INTRODUCTION TO PC REPAIR

PC Repair
Computer repair specialize in troubleshooting, servicing and repairing a
wide variety of hardware and software-related personal computer
issues and computer network problems.
Issues that typically require computer repair include failed hardware
components, software bugs, driver incompatibilities, spyware and
malware problems, network connectivity problems, operating system
upgrades, and complete computer overhauls.
Diferent PC Parts
Hardware
Computer hardware is any physical device, something that you
are able to touch.
o Input Devices is any peripheral (piece of computer
hardware equipment used to provide data and control
signals to an information processing system such as a
computer.
o Output Devices is any piece of computer hardware
equipment used to communicate the results of data
processing carried out by a computer to the outside world.
Software
!oftware is a collection of instructions and code installed into the
computer and cannot be touched.
Types of e!ory
RAM
"#$ is short for Rando! Access e!ory" RA, also known as
pri!ary !e!ory or syste! !e!ory" the memory available to
programs. %or e&ample, a computer with '$( "#$ has appro&imately
' million bytes of memory that programs can use. )nlike "*$, "#$ is
a vo#ati#e !e!ory and requires power to store data.
ROM
ROM (read-only memory) refers to special memory used to store
programs. )nlike main memory ("#$, "*$ retains its contents even
when the computer is turned o+. "*$ is referred to as being
nonvolatile, whereas "#$ is volatile.
$%at Is T%e ot%er&oard ain 'oa#(
,he main goal is to connect all the hardware together like hard drives,
memory modules, C-), etc...
T%e Processor Soc)et
Is the home for the Central -rocessor )nit (CPU.
e!ory S#ots
$emory slots also call memory banks are for "andom #ccess $emory
modules (RA.
ain Power Connector And T%e * Pins Connector
,he main power connector is uses to get the electric energy from the
power supply which the motherboard require to function properly.
./ -ins $ain -ower Connector
IDE" ATA And S+ATA Interface Connectors
,he I012#dvance ,echnology #ttachment (ATA interface is used to
connect hard drives and optic drives.
$odern computer mother boards have the new interface called !erial
#dvance ,echnology #ttachment (S+ATA.
,#oppy Drive Connector
%loppy 0rive Connector
-. &it PCI S#ots" A'P And PCIe
3. bit slots -eripheral Component Interconnect (PCI are used to install
sound cards, graphic cards, 1thernet cards and modems.
,he motherboard parts #ccelerated 4raphics -ort (A'P and -CI
1press (PCIe focus on graphic cards only.
/ac) Pane# Connectors
#re used to plug the mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, sound system
and any other peripherals you may have.
Centra# processin0 unit 1CPU23Processor is an electronic circuit
that e&ecutes computer programs.
Nort%&rid0e
#n integrated circuit (generally Intel or 5I# that is responsible for the
communications between the C-) interface, #4-, -CI and the memory.
Sout%&rid0e
#n integrated circuit ( generally Intel or 5I# on the motherboard that
is responsible for the hard disk drive controller, I2* controller and
integrated hardware such as sound card or video card if present on the
motherboard.
,he 6orth (ridge is
typically the larger chip
that always has a heat
sink attached with it
and the !outh (ridge is
the smaller one.
Si!p#e PC Repair Too#s
Standard Screwdrivers4 1non-magnetic2
-remium-quality screwdrivers of assorted sizes and also one with
various shaft lengths are indispensable tools in any computer repair
technician7s arsenal. !crewdrivers with di+erent sized 8at-head are
also essential9 however, make sure not to use
magnetic screwdrivers inside computers.
Ca&#e testers
,ester for most types of cables used with a computer. :hile there are
other ways to test cables, such as swapping them with known good
cables, cable tester save time and trouble.
US/ networ) adapter
# computer repair technician should have a )!(
network adapter in his took kit to facilitate easy
network access on a computer that has )!( ports,
but is devoid of any internal network adapter.
Data+recovery software
Is one of the most important tool in computer repair technician7s
toolkit9 data recovery software can help recover data from damaged
hard drives. (4et0ata(ack !oftware
/oot Dis)
# &oot dis) is a removable digital data storage medium from which a
computer can load and run (boot an operating system or utility
program.
