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AOIT Computer Systems

Lesson 11Motherboards

and Their Components

Student Resources

Resource Description

Student Resource 11.1 Line Drawing: Motherboard

Student Resource 11.2 Note Taking: Motherboard Components

Student Resource 11.3 Reading: Motherboards and Their Components

Student Resource 11.4 Note Taking: Processors

Student Resource 11.5 Reading: Processors

Student Resource 11.6 Note Taking: Expansion Cards and Slots

Student Resource 11.7 Minor Project: Project Charter

Student Resource 11.8 Example: How-to Guide

Student Resource 11.9 Project Management Sheet: Replacing a PC Component and Developing a How-to Guide

Copyright © 2008–2016 NAF. All rights reserved.

AOIT Computer SystemsLesson 11 Motherboards and Their Components

Student Resource 11.1

Line Drawing: MotherboardStudent Name:__________________________________________________ Date:______________

Directions: Using the knowledge you already have about motherboards, label as many of the items as you can on this line drawing of a motherboard. Use Table 1 of Student Resource 11.2 for a list of the slots, sockets, and features that you can label on the drawing. Be sure to label the drawing in pencil so that you can correct any guesses later.




Note Taking: Motherboard ComponentsStudent Name:__________________________________________________ Date:______________

Directions: Use the items from Table 1 to label the line drawing in Student Resource 11.1.

Next, use both of these tables to take notes on the PowerPoint presentation about motherboards. Use Table 2 for notes about components not identifiable on the line drawing.

Table 1

Slot/Socket/Feature Notes

A CPU socket determines what kind of processor will fit on the motherboard.

PCIe slots hold video cards and other types of expansion cards.

A power supply connector is where the power supply attaches to the motherboard.

A hard drive connector is where the hard disk attaches to the motherboard.

RAM slots are where the memory chips sit.

BIOS is the first component to come to life when you power on your computer.

A CMOS battery keeps the BIOS chip alive. (In newer computers, the CMOS battery may be replaced with flash memory.)



Table 2

Slot/Socket/Feature Notes

A processor executes the commands that drive the computer.

A chipset performs basic computer functions.

A bus transmits data between computer components.

A system clock marks the passing of time as a number of ticks.

POST is the diagnostic process that checks that the system is working properly.

The boot process is the start-up sequence when you power on the computer.




Reading: Motherboards and Their Components

This presentation describes the slots, sockets, and other special features of the motherboard inside a personal computer. The slots and sockets hold a variety of components, such as processors, memory modules, and sound and video cards.



Manufacturers of common motherboard types, such as the ATX form factor, specify certain features of their design, such as the following:

• Connector pin outs

• Maximum board and power supply dimensions

• Number and size of expansion slots

Other features might vary:

• System unit I/O layout

• Location of CPU and memory slots

• Height restrictions

Because manufacturers are always trying to improve their products, an ATX motherboard from Intel, for example, will look different from one from ASUS. All motherboards, however, share the following features, although their location on the motherboard and quantity may vary:

• Processor socket

• Memory and expansion card slots

• Power supply and hard drive connectors

• BIOS chip

• CMOS or clock battery



Many newer PCs use flash memory instead of CMOS batteries. However, you’ll still usually find a battery on the motherboard for the onboard clock.

Imprinted on both surfaces of the motherboard are tiny copper wires called traces. Electrical components that are soldered to these copper traces include the following:

• Capacitors: Store electrical charge temporarily.

• Resistors: Control electrical current using resistance; used on the motherboard to lower voltage.

• Transistors: Act as high-speed electrical switches that use incoming power to charge capacitors.

Slots and sockets, which are designed to hold a variety of components, are also soldered to the copper traces.



The CPU socket determines what kind of microprocessor (also called a processor or CPU) fits on the motherboard. Sockets are designed to make replacing the processor easy.

Some processors have pins that fit into the socket; the socket on the motherboard must have a matching pin grid array (PGA) to accept them. The corner of the socket is keyed so that there is only one way that the processor can fit in the socket.

In most newer processors, the pins are part of the socket, not the processor. These types of processors are known as land grid array (LGA) processors.

