Lesson Plan
Course Title: Computer Maintenance
Session Title: Environmental Maintenance & Cleaning
Lesson Duration: Will vary from instructor to instructor
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, students will be able to perform preventive maintenance
procedures and recognize the appropriate environmental guidelines in performing preventive
maintenance on PCs.
Specific Objectives:
• Identify environmental guidelines for cleaning products.
• Make use of preventive maintenance products appropriately.
• Demonstrate knowledge of preventive maintenance procedures on a PC
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
§130.273. Computer Maintenance (One to Two Credits).
(1) The student demonstrates the necessary skills for career development, employability, and
successful completion of course outcomes. The student is expected to:
(C) employ effective reading and writing skills;
(D) employ effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills;
(F) demonstrate leadership skills and function effectively as a team member;
(G) identify and implement proper safety procedures;
(H) demonstrate an understanding of legal and ethical responsibilities in relation to the field
of information technology;
(4) The student acquires an understanding of computer technologies. The student is expected
to:
(I) explain computer system environmental requirements and related control devices.
(5) The student knows the proper function and application of the tools, equipment, and materials
used in computer technologies. The student is expected to:
(C) demonstrate proper handling and disposal of environmentally hazardous materials used
in computer technologies
Instructor/Trainer
References:
1. IDG Books Worldwide Inc., A+ Certification for Dummies, Chap. 20: “Preventive
Maintenance”
2. http://backupnut.com/maint.html
IT: Principles of IT: Environmental Maintenance & Cleaning Plan
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Instructional Aids:
1. PowerPoint Presentation: Environmental Maintenance & Cleaning
2. PowerPoint Handouts: Environmental Maintenance & Cleaning
3. Lab Assignments 1-5
4. Environmental Maintenance & Cleaning Exam
Materials Needed:
1. Copies of Lab Assignments 1 through 5 (for each student).
2. Compressed air (for labs).
3. Non-static brushes or probes (for labs).
4. Isopropyl alcohol or non-sudsing general purpose cleaner (for labs).
5. Anti-static cleaner (for labs).
6. Lint-free cloth (for labs).
Equipment Needed:
1. Projection system to display the PowerPoint presentation [PC with Monitor/Projector,
etc.]
2. One PC for every two students (for labs)
3. Standard PC tool kit for every two students (for labs)
Learner
1. Students should read the appropriate curriculum material for electrostatic discharge
(ESD) [depending on the text/curriculum being used for this course]. This lesson can be
taught with only the PowerPoint presentation, and the equipment outlined above.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
With the investment we make in PCs today, performing regularly scheduled
maintenance, inspections, and cleaning to keep them in good running order is a
good idea. Just like a car needs regular oil changes, lubrication, and cleaning, a PC
can also benefit from a preventive maintenance program that is regularly applied.
SAY:
The liquid cleaning compounds used to clean or condition the computer’s
components, case, and glass surfaces present safety and environmental problems
to the user, the technician, and other people. Many of the chemical solvents,
cleaners, and their containers may require special handling because they are
poisonous or harmful in other ways.
ASK:
Does anyone know what the best tool available for finding out whether a chemical
solution poses a threat is?
Refer to The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
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Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
1. Introduce the students to Environmental
Maintenance & Cleaning.
a. Applying regular maintenance
b. Using the right cleaning supplies
c. Performing preventive maintenance
i. The keyboard
ii. The mouse
iii. The monitor
iv. The case
v. The floppy disk drive
vi. The hard disk drive
2. Show and demonstrate proper preventive
maintenance.
3. Students complete lab demonstrations including
a. Lab 1: Preventive maintenance on the
keyboard
b. Lab 2: Preventive maintenance on the
mouse
c. Lab 3: Preventive maintenance on the
monitor
d. Lab 4: Preventive maintenance at the
system level
e. Lab 5: Preventive maintenance of the hard
drive
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
1. The teacher shows and demonstrates each lab principle.
2. The teacher maintains direct supervision in the lab providing guidance when
warranted.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
1. The students work in pairs on lab assignments, demonstrating their skills in
identifying and discussing the various lab requirements and results.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
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1. Ask students summary questions.
a. Why perform preventive maintenance? [Keeps the PC in good working order]
b. Why not open the case on a monitor during preventive maintenance? [There
is a large amount of voltage stored inside the monitor]
c. For which component of the PC do you not need cleaning supplies to perform
preventive maintenance? [Hard drive preventive maintenance deals more
with optimizing storage than with physical cleaning tasks]
2. Revisit the steps the students went through for proper preventive maintenance.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
1. The teacher will monitor student progress during independent practice and
provide independent re-teach/redirection as needed.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
1. Administer an objective multiple-choice test.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Students that have mastered the lab assignments, can peer-tutor students [one-onone] that are having difficulty understanding the concept of preventive maintenance.
