FIRST LOOK AT LAPTOPS, ALL IN ONE COMPUTERS & MOBILE DEVICES

Laptop

A laptop, also called a notebook, is designed for portability (see Figure 1-21a and 1-21b) and can be just as powerful as a desktop computer. More than half of personal computers purchased today are laptops, and almost 30 percent of personal computers currently in use are laptops. Laptops use the same technology as desktops, but with modifications to use less power, take up less space, and operate on the move. Figure 1-21 A laptop, netbook, and all-in-one computer Laptops come in several varieties, including some with a touch screen that also allows you to handwrite on it with a stylus and some with a rotating screen or removable screen that allows you to use the laptop as a tablet (see Figure 1-22). Another variation of a laptop is a netbook (Figure 1-21b) that is smaller and less expensive than a laptop and has fewer features. An all-in-one computer (Figure 1-21c) has the monitor and computer case built together and uses components that are common to both a laptop and desktop. Figure 1-22 A laptop with a rotating display can do double-duty as a tablet computer Because all-in-one computers use many laptop components and are serviced in similar ways, we include them in this chapter. A laptop provides ports on its sides, back, or front for connecting peripherals (see Figure 1-23). Ports common to laptops as well as desktop systems include USB, FireWire, network, dial-up modem (seldom seen on newer laptops), and audio ports (for a microphone, headset, or external speakers). Video ports might include one or more VGA, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt (on Apple laptops), or HDMI ports to connect to a projector, second monitor, or television. On the side or back of the laptop, you'll see a lock connector that's used to physically secure the laptop with a cable lock (see Figure 1-24) and a DC jack to receive power from the AC adapter. Also, a laptop may have an optical drive, but netbooks usually don't have optical drives. Figure 1-23 Ports and slots on a laptop computer Figure 1-24 Use a cable lock system to secure a notebook computer to a desk to help prevent it from being stolen Notice the two slots in Figure 1-23 used for flash memory cards: a MagicGate slot and an SD card slot. Each can support several types of flash memory cards that you learn about later in the text. When a laptop is missing a port or slot you need, you can usually find a USB dongle to provide the port or slot. Here are some options: Connect to a local wired network. Figure 1-25 shows a USB to RJ-45 dongle. Plug the dongle into a USB port and plug a network cable into the RJ-45 port the dongle provides to connect the laptop to a wired network. Figure 1-25 USB to RJ-45 dongle provides a network port to connect to a wired network Connect to a local wireless network. Figure 1-26 shows a USB to Wi-Fi dongle, which allows you to connect a laptop that doesn't have wireless capability to a wireless network. Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is the common name for standards for a local wireless network. Figure 1-26 This USB to Wi-Fi adapter plugs into a USB port to connect to a local wireless network Connect to a cellular network. Some laptops have embedded capability to connect to a cellular network. Figure 1-27 shows a USB cellular modem that can be used for a laptop that doesn't have the embedded technology. A cellular network consists of geographic areas of coverage called cells, each controlled by a tower, called a base station. Cell phones are called that because they use a cellular network. Figure 1-27 This USB device by Sierra Wireless provides a wireless connection to a cellular network Connect to a Bluetooth device. When a laptop doesn't have Bluetooth capability, you can use a USB to Bluetooth adapter to connect to a Bluetooth wireless device such as a Bluetooth printer or smart phone. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology to connect two devices in a small personal network. Use an external optical drive. When a laptop or netbook doesn't have an optical drive, you can use a USB optical drive. Plug the USB optical drive into a USB port so that you can use CDs and DVDs with the laptop or netbook.