(oot disks are used for;
*perating system installation.
0ata recovery.
0ata purging.
<ardware or software troubleshooting.
"unning a =ive *perating !ystem using a C02050
:hile almost all modern computers can boot from a hard drive
containing the operating system and other software, they would not
normally be called boot disks. %loppy disks and C0-"*$s are the most
common forms of media used, but other media, such as magnetic or
paper tape drives, zip drives, and more recently )!( 8ash drives can
be used. ,he computer7s (I*! must support booting from the device in
question.
Driver Pac)
0river-ack is a package of drivers for a particular category of
hardware. ,here are for e&ample 0river-acks for !ound devices and for
4raphics devices.
E5terna# Optica# Drive
1&ternal optical drive is typically has the same
function as optical drive but has higher portability
rate. 1&ternal optical drive most uses )!( slot so
that it can interface in every personal computer.
E5terna# Hard Drive
1&ternal <ardisk 0rives are portable <00 which
uses the )niversal !erial (us to interface to a
computer.
CA/6ES USED IN COPUTER
,#oppy Drive" CD D7D Drive and Hard Drive Ca&#es 18at ri&&on
ca&#e2
,here are . types of drives cables. ,he #,# or -#,# (-arallel #,# for
hard and optic drives and the inverted ways ribbon for 8oppy drives.
,he standard drive ribbon has been the >rst to hit the market along
with the 8oppy drive ribbon.
,he ribbon cables are the only one that received support
improvements over the years improving data storage and data7s
transfer rates for newer hard drives.
ATA3PATA
Co!position
1ach #,# ribbon cable has a 8e&ible plastic ribbon that contains the
wires where there is . or 3 connectors that are >&ed to it. ? connector
to each e&tremity and ? connector close to the master connector if it is
a cable with 3 connectors.
@ou should be able to >nd ?' inches and 3A inches cables in computer
stores. ,he ?' inches is mostly the only one used and the 3A inches
are more used for special reasons.

Computer "ibbon Cable #lso Called I01 Cable
T%e Ri&&on" *9 And :9 $ires
#t the beginning all ribbon cables were being made of /B wires and
were supporting a certain range of standards. 6owadays, there are
cables of 'B wires and they are supporting higher standards.
6ote for both, only connectors with /B pins are used.
,he cables with 'B wires are made of /B grounds that are interleaved
with the other /B wires. ,his way all previous /B wires are grounded.
T%e Connectors" aster And S#ave
"ibbon cables are made of ? or . connectors for drives. :ith ?
connector, only a drive sets to master can be attached to the cable.
(ut with . connectors, ? drive must be set to master and the other set
to slave. @ou can also use a cable with . connectors to plug only ?
drive, in that case you have to set the drive to master and use the
master connector only, otherwise it will not work at all.
Inverted $ays Ri&&on
,he 8oppy drive ribbon is easily recognized by its inverted ways.
(eside its inverted ways, it has the same con>guration as the standard
drive ribbon above e&cept that it does not >t in an #,# bus on the
motherboard.
3.C7 8oppy drives as we know them today, the ribbon cable has never
changed, no improvement at all.

Inverted ways ribbon
SATA
!#,# is short for !erial #dvanced ,echnology #ttachment. ,he !#,#
interface is a design for transferring data among storage devices like
hard drives and optic drives.
In comparison with the #,# interface, the !#,# o+ers a faster transfer
rate with features and improvements we will see throughout the guide.
!#,# Connector
,eatures and I!prove!ents
,he interesting thing with the !#,# is the new cable that uses only D
wires. :ith only D wires the cable is thin and permits a better air8ow
inside the computer case. ,he older cables used for #,# interface were
cutting the air8ow with their large ribbons and were frustrating to
manipulate.
:ith the !#,# it is as easy as plug here and plug there. 6o cable
twisting problems like the #,#.
#nother interesting feature from !#,# interface is the possibility to hot
swapping. It means, you can plug or unplug hardware without having
to reboot the computer. ,his feature has been taken from the )!(
technology that already makes the use of swapping.
