How to Use this Module.............................................................................

...................................................................................
1
Introduction...............................................................................................
Technical Terms........................................................................................
Learning Outcome 1.................................................................................
Information Sheet 1.1...............................................................................
Self Check 1.1.........................................................................................
Information Sheet 1.2.............................................................................
Self check...................................................................................
Information sheet 2.2.............................................................................
Self Check 2.2.........................................................................................
Information Sheet 2.3.............................................................................
Self-Check 2.3........................................................................................
Information Sheet 2.4.............................................................................
Self Check 2.4........................................................................................
Information Sheet 2.5.............................................................................
Information Sheet 2.6.............................................................................
Information Sheet 2.7.............................................................................
Self Check 2.5.........................................................................................
Operation Sheet 2.1................................................................................
Learning Outcome 3...............................................................................
Information Sheet 3.1.............................................................................
Information Sheet 3.2.............................................................................
Self Check 3.1.........................................................................................

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Answer Keys............................................................................................

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Welcome to the Module Introducing Computer System. This

module contains training materials and activities for you to complete.
The unit of competency Introduce Computer System contains
knowledge, skills and attitudes required for a Computer Hardware
Servicing NC II course.
You are required to go through a series of learning activities in order
to complete each of the learning outcomes of the module. In each learning
outcome there are Information Sheets and Activity Sheets. Follow
these activities on your own and answer the Self-Check at the end of each
learning activity.
If you have questions, dont hesitate to ask your teacher for
assistance.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
You may already have some of the knowledge and skills covered in
this module because you have:
o been working for some time
o Already have completed training in this area.
If you can demonstrate to your students that you are competent in a
particular skill or skills, talk to him/her about having them formally
recognized so you dont have to do he same training again. If you have a
qualification or Certificate of Competency from previous training shows it
to your students. If the skills you acquired are still current and relevant to
this module, they may become part of the evidence you can present for
RPL. If you are not sure about the currency of your skills, discuss it with
your teacher.
After completing this module ask your teacher to assess your
competency. Result of your assessment will be recorded in your
competency profile. All the learning activities are designed for you to
complete at your own pace.
Inside this module you will find the activities for you to complete
followed by relevant information sheets for each learning outcome. Each
learning outcome may have more than one learning activity.

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Program/ Course: Computer Hardware Servicing NC II

Unit of Competency: Introduce Computer System
Module: Introducing Computer System
INTRODUCTION:
This module contains information and suggested learning activities
on Computer Hardware Servicing. It includes training materials and
activities for you to complete.
Completion of this module will help you better understand the
succeeding module on Computer Hardware Servicing.
This module consists of 3 learning outcomes. Each learning outcome
contains learning activities supported by each instruction sheets. Before
you perform the instructions read the information sheets and answer the
self-check and activities provided to as certain to yourself and your
teacher that you have acquired the knowledge necessary to perform the
skill portion of the particular learning outcome.
Upon completion of this module, report to your teacher for
assessment to check your achievement of knowledge and skills
requirement of this module. If you pass the assessment, you will be given
a certificate of completion.
SUMMARY OF LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of the module you should be able to:
LO1. Essential Computer Components
LO2. Identification of computer parts and peripherals
LO3. Computer maintenance procedure
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Refer to assessment criteria of learning outcomes #1-3 of this
module.

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Program/ Course: Computer Hardware Servicing NC II

Unit of Competency: Introduce Computer System
Module: Introducing Computer System
Learning Outcome #1: Identify Essential Computer Components
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
1. Essential computer components are identified.
2. Characteristics of hardware, software and firmware are identified.
3. Distinguish the relationship of hardware and software in a
computer system.
RESOURCES:
Equipment and
Accessories
LAN Card
UPS
24 port-Hub
Modem
Fax Machine
PC
USB External CD
writer
USB Scanner
USB Printers
USB Flash Drive

Tools

Materials

Screwdriver(standard)
Screwdriver(Philips)
Long nose pliers
Mechanical pliers
Allen wrench
Multi-tester
Crimping tools
Wire Stripper
LAN Tester
Anti-static wrist wrap
Device
drivers/installers

Software
Applications
RJ 45
UTP Cat 5 cable
Motherboards
Manual and Installer
Sound Device Driver
Installer

REFERENCES:

Antoinette R. Marcelo. Understanding PC Hardware. Copyright 2007

Jemma Inc.

http://www.empf.org/empfasis/aug04/prop.htm

http://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/~internal/policymanual/10fiscalaffairs/1
026.POL.htm

www.gao.gov/new.items/d0871.pdf]

www.plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/nmpmcnl6045.pdf

www.cdpr.ca.gov

www.freepatentsonline.com
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What are computers?

