4/19/24, 2:52 PM Lab – Disassemble a Computer

Lab – Disassemble a Computer

Introduction
In this lab, you will disassemble a desktop computer using safe lab procedures and the proper tools. Use
extreme care and follow all safety procedures. Familiarize yourself with the tools you will be using in this lab.
The goal of this lab is to separate the components and practice using tools properly. The separated
components can be used in a later lab for assembly.
This lab does not include removing the motherboard, CPU, and cooling device from the computer due to the
replacement cost of these items. If possible, allow learners to remove these components from spare or broken
computers that are kept in the classroom for part identification and demonstration.
Part 1: Preparation
Part 2: Parts Removal

Recommended Tools
Safety glasses Part retriever
Antistatic wrist strap Thermal compound
Antistatic mat Can of compressed air
Flat head screwdrivers Cable ties
Phillips head screwdrivers Parts organizer
Torx screwdrivers Containers for storing computer parts
Hex driver Antistatic bags for electronic parts

Instructions

Part 1: Preparation

Step 1: Power off the Computer and remove peripheral items.

a. Turn off the power to the computer and disconnect the power cable from the wall and the power supply.
b. Remove all external peripheral items, such as Ethernet cables, monitors, keyboards.

Step 2: Open the Computer Case.

Generally, computer cases are held in place using one or a combination of these three ways below:
Screwless
These cases are held together using metal or plastic clips. To open the case, the clips are released by
pressing buttons or switches to remove the side panel.
Screw
Locate all the screws that secure the side panels to the back of the computer. These screws are located at
the edge of the case. Use the proper size and type of screwdriver to remove the side panel screws. Do not
remove the screws that secure the power supply to the case. Put all the screws in one place, such as a
compartment in the parts organizer or small cup. Label the compartment or cup with a piece of masking
tape on which you have written side panel screws. Remove the side panels from the case.
Thumbscrew
These cases come with screws that can be tightened or loosened with your fingers. Loosen the
thumbscrews to remove the side panel. The thumbscrews are located on the edge of the computer case.

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4/19/24, 2:52 PM Lab – Disassemble a Computer

If you have a camera or smartphone, take a picture of the inside of the computer case to be used as a
reference when reassembling the computer.
Questions:

What type of screwdriver did you use to remove the screws?

Type your answers here.
A Phillips screwdriver and hex drivers are the most commonly used screwdrivers to remove case
panels.
How many screws secured the side panels?
Type your answers here.
Answers may vary. Normally there are two screws for each panel on a mid-tower case.

Step 3: Antistatic Wrist Strap.

Put on an antistatic wrist strap. Connect one end of the conductor to the wrist strap. Clip the other end of the
conductor to an unpainted, metal part of the case.
If you have an antistatic mat, place it on the work surface and put the computer case on top of it. Ground the
antistatic mat to an unpainted, metal part of the case.

Part 2: Parts Removal

In this part, you will remove the internal drives and data cables, adapter cards, memory modules, and power
supply.
Note: Some manufacturers do not use screws to fasten components inside of the computer case. Some may
use plastic or metal clips that fasten components to the computer chassis. When in doubt, perform a web
search for the computer case manufacturer or computer system.
Note: Be careful to remove only screws holding components in place, and not the screws that hold components
together.

Step 1: Remove the Hard Drive.

a. Locate the hard drive. Carefully disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the hard drive.
Question:

Which type of data cable did you disconnect?

Type your answers here.
Answers may vary. SATA is an example of data cables.
b. Locate all the screws that secure the hard drive in place. Use the proper size and type of screwdriver to
remove the hard drive screws. Put all the screws in one place and label them.
Questions:

What type of screws secured the hard drive to the case?

