Computer Maintenance and Support

Chapter 1: Introduction to computer maintenance

Welcome to the first topic of the unit.

It is estimated that you will take at least 4 hours to cover the content.

Specific objectives
By the end of this topic, the trainee should be able to:
a. Define computer terminologies

b. Outline computer hardware components

c. Explain computer safety

d. Describe computer maintenance tools, equipment and materials

Basic Computer Concepts Definition:

A microprocessor is a component that performs the instructions and tasks involved in
computer processing. In a computer system, the microprocessor is the central unit that
executes and manages the logical instructions passed to it.

Computer Components and Electrical communication

Inside computers, there are many internal components. In order for these components to
communicate with each other they make use of wires that are known as a ‘bus’.

A bus is a common pathway through which information flows from one computer component
to another. This pathway is used for communication purpose and it is established between two
or more computer components. We are going to check different computer bus architectures
that are found in computers.

Different Types of system Buses

a. Address buses

b. Data buses

c. Control buses

Functions of Buses in Computers

1. Data sharing - All types of buses found in a computer transfer data between the computer
peripherals connected to it.
The buses transfer or send data in either serial or parallel method of data transfer. This allows
for the exchange of 1, 2, 4 or even 8 bytes of data at a time. (A byte is a group of 8 bits). Buses
are classified depending on how many bits they can move at the same time, which means that
we have 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit or even 64-bit buses.

2. Addressing - A bus has address lines, which match those of the processor. This allows data
to be sent to or from specific memory locations.

3. Power - A bus supplies power to various peripherals connected to it.

4. Timing - The bus provides a system clock signal to synchronize the peripherals attached to
it with the rest of the system.

The expansion bus facilitates easy connection of more or additional components and devices
on a computer such as a TV card or sound card.

Computers have two major types of buses:

1. System bus: - This is the bus that connects the CPU to main memory on the motherboard.

The system bus is also called the front-side bus, memory bus, local bus, or host bus.

2. A number of I/O Buses, used for connecting various peripheral devices to the CPU. These
devices connect to the system bus via a ‘bridge’ implemented in the processors chipset.
Other names for the I/O bus include “expansion bus", "external bus” or “host bus”.

Computer Hardware Components

Hardware is the physical equipment needed for a computer to function properly. The basic
hardware parts are briefly described here.

Case. The computer case (also called a tower or housing or System unit) is the box that
encloses many of the parts of the computer. It has attachment points, slots and screws that
allow these parts to be fitted onto the case.

Power Supply. The power supply is used to connect all of the parts of the computer described
to electrical power. It is usually is found at the back of the computer case.

Fan. A fan is needed to disperse the significant amount of heat that is generated by the
electrically powered parts in a computer. It is important for preventing overheating of the
various electronic components. Some computers will also have a heat sink (a piece of fluted
metal) located near the processor to absorb heat from the processor.

Motherboard. The motherboard is a large electronic board that is used to connect the power
supply to various other electronic parts, and to hold these parts in place on the computer. The
computer’s memory (RAM, described below) and processor are attached to the motherboard.
Also found on the motherboard is the BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) chip that is
responsible for some fundamental operations of the computer, such as linking hardware and
software. The motherboard also contains a small battery (that looks like a watch battery) and
the chips that work with it to store the system time and some other computer settings.

Drives. A computer’s drives are the devices used for long term storage of information. The
main storage area for a computer is its internal hard drive (also called a hard disk). The
computer should also have disk drives for some sort of removable storage media. A floppy disk
drive was very common until recent years, and is still found on many older desk top
computers. It was replaced by CD-ROM and DVD drives, which have higher storage capacities.
The current standard is a DVD-RW drive, which can both read and write information using both
CD and DVD disks. The USB ports (described later) on a computer can also be used to connect
other storage devices such as flash drives and external hard drives.

Cards. This term is used to describe important tools that allow your computer to connect and
communicate with various input and output devices. The term “card” is used because these
items are relatively flat in order to fit into the slots provided in the computer case. A computer
will probably have a sound card, a video card, a network card and a modem.

RAM. RAM is the abbreviation for random access memory. This is the short-term memory that
is used to store documents while they are being processed. The amount of RAM in a computer
is one of the factors that affect the speed of a computer. RAM attaches to the motherboard via
some specific slots. It is important to have the right type of RAM for a
specific computer, as RAM has changed over the years.

Computer safety and ergonomics

Using a computer is not generally thought of as being one of the most hazardous activities to
engage in. Yet health and safety risks do exist for both adults and children.

Computer security, cybersecurity or information technology security (IT security) is

the protection of computer systems and networks from information disclosure, theft of or
damage to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from the disruption or
misdirection of the services they provide.
Internet Safety/Child Protection

While the internet serves as a wonderful educational tool, it is an unregulated one and
teachers, parents and children should be aware of the inherent dangers of using the world
wide web and accessing material on computers, mobile phones or other devices. Caution
needs to be exercised to ensure that children do not access unsuitable adult material on the
internet:

Physical Hazards

Accidents involving computers are increasing year after year as more people use computers
both at work and at home.

