memory, the boot or POST process produces one, two, three beeps or a
continuos beep (depending on the BIOS) and nothing appears on the screen. We have to make
sure that the memory module is perfectly fitted in its socket and that the type and speed of
memory used is compatible with the memory
that the motherboard can support. We will
also check the order of the memory sockets; if
they are not all occupied. To do this we will
consult the motherboard and memory
documentation.

o It may happen that during the boot or POST

process the memory count displayed is wrong
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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

and is lower than it should be. In this case, the BIOS does not recognize all the memory installed.
It may be because it is incompatible or larger than the system can support.

o The computer displays an error message similar to these: memory address error at xxxxx;
memory failure at xxxxx, read yyyyy, expecting zzzzzzz; memory parity error at xxxxx; memory
parity error at xxxxx; etc. May be due to a failed memory module or some other problem with the
motherboard.

o Software-related memory problems: Most are the result of how the application handles memory.
These include registry errors, general and page protection failures, and exception errors. Who
hasn't seen the typical Windows blue screen on the screen telling us that there are errors?
Restarting the computer will solve some of these problems.

o A computer is working fine and suddenly starts to have memory problems. We should unplug
and snap back the memory modules and check for corrosion on the contacts and slot connectors.
It may be that the heating of the computer has damaged the memory or other components.

Figure 23: Memory checking software: Memtest86

4.7.4. Microprocessor problems

When a mircrocessor is not working, the solution is to replace it. However, may processor problems have
to do with other elements suchas as the system cooling, power supply, motherboard compatibility…

Some of the symptoms that indicate a possible microprocessor failure are:

o The computer does not boot.

o The computer boots, but does not start the operating system.
o The computer stops working during the operating system startup process, and if it starts, it
crashes frequently when running applications.
o The computer suddenly has POST parity error problems on many devices.
o The computer crashes after a few minutes of operation.

If you encounter any of these symptoms, check the microprocessor and system cooling, the power
connection to the motherboard and clean the inside of the computer case.

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Figure 24: Different products to check and clean inside the computer case

 Processor heating

When a computer starts up without problems and works correctly but after a while it stops (the keyboard
and mouse do not respond and the screen shows the image of the last process that was running), it is
likely that the microprocessor is overheating.

When this situation occurs, follow these steps:

o Turn off the computer.

o Turn it on again after a few minutes, giving the microprocessor time to cool down.
o If the same situation mentioned above occurs again, it is because the processor has not cooled
down enough and is overheating. You may need to add a fan or heat sink to the micro or add
supplemental cooling fans to the computer case.

 BIOS parameters

We also need to check the CPU configuration in the BIOS. We will check the microprocessor speed; if it is
increased, we will reset it to the original value. To do this we will check the motherboard and
microprocessor documentation and look for the appropriate settings or restore the BIOS to factory
defaults.

Next, we will examine the BIOS for the proper microprocessor, RAM and chipset settings. This is usually
found in the advanced functions menu of the chipset.

This menu will depend on the BIOS; in some it is called

Advanced, in others Advanced BIOS Features, and in others
Chipset Features Setup; in any case and to be sure, consult
the motherboard manual. If the parameters are set to use
custom options, write them down and then select the
default option. Someone may have tried to force the
system to run faster and the micro and memory may not
work that way.

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4.7.5. Motherboard problems

The motherboard contains most of the system processing components. The BIOS POST examines all
subsections of the motherboard each time system power is turned on, so most problems are detected
well before the operating system boots.

Listed below are a number of rules that should help us identify and correct motherboard problems:

o Check all connectors. Starting with the power connector and each of the cables and connectors
attached to the motherboard.
o Checking all components mounted on the board, such as the microprocessor or memory, which
must be correctly fitted.
o Check the board for foreign objects. A screw, a paper clip or a piece of wire can lead to a short
circuit that can disable the motherboard.
o Check if all jumpers and DIP switches are set correctly.
o Inspect all screws on the backplane and check that they do not touch the PCB traces. It is
recommended that they are fitted with a protective washer.

Occasionally, the motherboard may be deformed due to expansion caused by the heat of the equipment
and the ambient temperature. This deformation causes some elements, and especially the cards, to
disengage from their slots, and thus stop working. The most advisable thing to do is to replace this
motherboard as soon as possible.

4.7.6. Problems with floppy disks, CDs or DVDs

Floppy booting was very common in the days of the Windows 98 operating system. However, since the
appearance of Windows XP, which is installed from CD-ROM, booting from floppy disk is not so common.
Most system recovery applications nowadays have bootable CDs.

If we encounter problems booting from floppy disk, we have to check the following:

o The floppy disk must be a bootable disk and the BIOS must be configured to make the disk drive
the first boot disk.
o The floppy disk drive must be properly connected to the power supply and to the motherboard.
A common failure is to place the floppy drive data bus upside down. This fault is easily detected
because the LED on the floppy drive stays on even though it is not working.