Type your answers here.
Answers may vary. Normally, crosshead screws secure hard drives in place.
How many screws secured the hard drive to the case?
Type your answers here.
Answers may vary. Most cases allow for up to four screws per hard drive.
Is the hard drive connected to a mounting bracket? If so, what type of screws secure the hard drive to the
mounting bracket?
Type your answers here.
Answers may vary. Most hard drive manufacturers use a flush, crosshead screw.
Caution: Do NOT remove the screws that hold the hard drive together.

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c. Gently remove the hard drive from the case. Look for a jumper reference chart on the hard drive. If there is
a jumper installed on the hard drive, use the jumper reference chart to see if the hard drive is set for a
Master, Slave, or Cable Select (CS) drive. Place the hard drive in an antistatic bag.
Question:

What is the jumper setting of the hard drive?

Type your answers here.
Master, Slave, or Cable Select (CS)

Step 2: Remove Optical Drive.

a. Locate the optical drive (Blu-ray, DVD, etc.). Carefully disconnect the power and data cables from the
optical drive. Remove the audio cable from the optical drive if there is one connected.
Questions:

What kind of data cable did you disconnect?

Type your answers here.
Answers may vary. For example, SATA cable connects the optical drive to the motherboard.
Is there a jumper on the optical drive? What is the jumper setting?
Type your answers here.
Master, Slave, or Cable Select (CS) drive.
b. Locate and remove all the screws that secure the optical drive to the case. Put all the screws in one place
and label them. Place the optical drive in an antistatic bag.
Question:

How many screws secured the optical drive to the case?

Type your answers here.
Answers may vary. There are usually four screws.

Step 3: Remove the Power Supply.

a. Locate the power supply. Find the power connection(s) to the motherboard.
b. Gently remove the power connection(s) from the motherboard.
Question:

How many pins are there in the motherboard connector?

Type your answers here.
Answers may vary.
c. Disconnect the power cables from any case fans.
d. Disconnect the power cable from the video card if it requires one.
e. Disconnect any other power supply cables from where they were connected.
Question:

If there were additional cables disconnected, to what were they connected?

Type your answers here.
Answers may vary.
f. Locate and remove all the screws that secure the power supply to the case. Put all the screws in one place
and label them.
Question:

How many screws secure the power supply to the case?

Type your answers here.
Answers may vary.
g. Carefully remove the power supply from the case. Place the power supply with the other computer
components.

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Step 4: Remove Adapter Cards.

a. Locate any adapter cards that are installed in the computer, such as a video, NIC, or sound card.
b. Locate and remove the screw that secures the adapter card to the case. Put the adapter card screws in one
place and label them.
c. Carefully remove the adapter card from the slot. Be sure to hold the adapter card by the mounting bracket
or by the edges. Place the adapter card in an antistatic bag. Repeat this process for all the adapter cards.
Note: Be very careful when removing video adapters. There is often a locking tab on the slot that must be
released before the card can be removed.
d. List the adapter cards and the slot types below.

Adapter Card Slot Type

Blank Line, No additional information

Adapter Card Slot Type

Answers may vary: Video, NIC, Modem Answers may vary: PCI, PCIe, or CNR

Blank Line, No additional information

Step 5: Remove Memory Modules.

a. Locate the memory modules on the motherboard.
Questions:

What type of memory modules are installed on the motherboard?

Type your answers here.
Answers may vary. Some of the examples are DDR3 and DDR4.
How many memory modules are installed on the motherboard?
Type your answers here.
Answers may vary.
b. Remove the memory modules from the motherboard. Be sure to release any locking tabs that may be
securing the memory module. Hold the memory module by the edges and gently lift it out of the slot. Put
the memory modules in an antistatic bag.

Step 6: Remove Data Cables.

a. Remove all data cables from the motherboard. Make sure to note the connection location of any cable you
disconnect.
Question:

What types of cables were disconnected?

Type your answers here.
Answers may vary. Some of the examples are SATA cables.

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b. You have completed this lab. The computer case should contain the motherboard, the CPU, and any
cooling devices. Do not remove any additional components.
End of Document

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