• Site your computer near an electric socket to avoid trailing wires across the floor; if you
use an extension cable, make sure it doesn't overheat and nobody can trip over it

• Take care not to overload electric sockets; use trailing multi-socket units rather than plug
adapters

• Always follow installation and service instructions in your computer guidebook closely. If
in doubt, leave it to the experts

• Electricity and water do not mix - keep drinks and plants well away from computers

• Regularly check all electrical equipment for damaged plugs or frayed cables

• Computers are large and bulky pieces of equipment, move them only if you feel
confident in doing so, and with care, especially up and down stairs. Use a trolley and a lift
and ask for help. Do not allow children to move computers

• Do not allow children to play on or with computer swivel chairs

• Make sure the computer is sited in a position where you have plenty of room to move
and to get out of the room in an emergency.
Health Risk

There are a number of health risks from using computers, most of which can be minimized or
eliminated by awareness of the risks and by following advice available.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

RSI results from performing repetitive movements, e.g., using the mouse, for a long period of
time. The following tips are among many that will help you to avoid RSI:

• Organize workloads to avoid using the computer for extended periods of time

• Your screen, keyboard and mouse should be directly in front of you

 • Using document holders avoids having to lean over and bend your neck while looking at
paperwork • Make sure the space underneath your desk is free from clutter and
your legs have room to move

• Use your mouse as close to the keyboard as possible

• Adopt good posture while at the computer

• Know how to adjust your chair to the most comfortable position

• Minimize head and neck movements by altering the height of your monitor

• Small people and children should use footrests

• Wrist rests are not for use while typing, but for resting the wrists between spells of
typing.

Strained Eyes

Working for long periods of time on the computer can strain your eyes or can worsen existing
eye conditions. Symptoms include eye discomfort, headaches, itchy eyes and difficulty in
focusing. It is important to rest the eyes while working on the computer. Regularly look at more
distant objects, e.g. use thinking time to look out of the window, and take frequent breaks from
computer work. Visit the optician for regular eye check-ups and make sure you tell them if you
are a frequent computer user.

Stress

Computer work can be stressful. Take frequent breaks and avoid work overload.

What is computer security?

Computer security basically is the protection of computer systems and information from
harm, theft, and unauthorized use. It is the process of preventing and detecting unauthorized
use of your computer system.

There are various types of computer security which is widely used to protect the valuable
information of an organization.

What is Computer Security and its types?

One way to ascertain the similarities and differences among Computer Security is by asking
what is being secured. For example,

• Information security is securing information from unauthorized access, modification &

deletion
 • Application Security is securing an application by building security features to prevent
from Cyber Threats such as SQL injection, DoS attacks, data breaches and etc.

• Computer Security means securing a standalone machine by keeping it updated and

patched

• Network Security is by securing both the software and hardware technologies

• Cybersecurity is defined as protecting computer systems, which communicate over the

computer networks

It’s important to understand the distinction between these words, though there isn’t
necessarily a clear consensus on the meanings and the degree to which they overlap or are
interchangeable.

So, Computer security can be defined as controls that are put in place to provide
confidentiality, integrity, and availability for all components of computer systems. Let’s
elaborate the definition.

Components of computer system

The components of a computer system that needs to be protected are:

Hardware, the physical part of the computer, like the system memory and disk drive

• Firmware, permanent software that is etched into a hardware device’s nonvolatile

memory and is mostly invisible to the user

• Software, the programming that offers services, like operating system, word processor,
internet browser to the user The CIA Triad

Computer security is mainly concerned with three main areas:

• Confidentiality is ensuring that information is available only to the intended audience

• Integrity is protecting information from being modified by unauthorized parties

• Availability is protecting information from being modified by unauthorized parties

In simple language, computer security is making sure information and computer components
are usable but still protected from people or software that shouldn’t access it or modify it.

Now moving forward with this ‘What is Computer Security?” article let’s look at the most
common security threats. Computer security threats are possible dangers that can possibly
hamper the normal functioning of your computer. In the present age, cyber threats constantly
increasing as the world is going digital. The most harmful types of computer security are:
Viruses
A computer virus is a malicious program which is loaded into the user’s computer without
user’s knowledge. It replicates itself and infects the files and programs on the user’s PC. The
ultimate goal of a virus is to ensure that the victim’s computer will never be able to operate
properly or even at all.

Computer Worm
A computer worm is a software program that can copy itself from one computer to another,
without human interaction. The potential risk here is that it will use up your computer hard disk
space because a worm can replicate in great volume and with great speed. Phishing
Disguising as a trustworthy person or business, phishers attempt to steal sensitive financial or
personal information through fraudulent email or instant messages. Phishing in unfortunately
very easy to execute. You are deluded into thinking it’s the legitimate mail and you may enter
your personal information.

Maintenance tools, equipment and materials

To troubleshoot and repair PC systems properly, you need a few basic tools. If you intend to
troubleshoot and repair PCs professionally, there are many more specialized tools you will
want to purchase. These advanced tools enable you to more accurately diagnose problems and
make jobs easier and faster. Here are the basic tools that should be in every troubleshooter’s
toolbox:

• Simple hand tools for basic disassembly and reassembly procedures

• Diagnostics software
• A multimeter
• Chemicals (such as contact cleaners), component freeze sprays, and compressed air for
cleaning the system
• Foam swabs, or lint-free cotton swabs if foam isn’t available
• Small nylon wire ties for “dressing” or organizing wires

Some environments also might have the resources to purchase the following devices, although
they’re not required for most work:

• Memory module tester

• Serial and parallel loopback (or wrap) plugs to test serial and parallel ports
• A USB testing plug to test USB ports
• A network cable scanner (if you work with networked PC
Chapter 2: Maintenance

By the end of this topic the trainee is supposed to be able to:

 Explain maintenance concepts

 Discuss computer cleaning materials, equipment and lubricants
 Distinguish between passive and active maintenance procedures

Computer maintenance is the practice of keeping computers in a good state of repair.

Computer valeting is the in-depth cleaning of the physical components of a personal computer.