Sometimes, even though a processor will physically fit into a socket, it might not be supported by the motherboard. If you’re upgrading the processor in a system, you must make sure that the processor is compatible with your motherboard. The best way to do this is to visit the manufacturer’s website.

LGA image retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CPU_Socket_775_T.jpg and reproduced here under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en). Image courtesy of Appaloosa. PGA image retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Intel_Socket_370.JPG and reproduced here under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license. Image courtesy of Xeper.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Intel_Socket_370.JPG

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CPU_Socket_775_T.jpg


The processor is the brain of the computer. It controls all computer functions, either directly or indirectly.

The speed with which a processor handles its tasks determines the overall performance of the computer.

Information is moved from the CPU to other computer components and from those components to the CPU over various buses. The CPU connects to the system bus on the motherboard through the pins.



The motherboard chipset is a set of microchips soldered onto the motherboard near the processor. It controls data transfer. The two main chips in the chipset are the north bridge and the south bridge. The north bridge, which is the high-speed component of the chipset, directs the flow of data between the processor and memory. The memory bus connects the north bridge and RAM.

The south bridge manages data flow for the hard drive, the computer system’s buses, and the peripheral devices associated with them.

A chipset usually is made to work with processors from a specific manufacturer. Because it controls communication between the processor and external devices, the chipset plays an important role in system performance.

Because the chipset is soldered onto the motherboard, it cannot be removed and replaced. To upgrade a chipset, you must buy a new motherboard.



The front-side bus is the data transfer bus that acts as a physical connection between the processor and the other components in the computer. Also known as the system bus, it carries information between the processor and the north bridge, and then the north bridge links data traffic between the processor and the RAM.

Some computers also have a back-side bus, which connects the processor to a memory cache. Accessing this bus and the cache memory connected to it is faster than accessing the system RAM through the front-side bus.



The system clock is a circuit that emits a continuous stream of precise high and low electrical pulses that are all exactly the same length. One clock cycle is the time between the start of one high pulse and the start of the next. During each cycle, a CPU can perform a basic operation such as fetching an instruction or performing an arithmetic operation on data. Since only simple commands can be performed each cycle, most CPU process commands, like accessing memory, or writing data, require multiple clock cycles.

The frequency (or speed) of a processor, or clock speed, is measured in clock cycles per second. Since modern processors can complete millions of clock cycles every second, processor speeds are often measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). One MHz equals 1 million cycles per second, and 1 GHz equals 1 billion cycles per second.

Clock speed is not the only factor in a processor’s overall performance. Since processors have different instruction sets, they may differ in the number of CPI (cycles per instruction), or cycles needed to complete each instruction. CPI can range from 4 or 5 cycles for an instruction, to as long as 30 cycles. So processor performance is actually a complex combination of CPI, clock speed, and the program(s) being executed, along with other factors. Some processors can perform faster than others even at slower clock speeds. Speed and performance increase with the number of cores in a processor.

Subsystems also use the system clock to synchronize the work they do. Because only one data packet can travel on a bus at a time, the system clock synchronizes data transfer between the subsystems. One subsystem sends data to another at the beginning of a clock cycle. If another subsystem must use the bus, it must wait until the start of the next clock cycle when the bus is free.



Slots on the motherboard hold expansion cards, such as network and video cards.

The trend now is for many of these components to be integrated onto the motherboard instead of being installed as FRUs. This reduces the cost of the system. You can install cards in the available slots, which sometimes results in better-quality sound or video. Doing so will disable the onboard component.



The Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) standard is used in buses commonly found on the motherboard. A bus is the main highway for passing data along the motherboard; a slot on the motherboard allows expansion cards to connect to the bus. A slot that connects to a PCIe bus is called a PCIe slot, and the expansion card that plugs into a PCIe slot is called a PCIe card.

Most video cards in use today are PCIe cards.

PCIe slots carry 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 lanes of data between the motherboard and an expansion card. The slot descriptions are written as PCIe x1, PCIe x2, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, and PCIe x16. PCIe x1 slots are used for low-speed cards such as a wireless network card; PCIe x16 slots are typically used for video cards.

A PCIe card will fit into a slot that is its size. It can also fit into a bigger slot, but not into a smaller one.

