1.1.

Accessing and verifying cleaning equipment and

supplies

AKMONLCOLLEGE
Hardware and Network Servicing
Level-II

Unit Competence: - Maintaining equipment and consumables

Module code: EIS HNS2 M05 1221

Unit One: Clean equipment

Clean equipment
Cleaning your computer, components, and peripherals help keep everything in good
working condition, helps prevent germs from spreading, and helps allow proper air flow.
The picture shows a good example of how dirty the inside of your computer case can get.
Looking at this picture it's immediately obvious that all the dust and dirt is going to prevent
proper air flow and may even prevent the fan from working.
Cleaning tools
Although computer cleaning products are available, you can also use household items to clean
your computer and its peripherals. Computer cleaning products are substances and tools used to
remove dirt, dust, stains, and clutter from PC, keyboards, and monitors screens.
Below is a listing of items you may need or want to use while cleaning your computer.
1. Cloth - A cotton cloth is the best tool used when rubbing down computer components.
Paper towels can be used with most hardware, but we always recommend using a cloth
whenever possible. However, only use a cloth when cleaning components such as the
case, a drive, mouse, and keyboard. Don't use a cloth to clean any circuitry such as
the RAM or motherboard.
2. Water or rubbing alcohol - When moistening a cloth, it is best to use water or rubbing
alcohol. Other solvents may be bad for the plastics used with your computer.
3. Portable Vacuum - Sucking the dust, dirt, hair, cigarette particles, and other particles out
of a computer can be one of the best methods of cleaning a computer. However, do not
use a vacuum that plugs into the wall since it creates lots of static electricity that damages
your computer.
4. Cotton swabs - Cotton swaps moistened with rubbing alcohol or water are excellent
tools for wiping hard to reach areas in your keyboard, mouse, and other locations.
5. Foam swabs - Whenever possible, it is better to use lint-free swabs such as foam swabs.

6. Air compressor (air blower)- Used to blow away dust and debris from
different computer parts without touching the components.

Why cleaning needed to computer hardware?

Cleaning your computer's hardware makes the entire system run more smoothly and
keep it running longer. Regular cleaning protects not only your investment, but the
important data stored on it as well.
Every few days or so, give the screen a good wipe and empty the crumbs out of the
keyboard.
Dust needs to be removed because it acts as an insulator that prevents air from circulating
over or through the components and this can cause overheating. If dust contains conductive
particles it can also cause a short circuit, which can damage components or even cause a
fire.
What is the importance of maintaining hardware tools?
If you take care of your tools, they will return the favor. Proper care and routine maintenance of
your hand tools and power tools makes any home improvement or repair project easier, safer
and more successful. Proper tool care also saves you money because the better they're cared for,
the longer they'll last.
Cleanliness gives rise to a good character by keeping body, mind, and soul clean and peaceful.
Maintaining cleanliness is the essential part of healthy living because it is the cleanliness only which
helps to improve our personality by keeping clean externally and internally.
Removing Dust
Dust can be removed using a household vacuum cleaner with an appropriate attachment, although it is
much easier to use a purpose-built computer vacuum cleaner or keyboard cleaner.
For virtually any PC fan (case fans, graphics card fans, heat sink fans, etc.), a few blasts of
compressed air can remove most loose dust. Just make sure that if you're cleaning a case fan,
 1.2. Recording and documenting maintenance
actions
you open up the case so that you can blow the dust out into the environment and not back into
the computer.
Use compressed air and a lint free cloth to blow and wipe any dust build up you can see.
Pay particular attention to any crevices, plastic shrouds, and heat sinks. Thoroughly clean any dust filters
too. To clean fan blades, hold them steady and wipe or blow each blade individually.
How to Clean a Dusty Computer
Every computer slowly fills up with dust and other loose debris as it filters air through its hardware.
While the goal of the fans found in any computer is to cool off all the components that get hot, the dust
that clogs up a computer does the opposite. It’s important to try and get rid of the dust in your computer
with canned air and a microfiber cloth on a regular basis.
However, a deeper clean with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs might be necessary if it’s been a while
since your last dusting efforts.
Precautions
Precautions are guidelines to be followed to prevent damage to equipment or injury to people.
The following are very important precautions:
i. Before cleaning any electrical equipment make sure that it is switched off and
unplugged from the mains.
ii. Allow certain equipment, such as monitors and laser printers, to cool down and lose their
capacitance before cleaning them for at least 1 hours.
iii. When cleaning inside the PC, or handling parts from a PC such as hard disk or circuit
boards, you should earth yourself using antistatic wrist strap.
iv. Always refer to the manufactures manual before attempting to clean any equipment,
because improper cleaning or maintenance may be dangerous and also may invalidate
your warranty.
v. Some equipment such as power supplies and monitors use voltages and therefore should
only be maintained by specially trained people. It could be dangerous for any one else to
open these up for maintenance.