Computer maintenance describes various steps to keep your computer functioning at an

optimal performance level from a software and hardware point of view.
A toolkit should contain all the tools necessary to complete hardware repairs. As you gain
experience, you learn which tools to have available for different types of jobs.

Hardware tools used for maintenance are grouped into four categories:
 ESD tools
 Hand tools
 Cleaning tools
 Diagnostic tools

Hand tools
Screw drivers
Tweezers
Flashlight
Digital multi-meter
Soldering wire and gun

Diagnostic tools
Diagnostics software
Windows install discs

ESD tools
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap
Cleaning tools
Cleaning detergents
Cotton cloth
Brush

CLEANING AGENTS

In general computer cleaning products are substances and tools used to remove dirt, dust, and
stains from PC equipment such as keyboards and monitors screens. They are also used for the
purpose of removing offensive odour and avoiding the spread of dirt and contaminants on your
computer.

Although a vast majority of computer cleaning products claim to be best. However, the overall
cleaning results can be enhanced when suitable cleaning equipment is used alongside.

Caution: Refer to your computer manufacturer guidelines when choosing a cleaning product.

Types

Some cleaning products are specially designed to kill bacteria however others, called
degreasers, contain organic solvents to help dissolve oils and fats.

Some examples of cleaning products that are in high demand in the computer market today
are the following:

1. Screen Cleaners (Also known as Screen Cleaning Solutions)

Screen cleaners are basically used for removing dirt, fingerprints, and dust. As a matter of fact,
a good quality screen cleaner can be used for multipurpose cleaning i.e., PC, TV, Smartphone,
and similarly for other kinds of LCD and plasma screens. Remember the general glass cleaners
have anti-glare coatings, therefore, can damage the monitor screen.

Usage

Before applying the solution, wipe the access dust off the screen with a help of a clean dry
cloth. Instead of spring directly on the screen, us a clean cloth moistened with water.
2. Air Duster (Also Called Compressed Can/Gas)

Gas duster, also known as canned air or air dusters, is a product used for cleaning or dusting
electronic equipment computer and other sensitive devices that cannot be cleaned using
water. Air dusters are ideal for removing dust, dirt and crumbs from sensitive equipment such
as computer devices and hard to reach areas.

Usage

When using canned air, it is recommended to not hold the can upside down, as this can result
in spraying liquid on to the surface.

3. Cleaning Gel (Also Called Silica Gel)

Silica gel is generally used to catches dirt and kills germs on computer keyboards, mobile
phones, telephones, and mouse. It also the property to absorbs dirt and dust.

Usage

For best cleaning results apply it lightly and equally on the keyboard, leave it for few minutes
and then remove it gently to lift the putty along with the dirt.

4. Vacuum Cleaners (Coupled with Cleaning Brushes)

Computer vacuum cleaners and brushes are particularly helpful tools to extract dirt and dust
from the keyboard and hidden parts of the computer. The general household vacuum cleaners
can be dangerous for the circuit board of a computer unless they have antistatic safety
features. A blower can also be used in place of vacuum cleaner

5. Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

Maintenance concept

a. Cleaning the keyboard

Dust, food, liquid, and other particles can get stuck underneath the keys on your keyboard,
which can prevent it from working properly. The basic cleaning tips below can help keep your
keyboard clean.
 • Unplug the keyboard from the USB or PS/2 port. If the keyboard is plugged into the
PS/2 port, you will need to shut down the computer before unplugging it.

• Turn the keyboard upside down and gently shake it to remove dirt and dust.

• Use a can of compressed air to clean between the keys.

• cleaning the keyboard with compressed air

• Moisten a cotton cloth or paper towel with rubbing alcohol and use it to clean the
tops of the keys. Do not pour alcohol or any other liquid directly onto the keys.

• Reconnect the keyboard to the computer once it is dry. If you are connecting it to a
PS/2 port, you will need to connect it before turning on the computer.

Dealing with liquids

• If you spill liquid on the keyboard, quickly shut down the computer and disconnect the
keyboard. Then turn the keyboard upside down and allow the liquid to drain.

b. Cleaning the mouse

There are two main mouse types: optical and mechanical. Each is cleaned in basically the
same way, although the mechanical mouse requires a bit more work.

Optical mice require no internal cleaning because they do not contain any rotating parts;
however, they can get sticky over time as dust collects near the light emitter. This can cause
erratic cursor movement or prevent the mouse from working properly.

Mechanical mice are especially susceptible to dust and particles that can accumulate inside
the mouse, which can make it difficult to track—or move—properly. If the mouse pointer does
not move smoothly, the mouse may need to be cleaned.

The basic cleaning tips below will help keep your mouse clean:

• Unplug the mouse from the USB or PS/2 port. If the mouse is plugged into the PS/2
port, you will need to shut down the computer before unplugging it.

• Moisten a cotton cloth with rubbing alcohol, and use it to clean the top and bottom
of the mouse.
 • If you have a mechanical mouse, remove the tracking ball by turning the ball-cover
ring counter-clockwise. Then clean the tracking ball and the inside of the mouse with a
cotton cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.

• Allow all of the parts to dry before reassembling and reconnecting the mouse. If
you are connecting it to a PS/2 port, you will need to connect it before turning on the
computer.

c. Cleaning the monitor

Dirt, fingerprints, and dust can make your computer screen difficult to read; however, it's easy
to clean your screen when needed. There are monitor-cleaning kits you can buy, but they may
damage your monitor if they're designed for a different type of monitor. For example, a
monitor cleaner that is designed for glass screens may not work with some non-glass LCD
screens. The safest method is simply to use a soft clean cloth moistened with water.

