Lesson 1

Introduction
At this age and time where everything is already automated, it is
indeed strenuous and taxing if our computer system malfunctions.
Projects, reports and tasks will not only be delayed but some of the
operations of the company as well. This is why it is vital for companies
to hire computer repair services when the need arises. Computers are
considered important tools not just at the office but also at home. It is
used not just for producing reports and making computations but also
as gaming tool and as a means of communication with your friends,
family members, relatives and colleagues who are situated in far
locations. Since computers are vital to our daily activities and business
operations, then these devices should be properly checked-up,
maintained as well as kept in great condition.
At present, there are numerous ways on how computers can
break down and malfunction like drive errors, computer viruses as well
spilling of coffee on it. In the previous years, it is very troublesome to
have these devices repaired due to the scarcity of computer repair
services but now, you can already find lots of Laptop Repairs services
to choose from. Moreover, these experts are adept when it comes to
resolving different types of computer issues, regardless of whether it is
hardware-related or software-related. Since there are wide array of
computer technicians from whom to select from, it makes it harder for
select the technician to repair your unit. Should you be among these
individuals, then consider the tips mentioned in this article.
What Should You Consider When Searching For Information
Technology and Computer Repair Service Provider?
1. Since your computers are product of hard work and it is
expensive, you should be careful in selecting the right service
providers and technicians. When looking for a technician, the first thing
that you should consider is their experience. Be sure to choose
computer repair technician who has several years’ experience in
mending different types of malfunctions, issues and bugs on your
computer.
2. Another thing that you need to take into consideration is the
quality of their services. Choose a computer repair technician who can
provide computer repair services 24/7 so you can call them anytime
when you need them.
3. Be sure to consider technicians who are licensed and TESDA
accredited.
4. You can also ask suggestions and referrals from your friends,
neighbours and relatives who experience hiring computer repair
technicians as they already know the quality of their work and how well
they perform computer repair jobs.
Understanding the three components of the computer system
1. Software
2. Hardware
3. Peopleware
1. Software
What is computer software? 
Every day in one way or another, we use computer to
perform our tasks both at the office and home. It is possible to say
that today’s world is computer driven world, where every task is
done through computer. And without the usage of software,
computer does nothing.

Definition of computer software

To put it simply, computer software is a set of instructions
that tells a computer what to do. Computer software controls and
governs the process of a computer. Without computer software,
the hardware part is useless. There is no way to communicate with
the computer unless you installed system software on it.
Software is written and developed by computer
programmers using programming languages. When we talk about
computer software, it includes the two main groups of software.
These are called System Software and Application
Software. The other but an optional type of computer software
is Programming language.

System Software
Commonly referred as Operating system, System software
plays a key role in computer systems. It is responsible for
managing and controlling the activities and functions of computer
hardware and application software. We can say that operating
system serves as an interface between computer hardware and
application programs and a user.
To run any type of application program, you must install the
right Operating system.

The major functions computer system software

- Manages computer processing activities
- Managing files
- Handle computer memory
- Serves as an interface between computer user and hardware
- Providing access to system resources
- Facilitate the overall activities of each programs installed on
it
- Providing an interface for peripheral devices and network
access
- Allows user to run application programs
 In addition to Operating system program, hardware
drivers and other system utility programs which assist and
maintain the proper function of a computer are also grouped
into system software.
Device/hardware drivers control the individual
components of computer such as printer, network card, and
sound card.
Utility programs help you to maintain computer
performance and security. Anti-virus program and registry
cleaner are example of system utility programs.

Example of Operating System Software

MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) is the first
operating system introduced by Microsoft, the dominant
software producer in the world, in the 1980s. Since then
several versions of system programs are developed by
Microsoft and other IT companies.
MS-DOS has command line interface unlike the modern
operating systems which use Graphical User Interface (GUI).
GUI allows a user to interact with a computer/software using
graphics and icons.
Operating systems can be categorized further into two
categories:
Personal computer OS and Enterprise/Workgroup OS
Some of the popular Personal computer OSs include:-
- Microsoft products
(Research shows 80% of computers in the world installed with
Microsoft OSs)
Windows 95, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP,
Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 and
Windows Mobile
- Apple Computer System programs
Mac OS and Mac OS X
- Linux
It is developed by Linus Torvalds, a student in Finland, in
1991. Linux is an Open-source operating system, means the
source code is available freely.
- UNIX - Solaris - Red Hat Linux
Enterprise/workgroup operating systems are powerful and
sophisticated comparing to Personal computer OS. These
types of system programs are developed for computers such
as Servers and Mainframes.
Mainframe computers are used in large organizations,
governmental offices, military and other business companies
where a lot of resource is shared through a network.
 The following are the popular enterprise and workgroup
operating systems:-
- Windows Advanced Server
- Windows Server 2000, 2003 and 2008
- UNIX - Red Hat Linux
- MPE/iX are servers software
– designed for HP Computers

Application Software
is a type of program which assists a user to execute a
specific task on a computer. It helps a user to solve particular
problems. Application programs use system resources and
hardware through System programs.
In each field of work and industry, several kinds of
application software are developed and still new programs are
developing.
For example, Peachtree Accounting is a computer
application program specifically developed for accountants to
manage of financial activity in a given
organization. AutoCAD is for Mechanical and Civil Engineers;
whereas Adobe Photoshop is for graphics designers and
photographers.

Some of the tasks of Application programs

- Word processors, Spreadsheet, presentation (Microsoft Office
Suite)
- Database manipulation
- Accounting and Financial recording programs
- Graphics (Adobe Suite) programs
- Engineering Applications (AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, InRoads,
StaadPro, SAP, Eagle point etc..) for designing roads, building
and bridges
- Desktop publishing (Adobe Indesign, Pagemaker)
- Games

Conclusion
In summary, computer software plays a great role in
computer systems. Without it computer hardware does nothing. In
this article we have discussed about computer software to answer
the question, “what is computer software?”

