Familiarization of Personal

Computer

RAMENTO REGINE M. BEED 2-1

 Parts of the Computer
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)- is the “brains of
the computer. Provides calculation and
manipulation of data sent from the user.

• Random Access Memory (RAM)- is variable in

a computer. Contains information during the
time the computer is on.
• Hard Drive- is the storage unit for the
machine. Made up of small platters with
moving head.

• Video Card- provides the image seen on the

monitor.
• Motherboard- receives power from the
computer’s power supply. Allows all the
components to communicate, including
monitor.
How to Assemble the Parts of Personal
Computer
Step 1: Procuring Parts

• Processor (CPU)
• Computer Case
• Optical Drive (DVR RW and SATA capable)
• Memory (RAM)
• Power Supply
• SATA Cables
• Motherboard (SATA capable)
• Processor Fan
• Case Fan
• Hard Drive (SATA capable)
• Assortment of case and drive screws
Step 2: Gather Tools and Supplies

• Screwdriver
• Wire cutters and strippers
• Needle-nosed pliers
• Utility knife
• Small flashlight
• Adjustable wrench
• Small container to hold screws
• Heat sink compound
• Grounding Strap
Step 3: Open the Case

Open the computer case by removing the side panels. Find the
screws that hold the side panels in place and remove them. The
panel is removed by first sliding it back then lifting ti away from
the case.
Step 4: Prepare the case for Assembly

• Remove any parts or packaging materials that my have been

shipped inside the case.
• Remove the cover for the optical drive.
• Make note of the cables pre-installed in the case.
Step 5: Ground Yourself

Put the ground strap on your wrist and connect the other end to
the computer case. If your strap is not equipped with a clip to
hook to the case, find a place to wedge against the metal . This
will prevent any buildup of static electricity on your body from
damaging the computer components.
Step 6: Install Motherboard

• To install the motherboard we need parts that should have been included with
your purchased components:
I/O Bezel is a trim panel installed in the back of the case that surrounds the
interface ports on the motherboard. It should be included with the motherboard.
Figure 12 shows the contents of the motherboard box.
• Standoffs are installed in the case screw holes to create a riser that separates the
case and motherboard. The screws install into the standoffs as shown in figure 13.
Screws and standoffs should be included with the case, but it is a good idea to
order these items just in case they aren't included.
Step 7: Install Hard Drive

• The hard drive is the device that stores all of your data. It is 3.5" wide and
needs to be mounted so that you can gain access to the cable connections on
the back (figure 16). If that is not possible you may need to connect cables
before you install the drive. To mount the drive:
Find a 3.5" drive bay to install the drive in. If you have trouble finding a place
to mount the drive consult your case documentation for suggestions.
• Slide the drive into place until the screw holes on the sides are lined up with
the holes in the case.
• Install the screws.
Step 8: Install Optical Drive

• The optical drive is 5.25" wide and is installed in the drive bay that we
removed the cover from in a previous step. Cable access considerations apply
to this drive also. To install the drive:
Slide the drive into the drive bay until the screw holes are lined up and the
front of the drive is flush with the front of the case (figure 18). Make sure that
it is orientated correctly.
• Install the screws.
Step 9: Install the CPU
• The CPU is the brain of the computer. It is installed on the motherboard in the socket .
To install the CPU:

Find the corner marking that designates pin 1 of the CPU. On this AMD brand processor, the
corner is marked with an arrow. Consult the manufacturer's documentation for specific
information about your processor.
• Lift the small metal rod next to the socket.
• Find the corresponding marking on the CPU socket and insert the CPU so that the markings
are lined up.
• Push the rod down to lock the processor in place
Step 10: Install RAM
• The RAM is the temporary memory location that the processor works
from. Permanently stored data is pulled from disks and stored in RAM
while the processor works with it. The memory is easy to install:
Set the RAM board in the socket as shown in figure 22. Check to see
that the notch in the board is in the correct location. If it is not, turn it
around 180º.
• Press firmly on both ends of the board to set it into the socket. Make
sure the tabs lock into place
Step 11: Install the CPU fan

• The CPU fan is really a combination of a heat sink and fan together. The unit
draws heat away from the CPU . To install the fan:
Place thermal compound to the CPU following the instructions provided with
the compound.
• Set the fan assembly on the CPU with mounting tabs aligned.
• Pull the locking rod down on the fan assembly to lock into place.
• Connect the fan assembly's power connector to the motherboard. Consult the
manual to determine proper placement
Step 12: Install the case fan

• The case fan is usually installed on the back panel of the case. If the fan
mount is not obvious consult the case documentation. To mount the
fan:
Align the mounting holes by holding the fan to the mounting pad on
the inside of the case as shown in figure 25. The fan needs to be
mounted so that it blows air out of the case.
• Insert the screws from the outside of the case and tighten.
Step 13: Install Power Supply

• Consult your case documentation for details and then follow these directions to
install the power supply:
Align the mounting holes in the case and power supply.
• Insert screws and tighten.
Step 14: Connect Cables