 Do not use glass cleaner to clean a monitor. Many screens have anti-glare coatings
that can be damaged by glass cleaner.
 Turn off the computer.
 Unplug the monitor from the power. If you are using a laptop, unplug the laptop.
 Use a soft clean cloth moistened with water to wipe the screen clean.
 Do not spray any liquids directly onto the screen. The liquid could leak into the
monitor and damage the internal components.

Passive and active maintenance

Passive preventive maintenance includes steps you can take to protect a system from the
environment, such as using power-protection devices; ensuring a clean, temperature-
controlled environment; and preventing excessive vibration. In other words, passive preventive
maintenance means treating your system well.

These includes steps that you can take to protect your system from the environment e.g.

-Power protection devices

-Ensuring a clean atmosphere

-Preventing excessive vibration

In other words, it involves treating your system well. It can also involve providing best possible
environment both physical as well as electrical to operate in.
Physical concerns are conditions such as

1 –Extreme temperature changes

2 –Thermos stress from power cycling

3 –dust and smoke contamination

4 –shock and vibration disturbances

Electrical concerns include: -

1 –static charges

2 –Power line noise

3 -Radio frequency interference

An active preventive maintenance program includes procedures that promote a longer,

trouble-free life for your laptop. This type of preventive maintenance primarily involves the
periodic cleaning of the system and its components. The following sections describe both
passive and active preventive maintenance procedures.

• Back up any data or important files.

• Delete all temporary files, such as the following:
• Empty the Recycle Bin.
• Check for and install antivirus software updates. ...
• Finally, run a disk-defragmenting program.
Chapter 3: Computer input and output devices

By the end of the topic the trainee is should be able to:

a) Describe I/O device operations

b) Describe types of I/O ports
c) Identify I/O ports
d) Install I/O device drives
Following are some of the important input devices which are used in a computer −

• Keyboard

• Mouse

• Joy Stick

• Light pen

• Track Ball

• Scanner

• Graphic Tablet

• Microphone

• Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR)

• Optical Character Reader (OCR)

• Bar Code Reader

• Optical Mark Reader (OMR)

Keyboard

Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps to input data to the
computer. The layout of the keyboard is like that of traditional typewriter, although there are
some additional keys provided for performing additional functions.

Keyboards are of two sizes 84 keys or 101/102 keys, but now keyboards with 104 keys or 108
keys are also available for Windows and Internet.
Mouse

Mouse is the most popular pointing device. It is a very famous cursor-control device having a
small palm size box with a round ball at its base, which senses the movement of the mouse
and sends corresponding signals to the CPU when the mouse buttons are pressed.

Generally, it has two buttons called the left and the right button and a wheel is present
between the buttons. A mouse can be used to control the position of the cursor on the screen,
but it cannot be used to enter text into the computer.

Advantages

• Easy to use

• Not very expensive

• Moves the cursor faster than the arrow keys of the keyboard.

Joystick

Joystick is also a pointing device, which is used to move the cursor position on a monitor
screen. It is a stick having a spherical ball at its both lower and upper ends. The lower spherical
ball moves in a socket. The joystick can be moved in all four directions.

The function of the joystick is similar to that of a mouse. It is mainly used in Computer Aided
Designing (CAD) and playing computer games.

Light Pen

Light pen is a pointing device similar to a pen. It is used to select a displayed menu item or
draw pictures on the monitor screen. It consists of a photocell and an optical system placed in
a small tube.
When the tip of a light pen is moved over the monitor screen and the pen button is pressed, its
photocell sensing element detects the screen location and sends the corresponding signal to
the CPU.

Track Ball

Track ball is an input device that is mostly used in notebook or laptop computer, instead of a
mouse. This is a ball which is half inserted and by moving fingers on the ball, the pointer can
be moved.

Since the whole device is not moved, a track ball requires less space than a mouse. A track
ball comes in various shapes like a ball, a button, or a square.

Scanner

Scanner is an input device, which works more like a photocopy machine. It is used when some
information is available on paper and it is to be transferred to the hard disk of the computer for
further manipulation.

Scanner captures images from the source which are then converted into a digital form that can
be stored on the disk. These images can be edited before they are printed.

Digitizer

Digitizer is an input device which converts analogue information into digital form. Digitizer can
convert a signal from the television or camera into a series of numbers that could be stored in
a computer. They can be used by the computer to create a picture of whatever the camera
had been pointed at.

Digitizer is also known as Tablet or Graphics Tablet as it converts graphics and pictorial data
into binary inputs. A graphic tablet as digitizer is used for fine works of drawing and image
manipulation applications.

Microphone

Microphone is an input device to input sound that is then stored in a digital form.

The microphone is used for various applications such as adding sound to a multimedia
presentation or for mixing music.

Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR)

MICR input device is generally used in banks as there are large number of cheques to be
processed every day. The bank's code number and cheque number are printed on the cheques
with a special type of ink that contains particles of magnetic material that are machine
readable.
This reading process is called Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR). The main
advantages of MICR is that it is fast and less error prone.

Optical Character Reader (OCR)

OCR is an input device used to read a printed text.

OCR scans the text optically, character by character, converts them into a machine-readable
code, and stores the text on the system memory.

Bar Code Readers

Bar Code Reader is a device used for reading bar coded data (data in the form of light and dark
lines). Bar coded data is generally used in labelling goods, numbering the books, etc. It may be
a handheld scanner or may be embedded in a stationary scanner.

Bar Code Reader scans a bar code image, converts it into an alphanumeric value, which is then
fed to the computer that the bar code reader is connected to.