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Icon
MI
Verbal/
Linguistic
Logical/
Mathematical
Visual/Spatial
Musical/
Rhythmic
Bodily/
Kinesthetic
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existentialist
Teaching Strategies
Personal Development
Strategies
Lecture, discussion, journal
writing, cooperative learning,
word origins
Reading, highlighting, outlining,
teaching others, reciting information
Problem-solving, number
games, critical thinking,
classifying and organizing,
Socratic questioning
Mind-mapping, reflective
time, graphic organizers,
color-coding systems,
drawings, designs, video,
DVD, charts, maps
Use music, compose songs
or raps, use musical
language or metaphors
Organizing material logically, explaining
things sequentially, finding patterns,
developing systems, outlining, charting,
graphing, analyzing information
Developing graphic organizers, mindmapping, charting, graphing, organizing
with color, mental imagery (drawing in
the mind’s eye)
Use manipulatives, hand
signals, pantomime, real life
situations, puzzles and board
games, activities, roleplaying, action problems
Reflective teaching,
interviews, reflective listening,
KWL charts
Cooperative learning, roleplaying, group brainstorming,
cross-cultural interactions
Natural objects as
manipulatives and as a
background for learning
Socratic questions, real life
situations, global
problems/questions
Creating rhythms out of words, creating
rhythms with instruments, playing an
instrument, putting words to existing
songs
Moving while learning, pacing while
reciting, acting out scripts of material,
designing games, moving fingers under
words while reading
Reflecting on personal meaning of
information, studying in quiet settings,
imagining experiments, visualizing
information, journaling
Studying in a group, discussing
information, using flash cards with
other, teaching others
Connecting with nature, forming study
groups with like-minded people
Considering the personal relationship to
the larger context
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Student Name: ________________________________________
Date: _____________
LAB 1: PM on the Keyboard
Objective
Focus on your ability to properly perform preventive maintenance on a keyboard.
Equipment
The following components are required for this exercise:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Working PC with keyboard
Compressed Air
Flathead Screwdriver
Non-static brushes or probes
Isopropyl alcohol or non-sudsing, general-purpose cleaner
Lint-free cloth
Procedures
• Follow the steps below to perform preventive maintenance on a keyboard.
st
1 Step
Open a cleaning hole by removing the key caps of the “-,” “+,” and “Enter” keys in the numeric pad at
the far-right end of the keyboard.
If the keyboard is really dirty, remove the keyboard cover instead of the keys listed above.
nd
2 Step
Using compressed air, blow out the keyboard, sweeping with the air toward the removed key caps.
If you removed the cover, you can turn the keyboard over, shake it out, and then use the compressed
air to clean the internal and cover pieces.
rd
3 Step
Use non-static brushes or probes to loosen any large or stubborn pieces.
If the keyboard has had a soft drink or the like spilled into it, you may need to wash it. If so, use
warm, non-soapy water to rinse the guck away. Make sure the keyboard is dry before being put back
into use.
th
4 Step
Replace the key caps or reassemble the keyboard cover.
th
5 Step
To clean the keys and keyboard case, use a soft, lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol, or a nonsudsing general-purpose cleaner to wipe away any guck, ink, or other markings. The alcohol is good
because it evaporates, which will ensure the keyboard will not be wet.
th
6 Step
Reboot the system, observing the POST for keyboard errors.
Test the keyboard by pressing every key and verifying its action.
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NOTES:
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Student Name: _____________________________
Date: __________
LAB 2: PM on the Mouse
Objective
Focus on your ability to properly perform preventive maintenance on a mouse.