Maintenance documentation is any record containing information that you might need to
complete maintenance tasks and inspections. It tells you what you have, shows you how to
maintain it, and has records of all your past work.
Maintenance record, as name suggests, is a document that includes information regarding each repair
and maintenance work that is done on asset or equipment. In simple words, it keeps tracks of assets
failures and repairs.
An equipment maintenance log is a document that organizations use to record asset
maintenance activities. It enables them to monitor their system checkup processes and track
maintenance tasks performed by technicians, the exact time the tasks were performed, and each
specific task's purpose.

1.3. Cleaning equipment according to manufacturer specification

Before cleaning the computer follow these steps:
Step 1.Shut down your computer and unplug it from its power source.
 Shut the computer down from the power control menu on your operating system.
Then, unplug the computer from its power cord if it’s hooked up. Make sure you
 power off the computer all the way, and don’t accidentally restart it or put it in
"sleep" mode. If your computer is unresponsive, you can do a hard shut down with the
power button on the outside of the computer.

Step 2. Dust the computer’s casing with a damp cloth or paper towel.
If you are cleaning a desktop, the outside of the case is probably covered in dust. Unlike the
sensitive inside, you can just use some slightly damp paper towels or cloths to wipe down the
outside.
Dust every side of the computer to make sure it’s all clean.
 Try not to accidentally brush dust into any of the ports.
Step 3. Unscrew the side panel to access the inside of a desktop computer.

Typically, one side of a desktop computer is designated to be opened, allowing easy access to the
interior hardware. Take a screwdriver that fits the screws and turn them counter-clockwise to
loosen them.

 Some computers have a different mechanism from screws. Consult your computer’s
user manual if you are unsure how to open it up.

Step 4 Use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe down the access panel.
Once you’ve removed the side panel, or whichever component of the casing allows you to
access the inside, you’ll want to give it a quick clean. Just like the exterior parts, its okay to
 take a slightly damp cloth or paper towel and wipe down the inside of this panel after taking
it off.

Step 5 Take out the battery to clean out a laptop.

To clean out a dusty laptop, you’ll have to remove the battery so that you can blow out the dust
from inside the tightly-packed equipment inside. Unscrew the screws holding the battery under
the casing, or slide the battery out on its own, if your battery casing has no screws.
 If your laptop is overheating, there’s a good chance it’s dusty on the inside.
 Some laptops, including most Mac Books made after 2012, make it difficult or
impossible to open the backing without violating the warranty. You may have to take
these in for a professional cleaning.

Cleaning equipment Computer hardware peripherals

Keyboards
The keyboard tends to not only accumulate a lot of dust and skin residue but also some hair and
lint form clothing. Loose matter can generally be removed with the vacuum cleaner.
Mouse
The mouse tends to accumulate a mixture of dust and skin residue from the surface it rolls on.
Therefore to properly clean the mouse:
1. Turn the mouse upside down and push down and away the roller-opening hatch with
two fingers until you see the panels open.
2. Use a soft, dry, lint free cloth to wipe the ball clean. Never use cleaning fluid or
solvent. Gently blow into the mouse housing to remove any dust.
3. To clean the steel rollers carefully use a cotton swab to remove the material buildup.
4. Replace the ball in it its housing, and then re-insert the retaining panel. When the
panel is in place push it down and backwards until it locks firmly.

Scanners and photocopiers

The glass top flatbed scanners, like those of monitors and photocopiers, can get pretty dirty with
finger marks. Usually you would use a lint-free cloth dabbed with whatever chemical the
manufacture recommends to wipe it clean.