Optical Mark Reader (OMR)

OMR is a special type of optical scanner used to recognize the type of mark made by pen or
pencil. It is used where one out of a few alternatives is to be selected and marked.
It is specially used for checking the answer sheets of examinations having multiple choice
questions.

Output devices

Following are some of the important output devices used in a computer.

• Monitors

• Graphic Plotter

• Printer

Monitors

Monitors, commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU), are the main output device of a
computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels that are arranged in a rectangular
form. The sharpness of the image depends upon the number of pixels.

There are two kinds of viewing screen used for monitors.

• Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)

• Flat-Panel Display

Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor

The CRT display is made up of small picture elements called pixels. The smaller the pixels, the
better the image clarity or resolution. It takes more than one illuminated pixel to form a whole
character, such as the letter ‘e’ in the word help.
A finite number of characters can be displayed on a screen at once. The screen can be divided
into a series of character boxes - fixed location on the screen where a standard character can
be placed. Most screens are capable of displaying 80 characters of data horizontally and 25
lines vertically.

There are some disadvantages of CRT −

• Large in Size

• High power consumption

Flat-Panel Display Monitor

The flat-panel display refers to a class of video devices that have reduced volume, weight and
power requirement in comparison to the CRT. You can hang them on walls or wear them on
your wrists. Current uses of flat-panel displays include calculators, video games, monitors,
laptop computer, and graphics display.

The flat-panel display is divided into two categories −

• Emissive Displays − Emissive displays are devices that convert electrical energy
into light. For example, plasma panel and LED (Light-Emitting Diodes).

• Non-Emissive Displays − Non-emissive displays use optical effects to convert

sunlight or light from some other source into graphics patterns. For example, LCD (Liquid-
Crystal Device).

Printers

Printer is an output device, which is used to print information on paper.

There are two types of printers −

• Impact Printers

• Non-Impact Printers

Impact Printers

Impact printers print the characters by striking them on the ribbon, which is then pressed on
the paper.

Characteristics of Impact Printers are the following −

• Very low consumable costs

• Very noisy

• Useful for bulk printing due to low cost

• There is physical contact with the paper to produce an image

These printers are of two types −

• Character printers

• Line printers

Character Printers

Character printers are the printers which print one character at a time.

These are further divided into two types:

• Dot Matrix Printer (DMP)

• Daisy Wheel

Dot Matrix Printer

In the market, one of the most popular printers is Dot Matrix Printer. These printers are popular
because of their ease of printing and economical price. Each character printed is in the form of
pattern of dots and head consists of a Matrix of Pins of size (5*7, 7*9, 9*7 or 9*9) which come
out to form a character which is why it is called Dot Matrix Printer.
Advantages

• Inexpensive

• Widely Used

• Other language characters can be printed

Disadvantages

• Slow Speed

• Poor Quality

Daisy Wheel

Head is lying on a wheel and pins corresponding to characters are like petals of Daisy (flower)
which is why it is called Daisy Wheel Printer. These printers are generally used for word-
processing in offices that require a few letters to be sent here and there with very nice quality.

Advantages

• More reliable than DMP

• Better quality
 • Fonts of character can be easily changed Disadvantages

• Slower than DMP

• Noisy

• More expensive than DMP

Line Printers

Line printers are the printers which print one line at a time.

These are of two types −

• Drum Printer

• Chain Printer

Drum Printer

This printer is like a drum in shape hence it is called drum printer. The surface of the drum is
divided into a number of tracks. Total tracks are equal to the size of the paper, i.e. for a paper
width of 132 characters, drum will have 132 tracks. A character set is embossed on the track.
Different character sets available in the market are 48-character set, 64 and 96 characters set.
One rotation of drum prints one line. Drum printers are fast in speed and can print 300 to 2000
lines per minute.

Advantages

• Very high speed

Disadvantages

• Very expensive

• Characters fonts cannot be changed

Chain Printer

In this printer, a chain of character sets is used, hence it is called Chain Printer. A standard
character set may have 48, 64, or 96 characters. Advantages

• Character fonts can easily be changed.

• Different languages can be used with the same printer.

Disadvantages

• Noisy

Non-impact Printers

Non-impact printers print the characters without using the ribbon. These printers print a
complete page at a time; thus they are also called as Page Printers.

These printers are of two types −

• Laser Printers

• Inkjet Printers

Characteristics of Non-impact Printers

• Faster than impact printers

• They are not noisy

• High quality

• Supports many fonts and different character size

Laser Printers

These are non-impact page printers. They use laser lights to produce the dots needed to form
the characters to be printed on a page.
Advantages

• Very high speed

• Very high-quality output

• Good graphics quality

• Supports many fonts and different character size

Disadvantages

• Expensive

• Cannot be used to produce multiple copies of a document in a single printing

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are non-impact character printers based on a relatively new technology. They
print characters by spraying small drops of ink onto paper. Inkjet printers produce high quality
output with presentable features.
They make less noise because no hammering is done and these have many styles of printing
modes available. Colour printing is also possible. Some models of Inkjet printers can produce
multiple copies of printing also.

Advantages

• High quality printing

• More reliable

Disadvantages

• Expensive as the cost per page is high

• Slow as compared to laser printer

Input/Output ports

A connection point that acts as interface between the computer and external devices like
mouse, printer, modem, etc. is called port.

Ports are slots on the motherboard into which a cable of external device is plugged in.

Ports are of two types −

• Internal port − It connects the motherboard to internal devices like hard disk
drive, CD drive, internal modem, etc.