Connection

CONNECTION TYPES A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 Here are some ways a mobile device can connect to the outside world: Wi-Fi local wireless network and cellular network. Most mobile devices have Wi-Fi capability and can connect to a Wi-Fi local wireless network. In addition, smart phones and some laptops, tablets, phablets, and wearable mobile devices can connect to a cellular network. To connect to a cellular network, the device must have cellular capability and a subscription to the cellular network carrier, for example, AT&T or Verizon. Two types of technologies are used to connect to cellular networks: GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). With GSM networks, information about your subscription is kept on a small SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card inserted in the device. Figure 1-42 shows the slot on the side of an Apple iPad where you can insert a SIM card so that the iPad can connect to the cellular network. Figure 1-42 A SIM card is required for a mobile device to use most cellular networks Bluetooth and Infrared. Mobile devices might have the capability to connect to other nearby wireless devices using a Bluetooth, IR, or NFC connection. Figure 1-43 shows an iPad connected to a keyboard using Bluetooth. Infrared (IR) is a wireless connection that requires an unobstructed "line of sight" between transmitter and receiver. Smart phones and other mobile devices sometimes offer an IR interface that can be used with an app to control a television in place of its remote control. Figure 1-43 An iPad and a wireless keyboard can connect using Bluetooth NFC. Near Field Communication (NFC) is a wireless technology that establishes a communication link between two NFC devices that are within 4 inches of each other. For example, when you tap your smart phone with that of your friend, the two phones can use NFC to exchange contact information. NFC can also be used to read an NFC tag, which is a small microchip that can be embedded in just about anything, including a key chain tag, printed flyer, or billboard (see Figure 1-44). The NFC tag dispenses information to any NFC-enabled smart phone or other device that comes within 4 inches of the tag. Figure 1-44 These programmable NFC tags have sticky backs for attaching to a flat surface like a wall, desk, or car dashboard Wired connection. Smart phones, tablets, phablets, and wearable devices can make a wired connection to a computer. This connection can be used to charge the device, download software updates, upload data to the computer, back up data, and restore software or data. The device's port used for power and communication may be a type of USB port or a proprietary vendor-specific port. Some USB connectors used for this purpose include microUSB (see Figure 1-45a) or the smaller miniUSB (see Figure 1-45b). Newer Apple iPhones, iPods, and iPads use the proprietary Lightning port and connector for power and communication (see Figure 1-46). Figure 1-45 Some mobile devices may connect using a (a) microUSB or (b) miniUSB port Figure 1-46 A Lightning cable by Apple, Inc., has a USB connector for the computer end and a Lightning connector for an iPhone or iPad Tethering and mobile hotspots. When a mobile device is connected to the Internet by way of its cellular network, you can allow other computers and devices to use this same connection. For example, in Figure 1-47, the smart phone is tethered by USB to a laptop so that the laptop can use the cellular network to connect to the Internet. If the smart phone has Wi-Fi capabilities, the smart phone can create its own Wi-Fi hotspot for other computers and devices to connect to wirelessly. An app on the smart phone controls these connections, and your carrier subscription must allow for tethering and for providing mobile hotspots. Figure 1-47 Tether your smart phone to your laptop using a USB cable A mobile device can use an accelerometer and GPS receiver to sense its position. Here are brief details about each: Accelerometer. A gyroscope is a device that contains a disc that is free to move and can respond to gravity as the device is moved (see Figure 1-48). Three axes in the device sense how the disc moves and, therefore, can tell the direction of motion. An accelerometer is a type of gyroscope used in mobile devices to sense the physical position of the device. The accelerometer is used by the OS and apps to adjust the screen orientation from portrait to landscape as the user rotates the device. Apps such as a Compass, Carpenter's Leveler, and some game apps use the accelerometer to sense how the user is moving the device. Figure 1-48 A gyroscope uses gravity to sense its relative position to the Earth GPS receiver. Mobile devices might contain a GPS receiver to determine its position by using the GPS satellite data or data from the position of nearby cellular towers. A cellular-enabled device with a GPS receiver is likely to use both types of data to find its position. A mobile device routinely reports its position to the owner of its operating system. For example, a device may report its position to Apple (for devices that use the iOS operating system by Apple, Inc.), Google (for devices that use the Android operating system by Google), or Microsoft (for devices that use the Windows Phone operating system by Microsoft) at least twice a day, and usually more often, which makes it possible for these companies to track your device's whereabouts, which is called geotracking. Law enforcement agencies sometimes use this data to reconstruct a person's travels.