Computers are electronic devices that are capable of processing
data/information given in the form of numbers, words, pictures, and
even sounds.
They can be programmed (given instructions) to carry out various kinds
of information processing jobs.
Application of Computers
Various kinds of jobs that are done using computers:
SCIENTIFIC COMPUTATIONS
KEEPING TRACK OF INFORMATION -- BANKING, RAILWAYS OR AIRLINES
RESERVATIONS
PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS AND MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS
SIMULATION OF REAL OR IMAGINARY WORLD SCENES VIRTUAL
REALITY, COMPUTER GAMES
STORING AND SHARING INFORMATION WORLD WIDE WEB
Different Kinds of Computers
Depending on the size and capacity, computers are classified into three
types:
MAINFRAME COMPUTERS
MINICOMPUTERS
MICROCOMPUTERS OR PERSONAL COMPUTERS.
Mainframe Computers
Large and powerful computers that are used by many people (users) at
the same time; typically installed in large organizations.
Located in a central place and accessed by users via computer
terminals or other computers placed at different locations and
connected to the mainframe computer.
Supercomputers
Extremely powerful mainframe computers used in scientific and
engineering applications.
Minicomputers

Minicomputers are medium sized computers -- Between

Mainframe computers and Microcomputers
Are also used by many users at the same time
Used in small organizations.

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Components of a Computer
The components of a computer are classified into the three
main categories hardware, software and documentation

Hardware: The mechanical and electronic parts that perform

the various tasks of the computer

Software: The programs or instructions that tell the hardware

what tasks are to be done and how.

Firmware/Documentation: Instructions in read only memory

(ROM).

Hardware components

The hardware of a typical computer system, irrespective of

its size, consists of the following components:

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT -- CPU
MEMORY
STORAGE DEVICES
INPUT DEVICES
OUTPUT DEVICES.

Computer Software/Program
A software/program is a sequence of commands written in a
computer programming language that specifies a task the
computer will perform.
Some of the computer programming languages are:
VISUAL BASIC,C, C++, JAVA
Classification of Computer Software
Computer software can be classified into following categories:

OPERATING SYSTEM

USER PROGRAMS

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APPLICATION PROGRAMS

Operating System
Operating system (OS) is the basic software responsible for
interacting with the hardware.
It is the foundation on which user programs and application
programs are built.
It helps the user to enter programs or data, store them in files
and execute programs.
Two popular operating systems in use today are

Unix for mainframes and minicomputers.

Windows and Linux used for personal computers.

User Programs

User Programs: Written by users or programmers for themselves or

for their organization.
Application Programs
Computers are increasingly being used in almost every activity business, industry, commerce, health, education, entertainment,
sports, etc.
Application programs is the catch-all name for all programs that
are used for carrying out specific tasks - office document
creation, pay roll processing,
Word processing
Desktop Publishing
Spreadsheets
Firmware

Program that is embedded in a silicon chip rather than

stored on a floppy disk

Example: BIOS chip or CMOS

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Multiple choice:
1. What do you call a program imbedded on a silicon chip?
a) Peopleware b) Software c) Firmware d) Hardware
2. What do you call software that interacts with the computer
hardware?
a) Applicationsb) Operating System
c) Firmware
d)
Spreadsheets
3. The mechanical and electrical part of the computer system.
a) Software
b) Hardware
c) Unix
d) Firmware
4. An operating system used in mainframes and mini-computers.
a) Windows XP
b) Unix
c) Panda
d) BIOS
5. An example of an operating system commonly installed in
personal computers.
a) Unix b) Windows
c) BIOS
d)MS-Word

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Program/ Course: Computer Hardware Servicing NC II

Unit of Competency: Introduce Computer System
Module: Introducing Computer System
Learning Outcome #2:

Identify of computer parts and peripherals

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
1. Appropriate personal protective equipment conforms to the
standard procedures.
2. Appropriate tools are used.
3. Identification of the different computer parts is observed.
4. Characteristics and functions of each computer component are
identified.
REFERENCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_service

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_standard

http://www.technet.unsw.edu.au/tohss/swp.htm

http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/healthsafety/safeworkprocedures

Antoinette R. Marcelo. Understanding PC Hardware. Copyright 2007

Jemma Inc.

http://www.empf.org/empfasis/aug04/prop.htm

http://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/~internal/policymanual/10fiscalaffairs/1
026.POL.htm

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Your PCs system case is probably high on the list of components

you think about the least. However, in spite of the fact that the system
case has only one or two components that are active, namely the power
supply and the front panel, the PCs case plays a major role in the PCs
operation.
In spite of the fact that the PCs case just seems to sit there, it does
perform a number of very valuable functions.
Provides the aesthetics of the system
Provides the PC with its structure
Provides protection and cooling for the electronics and
other devices mounted inside
Computer case comes in al sizes, shapes, colors and faces. These
variations in size and shape are driven by the cases form factor. The form
factor of the case is its shape, the way its components fit together and
most of all its size. Typically, the form factor of a PC includes its case,
power supply and motherboard, because these components must fit
together to supply protection, power and safety.

Chassis the skeletal framework that provides the structure,

rigidity and strength of the case.
Cover plays an important role in the cooling, protection and
structure of the PC.