SATA ; and SATA . Standards
,he !#,# ? named !#,# ?CB, o+ers a bandwidth of ?.C 4bit2s. In
comparison with the #,#2?33, it was a slight advantage. ,he >rst !#,#
generation was more used for its features than its bandwidth.
,he !#,# . called !#,# 3BB is the new generation working at the rate
of 3 4bit2s. It is more than twice than the #,# rate. :ith a frequency
like this you can >nally feel the di+erence between the . technologies.
,he !#,# 3 is on the way and will o+er a bandwidth of A 4bit2s. ,he
ability of using more than ? drives by cables should appear on the 3rd
generation.
Co!pati&i#ity
,he #,# and ,he !#,# are not compatible. @ou cannot plug a !#,#
drive in the #,# interface. ,his says, I heard there are hybrid hard
drives supporting both technologies. ,his is only a speculation, I did
not investigate to see if they e&ist.
*n the other hand, !#,# ? and !#,# . are backward and forward
compatible. If your motherboard does not support the !#,# 3BB, a -CI
e&tension card for !#,# should do the trick.
#nother way for adding more compatibility has been introduced by
hard drive7s manufacturers. # Eumper on !#,# . hard drives can be set
to force the drive to run under !#,# ?.
!erial-#,# <ard 0rive Cable
,his !#,# cable marks the end of ribbons. $ore and more computers
are built with the !#,# interface. @ou can e&pect a fast disappearance
of ribbon cables.
US/ Ca&#e and ,irewire Ca&#e
%irewire and )!( are both a serial bus interface standard. ,he %irewire
interface is better than the )!( at a certain point, but nothing to be
scare of. It is not a big lost for us -C users.
)!( Computer Cable
)niversal !erial (us (US/ is the design answer to #pple %irewire. ,he
)!( interface >&ed a maEor problem in -C computers.
In the early days, -C computers were not built with lot of hardware,
enabling the use of serial or parallel peripherals without hardware7s
addressing problems. (ut nowadays we use several peripherals and
this cause con8icts addressing among peripherals and other hardware.
@ou can use )!( cables to connect most new devices to your computer
including 8ash memory sticks, portable media players, internet
modems and digital cameras.
Computer accessories like mice, keyboards, webcams, portable hard-
drives, microphones, printers, scanners and speakers can also be
connected to the computer through )!( ports. #dditionally, )!( cables
are also used for charging a variety of gadgets including mobile phones
or for transferring data from one computer to another.
USB 1.0; "eleased in Fanuary ?GGA.
!peci>ed data rates of 1.5 Mbit/s (o!-Band!idt" and 1# Mbit/s
($%ll-Band!idt". 0oes not allow for e&tension cables or pass-
through monitors (due to timing and power limitations. %ew such
devices actually made it to market.
USB 1.1; "eleased in !eptember ?GG'.
%i&ed problems identi>ed in ?.B, mostly relating to hubs. 1arliest
revision to be widely adopted.
USB #.0; "eleased in #pril .BBB.
#dded higher ma&imum bandwidth of &'0 Mbit/s (AB $(2s (now
called ()i-S*eed(. %urther modi>cations to the )!( speci>cation
have been done via 1ngineering Change 6otices (1C6.
,he IEEE ;-<* interface1,ire$ire2 is a serial bus interface standard
for high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data
transfer, frequently used by personal computers, as well as in digital
audio, digital video and automotive with data transfer speeds up to
/BB $bps (megabits per second. ,he interface is also known by the
brand names of ,ire$ire (#pple, i=6IN> (!ony, and 6yn5 (,e&as
Instruments. %ire:ire is also available in wireless, >ber optic, and
coa&ial versions using the isochronous protocols.
7'A
*ne of the most common video connectors for computer monitors and
high-de>nition ,5s is the 54# cable. # standard 54# connector has ?C-
pins and other than connecting a computer to a monitor, you may also
use a 54# cable to connect your laptop to a ,5 screen or a proEector.
Converter cables are lso available to let 54# monitors connect to
newer computers that only output <0$I or 05I signals. # smaller
variant of 54#, $ini-54#, is available on some laptops but with the
help of a converter, you can connect any standard 54# monitor to a
$ini-54# port of your laptop.