Docks

DOCKING STATIONS A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 Some notebooks have a connector, called a docking port, on the bottom or sides of the laptop (see Figure 1-34) to connect to a docking station. A docking station provides ports to allow a laptop to easily connect to a full-sized monitor, keyboard, AC power adapter, and other peripheral devices. See Figure 1-35. Laptop manufacturers usually offer a docking station as an additional option. Figure 1-34 The docking port and sheet battery connector on the bottom of a laptop Figure 1-35 Docking station for a Lenovo ThinkPad To use a docking station, plug all the peripherals into the docking station. Then connect your laptop to the station. No software needs installing. When you need to travel with your laptop, rather than having to unplug all the peripherals, all you have to do is disconnect the laptop from the docking station.

Card Slots

EXPRESSCARD SLOTS A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 Most peripheral devices on today's laptops use a USB port to connect to the laptop. Before USB devices became so popular, a laptop offered ExpressCard slots to connect peripheral devices. See Figure 1-31. These slot and card standards were designed and supported by the PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) and are sometimes called PCMCIA cards. The cards were used by many devices, including modems, network cards for wired or wireless networks, sound cards, FireWire (IEEE 1394) controllers, USB controllers, flash memory adapters, TV tuners, and hard disks. Most new laptops don't have these slots, but you still need to know how to support them because you'll see them on older laptops. Figure 1-31 ExpressCard/54 slot has an eject button on the left side of the slot A+ Exam Tip The A+ 220-901 exam expects you to know how to install and configure ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54 cards and slots. ExpressCard uses the PCI Express bus standard or the USB 2.0 standard. Two sizes of ExpressCards exist: ExpressCard/34 is 34mm wide and ExpressCard/54 is 54mm wide, as shown in Figure 1-32. Notice the offset in the ExpressCard/54 card. An ExpressCard/34 card can fit into an ExpressCard/54 slot, but not vice versa. An ExpressCard slot is fully hot-pluggable (you can add a card while the system is on), hot-swappable (exchange or add a card while the system is on), and supports autoconfiguration. An ExpressCard/54 card that provides two eSATA ports for external SATA drives is shown in Figure 1-33. Figure 1-32 Dimensions of ExpressCard cards Figure 1-33 This ExpressCard/54 card supports two eSATA drives Windows must provide two services for an ExpressCard: a socket service and a card service. The socket service establishes communication between the card and the laptop when the card is first inserted. The card service provides the device driver to interface with the card after the socket is created. The first time you insert an ExpressCard in a laptop, Windows automatically guides you through the installation steps in which you can use the drivers provided by the hardware manufacturer or use Windows drivers. The next time you insert the card in the laptop, the card is detected and starts without help. ExpressCards can be hot-swapped (inserted or removed while the system is on), but you must stop one card before inserting another. To stop the card, use the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the notification area of the Windows taskbar. After you have stopped the card, push on the card, which causes it to pop out of the slot. Some ExpressCard slots have an eject button to pop out the card. Then you can remove the card. Caution Inserting an ExpressCard while the laptop is shutting down or booting up can cause damage to the card and/or to the laptop. Also, a card might give problems when you insert or remove the card while the laptop is in hibernation or sleep mode.

Mobile FRUs

FIELD-REPLACEABLE PARTS FOR MOBILE DEVICES A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 For the purposes of IT support technicians supporting mobile devices, know there are few field-replaceable units (FRU) in mobile devices because the cost of replacement, including parts and labor, generally exceeds the value of fixing rather than replacing the device. Although it is possible to replace the screens in some mobile devices, a support technician is not generally expected to take the time to do so. SIM cards and batteries can be replaced, and accessories such as a battery charger or earbuds can be attached.

