CST1010 Computer Hardware II, Winter 2003 Lab-02 PC Disassembly and Assembly

Lab-02
PC Component Identification, PC Disassembly and Assembly

Assigned: Week of January 6, 2003 Due: Week of January 20, 2003

Name: Section: Marks: /40

Computer No.-
Team Members:
Professor’s Name: Day: Date:
To validate your lab report, get a signature from your professor at the end of the lab:

Objective:
The objective of this lab exercise is to provide you with the ability to identify various components of
a PC.
After completing this lab exercise, you will be able to:
 Identify the major components of a PC, cables and port connectors.
 Follow proper safety precautions.
 Disassemble the system unit.
 Reassemble the system unit properly and return it to normal operation.
 Become familiar with documentation procedures.

Resources:
 System disk (DOS).
 A small Phillips (star) screw driver and a small flat blade screw driver).
 Text Book.
 A working PC.

Special Instruction:
 This lab requires the use of your textbook as well as various other supplied resources.
 For each of the following procedures, you are expected to record the commands required, and
the results obtained in the space provided.
 Each student is required to hand in his/her own lab report though you will be working in
groups.
 You must also include a set of conclusions for the lab.

Marking Scheme:
There will be a quiz based on this lab, during the first 5/10 minutes of the next lab.
20 marks for attendance + 40 marks for Lab Report + 40 marks for the quiz.

Be prepared for a practical lab test shortly after the completion of this lab!

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CST1010 Computer Hardware II, Winter 2003 Lab-02 PC Disassembly and Assembly

Part A: Pre-disassembly Procedures

Fill in the attached documentation sheet as you go through these procedures and/or fill in the blanks in
space provided below.

1. Break yourselves up into groups of no more than two people.

2. Remove a PC-AT from the cabinet (your teacher will show you which cabinet) and set it up on the
table. Do not plug anything in yet.
3. Make a drawing of the front of the case, attach it to your report. Did it __
4. On your drawing identify and label all the switches. Did it __
5. Document the size and type of floppy disk drive that is installed in the system.
Identify it in your drawing. Did it __
6. Make a drawing of the rear of the PC AT case.
 Draw all of the port connectors clearly showing the number of pins,
the type (female or male pins) and the shape.
 Label all of the following ports in your drawing:
 serial port number 1 (called COM1) Did it __
 serial port number 2 (called COM2) Did it __
 keyboard connector Did it __
 game port Did it __
 parallel port (printer port called LPT1) Did it __
 video port (should be a VGA connector) Did it __
 any other port you may have... Did it __
7. Connect the monitor, keyboard and power cable to the PC and turn it on. Did it __

Confirm that the hardware works...

8. Does your video monitor work? Did it __
9. Does your PC boot? Did it __
10. Does your floppy drive work? Did it __
11. Does the hard drive work? Did it __
12. Describe what you hear and what you see during a normal bootstrap?
(ie, how many beeps do you hear, the fan?, lights, etc...) Did it __
13. At the C:\ prompt, type the DOS command DIR
(for a directory listing of the C: drive) and press the enter key.
14. If the computer does not boot from the Hard Drive or the Hard Drive
does not exist, boot from the System disk (floppy).
15. Record the total number of files on the Main directory and the total disk space available.
16. Press the front panel’s reset switch to reset the system.
17. When prompted, follow the directions to enter the CMOS set/diagnostic routines.
18. Select the Standard CMOS setup option.
19. Record the hard drive configuration information, such Head, Cyl, Sec.
20. Turn OFF the system.

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CST1010 Computer Hardware II, Winter 2003 Lab-02 PC Disassembly and Assembly

Part B: Disassembly Procedures

NOTE 1** SAFETY FIRST!!! (Read your safety handout.)

NOTE 2** your PC must be reassembled and working before the end of the lab. Keep this in mind
before you start.

NOTE 3** read this in its entirety before you begin

1. Discharge yourself of all static electricity by touching the PC’s chassis (or the ground screw on the
receptacle.) Did it __
2. Safety NOTE!! Beware of sharp edges!!! The cheaper chassis have very sharp edges that can cut
you easily. Be very careful and take your time. Remember, SAFETY FIRST.
3. As you remove each board and disk drive, document the information listed in the attached
Specifications document (note some parts of the spec sheets wont apply to this lab).