D7I onitor Port
If you have purchased a computer in the
recent past, chances are that it uses 05I
instead of 54#. ,he new breed of HthinH
laptops use the smaller variants of 05I like the
$ini-05I and $icro-05I (>rst seen in $ac(ook
#ir.
# 05I cable has .G pins, though some connectors may have less pins
depending on their con>guration. 05IIs video signal is compatible with
<0$I, so a simple converter can allow a 05I monitor to receive input
from an <0$I cable.
#dditionally, 05I to 54# converters are also available for connect your
new graphics card to old monitor that supports only 54# mode.
S+7ideo
!-5ideo cables, otherwise known as !eparate 5ideo or !uper 5ideo
cables, carry analog video signals and are commonly used for
connecting 050 players, camcorders, older video consoles to the
television.
!tandard !-5ideo connectors are round in shape and may have
anywhere between /-G pins.
?= Networ)in0 Re#ated Ca&#es
?=; + P%one R@;; Ca&#e
,he telephone cable, otherwise known as "F??, is
still used around the world for connecting to the
Internet through 0!=2#0!= modems. # standard
phone cable has / wires and the connector has
four pins.
,he connector has a clip at the top to help maintain a tight connection.
?=. + Et%ernet Ca&#e
1thernet is the standard for wired networking
around the world. ,he 1thernet cable, otherwise
known as "F/C, is based on CatC twisted pair cable
and is made from ' individual wires.
,he 1thernet connector, likewise, has ' pins and looks similar to a
phone plug, but is actually thicker and wider. It too has a clip to help
maintain a tight connection like a phone connector.
?=- + Coa5ia# Ca&#e
# type of wire that consists of a center wire
surrounded by insulation and then a grounded shield
of braided wire. ,he shield minimizes electrical and
radio frequency interference.
Coa&ial cabling is the primary type of cabling used by
the cable television industry and is also widely used
for computer networks, such as 1thernet. #lthough more e&pensive
than standard telephone wire, it is much less
susceptible to interference and can carry much more
data.
?=* + ,i&er Optics
# technology that uses glass (or plastic threads
(>bers to transmit data. # >ber optic cable consists
of a bundle of glass threads, each of which is capable
of transmitting messages modulated onto light
waves.
OHS 1Occupationa# Hea#t% and Safety
Procedures2
The following are the examples of OHS that is related to computer hardware
servicing.
1. Contingency measures during workplace accidents, fire and other emergencies are
recognized.
2. Personal protective equipment are correctly used in accordance with organization
O! procedures and practices.
". azard#risks in the workplace and their corresponding indicators are identified to
minimize or eliminate risk to co$workers, workplace and environment.
%. &lways discharge 'ody(s static charge 'efore touching any part of the computer.
). *e careful with tools that may cause short circuit.
+. ,ake off any metal o'-ects on your arms or fingers such as 'racelets, rings or
watches.
.. /ear ru''er sole shoes when standing on the ground or in a concrete floor.
0. 1ully shut down and unplug the computer 'efore you make any attempts to
disassem'le the tower.
2. 3eplace only fuses with those proper rating.
14. old the components 'y the edges and do not touch the 5C(s.
11. 3ead and follow instructions on the manual carefully.
12. 6o not use e7cessive force if things don(t quite slip into place
?3. $ake sure your hands are completely dry to avoid damaging any
mechanical parts as well as to avoid electrocution.
Three most damaging things to a computer:
?. 8oisture 9sweat, drinking water:,
.. !hock 9electric or from 'eing dropped:
3. 6ust 9any de'ris from household dust to 'its of food:.
/IOS
!hort for /asic Input3Output Syste!, the
/IOS, RO /IOS, or Syste! /IOS is a chip
located on all motherboards that contain
instructions and setup for how your system
should boot and how it operates. In the picture to
the right, is an e&ample of what a (I*! chip may
look like on your computer motherboard.
,he (I*! includes instructions on how to load
basic computer hardware and includes a test referred to as a -*!, (+o!er On
Sel, -est) that helps verify the computer meets requirements to boot up
properly. If the computer does not pass the -*!,, you will receive a
combination of beeps indicating what is malfunctioning within the computer.