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Power Supply a very important component, not only to the

case assembly, but to the PC and its other components.
Front panel in addition to providing the PC with its looks and
color, the front panel also provides information on the PCs
status, allows the user to physically secure the PC and on
some case types, it is the starting point for removing the case
cover.
Power switch
Reset switch
Status LED

Power LED
typically green in color and
illuminated when the PCs power is on.
Hard drive LED when the drive is seeking,
reading or writing data, this red, orange or amber
LED is lit and flashes.
Turbo LED if present, this yellow LED indicates
that the PC is in turbo mode.
Switches most new systems now have their two main
switches, the power switch and the reset switch, on the front
panel.
Power button - in older PCs, the power switch was a part
of the power supply and located on the right rear corner
of the PC.

Reset button performs a hardware reset when pressed.

This provides the user with a means of restarting the PC
should it halt and not respond to normal shutdown or
restart command.
Turbo button
Key lock
Keyboard lockout
Front-panel door lock
Drive bays disk drives with removable media have been
mounted in the system case so that they can be accessed
from the front panel. Typically, the drive bays are used for 3.5inch disk drives, CD ROMs, DVDs and removable hard drives.
External drive bays these drive bays are actually
internal to the case and chassis, but they can be
accessed externally.
Internal drive bays these drive bays are completely
Cover
inside the system case and are not accessible
from
outside the chassis
Switches
Power Supply
Drive Bays

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Front Panel

System Case Styles

1. Desktop case the flat, boxy one is the desktop case PC.
It doubles as the base for PCs monitor.
2. Tower cases the tall, thin case are the tower style.
Below are the popular variations of the tower case
Full tower are the largest standard PC cases
available. They offer the most of any case style in the
way of expandability, typically having three to five
external drive bays and a few internal drive bays as
well.
Mid-tower is a slightly shorter version of the full
tower.
Midi-tower exist somewhere between the mid-tower
and the mini-tower. By definition, a midi-tower is
smaller than a mid-tower and larger than a minitower.
Mini-tower this is the most popular case today. It
provides slightly more expansion capacity than
desktop cases.

Computer Case

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Tower Case
System Case Form Factors
The three most popular types of case form factors are:
1. Baby AT- though virtually obsolete by todays standards, the Baby AT form
factor is still considered popular because of its very large installed base
stemming from its popularity in past years. The Baby AT is a smaller version of
the AT form factor that is narrower in width, but otherwise shares the AT form
factors dimensions.
2. ATX Intel developed this form factor in the mid-1990s and it has become the
form factor for motherboards and system cases. All Pentium-based systems
require motherboards and chipsets that use the ATX form factor specification.
3. NLX also called Slim-line form factor, is quickly becoming the new standard
for mass-produced desktop system because it offers manufacturers more
flexibility and room for future advancement.
Three different sizes of cases are available in the tower model:

Baby or Mini - Tower

o

14 or fewer inches tall

2 or fewer 5.25-inch bays

1 3.5-inch bay

Mid - Tower
o

16 to 18 inches tall

3 to 4 5.25-inch bays

1 or more 3.5-inch bays

Full Tower
o

20 inches or taller

4 or more 5.25-inch bays

2 or more 3.5-inch bays

Power supplies from 150 to 500 watts

The power supply

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Multiple-choice
1. It is the skeletal frame work of your computer system.
a) Cover b) Chassis c) Screws d) Power supply
2. It provides protection for the internal parts of the computer.
a) Chassis
b) Reset
c) Case
d) Cover
3. The part of the computer that provides power to the entire
system?
a) CPU b) Drive Bay
c) Power Supply d) Reset
4. A button that allows the user to restart the computer.
a) Reset b) Turbo
c) LED
d) Power switch
5. The part of the chassis where you place the internal drives.
a) Drive Bay b) Cover
c) Chassis d) CPU
Identification

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What is a power supply and what does it do? The power supply unit (PSU) in a PC
regulates and delivers the power to the components in the case.
Power Supplies contain dangerous voltages and should only be opened by experienced and
qualified engineers, there are no user serviceable parts inside.
Always disconnect the PSU from the mains supply before removing the cover of the PC.
Standard power supplies turn the incoming 110V or 220V AC
(Alternating Current) into various DC (Direct Current) voltages
suitable for powering the computer's components.
Power supplies are quoted as having a certain power output
specified in Watts, a standard power supply would typically be
able to deliver around 350 Watts.
The more components (hard drives, CD/DVD drives, tape
drives, ventilation fans, etc) you have in your PC the greater
the power required from the power supply.
By using a PSU that delivers more power than required means it won't be running at full
capacity, which can prolong life by reducing heat damage to the PSU internal
components during long periods of use.
Always replace a power supply with an equivalent or superior power output (Wattage).
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)

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+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)

A power supply can be easily changed and are generally not expensive, so if one fails
(which is far from uncommon) then replacement is usually the most economic solution.
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 Pin 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
ATX Power Supply Pin outs
Below are pin out diagrams of the common connectors in ATX power supplies.