PCIe technology has improved since it was first introduced and continues to evolve. The current PCIe implementation is version 3.0, which expands the data transfer rate to 8 GHz. Based on this expansion, PCIe 3.0 cards can transfer data at almost 1GB/sec. (gigabytes per second) in one direction on a single-lane (x1) bus. This transfer rate can reach 32GB/sec. on a 16-lane (x16) bus.



The motherboard gets its power from the power supply connectors near the edge of the board or near the processor. The power supply connector provides correct voltage to computer components. You may have to push in on the locking tab to plug in or remove these connectors from the motherboard.

Most power supply connectors are designed to be compatible with ATX-style motherboards. ATX-style power supply connectors are designed as one unit, with all the wires bundled in a single connector.

Typical power supply connectors are as follows:

• Main power connector (called P1): The connector that provides power to the motherboard. This connector has 20 or 24 pins.

• ATX12V 4-pin power connector (called P4): The connector that provides dedicated power to the processor. This connector is found on newer motherboards.

• Peripheral 4-pin power connector (called Molex): Smaller connector that provides power to the hard drive. This connector usually has four wires: two black, one red, and one yellow.

Newer power supplies have 6-pin connectors used for PCIe expansion cards. Each PCIe 6-pin connector can put out a maximum of 75 watts.

Be very careful when working with power supply connectors. Placing these wires the wrong way will cause damage to the computer that can’t be repaired.



Serial ATA (SATA) is the most commonly used technology to connect hard drives to a motherboard. One SATA port connects to one SATA hard drive. Each disc drive has its own cable that connects directly to a Serial ATA host adapter or a Serial ATA port on the motherboard.

The system BIOS uses the number of cylinders, heads, and sectors to determine the drive size.

Image on this slide retrieved from http://www.easeus.com/resource/install-sata-hard-drive.htm and reproduced here under fair-use guidelines of Title 17, US code. Image courtesy of CHENGDU Yiwo Tech Development Co., Ltd.


http://www.easeus.com/resource/install-sata-hard-drive.htm


Memory modules, called dual inline memory modules (DIMMs), insert into RAM slots on the motherboard.

When handling a memory module, be careful not to touch any of the contacts. Doing so may damage the module.

A plastic latch on each end of a RAM slot holds a memory module in place on the motherboard. To remove a memory module, press outward on both latches of the RAM slot at the same time. This releases the module and partially pushes it out of the slot. Then, gently lift the module from the slot.

To replace the DIMM, reverse the removal procedure.



Unlike RAM, which reads and writes data, read-only memory (ROM) can only be read. The memory on ROM is permanent, or nonvolatile. Data remains stored in ROM even when the computer is powered off.

ROM is designed to store instructions for a few specific tasks; the information on it is prerecorded and unchangeable. The ROM chip holds the basic input/output system (BIOS).

The system BIOS is a set of small software programs that control the boot process and input/output operations of a computer. The BIOS programs are electronically recorded on a ROM chip on the motherboard. Because the BIOS is a combination of hardware (the ROM chip) and software (the start-up programs used in the boot process), it is referred to as firmware.

You can change the system BIOS programs by flashing or upgrading the BIOS. You can also change the settings, such as enabling or disabling a port or changing the date or time. The BIOS is the first component to come to life when you turn on your computer. It provides the code that wakes up the rest of the computer.

The CMOS battery maintains the BIOS settings in the BIOS memory. If the computer clock and calendar start to lose time, that’s an indication that the battery needs to be replaced. CMOS batteries last about 2–3 years.

Many newer PCs no longer require a CMOS battery to retain the information in the BIOS. They use the same kind of flash memory that you find in USB thumb drives. However, newer PCs usually still have a battery so that the system can keep track of the date and time even when powered off.



The power-on self-test (POST) is a software program within the BIOS. The POST runs a sequence of diagnostic tests that your computer must pass before you can use it.

The POST performs the following diagnostic routines:

• Counts and checks the memory (called the CMOS checksum)

• Initializes the processor and other internal components

• Scans the hardware for firmware that belongs to individual devices (some devices have their own BIOSs)

• Yields to firmware in other devices, so they can run their own diagnostics

• Reads setup data stored in the CMOS and takes an inventory of all components

• Tests all components and reports any problems

If the POST finds a component that is not working properly during the system check, a beep or series of beeps will sound or an error message will display on the screen. If all components are operational, the POST routine is completed. A single beep indicates a successful POST.