,hree maEor brands of (I*! chip
1. AWARD BIOS
2. IBM BIOS
3. AMI BIOS
In !ost PCs" t%e /IOS %as * !ain functions as !entioned &e#ow=
1. POST - ,est the computer hardware and make no errors e7ist 'efore loading the
operating system.
2. Bootstrap Loader - ;ocate the operating system. 5f a capa'le operating system is
located, the *5O! will pass control to it.
". BOS drivers - ;ow level drivers that give the computer 'asic operational control
over your computer<s hardware.
%. BOS or !"OS Setup - Configuration program that allows you to configure
hardware settings including system settings such as computer passwords, time,
and date.
POST A/Cs
,he computer *o!er-on sel,-test (+OS-) tests the computer to make sure it
meets the necessary system requirements and that all hardware is working
properly before starting the remainder of the boot process. If the computer
passes the -*!, the computer will have a single beep (!it" some com*%ter
B.OS man%,act%rers it may bee* t!ice as the computer starts and the
computer will continue to start normally. <owever, if the computer fails the
-*!,, the computer will either not beep at all or will generate a beep code,
which tells the user the source of the problem.
/EEP CODES
& 'eep code is the audio signal given out 'y a computer to announce the result of a short
diagnostic testing sequence the computer performs when first powering up 9called the
Power$On$!elf$,est or PO!,:.
=ach of the three ma-or *5O! 'rands has its own error code.
AI /IOS &eep codes 1A!erican e0atrends Inc=2
*eep Code 6escriptions
1 short 63&8 refresh failure
2 short Parity circuit failure
" short *ase +%> 3&8 failure
% short !ystem timer failure
) short Process failure
+ short >ey'oard controller ?ate &24 error
. short @irtual mode e7ception error
0 short 6isplay memory 3ead#/rite test failure
2 short 3O8 *5O! checksum failure
14 short C8O! shutdown 3ead#/rite error
11 short Cache 8emory error
1 long, " short Conventional#=7tended memory failure
1 long, 0 short 6isplay#3etrace test failed
I/ /IOS &eep codes
*eep Code 6escription
Ao *eeps Ao Power, ;oose Card, or !hort.
1 !hort *eep Aormal PO!,, computer is ok.
2 !hort *eep PO!, error, review screen for error code.
Continuous *eep Ao Power, ;oose Card, or !hort.
3epeating !hort *eep Ao Power, ;oose Card, or !hort.
One ;ong and one !hort *eep 8other'oard issue.
One ;ong and ,wo !hort *eeps @ideo 98ono#C?& 6isplay Circuitry: issue.
One ;ong and ,hree !hort *eeps. @ideo 9=?&: 6isplay Circuitry.
,hree ;ong *eeps >ey'oard or >ey'oard card error.
One *eep, *lank or 5ncorrect 6isplay @ideo 6isplay Circuitry.
A$ARD /IOS &eep codes
*eep Code 6escription
1 long, 2
short
5ndicates a video error has occurred and the *5O! cannot initialize the
video screen to display any additional information
&ny other
'eep9s:
3&8 pro'lem.
!"OS
&lternatively referred to as a #eal-Time !loc$ %#T!&' (on-
)olatile #*" %()#*"& or !"OS #*", !"OS is short for
!omplementar+ "etal-Oxide Semiconductor. C8O! is an
on$'oard semiconductor chip powered 'y a C8O! 'attery
inside computers that stores information such as the system time and date and the system
hardware settings for your computer. & C8O! is similar to the &pple 8acintosh
computer<s P3&8. 5n the picture to the right, is an image of a C8O! 'attery on a 5*8
compati'le computers mother'oard and the most common C8O! 'attery you<re likely to
encounter with your computer.
5n the 'ottom right picture, are e7amples of 'atteries that may 'e used in a computer to
power the C8O! memory. &s mentioned a'ove the most common 'attery is the coin cell
'attery 9lithium 'attery:, usually a'out the size of a B.!. Aickel.
,he standard lifetime of a C8O! 'attery is around 14 Cears. owever, this can vary
depending on the use and environment that the computer resides.
