TestOut PC Pro & CompTIA A+ Ch02 - PC Technician Responsibilities

2.1.6-05 Which of the following devices can store large amounts of electricity, even when unplugged? * LCD monitor * CRT monitor * Hard disk drive * DVD optical drive

* CRT monitor

2.1.0-01 Protection and Safety - Capacitor

A device that stores an electric charge.

2.2.1-03 Environmental Concerns - Printer Cartridges

Cartridges go dry and or run out of toner. Some manufacturers accept empty cartridges back, refill them and then resell them sometimes at a lower cost.

2.1.1-08 Safety - Peripheral Hazards, Fiber Optic Cables

Fiber Optic Cables also use light that can damage your eyes. Never look down the end of a fiber optic cable. Shine the light into your hand or look for a red dot. Do not look into the cable.

2.2.3-01 Power Concerns - Power Surges vs Power Spikes

* A power surge happens when you get AN INCREASE IN VOLTAGE from the 110 or 120 volt outlet that can LAST FOR SECONDS * A power spike is an increase in voltage from the 110 or 120 volt outlet but LASTS IN MILLISECONDS, shorter or quicker than a power surge. This is more common during a lightning storm.

2.2.2-01 Environmental Facts - Disposal

* Consult the manufacturer's documentation for recommended solutions for equipment disposal. * Consult an MSDS for information on physical data, toxicity, health effects, first aid, storage, disposal, and spill procedures for disposal of hazardous chemicals. You can download a MSDS from the manufacturer's website or check with a representative of that organization. Your company may also have an MSDS in place for disposal that you can refer to.

2.1.6-01 You are upgrading an old video card with a new one. To ensure personal safety, what should you do first? * Place the computer on an ESD mat * Put on safety glasses * Remove jewelry * Disconnect power

* Disconnect power

2.1.6-04 To improve the safety of your location and comply with regulations regarding work environments with hazardous materials, you have been assigned to assemble Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals used in your shop. How should you obtain these documents? * Ask your manager for them. * Download them from the chemical manufacturer's websites. * Write them yourself after researching the issues. * Get them from your local worker's safety insurance office.

* Download them from the chemical manufacturer's websites.

2.1.6-09 You work for a store that sells and repairs computers. Due to the room's layout, while repairing computer, you must walk from one side of the carpeted room to the other frequently. Which of the following would BEST protect you from static electricity buildup? * ESD wrist strap * Self-grounding * ESD hell strap * ESD mat

* ESD wrist strap Discharging to a computer component may damage that component. It is best to use an ESD wrist strap to ensure proper grounding. An ESD heel strap only works if the surface technician is walking on is ESD-protected. The room has carpet and heel straps would be ineffective. ESD mats neutralize the static between the computer and the mat, however you are not equalized with the other two. Self-grounding is good, the fact that you are working on carpet means that additional static may build if you shuffle your feet while working.

2.1.6-07 A technician works in a factory where there is a significant amount of EMI (electromagnetic interference) emissions. Due to this EMI, several computers that control the factory's manufacturing machines are unable to communicate with the network. Which of the following network cabling options would be the BEST for reestablishing network communications? * Coaxial * Cat 7 * Fiber optic * Cat 5e

* Fiber optic Fiber optic cabling is totally immune to EMI and provides the highest level of EMI protection. Coaxial cabling is highly resistant to EMI, but not as good as fiber optic cabling. Due to the number of twists, Cat 7 cabling provides better protection from EMI than Cat 5e cabling. Cat 7 can also be procured with added EMI shielding. However, Cat 7 with or without shielding, is not as good as fiber optic cabling. Cat 5e provides good protection from EMI, but Cat 7, coaxial and fiber optic cabling provides better protection.

2.1.6-02 You are setting up desktop computers for employees when you noticed the nearest wall outlet only has two prongs. All of the metal-enclosed desktop computers have three-prong cords. What is the BEST way to proceed with that particular desktop computer? * Get a new power cord with two prongs to match the wall outlet.. * Purchase an adapter that converts the three prong cable to two prongs. * Use the existing cord, but remove the grounding prongs, as it is not required. * Find a different outlet that uses three prongs.