2. Hardware
Computer hardware is the collection of physical parts of a
computer system. This includes the computer case, monitor, keyboard,
and mouse. It also includes all the parts inside the computer case, such
as the hard disk drive, motherboard, video card, and many others.
Computer hardware is what you can physically touch.
3. Peopleware “The End-User of the computer system”

Lesson 2

Understanding the Hardware Components of the System Unit

The system unit sometimes called the chassis, Tower,
Cabinet, Housing and Casing is a box-like case housing the
electronic components of a computer that are used to process data.
System unit components include the processor, memory module,
cards, ports, and connectors. Many of the system unit’s components
reside on a circuit board called the motherboard. The motherboard
contains many different types of chips, or small pieces of
semiconducting material, on which one or more integrated
circuits (IC) are etched. An integrated circuit is a microscopic pathway
capable of carrying electronic current. Each IC can contain millions
of transistors, which act as switches for electronic signals.

1. Motherboard
- is the main circuit board of your computer and is also known as
the mainboard or logic board.
Components of Motherboard and Parts

Ports
1) Back Panel Connectors & Ports - Connectors and ports for
connecting the computer to external devices such as display
ports, audio ports, USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports,
Ethernet ports, PS/2 ports, Serial Port, Parallel Port.
Note:
 A cable often attaches external devices to the system unit.
A port is the interface, or point of attachment, to the system unit.
Ports have different types of connectors, which are used to join a
cable to a device. Male connectors have one or more exposed pins,
while female connectors have matching holes to accept the pins.
Most computers have three types of ports: serial, parallel, and USB.
A serial port is a type of interface that connects a device to the
system unit by transmitting data only one bit at a time. Serial ports
usually connect devices that do not require fast data transmission
rates, such as a mouse, keyboard, or modem. A parallel port is an
interface that connects devices by transferring more than one bit at a
time. Many printers connect to the system unit using a parallel port.
A universal serial bus (USB) port can connect up to 127 different
peripheral devices with a single connector type, greatly simplifying the
process of attaching devices to a personal computer.

Expansion slot 
2) PCI Slots - Slot for older expansion cards such as sound cards,
network cards, connector cards. (PCI - Peripheral Component
Interconnect)
3) PCI Express x1 Slots - Slot for modern expansion cards such as
sound cards, network cards (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth),
connector cards (USB, FireWire, eSATA) and certain low-end
graphics cards
4) PCI Express x16 Slot - Slot for discrete graphic cards and high
bandwidth devices such as top-end solid state drives.

Note:
An expansion slot is an opening, or socket, where you can
insert a circuit board into the motherboard. These circuit boards –
called cards, expansion cards, boards, expansion
boards, adapters, adapter cards, interface cards, add-ins,
or add-ons -- add new devices or capabilities to the computer. Four
types of expansion cards found in most computers are a video card,
a sound card, a network interface card, and a modem card.
5) Northbridge - Also known as Memory Controller Hub (MCH). A
Chipset that allows the CPU to communicate with the RAM and
graphics card. Beginning from the Sandy Bridge generation of
Intel CPUs, motherboards no longer have this component as it
has been integrated within the CPU itself.
6) CPU Socket – Design to hold Central Processing Unit either Intel
or AMD CPU or any other manufacturer.
7) ATX 12V Power Controller - Connects to the 4-pin power cable of
a power supply unit which supplies power to the CPU.
8) Front Panel USB 2.0 Pins - Connects to USB 2.0 ports at the front
or top of a computer case.
 9) Front Panel Pins - Connects to the power switch, reset switch,
power LED, hard drive LED and front audio ports of a computer
case.
10) IDE Controller - Connects to older hard drive disks and
optical drives for data transfer.
11) CMOS Battery - Supplies power to store BIOS settings and
keep the real-time clock running.
12) Southbridge - Also known as the Input/output Controller
Hub (ICH). Chipset that allows the CPU to communicate with PCI
slots, PCI-Express x 1 slots (expansion cards), SATA connectors
(hard drives, optical drives), USB ports (USB devices), Ethernet
ports and on-board audio.
13) SATA Connectors - Connects to modern hard disk drives,
solid state drives and optical drives for data transfer
14) Fan Headers - Supplies power to the CPU heat sink fan and
computer case fans.
15) RAM/Memory Slots – Design to hold memory modules
either SDR or DDR RAM.
16) ATX Power Controller - Connects to the 24-pin ATX power
cable of a power supply unit which supplies power to the
motherboard.

2. Power Supply
 A power supply is a hardware component that supplies
power to an electrical device.
 It receives power from an electrical outlet and converts
the current from AC (alternating current) to DC
(direct current), which is what the computer requires.

There are 3 types of power supply in common use

 AT Power Supply - still in use in older PCs.
 ATX Power Supply - commonly in use today.
 ATX-2 Power Supply - recently new standard.

The voltages produced by AT/ATX/ATX-2 power supplies are

+3.3 Volts DC (ATX/ATX-2)
+5 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)
-5 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)
+5 Volts DC Standby (ATX/ATX-2)
+12 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)
-12 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)

The Power Supply Connectors

4 Pin Berg Connector
Used to connect the PSU to small form factor
devices, such as 3.5" floppy drives. 
available in: AT, ATX & ATX-2

4 Pin Molex Connector

This is used to power various components,
including hard drives and optical drives. 
available in: AT, ATX & ATX-2

20/24 Pins Molex ATX Power Connector

This is used to power the motherboard
in ATX systems.
available in: ATX( ATX-2 have four extra pins)

4 Pin Molex P4 12V Power Connector

Used specifically for Pentium 4 Processor Motherboards. 
available in: ATX (integrated into the power connector in ATX-2)

6 Pin AUX Connector

Provides +5V DC, and two connections of +3.3V. 
available in: ATX/ATX-2

SATA Connector
This is used to power various components,
including hard drives and optical drives. 
available in:  ATX /ATX-2

ATX Power Supply Pin outs

Pin out Diagrams of the Common Connectors in ATX Power

Supplies
NOTE: The pin outs above relate to the connectors not the sockets. To
power up an ATX or ATX-2 PSU for testing, short pin 14 (PS_ON) with
one of the grounds or Green any Black pins.