Mobile hardware

FIRST LOOK AT MOBILE DEVICE HARDWARE A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 Here's a list of the mobile devices that you, as an IT support technician, might be called on to support: Smart phone. A smart phone is primarily a cell phone that also includes abilities to send text messages with photos, videos, or other multimedia content attached; surf the web; manage email; play games; take photos and videos; and download and use small apps. Most smart phones use touch screens for input (see Figure 1-40) and a few have a physical keyboard and a touch screen. Some smart phones allow for voice input. Figure 1-40 Most smart phones don't have a keyboard and use a touch screen for input Tablets and phablets. A tablet is a computing device with a touch screen that is larger than a smart phone and has functions similar to a smart phone. Most tablets can connect to Wi-Fi networks and use Bluetooth or NFC (Near Field Communication) to wirelessly connect to nearby devices. Some tablets have the ability to use a cellular network for data transmissions and phone calls. Installed apps, such as Skype, can make voice phone calls, send text, and make video calls. When you can use your tablet to make a phone call, the distinction between a smart phone and a tablet is almost nonexistent, except for size. A phablet bridges this size exception. A phablet (pronounced "fab-let") has the same capabilities of a smart phone or tablet, but is smaller than a tablet and larger than a smart phone. E-readers. An e-reader is a mobile device that holds digital versions of books, newspapers, magazines, and other printed documents, which are usually downloaded to the device from the web. An e-reader can connect to the Internet using a Wi-Fi wireless connection or a wired connection to a computer that is connected to the Internet. In addition, content can be stored on a flash memory card, which is inserted in the e-reader. Smart cameras. A smart camera is a digital camera that has embedded computing power to make decisions about the content of the photos or videos it records, including transmitting alerts over a wired or wireless network when it records certain content. Smart cameras, sometimes called vision sensors, can be used to initiate alerts for surveillance of a protected area or to monitor manufacturer automated assembly lines for potential problems. Wearable technology devices. Wearable technology devices, including smart watches (see Figure 1-41), wristbands, arm bands, eyeglasses, headsets, and clothing, can be used as computing devices to make phone calls, send text messages, transmit data, and check email; wearable technology fitness monitors can measure heart rate, count pool laps or miles jogged or biked, and a host of other activities. These devices can sync up with a computer for power and communication, similar to how other mobile devices work. Many people believe smart watches will eventually replace smart phones as the personal communication device of choice.

Laptop components

LAPTOP INTERNAL COMPONENTS A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 Figure 1-36 shows the inside of a laptop case after the cover on the bottom of the laptop has been removed. Here is a list of important components, most of which you can see in the photo: Figure 1-36 Bottom of a laptop with cover removed Battery pack. The battery pack is not shown because you always remove the battery first before opening a laptop case. Hard drive. The 2.5-inch hard drive is secured in its bay with two screws. When you remove the screws, you can use the plastic tab to lift the drive from its bay. CPU, heat sink, and fan. The CPU is hidden under the heat sink, which is labeled in the figure. The heat sink draws heat from the CPU and pipes it to the fan, also labeled in the figure. The fan blows the heat out of the laptop case. Memory. Laptops use smaller memory modules than the DIMMs used in desktop computers. In the figure, you can see two SO-DIMMs (small outline DIMMs) installed. Figure 1-37 shows a DIMM and a SO-DIMM for size comparison. Figure 1-37 A DIMM used in desktops compared with a SO-DIMM used in laptop computers Wireless card. The wireless card is installed to the left of the hard drive in Figure 1-36. You can see two wires leading to the wireless antennas, which are installed in the laptop lid. System board. Look for the blue system board (in laptop documentation, the motherboard is usually called the system board) under the heat sink, memory, and fan. If you look carefully, you can see microchips and other components on the board. Optical drive. The optical drive is not visible in the photo. To replace it, you first remove a single screw holding the drive in place and then slide the drive to the left and out of the case. This one screw is labeled in Figure 1-36. Other hardware components you are likely to find in a laptop case include a small speaker and smart card reader and writer. In the chapter, "Working Inside Desktop Computers and Laptops," you learn how to disassemble and reassemble a laptop.