* Find a different outlet that uses three prongs.

2.1.6-08 Which of the following is a myth regarding electrostatic discharge (ESD)? * If you can't feel ESD, the surge is not sufficient to harm computer components. * Simply touching an object can create static electricity. You do not have to rub the object. * Most often, ESD degrades computer components, and they fail at a later date. * Sitting down or standing from a chair can create static electricity.

* If you can't feel ESD, the surge is not sufficient to harm computer components.

2.1.5-02 ESD Facts - ESD Safety Measures

* Keep the relative humidity (RH) in the room 35-70%, and temperature between 72-77 degrees. The key is to avoid dry air in the location to prevent ESD. * Use antistatic mats under the PC and on the floor * Discharge yourself before touching any computer component. * Wear an antistatic wrist strap attached to the PC's metal chassis before touching anything inside the computer. * Ground both yourself and the computer to the same ground. This provides a single path for the flow of electrical potential. * Use static-resistant materials to handle computer components. * Never touch the metal connectors on a circuit board, or on the memory modules and expansion cards. * Keep the computer repair location free of materials that accumulate electric charges, such as plastic and Styrofoam. * Store sensitive components in static shielding bags, usually are grey and metallic in color. Static-resistant bags are usually tinted pink or blue and are not nearly as effective. * Unplug the system before working on internal components. Don not rely on the power cord for an electrical ground.

2.1.1-04 Safety - Peripheral Hazards

* Laser Printers * Impact Dot Matrix Printers * DVD and CD drives * Fiber Optic Cables

2.1.6-10 To prevent ESD when replacing internal computer components, you attach an anti-static wrist strap to your wrist. Where should the other end be fastened? (Select two.) * Ground wire on the power supply * Metal area on the computer case * Anti-static mat * Ground wire on the wall power outlet * Screw on the wall power outlet

* Metal area on the computer case * Anti-static mat

2.1.6-06 Jeannette's workstation is overheating. She decides to open the workstation and clean any accumulated dust to see if it helps with the overheating issue. Which of the following can Jeannette safely do to remove dust? (Select two) * Use a lint-free cloth and cleaning solvent to remove all dust accumulation. * Remove the power supply to do detailed cleaning. * Use a continuous stream of compressed air to clean all components. * Use short bursts of compressed air to clean delicate components. * Use a special vacuum to clean dust from all hardware components.

* Use short bursts of compressed air to clean delicate components. * Use a special vacuum to clean dust from all hardware components.

2.1.6-03 In which of the following should you NOT use an ESD wrist strap? * When replacing memory modules. * When wearing jewelry. * When replacing worn or frayed power cords. * When working with high-voltage components.

* When working with high-voltage components.

2.2.3-10 Power Concerns - Configuring a UPS

1. Plug the UPS into the wall outlet and let the battery charge 12 to 24 hours before use. 2. Once fully charged, plug a server or workstation into one of the protected outlets on the UPS. 3. Connect the management cable from the UPS to the PC's USB or serial cable and install the software and drivers. Be aware of which power plugs are available with battery protection vs the other plugs that only condition the power and acting as a surge processor.

2.2.3-04 Power Concerns - Blackout

A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. Usually when there is a short, a tree or high winds knocking down a power line, or a transformer blows out. Most organizations plan ahead in how to protect data.

2.2.3-03 Power Concerns - Brownout

A TEMPORARY DECREASE IN VOLTAGE that may last for several seconds due to high demand on the electrical grid and not enough power for everyone to use. The power doesn't go out completely but the lights dim.

2.2.3-06 Power Concerns - UPS Protection and the Two Types Offline and Online

A battery backup from your PC. When the power goes off, the UPS kicks in and supplies power for a period of time. Most UPS units also provide power conditioning (surge suppressors), and protect your equipment from power spikes, sags, brownouts, and blackouts. Depending on the organizations' needs deciding which are more critical: workstations, or data on the servers. For most, they choose to install a UPS on just the servers to run web services for customers and save into a database.