Although it’s not recommended, the POST can usually be bypassed by changing a setting in the BIOS. This can result in a faster boot from a powered-down computer.



When you power on your computer, the operating system does not load immediately. First, your computer goes through a start-up routine called the boot process.

The boot process consists of the following procedures:

1. When you power on the computer, the BIOS is activated.

2. The BIOS initiates the power-on self-test (POST), which runs a set of diagnostic routines to make sure that all components are operating properly.

3. After the POST is complete, the BIOS must locate the operating system. It searches several locations until it is found, using a pre-set order, usually the flash drive, optical disc, hard disk, and network.

4. Once found, the BIOS runs a boot loader program to load the operating system (the computer’s fundamental software). Specifically, the boot loader loads the most important part of the operating system, the kernel, into memory.

5. The operating system kernel finishes off the process by loading various system files from the hard disk into RAM. The system files help configure the operating system and get services running.



After your computer boots, it is ready for you to use. When you use your computer, the following actions happen:

1. When you launch software applications like a word processor or email program, the files are loaded into memory. They remain in memory until you close the application or turn off your computer.

2. When you create a file, such as a document or a spreadsheet, and then save that file, the data is written to your hard drive. The files remain on your hard drive even after you turn off your computer.



The slots, sockets, and other special features on the motherboard serve as the foundation that makes a personal computer function. The motherboard is the component that brings it all together.




Note Taking: ProcessorsStudent Name:__________________________________________________ Date:______________

Directions: Answer these questions in one to three sentences each, based on what you learn in the reading about processors (Student Resource 11.5). Be prepared to share your answers with the class when you are finished.

Questions1. What are the three main components of a processor?

2. What happens if the processor cannot access data from cache?

3. How long does it take for a processor to complete each stage in its process of looking for data?

4. What are the differences between 32-bit and 64-bit computing?

5. What is the difference between dual-core processors and dual-processor systems?

6. What is a heat sink?




Reading: ProcessorsAlso known as the central processing unit (CPU), the processor is the brains of the computer. It is the most important element of a computer system because it is where most calculations take place.

Basic ComponentsThe three main components of a processor are:

ALU: The arithmetic-logic unit is the part of the processor that performs the actual data processing, such as adding, subtracting, and comparing of values. Two common execution units are the integer unit, which provides the computer with logical and integer-based computational capabilities, and the floating-point unit (FPU), which performs math operations on any values with a decimal point as well as divisions (and possibly multiplications).

Control unit: This is a scheduler for the execution units. The control unit is responsible for supervising the operation of the entire computer system. It manages the fetch-execute cycle, sending out control signals to all components during each clock cycle to specify which component(s) should operate during that cycle. These signals not only go out to memory and I/O devices but also to the ALU and registers.

Register: A storage location used by the control unit and ALU to store data temporarily. Registers are usually divided into control unit registers and ALU (or data) registers.

CacheCache is a set of memory that has faster access time than main memory. Cache is used to temporarily store program instructions and data that are expected to be used in the near future. The instructions and data stored there are typically those that have been used recently, plus the “neighbors” in main memory of those used recently. Cache is more expensive than main memory, so a computer will often have less of it. Cache is more expensive because it’s made of SRAM. It’s faster because it uses active, current-carrying cells. Therefore, cache can store only a small fraction of what is in main memory.

In order to store the most useful instructions and data, computer architects design memory so that when an item is needed, not only is that item sent from main memory to the CPU, but it and its neighbors are moved to cache. The next time it or a neighbor is needed, it can be retrieved from the much faster cache memory. This design should improve processor performance, because the CPU has to wait on memory less often.

There are three levels of cache:

Level 1 (L1): Internal on the processor chip.

Level 2 (L2): Internal on the processor chip, or external to the CPU but positioned near the CPU on the motherboard.

Level 3 (L3): External to the processor and located on the motherboard. It serves as an extra storage location when the L2 cache is built into the processor architecture. The L3 cache is built into the motherboard between the processor and the RAM.