Remove the External I/O Systems:

1. Unplug all power cords, from the commercial outlet
2. Remove all peripherals from the system unit.
3. Disconnect the keyboard from the rear of the unit.
4. Disconnect the monitor power cable.
5. Disconnect the monitor signal cable (video cable) from the video adapter card.

Do the following for each card and drive removed:

 Before removing a card, document any cables that are attached to the card, noting where
they go and their orientation.
 Store screws properly.
 Note the position of the colour strip (pin no. 1) on the cables and make a mark for the pin
no.1 if needed on the I/O card or Motherboard and on the Floppy and the hard drive.
Did it __
Remove the Storage Devices in the System Unit:
6. Remove the floppy drive.
7. Remove the hard drive.

Remove the Interface Cards (Adapter Cards):

8. Remove the video card from the expansion slot.
9. Remove other interface cards if exists.

 draw a picture of the card. The drawing should accurately show-->

 the shape of the board, Did it __
 the connectors on the board, including the card edge connector,
 the number of pins on connectors, Did it __
 all jumpers and the jumper settings. Did it __
 label the board with any identification that appears on the card (chip sets or
manufacturer stamps, BIOS stamps, etc...). Did it __

NOTE** your drawings should include power supply and disk drive cables.

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CST1010 Computer Hardware II, Winter 2003 Lab-02 PC Disassembly and Assembly

Part C: Assembly Procedures

1. To assemble the PC, reverse the procedure above.

2. Did it work? Worked?__________
3. After re-assembly confirm that the system works as it did before you started. (check video, floppy
and hard drive access. You don’t have to test the serial or parallel ports in this lab).
 At the C:\ prompt, type the DOS command DIR (for a directory listing of the C: drive) and
press the enter key.
 Record the total number of files on the Main directory and the total disk space available.
 Record and Match the order of events that occur with the previous one.
 Turn OFF the system.
 Replace the system unit cover.
Worked?__________
NOTE***
There is going to be a practical lab in the near future so practice assembling and disassembling the
PC’s. Give everyone in the group a turn. If you’re having trouble with access to equipment let
me know.
4. Pick one person in your group and have him/her disassemble the PC.
5. Have another person put it together in working condition.
6. Take turns assembling and disassembling.
7. Repeat this until you feel comfortable with PC assembly/disassembly.

Part D: Post Laboratory Exercise

1. Find the Web site for any case and power supply manufacturer and download a copy.
URL address is _________________________________
URL address is _________________________________

2. Attach these copies with your lab report.

3. List some of the features and differences you see between these cases and power supply with
your laboratory ones:

One or more of the following questions will be on the quiz.

1. How do you know where pin-1 is on a cable?

2. How do you know where pin-1 is on a connector?
3. How many pins are there on each port connector (i.e., COM, video and parallel ports)?
4. How many pins are there on the I/O card bus connectors.
5. What is the power capacity of the power supply?
6. How are the power supply connectors labelled?
7. etc.

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CST1010 Computer Hardware II, Winter 2003 Lab-02 PC Disassembly and Assembly

Computer Maintenance Specification Document:

Lab Exercise No: Title:

Date of Activity: For:
Start Time: End Time:
Computer No:
Team Members:

&

Motherboard Specs:
Manufacturer: _________________________________
Supplier (if available): _________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): _________________________________
Serial No (if available): _________________________________
Model No (if available): _________________________________
Processor Type: _________________________________
BIOS Manufacturer: _________________________________
Total Memory Capacity: _________________________________
BIOS Version (if available): _________________________________
Memory Bank types: _________________________________
Minimum Memory: ________________
Maximum Memory: ________________
No. of Expansion Slots: ________________
Type of Slots & How Many of Each:
_______________________________________________________________
General Size of Motherboard: _________________________________
Other Characteristics:
_______________________________________________________________