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Direction: Identify the name of each connector found in the power supply.
The power supply connectors
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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The motherboard is easily the most important part of the computer.

Although there are a number of components that a PC cannot function
without, its the motherboard that ties them all together and turns them
into a personal computer.
The motherboard, or mainboard, of a PC is a large printed circuit
board that is home to many of the most essential parts of the computer,
including the microprocessor, chipset, cache, memory sockets, expansion
bus, parallel and serial ports, mouse and keyboard connectors and IDE,
EIDE or SCSI controllers. Thee motherboard binds the PCs operational
components together.
Motherboard Designs
Not all motherboards are created equal. Two different design
approaches are used for PC mainboards: the motherboard style and the
backplane style.
1. Motherboard Style also known as mainboard, system board
or planar. It aggregates all the PCs primary system components
on a single printed circuit board. In the motherboards single

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board design, al of the PCs electronic circuitry that provides the

conduit through which all operations flow is located on the
motherboard.
2. Backplanes are common in large PC network servers and on
other computers on which the processor is upgraded frequently.
In its basic form, a backplane mainboard contains very little in
the way of intelligence and storage capabilities. It is merely a
receptacle board into which processor cards, memory cards and
other component boards are inserted to add capability to a PC.
Motherboard Form Factors
Form factors define a motherboards size, shape and how it is
mounted to the case. However, form factors now include the size, shape
and function of the system case; the type, placement and size of the
power supply; the systems power requirements; the location and type of
the external connectors, and the cases airflow and cooling system.
Micro-AT Form Factor
This is nearly half the size of the Baby AT main board.
LPX and Mini-LPX
These are not actually form factor because they lack a specific
motherboard standard; they are more of a general motherboard design.

ATX Form Factor

It was released by Intel in 1995 and was an improvement over the
LPX form factor.

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Mini ATX
This is slightly smaller than ATX but all the specifications of the ATX
are included.
NLX Form Factor
A new standardized form factor. The three primary focuses of the
NLX are the processor and system cooling, the number of connections for
multimedia hardware and reducing the clutter of interior cables.

The Components of the Motherboard

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

CPU slot and socket

Chipset
Memory Sockets
BIOS ROM
CMOS battery
Power Connector
I/O Connectors
Expansion Slots

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Upgrading a Motherboard
Here is a list of criteria you should consider when evaluating your PC
and deciding how to upgrade it.
1. CPU
2. Socket and Slots
3. Bus Speed
4. Cache Memory
5. Memory Modules
6. Expansion Bus
7. BIOS
8. Chipset
9. Form Factor
10. Built-in Controllers and Interfaces
11. Documentation

Multiple-choice:
1. What do you call the large printed circuit board inside your
computer?
a) CPU b) Mother board c) Video Card
d) PSU
2. What type of motherboard design that is common in large PC
network servers and on other computers on which the
processor is upgraded frequently?
a) Motherboard
b) CPU
c) Backplanes
d)
ATX
3. What type of form factor that was released by Intel in 1995
and was an improvement over the LPX form factor?
a) AT
b) BABY AT c) NLX
d) ATX
4. It defines a motherboards size, shape and how it is mounted
to the case?
a) Motherboard
b) Form factor
c) LGX
d)
PSU

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5. It is also known as mainboard, system board or planar?

a) Motherboard
b) Motherboard Style
c) CPU
d) LXG

WHAT IS A CPU?
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. There can be several
processors in a computer, but one of them is the central one the CPU.
The reason the CPU is called a processor is because it can work with
data. And it has two important jobs:

It can do calculations.
It can move data.

The CPU is very fast at doing both jobs. The faster the CPU can do
calculations and move data, the faster we say the PC is. What follows is a
short description of how to achieve faster data processing. Read it, and
see if you understand all the concepts. There are three ways to improve a
PCs performance.

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AMD Processor

Intel

Processor
The Evolution of the PC Microprocessors
Other manufactures, such as AMD, VIA Cyrix and others
excellent processors, but Intel is by far the leading manufacturer
microprocessors. So let us first look at the Intel CPU Family Tree
1. First Generation: 8088, 8086, 80188, 80186and 8087
were introduced in 1978 and had a clock speed of 4.77MHz.
were packaged ina40-pin dual line integrated circuit.

make
of PC
these
these

Intel 8088
2. Second Generation: 80286 and 80287 it has a clock speed of
6 to 8 MHZ and uses 16 bit data bus.

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80286 CPU
3. Third Generation: 80386, 80386 DX, 80386SX, 80387,
80387SX this was a full 32 bit processor and has clock speed of
16 MHz.

80386 DX vs. 80286

4. The Fourth Generation: 486DX, 486SX, 486DX2, 486SX2 and

486DX4 this CPU incorporates a cache memory and an integrated
math coprocessors. This was the first to use Intels new socket
numbering system, the Socket 1.