How to Enter t%e /IOS or COS Setup=
*ecause of the wide variety of computer and *5O! manufacturers over the evolution of
computers, there are numerous ways to enter the *5O! or C8O! !etup. *elow is a
listing of the ma-ority of these methods as well as other recommendations for entering the
*5O! setup.
Aew computers
,hankfully, computers that have 'een manufactured in the last few years will allow you
to enter the C8O! 'y pressing one of the 'elow five keys during the 'oot. Bsually it<s
one of the first three.
11
12
6=;
=!C
114
& user will know when to press this key when they see a message similar to the 'elow
e7ample as the computer is 'ooting. !ome older computers may also display a flashing
'lock to indicate when to press the 11 or 12 keys.
Press D12E to enter *5O! setup
5f your computer is a new computer and you are unsure of what key to press when the
computer is 'ooting, try pressing and holding one or more keys the key'oard. ,his will
cause a stuck key error, which may allow you to enter the *5O! setup.
Once you<ve successfully entered the C8O! setup you should see a screen similar to the
'elow e7ample.
Older computers
Bnlike the computers of today, older computers 9'efore 122): had numerous different
methods of entering the *5O! setup. *elow is a listing of general key sequences that may
have had to 'e pressed as the computer was 'ooting.
C,3; F &;, F =!C
C,3; F &;, F 5A!
C,3; F &;, F =A,=3
C,3; F &;, F !
P&?= BP >=C
P&?= 6O/A >=C
File System
Sometimes abbreviated as FS, a file system is a method of organizing and
retrieving files from a storage medium such as a hard drive. File systems usually
consist of files separated into groups called directories. Directories can contain files
or additional directories.
The old FAT (File Allocation Table) file system was developed originally
(when the original I! "#s came out$ for !S%D&S on small machines and
floppy dis's.
File Allocation Table Variants:
FAT12( The oldest File )llocation Table that uses *+%bit binary system.
) hard dis' drive formatted using F)T*+ can use a ma,imum of
appro,imately *-,./-,+0- volume size and today is no longer used. If
your computer is running 1indows 20 or above and your F)T within
FDIS3 is being displayed as F)T*+ it is li'ely that your hard dis' drive
is corrupted, bad or has a computer virus.
FAT16: F)T utilizing a *-%bit binary system. #ommonly found with
1indows /., through 1indows 20. F)T*-, while becoming obsolete by
F)T/+, is still commonly found.
FAT32: 4nhanced File )llocation Table utilizing a +5%bit binary system,
first used in 1indows 20 &S6+ and more so in 1indows 25, that saves
dis' space by using 7' #luster. See F)T/+ "age for e,tended
information about F)T/+.
NTFS is short for New Technology File System8 a file system that was
originally designed for 1indows 9T and today is supported in 1indows +:::,
1indows ;" and some <ni, variant operating systems. 9TFS, when compared
to previous File Systems such as F)T*-, improves on reliability, security and
support for client%server systems.
The file system used goes with an individual artition of the dis'. =ou can mi, the
two types on the same physical drive. The 1indows ;" operating system is the
same, whichever file system is used for its partition, so it is a mista'e (and source of
confusion$ to spea' of >a F)T dis' reading an 9TFS partition.? It is the oerating
system! not the dis', that does the reading.
)ctual files are unaffected by which file system they are on8 that is merely a matter
of a method of storage. )n analogy would be letters stored in an office. They might
be in bo,%files on shelves (F)T$ or in suspended folders in file cabinets (9TFS$8 but
the letters themselves would be unaffected by the choice of which way to store
them, and could be moved from one storage place to the other. Similarly, files can be
moved between folders on an 9TFS partition and folders on a F)T partition, or across
a networ' to another machine that might not even be running 1indows.
"#A$%&": #onsider the downloading to your computer of a file through a lin' on a
web page. =ou clic' on the lin', and the file is copied across the Internet and stored
on your hard drive. If you download the file from this present site, the file is stored
on a computer running <ni,, which uses neither F)T nor 9TFS. The file itself is not
affected when it is copied from a 1indows computer to the <ni,%based server, or
copied from that server to your 1indows%based computer.