Monitors

Carefully clean dust away from the vents in the monitor's enclosure using a vacuum
cleaner. Anything other than a vacuum cleaner (e.g. a rag or air blower) is likely to push the dust
inside the enclosure where it can lie on electrical components, causing failure. You should clean
the glass screen with one of the cleaners described previously. If you use a spray to clean a
monitor you should be careful to spray the wipe.

Printers
You will get the greatest benefit from cleaning a printer if you can
remove any dust from the paths of moving parts. To do this you may
need to remove covers or paper trays. However, at all times refer to the
printer manual. It will contain the instructions for removing parts and may even have some tips
on cleaning. Do not use any liquid cleaner on a printer unless the manufacturer recommends it.

Laser Printers
To clean laser printers:
1. Switch off and unplug the printer, and wait at least 30 minutes for it to cool.
2. Wear disposable plastics gloves.
3. Clean the outer casing of the printer using a dampened paper towel or a lint-free
cloth with a little detergent on it.
4. Check for, and remove any loose bits of paper.
5. Vacuum inside the printer using a static-safe vacuum cleaner.
6. Use a lint-free swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to clean the corona wire.

Power Supplies
Maintenance for the power supply to PCs includes: Vacuuming dust from the vent holes
Checking that the cables coming out of them are not worn or broken Checking that the power
socket is clear of dust and dirt

Tape Drives
Because tape drives are usually used for backing up data, it is important that they are kept
clean, so that data is not corrupted by oils and other contaminants during the backup
process. You can purchase cleaning tapes, or you can usually use a lint-free bud.

Operation sheet-1. PC Maintenance Schedule:

Here is a schedule for maintaining your computer; it is highly recommended that you follow
these routines to have a healthy computer.
Recommended Maintenance Schedule
Frequency Task

Virus Scan
Daily
Adware / Spyware Scan

Data Backups
Antivirus Software Updates
Adware/Spyware Software Updates
Weekly Windows Updates
Office Updates
Disk Cleanup
Deleting Temporary Internet Files, History, Cookies

Monthly Disk Defragment

Computer maintenance is an important part of keeping any business running smoothly.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Below is a basic recommended schedule
for preventing costly computer problems on workstations.

i. SCHEDULE FOR WORKSTATIONS:

FREQUENCY MAINTENANCE ACTION

Update virus definitions - There have been an average of about 19 new
viruses per day on Windows systems since 1995.

Run and install Windows Updates - This will fix security flaws in
Windows, reduce crashing and can solve compatibility issues. You do
not need to install all of the "Recommended Updates" but you should
Weekly
install ALL "Critical Updates"

Mac Users: "Software Update" Control Panel - This is the Macintosh

equivalent for Windows Update. Open this control panel and choose
"Update Now". When the list of available software appears, choose to
install all "Security Updates"
Run Scandisk (Standard Scan) - Fixes some kinds of incorrect file
Bi-Weekly
information and provides early detection of potential hard drive crash.
 Run Disk Defragmenter - This will increase the efficiency and
decrease the wear on the hard drive. On Windows this is a Utility in
Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Defragmenter. On Mac
OS 9, Norton Utilities has a good tool. On Mac OS X, Micromat v.1.1
can be used but it is not necessary if you setup your drive as UFS (not
Quarterly
HFS).

Run Scandisk (Thorough Scan) - This thoroughly scans the hard drive
for bad physical sectors and will provide early detection of potential hard
drive crash.
Disk Cleanup - This frees up space on your hard drive by displaying
and, if you desire, removing unnecessary or unused programs, temporary
files and Internet cache files. Located in Accessories/System Tools on
Windows.

Check Fans and System Temperature (hard drive and CPU) - This
can usually be done in the system BIOS at startup and varies from PC to
Yearly PC. Insurance of proper operation of this hardware can help prevent
hardware freezes and costly hardware repair.

Upgrades - There are usually upgrades for drivers and firmware

released annually. Installation of these will usually make your system
more compatible and reliable and can get rid of a huge assortment of
problems. Check with the hardware manufacturer for upgrades for each
device.

ii. SCHEDULE FOR SERVERS:

For servers, perform these activities in addition to the above activities.

