Chapter 6: Laptops and Portable Devices
description
Transcript of Chapter 6: Laptops and Portable Devices
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.0
Chapter 6 Objectives
6.1 Describe laptops and other portable devices6.2 Identify and describe the components of a laptop 6.3 Compare and contrast desktop and laptop
components 6.4 Explain how to configure laptops 6.5 Compare the different mobile phone standards 6.6 Identify common preventive maintenance
techniques used for laptops and portable devices 6.7 Describe how to troubleshoot laptops and portable
devices
Chapter 6 Worksheets
6.1.2 Worksheet: Research Laptops, Smart Phones, and PDAs
6.2.3 Worksheet: Laptop Docking Stations 6.3.4 Worksheet: Laptop Expansion 6.4.1 Worksheet: ACPI Standards 6.7.2 Worksheet: Research Laptop Problems
Optional Virtual Laptop Activities
6.2.1 Explore the different views of the virtual laptop6.2.2 Explore the virtual laptop keyboard6.2.3 Explore the different views of the docking station6.4.2 Replace components and devices in the virtual
laptop
Introduction
Do you know when the first laptops were developed?
Who do you think used the early laptops?
One of the original laptops was the GRiD Compass 1101. It was used by astronauts on space missions in the early 1980s.
It weighed 11 lb (5 kg) and cost US $8,000 - $10,000!
This chapter focuses on the differences between laptops and desktops and describes the features of PDAs and Smartphones.
Laptops and Portable Devices
Notebooks, laptops, and tablets are types of portable computers.
For clarity and consistency in this course, all portable computers will be called "laptops".
Today, laptops are very popular because advances in technology have resulted in laptops that cost less, weigh less, and have improved capabilities.
PDAs offer features such as games, web surfing, e-mail, instant messaging, and many other features offered by PCs.
Smartphones are cell phones with many built-in PDA capabilities.
Common Uses of Laptops
Taking notes in school or researching papers
Presenting information in business meetings
Accessing data away from home or the office
Playing games while traveling Watching movies while traveling Accessing the Internet in a public place Sending and receiving email in a public
place Can you think of other uses for laptops?
Common Uses of PDAs and Smartphones
The PDA is an electronic personal organizer with tools to help organize information
The Smartphone is a mobile phone with PDA capabilities.
Other uses of PDAs and Smartphones are to take phone calls, voice memos, taking notes, text messaging, browsing the internet, reading eBooks, playing games, internet chat, music, contacts, calendar and GPS.
The Components of a Laptop
Common laptop features:Small and portableIntegrated display screen in lidIntegrated keyboardAC power source or rechargeable batteryHot-swappable drives and peripheralsSome type of docking station or port replicator to
connect to peripherals
Components Outside of a Laptop
Top view of virtual laptop
Bluetooth status LED
Battery status LED
Standby LED
Components Outside of a Laptop
Rear view of virtual laptop
AC power connector
Parallel portBattery bay
Components Outside of a Laptop
Left side view of virtual laptop
Security keyhole
USB port
S-video port
Headphone jack
Microphone jack
PC card slot
Ventilation grillRJ-11 modem
Ethernet port
Network LEDs
Components Outside of a Laptop
Front view of virtual laptop
Infrared port
Speakers
Latch
Ventilation grill
Components Outside of a Laptop
Right side view of virtual laptop
Optical drive
Optical drive indicator
VGA port
Drive bay indicator
Components Outside of a Laptop
Underside view of virtual laptop
Hard drive access panel
Battery latches
Docking connector
RAM access panel
Components Inside of a Laptop
Open laptop
Keyboard
Volume controls Power button
Touchpad
Pointer controller
Fingerprint reader
Components Inside of a Laptop
LEDs inside laptop
Wireless Bluetooth Caps lock
Num lockHard drive Battery
Power on
Standby
Components on a Docking Station
Top view of docking station
Docking connector
Power button
Eject button
Components on a Docking Station
Rear view of docking station
Exhaust fan
AC power connector
PC card slot
Ethernet port
RJ-11 port
Serial port
VGA port
Parallel port
DVI port
External-diskette-drive connector
Headphone connector
Line In connector
USB port
Keyboard port
Mouse port
Components on a Docking Station
Right side view of docking station
Key lock
Compare Laptop Components and Desktop Components
Desktop components tend to be standardized. They usually meet universal form factors.
Laptop manufacturers focus on refining laptop components to make them more efficient and compact as a result, laptop components are proprietary.
You may not be able to use components made by one laptop manufacturer to repair a laptop made by another manufacturer.
Compare Motherboards
Compare CPUs
Compare Power Options
Laptop Power Options Desktop Power Options
Compare Expansion Capabilities
Compare Expansion Capabilities
Configure Laptops
To allow applications and processes to run smoothly: Configure and allocate system resources Install additional components and plug-insChange environmental settings to match software
requirements.