Memory Specs
Manufacturer: _________________________________
Supplier (if available): _________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): ___________________
Main Memory Type: ______________
Total Ram On board: ______________
Ram Configuration: ______________
Base Memory:______ Ext. Memory: ______
Other Characteristics:
___________________________________________________________

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CST1010 Computer Hardware II, Winter 2003 Lab-02 PC Disassembly and Assembly

Power Supply
Manufacturer: ________________________________
Supplier (if available): ________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): __________________
Serial No (if available): __________________
Model No (if available): __________________
Wattage: __________________
Other Characteristics:
___________________________________________________________

Computer Internal Components/Cards

Video Card
Manufacturer:
Supplier (if available):
Warranty Date(if available):
Serial No(if available):
Model No(if available):
Type:
Current Memory:
Maximum Memory:
Other Characteristics:
____________________________________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________
_____________
_____________

Internal Modem
Manufacturer: __________________________________
Supplier (if available): __________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): __________________
Serial No (if applicable): __________________
Model No ( if applicable): __________________
Type: __________
Speed: __________
Other Characteristics:
_____________________________________________________________

HDD/FDD Controller Card

Manufacturer: ___________________________________
Supplier (if available): ___________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): ___________________
Serial No (if applicable): ______________
Model No ( if applicable): _____________
Interface Type: _____________________
Other Characteristics:
______________________________________________________________

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CST1010 Computer Hardware II, Winter 2003 Lab-02 PC Disassembly and Assembly

Sound Card
Manufacturer: _________________________________
Supplier (if available): _________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): _________________
Serial No (if applicable): _________________
Model No ( if applicable): _____________
Type: _____________
Other Characteristics:
______________________________________

Other Internal Card(s)

Description: ___________________________________
Manufacturer: ___________________________________
Supplier (if available): ___________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): _________________
Serial No (if applicable): _________________
Model No ( if applicable): _________________
Type: __________
Speed: __________
Other Characteristics:
______________________________________________________________

Serial Port Address(es): ___________ ___________

Parallel Port Address(es): ___________ ___________

Other Peripherals:

Monitor
Type:
Manufacturer:
Supplier (if available):
Warranty Date(if available):
Serial No (if applicable):
Model No ( if applicable):
Other Characteristics:
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
_________________
_________________
_________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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CST1010 Computer Hardware II, Winter 2003 Lab-02 PC Disassembly and Assembly

Hard Drive(s)
Type: ____________________________________
Manufacturer: ____________________________________
Supplier (if available): ____________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): _____________________
Serial No (if applicable): _____________________
Model No ( if applicable): _____________________
Size: _______________
Interface Type: _______________
Drive No: _______________
CMOS type no: _______________
Cylinders: ___ Heads: ____ Sectors: ___ WPCom: _____ Lzone: _____
Other Characteristics:
_______________________________________________________________

Floppy Drive(s)
Drive Letter: ____
Type: __________________________________
Manufacturer: __________________________________
Supplier (if available): __________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): __________________________________
Serial No (if applicable): _________________
Model No ( if applicable): _________________
Size: _________________
Other Characteristics:
_____________________________________________________________

CD Rom Drive
Drive Letter: ________
Type: ________________________________________
Manufacturer: ________________________________________
Supplier (if available): __________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): ______________________
Serial No (if applicable): ______________________
Model No ( if applicable): ______________________
Size: ______________________
Other Characteristics:
_____________________________________________________________

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CST1010 Computer Hardware II, Winter 2003 Lab-02 PC Disassembly and Assembly

Tape Drive
Drive Letter: ________
Type: ________________
Manufacturer: __________________________________
Supplier (if available): __________________________________
Warranty Date(if available): ____________
Serial No (if applicable): ______________
Model No ( if applicable): _____________
Size: ________________
Other Characteristics:
______________________________________________________________

Keyboard Type: ________

Mouse Type: ________
Other Devices:

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

AUTOEXEC.BAT settings:

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

CONFIG.SYS settings:

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

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CST1010 Computer Hardware II, Winter 2003 Lab-02 PC Disassembly and Assembly

Other Features:

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Conclusion:

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

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