486DX and Socket 1

5. The Fifth Generation: Intel P5 Pentium and Pentium MMX

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P5 was originally known as 80586, but Intel found out that

model numbers could not be copyrighted. So, instead of numbers,
they used a trademark name, Pentium.
MMX (Multimedia Extension or matrix math) improves internal
speed and support graphic compression and decompression.

6. The Sixth Generation, Part1 : P6 Pentium Pro, Pentium II,

Celeron and Pentium II Xeon
Pentium Pro was developed as a network server processor.
Pentium II is the Intel Pentium Pro with MMX technology. This
is the first Pentium to use the Slot1.
Celeron is used in desktop and portable computers and it is
the low cost model of the Pentium II. It is initially released as Slot 1
CPU, but it is the first Pentium to use the Socket 370.
Pentium II Xeon is the successor to Pentium Pro but with
enhance capability.

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Intel Pentium Pro and Socket 8

CPU Accessories

CPU Cooling System

CPU Fan
CPU Heat sink It is use to cool down the processor.

Identification:
1.__________________: it has a clock speed of 6 to 8 MHZ and uses 16 bit
data bus.
2.__________________; this CPU incorporates a cache memory and an
integrated math coprocessors. This was the first to use Intels new socket
numbering system, the Socket 1.
3.__________________: these were introduced in 1978 and had a clock speed
of 4.77MHz.
4.__________________: this was a full 32 bit processor and has clock speed
of 16 MHz.
5.__________________ : was originally known as 80586, but Intel found out
that model numbers could not be copyrighted.

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Computer Ports and Connectors (External)

The first input and output devices you encounter are the external devices,
such as the keyboard, video monitor, printer and so forth. Some of these
devices have connectors that are the same as, or very similar to, the
connectors used for other devices. In most cases plugging a new device
into the wrong connector can damage the device or the system, so you
need to know all the different connectors and which devices use them.
Baby-AT system - connectors are found on the adapter cards in their
slots, with only the keyboard connector coming directly off of the
motherboard.

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AXT system the keyboard, mouse, serial and parallel ports almost
always are mounted directly on the chassis and, at the same time,
soldered directly to the motherboard without any cabling. These are called
integrated or embedded ports or controller.

NLX system - New Low Profile eXtension, the adapter cards do not plug
directly into the motherboard slots. Instead, there is usually one vertically
mounted riser card that rises up from the motherboard and holds the
system I/O bus slots that the adapter cards then plug into.
Connector Types / Images

Mouse Port

Parallel Port

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Keyboard Port

USB Port

Serial Port

This is the most common input device. The keyboard allows the user to
communicate with the PC through keystrokes the represent character data
and commands.
Keyboard Layout and Design
1. 83-keys PC/XT keyboard the keyboard included in the
original IBM PC and the XT

2. 84-keys AT keyboard it is a step closer to the standard

keyboard layout used today

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3. Enhanced 101- keys keyboard - it is the one most familiar to

computer users today. Later models are really just enhancements
of the design. This is the industry standard today.

4. Windows 104- keys keyboard this is identical to 101-keys

keyboard layout except for the addition of three new keys; two
Windows keys, located between the CTRL and ALT keys on both
sides and an Application key on the right side, next to the
Windows key.

5. Natural and Ergonomic Keyboard this keyboard help relieve

the stress caused by the position of the users hands and wrist
and prevent repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel
syndrome. The keyboards central bank of keys is split in half and
each half rotated outward, to provide the user a more natural
hand position.

6. Laptop/Portable PC Keyboard this is smaller than normal

keyboards. Adjustments are made in terms of key arrangements,
layout and even functions to fit all the keys users requires.

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7. Miscellaneous Keyboard Layouts - this are special keyboards

to perform a variety of functions, such as; Internet Keyboard
includes button to connect to the Internet, open browser or check
e-mails. Multimedia Keyboard includes audio controls such
as volume and CD controls.

Keyboard Elements
1. Alphanumeric keys the alphabet keys along with row
numbers and special characters. These keys match those on a
typewriter.
Alphabet keys
Punctuation and special characters
Actions keys
Character selection keys
Command control keys
Enter key
White space keys
Number/special character keys
2. Cursor control key located on the right side of the
alphanumeric keys, this group of keys has two smaller group of
keys: the cursor function keys and cursor arrow keys.
3. Function keys- located across the top of a keyboard.
4. Numeric keypad the number pad, which is located on the
extreme right side of nearly all modern keyboards, contains keys
for ten numbers, as well as the four arithmetic functions. This can
also be used as a cursor control pad by toggling the NUM LOCK
key.
5. Toggle and Lock keys
6. Special purpose keys
ESC key
Print Screen key
Pause/break key
7. Window keys
Windows key
Application/Context key
Keyboard Switch Types
1.
Pure mechanical switches a very simple switch in
which two metal contacts are brought into contact or metal