3. Central Processing Unit

 is responsible for interpreting and executing most of the
commands from the computer’s hardware and software.
The CPU is Also Known As:
Processor
Microprocessor
Central Processor
Computer Processor
The Brains Of The Computer
Popular CPU Manufacturers
 Intel – the most popular CPU manufacturer
 AMD – Advanced Micro Devices

CPU Description
 A modern CPU is usually small and square with many short,
rounded, metallic connectors on its underside. Some older CPUs
have pins instead metallic connectors.
 The CPU attaches directly to a CPU "socket" (or sometimes a
"slot") on the motherboard. The CPU is inserted into the socket
pin-side-down and a small lever helps to secure the processor.
 After running even a short while, modern CPUs can get very hot.
To help dissipate this heat, it is necessary to attach a heat sink
and a fan directly on top of the CPU. Typically, these come
bundled with a CPU purchase.

How the CPU Uses the Four Steps of a Machine Cycle to

Process Data 
The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor,
significantly impacts overall computing power and manages most of a
computer’s operations. The CPU contains the control unit and the
arithmetic/logic unit. The control unit directs and coordinates most of
the operations in the computer. For every instruction, the control unit
repeats a set of four basic operations called the machine cycle:
(1) fetching the instruction or data item from memory,
(2) decoding the instruction into commands the computer
understands, (3) executing the commands, and, if necessary,
(4) storing, or writing the result to memory.
The arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) performs the execution part of the
machine cycle. Specifically, the ALU carries out three operations:
  Arithmetic operations – performing calculations, which
include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
 Comparison operations – comparing data items to
determine if the first item is greater than, equal to, or less
than the other item
 Logical operations – working with conditions and logical
operators such as AND, OR, and NOT

1. Arithmetic
 Performs simple arithmetic and logical operations.
2. Control
 Manages the various components of the computer. It reads
and interprets instructions from memory and transforms them
into a series of signals to activate other parts of the computer.
The control unit calls upon the arithmetic logic unit to perform
the necessary calculations.
3. Cache
 Serves as high-speed memory where instructions can be
copied to and retrieved.
Clock Rate
 The clock rate of a processor is the speed at which instructions
are executed. This speed is regulated using an internal clock and
is expressed as the number of clock cycles per second. Modern
CPUs can process billions of calculations per second. The unit
used to express the clock rate is hertz, abbreviated as Hz. So
when a processor has a clock speed of 3.5 GHz that means 3.5
gigahertz, or 3.5 billion clock cycles per second. Faster are
better, but higher speeds mean higher costs.

4. Memory Module
 A narrow printed circuit board that
holds memory chips
   Is a broad term used to refer to a series of dynamic random
access memory integrated circuits modules mounted on
a printed circuit board and designed for use in personal
computers, workstations and servers.
Types Of Memory Modul

(SDR or SDRAM - Single Data Rate or

Synchronous Dynamic Random Access
Memory)
 A RAM
that transfers data on only one Clock
transition (0-1 or 1-0), in contrast to
DDR-RAM. 

DDR - SDRAM - Double Data Rate -

Synchronous Dynamic Random Access
Memory
  Is a class of memory integrated
Circuits used in computers

Some Examples of Popular Designations

of DDR Modules

Different Orientation of DDR according to its Version

Difference between SDR from DDR RAM
DDR stands for "Double Data Rate." This means that each time
your computer gets data; it gets it on the up cycle of the clock as well
as the down cycle of the clock. So it is catching double the data than
before -- which means it can process twice as fast. SDRAM stands for
"Synchronous Ram." The RAM is synchronized with the clock cycle and
grabs a chunk of data each clock cycle so it is synchronous. Notice that
it does not grab two chunks as does the DDR. So the DDR is twice as
fast.

5. Hard Disk Drive

 The hard disk drive is the main, and

usually largest, data storage device in a
computer. The Operating System, software
titles and most other files are stored in the
hard disk drive.
Also known as:
HDD, Hard Drive, Hard Disk, Fixed Drive, Fixed
Disk, Fixed Disk Drive

6. CD-ROM
 Stands for "Compact Disc Read-Only
Memory. " A CD-ROM is a CD that
can be read by a computer
with an optical drive. The
"ROM" part of the term
means the data on the disc
is "read-only," or cannot be
altered or erased. Because
of this feature and their large
capacity, CD-ROMs are a
great media format for retail
software. The first CD-ROMs
could hold about 600 MB of
data, but now they can hold up
to 700 MB. CD-ROMs share the
same technology as audio CDs, but they are
formatted differently, allowing them to store many
types of data.
7. Adapters
a. Video Card
 The video card is an expansion card
that allows the computer to send
graphical information to a video
display device such as a Monitor, TV,
or projector.
 Graphics Card, Graphics Adapter,
Video Adapter, Display Adapter,
Display Card, Graphics Board

b. LAN (Local Area Network) Card

 A network interface controller (NIC,
also known as a network
interface card, network
adapter, LAN adapter, and
by similar terms) is a
Computer
Hardware component that
connects a Computer to a
Computer Network. Early
network interface controllers
were commonly implemented on
Expensive Card that plugged into
a Computer bus; the low cost and ubiquity of the Ethernet
standard means that most new computers have a network
interface built into the Motherboard.

c. WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) Card

 A wireless local area network (WLAN) links two or more devices
using some wireless distribution method (typically
spread-spectrum or OFDM radio), and usually providing
a connection through an access point to the
wider Internet. This gives users the ability to
move around within a local coverage area and
still be connected to the network. Most
modern WLANs are based on IEEE
802.11standards, marketed under
the WiFi brand name.

d. Internal MoDem
(ModuleDemodulator)
 An internal modem is a network device that is contained on an
expansion board that plugs into the motherboard. Unlike an
external modem, an internal modem contains no lights to inform
the user of its current function or changing modem states.
Instead, the user must rely on the software that came with the
modem.
e. Sound Card
 A sound card (also known as
an audio card) is an internal
Computer Expansion Card that
facilitates the input and output of
Audio Signal to and from a
computer under control of
computer programs. The
term sound card is also applied
to external audio interfaces that
use software to generate sound,
as opposed to using hardware
inside the PC. Typical uses of
sound cards include providing
the audio component for
multimedia applications such as
music composition, editing video
or audio, presentation, education
and entertainment (games) and
video projection.