2.2.2-14 Environmental Facts - Cleaning

A buildup of dirt and dust can slow or even stop mechanical parts and cause your computer to overheat.

2.1.2-02 Safety Measures - Power Handling, Capacitor

A capacitor is a device that stores an electric charge. Be sure to discharge capacitors or turn the equipment over to qualified personnel for servicing. Similarly, exercise caution when working with the DC converter in a laptop display.

2.2.2-16 Environmental Facts - Cleaning, Damp Cloth

A damp cloth with mild soap and water can be used to clean the outside of a computer and monitor. Be sure to unplug any electronic device before cleaning with water.

2.1.2-04 Safety Measures - Peripherals

A device that connects to a computer, such as a monitor or a printer. Peripherals can present a safety hazard. * Do not use a regular multimeter or other electrical testing equipment to measure charge inside a monitor. * Never clean the monitor's glass with a liquid solvent wile the monitor is powered on. * Some studies suggest that laser printers emit tiny particles which could be dangerous when inhaled. As a precaution, do not locate laser printers immediately next to desks, and keep the area ventilated. * Avoid handling leaking batteries. The leaking electrolytes can be harmful if they get into your eyes. * Never look into the end of a fiber optic networking cable. Laser light can damage your eyes.

2.1.0-03 Protection and Safety - Peripheral Device

A device that connects to a computer, such as a monitor or printer.

2.2.0-01 Environmental Controls - Line Conditioner

A device that modifies the power signal to remove noise and create a smooth alternating current (AC) signal.

2.2.3-02 Power Concerns - Power Sag

A power sag is A DECREASE IN VOLTAGE. You could be getting 110 to 115 volts from the wall socket that suddenly drops down to 80 or 60 volts.

2.1.4-01 ESD Protection - Use a Static Mat

A static mat equalizes a static charge because it has a conductive surface that establishes connectivity between a device like memory modules or the CPU and the mat. There is no charge to build up, any charge that does build up dissipates between the computer part and the mat and whatever the mat is connected to.

2.1.3-05 Electrostatic Discharge - Use Static Mats

Allows you to equalize the electrical potential between you and the PC system. You can also use static floor mats or static floor materials. A static floor mat is designed to keep you in balance with the electrical potential of everything around you. The electrical charge never builds up and any charge you may have is immediately dissipated through the mat or through the floor.

2.2.0-03 Environmental Controls - OFFLINE Standby Power Supply aka Standby UPS

An offline device that goes online to provide power when an under voltage event occurs.

2.2.0-04 Environmental Controls ONLINE Uninterruptible Power Supply aka Online UPS

An online device that is constantly providing battery to the computer and being recharged by the wall outlet.

2.1.1-13 Safety - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Any component that presents a potential hazard includes an MSDS. This explains what you should do if you come in contact with an electrical component that's potentially dangerous. An MSDS also explains how to properly dispose of equipment. For example, an alkaline battery can be disposed of in the trash, however a NiCad battery cannot.

2.2.4-03 Configure UPS Settings - Runtime Options

Applies to APC UPS system: Two options 1. Preserve Battery Power 2. Keep my computer running as long as possible.

2.1.1-03 Safety - ESD and High Voltage Hazards

Avoid servicing anything with high voltage. DO NOT WEAR AN EST WRIST STRAP AROUND HIGH VOLTAGE. If you are grounded, you become the path of least resistance for the current. If the current is high voltage, you are the path through which the high voltage current will flow.

2.1.2-07 Safety Measures - Personal Safety, Lifting

Be careful when lifting heavy objects. * Bend your knees and keep your back straight, using your legs to lift objects. * Wear a back brace for added protection if your job requires frequent lifting. * Use carts and other tools when moving heavy objects for any significant distance. * Ask for help, if necessary, when lifting or moving heavier objects. * Follow the weight limitation guidelines defined by your employer.

2.1.3-04 Electrostatic Discharge - Discharge Yourself

Before you touch any PC component. Simply touch the case frame of the PC system. Any electrical potential or difference in potential that may have existed between you and the case is immediately discharged, or is equalized.