• External port − It connects the motherboard to external devices like modem,

mouse, printer, flash drives, etc.
Let us look at some of the most commonly used ports.

Serial Port

Serial ports transmit data sequentially one bit at a time. So, they need only one wire to
transmit 8 bits. However, it also makes them slower. Serial ports are usually 9-pin or 25-pin
male connectors. They are also known as COM (communication) ports or RS323C ports.

Advantage: Because serial port send data down one wire, bit-by-bit, this eliminates the
problem of skew associated with parallel ports so serial cable can be long.

They are electrically robust, but when used with very long cables there is risk that electric
spikes can find their way through into ports

Parallel Port
Parallel ports can send or receive (transmit data) using 8 bits or 1 byte at a time parallel
interface (one physical wire per data bit), with the flow of information controlled by hardware
handshaking signals between the printer and the computer. Parallel ports come in form of
25pin female pins and are used to connect printer, scanner, external hard disk drive, etc.
Advantage: Computer transmit data through the parallel port at higher speeds and with fewer
errors than through the serial port.

Parallel ports are termed as LPT (Line Printer Terminal) starts with LPT1 to LPT3, LPT1 is the
default port.

Parallel port prompted IEEE to come up with standard that encompassed the more common
design, IEEE 1284.

IEEE1284 can operate in five modes which include:

a. Compatibility mode- is a uni-directional implementation with only a few

differences from the original Centronics design.
b. Nibble mode – is a uni-directional interface which allows the device to
transmit data four bits at a time using status lines for data. This is the bitronics
mode introduced by HP and is generally used for enhanced printer status.
c. Byte mode- Allows the device to transmit 8bits at a time using data lines.
d. Enhanced parallel port (EPP) – a half-duplex bi-directional interface designed
to allow devices like printers, scanners, or storage devices to transmit large
amounts of data. Provides 2mbit/s bandwidth.
e. Extended Capability port (ECP) – a half-duplex bi-directional interface similar
to EPP, except that PC implementations use direct memory access to provide even
faster data transfer than EPP.
Parallel port capabilities

Not every PC on the market supports the full range of IEEE parallel port modes and several
factors determine exactly what functionality can be achieved through the port.
 ✓ Hardware and BIOS support
plugging a new enhanced port, I/O card into an older PC may not work if the BIOS cannot
handle the new modes.
✓ Operating system and driver support
Even if the PCs BIOS and hardware supports ECP/EPP mode, they will only function
correctly if the software and device drivers being used on the PC understand these
modes of operation.
✓ External device support
Enabling ECP/EPP modes will only increase performance if the devices fitted to the port
support them too.
✓ Cable quality
If cable is of poor quality, then all sorts of problems can be encountered from data
errors on tape units to corrupted printouts Solution to this:
a. But a new IEEE 1284 compatible cable
b. Disable ECP/EPP mode in the pcs BIOS and use SPP mode.

USB Port

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It is the industry standard for short distance digital data
connection. USB port is a standardized port to connect a variety of devices like printer,
camera, keyboard, speaker, etc.
USB types

 USB type A

 USB type B: This is an older connector that's not used nearly as often nowadays. It's
almost square at one end, and usually plugs into a printer or similar device.

 USB type C: This is the newest USB standard. Unlike older cables, which usually have
USB-A on one end and another type on the other, USB-C can connect two devices that
both have USB-C ports.

 USB-C is slowly being adopted by device manufacturers. Many newer Android phones,
like the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Google Pixel devices, use USB-C. Apple's newest
MacBook and MacBook Pro models only feature USB-C ports, as well.

 Mini-A works the same as Mini-B the difference is colour. It is white in colour

 Mini-B: this is a smaller connection type that's good for mobile devices also called mini-
USB. It is black in colour

 Micro-B: This is a tiny connector that's popular on all kinds of portable devices.
Everything from Android phones to external battery packs to Bluetooth headphones uses
a micro-USB port

PS-2 Port

PS/2 stands for Personal System/2. It is a female 6-pin port standard that connects to the
male mini-DIN cable. PS/2 was introduced by IBM to connect mouse and keyboard to personal
computers. This port is now mostly obsolete, though some systems compatible with IBM may
have this port.

Infrared Port

Infrared port is a port that enables wireless exchange of data within a radius of 10m. Two
devices that have infrared ports are placed facing each other so that beams of infrared lights
can be used to share data.

Bluetooth Port

Bluetooth is a telecommunication specification that facilitates wireless connection between

phones, computers and other digital devices over short-range wireless connection. Bluetooth
port enables synchronization between Bluetooth-enabled devices. There are two types of
Bluetooth ports −

• Incoming − It is used to receive connection from Bluetooth devices.

• Outgoing − It is used to request connection to other Bluetooth devices.

FireWire Port

FireWire is Apple Computer’s interface standard for enabling high speed communication using
serial bus. It is also called IEEE 1394 and used mostly for audio and video devices like digital
camcorders. Transfers large amount of data at very fast speed.

VGA Port

• Connects monitor to a computer's video card.

• It has 15 holes.

• Similar to the serial port connector. However, serial port connector has pins, VGA
port has holes.

Power Connector

• Three-pronged plug.

• Connects to the computer's power cable that plugs into a power bar or wall socket.

Modem Port

• Connects a PC's modem to the telephone network.

Ethernet Port

• Connects to a network and high-speed Internet.

• Connects the network cable to a computer.

• This port resides on an Ethernet Card.

• Data travels at 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per seconds depending upon the
network bandwidth.

Game Port

• Connect a joystick to a PC

• Now replaced by USB

Digital Video Interface, DVI port

• Connects Flat panel LCD monitor to the computer's high-end video graphic cards.