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plunger is pressed against contacts on a circuit board when the

switch is pressed.
2.
Foam element switches it is made up of a plunger
that is connected to a foam pad that has a piece of foil on its
underside. A circuit board with a pair of copper contacts for each
keyswitch sits underneath the keyswitches.
3.
Rubber dome key switch also known as carboncontact keyswitch, this design is very much like the foam and foil
contact switch. In each rubber dome switch is a small rounded
dome of rubber that has a pad of carbon material on its
underside.
4.
Membrane switches similar to rubber-dome
switches, except that the keytops are all joined into a solid sheet
that rest on top of the rubber domes.
Keyboard Connectors
1. The 5 pin DIN connector - this is the oldest of the keyboard
connectors, also known as the AT form factor.
Pin Number
Signal
1
Keyboard Clock
2
Keyboard Data
3
Unused
4
Ground
5
+ 5v Power
2. The 6 pin Mini DIN Connector it is designed to used six pins
arranged in a circular pattern around a plastic case, also known
as PS/2 connector.
Pin Number
Signal
1
Keyboard Data
2
Unused
3
Ground
4
+ 5v Power
5
Keyboard Clock
6
Unused
3. The USB Connector the universal serial bus is a multifunction
peripheral bus that is growing rapidly in popularity, and the
keyboard is one of many devices that can use it.
4. IrDA (infrared) connector - it is a wireless keyboard.
Pointing Devices
1. Traditional Mice/Mouse - a palm-sized plastic housing with a
rubber ball protruding from the bottom and a cord coming out
the back.
Ergonomic mice
Optomechanical mice
Optical mouse

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Intellimouse

2. Trackballs it is an upside-down mouse with a larger than

normal ball. Instead of rolling the ball by moving the whole
mouse across a surface, you move the ball directly while the
device itself remains stationary.

3. IBM /Track Point also known as Glidepoint mouse. It is created

by IBM for its ThinkPad line of notebook computer to solve the
pointing device problems.

4. Touch Pads it is a rectangular pad located below the spacebar

on a laptop keyboard. The pad senses the capacitance of your
finger as you move it across the surface.

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5. Joystick a type of pointing device that is used primarily with

game software on a PC.

6. Graphic Tablets similar in conception with the touch pad, but

it is larger and used with a stylus instead of your finger.
Pointing Device Interface Types
Serial Port Connections
Ps2
USB Connections
Wireless
Mice first broke onto the public stage with the introduction of the
Apple Macintosh in 1984, and since then they have helped to completely
redefine the way we use computers.
Optical Mice
Developed by Agilent Technologies and introduced to the world in
late 1999, the optical mouse actually uses a tiny camera to take
thousands of pictures every second.
Able to work on almost any surface without a mouse pad, most
optical mice use a small, red light-emitting diode (LED) that bounces light
off that surface onto a complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)
sensor. In addition to LEDs, a recent innovation are laser-based optical
mice that detect more surface details compared to LED technology. This
results in the ability to use a laser-based optical mouse on even more
surfaces than an LED mouse.

SENSO
R

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Optical mice have several benefits over track-ball mice:

No moving parts, means less wear and a lower chance of failure.
There's no way for dirt to get inside the mouse and interfere with
the tracking sensors.

Increased tracking resolution means a smoother response.

They don't require a special surface, such as a mouse pad.

Hard Disk Basics

Hard disks were invented in the 1950s. They started as large disks
up to 20 inches in diameter holding just a few megabytes. They were
originally called "fixed disks" or "Winchesters" (a code name used for a
popular IBM product). They later became known as "hard disks" to
distinguish them from "floppy disks." Hard disks have a hard platter that
holds the magnetic medium, as opposed to the flexible plastic film found
in tapes and floppies.
At the simplest level, a hard disk is not that different from a cassette
tape. Both hard disks and cassette tapes use the same magnetic

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recording techniques described in How Tape Recorders Work. Hard disks

and cassette tapes also share the major benefits of magnetic storage -the magnetic medium can be easily erased and rewritten, and it will
"remember" the magnetic flux patterns stored onto the medium for many
years.
Here is a typical hard-disk drive:

Inside the Hard Disk

Platters
Arm

The platters - These typically spin at 3,600 or 7,200 rpm when the
drive is operating. These platters are manufactured to amazing
tolerances and are mirror-smooth.

The arm - This holds the read/write heads and is controlled by the
mechanism in the upper-left corner. The arm is able to move the
heads from the hub to the edge of the drive. The arm and its
movement mechanism are extremely light and fast. The arm on a
typical hard-disk drive can move from hub to edge and back up to
50 times per second.