2.1.2-08 Safety Measures - Personal Safety, Cleanliness

Clean hardware regularly to avoid problems caused by built-up dust. * Use compressed air to clean delicate components. * Use a specialized vacuum to clean dust from other hardware. * Avoid blowing dust into other hardware or all over your office.

2.1.3-02 Electrostatic Discharge - Component Damage

Components inside the computer uses smaller DC voltages of 12, 5, or 3.3 volts. an ESD discharge must be about 3,000 volts before you can see or feel it like when you touch a doorknob and get a shock.

2.1.2-05 Safety Measures - Personal Safety, Thermal

Components such as the CPU heat sink and fan, the print head of a dot matrix printer, or components inside a laser printer can be hot. After turning off a computer or printer, allow components to cool sufficiently before servicing to prevent burns.

2.2.2-10 Environmental Facts - Air Quality

Computer systems do not function well if they get too cold, too hot, too humid or too dry. Poor environmental conditions can reduce the life of network components, as well as decrease their reliability over time.

2.2.3-07 Power Concerns - Online UPS

The best kind and the most expensive. The PC doesn't draw directly from the wall outlet, rather it is constantly fed by the battery in the UPS. Online UPS continually recharges the battery, which the PC system continually draws from. Disadvantage: the battery wears out faster and the internal battery is replaced more frequently.

2.2.2-12 Environmental Facts - Air Quality, Humidity

Computer systems do not function well with too much or too little humidity. Computers are designed dot operate within a humidity range, so you need to monitor the humidity within your organization, especially in your server rooms and data centers. Too much humidity can result in condensation. Too little humidity can result in electrostatic discharges. The drier the air, the more easily static sparks can jump and damage component. The recommended humidity level is usually between 50 and 65%.

2.2.1-07 Environmental Concerns - Air Quality

Computer systems don't function well if they get too cold, too hot, too humid, or too dry. Poor environmental conditions can reduce your network components' lifespan as well as decrease their reliability over time.

2.2.1-09 Environmental Concerns - Humidity

Computers are designed to operate within a humidity range, so you need to monitor the humidity within the organization. Too much humidity results in condensation, which is bad for electronic equipment. Too little is also bad because ESD are more likely. The drier the air, the more easily static sparks can jump and damage components. The recommended humidity level is usually around 40 to 60 percent.

2.2.2-04 Environmental Facts - Disposal, Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Rechargeable Batteries

Considered a non-hazardous waste. Recycle these batteries.

2.2.2-03 Environmental Facts - Disposal, Button Batteries

Considered hazardous waste because they contain mercuric oxide, lithium, silver oxide, or zinc-air. Return to the manufacturer, recycle them, or contact local authorities for disposal procedures.

2.2.2-09 Environmental Facts - Disposal, Cleaning Solutions and Vents

Consult the MSDS, a licensed disposal organization, or local authorities for handling and authorized disposal procedures for cleaning solutions and solvents.

2.2.2-05 Environmental Facts - Disposal, CRT Monitor

Contact local authorities for recycling CRTs. They contain many toxic and caustic substances that are illegal to incinerate. Discharge CRTs before disposal, as they can contain high voltages.

2.2.2-07 Environmental Facts - Disposal, Power Supply

Contact local authorities for regulations. Recycle whenever possible. Discharge before disposal as they contain high voltages.

2.1.1-07 Safety - Peripheral Hazards, DVD and CD drives

DVD and CD drives write data using laser lights that can damage your eyes.

2.2.2-17 Environmental Facts - Cleaning, Denatured Isopropyl Alcohol

Denatured alcohol can be used to clean metal contacts (like those found on expansion cars).

2.1.1-09 Safety - Thermal Radiation and Heat Hazards

Devices inside a computer generate heat, in particular, the CPU and memory. Allow a system to cool down before you work on it. Some components can get hot enough to cause a sever burn. A heat sink or a heat spreader in a device indicates you should let that device cool down before you touch it. These devices present a definite safety hazard.