If any of these points are not met, the floppy boot process may not be performed correctly. Likewise, we
can also use a CD or DVD to boot the computer.

As in the case of the floppy disk, we must check that the CD or DVD is a bootable disk, that the BIOS
recognizes the drive as the first boot disk and that the drive is properly connected to the motherboard
and power supply and the data bus is properly connected to the drive.

If the POST boot process beeps or displays an error message about the CD, DVD or floppy drive when
booting the computer, check the drive installation (power connector and data cable) and the BIOS setup.
If the problem persists, it is likely that the drive is damaged and needs to be replaced.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

Many other failures result from incompatibility between the board and anything that needs to be
mounted on it, e.g. hard disks, network cards, etc. By removing components from the board, we can
detect which element is creating incompatibility.

4.7.7. Problems with storage devices

Once the IDE or SATA devices are installed, we have to check if the system recognizes them by entering
the BIOS. In the case of IDE disks, if they are not recognized, check the master-slave jumpers and the
connections to the motherboard and power supply.

If after checking the connections the problem persists, it may be that the data cable is damaged (try
another cable) or that the hard disk drive is defective because the spindle motor has broken down; in this
case try a new drive.

CD or DVD drives are not usually a problem. If the installation has been done correctly, they should work.
If they do not work properly, it may be because they are faulty. Breakdowns are not usually repaired, as
the cost of repair is higher than the cost of purchasing a new drive.

All hard drives produce some noise during normal operation, and the level of noise varies depending on
whether the drive is spinning (a sort of humming sound) or being accessed (a sort of regular thumping
sound). Some abnormal noises, such as a high-pitched humming (a chirping sound), may indicate
problems; therefore it is very important to immediately make a copy of the data.

Some messages that indicate that something is wrong with the disk may include the following:

o An error message appears on the screen: disk boot failure, insert system disk and press enter, it
means that the system is unable to read the boot sector. This may be due to several reasons:
 The data cable is not working properly; we tried another one.
 The BIOS boot sequence is directed to a non-bootable disk. We will check the BIOS.
 You may have a virus; we boot with a clean boot disk and run an antivirus.
 The boot sector may be corrupted. We start the computer with a boot disk and run the
command FDISK/MBR from the DOS prompt (then press the Enter key). The boot sector will
be recreated and any viruses in the boot sector will be removed. Then type SYS C: and then
press the Enter key to transfer the system files back to the hard disk.
o Some error messages may appear when starting or using the computer; for example, error
reading drive <X>, I/O error, data error writing to drive <X>, seek error-sector not found. These
errors may indicate physical damage to the disk or damage to the data. Therefore, we will run
SCANDISK with the complete option selected to check the disk for physical damage. If damage is
detected, Scandisk allows you to save the damaged data to a file. If it cannot repair the damaged
data or indicates that the disk is physically damaged, the drive will need to be replaced. The
Scandisk tool is not available on all operating systems.
o When booting a Windows computer you may get an error message indicating that the operating
system is missing or operating system not found. The problem may be due to:
 that the BIOS does not detect the disk; then check the BIOS settings;
 that the MBR is incorrect, and we will use the FIXMBR command from the Windows
recovery console to repair the MBR of the boot partition;

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 that some incompatible partition is marked as active or the partition containing the MBR
is no longer active. We then change the active partition to the one containing the
operating system. We can boot with a bootable disk that has the FDISK command and run
that command;
 that the disk is damaged.

Normally, physical repairs of disks are usually sent to the manufacturer or to technical services specialized
in this subject, and in most cases their cost exceeds that of a new hard disk. When it is a loss of bad or
damaged sectors, repair is attempted with software utilities, such as HDD Regenerator. The recovery of
data contained in a damaged disk is usually done by specialized companies, but, given its high cost, it is
only profitable if the data to be recovered are essential.

4.7.8. Problems with expansion cards

Problems with expansion cards are easy to diagnose, because they stop providing the functionality they
provide; for example, if a network card does not work, the computer cannot connect to a network. The
problem may be the driver of the card that is not up to date, so before discarding the card it is important
to make sure that the driver version is correct. It may also be that the problem is in the contacts of the
card, so we will proceed to clean them, or in the expansion slot; in this case, we will change the card slot.

 Video card

Most video card problems are easily detected because they are visual and are displayed on the monitor.
The first thing to do when the computer is on and the screen is black and white and the image is not
showing is to check the connections: the monitor must be connected to the power supply, the monitor
power cable must be connected to the mains and the monitor must be connected to the computer.

If after this check the image is still not visible, try another monitor that works; if the problem persists, the
video card probably needs to be replaced. First check if the card is installed and adjusted correctly.