8. BIOS (Basic Inpu/Outpu System)

 Short for Basic Input/output
System, the BIOS, ROM BIOS,
or System BIOS is a chip located on
all motherboard that contain
instructions and setup for how your
system should boot and how it
operates. In the picture below, is an
example of what a BIOS chip may
look like on your computer
motherboard. In this example, this is
a picture of an early AMIBIOS, a type
of BIOS manufactured by the AMI.
Another good example of a BIOS
manufacturer is Phoenix.
 9. Connectors
a. IDE Cable / Connector
 It refers to the types of cables and ports used
to connect some Hard Drives Optical
Drives to each other and to
the motherboard.
IDE – Integrated Drive Electronics

b. SATA Connector
 It is an interface used to connect ATA hard
drives to a computer's motherboard. SATA
transfer rates start at 150MBps, which is
significantly faster than even the fastest
100MBps ATA/100 drives
 The standard hardware interface for
connecting hard disks and CD/DVD drives to the
computer. SATA was introduced in 2002, and
nearly all computers use SATA drives.
SATA -  "Serial Advanced Technology Attachment," 
Lesson 3

Understanding the Step by Step Assembling of a Computer

Desktop

Step by Step Computer Desktop Assembling

1. Prepare your Workspace
CAUTION 

Assemble and stage your components carefully.  You will be handling

sensitive electronics that can be damaged if dropped, or mishandled

 WARNING 

STATIC ELECTRICITY CAN HARM THE COMPONENTS: 

DO NOT ASSEMBLE YOUR COMPUTER ON THE CARPETE.CARPETING IS
DANGEROUS TO YOUR COMPUTER. IT IS A SOURCE FOR STATIC
ELECTRICITY THAT CAN DESTROY COMPONENTS.

a. Take Inventory:
Before you start, take
inventory of your parts. Do
not begin assembling your
computer if you don't have
everything you need. Begin
the step-by-step process once you have determined you have
everything you need.
b. Make Space, Make Time:
Building a PC take space - about a dining room table worth.  So make
sure you have plenty of working room and a few hours to proceed with
minimal interruption. Work on a flat, stable table top surface or bare
floor, where you have room to layout all of the items.

c. Prepare Grounding Protection:

Use an inexpensive antistatic wrist
strap (they are often priced at less
than $6) is the perfect preventive
measure if you have no alternative
to working on carpet. Remember, a
table top or bare floor is always the
best place to build your system.
Make sure you are wearing your
antistatic wrist strap correctly (it
does you no good at all if you do not
wear it!), and you are ready to
proceed. Look Figure 2 for details.
d. Have the Drivers Ready:
Assuming you have another internet connected PC, download the
latest drivers from the vendors' websites for each component you will
be installing.  Sometimes drivers are updated between the time the
component was manufactured and the time you are installing it.  It is
always best to have the latest.  Copy them to a CD for easy access.
2. Install the Motherboard
a. Great care should be taken when installing the motherboard.
First, take the board
out of its packaging
and put it on top of
the antistatic bag it
came in (see Figure
3). Remember, you
always want to
safeguard your
components from
potentially hazardous
static electricity (wear
your strap).
b. Before you secure the
motherboard onto the
PC case/chassis, inspect it carefully for any visible defects. 
c. Next, review the motherboard manual, to make sure you are
familiar with the motherboard layout and understand which
 socket is which. Manuals are extremely helpful, usually easy
to read, and include illustrations. Following you can find
instruction on how to install the processor, the heat sink, and
the memory modules on the motherboard. You should not
place the motherboard in the computer case until you are told
to do so.
3. Install the CPU
a. Use the unlocking
mechanism to open the
CPU socket which is
usually a lever. 
b. Carefully line up the
pins and place the chip
in its socket; it will fit
only when oriented the
proper way. An arrow or
a missing pin on one
corner of the chip will
show you how to line
things up.
c. Align Triangular CPU and
socket key marks as shown in Figure 4.
d. Lower the lever to lock the CPU into place.
4. Install the CPU Heat Sink
a. Follow the manufacturer's
directions to install the heat
sink and the fan that will cool
the processor. If you bought
an OEM CPU and a separate
heat sink, you may need to
spread a thin layer of the
thermal grease that came
with the heat sink over the
chip to ensure proper
transfer of heat (some heat sinks come with this grease
already applied).
b. Attach the clip that holds the heat sink in place keeping in
mind that it may require a fair amount of force. Again, follow
the instructions that came with the
heat sink. They will show you how to
fit it correctly.  If you are in doubt,
you can visit the manufacturer's
website for more information. Figure
6 will also prove to be of great help
to you.
 c. Plug the CPU fan's power connector into the proper connector
on the motherboard.

5. Install the Memory Module (RAM)

In order to install
the memory
modules, insert
them into the
proper sockets
(Figure 7) and
push down firmly
but evenly until
the clips on both
sides of the
socket pop into
place. If your
motherboard supports dual-channel memory, consult the user
manual to determine which pairs of RAM sockets you should use.
The motherboard and the CPU are the brain and nerve center of
your PC, so selecting these components is the most important
decision you'll make.
6. Place the Motherboard into the case
a. Some PC cases have a removable motherboard tray. If yours
does, remove the screws holding it in place and pull it out of
the case.
b. Note the pattern of the
holes in your
motherboard (Figure
9), and screw brass
standoffs into the
motherboard tray or
into the PC case in the
correct locations
(ALWAYS check the
manual and follow
their instructions to
the letter
c. Check the layout of the
sockets on the
motherboard, and confirm
that the ports on your
motherboard's back panel
match the holes on the
case's Input/output (I/O)
shield that is installed in
 your case. If necessary, remove the old I/O shield (Figure 10)
by tapping it firmly a few times with the butt-end of a
screwdriver, and then replace it with the shield that came
with the new motherboard.
d. Carefully position the
motherboard on top of the
brass standoffs (Figure 11),
line up all the holes, and
use the screws that
accompanied the case to
fasten down the
motherboard. If you are
using a removable tray in
your system, slide the tray
and motherboard back into
the case and then secure
the tray.
7. Connect the POWER Supply Unit
Making the proper connections is crucial to successfully assembling
your PC system. Fortunately,
a. First, plug the large ATX power connector (Figure 12a) from
your power supply into the matching port on your
motherboard. Look Figure X for details.
Note: Manufacturers provide color-coded power cables and unique
connector shapes to make the job easy.