FREQUENCY MAINTENANCE ACTION

Check Backup Logs - This is a common
problem. Businesses think that their data is
Bi-Weekly
being backed up when it is not. Checking the
log will ensure that the backup was made.
Clean Tape Drive (physically) - This is done
Monthly with a cleaning tape. It will remove dirt and
prevent physical problems with the drive.

Maintenance Schedule Logs

A maintenance log is used to document components which need maintenance, frequency, times,
method etc. A schedule plans for when the maintenance will take place where a log will
 1.4. Replace and maintain consumables and supplies
1.5. Access consumables from storage points
describes what has been done. On the schedule there should be allowance to note when the last
maintenance was carried out.
A maintenance schedule / log is a table which can be manual, Word, Excel. The advantage of
electronic format is that it is easily updateable and clients can also look to see when the next
maintenance is due.

Components Installed Method Duration Frequency Last Due Name

Cleaned Next

Monitor c 0ctober Cleaning 2mins daily October January Genet

1, 2022 cloth and 31, 2022 02, 2022
glass
cleaner

Keyboard April 01,

2022

Mouse April 01,

2022

Printer April
01,2022

System Unit April 01,

2022

Unit Two: Replace and maintain consumables and supplies

Consumables are goods that require recurrent replacement because they are used up or
transformed in their use. The market for these goods tends to be consistent and can be a strong
place for investment, even during periods of economic uncertainty, as the need for such products
cannot be put off by consumers. Individuals and businesses both buy consumables, in varying
amounts, and a number of companies specializing in a range of consumable products provide
goods to the public. Consumables are regularly used up or changed and an office must maintain a
steady supply of these products in order to function. Groceries and personal care products are
consumables seen in the home. Conversely, things like appliances are not placed in this class, but
are considered durable goods.
They are designed to be used for an extended period of time.
Consumables (also known as consumable goods, nondurable goods, or soft goods) are goods
that, according to the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary, are capable of being consumed; that
may be destroyed, dissipated, wasted, or spent. John Locke specifies these as "consumable
commodities".
Consumables are products that consumers buy regularly, i.e., items which "get used up" or
discarded.
This is in contrast to the capital goods or durable goods in the office, such as computers, fax
machines, and other business machines or office furniture. – Wikipedia
 Example consumable materials
Office supplies are such products as paper, pens, scissors, file folders, post-it notes, computer
disks, toner or ink cartridges, fasteners, cable ties, and tape
 Calculators.
 Envelopes.
 Whiteboard markers.
 Printer paper
 Cleaners
A supply list can help track and categorize supplies according to need and urgency.

Difference between a consumable item and a capital asset

A capital asset is more expensive than a consumable item, and isn’t something you would buy
every day in your business. It would also be useful to your business for 2 years or more. So if
you buy a computer and, separately, some batteries to power it, the computer would be a capital
asset, the batteries would be consumable items.

Organizing Consumables and Supplies:

 Store supplies in a orderly, organized manner to prevent:
Loss
Theft
Damage
Deterioration

Keep its Inventory.

 It is a list of supply items and quantities
on hand.
 1.6. Replace
consumables
 Keeping the inventory accurate requires a. Careful planning
b. Attention

Consumables are goods used by individuals and businesses that must be replaced regularly
because they wear out or are used up. They can also be defined as the components of an end
product that is used up or permanently altered in the process of manufacturing such as
semiconductor wafers and basic chemicals.
Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges
1. Turn on your product.
2. Lift up the scanner unit.
3. Press the stop button.
4. Squeeze the tab on the cartridge and lift the cartridge straight up to remove it. ...
5. Before opening the new cartridge package, shake it gently four or five times. ...
6. Remove the cartridge from the package.
This means a new cartridge was installed and the Replace Toner message cleared. Then, after
printing some pages, Replace Toner re-appeared on the display.
Can I replace just one cartridge?
Printer cartridges can be replaced on an as needed basis!
If one cartridge is running low, you do not have to replace the other colors at the same time.
However, you do need to have all of the printer cartridges installed in the printer for it to work.
How do I clear the message replace toner?
The message "Replace Toner" is intended to alert you that the toner cartridge has reached the end
of its expected life. It is recommended that the toner cartridge be replaced. To clear the "Replace
Toner".
Some steps of Removing and Installing Ink Cartridges
Make sure you have your replacement cartridges handy before you begin. You must install new
cartridges immediately after removing the old ones.
Leave your old cartridges in the printer until you are ready to replace them to prevent the print
head nozzles from drying out. Do not open ink cartridge packages until you are ready to install
the ink.
Cartridges are vacuum packed to maintain reliability.
1. Turn on your product.
2. Lift up the scanner unit.
Caution:
Do not move the print head by hand; otherwise, you may damage your product. Do not touch the
flat white cable inside the printer.
3. Press the stop button.
 If a cartridge is low or expended, the print head moves that cartridge to the indicator
position. Press the stop button again to check for additional low or expended
cartridges. When all cartridges have been identified, the print head moves to the
replacement position.