The Floppy Disk

The floppy disk drive (FDD) was the primary means of adding
data to a computer until the CD-ROM drive became popular. In fact, FDDs
have been a key component of most personal computers for more than 20
years.
Basically, a floppy disk drive reads and writes data to a small,
circular piece of metal-coated plastic similar to audio cassette tape. In this

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article, you will learn more about what is inside a floppy disk drive and
how it works. You will also find out some cool facts about FDDs.
History of the Floppy Disk Drive
The floppy disk drive (FDD) was invented at IBM by Alan Shugart in
1967. The first floppy drives used an 8-inch disk (later called a "diskette"
as it got smaller), which evolved into the 5.25-inch disk that was used on
the first IBM Personal Computer in August 1981. The 5.25-inch disk held
360 kilobytes compared to the 1.44 megabyte capacity of today's 3.5-inch
diskette.
The 5.25-inch disks were dubbed "floppy" because the diskette
packaging was a very flexible plastic envelope, unlike the rigid case
used to hold today's 3.5-inch diskettes.
By the mid-1980s, the improved designs of the read/write heads,
along with improvements in the magnetic recording media, led to the lessflexible, 3.5-inch, 1.44-megabyte (MB) capacity FDD in use today. For a
few years, computers had both FDD sizes (3.5-inch and 5.25-inch). But by
the mid-1990s, the 5.25-inch version had fallen out of popularity, partly
because the diskette's recording surface could easily become
contaminated by fingerprints through the open access area.

Floppy disk

Optical drives
An optical drive is a storage device that reads and writes information to
CDs and DVDs. A Molex power connector provides the optical drive with
power from the power supply. A PATA cable connects the optical drive to
the motherboard.

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CD-ROM Drive

Inside your CD-ROM

Identification:
1.____________________: The inventor of the floppy disk.
2. ___________________: is a storage device that reads and writes
information to CDs and DVDs.

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3.____________________: These typically spin at 3,600 or 7,200 rpm when

the drive is operating.
4. ___________________: This holds the read/write heads and is controlled by
the mechanism in the upper-left corner.
5.____________________: A code name used in hard disk for IBM products.

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Equipment, Tools, and Materials:

Personal Computer complete with peripherals
Given the following tools, materials and equipment, identify the different
parts of a personal computer starting from the front up to the internal
parts of the PC.
You will be assessed using the criteria in the score card below.
PERFORMANCE SCORE CARD
Scoring

Performance Criteria

1 2 3 4 5

1. The components is identified successfully.

2. The peripherals are identified successfully.
3. Safety precautions are carefully observed.
4. Connecting the proper connections are performed.

5 Excellently Performed
4 Very Satisfactorily
Performed
3 Satisfactorily Performed
2 1
-

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Poorly Performed

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Program/ Course: Computer Hardware Servicing NC II

Unit of Competency: Introduce Computer System
Module: Introducing Computer System
Learning Outcome #3:

Preventive maintenance procedure

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1. Conformity and/or appropriateness of personal protective
equipment with the standard procedures is checked and
observed.
2. Confirmation of computer normal function conforms to correct
operation and safety.
3. Periodic maintenance of the equipment is performed following
manufacturers requirements.
4. Safety precautions are observed at all times.
RESOURCES:
Equipment/Faciliti
es
Computer
peripherals
Desktop computers
OHS guidelines
Phil. Environmental
protection standards
Monitors
Motherboard
Power supply
Network device and
cablings
Hubs
Switches
LAN Cards
Printers and
Scanners
Routers
USB Flash Drives

Tools & Instruments

Protective eye wear
Wire stripper with cutter
Pliers(Assorted)
Screw drivers (Assorted)
Soldering iron/gun
De-soldering tool
Flashlight
Tweezers
Mirrors
Antistatic wrist wrap
LAN Tester
Crimping tool
Software installer
Work bench
Magnifying glass

Supplies &
Materials
Floppy disk
Compact Disk

REFERENCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_service
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_standard
http://www.technet.unsw.edu.au/tohss/swp.htm

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 http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/healthsafety/safeworkprocedures
Antoinette R. Marcelo. Understanding PC Hardware. Copyright 2007
Jemma Inc.

http://www.empf.org/empfasis/aug04/prop.htm
http://www.lakeland.cc.il.us/~internal/policymanual/10fiscalaffairs/1026
.POL.htm

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General Safety Guidelines

Follow the basic safety guidelines to prevent cuts, burns, electrical shock,
and damage to eyesight. As is best practice, make sure that a fire
extinguisher and first-aid kit are available in case of fire or injury
Fire Safety Guidelines
Follow fire safety guidelines to protect lives, structures, and equipment. To
avoid an electrical shock, and to prevent damage to the computer, turn off
and unplug the computer before beginning a repair.
Fire can spread rapidly and be very costly. Proper use of a fire extinguisher
can prevent a small fire from getting out of control. When working with
computer components, always consider the possibility of an accidental fire
and know how to react. If there is a fire, you should follow these safety
procedures:

Never fight a fire that is out of control or not contained.

Always have a planned fire escape route before beginning any work.

Get out of the building quickly.

Contact emergency services for help.