Equipment
The following components are required for this exercise:
•
•
•
•
•
Working PC with mouse
Compressed Air
Flathead Screwdriver
Isopropyl alcohol or non-sudsing, general-purpose cleaner
Lint-free cloth
Procedures
• Follow the steps below to perform preventive maintenance on a mouse.
st
1 Step
After making sure that no open applications are on the screen, roll the mouse gently onto its back and
remove the ball access slide cover.
nd
2 Step
After making sure that your hands are clean, remove and closely examine the ball for pits, cracks, or
canyons. Also check to see whether the ball is lopsided or oval-shaped.
If the mouse ball has any of the problems listed above, replace it or the entire mouse unit.
Inspect the hole where the ball goes for guck, lint, hair, string, etc.
rd
3 Step
Inspect the rollers inside the hole where the ball goes for debris, or sticky or greasy buildup.
To clean the rollers, use a small, flat-blade screwdriver to scrape off the buildup.
th
4 Step
Blow any dust from inside the mouse using compressed air.
Don’t blow out with your mouth for two reasons: you could get spit inside the mouse and/or dust in
your eyes.
th
5 Step
Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean the mouse ball. Don’t soak it or scrub it, jut wipe it clean and let it
dry before inserting it back in the hole. Don’t use alcohol to clean the mouse ball. Alcohol may
dissolve the mouse ball material and cause flat spots and distortion.
th
6 Step
After placing the mouse ball back into the hole where it goes, replace the slide cover and lock it in
place.
If needed, you can use isopropyl alcohol or a general-purpose cleaner to clean the exterior of the
mouse.
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th
7 Step
Test the mouse to make sure it is working properly.
NOTES:
IT: Principles of IT: Environmental Maintenance & Cleaning Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
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Student Name: _______________________________________
Date: _____________
LAB 3: PM on the Monitor
Objective
Focus on your ability to properly perform preventive maintenance on a monitor.
Equipment
The following components are required for this exercise:
•
•
•
•
•
Working PC with monitor
Compressed Air
Antistatic cleaner
Isopropyl alcohol or non-sudsing, general-purpose cleaner
Lint-free cloth
Procedures
• Follow the steps below to perform preventive maintenance on a monitor.
st
1 Step
Turn the monitor off and unplug it.
Wait a few minutes before beginning, and DO NOT wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) ground
strap.
nd
2 Step
Using compressed air, clean any dust from the top of the monitor, being careful not to blow it into the
open vents.
NEVER open the cover of the monitor. There is high voltage inside.
rd
3 Step
Use either isopropyl alcohol or a general-purpose cleaner to clean the outside of the monitor case.
The alcohol is probably the better choice because it doesn’t create a safety hazard if dripped inside
the case.
th
4 Step
Use an antistatic cleaner to clean the glass on the monitor.
NEVER wash the monitor glass with the power on.
th
5 Step
Reconnect the monitor and test the video.
If nothing displays, check that the power switch is on, check the power cord and video connections,
and the brightness and contrast settings. These connections and settings may have been
inadvertently loosened or changed during the cleaning.
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NOTES:
IT: Principles of IT: Environmental Maintenance & Cleaning Plan
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Student Name: _____________________________
Date: __________
LAB 4: System-Level
Objective
Focus on your ability to properly perform preventive maintenance at the system level.
Equipment
The following components are required for this exercise:
•
•
•
•
Working PC
Compressed Air
Isopropyl alcohol or non-sudsing, general-purpose cleaner
Lint-free cloth
Procedures
• Follow the steps below to perform system level preventive maintenance.
st
1 Step
Turn the power to the PC off and unplug it.
Wear an ESD ground strap that has been properly grounded.
nd
2 Step
Carefully remove the case cover and perform a visual inspection inside the case to assess any
problems that may be obvious.
Look for dust gathering in a place that it shouldn’t (the case may have a crack or a part may be
missing)
Look the case over thoroughly for dust, corrosion, leaking battery acid, etc.
rd
3 Step
Use compressed air to blow out the outside vents of the power supply first, and then its inside vents,
drive bays, and adapter cards, and finally the outside of the case.
th
4 Step
Check cables and wires for loose connections.
th
5 Step
Replace the case cover, taking care not to snag any cables.
th
6 Step
Carefully clean the outside of the case with isopropyl alcohol or a general-purpose cleaner.
th
7 Step
Power on the PC and watch the POST process for errors.