When data requests are sent to the processor, the processor first looks in the L1 cache on the processor chip. If the requested data is not there, the processor then looks in the L2 cache. If it is not found in L2, the processor looks at L3 (if there is an L3).



If the processor cannot access data from cache, it must go to slower forms of memory, such as main memory, or to the much slower hard drive. Memory stored on the hard disk is known as virtual memory. The hard disk is partitioned into the file area and the virtual memory area known as swap space. The movement of information between memory and swap space is called swapping and is much slower than any other process described above because of the slow speed of the hard drive (in comparison to memory and cache). The collection of registers, cache, main memory, and swap space is known as the memory hierarchy.

Quick access to data held temporarily in cache greatly enhances performance, because it reduces the number of times the processor has to access slower forms of data storage. Clock speed and cache memory determine how efficiently a processor executes commands and processes information.

How a Processor WorksThe processor’s job is to execute a program. In order to do this, the CPU performs the fetch-execute cycle. This cycle generally goes through five stages. Each stage takes (at least) one clock cycle to complete.

The processor:

1. Fetches an instruction from memory

2. Decodes the instruction into control signals

3. Obtains operands to operate on (usually from data registers)

4. Executes the instruction by sending control signals to appropriate components

5. Writes data/stores any results (usually to data registers)

After these stages, the process repeats. Executing the instruction can be done in the ALU if the instruction is an arithmetic or logic operation, a data movement between a register and memory, or an input or output operation. Some instructions take more time than others. For instance, a division will take many clock cycles, while an addition or a comparison between two numbers, or a data movement between register and cache, will usually take a single clock cycle. More complex processors can fetch, decode, and execute multiple instructions simultaneously. They can do so if they have multiple cores or multiple ALUs, or if they use an overlapping fetch-execute cycle in a piece of hardware called a pipeline. In most cases, modern CPUs have all three of these features.



Processor Types

64-bit ComputingWord size is the size of the typical datum as it is moved across the bus, stored in a register, and applied in a computation. Older computers were limited to 8-bit or 16-bit word sizes. Later computers moved up to a 32-bit word size. Most computers today have 64-bit word sizes.

By saying that a computer has a 64-bit word means that the computer does 64-bit computing. The 64-bit architecture features memory addresses and other data units that are a maximum of 64 bits (8 bytes) wide. The 64-bit architecture increases the memory capacity to 264 (2 to the 64th power) addresses, or 16 exabytes of RAM (16 exabytes = 16.3 billion gigabytes!). This increased memory capacity becomes more important as memory installed in some systems reaches 16GB of RAM. A 32-bit computer was often limited to 4GB (232).

In a 64-bit architecture, the front-side bus is 64 bits wide. It is a physical bus made of traces and is visible on the motherboard. Some Windows operating systems are available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. It is important to understand that the 64-bit operating system version is not related to the width of the front-side bus but is directly related to the internal bus (or registers) in the processor. Older processors had a 32-bit internal bus, and all Windows operating systems were written with this in mind. All current processors have 64-bit internal buses that are backward-compatible with 32-bit Windows operating systems.

Older desktop computers use a 32-bit architecture, which means that data units are at most 32 bits wide. Also, 32-bit processor architectures are based on 32-bit registers, address buses, or data buses. A 32-bit register means that the computer can only reference 232 (2 to the 32nd power) addresses, or 4GB of RAM.

Processors and CoresIn the 1980s, computers were being developed that contained multiple processors. These were known as multiprocessor systems. They were prohibitively expensive, because the CPU was the most expensive part of a computer. Dozens or hundreds or even one thousand processors may have been present in some of these computers (primarily used for research). With miniaturization of circuitry, several processor cores can now be placed on a single chip. This is the current trend in the personal computer industry.

The core consists of several (two or four usually) distinct processors, each with its own registers, control unit, and ALU, plus a small cache. An L2 cache can also be on the chip and can be shared among all of the cores. All of the cores also share the pins that attach the processor to the motherboard and the system bus. A larger L3 cache can be added to the motherboard.

A dual-core configuration has two complete execution cores located next to each other on the same physical processor. Each core has an independent path to the front-side bus. A multicore processor combines two or more independent cores into a single package.