A laptop can be customized for specific purposes by adding external components.
Adding external components is usually accomplished through the use of Plug and Play, but occasionally driver installation and additional configuration may be required.
Follow safe removal procedures when disconnecting hot-swappable and non-hot-swappable devices.
Configure Laptop Power Settings
ACPI Standards
S0 The computer is on and the CPU is running.
S1 The CPU is not running. However, the CPU and RAM are still receiving power.
S2 The CPU is off, but the RAM is refreshed. The system is in a lower power mode than S1.
S3The CPU is off, and the RAM is set to a slow refresh rate. This mode is often called “Save to RAM”. In Windows XP, this state is known as the Standby mode.
S4The CPU and RAM are off. The contents of RAM have been saved to a temporary file on the hard disk. This mode is also called “Saved to Disk”. In Windows XP, this state is known as the Hibernate mode.
S5 The computer is off and nothing has been saved.
Checking the ACPI Settings in the BIOS
Here are the steps to check the ACPI settings in the BIOS:
1. Enter BIOS setup by pressing the appropriate key or key combination while the computer is booting. Typically this is the Delete key or the F2 key, but there are several other options.
2. Locate and enter the “Power Management settings” menu item.
3. Use the appropriate keys to enable ACPI mode.
4. Save and Exit BIOS setup.
Power Settings in Windows XP
To configure your power settings, click:Start > Control Panel > Power Options
Replacing Laptop Components
CAUTION: Always disconnect power and remove the battery before installing or removing laptop components that are not hot-swappable.
Mobile Phone Standards
Internet Standard
• Short Message Service (SMS)
• Multimedia Message Service (MMS)
• Packet Switching
• Used for text messaging
• Used for sending and receiving photos and videos
• Used for accessing the Internet
Purpose
Proper Cleaning Procedures
Follow proper cleaning procedures to clean a laptop.
CAUTION: Do not spray cleaning solution directly onto the LCD display. Use products specifically designed for cleaning LCD displays.Use a soft, lint-free cloth with an approved cleaning solution to
avoid damaging laptop surfaces. Apply the cleaning solution to the lint-free cloth, not directly to
the laptop.
Keyboard
Ventilation
LCD display
Touch pad
Floppy drive
Optical disk drive
CD or DVD disc
Optimal Operating Environments
Pack for transportClean properlyVentilateAir temperature Humidity
Troubleshooting
Determine if a repair is cost-effective.
The cost of the repair should be compared to the replacement cost minus the salvage value.
Step 1 Gather data from the customer
Step 2 Verify the obvious issues
Step 3 Try quick solutions first
Step 4 Gather data from the computer
Step 5 Evaluate the problem and implement the solution
Step 6 Close with the customer
Troubleshooting Process
1. Gather Data from the Customer
Customer informationCompany name, contact name, address, phone number
Laptop informationManufacturer, model, OS, network environment, connection
type
Description of problemOpen-ended questions What was happening when you first experienced the
problem?Closed-ended questions Is the laptop currently using the battery as the power
source?
2. Verify the Obvious Issues
Examine the most obvious causes of a problem. Loose or improper connections
Check the Device Manager; remove and reinsert components
Power issuesCheck power LEDs and power source
Wireless network issuesCheck network LEDs, Network Connections and wireless
signal strength
Sound and audio issuesStylus issues
3. Try Quick Solutions First
A quick solution can save time and money.Reboot the computer.Verify BIOS settings.Remove or unplug unnecessary peripherals.Use the Last Known Good Configuration option.
4. Gather Data from the Computer
Data gathered from the laptop can be used to confirm the problem description given by the customer.
5. Evaluate Problem & Implement Solution
1. Evaluate the information gathered from the customer and from the laptop
2. Determine possible solutions
3. Implement the best solution
Previous experience of solving problems with computers
Other technicians
Internet search engines
News groups
Manufacturer FAQs
Computer manuals
Device manuals
Online forums and chat
Technical websites
6. Close with the Customer
Discuss with customer the solution implemented.Have customer verify problem is solved.Provide all paperwork to customer.Document steps of solution.Document components used in repair.Document time spent to resolve the problem.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem Symptom Possible Solution
LCD laptop screen is not displaying anything
Disconnect any external monitors and use Fn key sequence to activate the LCD
Image on the LCD screen is too dim
Swap laptop to AC power and adjust brightness controls for the LCD
Image on the LCD screen contains a black border
Adjust display resolution setting
Chapter 6 Summary
Laptops and Portable Devices Description of portable devices Laptop componentsConfiguration proceduresPreventive maintenance techniques