Maintaining devices

MAINTAINING LAPTOPS AND MOBILE DEVICES A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 Laptops and mobile devices tend to not last as long as desktop computers because they are portable and, therefore, subject to more wear and tear. A device's user manual gives specific instructions on how to care for the device. Those instructions follow these general guidelines: LCD panels on devices are fragile and can be damaged fairly easily. Take precautions against damaging a laptop or other device's LCD panel. Don't touch it with sharp objects like ballpoint pens. Don't pick up or hold a laptop by the lid. Pick it up and hold it by the bottom. Keep the lid closed when the laptop is not in use. Only use battery packs and AC adapters recommended by the laptop manufacturer. Keep the battery pack away from moisture or heat, and don't attempt to take the pack apart. When it no longer works, dispose of it correctly. For laptops, you might consider buying an extra battery pack to use when the first one discharges. You can also buy battery chargers so that you can charge one while the other is in use. Don't tightly pack a laptop or tablet in a suitcase because the LCD panel might get damaged. Use a good-quality carrying case and make a habit of always transporting the laptop in the carrying case. Don't place heavy objects on top of the laptop case. Don't move the laptop while the hard drive is being accessed (when the drive indicator light is on). Wait until the light goes off. Don't put the laptop close to an appliance such as a TV, large audio speakers, or refrigerator that generates a strong magnetic field, and don't place your cell phone on a laptop while the phone is in use. Always use passwords to protect access to your laptop or mobile device so you are better protected when connected to a public network or the device is stolen or used by an unauthorized person. Keep your laptop or device at room temperature. For example, never leave it in a car overnight when it is cold, and don't leave it in a car during the day when it's hot. Don't expose your laptop or device to direct sunlight for an extended time. Don't leave the laptop or device in a dusty or smoke-filled area. Don't use it in a wet area such as near a swimming pool or in the bathtub. Don't use it at the beach where sand can get in it. Don't power it up and down unnecessarily. Protect the laptop from overheating by not running it when it's still inside the case, resting on a pillow, or partially covered with a blanket or anything else that would prevent proper air circulation around it. If a laptop has just come indoors from the cold, don't turn it on until it reaches room temperature. In some cases, condensation can cause problems. Some manufacturers recommend that when you receive a new laptop shipped to you during the winter, you should leave it in its shipping carton for several hours before you open the carton to prevent subjecting the laptop to a temperature shock. Protect a laptop against static electricity. If you have just come in from the cold on a low-humidity day when there is the possibility that you are carrying static electricity, don't touch the laptop until you have grounded yourself. Before placing a laptop in a carrying case for travel, remove any CDs, DVDs, or USB flash drives, and put them in protective covers. Verify that the system is powered down and not in sleep mode, which will drain the battery. If a laptop gets wet, you can partially disassemble it to allow internal components to dry. Give the laptop several days to dry before attempting to turn it on. Don't use heat to speed up the drying time. Keep current backups of important data on a laptop or device in case it fails or is stolen. A well-used laptop, especially one that is used in dusty or dirty areas, needs cleaning occasionally. Here are some cleaning tips: 1. Clean the LCD panel with a soft dry cloth. If the panel is very dirty, you can use monitor wipes to clean it or dampen the cloth with water. Some manufacturers recommend using a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water to clean an LCD panel. Be sure the LCD panel is dry before you close the lid. 2. Use a can of compressed air meant to be used on computer equipment to blow dust and small particles out of the keyboard, trackball, and touch pad. Turn the laptop at an angle and direct the air into the sides of the keyboard. Then use a soft, damp cloth to clean the key caps and touch pad. 3. Use compressed air to blow out all air vents on the laptop to make sure they are clean and unobstructed. 4. If keys are sticking, remove the keyboard so you can better spray under the keys with compressed air. If you can remove the key cap, remove it and clean the key contact area with contact cleaner. One example of a contact cleaner you can use for this purpose is Stabilant 22 (www.stabilant.com). Reinstall the keyboard and test it. If the key still sticks, replace the keyboard. 5. Remove the battery and clean the battery connections with a contact cleaner.