2.1.1-12 Safety - Fire Extinguishers and Class Types

Every room in which you work should be fire suppressed. At a minimum, you should have a Class C fire extinguisher which designed for electrical fires.

2.1.4-02 ESD Protection - Ground the Computer

Establish connectivity between the case, the mat, and you. Take the case and use an alligator clip or ground the case to the mat. Connectivity is now established and no difference in static charge can be built up between the case and the mat itself.

2.1.2-09 Safety Measures - Personal Safety, Fire

Every room in which you work should be fire suppressed. * Have at least a Class C fire extinguisher available. A Class C fire extinguisher is made for electrical fires. * Make sure fire extinguishers and fire suppression methods (e.g., sprinklers) are properly implemented and maintained. * Promptly report any potential hazardous situations. * Make the safety of others your top priority in responding to any incident. In the event of a hazardous situation, clear people from the area or remove the danger before attempting other actions such as preventing or repairing damage to components.

2.2.2-13 Environmental Facts - Air Quality, Ventilation Hot and Cold Aisles in server rooms and data centers

Good ventilation can go a long way in maintaining temperature, humidity, and air flow. PCs and laptops should be used in an area where there is plenty of space for air flow in and out. Server rooms and data centers often use hot and cold aisles that are designed to ensure that hot air is removed, and cool air is pushed into the room.

2.2.1-02 Environmental Concerns - Batteries

Guidelines vary for different battery types. Alkaline - in most states it can be thrown, but in California, they are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed with household hazardous waste collection for special recycling. Lithium-ion are common laptop batteries but it lasts only 3 years or less, and are commonly replaced. In most states it's illegal to throw them, they are loaded with toxic chemicals and needs to be disposed in the manner dictated by the local community. Contact your local environmental management office for information on recycling facilities.

2.2.1-10 Environmental Concerns - Cleaning

Having a buildup of dirt and dust can slow or even stop mechanical parts and cause the computer to overheat. Sometimes, you can use a damp cloth with mild soap. Never use strong solvent-based cleaners on your devices, especially the monitor as they can create discoloration, damage and buildup. Turn off all power before putting anything wet near an electrical device. Refer to your organizations' MSDS for preferred cleaning solutions before you start.

2.2.4-04 Configure UPS Settings - Runtime option Keep My Computer Running As Long As Possible

If a power outage occurs, it should run on battery until it's down to about 5 minutes left in battery capacity, then initiate shutdown command to the PC.

2.2.1-05 Environmental Concerns - Computers

If you can, discharge and recycle a desktop's power supply unit. Computers have a lot of precious metals inside, which often can be recycled. Recycling companies for computers extract the gold, silver, and other materials.

2.1.1-06 Safety - Peripheral Hazards, Dot Matrix Impact Printers

Impact Dot Matrix Printers contain solenoid, the little coils in the print head, gets hot enough to burn you.

2.1.2-10 Safety Measures - Personal Safety, Clothing and Jewelry

Jewelry and clothing can get in the way and can help to create or conduct static electricity. * Avoid wearing loose clothing. * Remove Jewelry from hands and wrists when working on computer components.

2.2.1-04 Environmental Concerns - Monitors

LCD, Plasma, and CRT monitors are all considered hazardous waste. They can leak lead and other toxic materials, it is illegal to be thrown in the trash. Older CRT monitors contain a large electrical charge. Unused monitors unplugged for a long time still has a capacitor that can retain the charge upwards of 20,000 volts.

2.1.1-11 Safety - Lifting Hazards

Lift with your legs, not with your back. If you're lifting an extremely heavy piece of equipment, wear a back brace, use a cart, or ask for help.

2.2.0-02 Environmental Controls - Line Conditioner vs Surge Protector

Line Conditioner (pricier but longer lifespan) eliminates possible damages from power degradations and disruptions. * mostly predictable and repeatable as they handle the same power issues repeatedly. * eliminates high voltage and clean power * always altering the power as it's main function to modify the power and clean it for the electronics connected to it. Surge Protector (cheaper but often replaced) only limits the damage from potentially destructive events based on voltage surge. * unpredictable as it may not handle above a surge above it's voltage protection. * focuses on limiting the voltage * the only time a surge protector alters the power is when it goes over a certain amount.