One of the problems with dual-core or quad-core processors is that older applications are written to use only one core. As a result, you’re likely to see only minimal increases in performance when you run an old application on a new processor. This demonstrates a common experience in the computer industry, where the hardware changes first, and the programs and applications must catch up.

Processor ManufacturersSeveral manufacturers make processors for PCs; the biggest are Intel and AMD. The Pentium processor family from Intel is used inside most desktop computers. Intel designed a low-end version of the Pentium 4 that it branded “Celeron” and a high-end version branded “Xeon.” Xeon processors had more cache than Pentium 4s and were targeted for dual-processor and multiprocessor servers and workstations.

In 2005, the Pentium D and Pentium Extreme Edition dual-core processors replaced the Pentium 4. These processors are Intel’s first dual-core product supporting Hyper-Threading Technology for desktop PCs. Hyper-Threading Technology uses processor resources more efficiently and improves performance of multithreaded software.

Intel’s 64-bit processors are called “Itanium.” These are referred to as the i3, i5, and i7 series. The processor can execute up to six instructions per clock cycle. AMD Athlon 64 X2 desktop dual-core processors are based on AMD 64-bit technology and are compatible with existing 32-bit software. Software applications can support AMD 64 dual-core processors with a BIOS upgrade. AMD’s Sempron and Intel’s Celeron processors usually contain half the L2 cache memory but are priced about $100 less. They are suitable for basic computing.

Processor Sockets and Slots

In an effort to open its motherboards to other processor makers, Intel standardized the processor socket and slot specifications. This means that processors made by competitors can fit on most motherboards. Standardized slots and sockets also make it easier for users to upgrade their motherboards, because they know which processors are supported by the socket.

Even with these specifications, a variety of processors with pins in different numbers and configurations has evolved. Older processor sockets use a pin grid array (PGA), in which short pins on the underside of the processor package mate with holes in the socket. Because the processor fits tightly into the socket, bent pins can be a problem. Zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets use a lever to tighten or loosen the pins, enabling you to remove and insert a processor with a flip of a lever.

Newer designs use land grid array (LGA) sockets, which align the processor with the socket using buttons on the socket rather than pins on the processor. This design allows smaller socket form factors, and the absence of pins lowers the cost. Although this type of socket was designed for servers, it has been increasingly used in desktop computers.

Some Intel Pentium and Celeron processors fit into single-edged slots rather than sockets. These slots are similar to expansion slots. This design enabled L2 cache memory to be upgraded by installing an additional chip onto the processor. In addition, inserting and removing the processor was easier.



However, because slots required longer traces between the CPU and the chipset, they were abandoned when clock speeds exceeded 500 MHz.

Heat Sinks and Fans

Most processors run at very fast speeds, giving off high levels of heat. In older computers, air from the power supply fan cooled the processor. High-speed processors require their own cooling system, known as heat sinks (other names: cooling tower or cooling unit).

A heat sink is a metal square with raised rows of metal fins. It absorbs heat from the processor and passes it to the fins. Circulating air from the heat sink fan dissipates the heated air.

Heat sinks are attached to the processor in one of two ways:

Metal clips hold the heat sink on top of the processor. Heat sink clips provide pressure but are reasonably easy to install. Heat sink mountings with screws or springs are often better than clips.

Thermal glue affixes the heat sink to the top of the processor. This type of adhesive is recommended in addition to mechanical fasteners such as clips or screws to ensure good contact between the cooling fan and the processor.

Troubleshooting Processors and Boot ProblemsTroubleshooting system problems stemming from the motherboard can be difficult because of the complex nature of the motherboard. Symptoms of a failing motherboard include:

Numerous CMOS error messages

A nonfunctional speaker or a keyboard that works on another system but not on the one in question

To troubleshoot the motherboard, first verify that the processor is installed properly. Verify that the motherboard supports the processor and that the jumpers or switches, if present, are configured properly for the speed and type of processor installed. Ensure that there are no bent pins on the processor. Verify also that memory modules have been installed in the correct slots and banks.

A battery on the motherboard runs the real-time system clock and calendar. You might need to replace this battery if the clock in the operating system is running chronically slow or if it loses its date or time.