b. Locate the smaller, square

processor power connector
(Figure 13) (you cannot miss it -
it is the one sprouting the
yellow and black wires) and
attach it to the motherboard.
Note: your connector is usually
located near the processor. As
always, refer to your
motherboard's manual for the exact locations.
c. Use your motherboard user manual and find the description
about front-panel connectors.
Note: You are going to be doing work that requires attention to detail
and can be quite frustrating if you do not go into it with the right
attitude.

d. Attach each of
the tiny leads
from the power
and reset
switches (Figure
14), the hard-
disk activity
lights, the PC
speaker, and any
front-panel USB
and FireWire
ports to the corresponding pin on your motherboard. The needle-
nose pliers are useful for manipulating small pieces.

8. Install the Graphic Card / Video Card

a. Begin by removing the backplane

cover from the AGP or PCI Express
X16 slot (the metal piece where
the monitor connector will
emerge) (Figure 15).

b.

Install the graphics board in that

slot, and then secure the card
with a screw (Figure 16).
c. Some graphics boards require a
dedicated connection to your
computer's power supply. If
yours does, you should plug in
the correct power connector
now.  Some video cards allow
the insertion of a second video card connected to the first. If you
purchased such a configuration, install and connect the second
video card.
9. Connect the Mouse , Keyboard, & Monitor
a. Connect a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and power cable to your
computer and turn it on (Figure 17).
 b. If the internal fans begin to whir, the system beeps, and you see
the machine starting to boot, power down by holding the power
button for 5 seconds and continue building.
c. If nothing happens, back up a step and recheck all of your
connections. Make sure that both the processor and the memory
are properly seated, and recheck those minuscule leads
connecting the motherboard to the power and reset switches.
d. If it performs as expected, shut down your PC, unplug it, and
open the case.

Lesson 4

Understanding the Basic computer troubleshooting of a

Computer Desktop

Basic computer troubleshooting

Basic computer troubleshooting involves diagnosing,
identifying and solving computer systems problems. Like any
electronics equipment, a computer may stop working or
unable to start at all because of several reasons. The reasons
could be either software or hardware failure or both.
The good thing is that every PC problem has a solution. You
can solve it if you follow computer troubleshooting techniques.
In this article, we will discuss about the tools and the
knowledge we need to have in order to troubleshoot a
computer. Actually, you do not have to be a ‘techie’ person to
troubleshoot your own computer. Understanding the basics of
how computer parts work together, simple logical analysis
method, common sense, knowing basic computer
troubleshooting tips and handy tools are all you need to repair
a computer.
Steps in Basic computer troubleshooting
Step one
Determine the area of the problem
Before going to the repairing process, you should identify and
isolate the type of difficulty your PC encountered. This is the
first step in basic computer troubleshooting.
Generally, computer problems fall into two main
areas: hardware and software. Your computer fails to work
due to hardware or software failure. Is it hardware or software
problem or combination? You must answer this question,
because the troubleshooting methods and tools you
implement for both breakdowns are different.

Hardware problem
Hardware problem occurs when one of the key parts of a
computer is unable to work properly. The key components of a
computer that are required to run a computer
include Motherboard, CPU, Memory, Power unit, Hard
Drive, Sound and Video Cards, CD/DVD Drive (optional),
Floppy Drive (optional), Monitor, and Keyboard. Among these
computer parts, the most failure-prone parts are memory,
power unit, hard drive, video card and CD/DVD drive.

Software problem
Other than hardware defect, a computer may stop working
because of software problem as well. In fact, most of the
problems of a computer come due to software problem and
system configurations. Software includes both the operating
system and application programs.
A problem related with operating system may stop the entire
system, in this case you should repair it using boot disk or
reinstall from scratch. Whereas the fault caused by application
program can be corrected by using software repair programs
such as registry cleaner or reinstalling it again.

Some of the reasons for software problems include

- Corrupted or missing system files
- Virus attack
- Invalid hardware or incompatible driver
- Corrupted registry
- Improper program installation/removal

Step two
Troubleshooting the problem
The second step in basic computer troubleshooting is dealing
with the identified problem. How are you going to solve the
problem? What do you need to resolve it? To come down to
the best solution, you must ask these kinds of questions and
answer accordingly.

Hardware troubleshooting
If it is a hardware problem, you either repair or replace it with
new one. Actually, not all parts of a computer are repairable.
Even if it is maintainable, in most cases replacing the
defective part with a new one is cheaper than repair it.
There are a number of ways to identify malfunction hardware;
the most common methods are using POST (Power-on-self
Test), bootstrap and diagnosing application. For example, Dell
computer comes with Diagnostics CD, so that you can easily
boot your system from the CD and identify which component
is defective.
The POST tests the basic functioning components of a
computer – CPU, Memory, Hard drive, keyboard and display
controller. The results of the tests are displayed on your
computer screen and tells which hardware part has a failure or
is not configured properly.
In fact, some of the methods mentioned above are only
applicable for if the system is not dead. If it is a dead system,
you will be forced to test individual parts by using other
similar working system unit (swapping method). You also use
bootstrap method.
Most of the time, the causes of a dead system is
malfunction power supply unit. So, make sure that the power
supply is working properly before going to test other
components. This is very important when you perform basic
computer troubleshooting.

Software troubleshooting
Reinstalling and updating software is the primary way of
troubleshooting systems problem created by software. Any
system error or corruption related with installed applications
can be fixed by installing an updated and fresh copy again. On
the other hand, if it is windows boot problem, there are a few
way outs. Depending on the defect type, you can repair it
 using boot disk, update/fix Master boot record (MBR), use Safe
Mode or reinstall it again from scratch (this is your last option
to do). Rebooting your PC to Safe Mode enables you to remove
or repair particular type of program responsible for system
breakdown. Using the best registry cleaner will also help a lot
in resolving problems that arise because of missing DLL and
freezes.

