Unit 7 Installing Computer
Hardware
Task 1, 2, 3, 4
Introduction
For task 1 I have been asked to create a PowerPoint presentation
showing how to prepare a computer system for a hardware
installation or upgrade with my choice of components. I have
chosen to install the Disk Drive and the RAM, I will present this
with the aids of pictures explaining step by step. For task 2 & 3 I
must add to the PowerPoint presentation a section to
demonstrate how to install the hardware components. Making
sure I include everything I need to do to work safely, and if there
is any software to be installed to show this as well. For task 4 I
have been asked to create another slide to show how i can test
the reassembled computer system for functionality.
Step 1
The first thing you must do when
preparing a computer system is to
make sure you are wearing the
appropriate safety equipment, in this
screenshot you can see me putting on
an anti-static wrist band; this is so that I
wont cause any electrical discharge
which may damage the components.
Step 2
The next thing to do is to disconnect
any cables connected to the computer
this will include the power cable, the
patch lead for the monitor, both of the
usb cables for the mouse and keyboard
and any other accessories. As shown in
the screenshot I am disconnecting the
power cable.
Step 3
After removing the cables you are ready
to take off the lid of the computer. Using
a screwdriver with a plastic handle for
safety reasons as shown in the
screenshot you can take off the lid and
place it out of the way so that you are
then prepared to start upgrading your
computer.
Step 4
Now that I have prepared my computer
for its upgrades I must now take out
the components that are being
upgrading, the first component I will
take out is the disk drive this is because
it is the easiest to access and also the
RAM is located under it, before I am
able to take it out though I must unplug
the hard drive from the motherboard,
as you can see in this screenshot by
using the right safety equipment I am
able to start disconnecting the
component and take it out.
Step 5
Now that the disk drive is exposed I have
to disconnect the cable in the back of the
disk drive and then unscrew it from the
casing with a safety screwdriver, I must
make sure that I put all of the
components I take out onto the anti-static
matt so that I do not cause any electrical
discharge that may damage something. In
this screenshot it shows me taking out
the last cable before I start unscrewing it.
Step 6
This screenshot shows you what it
looks like after I have taken out the disk
drive, as shown the disk drive and the
screws have been placed on the safety
matt so that no damage can be caused.
Step 7
The next step is to take out the RAM.
Now that the disk drive has been
removed I am able to reach the RAM,
there is a clip that must be taken off
before I can remove this but once
unclipped and taken out it should also
be placed on the safety matt, as shown
in this screenshot I am unclipping the
RAM readying it to be taken out
Step 8
This screenshot shows both of the
components that I chosen (Disk Drive &
RAM) taken out of the computer tower
and placed on the safety matt to not
damage them
Step 9
The next step is to start putting the new
component in, following the same rules
as taking them out I must place them
back in in the right order and using the
right safety equipment, so as the last
component I took out was RAM the RAM
will be the fist thing to place back in. so as
shown in this screenshot I am placing
back in the RAM
Step 10
For the next step I will place back in
the disk drive but before I can do that I
must fix the disk drive back onto the
tower, as shown in this screenshot I
am placing the disk drive in position
ready to screw on.
Step 11
Once the disk drive as been fixed back on
I am ready to connect it back up with the
cables, so as shown in this screenshot I
am placing the cable into the back of the
disk drive making sure it is the right way
up so that I do not damage the
component.
Step 12
After connecting the cable into the
back of the disk drive I am able to
place it back into position in the
computer tower and connect the cable
back to the mother board, so as shown
in this screenshot I have placed the
disk drive back in place and I am
connecting the last cable.
Step 13
Now that all the components have be
placed into the computer tower it is
time to put the cover back on and get
ready to test it to make sure that the
components are working properly, in
this screenshot you can see me placing
the cover back onto the computer
tower
Step 14
Now that the computer has been put
back together it is time to plug back in
the cables so that we can test the
computer to make sure all the
components are working properly. In
this screenshot shows me connecting
the cables back into the computer
Step 15
Now that everything has been
reconnected I can turn back on the
computer and if it all loads properly
the component have been upgraded
correctly and there are no problems.
This screenshot shows that the
computer has loaded up ok and that
all the components are working.
Step 16
For this step I would install any new software that has not come
with the components such as new drivers and a software
programs, for these components I have been fortunate enough
that both of them have got pre-loaded software that has
automatically installed its self when the computer was turned
back on, this means that I am not required to do it manually. This
is a function that is more common in new hardware components
and is an advantage because it means that the process is easier
thus allowing more people to be able to do it.
Testing New Components