Begin troubleshooting with common software diagnostic tools and then check the hardware:

The power-on self-test (POST) is built into the system BIOS and runs automatically when you start up a computer. It is often the best indicator of system problems. After a successful POST, the BIOS sounds one beep. If there is a problem when the system starts, you will hear a different pattern of beeps or see an error message on the screen. Sometimes these are notices from the



system’s BIOS that indicate a possible hardware fault. Refer to the system manual or manufacturer’s technical support for assistance.

Double-check your BIOS settings against those in the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) manual to verify that they are correct. Try resetting the BIOS to the default settings according to the OEM manual. Most BIOS settings can be reset during start-up by pressing the F10 or Delete key. Remember to follow the instructions provided by the OEM.

Faulty hardware drivers, especially video and audio drivers, are responsible for many computer problems. Try updating the drivers to the most recent versions. You can usually download them from the manufacturer’s website. If you are still experiencing problems that you suspect are being caused by faulty drivers, start the computer in safe mode by pressing F8 (or another key—check your OEM manual) during start-up. When the computer starts in safe mode, only generic drivers are loaded, allowing you to remove or upgrade drivers you suspect are not functioning properly.

Sometimes in older machines, two pieces of hardware try to use the same IRQ (interrupt request) settings, which leads to a conflict. This is common when adding new hardware to an existing system. You can remove the new part and see if the problem disappears. Then check the Windows Device Manager for resource conflicts and resolve them by changing resource assignments. Newer machines rely on automated interrupt routing and usually don’t run into this issue.

If a board will not operate in one slot, try reseating it or moving it to another slot. If it is a PCI board, try it in a dedicated PCI slot. If appropriate, remove all other boards to retest.

To troubleshoot NICs when the system is unable to connect to the network, verify that the NIC is correctly installed and seated. Verify that the correct NIC driver is loaded in the operating system. Verify also that the correct cable is attached to the NIC, hub, and wall jack and that the network clients and protocols are installed. Verify that the cable and hub port are proven good.

To troubleshoot the modem, verify that the operating system recognizes the modem and check that the software is configured for the correct COM port and IRQ/address settings.




Note Taking: Expansion Cards and SlotsStudent Name:__________________________________________________ Date:______________

Directions: Use this resource to take notes during the lecture on expansion cards and slots. At the end of the lecture, compare your notes with a partner for completeness and accuracy. Your teacher will then ask you to use your notes as you report out to the class about what you learned.

Buses

Expansion Slots

ISA

PCI

PCI-X

PCIe



PCIe 3.0

Expansion Cards

Video Cards

Sound Cards

Network Cards

Modems




Minor Project: Project CharterFrom: IT Director

To: Academy of Information Technology, Computer Systems Students

Subject: How-to guide needed

Dear Students,

I am writing because the school needs your help. As you might know, some of the people who provide “tech support” for our school’s personal computers are not exactly veteran professionals. They’re our own teachers and students, since we usually can’t wait for the district to send a technician.

I’m asking you to help these folks by writing a how-to guide that will allow them to perform their own simple FRU replacements—an expansion card or a memory module. I thought you would be the best writers for the guide because you know the audience best. You understand how carefully and clearly you’ll need to explain each step, using simple, easy-to-follow language and images.

I’d suggest you start by disassembling a working computer as much as is necessary to replace an expansion card or a memory module; then, reassemble the computer so that it is in working order. As you work, document your steps in detail, complete with photographs, to include in your how-to guide. I’d like you to present your guide at a meeting with me (and perhaps some of the district technicians, if I can get them). We’ll also be posting the guide online for our teachers and students to use.

You’ll be receiving a Project Management Sheet that describes the type of documentation we need, along with steps for completing the how-to guide. We look forward to seeing your work—I hear you are a top-notch class.

Best regards,

IT Director




Example: How-to Guide

Replacing a Laser Printer CartridgeThings required: Replacement toner cartridge

Time required: About 20 minutes

Directions:

Different laser printers work differently, but the general idea is the same. If your pages start looking streaky or faint, it’s probably time for a new cartridge. To put a new one in your printer, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the printer.

2. Remove the paper tray if it’s in the way.

3. Open the cover on the printer. Printers usually have a latch that pops the cover open, or they just lift up without a latch. If you’re not sure how your printer opens, read the manual that came with your printer or the directions that came with your replacement cartridge.