• Very popular among video card manufacturers.

Sockets

• Sockets connect the microphone and speakers to the sound card of the computer.

Device drivers

Device driver or hardware driver is a group of files that enable one or more hardware devices
to communicate with the computer's operating system. Without drivers, the computer could
not send and receive data correctly to hardware devices like printers.

What devices need drivers?

Hardware devices that are unknown by the operating system or have features unknown by the
operating system all require drivers. Below is a list of hardware devices and peripherals that
require drivers. Card reader, Controller, Modem, Motherboard chipset, Network card, Printer,
Scanner, Sound card,Tape drive, USB devices, Video card.

What devices may not need drivers?

Today's operating systems have many generic drivers that allow hardware to work at a basic
level without needing drivers or software.
However, if that device has features unknown to the operating system, it will not work without
drivers. For example, you could plug any keyboard into a computer and expect it to work.
However, if that keyboard has any special keys or features, they will not work until the drivers
are installed. CPU, Disc drive, Fan, Hard drive, Heat sink, Joystick, Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor,
Power supply, RAM, Speakers, Thumb drive, UPS

NB:

The operating systems' generic drivers may not be updated as often as those from a hardware
manufacturer or computer manufacturer.

Where can I see devices and drivers?

In Microsoft Windows you can see all devices installed and their associated drivers in
the Device Manager.

What happens if a driver is not installed?

If the appropriate driver is not installed, the device may not function properly, if at all. With
some devices, the device may work, but all of its features may not work. For example, a
computer mouse usually works without drivers, but if it has more buttons than the traditional
mouse, those extra buttons will not work until the drivers are installed.

For Microsoft Windows users, missing drivers may cause a driver conflict or an error in
the Device Manager. If problems or conflicts are encountered with drivers, the computer
manufacturer or hardware manufacturer releases a driver update to fix the problems. If
updated drivers are available, those drivers need to be installed to replace the existing driver
code.

Can a driver make my computer do more?

Installing a driver only makes the hardware installed in the computer function properly. If the
correct driver is not installed, installing the latest driver for the hardware can take full
advantage of the device. However, you cannot install a driver for hardware not installed in the
computer and expect it to make your computer faster or more capable. In other words,
installing video card drivers for a video card that's not installed in the computer does not give
your computer all the capabilities of that video card. You'd need the video card hardware and
driver installed in this example.

Does a driver work for all operating systems?

When a driver is designed, it's for a specific operating system (platform). For example,
a Microsoft Windows 11 driver may work with an early version of Windows (e.g., Windows 10),
but it wouldn't work for macOS or Linux.

Are computer drivers free?

Almost all computer and hardware manufacturers provide free drivers, updates, and software.
You can find a list of direct links to all company's pages through our computer driver page.

However, companies no longer in business or products that are no longer supported may not
offer free drivers. In this situation, third-party companies may host and offer drivers but charge
for them.

Are computer drivers safe?

As long the driver you're downloading comes from a reputable source, like the
device manufacturer, it is considered safe. If you have to download a driver from a third party,
it's difficult to know if they've modified the driver code. Unfortunately, like any
computer software, drivers can also be infected with viruses and malware. We recommend
having an antivirus installed and running on a computer before downloading and installing a
driver from a third party.

Driver updates

Driver updates for Windows, along with many devices, such as network adapters, monitors,
printers, and video cards, are automatically downloaded and installed through Windows
Update. You probably already have the most recent drivers, but if you'd like to manually
update or reinstall a driver, here's how:
Update the device driver

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager.

2. Select a category to see names of devices, then right-click (or press and hold) the one
you’d like to update.

3. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

4. Select Update Driver.

5. If Windows doesn't find a new driver, you can try looking for one on the device
manufacturer's website and follow their instructions.

Reinstall the device driver

1. In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager.

2. Right-click (or press and hold) the name of the device, and then select Uninstall.

3. Restart your PC.

4. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.

Chapter 4: Motherboards and buses

By the end of the sub-module unit, the trainee should be able to:
a) Explain motherboard concepts.
b) Identify motherboard components.
c) Describe computer form factors.
d) Identify computer system buses.
e) Outline the procedure of installing a computer motherboard.

Description
• A small or large circuit board inside a cabinet containing most of the electronic
components.
• Everything connected to the computer is directly or indirectly plugged into
motherboard. Components like CPU, BIOS, ROM, RAM, chips, and CMOS setup
information.
• Expansion slots for installing different cards like video, sound, graphics, and NIC.
• Also contains RAM slots, system chipset, controllers and underlying circuit to tie it
together.
Types of motherboards
Non-integrated:
• Assemblies such as I/O port connectors, hard drive connectors, CD drive
connectors etc. installed as expansion boards.
• Takes lot of free space inside the case because of expansion slots.
• If something goes wrong such as bend or broken pin or defective controller can be
repaired with minor cost.
• Are cheap and easy to produce.
• Most of the olden motherboards were non-integrated.
Integrated:
• Assemblies are integrated or built right onto the board.
• Serial and parallel ports, IDE, CD drive are directly connected to the motherboard.
• This tends to free some space inside case and better accessibility to the
components.
• Cheaper to produce but are expensive to repair.
• Fast, powerful, feature rich motherboard at reasonable price.