Mobile Accessories

MOBILE DEVICE ACCESSORIES A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 You can buy all kinds of accessories for mobile devices, such as wireless keyboards, speakers, earbuds, headsets, game pads, docking stations, printers, extra batteries, USB adapters, chargers, credit card readers for accepting payments by credit card, and protective covers for waterproofing. For example, Figure 1-51 shows a car docking station for a smart phone. Using this car dock, the smart phone is a GPS device giving driving directions.

Special keys

SPECIAL KEYS, BUTTONS, AND INPUT DEVICES ON A LAPTOP A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 Buttons or switches might be found above the keyboard, and the top row of keys contains the function keys. To use a function key, hold down the Fn key as you press the function key. Here are the purposes of a few keys and buttons. Some of them change Windows settings. Know that these same settings can also be changed using Windows tools: Volume setting. You can set the volume using the volume icon in the Windows taskbar. In addition, some laptops offer buttons or function keys to control the volume (see Figure 1-28). Figure 1-28 On this laptop, use the Fn and the F2, F3, or F4 key to control volume; use the Fn key and the F5 or F6 key to control screen brightness; and use the Fn key and the F7 key to manage dual displays Keyboard backlight. Function keys can be used to control the keyboard backlight to light up the keyboard. Touch pad on or off. Other function keys can turn on or off the touch pad, which is the most common pointing device on a laptop (see Figure 1-29). Some people prefer to use a USB wired or wireless mouse instead of a touch pad. Figure 1-29 The touch pad is the most common pointing device on a notebook Screen brightness and screen orientation. Function keys can control the screen brightness on many laptops. Screen brightness can also be controlled in Windows display settings. Some laptops allow you to use a function key to change the screen orientation to landscape or portrait so you can use the laptop turned on its end. Dual displays. Most laptops use a function key to control dual displays. For example, for one laptop, the combination of the Fn key and the F7 key (refer back to Figure 1-28) displays the box shown in Figure 1-30. Use arrow keys to use only the LCD panel, duplicate or extend output to the external monitor, or use only the external monitor. Dual displays can also be managed using Windows display settings. Figure 1-30 Control dual monitors on a Windows 8 laptop Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular on or off. Some laptops use function keys such as Fn with F5 or F6 to toggle Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular on or off, or a laptop might have a switch for this purpose. You can also control these wireless technologies using Windows settings or software utilities provided by the manufacturer. When you turn off all wireless technologies, the computer is said to be in airplane mode. Media options. Some laptops provide buttons or allow you to use function keys to fast forward, stop, pause, or rewind audio or video media playing in an optical drive. GPS on or off. If a laptop has a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver to calculate its position on the Earth, the laptop might provide a button or function key to turn the GPS on or off. The Global Positioning System is a system of 24 or more satellites orbiting the Earth, and a GPS receiver can locate three or more of these satellites at any time and from these three locations, calculate its own position in a process called trilateration. Notes If the keyboard fails and you're not able to immediately exchange it, know that you can plug in an external keyboard to a USB port to use in the meantime.

Storage

STORAGE DEVICES A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 Mobile devices store their apps and data on a solid-state device (SSD), a type of flash memory. In addition, a device might have an external slot where you can plug in a smart card such as an SD card or MicroSD card to provide extra storage. Figure 1-49 shows a memory card slot on an Android tablet, and Figure 1-50 shows a MicroSD card. The iPhone, iPad, and iPod don't have these external slots for a smart card. Figure 1-49 An Android device might provide a memory card slot to allow for extra storage Figure 1-50 A mobile device might use a MicroSD card to add extra flash memory storage to the device An Android or Microsoft device might also have a USB port that you can use to plug in a USB flash drive to provide extra storage or transfer files and folders to other devices. Apple mobile devices don't have USB ports.