2.2.3-09 Power Concerns - Choosing a UPS

Look for larger batteries that can supply power for a longer period of time. Look for a rating that says how long will the battery last. Be aware that these time ratings aren't very accurate. A general rule of thumb is to plan for about half of the time advertised and use the rest of the time as a cushion. Also be cautious that if you plug in more than one PC to the UPS, you need to also divide the time of remaining power.

2.2.1-01 Environmental Concerns - Disposal

Most communities have laws that dictate which materials you can and can't put into the common trash. Environmental laws vary from state to state, so be sure to check your local laws for directives on handling things like batteries, printer cartridges, monitors, and PCs.

2.1.4-04 ESD Protection - Unplug the System

Make sure the power cable from the computer case is unplugged from the wall before starting to attach the alligator clips. If the power supply were to have a fault or a problem that allowed current to go through the component to which you are grounded, it will go through you. In old power supplies, there was a physical switch that broke the current between the wall and the power supply when shut off. Newer power supplies continue to supply a continuous current to the motherboard. Granted, the motherboard side of the power supply uses DC current, but if the power supply were to have a fault and was leaking AC current to the system, you will be in trouble.

2.1.2-06 Safety Measures - Personal Safety, Physical

Make sure the room and building are properly set up to ensure your safety. * Keep work areas and floors clear of clutter to help prevent accidents. * Do not route cables across the floor in pathways. This can lead to tripping accidents and could also result in worn cables. * Provide adequate ventilation in an enclosure to remove toxic fumes. * Protect yourself from airborne particles by using an air filter mask. * Wear safety goggles. * Replace worn or frayed power cords.

2.1.1-02 Safety - Capacitor Hazards and consider a Power Supply as a FRU

Power coming out of a wall is stored in a capacitor in the power supply unit. Even after the power supply unit is unplugged from the wall, a capacitor can hold a charge for up to whole seconds instead of milliseconds. Consider the power supply a field-replaceable unit (FRU). Never service a PSU, replace it with a new one.

2.1.2-01 Safety Measures - Power Handling, Power

Power hazards can cause electrical shock and burns. * Before handling a system component, make sure that it is powered off and that the main power cord is unplugged from the wall socket. * Ensure that the grounding pin on a PC power plug is intact. * Unplug the system before working on internal components. Newer power supplies constantly pull power from the wall socket. * Be aware that the power inverter (power supply) converts AC to DC. Also be aware that the power supply can retain an electrical charge, even when it's not plugged in. Replace faulty power supplies instead of trying to repair them. * Avoid opening the power supply, which houses a capacitor (stores a large charge of electricity).

2.1.1-10 Safety - Physical Hazards Cables & Wiring Management

The physical surroundings are another component of safety. Arrange the room that you work in to eliminate physical hazards. Use proper cable management and don't leave wires on the floor. Don't leave components in places where co-workers can trip over them. Be aware of personal safety for yourself and those around you.

2.1.2-11 Safety Measures - Personal Safety, Eyes and Mouth

Protect your eyes and mouth from flying debris, dust, or allergens by using: * Air filtration mask * Safety glasses

2.1.2-12 Safety Measures - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Provides information related to potential hazards and safety precautions within an organization. An MSDS should include: * A listing of hazardous chemicals or components. * Potential effects of exposure. * Requirements for the handling and storage of hazardous materials including such things as: proper battery disposal, proper toner disposal, proper disposal of other devices and assets. * Response plan if accidents do occur: plan for responding to injuries, and plan for securing hazardous materials.

2.2.2-02 Environmental Facts - Disposal, Alkaline Batteries

Recycle Alkaline batteries if possible. Otherwise, dispose as your local laws require. California considers these as hazardous waste and included with household hazardous waste collection for special recycling.

2.2.2-06 Environmental Facts - Disposal, PC system

Recycle, give it away, or resell old PC system. A typical PC contains $5 to $25 worth of precious metals. Remember to clean wipe the hard drive before disposing of the machine.