Be sure to locate and read the instructions on the fire extinguishers in

your workplace before you have to use them. Safety training may be
available in your organization.
It is important to know how to use a fire extinguisher. Use the memory aid
P-A-S-S to help you remember the basic rules of fire extinguisher
operation:
P - Pull the pin.
A - Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames.
S - Squeeze the lever.
S - Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
Personal Safety Guidelines
These are general guidelines for all types of troubleshooting,
installation, and maintenance tasks. Take them seriously; they may keep
you out of a dangerous situation.

Never work alone (in the computer lab). Always have someone to
keep an eye out for any potential problem.

Always use protective eyewear or safety goggles when appropriate.

Monitors, in particular, can implode and send fragments of glass at
tremendous speeds (be careful when moving or adjusting these
devices.)

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Do not go barefoot when moving tool boxes or computer

equipment.

Never assume that an electrical device is safe to handle. Perform

your tests with the device disconnected (when appropriate) from
the power source.

Some tests must be conducted with power applied. Be extremely

cautious when performing these tests.

High current is generally more dangerous than high voltage.

Only 0.3 amps are required to seriously injure or kill a person.
This is not to say that voltage is not also extremely dangerous, only
to say that a high- current device may be marked with a relatively
low voltage. Always test equipment for dangerous energy levels
with a volt/amp meter before handling the device.

Do not wear jewelry of any kind.

Necklaces, rings, and bracelets can unintentionally short out
nearby components when working in the tight space of most
electronic cabinets. Make certain that earrings are removed. They
may fall off and land on the electrical components you are testing.
Potential Hazards with Computer Equipment

Printers
Power Supply
Electrical Outlets
Monitors
Cables

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Planning and preparing systematic maintenance procedure save time,

money and frustration. It is a good idea and opportunity to learn the
proper care and maintenance of your computer.
PC maintenance is an important topic for anyone who owns a PC.
Looking after your PC properly ensures you of trouble-free use. Regular PC
maintenance also keeps the machines performance optimal.
TYPES OF MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE:
1.

Hardware maintenance is the testing and cleaning of equipment.

2.

Information system maintenance is the routine updating of master

files, such as adding and deleting employees and customers and
changing credit limits and product prices.

3.

Software or program maintenance is the updating of application

programs in order to meet changing information requirements, such as
adding new functions and changing data formats. It also includes fixing
bugs and adapting the software to new hardware devices.

4.

Disk or file maintenance is the periodic reorganizing of disk files that

have become fragmented due to continuous updating.

Work place procedures

Identify hazards and assess risk.
Execution of OHS policies are carried out along with the task.
Following certain procedure is very important to perform a given
operation or evolution or in reaction to a given event. The table below
shows different elements and their corresponding performance criteria to
be able to identify occupational health and safety hazards, and assess
risk, as well as follow instructions and procedure in the workplace with
minimal supervision. The students will also be capable of participating
and contributing to OHS management issues.

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SAMPLE MAINTENANCE PLAN:

MONTHLY COMPUTER MAINTENANCE PLAN
JUNE

JULY

AUG

SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

Anti virus
software
checkups
Disk space
utilization
Defragmentati
on of hard
drives
Troubleshoot
hardware and
software
issues
Personal Protective Device
There are tools and equipments used to protect the user and the
computer system.
Types of personal protective devices
1. Anti-static devices
2. Power surge protectors
3. Personal equipments

ESD (Electro Static Discharge)

-A small amount of static electricity that can destroy small parts of your
computer.
Anti-static devices
Devices designed to protect the computer from static electricity.
Examples:
1. Anti-static wrist strap
2. Anti-static mat
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3. Anti-static bag
4. Anti-static spray

Power surge protectors

Devices designed to protect the computer from sudden power
surges from intermittent power sources.
Examples:
1. AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulators)
2. UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply)
Personal Equipment
1. Small paint brush
2. Screw drivers
3. Pliers and tweezers
4. Compressed air
5. Handheld vacuum

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Enumeration:
1. Enumerate four personal equipment used in PC maintenance.
2. Enumerate three examples of anti-static devices.
3. Name the three personal protective device.

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Self Check 1.1

1. C
2. B
3B
4. B
5. B
Self Check 2.1
1. B
2. D
3. C
4. A
5. A
Self Check 2.2
1. 4 pin berg
2. 4 pin molex
3. 20 pin molex
4. 4 pin molex P4 12 volt
5. 6 pin AUC connector

Self Check 2.5

1. Alan Shugart
2. Optical drives
3. Platter
4. Arm
5. Winchester/Fixed Disk
Self Check 3.1

1 Personal Equipment

Small paint brush

Screw drivers

Pliers and tweezers

Compressed air

Handheld vacuum

Self Check 2.3

1. B
2. C
3. D
4. B
5. B

2. Anti-static wrist strap

Self Check 2.4

1. 2nd Generation
2. 4th Generation
3. 1st Generation
4. 3rd Generation
5. 5th Generation

3 Personal Protective Devices.

Anti-static devices

Anti-static mat

Anti-static bag

Anti-static spray

Power surge protectors

Personal equipments

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