Conclusion
In one way or another, you use computer to carry out your
daily task. However, in any time, your PC may stop working
and disappoint you. However, if you know the basic computer
troubleshooting methods well, you will surely fix the problem
and continue your work. Also, you will cut PC repair cost by
half.
Hope this article gave you some insights about computer
troubleshooting.

Lesson 5

Understanding the Step by Step Windows 7 Installation

Introduction
On most new computers Windows 7 is preinstalled. Although in the
beginning Windows is free of errors but in time it will become slower,
shows errors or perhaps won't boot anymore. If the computer can no
longer be used in a decent manner, it is time to reinstall Windows.
Although many fear the time it takes to reinstall Windows, if it is
planned well it will take less time than expected. For this reason,
the 10-steps to reinstall and optimize Windows can be very helpful!
Before starting the reinstall
Before starting the reinstall of Windows 7 it is wise to take some
precautionary measures. For example, if there are still personal files on
the hard disk (e.g. personal documents, pictures, videos, e-mail,
contacts, login e-mail account settings and visited websites, installed
hardware drivers,), it is wise to make backups of these files. To prevent
problems installing the hardware drivers after Windows has been
reinstalled, it is wise to disconnect all peripheral devices (like printers,
card readers, external hard disks,) before installing Windows (these
can be reconnected after installing Windows which makes it less
difficult to track problems concerning the hardware). If needed the
hard disk can be repartitioned with partitioning software before
installing Windows, but this can also be done during setup.
Normal installation DVD vs. recovery system
There are two different ways to perform a reinstall: with a Windows
install DVD or with a recovery system prepared by the manufacturer.
The Windows install DVD performs a clean install but has the
disadvantage that the hardware drivers and software must be installed
by the user. A recovery system does most of this work (automatically
installing of drivers and software), however the user has little or no
influence on how this is done... Which installation procedure has to be
followed depends on the manufacturer/computer store. If you don't
want to be dependent on a recovery system, it is important to ask for
the official Windows 7 install DVD when the computer is bought!

Using the install DVD of another computer

If the original Windows 7 install DVD is no longer available, there is still
the option to use the install DVD of another computer (to prevent
Windows activation issues, make sure the product key of the
concerning computer is used, in most cases this key can be found on
the license label at the back of the computer). Although the different
Windows 7 versions (Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate) can't be
exchanged, there is a workaround to prepare the Windows 7 install
DVD to use it for all Windows versions: create an ISO image of a
Windows 7 install DVD (using a tool like ImgBurn,
download: www.imgburn.com), remove the file \sources\ei.cfg from the
image (using a tool like 7-Zip; download: www.7-zip.org) and burn the
edited ISO image on DVD.
TIP: For realizing a multiboot system, it is necessary to create multiple
primary partitions, one for each operating system (in combination with
a boot manager). Make sure you created a back-up of your personal
data, hide the currently installed operating systems and remove an
earlier installed boot manager before starting the setup of Windows 7.

The recovery system

Almost all computers build by the well-known manufacturers contain a
recovery system. The files for this recovery system are stored on a
special recovery partitions (in most cases this partition is hidden but
can be found in Windows Disk Management). The recovery procedure
can be activated during the start-up of the computer and/or by
selecting the recovery option in the start menu of Windows. If the
recovery partition is no longer available, Windows can be reinstalled by
using the recovery DVD. If this DVD is not shipped with the computer it
has to be burned by the user (the first time the computer is booted). If
this is not an option anymore, the manufacturer can be requested to
send the DVD by mail. Because every recovery system works different,
it is hard to present an unambiguous manual. Therefore, read the
accompanying manual or contact the helpdesk of the computer
manufacturer if there are any questions about the recovery system on
your computer.

Choosing between a 32 or 64 bit installation

Windows 7 can be installed in both 32 bit and 64 bit (go to control
panel, sub System to verify which version is installed). The 64 bit
version can be installed on each computer with a 64 bits processor.
Although the 64 bits version has some advantages (in most cases it is
faster and able to handle more than 3 Gb of RAM memory) it is not
always the most obvious choice. For many programs and hardware
drivers there isn't (yet) a 64 bit version available.
Only choose for the 64 bit version if there is 4 Gb of RAM and you are
sure 64 bits drivers are available for your hardware and your software
works error free. At this moment most computers are installed with the
64 bits version, the number of 64 bits drivers and programs will grow
quickly (the 32 bits version of files can be recognized by x86 and the
64 bits version by x64). Attention: the older 16 bit software can't be
used anymore in the 64 bit version! In Windows 7 Professional and
Windows 7 Ultimate older software can be started using the Windows
XP modus!

Setup from usb stick

If needed (e.g. in case of a notebook without a DVD player) Windows 7
can be installed from an USB stick (or other types of flash memory with
a capacity of at least 3 Gb) as well. The USB stick must be made
bootable for this purpose on a computer with Windows Vista or
Windows 7. Connect the USB stick, start theCommand prompt (start
menu, All programs, Accessories), enter the commandDISKPART and a
new window opens. Enter the command LIST DISK to show a list of
detected memory devices. Find out the number of the connected USB
stick in the shown list and enter the command SELECT DISK
<disknumber> (replace<disknumber> by the found number). The next
step is to format the USB stick with the following commands:
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
ACTIVE
FORMAT fs=fat32 quick
ASSIGN
Now the USB stick has been formatted properly, all files on the
Windows 7 install DVD can be copied to the USB stick using the
Windows Explorer. After all files have been copied, the USB stick is
ready to be used for installing Windows 7. At last, make sure the
computer is able to boot from USB media by changing the boot order in
the BIOS.
TIP: The tool Windows 7 USB/DVD Download
Tool (download:www.download.com/Windows-7-USB-DVD-Download-
Tool/3000-18513_4-10972600.html) can be used as well for creating a
bootable USB stick based on an official ISO file of the Windows 7-DVD!

Let’s begin the proper installation of Windows 7 (Ultimate

Edition)
1
The first step to format your Windows 7 system is to turn on the
computer and as soon as you see text on the screen, press the 'DEL'
key to enter the BIOS. Sometimes, the BIOS can also be accessed by
pressing F1, F2 or F10, and often text appears on-screen to tell you
what key to press to enter the BIOS.