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NOTES:
IT: Principles of IT: Environmental Maintenance & Cleaning Plan
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Student Name: _____________________________
Date: __________
Lab 5: PM on Hard Drive
Objective
After performing Lab 4, perform Lab 5 in order to insure preventative maintenance on the hard drive.
Focus on your ability to properly perform preventive maintenance on a Hard Drive. Although a hard
needs little environmental cleaning it does need preventative maintenance and cleaning. The
cleaning of a hard drive is usually done with software or commands, but also the computer case
needs to have all debris and dust blown out to make sure there is nothing that will interfere with the
running of the hard drive.
Equipment
The following components are required for this exercise:
• Working PC with keyboard and monitor
Procedures
• Follow the steps below to perform preventive maintenance on a hard drive. The hard drive is
the repository of all of your data, and hard drive maintenance can help prolong the drive's life
and reduce the chances of data loss.
st
1 Step
Using CHKDSK to find and fix filesystem errors.
Hard drive maintenance actually is pretty simple. There's a program built into Windows 2000, XP, and
Vista called "CHKDSK" (pronounced "check disk") that automatically finds and corrects many of the
most common hard disk errors. To use it, simply follow these steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Click Start and then Run.
Type "CMD" into the box (without the quotes) and click "OK."
At the Command Prompt, type "CHKDSK /F" (without the quotes) and press "Enter."
At the prompt asking for permission to run at boot time, type the letter "Y" (for "Yes") and press
"Enter."
5. Close the Command terminal and restart the computer.
If you have multiple hard drives, you can check drives other than C: (which is implied by default) by
adding the drive letter to the command. For example, to run a CHKDSK on the D: drive, you would
type "CHKDSK D: /F".
Once in a while, the CHKDSK command won't "take" on the first try, so if it doesn't run on the next
boot, repeat the above steps. It almost always works on the second try.
2nd Step
The second part of hard drive maintenance is to run the Disk Defragmenter (commonly called
"Defrag") on a regular basis. What Defrag does, in laymen's terms, is put files back together when
they've been broken into pieces and scattered about the hard drive. This not only speeds up hard
drive access; it also reduces wear and tear on the drive.
Defrag can be accessed in a number of ways, but on Windows 2000 and XP machines, the simplest
way is to open a command box and type "DEFRAG C:", replacing "C:" with the drive letter of the drive
you want to defragment, if other than C:. Note that Defrag will run "silently" in this case, with no
graphical interface and no progress notification. When the command prompt returns, it'll be done.
(You can press CTRL-C at any time to abort the process.)
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If you want something a little fancier, a graphical interface to Defrag can be found by clicking on Start,
All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. Then highlight the drive you want to
defragment, and click "Defragment."
Following these simple steps can help prolong your computer's life and reduce the chances of data
loss.
Put down any errors that might occur or messages after running the chkdsk and the defrag.
NOTES:
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Student Name: __________________________
Date: __________
ENVIRONMENTAL MAINTENANCE & CLEANING EXAM
DIRECTIONS: Circle the letter that corresponds to the best answer for each of the questions below.
1. Information on the hazard of a chemical solution and the safe handling and storage is
contained on which of the following?
A. MSSC
B. MSDS
C. MSCE
D. DSHS
2. To open a hole on the keyboard for dirt and debris to blow out, remove which of the
following keys?
A. Spacebar
B. Arrow keys
C. Minus, Plus, and Enter keys from the right end of the keyboard
D. Tab, Caps Lock, Shift, and Control keys from the left end of the keyboard
3. Which of the following correctly describes the cleaning process of the monitor glass?
A. Clean when the monitor is on
B. Clean when the monitor is off
C. Clean anytime using a wet cloth
D. Never clean a monitor
4. Which of the following represent the major steps for preventive maintenance on a hard disk?
A. Chkdisk, Format, Defrag
B. Backup, Format, Defrag
C. Fdisk, Format, ScanDisk
D. Backup, ScanDisk, Defrag,Chkdsk
5. Which of the following is the first place to look for safety information on a product?
A. On its label
B. On the manufacturer’s web site
C. At the local public health facility
D. At the local department of public safety
6. Which device is helpful in cleaning a mouse roller from buildup?
A. Your finger nail
B. Compressed air
C. A flathead screwdriver
D. Do not attempt to clean the mouse rollers
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7. Which of the following could dissolve the material around a mouse ball?
