2.2.4.7 Lab – Computer Disassembly Answers

Last Updated on October 28, 2018 by Admin

2.2.4.7 Lab – Computer Disassembly Answers

Lab – Computer Disassembly (Answers Version)

In this lab, you will disassemble a computer using safe lab procedures and the proper tools. Use extreme care and follow all safety procedures. Familiarize yourself with the tools you will be using in this lab.

Note: If you cannot locate or remove the correct component, ask your Answers for help.

Answers Note: It is only necessary to complete this lab if the lab computers are already built. The goal of this lab is to have the components separated and ready for assembly in chapter 3, and for the students to demonstrate proper tool use. The students will also apply proper tool use in the chapter 3 labs, where they will assemble a computer.

This lab does not include removing the motherboard, CPU, and cooling device from the computer due to the replacement cost of these items. If possible, allow students to remove these components from spare or broken computers that are kept in the classroom for part identification and demonstration.

Recommended Tools

Safety glasses

Antistatic wrist strap

Antistatic mat

Flat head screwdrivers

Phillips head screwdrivers

Torx screwdrivers

Hex driver

Part retriever

Thermal compound

Can of compressed air

Cable ties

Parts organizer

Containers for storing computer parts

Antistatic bags for electronic parts

Step 1:  Power Off the Computer.

Turn off the power to the computer and disconnect the power cable from the wall and the power supply.

Step 2:  Open the Computer Case.

Answers Note: Explain to each student or group of students how a particular case is opened. Many have a simple catch, the front panel must come off first, or they simply slide apart. Show them which screws are holding the power supply in place before they begin.

Locate all of the screws that secure the side panels to the back of the computer. Use the proper size and type of screwdriver to remove the side panel screws. Do not remove the screws that secure the power supply to the case. Put all of these screws in one place, such as a compartment in the parts organizer or small cup. Label the compartment or cup with a piece of masking tape on which you have written ‘side panel screws’. Remove the side panels from the case.

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

Note: Some manufacturers do not use screws to fasten components inside of the computer case. Some may use plastic or metal clips that fasten components to the computer chassis. Be careful to remove only screws that are holding components in place, and not the screws that hold components together.

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________

A Phillips screwdriver and hex drivers are the most commonly used screwdrivers to remove case panels.

How many screws secured the side panels?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Answers may vary. Normally there are two screws for each panel on a mid-tower case.

Step 3: Antistatic Wrist Strap.

Put on an antistatic wrist strap. Connect one end of the conductor to the wrist strap. Clip the other end of the conductor to an unpainted, metal part of the case.

If you have an antistatic mat, place it on the work surface and put the computer case on top of it. Ground the antistatic mat to an unpainted, metal part of the case.

Step 4:  Remove the Hard Drive.

  1. Locate the hard drive. Carefully disconnect the power and data cables from the back of the hard drive.
    Which type of data cable did you disconnect?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary.
  2. Locate all of the screws that hold the hard drive in place. Use the proper size and type of screwdriver to remove the hard drive screws. Put all of these screws in one place and label them.
    What type of screws secured the hard drive to the case?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary. Normally, crosshead screws secure hard drives in place. 
    How many screws secured the hard drive to the case?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary. Most cases allow for up to four screws per hard drive.
    Is the hard drive connected to a mounting bracket? If so, what type of screws secure the hard drive to the mounting bracket?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary. Most hard drive manufacturers use a flush, crosshead screw.
    Caution: Do NOT remove the screws that hold the hard drive together.
  3. Gently remove the hard drive from the case. Look for a jumper reference chart on the hard drive. If there is a jumper installed on the hard drive, use the jumper reference chart to see if the hard drive is set for a Master, Slave, or Cable Select (CS) drive. Place the hard drive in an antistatic bag.
    What is the jumper setting of the hard drive?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Master, Slave, or Cable Select (CS)

Step 5:  Remove Optical Drive.

  1. Locate the optical drive (Blu-ray, DVD, etc.). Carefully disconnect the power and data cables from the optical drive. Remove the audio cable from the optical drive if there is one connected.
    What kind of data cable did you disconnect?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary.
    Is there a jumper on the optical drive? What is the jumper setting?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Master, Slave, or Cable Select (CS) drive.
  2. Locate and remove all of the screws that secure the optical drive to the case. Put all of these screws in one place and label them. Place the optical drive in an antistatic bag.
    How many screws secured the optical drive to the case?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary.

Step 6:  Remove the Power Supply.

  1. Locate the power supply. Find the power connection(s) to the motherboard.
  2. Gently remove the power connection(s) from the motherboard. How many pins are there in the motherboard connector?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary.
  3. Disconnect the power cables from any case fans.
  4. Disconnect the power cable from the video card if it requires one.
  5. Disconnect any other power supply cables from where they were connected.
    If there were additional cables disconnected, to what were they connected?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary
  6. Locate and remove all of the screws that secure the power supply to the case. Put all of these screws in one place and label them.
  7. Carefully remove the power supply from the case. Place the power supply with the other computer components.

Step 7:  Remove Adapter Cards.

  1. Locate any adapter cards that are installed in the computer, such as a video, NIC, or sound card.
  2. Locate and remove the screw that secures the adapter card to the case. Put the adapter card screws in one place and label them.
  3. Carefully remove the adapter card from the slot. Be sure to hold the adapter card by the mounting bracket or by the edges. Place the adapter card in an antistatic bag. Repeat this process for all of the adapter cards.
    Note: Be very careful when removing video adapters. There is often a locking tab on the slot that must be released before the card can be removed.
  4. List the adapter cards and the slot types below.
Adapter Card Slot Type
Answers may vary: Video, NIC, Modem Answers may vary: PCI, PCIe, or CNR

Step 8:  Remove Memory Modules.

  1. Locate the memory modules on the motherboard.
    What type of memory modules are installed on the motherboard?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary.
    How many memory modules are installed on the motherboard?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary.
  2. Remove the memory modules from the motherboard. Be sure to release any locking tabs that may be securing the memory module. Hold the memory module by the edges and gently lift out of the slot. Put the memory modules in an antistatic bag.

Step 9:  Remove Data Cables.

  1. Remove all data cables from the motherboard. Make sure to note the connection location of any cable you disconnect.
    What types of cables were disconnected?
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Answers may vary.
  2. You have completed this lab. The computer case should contain the motherboard, the CPU, and any cooling devices. Do not remove any additional components.