 If no cartridges are low or expended, the print head does not move. If you want to replace
a cartridge before it is low or expended, press the stop button for 6 seconds. The print
head moves to the replacement position.
4. Squeeze the tab on the cartridge and lift the cartridge straight up to remove it.
Note: Dispose of used cartridges carefully. Do not take the used cartridge apart or try to refill it.
Warning: If ink gets on your skin, wash it thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets into your
eyes, flush them immediately with water. If ink gets into your mouth, spit it out and see a doctor
right away. Keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children.
5. Before opening the new cartridge package, shake it gently four or five times.

Caution:
Do not shake the cartridges after opening the packages, or ink may leak.
6. Remove the cartridge from the package.
Caution:
Do not touch the green chip or the small window on the cartridge. Install the new cartridge
immediately after removing the old one; if you do not, the print head may dry out and be unable
to print.
 7. Remove the yellow tape from the side of the cartridge

Caution: Do not remove any other labels or seals, or ink will leak.
8. Insert the new cartridge into the holder and push it down until it clicks into place.

9. Lower the scanner unit.

Press the stop button. The print head moves to its home position and the printer starts
charging the ink. This takes about 1.5 minutes. When the power light stops flashing and
remains on, ink charging is finished.
 1.7. Dispose of
consumables

Caution:
Never turn off the product while the power light is flashing or you will waste ink.
Note: If the ink light is on after the print head moves to its home position or the power light
is still flashing 3 minutes after replacing a cartridge, an ink cartridge may not be installed
properly. Press the stop button, then press the ink cartridge down until it clicks into place.

Dispose of used consumables (such as waste ink, pre-treatment solution, cleaning solution, and
the ink charging unit) and optional parts according to your local laws and regulations, and always
use an industrial waste disposal company.
Disposing: Here are 3 ways to dispose toner cartridges correctly:
1. Locate companies in your area that will actually take in your empty toner cartridges.
Many aftermarket and remanufactured cartridge suppliers recycle old toner cartridges and
resell them, and may compensate you if you send empty toner cartridges their way. The
components in old cartridges are used in new cartridges that are thoroughly tested before
being resold.
2. You can also directly get in touch with the toner cartridge manufacturer. Many major
brands have their own recycling plans which include taking back old and used toner
cartridges. It is best to contact your manufacturer or supplier to find out more.
3. Toner cartridges should always be disposed off in an appropriate container or bin and
should not be treated like a regular trash item. If you live at home you can dispose of the
cartridge in the ‘green’ bin. Offices most likely collect old toner and then depending on
your setup they’ll get picked up or shipped to a facility that recycles them.

Caution:
Ink cleaning solution is classified as industrial waste. Dispose of the cleaning solution according
to your local laws and regulations such as entrusting it to an industrial waste disposal company.
When handing over the pre-treatment solution to the industrial waste disposal company, make
sure you include the Safety Data Sheet found on Epson's support website.
Operation sheet 2
Storing Office Supplies
 Place close to areas of use
 Storage cabinets
 Label storage cabinets and boxes to facilitate finding supplies
 Note the shelf life of items and place older items in the front to be
used first
 Always check expiration dates
 Note: Do not store any items on the floor

 Store paper products flat in their boxes or packages

 Information booklets may be stored upright to save space
 Envelopes and other paper goods with gummed surfaces must be kept dry
to prevent them from sticking
 Implement the rules of good housekeeping and asepsis for clinical supplies
 Sterile items must be kept sterile and clean items clean
 Chemicals, drugs, and solutions
 Keep in a cool, dark place unless refrigeration is required
 Keep liquids in original containers