@owever, if a machine has two different operating systems on it, dual booted, they
may not both be able to read both types of partition. D&S (including an 4mergency
Startup boot floppy$, 1indows 20A25, and 1indows !4 cannot handle 9TFS (without
third party assistance$. 4arly versions of 1indows 9T cannot handle F)T/+, only
F)T*-. So, if you have such a mi,ed environment, any communal files must be held
on a partition of a type that both operating systems can understand B meaning,
usually, a F)T/+ partition.
2. WHICH SYSTEM TO USE?
There are three considerations that affect which file system should be chosen for any
partition(
a' (o yo) want to )se the a**itional caabilities that only NTFS
s)orts+
9TFS can provide control of file access by different users, for privacy and
security. The @ome 4dition of 1indows ;" only supports this to the limited
e,tent of 'eeping each userCs documents private to him or herself. Full file%
access control is provided in 1indows ;" "rofessional, as is encryption of
individual files and folders.
b' ,onsi*erations of Stability an* -esilience
9TFS has stronger means of recovering from troubles than does F)T. )ll
changes to files are >Dournalized,? which allows the system to roll bac' the
state of a file after a crash of the program using it or a crash of the system.
)lso, the structure of the file system is less li'ely to suffer damage in a crash,
and is therefore more easily reinstated by #hec'Dis' (#@3DS3.4;4$. ut in
practical terms, the stability of F)T is adeEuate for many users, and it has the
benefit that a F)T partition is accessible for repair after booting from a D&S
mode startup floppy, such as one from 1indows 25. If an 9TFS partition is so
damaged that it is not possible to boot 1indows, then repair can be very
difficult.
c' ,onsi*erations of economy an* erformance
&n the other hand 9TFS ta'es much more space for holding descriptive information
on every file in that fileCs own bloc' in the !aster File Table (!FT$. This can use Euite
a large proportion of the dis', though this is offset by a possibility that the data of a
very small file may be stored entirely in its !FT bloc'. ecause 9TFS holds
significant amounts of these structures in memory, it places larger demands on
memory than does F)T.
Searching directories in 9TFS uses a more efficient stucture for its access to files, so
searching a F)T partition is a slower process in big directories. Scanning the F)T for
the pieces of a fragmented file is also slower.
Co!puter /u0s and ,ou#+Up Ter!s
'#itc%4 :henever the computer does something strange or
une&pected or behaves in a manner inconsistent with normal
operation, thatIs a glitc". 4litches happen to everyone. *ften, you fail
to notice a glitch unless it does something that directly a+ects what
youIre doing. %or e&ample, you donIt notice a sound glitch until you try
to make your computer squawk. ,he sound may have not been
working for weeks, but you notice it missing only when you otherwise
would e&pect it. !uch is the agony of the glitch.
/u04 # b%g is an error in a computer program. 0espite the e+ort of the
best programmers, most computer software is riddled with bugs. (ugs
are what cause computer glitches. (ad bugs can cause a computer to
hang of crash.
6ote that most of the worst bugs happen when you mi& two programs
together and they interact in some new and une&pected way. ,he term
comes from the early days of computing, when a real bug (moth got
stuck in the circuitry.
Han04 a totally unresponsive computer is said to be "%ng, or "anged.
@ou could also use the term ,ro/e0 though hang is the accepted term
used by computer nerds for generations.
Cras%4 1ras" is another term for a dead computer J speci>cally, what
happens to a hard drive when it ceases operation. # crash is typically
more sensational that a hang. "emember that a hung is a freeze. #
crash is typically accompanied by spectacular warning messages or
weird behavior (and may indicate more than Eust a dying hard drive. In
fact, a crashed computer may still be teasingly functional. *nly a
foolhardy continue to use a crashed computer.
Computers shouldnIt crash. ,heyIre not designed to. (ut they do for
two reasons.
,he software has bugs in it.
,here s an utter lack of cooperation
$%y do co!puters %ave &u0s(
ItIs an accident, caused by an oversight on the part of the
programmer, sloppy programming, or lack of participation.
In addition to bugs is the lack of cooperation issue. !oftware and
hardware vendors can check their product in only certain -C
con>gurations.