We can also test the video card in another working computer or in another slot on the motherboard. If
the screen displays correctly, the problem may be in the expansion slot or on the motherboard of the
initial computer. If both the video card and monitor work properly during system startup but fail with a
particular application, the problem may be in the video driver.

Older drivers often contain errors or may be incompatible with certain applications. Incompatibility is the
source of many video problems. We have to get the latest version of the video driver and install it correctly
on our system.

 The sound card

Sound card failures are quite rare; if we detect a problem, the usual thing to do is to replace it with another
one. The first thing to do is a series of checks:

o We will examine that the connections of the speakers, the microphone and the joystick are in
the right connector and that they fit correctly.
o That the volume on the sound card and the speakers are active. Verify that the speaker cables
are not broken.
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The most frequent problems with the sound card are usually due to its configuration (IRQ, input/output
addresses, etc.). If there is a conflict with another device, we have to reassign the conflicting device or the
sound card. The most common difficulty is an IRQ.

We must also verify that the latest version of the sound card driver software is installed on our computer
by going to the manufacturer's website to download the driver and install it on the computer.

From the web pages of the operating system manufacturers we can find suggestions to solve the problems
related to the sound. For example the website http://windows.microsoft.com/es-ES/windows-vista/Tips-
for-fixing-common-soundproblems, which shows some solutions to make the sound work.

 The network card

When we have a computer connected to a local network via a network card and suddenly the computer
cannot network, we will perform the following checks:

o That the card is properly connected and fitted in the expansion slot on the motherboard.
o That the network cable is properly connected to the card.
o That the cable is working properly; we can verify this using a cable tester.
o Many network cards come with diagnostic software, which when run will indicate whether the
card is OK or not. If the diagnostic program detects that the network card is OK, we will examine
the IRQ and the input/output addresses.There may be some conflict with another device; for
this we have to reassign the conflicting device or the network card.
o We can use the PING command.

4.7.9. Problems with peripherals

The following is a list of problems encountered with the most common peripherals. The first thing is
always to check that the device is properly connected to the computer.

 Keyboard and mouse

The keyboard can accumulate all kinds of dirt, dust, hair, food, and can cause a key to get stuck and not
work properly. To keep it clean, it is best to cover it with a cover or dust cover when not in use.

One way to clean it is to turn it upside down and shake it gently without hitting it. With a brush or a
cotton swab dipped in alcohol we can clean the sides of the keys. A more appropriate way would be to
use compressed air spray to blow out the spaces between the grooves of the keyboard.

If any substance falls on the keyboard, such as coffee, it can

be washed with water, preferably distilled water, or even
immersed in plenty of water (as long as it is disconnected
from the computer). It is preferable that this is done as soon
as possible to prevent the liquid from drying inside the
keyboard. Once it has been washed, wait until it is
completely dry before reconnecting it to the computer. If it is
not properly dry, it may cause a short circuit or it may

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

happen that when a key is pressed, strange signs are displayed on the screen that have nothing to do
with the key pressed.

In some cases it is necessary to open the keyboard to clean it properly. When the keyboards are made of
rubber caps there is no problem, as the keys are connected to the case; however, keyboards with
spring-loaded switches can fall apart into hundreds of small pieces, in which case it would be impossible
to reassemble it.

When a keyboard does not work on a computer, check whether the problem is in the keyboard or in the
connector, e.g. PS/2. If the keyboard works properly on another computer, the problem is probably in the
connector. We would have to change the motherboard or buy a USB keyboard, thus avoiding using the
PS/2 connector. We would do the same with the mouse.

As with keyboards, the most common problem with mice, especially mechanical mice, is dirt that can
cause the mouse to move poorly.

For ball mice, maintenance consists of cleaning the ball with

a cloth dampened with alcohol or soap and water, and the
rollers with a cotton swab dampened with alcohol.
Compressed air can also be used for more effective
cleaning.

The maintenance of optical mice is reduced to a minimum,

as they are sealed inside and therefore no dust particles can enter and cause clogging as in the ball mouse.
There are also no moving parts to wear out.

 The monitor

When the image is not displayed on the screen, first check that the monitor is receiving power, that the
cable from the monitor to the computer is properly connected, and that the power button is on.

If the image is still not displayed, it may be that the light and contrast regulation is not correct; in this case
we will try to change it with the monitor's buttons.

If the image is still not displayed, the problem may be in the video card.

In the last case, we will test the monitor on a working computer; if the problem persists, the monitor is
broken. It should be sent to a service technician.

Sometimes the image on the monitor screen appears distorted in color or shape, or the image simply does
not appear. We must check the brightness, contrast, height and width controls and set them correctly.

