Identifying the various tools and equipment in computer repair laboratory - Week 3

TOPIC: Identifying the various tools and equipment in computer repair laboratory 

Objective: At the end of this class students should be able to know:

·         Use various tools and equipment in the Computer workshop

·         What safety  working conditions and procedures are

• What safety gadgets are
• The different safety equipment in the workshop
• Identify some components of the laptop

Recommended books:

1.      IT Essentials (2013) Cisco Networking Academy, 5th Edition http://www.ciscopress.com/store/it-essentials-9781587133084?w_ptgrevartcl=IT+Essentials%3a+Computer+Lab+Procedures+and+Tool+Use_2086239

2.      ILO (2017) Safety-Health and Working Conditions – Retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_protect/@protrav/@safework/documents/instructionalmaterial/wcms_175900.pdf

3.      Heidi Neff (2017) Computer Lab Manager Training Course, Zambia Pacific Trust, heidihneff@gmail.com, Accessed on 18^th May 2017

4.      Abdulhameed, I.A., Oladejo, B.F. and Iwayemi, A. (2017) Psychiatric Outreach Expert System (Rule-Based System) International Journal of Computer Science and Telecommunications, Vol 8, Issue , 2017 downloaded from www.ijcst.org%2FVolume8%2FIssue2%2Fp4_8_2.pdf

3.1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION

In every Organisation, the role of safety cannot be over emphasized. As we progress, you shall know the meaning of the statement. As a student-in-training, you will be using the knowledge of safety in the computer workshop or laboratory to implement any project being given in the class. It is required that in the laboratory, we have a set of rules and regulations that guides us to prevent accident or injury.

Meanwhile, you will undergo a short pre-test to ascertain your preparedness:

1.      List 3 computer workshop room management rules

2.      As a student-in-training, highlight five (5) rules and regulations needed to follow in the computer workshop.

In the meantime, the First-Aid-Box is essential safety equipment. It consists of different tools and materials needed to administer safety to any victim. As time proceeds, you will find the more reason why it should be well equipped and how to do same. Not that the box should be available, it should be well stocked right medication like cotton wool, methylated spirit and so on. As an NYSC member, Idris donated 3 set of First-Aid-Boxes to the ADS Grammar School, Iludun Area Osogbo, where he served. Therefore, as a problem solver you can do same

3.1 Maintenance of PC

The role of maintenance cannot be over emphasized. The computer software and hardware both need maintenance. Therefore, to keep a computer running well and to extend its life, you need to perform regular maintenance. Part of the maintenance is to keep the computer clean inside and outside. There are types of maintenance – preventive, preventative, corrective and so on.

Assignment 1 (Deadline: 2^nd June 2017)

Write short notes on the types of maintenance.  

3.1.1 Motherboard Concepts

The motherboards allow the processor (or CPU) to branch out and communicate with all the computer components. They are considered as the nervous systems of the PC (Cisco, 2017)

                               Figure 1: A motherboard image (Source: Cisco, 2017)

As seen in fig 1, the motherboard of a laptop consists of power connector, memory and expansion slots, just to mention but a few. 

Others are:

Ø  CPU socket,  Expansion slots

Ø  Memory sockets, Chipset, Ports, Battery, Drive connectors and  Power connector

Table 1: Showing   Images vs Port vs Connector types and purpose

3.1.2Theory Questions

Answer the following PC maintenance questions:

1.      What can happen if a computer has an excess buildup of dirt and dust?

Dirt can cause problems with the physical operation of fans, buttons, and other mechanical components. On electrical components, an excessive buildup of dust will act like an insulator and trap the heat. This insulation will impair the ability of heat sinks and heat pipes to keep components cool, causing chips and circuits to overheat and fail.

Describe the best method to clean the following components:

Ø  Keyboard: Blow compressed air between the keys. Wipe the keyboard with a soft, lint-free cloth lightly moistened with water or computer-screen cleaner.

Ø   LCD monitor: Wipe display with a soft, lint-free cloth lightly moistened with water or LCD cleaner. You should never use glass cleaner or any type of solvent.

Ø  CRT monitor: To clean the screens of CRT monitors, dampen a soft, clean, lint-free cloth with distilled water and wipe the screen from top to bottom. Do not spray the glass cleaner directly onto the display.

Ø  Mouse (plural: mice): Use glass cleaner and a soft cloth to clean the outside of the mouse. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mouse. If cleaning a ball mouse, the ball can be removed and cleaned with glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Wipe the rollers clean inside the mouse with the same cloth. Do not spray any liquids inside the mouse.

Ø  Contacts on a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect.) expansion card: Clean the contacts on components with isopropyl alcohol. Note that you should use the 90% or higher solution of isopropyl alcohol because some solutions in the 70-80% range contain too high a concentration of water to be effective. Do not use rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol contains impurities that can damage contacts. Make sure the contacts do not collect any lint from the cloth or cotton swab. Blow any lint off the contacts with compressed air before reinstallation. Removing dust and dirt from inside the computer. Use compressed air or a non-electrostatic vacuum to clean out the dust from the vents, the fan behind the vent and on the motherboard, and the heat sink and CPU heat sink. Use tweezers to remove any debris.

Ø  Removing dust and dirt from inside the computer: Use compressed air or a non-electrostatic vacuum to clean out the dust from the vents, the fan behind the vent and on the motherboard, and the heat sink and CPU heat sink. We use tweezers to remove any debris.

3.2 The concept of Power fluctuations

As you may know, computers are designed to run off of clean DC power. Therefore, when your system experiences power fluctuations, say generator or IBEDC, these power fluctuations can affect the reliability and functionality of your computer.

3.3 THE CONCEPT OF FIRST AID

According to ILO (2017) the role of first aid cannot be over emphasized. Therefore, first aid equipment and material should be readily available for treating industrial injuries or sickness at all workplaces. Such equipment includes a first aid kit and a stretcher with blankets. A person with first aid training should always be on the premises.

In the event of an accident, you should act in the following way:

Ø  prevent more people from being injured

Ø  call the instructor or supervisor, or the person responsible for first aid treatment. Call an ambulance if necessary.

Ø  aid the injured person.