4. If your laser printer was on, let it cool off for about 10 minutes. Laser printers can get hot, and you don’t want to burn your fingers.

5. With one hand on the outside of your printer, pull the toner cartridge out and a little up with your other hand. The cartridge should slide right out.



6. Now is a good time to clean out any dust or dirt you see inside the printer. Use a cotton swab or a clean, soft cloth. Check your printer manual about any fuser pads or corona wires that you should clean. Be careful not to use too much force on any of the parts inside, and don’t use any cleaning liquids other than rubbing alcohol.

7. If you have a black-and-white printer, there is only one cartridge, and it’s usually inside a black plastic bag in the box. Color printers usually use two ink cartridges: one for colored ink and one for black ink. Open the bag and remove the replacement cartridge.

8. Some toner cartridges have a plastic strip that you need to take out of the cartridge before installing it. Check the instruction manual if you’re not sure.

9. Before sliding in the new cartridge, rock it back and forth gently and carefully. This distributes the toner powder inside.

10. Slide the cartridge into your printer until it snaps in place.

11. Close the printer cover and turn the printer back on.



12. You might need to put the paper tray back in the printer.

13. Some manufacturers have a recycling program for old cartridges. If yours does, put the used cartridge in the box that the new one came in and mail it back to the manufacturer.

14. If your new toner cartridge starts out printing lightly or unevenly, you can break in the new cartridge by drawing a solid black box on a page and printing it.

Note: Before you run out and buy a new cartridge, you might be able to squeeze a few more pages out of the cartridge already in your printer. To do this, pull the cartridge out of the printer and shake it gently to redistribute the remaining toner powder. Then put the cartridge back in your printer and see whether it prints any better.




Project Management Sheet: Replacing a PC Component and Developing a How-to Guide

Student Name:__________________________________________________ Date:______________

Directions: Follow the steps on this project management sheet to guide you in your work of removing an expansion card or memory module from a PC and replacing it, and then writing a how-to guide that can help others learn how to remove and replace the component. To begin your work, fill out the “Preliminary Project Planning” section of this resource.

Preliminary Project PlanningBefore you get started, do some preliminary planning in your group to figure out the steps you’ll need to take and what you still need to learn before you can help the IT director. Answer the following questions to get started:

What roles will each member of my team take?

o Taking pictures

o Taking notes

o Removing the component

o Replacing the component

What tools do you need to remove this component?

What steps will you need to take to remove the component?

1. Unscrew retaining screws, if necessary

2.

3.

What do you need to learn to complete the list of steps, or to explain how to complete each step?



Main Steps of Removing and Replacing Your Component 1. Take safety precautions such as grounding yourself by wearing an antistatic wrist strap.

2. Disassemble just enough of the computer to remove your component.

3. Label the wires, connectors, and components as you remove or disconnect them.

4. Take notes along the way.

o Note where things are in your particular computer.

o Note what equipment you need.

o Note the procedure for taking things apart.

o Note the wires, connectors, and components that you label.

o Note the procedure for putting things back together.

o Note the procedure for making sure the computer still works.

5. Take photos along the way.

o Photograph the entire motherboard with components and cables still attached before you remove anything.

o Photograph each cable before and after you disconnect it.

o Photograph your component before and after you remove it.

o Photograph the slot that your component came out of.

o Photograph your team working.

6. Put everything back together. Refer to your notes if you are not sure what order to reinsert the components or where to insert a specific component.

7. Make sure the computer still works.

8. Make sure you have all the information you need for your guide.

What Are Effective Elements of a How-to Guide?How-to guides are articles, brochures, or other documents whose purpose is to help people learn to do things on their own, outside the classroom. They are often published in magazines, newspapers, or online. In the publishing industry, they are considered “evergreen” articles, because they do not become outdated in the same way as news and current events articles.

Checklist for the How-to Guide Two to three pages long.

Written in an imperative voice (addressing user as “you”), giving instructions and commands.

Employs visual tools such as lists and columns to make it easy to read.

Uses illustrations such as diagrams, screenshots, or photographs to show the process.

Explains each step clearly and in detail, so that even someone with little technical experience could perform the tasks.



Complete and accurate, with all essential steps included.


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