 The printer

Almost all printers installed today include quick help wizards that make it easier for the user to locate and
solve problems. Some of the problems that we can find with printers are the following:

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

o The printer does not print. This can be that the printer is turned off, there is no paper in the tray,
it is not connected correctly or the cover is open.
o Some LEDs on the panel are flashing. It may be that the color or black ink cartridges need to be
replaced or a paper jam has occurred.
o It may happen that everything seems fine and the printer still does not print. In that case, try
reinstalling the software or check the IRQs and I/O interrupts; there may be a conflict with another
device. The software drivers for the printer must be the correct ones. The manufacturer's website
usually contains drivers for all their printers, although older printers may not be listed.

Many printer failures may be due to wear and tear of the mechanical or electronic part of the printer. In
this case, it is best to take it to the manufacturer's technical service, which knows the printer better and
can guarantee the repair.

4.7.10. Hardware incompatibilities and upgrades

When purchasing hardware to assemble a computer or to expand it, we have to take into account the
problem of compatibility. In the computer industry there are hundreds of manufacturers developing
hardware and software and each will offer a unique solution for their products. The evaluation and
selection of hardware and software is very important when planning a system. Before purchasing
products, manufacturers and distributors can be consulted about the hardware and software to be used
to certify that the products are compatible. The most common incompatibilities occur between hardware
and software.

For example, suppose we want to upgrade the operating system of a computer; this can lead to major
problems, as we may need to upgrade the software we have and the hardware drivers of the computer.
Before upgrading the operating system, we must study the issue.

When upgrading our PC, we must take into account the characteristics of the motherboard; for this we
can consult the motherboard manual or the manufacturer's website. And before buying any hardware
element, we will study its characteristics and check if it is compatible with the motherboard, as well as if
it has drivers for the operating system that will use it.

5. Monitoring and checking tools

Nowadays there is a multitude of monitoring and diagnostic tools for our PC, thanks to which we can use
our equipment and work with it under good health conditions, knowing at all times the status of its
components, so that we get the best performance of all of them as well as extend its life.

Among the monitoring programs, we can find more or less specific ones for certain components, or for
the equipment in general. Some of the most widely used at present are the following:

 CPU-z

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

It is a small program that scans your system for internal hardware

configuration. It is indispensable if you ever want to upgrade your PC
parts and want to avoid incompatibility problems. But it is also useful
for when you forget which components you have installed when you
set up your PC.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Performance monitor

As in previous versions of the operating system, Windows 10 has a Performance Monitor, but now it exists
as an application. Once launched it appears as "performance monitor" in monitoring tools. By default, the
monitor only shows "% processor time" (the amount of CPU being used at any given time), but you can
add more counters, such as disk usage, power used, paging file size, search index size...

 HWInfo

HWinfo is a program with which, in just a few clicks, you can find out all the details of your computer's
hardware configuration.

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 Angry IP Scanner

This tool scans the network to see which IP addresses and ports are being used by which devices. You can
use it at home to see how many devices are connected to your network to check if someone is
disconnecting your Internet without permission, or to find the IP address of a specific device.

 CrystalDiskInfo

Programm to monitor and know the status of your hard disk

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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 WinDirStat

To scan your data drives and know in a very visual way the amount of space occupied by various folders
and files, displayed in an orderly and detailed way. Very useful to clean your PC from junk or unnecessary
files.

 JScreenFix

Web tool to detect blocked pixel problem on your monitor. All

it does is flash the area of the screen with the stuck pixel with
hundreds of different colors every second. This should wake up
the pixel after about ten minutes. It doesn't always work, as
sometimes a pixel is stuck forever due to a physical defect in the
screen.

 Memtest 86+

It is an application developed specifically for testing

RAM memory. Thanks to this tool we will be able to test
our RAM to know if it is the cause of a possible stability
problem, and it will also be useful to test the stability of
overclocked modules. Another advantage is that it is not
an operating system application, but we must use it as a
means of booting our PC, this makes that any user can
benefit from it, regardless of whether they use
Windows, Mac or Linux.
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Unit 5 – Assembly and start up of computer systems. Fundamentals of Hardware

 MalwareBytes

A must-have malware scanning application

 Furmark

Stress tool for the graphics card. What it does is to use the full power of the GPU to render an extremely
heavy and demanding 3D image, and check that the card maintains good temperatures under this test.

 WiFi Analyser

To analyze the configuration of your WiFi network, see if it has interference with other nearby Wi-Fi
networks, you have the free WiFi Analyser tool.

6. Bibliography and links of interest

 https://www.profesionalreview.com/2018/12/23/mejores-programas-de-diagnostico-
pc/
 Libro Montaje y mantenimento de equipos McGraw Hill
 Apuntes Montaje y Mantenimiento de Equipos Informáticos
 Apuntes Fundamentos del Hardware
 Libro Fundamentos del Hardware Ra-Ma
 Libro Equipos Eléctricos y Electrónicos Paraninfo
 Hwinfo.com
 Libro Equipos Microinformáticos paraninfo

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