Replacing Consumable Items: Printer

Caution:
To avoid toner wastage and possible toner sensor errors, do not change the toner cartridge(s)
until "TONER EMPTY" is displayed.
1. The toner used in this machine is a very fine dry powder.
2. Have a sheet of paper handy so that you have somewhere to place the used cartridge
while you install the new one.
3. Dispose of the old cartridge responsibly, inside the pack that the new one came in.
Follow any regulations, recommendations, etc., which may be in force concerning waste
recycling.
4. If you do spill any toner powder, lightly brush it off. If this is not enough, use a cool,
damp cloth to remove any residue. Do not use hot water, and never use solvents of any
kind. They will make stains permanent.
Warning:
If you inhale any toner or get it in your eyes, drink a little water or bathe your eyes liberally in
cold water. Seek medical attention immediately.
Procedures in Ordering Supplies:
 Order forms
o Orders can be made
 With traditional order forms
 By telephone, fax, or online
o Be sure to keep a copy of order form
o Double-check order form for accuracy
 Purchase requisitions
o Formal requests for purchases
o Large purchases may require approval
 Purchase orders
o Preprinted forms, often with consecutive numbers
o Authorize a purchase for a medical practice
 Record the date orders are received
 Check the shipment packing slip against the order to ensure all
merchandise are received
 1.8. Definition of
equipment
o MSDS should be provided by manufacturer for any chemical item
o File alphabetically in a notebook

LO3:- Maintain equipment

Maintain equipment

Equipment is any tangible property (other than land or buildings) that is used in the
operations of a business.
 1.9. Equipment which require
maintenance

Computer Equipment

Different types of Equipment

 Printer
 Monitor
 Switches/hubs
 Modem and Router
 Optical Drives
 Motherboard
 Processor
 AVR
 Keyboard
 Mouse
Electronic and Computerized equipment include: Computers, networking devices, dictating
machines, book keeping and billing equipment, electronic typewriters and calculators, scanners,
printers, fax machines, safety deposit boxes, personal-display assistances, transcription
machines, cash-handling systems, voice recorders and paper shredders.
Furniture: Tables, chairs and desks are some of the most common types of office equipment
http://www.ask.com/question/what-are-the-main-different-types-of-office-equipment
What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other
garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury. The hazards addressed
by protective equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, biohazards, and airborne
particulate matter. Protective equipment may be worn for job-related occupational safety and
health purposes, as well as for sports and other recreational activities. "Protective clothing" is
applied to traditional categories of clothing, and "protective gear" applies to items such as pads,
guards, shields, or masks, and others.
The purpose of personal protective equipment is to reduce employee exposure to hazards when
engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective to reduce these risks to
acceptable levels. PPE is needed when there are hazards present. PPE has the serious limitation
that it does not eliminate the hazard at source and may result in employees being exposed to the
hazard if the equipment fails.
EYE AND FACE PROTECTION
Goggles and face protection must be used when workers are at risk from flying particles.
Workers must also be protected from radiation of computer Goggles and face protection must
meet certain design criteria for safety.
FOOT PROTECTION
Safety shoes with impact protection are required in work areas where heavy objects or tools
could be accidentally dropped on the feet. Safety shoes are required when working to have foot
puncture protection.
HAND PROTECTION
Gloves are required to protect workers from cuts, scrapes, punctures, burns, or temperature
extremes. It is crucial that the type of glove being used is the right one for the job since incorrect
gloves may provide no protection.
Note: Pay special attention to working conditions or processes that can produce the following
Hazards:
 Falling objects
 objects that could puncture the skin
 Objects that could roll over workers' feet
 Toxic chemicals
 Heat
 Harmful dust
 Radiation