2.2.1-06 Environmental Concerns - MSDS Guidance

Refer to your organization's MSDS for the preferred disposal methods for batteries, printer cartridges, monitors, and PCs.

2.1.3-09 Electrostatic Discharge - Humidity

Remember that humidity is your friend when you're dealing with electrostatic discharge. The higher the humidity, the less likely an electrostatic discharge will occur. Dry air acts as a resistor and allows static electricity to build up. To keep static down, you should keep the humidity in your work area relatively high.

2.1.1-01 Safety - Power Hazards

Remove jewelry to prevent it from getting caught in equipment or from transferring an electrical charge to your body. Be certain that the grounding pin of a 110 volt plug is intact. Power that comes from the wall is AC, or alternating current. It comes through between 110 and 1210 volts at 60 cycles per second. An alternating current out of a wall socket can be enough to stop your heart. Never work on device until you've powered it down and unplugged it from the wall. In portable computers, make sure that the battery is removed from the system.

2.2.2-08 Environmental Facts - Disposal, Laser Printer Toner and Inkjet cartridges

Return toners cartridges to the manufacturer for recycling (to clean up spills, use a toner vacuum or a scoop and a damp cloth; never use a regular vacuum) Recycle Inkjet cartridges through the manufacturer or recycle/refill them yourself.

2.1.1-05 Safety - Peripheral Hazards, Laser Printers

Some laser printers use laser light that can damage your eyes. They also use toner, which is toxic if inhaled. Toner is fused, or melted onto the paper by fuser rollers. During the process, the fuser rollers get very hot and are definitely a safety hazard. The parts of a laser printer that manage the paper path can be complicated and fast. Those parts present another safety hazard within a laser printer.

2.1.5-01 ESD Facts - Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Static electricity is the accumulation of a friction-caused electric charge on a non-grounded object. The static charge on the surface of a non-grounded can jump when it contacts the surface of any grounded object. You can cause damage even with a fingertip too close to a fragile component inside an open computer. ESD can cause immediate failure of components or gradually degrade components, causing only intermittent problems. It takes very little ESD of even 10 volts to cause damage, whereas we can only feel the ESD when it reaches 3,000+ volts.

2.1.3-03 Electrostatic Discharge - ESD Prevention

Steps you can take to reduce the risk of ESD when working on a PC system: * Discharge yourself * Use Static Mats * Follow Safe Handling Guidelines * Use Gray/Silver Metallic Static Shielding Bags * Remove Static Producing Materials * Keep Humidity high

2.2.3-05 Power Concerns - Surge Protector vs Surge Suppressor

Surge suppressor conditions power so over-voltages don't reach devices Surge protector protects against over-voltages by switching off the power to the devices plugged in to power strip. It does not protect from power sags, brownouts, or blackouts. Consider using a surge protector with an indicator light to show whether it is working correctly.

2.2.3-08 Power Concerns - Offline UPS

The UPS battery is charged full then stays full on standby and unused until there is a power outage. The PC draws power from the wall outlet through the Offline UPS ACTING AS A BRIDGE. You are not continually draining the battery, prolonging it's life. Disadvantage: There is a slight delay switching power source from the wall outlet and the battery to provide power to the PC. That slight delay the PC is not getting power directly lasts millisecond, there's usually enough power stored in the PC's power supply to keep the system running while the Offline UPS switches the power over. However, if the power supply is too small and it's barely keeping up with the demand, you might have a problem.

2.2.4-01 Configure UPS Settings - Various Vendor Software

The actual software you use will depend on which UPS you purchase. The APC company provides a PowerChute software. The Monitor Your System is displayed by default where you can view a summary of historical power events, and battery backup status and options.

2.1.0-02 Protection and Safety - Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

The flow of electricity from one electrically charged object to another.

2.1.2-03 Safety Measures - Power Handling, ESD and High Voltage

The flow of electricity from one electrically charged object to another. While some ESD can be unnoticeable to the human senses, it can be hazardous to computer components. * Use ESD wrist straps not only to protect components, but to reduce the chance of accidental electric shock. Properly ground yourself before working with components. * Do not use an ESD wrist strap when working with monitors, power supplies, laptop LCD panels, or other high-voltage components. * Exercise caution when wearing jewelry, because it readily conducts electricity and could cause burns or even electrocution.