Tools

TOOLS USED BY A COMPUTER HARDWARE TECHNICIAN A+ 220-901 4.1 Every IT support technician who plans to repair desktop or laptop computers or mobile devices needs a handy toolbox with a few essential tools. Several hardware and software tools can help you maintain a computer and diagnose and repair computer problems. The tools you choose depend on the amount of money you can spend and the level of hardware support you expect to provide. Essential tools for computer hardware troubleshooting are listed here, and several of them are shown in Figure 1-52. You can purchase some of these tools in a computer toolkit, although most toolkits contain items you really can do without. Figure 1-52 Tools used by IT support technicians when maintaining, repairing, or upgrading computers One of the more important tools is an ESD strap (also called a ground bracelet), which protects against ESD when working inside the computer case. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy motherboards, even though it might not be felt or seen with the naked eye. Use the strap to connect or ground your hand to the case, as shown in Figure 1-53, and any static electricity between you and the case is dissipated. Figure 1-53 An ESD strap, which protects computer components from ESD, can clip to the side of the computer case and eliminate ESD between you and the case Here is a list of essential tools: An ESD strap (also called a ground bracelet) Flathead screwdriver Phillips-head or crosshead screwdriver Torx screwdriver set, particularly size T15 Tweezers, preferably insulated ones, for picking pieces of paper out of printers or dropped screws out of tight places Extractor, a spring-loaded device that looks like a hypodermic needle (When you push down on the top, three wire prongs come out that can be used to pick up a screw that has fallen into a place where hands and fingers can't reach.) Software, including recovery CD or DVD for any OS you might work on (you might need several, depending on the OSs you support), antivirus software on bootable CDs or USB flash drives, and diagnostic software The following tools might not be essential, but they are very convenient: Cans of compressed air (see Figure 1-54), small portable compressor, or antistatic vacuum cleaner to clean dust from inside a computer case Figure 1-54 A can of compressed air is handy to blow dust from a computer case Cleaning solutions and pads such as contact cleaner, monitor wipes, and cleaning solutions for CDs, DVDs, tapes, and drives Multimeter to check cables and the power supply output Power supply tester Needle-nose pliers for removing jumpers and for holding objects (especially those pesky nuts on cable connectors) in place while you screw them in Cable ties to tie cables up and out of the way inside a computer case Flashlight to see inside the computer case AC outlet ground tester Network cable tester Loopback plugs to test ports Small cups or bags to help keep screws organized as you work Antistatic bags (a type of Faraday cage) to store unused parts Chip extractor to remove chips (To pry up the chip, a simple screwdriver is usually more effective, however.) Pen and paper for taking notes POST diagnostic cards Notes It's important to know how to stay safe when working inside computers. Before opening a computer case and using the tools described in this section, be sure to read the appendix, "Safety Procedures and Environmental Concerns." As you work inside a computer, follow all the safety guidelines discussed in this appendix. Keep your tools in a toolbox designated for hardware troubleshooting. If you put discs and hardware tools in the same box, be sure to keep the discs inside a hard plastic case to protect them from scratches and dents. In addition, make sure the diagnostic and utility software you use is recommended for the hardware and software you are troubleshooting. Now let's turn our attention to the details of several IT support technician tools, including diagnostic cards, power supply testers, multimeters, and loopback plugs. POST DIAGNOSTIC CARDS A+ 220-901 4.1 Although not an essential tool, a POST diagnostic card, also called a POST card, or motherboard test card, can be of great help to discover and report computer errors and conflicts that occur when you first turn on a computer and before the operating system (such as Windows 8) is launched. To understand what a POST card does, you need to know about the firmware, which is programs and data stored on the motherboard. Two types of firmware may be used on motherboards: The older BIOS (basic input/output system) contains system BIOS to manage essential devices (such as the keyboard, mouse, hard drive, and monitor) before the OS is launched, startup BIOS to start the computer, and BIOS setup to change the motherboard configuration or settings. Figure 1-55 shows an embedded firmware chip on a motherboard that contains the BIOS programs. Figure 1-55 This firmware chip contains flash ROM and CMOS RAM; CMOS RAM is powered by the coin battery located near the chip Newer motherboards use Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware that is more robust and secure than BIOS. Just as with BIOS, UEFI is responsible for managing essential devices before the OS is launched, starting the computer, and managing motherboard settings. UEFI can also assure that the boot is secure and no rogue operating system hijacks the system. So now back to the usefulness of a POST card. The POST (power-on self test) is a series of tests performed by the startup UEFI/BIOS when you first turn on a computer. These tests determine if startup UEFI/BIOS can communicate correctly with essential hardware components required for a successful boot. If you have a problem that prevents the computer from booting that you suspect is related to hardware, you can install the POST card in an expansion slot on the motherboard. For laptops, some cards install in a USB port. Then attempt to boot. The card monitors the boot process and reports errors, usually as coded numbers on a small LED panel on the card. You then look up the number online or in the documentation that accompanies the card to get more information about the error and its source. Figure 1-56 shows a POST diagnostic card, the Post Code Master card by Microsystems Developments, Inc. (www.postcodemaster.com). Figure 1-56 Post Code Master diagnostic card by Microsystems Developments, Inc., installs in a PCI slot Before purchasing these or any other diagnostic tools or software, read the documentation about what they can and cannot do, and read some online product reviews. Try using Google.com and searching on "computer diagnostic card reviews." Notes Some Dell computers have lights on the case that blink in patterns to indicate a problem early in the boot before the OS loads. These blinking lights give information similar to that given by POST cards. POWER SUPPLY TESTER A+ 220-901 4.1 A power supply tester is used to measure the output of each connector coming from the power supply. You can test the power supply when it is outside or inside the case. As you saw earlier in Figure 1-8, the power supply provides several cables and connectors that power various components inside the computer case. A power supply tester has plugs for each type of cable. Connect a power cable to the tester, plug up the power supply, and turn on the tester. An LCD panel reports the output of each lead (see Figure 1-57). Figure 1-57 Use a power supply tester to test the output of each power connector on a power supply MULTIMETER A+ 220-901 4.1 A multimeter (see Figure 1-58) is a more general-purpose tool that can measure several characteristics of electricity in a variety of devices. Some multimeters can measure voltage, current, resistance, or continuity. (Continuity determines that two ends of a cable or fuse are connected without interruption.) When set to measure voltage, you can use it to measure output of each pin on a power supply connector. Set to measure continuity, a multimeter is useful to test fuses, to determine if a cable is good, or to match pins on one end of a cable to pins on the other end. Figure 1-58 This digital multimeter can be set to measure voltage, resistance, or continuity LOOPBACK PLUGS A loopback plug is used to test a port in a computer or other device to make sure the port is working and might also test the throughput or speed of the port. Figure 1-59 shows a loopback plug testing a network port on a laptop. You know both the port and the network cable are good because the lights on either side of the port are lit. You can also buy a USB loopback plug to test USB ports.