Motherboard form factors:

• Determines general layout, size and feature placement on the motherboard.
• Form factors such as physical size, shape, component placement, power supply
connectors etc.
• Various form factors of motherboards are AT, Baby AT, ATX, Mini-ATX, MicroATX,
Flex ATX, LPX and Mini LPX and NLX.
1) AT (Advanced Technology):
• Oldest and biggest form factor and popular until Baby AT.
• Capable of using 386 processor.
• 12' inch size and was difficult to install, service and upgrade.
2) Baby AT:
• Standard in computer industries and still being used in Pentium class products.
• CPU socket is placed in such a way that it can interfere with longer bus cards.
• Limitation over peripheral card installation.
• I/O ports are connected to pin-outs near the floppy drive which results in jumbling
of ribbon cables. Advantages
✓ The size of 8.5` by 10` makes it easier to design smaller desktop PCs and servers.
✓ Most of the board is easily accessible for upgrades and expansion.
✓ With the full size boards, some connectors and components could be hidden
beneath the pc power supply and hard/floppy disk drive bays. Disadvantages
 ✓ CPU location- with the processor and heat sink in place, it is difficult to fit a long
expansion card into an expansion slot. The cpu can get in the way of the expansion cards
✓ Motherboards mounting- some system cases are not drilled or punched to
support all the mounting holes on a baby AT motherboard. Therefore, the front edge of
the system board is left unsupported and over time this edge bends, leading to loose
components and expansion cards.

3) ATX (Advanced Technology Extended):

• Improvement done in easy to use, support for current and future I/O, and also to
current and future technology.
• New mounting configuration for power supply.
• Processor relocated away from expansion slots to allow full length add-in cards.
• Provides air-flow through chassis and across the processor.
• 12` inch size 4) Mini ATX:
• Commonly same as ATX.
• Just change in size from ATX= 12" x 9.6" to Mini ATX= 11.2" x 8.2".
5) Micro ATX:
• Supports current and new processor technologies.
• AGP (Accelerated graphics port) to have high performance graphics.
• Smaller in size and less power supply.
6) Flex ATX:
• A subset of micro ATX.
• Gives chance to system developers to create new personal computer design.
• Enhanced flexibility to allow custom case and board design to be manufactured.
• Small motherboard size and supports current processor technology.
7) LPX (Low Profile Extension) and Mini LPX:
• Based on design by western digital.
• Usually found in desktop pc's.
• Case is slim-line, low profile case with riser card arrangement for expansion cards.
• Riser card arrangement means expansion boards are parallel rather than
perpendicular.
• This makes smaller case but limits number of expansion slots to two or three.
• High quality product at low cost but makes difficult to upgrade and repair.
8) NLX (New Low Profile Extended):
• Supports current and future processor technologies.
 • Also supports new AGP and tall memory technology.
• Installing and upgrading the system is easy.

Buses
Computers have two major types of buses:
System bus: - This is the bus that connects the CPU to the main memory on the motherboard.
The system bus is also called the front-side bus, memory bus, local bus, or host bus.
A number of I/O Buses, (I/O is an acronym for input/output), connecting various peripheral
devices to the CPU. These devices connect to the system bus via a ‘bridge’ implemented in the
processors' chipset. Other names for the I/O bus include “expansion bus", "external bus” or
“host bus”.
Connection lines used to connect the internal parts of the microprocessor chip is called bus.

There are three types of system buses in a microprocessor −

Data Bus − Lines that carry data to and from memory are called data bus. It is a bidirectional
bus with width equal to word length of the microprocessor.

Address Bus − It is a unidirectional responsible for carrying address of a memory location or

I/O port from CPU to memory or I/O port.

Control Bus − Lines that carry control signals like clock signals, interrupt signal or ready
signal are called control bus. They are bidirectional. Signal that denotes that a device is ready
for processing is called ready signal. Signal that indicates to a device to interrupt its process is
called an interrupt signal.

Functions of buses in computers

Data sharing - All types of buses found in a computer transfer data between the computer
peripherals connected to it. The buses transfer or send data either in the serial or parallel
method of data transfer. This allows for the exchange of 1, 2, 4 or even 8 bytes of data at a
time. (A byte is a group of 8 bits). Buses are classified depending on how many bits they can
move at the same time, which means that we have 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit or even 64-bit buses.
Addressing - A bus has address lines, which match those of the processor. This allows data to
be sent to or from specific memory locations.
Power - A bus supplies power to various peripherals connected to it.
Timing - The bus provides a system clock signal to synchronize the peripherals attached to it
with the rest of the system.
Installing a computer motherboard

You must take great care, especially when installing the motherboard. First, remove the
motherboard of its packaging and put it on top of the antistatic bag it came in. Remember, you
always want to safeguard your components from potentially hazardous static electricity.

1. You need to secure the motherboard onto the PC case/chassis and inspect carefully
for any visible defects.
2. Next, review the motherboard handbook, to make sure you are familiar with the
motherboard layout and understand which socket is which. Manuals are immensely
helpful, usually easy to read, and include illustrations instructions.
3. Check the layout of the sockets on the motherboard. And confirm that the ports on
your motherboard’s back panel match the holes on the case’s Input/output (I/O) shield
installed in your case. If it is necessary, then remove the old I/O shield by tapping it
firmly a few times with the thicker end of a screwdriver. And then replace it with the
shield that came with the new motherboard.
4. You need carefully position the motherboard on top of the brass standoffs. After
that line up all the holes, use the screws that accompanied the case to fasten down the
motherboard.
5. Don’t forget to place the CMOS in the proper position.
Chapter 5: Processor
Memory

 Storage

 Power supply

 Computer assembly and

disassembly

 Software installation

 Troubleshooting

 Computer user support

 Electronic Waste Management

 Local Area Networks

 Emerging trends in

maintenance and support