2
In the BIOS
menu, select
'Boot Order' or
other similar
option, such as
'Advanced BIOS
Features', which
can be found in
‘Advanced
Options’? Note
that the BIOS
setup on each
computer
varies. Refer to
your machine's
user manual if in doubt.
3
Select 'First Boot
Device' tab and
select the CD/DVD
option so that your
computer will boot
from the Windows 7
CD. Make sure that
the following options
are: 'Second Boot
Device: Floppy' and
'Third Boot Device:
Hard disk'.

4
Press 'F10' to retain
the new settings you've just entered. Press 'Esc' to exit the menu.
Remember to press 'Y' (yes) when the computer asks if you really want
to save the changes.

5
After restarting the computer, insert the Windows 7 Installation
CD and wait for the computer to recognize it. This will begin the
process
of installing
windows
7 one more
time after
being
formatted.

6
Press any key
to boot from
the CD/DVD.
7
Windows will prompt you to enter the installation language, the
keyboard layout and the time/currency format. Then click 'Continue'.

8
Select 'Install' and accept the Microsoft Windows licence agreement
if you agree to its terms.
9
You will be prompted to choose between two options: 'Upgrade' or
'Custom'. Select 'Upgrade' so that the computer performs the latest
installation of Windows 7 and you will not lose any of your data.

10
If you select 'Custom', to undertake a totally new installation, click
'New' and separate the C: Drive into two partitions for reasons of
security.
11
Once the secondary partition (D: Drive) has been created, click
'Format'.

12
Wait while Windows Installs updates and Features
In addition to other data, such as creating a username and password,
you must enter the product key. However, Windows 7 does allow you
to click “Next” if you do not have the number to hand.

Wait
while
the first

welcome screen loads

Congratulations! You have succesfully learnt how to format and install
Windows 7! Enjoy your new Windows 7 Operating System.

How to Manually Update Drivers in Windows 7

To manually update driver in Windows 7, follow these steps:
 
1. Click Start menu and right-click on Computer.
2. Click Manage.
 

 
3. Click Device Manager in left pane. 
   
   
   

4. In

Device Manager
window, expand
categories and
locate the device
that you wish to
update the driver
for. For instance, if
you used Driver Easy
to download
“Realtek High
Definition Audio”
driver, find this
device under
“Sound, video and
game controllers”
category. Then right-
click on the device name and select Update Driver Software…
 
 

 
Note: For some devices, the device name displayed in Driver Easy is
different from the device name displayed in Device Manager.
In Driver Easy, you can click on the driver and get the name of current
driver. Then locate the device in Device Manager using this name.
 

 5. Click Browse my Computer for driver software.

 

 
6. Click on Browse to find the location of the downloaded driver file.
 
 In Driver Easy, click on the Three Lines icon then select Open File
Location to get the location of the downloaded driver file.
 

 
Alternatively, you can copy and paste the location address of the
downloaded driver files to the box. The location address:
 
 7. Click on Next button to install the driver.
 

 
 
As you can see, it is not easy to update drivers manually even by
following the detailed steps. And it takes time. It is recommended that
you upgrade Driver Easy to Professional Version. With Professional
Version, all driver updates can be done automatically in one click. You
don’t need to install the driver step by step. You can just leave the
program running to update drivers and do something else.

Lesson 6

Understanding the Step by Step Windows 2008 R2 Server

Installation

Introduction
Installing Windows Server 2008 is pretty straightforward and is very
much like installing Windows Vista, but I thought I’d list the necessary
steps here for additional information. For those of you who have never
installed Vista before, the entire installation process is different than it
used to be in previous Microsoft operating systems, and notably much
easier to perform.
Using Vista’s installation routine is a major benefit, especially for a
server OS. Administrators can partition the system’s hard drives during
setup. More importantly, they can install the necessary AHCI or RAID
storage drivers from a CD/DVD or even a USB thumb drive. Thus, error-
prone floppies can finally be sent to the garbage bin.

Note: Windows Server 2008 can also be installed as a Server Core

installation, which is a cut-down version of Windows without the
Windows Explorer GUI. Because you don’t have the Windows Explorer
to provide the GUI interface that you are used to, you configure
everything through the command line interface or remotely using a
Microsoft Management Console (MMC). The Server Core can be used
for dedicated machines with basic roles such as Domain
controller/Active Directory Domain Services, DNS Server, DHCP Server,
file server, print server, Windows Media Server, IIS 7 web server and
Windows Server Virtualization virtual server.

To use Windows Server 2008 you need to meet the following

hardware requirements:
Componen Requirement
t
Processor • Minimum: 1GHz (x86 processor) or 1.4GHz (x64
processor) • Recommended: 2GHz or faster Note: An
Intel Itanium 2 processor is required for Windows Server
2008 for Itanium-based Systems
Memory • Minimum: 512MB RAM • Recommended: 2GB RAM or
greater • Maximum (32-bit systems): 4GB (Standard) or
64GB (Enterprise and Datacenter) • Maximum (64-bit
systems): 32GB (Standard) or 2TB (Enterprise,
Datacenter and Itanium-based Systems)
Available • Minimum: 10GB • Recommended: 40GB or greater
Disk Space Note: Computers with more than 16GB of RAM will
require more disk space for paging, hibernation, and
dump files
Drive DVD-ROM drive
Display and • Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor •
Peripherals Keyboard • Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing
device
Upgrade notes:
I will not discuss the upgrade process in this article, but for your
general knowledge, the upgrade paths available for Windows Server
2008 shown in the table below:
If you are currently running: You can upgrade to:
Windows Server 2003 Standard Full Installation of Windows Server
Edition (R2, Service Pack 1 or 2008 Standard Edition
Service Pack 2) Full Installation of Windows Server
2008 Enterprise Edition
Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Full Installation of Windows Server
Edition (R2, Service Pack 1 or 2008 Enterprise Edition
Service Pack 2)
Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Full Installation of Windows Server
Edition (R2, Service Pack 1 or 2008 Datacenter Edition
Service Pack 2)

Follow this procedure to install Windows Server 2008:

1. Insert the appropriate Windows Server 2008 installation
media into your DVD drive or USB bootable device.
2. Reboot the computer.
3. When prompted for an installation language and other regional
options, make your selection and press Next.
4. Next, press Install Now to begin the installation process.