All in one

WHAT'S INSIDE AN ALL-IN-ONE COMPUTER A+ 220-901 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 An all-in-one computer uses a mix of components sized for a desktop computer and a laptop. Let's get the general idea of what's inside the case of an all-in-one by looking at the inside of the Lenovo ThinkCentre all-in-one shown earlier in Figure 1-21. Figure 1-38 shows the computer with the case cover removed. Notice in the figure the hard drive is a 3.5-inch drive appropriate for a desktop system, and the memory modules are SO-DIMMs appropriate for a laptop. So goes the hybrid nature of an all-in-one. The fan and heat sink look more like that of a laptop computer, but the processor socket on the motherboard is a desktop processor socket, another hybrid design. Figure 1-38 Components inside an all-in-one computer Several components are easy to exchange in this all-in-one without further disassembly. For example, the Mini PCIe card for wireless connectivity, shown in Figure 1-39, is easy to get to, as are the SO-DIMMs you can partly see on the right side of the photo. Figure 1-39 CMOS battery and Mini PCIe wireless card To work inside an all-in-one, you'll need the service manual to know how to open the case and replace internal components. Also, for some components, such as the motherboard and power supply, you'll need to buy the replacement component from the all-in-one manufacturer because these components are likely to be proprietary as with many laptop components. For specific directions about replacing parts in an all-in-one, see the service manual.