1.10. Equipment Maintenance Procedure

Preventive Maintenance Products and Procedures

Preventive maintenance is something that customers often forget or do not believe is necessary.
However, nothing could be further from the truth. For example, suppose you have a customer
who frequently reschedules their preventive maintenance time. Because you are unable to
perform the maintenance, neither of you would be aware that the fan in the power supply had
stopped working. As a result, instead of just having to replace the power supply, the processor
and some of the memory failed due to the excessive heat. In addition, the unscheduled downtime
resulted in a loss of productivity and a larger bill from you.
As you can see from the preceding example, by performing regular maintenance on computer
equipment, you can extend the life of the components themselves as well as locating potential
problems. In the long run, this will save the customer time and money. In the next subsections,
we discuss the various products available on the market along with the proper procedures for
using them.
 1.11. Storing unused equipment
device
A UPS is essentially a battery that is designed to take over when there is a power loss, in
addition to ensuring that only the proper type and form of current is passed on to the
computer. When you need to store a UPS, you must ensure that is has not been discharged.
A discharged UPS that is stored for a long period of time may lose some of its capacity to
store power or may become unable to accept a charge at all. To ensure that your UPS is
stored in the proper manner, review the manufacturer’s documentation for any other
recommended procedures.
With other computer components, you need to protect them from damage resulting from
electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD occurs when two charged objects come into contact with
each other and energy is transferred between them. This transference of energy happens to
equalize the charge between these two objects. A good example of ESD is when you grab a
door knob, or other metal object, and get shocked. Computer components are very sensitive
to ESD and can even be rendered useless. Whenever you store computer components, you
must place them in an anti-static bag to ensure their safety from ESD. Anti-static bags are
designed so that static build-up is contained on the outside of the bag rather than on the
inside, thus protecting the delicate components.
Manufacturer Suggested Guidelines
Before beginning any preventative maintenance procedures, it is critical that you consult the
manufacturer’s documentation. Vendors include the information on the proper cleaning
materials to use when cleaning or maintaining their components. Failure to follow these
guidelines could result in component degradation, complete failure, or avoided warranty. Never
assume that you already know what you can use with what device; instead, take the time to
review the documentation. Remember that customer service is not only solving a problem, but
also ensuring that you do not generate them.

Operation sheet 3
Troubleshooting Computer Hardware
By taking logical steps and walking through the process of troubleshooting you should be able to
solve almost any computer problem, software or hardware related. It involves identifying the
problem(s), finding the cause of that problem, determining the solution, executing that solution,
and testing and checking that solution to see if it solves your problem.
Generally there are only so many steps you can take before you solve the problem and
everything is back in order. Make sure that before you start testing and swapping out parts that
the problem wasn’t caused by you changing a software setting in Windows or some ambiguous
option in the motherboard’s BIOS that causes your problem.
Determining Wear and Tear
Computer peripherals are not only electrical components, they are also mechanical components.
These components wear out over time and eventually fail. As a service technician, you should
inspect peripherals for signs of deterioration and replace any components that are about to
expire. By doing so, you will save the customer time and money from untimely downtime when
the component finally fails. Signs of wear can include thin spots on belts, bends or tear in cables,
and moving parts that are only sporadically functioning.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
Today’s UPS units are populating homes and businesses at an increasing rate as the cost has
decreased substantially from the early days of computer history. The UPS is designed to protect
your computer from sudden lapses in power, power spikes or surges, and "dirty" current. This is
accomplished by several components in the UPS, such as suppressors, noise filters, and surge
protectors. Each of these items are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Suppressors
At times, your power outlet will experience momentary surges of current, called spikes. Spikes
can harm computers and their components much in the same way as ESD damage. However, the
damage that results is usually on a much greater level, with catastrophic damage becoming more
frequent. A suppressor is designed to either absorb or block the excess power and thus save
computer components from injury.
Noise Filters
When someone refers to "dirty current," they are talking about the noise present on the power
line itself. This noise is caused by electro-magnetic interference (EMI) and can stray, or leak,
from the current into nearby components.
When EMI leaks from power current, it is called a magnetic field and can easily damage
computer components.
UPS’s contain a special filter, called a noise filter, that reduces the amount of noise present in
electrical current and eliminates magnetic fields caused by noise, thus providing some protection
to the components that utilize the current or are nearby.
Lasers and High-Voltage Equipment
Whenever you work around lasers or high-voltage equipment, you must be extremely careful not
to injure yourself. These forms of equipment can cause damage in the form of burns, eye-related
problems including blindness, or even death. There are procedures that should be followed
whenever working with either high-voltage equipment or lasers. These procedures are discussed
in the following subsections
Lasers
Lasers employ a high-intensity light beam that can cause severe damage to your eyes, including
blindness. Never look directly into a laser beam. Some lasers can cause severe burns when they
come into contact with skin, or even death depending on the intensity of the beam and the
location on you. However, the lasers employed in CD-ROM drives are Level 3 laser beams and
are of a significantly lower intensity than those employed in construction or scientific
applications. As a result, you will not get a severe burn from them but should nevertheless be
cautious when working with them.