A. Isopropyl alcohol
B. Lint-free wet cloth
C. Anti-static cleaner
D. General-Purpose Cleaner
8. Which of the following is used to clean the glass of the monitor?
A. Isopropyl alcohol
B. Lint-free wet cloth
C. Anti-static cleaner
D. General-Purpose Cleaner
9. Preventive maintenance should be performed on a floppy drive how often?
A. Daily
B. Monthly
C. Yearly
D. On failure
10. Preventive maintenance should be performed on a keyboard how often?
A. Daily
B. Monthly
C. Yearly
D. On failure
11. How often should motherboards be checked for chip creep?
A. Daily
B. Monthly
C. Yearly
D. On failure
12. How often is it recommended to back up a hard disk?
A. Daily
B. Monthly
C. Yearly
D. On failure
13. You would not wear an antistatic grounding strap while performing preventive maintenance
on which of the following PC components?
A. An expansion card
B. A computer case
C. A hard disk
D. A monitor
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14. Hard Disk preventative maintenance includes all of the following except:
A. ScanDisk
B. Defrag
C. Backup
D. Fdisk
15. Which of the following will check the surface of the hard disk for errors?
A. ScanDisk
B. Defrag
C. Backup
D. Fdisk
16. Which of the following will optimize your hard disk?
A. ScanDisk
B. Defrag
C. Backup
D. Fdisk
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Student Name: __________________________
Date: __________
ENVIRONMENTAL MAINTENANCE & CLEANING EXAM - KEY
DIRECTIONS: Circle the letter that corresponds to the best answer for each of the questions below.
1. Information on the hazard of a chemical solution and the safe handling and storage is
contained on which of the following?
A. MSSC
B. MSDS
C. MSCE
D. DSHS
2. To open a hole on the keyboard for dirt and debris to blow out, remove which of the
following keys?
A. Spacebar
B. Arrow keys
C. Minus, Plus, and Enter keys from the right end of the keyboard
D. Tab, Caps Lock, Shift, and Control keys from the left end of the keyboard
3. Which of the following correctly describes the cleaning process of the monitor glass?
A. Clean when the monitor is on
B. Clean when the monitor is off
C. Clean anytime using a wet cloth
D. Never clean a monitor
4. Which of the following represent the major steps for preventive maintenance on a hard disk?
A. Fdisk, Format, Defrag
B. Backup, Format, Defrag
C. Fdisk, Format, ScanDisk
D. Backup, ScanDisk, Defrag,Chkdsk
5. Which of the following is the first place to look for safety information on a product?
A. On its label
B. On the manufacturer’s web site
C. At the local public health facility
D. At the local department of public safety
6. Which device is helpful in cleaning a mouse roller from buildup?
A. Your finger nail
B. Compressed air
C. A flathead screwdriver
D. Do not attempt to clean the mouse rollers
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7. Which of the following could dissolve the material around a mouse ball?
A. Isopropyl alcohol
B. Lint-free wet cloth
C. Anti-static cleaner
D. General-Purpose Cleaner
8. Which of the following is used to clean the glass of the monitor?
A. Isopropyl alcohol
B. Lint-free wet cloth
C. Anti-static cleaner
D. General-Purpose Cleaner
9. Preventive maintenance should be performed on a floppy drive how often?
A. Daily
B. Monthly
C. Yearly
D. On failure
10. Preventive maintenance should be performed on a keyboard how often?
A. Daily
B. Monthly
C. Yearly
D. On failure
11. How often should motherboards be checked for chip creep?
A. Daily
B. Monthly
C. Yearly
D. On failure
12. How often is it recommended to back up a hard disk?
A. Daily
B. Monthly
C. Yearly
D. On failure
13. You would not wear an antistatic grounding strap while performing preventive maintenance
on which of the following PC components?
A. An expansion card
B. A computer case
C. A hard disk
D. A monitor
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14. Hard Disk preventative maintenance includes all of the following except:
A. ScanDisk
B. Defrag
C. Backup
D. Fdisk
15. Which of the following will check the surface of the hard disk for errors?
A. ScanDisk
B. Defrag
C. Backup
D. Fdisk
16. Which of the following will optimize your hard disk?
A. ScanDisk
B. Defrag
C. Backup
D. Fdisk
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