5. Product activation is now also identical with that found in Windows

Vista. Enter your Product ID in the next window, and if you want to
automatically activate Windows the moment the installation finishes,
click Next.
If you do not have the Product ID available right now, you can leave
the box empty, and click Next. You will need to provide the Product ID
later, after the server installation is over. Press No.

6. Because you did not provide the correct ID, the installation process
cannot determine what kind of Windows Server 2008 license you own,
and therefore you will be prompted to select your correct version in
the next screen, assuming you are telling the truth and will provide the
correct ID to prove your selection later on.
7. If you did provide the right Product ID, select the Full version of the
right Windows version you’re prompted, and click Next.

8. Read and accept the license terms by clicking to select

the checkbox and pressing Next.
9. In the “Which type of installation do you want?” window, click
the only available option – Custom (Advanced).

10. In the “Where do you want to install Windows?”, if you’re

installing the server on a regular IDE hard disk, click to select the first
disk, usually Disk 0, and click Next.
If you’re installing on a hard disk that’s connected to a SCSI controller,
click Load Driver and insert the media provided by the controller’s
manufacturer.
If you’re installing in a Virtual Machine environment, make sure you
read the “Installing the Virtual SCSI Controller Driver for Virtual Server
2005 on Windows Server 2008”
If you must, you can also click Drive Options and manually create a
partition on the destination hard disk.

“A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing" or

"A media driver your computer needs is missing"
error message when you install Windows

 Symptoms
When you try to install Windows on a computer by using a Windows
installation DVD or ISO file, you receive one of the following error
messages.

Note This issue occurs when you try to install Windows 7, Windows

Server 2008 R2, Windows 8, or Windows Server 2012.
Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2
Load Driver 
 A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing. If you have a driver
floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive, please insert it now. 
Note: If the Windows installation media is in the CD/DVD drive, you can
safely remove it for this step
Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012

Load Driver 
A media driver your computer needs is missing. This could be a DVD,
USB, or Hard disk driver. If you have a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive with
the driver on it, please insert it now. 

Note: If the installation media for Windows in the DVD drive or on a

USB drive, you can safely remove it for this step.
 Cause
This issue occurs for one of the following reasons:
 The installation DVD is removed during the setup process.
 A low-quality DVD was used to create the installation DVD. 
 The speed at which the installation DVD was burned was too
fast. 
 The DVD drive cannot read the media.
 The ISO file is corrupted.
 Resolution
To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods, as appropriate
for your situation:
 Burn the installation DVD at a slower speed.
 Use a better quality DVD to create the installation DVD.
 Update the BIOS firmware for your DVD drive.
 Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool to create a bootable
USB flash drive, and then use the USB flash drive to install Windows.
To troubleshoot this issue, use one of the following methods, as
appropriate for your situation:
 Run the DVD on a different computer to determine whether the
DVD works correctly.
 Test your DVD drive by using an official Windows installation
DVD.
 Attach the ISO file to a virtual machine to check whether it is
corrupted.
More information
When you troubleshoot this issue, first check whether the ISO file is
corrupted. Each ISO file that you download from the MSDN Subscriber
Downloads website has a SHA1 value that you can compare with the
SHA1 value on the MSDN Subscriber Downloads website. However, the
Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) site currently does
not list checksums or SHA1 values.  
 To compare the SHA1 values for the ISO file that
you downloaded, follow these steps:
1. Install the Microsoft File Checksum Integrity Verifier tool. To
download the tool, go to the following Microsoft Download Center
website:
Download the Microsoft File Checksum Integrity Verifier tool
2. At a command prompt, type the following command, and then
press Enter:
Fciv.exe <File name>.iso -sha1
3. Verify that the SHA1 value matches the SHA1 value that is listed
on the MSDN Subscriber Downloads website.

For example, the following information is displayed for the ISO file for
Windows 7 Enterprise with Service Pack 1 (x64) on the MSDN
Subscriber Downloads website: 

File Name: en_windows_7_enterprise_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677651.iso 

Languages: English 
SHA1: A491F985DCCFB5863F31B728DDDBEDB2FF4DF8D1

The following information is displayed when you run the command for
the ISO file for Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (x64):

Command: fciv.exe
en_windows_7_enterprise_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677651.iso -sha1 

Output: 
A491F985DCCFB5863F31B728DDDBEDB2FF4DF8D1 
en_windows_7_enterprise_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677651.iso

The ISO file is not corrupted if the SHA1 value on the MSDN Subscriber
Downloads website matches the value that is generated when you run
the command.

11. The installation now begins, and you can go and have lunch.
Copying the setup files from the DVD to the hard drive only takes
about one minute. However, extracting and uncompressing the files
takes a good deal longer. After 20 minutes, the operating system is
installed. The exact time it takes to install server core depends upon
your hardware specifications. Faster disks will perform much faster
installs… Windows Server 2008 takes up approximately 10 GB of hard
drive space.

The installation process will reboot your computer, so, if in step #10
you inserted a floppy disk (either real or virtual), make sure you
remove it before going to lunch, as you’ll find the server hanged
without the ability to boot (you can bypass this by configuring the
server to boot from a CD/DVD and then from the hard disk in the
booting order on the server’s BIOS)

12. Then the server reboots you’ll be prompted with the new Windows
Server 2008 type of login screen. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to log in.
13. Click on Other User.

14. The default Administrator is blank, so just

type Administrator and press Enter.
15. You will be prompted to change the user’s password. You have no
choice but to press Ok.

16. In the password changing dialog box, leave the default password
blank (duh, read step #15…), and enter a new, complex, at-least-7-
characters-long new password twice. A password like “top-secret” is
not valid (it’s not complex), but one like “T0pSecreT!” sure is. Make
sure you remember it.

17. Someone thought it would be cool to nag you once more, so now

you’ll be prompted to accept the fact that the password had been
changed. Press Ok.
18. Finally, the desktop appears and that’s it, you’re logged on and can
begin working. You will be greeted by an assistant for the initial
server configuration, and after performing some initial configuration
tasks, you will be able to start working.