2.2.2-11 Environmental Facts - Air Quality, Temperature

The hotter computer runs, the faster it ages and degrades. If a system is hot enough, it is possible for hardware components to be destroyed. * Internal fans and cooling systems can typically maintain internal temperature of your computers. * External temperatures of offices, server rooms, and data centers should be monitored. * The general guidelines is to try to keep the temperature at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, but cooler temperatures can be even better especially in server rooms and data centers where there are a lot of systems together.

2.2.1-08 Environmental Concerns - Temperature

The hotter the computer equipment runs, the faster it ages and degrades or destroy internal components. You can use internal fans and cooling systems to maintain the internal temperature of laptops and PCs, you should also pay attention to room temperature in the offices, server rooms and data centers. General guideline is to try to keep the temperature at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, but cooler temperatures can even be better, especially in server rooms and data centers where there are lot of systems.

2.2.3-13 Power Concerns - Automatic Shutdown using the UPS management cable

The purpose of the UPS is to keep the PC running long enough to shut down cleanly without losing data. This only works if you configure the UPS connected to the PC using the management cable. The management cable allows communication between the UPS and the PC's operating system. The operating system can monitor the state of the battery and if the UPS loses power from the source, it can be configured to send a signal to the PC where the PC can respond with shutdown options.

2.1.3-08 Electrostatic Discharge - Remove Static Producing Materials

These include plastic and Styrofoam. Plastic and Styrofoam can build up a great deal of electrical charge in you that can subsequently shock the components. Keep plastic and Styrofoam away from your work area as much as possible.

2.2.4-02 Configure UPS Settings - Notification Sounds

This gives you an audible notification that the PC system is now running on battery power. Highly recommended to turn this option ON. If there is a power outage, it generates a loud audible alarm to inform the user that the PC is now running on UPS battery. Enable option could also kick off in the middle of the night, the Default option enables the backup battery alarm to go off only during the work day.

2.2.2-18 Environmental Facts - Cleaning, Compressed Air

Use compressed air to blow small particles of dust and dirt from inside your device.

2.1.4-03 ESD Protection - Ground Yourself

Use the second clip and connect it to a wristband which has a little metal plate that we connect to our wrist. This establishes connectivity between you and the case, and between the case and the mat. There can be no static charge to built up between you, the case, or the mat. Everything is equalized because any current that does get build up immediately gets dissipated through the system.

2.2.2-15 Environmental Facts - Cleaning, Computer Vacuum

Used to remove small bits of dust and dirt. Be careful using near small components.

2.1.3-06 Electrostatic Discharge - Follow Safe Handling Guidelines

When handling an electrical component out of the computer, like a memory chip or a CPU, don't touch the gold or silver leads on the bottom of the component. On the expansion board card, don't touch the little tab connectors. The reason is that any static discharge goes through these leads traveling right into the heart of that component and probably shorting the circuits.

2.1.3-01 Electrostatic Discharge - Static Charge

Whenever two objects come into contact with each other and then separate. When the objects separate, one of the objects can steal electrons from the other object, negatively charging the first object. The object that lost electrons becomes positively charged. These two objects now have different charge levels. When two objects with the different charge levels come together. If one object has a high positive charge comes into contact with another object that has a high negative charge, the charge from the object with the higher electrical potential flows or jumps to the object with the lower potential. The result is an electrostatic shock.

2.1.3-07 Electrostatic Discharge - Use Static Shielding Bags

You should store your components in static shielding bags (the gray bags that enclosed computer parts from a computer store). They have an additional layer built underneath the plastic that absorbs electrical discharge as they occur. It dissipates the discharges around the component instead of letting them go through and hurting the component. Other color bags pink, blue, green, or clear bags are only static resistant. Be careful as these bags don't provide the same level of protection against ESD that a gray static shielding bag does.