The laser that is employed in laser printers is also a Level 3 type of beam. However, laser
printers do generate an excessive amount of heat, and components that reside inside these
printers can cause severe burns. It is for this reason that you should be extremely cautious when
working inside a laser printer.
High Voltage Equipment
You should exercise extreme caution when working around any high-voltage equipment,
including any equipment near the computer itself. You can spot these items from one of two
types of labels on the equipment itself. The first type of label is a Warning label that usually
informs you of the potential of equipment damage as well as personal injury. The second type of
label is a Caution that tells you of possible personal injuries that can occur. Most labels refer to a
procedure or set of guidelines to be performed whenever you work on the equipment, although
some refer you the equipment’s documentation for more information. It is always important to
follow the manufacturer’s guidelines whenever working on or around high-voltage equipment.
Failure to follow these instructions to the letter can result in severe burns or electrocution.
Power Supply
A power supply is the perfect example of high-voltage equipment. As discussed in Chapter 1,
these devices convert the alternating current (AC) that comes from your regular power outlet into
the direct current (DC) that your computer uses.
Therefore, you want to ensure that the computer is turned off and that the power cord has been
disconnected from the power supply.
When the power supply performs the power conversion process, some of that energy is lost and
converted into another form of energy: heat. The heat generated by a power supply can cause
severe burns.
Therefore, it is important for you to ensure that the power supply has had sufficient time to cool
down before coming into contact with it.
The first thing to do to diagnose your power supply is check the power supply connectors, make
sure everything is plugged into the motherboard and the power cable is plugged into the power
supply, you wouldn’t believe how many people forget to plug in their computer.
Many power supplies also have a power switch on them so check to make sure that no one
accidentally or purposefully switched it off maybe for a prank. Check the fan to see if it is
spinning at the correct speed and if it’s dusty vacuum it out.
Determine if the power supply cables are giving out the right amount of voltage, if you computer
will let you boot you should be able to check them in the BIOS menu to see if the correct
voltages are being given. Normal power supplies give +3.3 volts DC, +5 volts DC, -5 volts DC,
+12 volts DC, and -12 volts DC.
CRT
Monitors are high-voltage components that should only be repaired by experienced personnel.
When working on monitors, it is important to remember that extreme caution should be taken at
all times, as any built-up charge can be lethal. However, the first thing to remember is never
wear an ESD wrist strap when handling monitors. After you have removed your wrist strap,
ensure that the monitor is powered off and disconnected from the power outlet. This is an
important step because you have to discharge the monitor.
To discharge a monitor, you need to have a jumper wire and a screwdriver with a non-conductive
handle. First, connect one end of the jumper wire to a ground such as the screw on an electrical
outlet. Next, wrap the free end of the wire around the metal shaft of the screwdriver. When you
do this, make sure that the wire is as far away from the shaft of the screwdriver as possible. This
helps to prevent any accidental contact between you and the wire.
Hard Drive Maintenance
Before your hard drive kicks the bucket there is usually a few warning signs:
 Abnormally slow file transfers
 Problems with booting, especially when Windows is being loaded
 Corrupted files

 Disappearing files or folders

  Loud hard drive noise is a good sign that there is a mechanical problem going on inside
Because hard drives are sealed units that can only be opened in a "clean room," there is nothing
you can do to clean the read/write heads. However, hard drives have a tendency to become
fragmented over a period of time or with excessive use and should be defragmented as a part of
normal preventative maintenance.
To perform a defragmentation, you can use a special software program that was designed
specifically for this purpose, such as Norton Utilities or Microsoft Disk Defragmenter.
Another problem with hard drives is that the disk surface can become corrupted over time.
If the drive attempts to read or write to these corrupted sections, the computer could crash or
exhibit strange symptoms that are difficult to pin down.
Some software utilities, such as the Microsoft Scandisk utility, are designed to locate and mark
corrupted sections on the disk. The mark tells the hard drive to ignore this section of the hard
drive.
This process should be performed on a regular basis in conjunction with a disk defragmentation.