,he computer is a device thatIs not designed to crush, but through the
odd chance of software bug or some weird software-hardware mi&ture,
it does crash.
Usin0 t%e >ey&oard in $indows w%en t%e ouse DoesnAt $or)
:indows need a mouse, so if you canIt get your mouse to work,
you need to rely on the keyboard to >nish up whatever task you have
to be done. <ere are some handy key combinations you can use in
place of some mouse techniques;
Ctr# B S4 !aves a document to disk.
Esc4 Cancels a dialog bo&9 closes some windows.
Enter4 0oes the same thing as pressing *K, or default,L in a dialog
bo&.
Ta&4 $oves between a various gizmo in a dialog bo&. ,ry using the
arrow keys or space bar to active the gizmos.
A#t B ,*4 Closes a window.
$in1t%e $indow >ey24 can be used to pop up the !tart $enu. @ou
can then use the arrow keys and enter to select items from the menu.
Ctr# B Esc4 -ops up the start menu when you have an older keyboard
without a windows key.
*R 1Reinsta##" Restore" Recyc#e and Recover2
REINSTA66
#lso referred to as re#oad, reinsta## is the process of installing a
software program over the version that is already installed. ,his step is
commonly performed when a program has worked in the past but now
is e&periencing issues that cannot be resolved. ,o reinstall a software
program or operating system install the program the same way you did
in the past. If prompted about the program or directory already
e&isting choose continue to overwrite.
RESTORE
Usin0 Syste! Restore
,he !ystem "estore utility in :indows is an e&cellent way to
recover from Eust about any mishap, but speci>cally it works best for
those it-was-working-yesterday situations. :ith !ystem "estore, you
can turn the clock on your entire computer system - yes, back to the
good old days when things were working normally.
!ystem "estore )tility works by setting various restore points. #
restore point is a record of your computerIs settings.
In windows vista, restore points are set regularly, #t least once a
day. # restore point is also set when you install new software or
whenever :indows updates itself. (ut can also optionally set your own
restore points.
Settin0 a restore point
?. Click the !tart (utton
.. In "un or !earch te&tbo& type !sconC0
3. %rom the !ystem Con>guration )tility :indow, Click 6aunc%
Syste! Restore (utton
/. ,he !ystem "estore :indow will appear, select the Create a
restore point option then click ne&t.
C. 1nter "estore point description then click create.
Restorin0 Dour Syste!
?. Click the !tart (utton
.. In "un or !earch te&tbo& type !sconC0
3. %rom the !ystem Con>guration )tility :indow, Click 6aunc%
Syste! Restore (utton
/. ,he !ystem "estore :indow will appear, select the Restore !y
pc to an ear#ier ti!e option then click ne&t.
C. !elect a restore point then click ne&t.
A. Click ne&t and watch your computer restoring itself.
RECDC6E
Restorin0 fro! t%e Recyc#e /in
,o ease the panic that sets in when you canIt >nd a >le, you need
to do two things; %irst, use the !earch Command to try to locate the
>le9 second, check the "ecycle (in to see whether the >le was
accidentally deleted;
;= Open t%e Recyc#e /in icon on t%e des)top=
If the recycle bin icon cannot be found on the desktop, open a
:indows 1&plorer window (press :inM1 on the Keyboard and
choose the recycle (in from the list of folders displayed on the
left side of the window.
.= C%oose Detai#s fro! t%e too#&arAs 7iew &utton !enu
,he "ecycle (in window, displays information about deleted >les
in several columns; 6ame, *riginal =ocation, 0ate 0eleted, and
!ize. )se the column headings to help you quickly locate >les
you have deleted, as covered in the sections that follows.
,o recover a deleted >le, click it and choose the toolbar
button titled "estore ,his Item.
,o recover more than one >le, press the Ctrl key and hold it
down as you click the >les you want to restore.
%iles are restored to their original location. ,o restore a >le
to another location, you must drag it down to the desired
folder.
@ou cannot restore >les that were deleted using the
shiftM0elete Keystroke.
RECO7ER
,erm used to describe the process of restoring a >le that has been
deleted.