• With all of the components installed in the case, the jungle of wires can be
daunting. It is important to consult the motherboard manual in order to make
sure proper connections are made. There are two kinds of connections, power
and data.
Every device that has been installed needs power. In figure 27, the power
supply connectors are shown. The motherboard has two power connections,
and there are two connectors specifically for SATA devices (drives). The other
connectors will run fans and other non-SATA devices.
• Data cables connect drives and front panel devices to the motherboard. Please
consult the motherboard documentation for the exact placement of
connectors.
Step 15: Wrap-up

Now that the components are completely installed, the last thing to do is to
reinstall the side panels on the case. The computer is now ready to be turned on
and to have software loaded on it. If the computer has problems starting up,
check all component connections and mounting to make sure that you have
hooked everything up correctly. Consult individual component manuals for
specific troubleshooting information if problems persist
 How to Disassemble the parts of
Personal Computer
Step 1: Unplugging

• Power
• USB
• Firewire
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Internet
• Ethernet
• Modem
• AM\FM Antenna
• Cable TV
• etc...
So pretty much just unplug every cable from your computer.
Step 2: Outer Shell Casing
Step 3: System Fan

First, unplug the fan from the motherboard. You can find the plug by following the
wire from the fan. It should be labeled "SYS_FAN1". Next, you will have to unscrew the
fan from the outside. You should now be able to lift the fan out of the PC.
Step 4: Power Supply
• The power supply is a large metal box located at the upper-back part of the computer. They
sometimes come with an on/off switch that is acessable from the back of the computer. The main
power cord also plugs into the back of the power supply.
The power supply supplies power to every component in a computer, therefore it has the most
wires out of every other component in the computer. The first thing I will do is unplug every wire
coming from the power supply. The list below is every thing that I had to disconnect:
Motherboard (very large connector/plug)
• CD/DVD drive[s] power
• Internal hard drive power
• Portable hard drive slot power
•

• Once everything is unplugged, unscrew the four screws holding the power supply in place, on the
back of the computer. Next, push the power supply from the outside, then lift it out.
Step 5: CD/DVR Drives

The CD/DVD drive is one of the easiest components to remove. First,

unplug the ribbon from the back of the drive. Once that is completed,
pull on the tab securing the drive in place, then push it out from the
inside.

If you don't have a second drive, there should be a flat piece of metal
covering the drive slot. Follow the inscribed instructions to remove it.
Step 6: Card Reader

Just like every other component, unplug the wire first. On my computer,
there is just one screw holding the card reader in place. Your computer
might have more, so just unscrew them all! After that, the card reader
should be removeable.

Most card readers have a protective plastic cover on the part that you can
see from the external computer, which can be removed by lifting the tabs
on the top and bottom. Refer to the pictures.
Step 7: Hard Drive
• First off, de-attach the connector at the back of the slot, and unplug the other
end from the motherboard. Also unplug the SATA cable from the motherboard
and the hard drive. The portable hard drive slot is secured the same way the
CD/DVD drive is, with a tab. Pull on the tab, then slide the slot out.

To remove the hard drive from the side of the slot, unscrew the four screws
securing it in place. You must be very careful to not drop the hard drive, as it is
very delicate!
Step 8: Expansion Cards
• Expansion cards give a computer new capabilities, once installed. Different examples are:
Bluetooth
• Wireless Internet
• Ethernet
• TV
•

• Different computers come stock with different cards. My computer came stock with a TV and
Ethernet card. If you only have one, remove that one. If you have two, remove the two!
There should be a single screw on top of each expansion card slot, whether it's occupied, or empty.
Remove the screws on the occupied card slots. Once the screws are removed, you should be able to
remove the cards by pulling them carefully upward. Some expansion cards have cables leading to
other parts of the computer, for example, my TV card is connected to the connectivity center on the
front of my computer. You will have to unplug any cables attached to an expansion card.
Step 9: Connectivity Center Cables

The connectivity center is the area on the front of the computer where
there is many input sections, like usb, firewire, microphone, headphones,
video, etc.. I won't remove the whole connectivity center in this step, but I
will unplug all the cables coming from it.

Do that (unplug all cables), then unplug the wires leading from the power
button, hdd light, and power light.
Step 11: Power Button
Step 10: RAM

So pretty much, the more RAM you have, the faster your computer runs. Most
computers have 4 RAM slots, and two RAM chips. My computer came stock with
two, but yours might have more or less. To remove the RAM, push down on both
tabs holding the RAM in place, which are located at both ends of the RAM. Please
see the pictures.
Step 12: Connectivity Center
Step 13: Motherboard

• My motherboard is fried, but I will remove it anyway. The

motherboard links every component in the computer together.
The CPU, RAM, and expansion cards are attached directly to it,
and every other part of the computer is in one way or another
attached to it.

The motherboard has seven screws holding it to the frame,

which are indicated by large white circles around them. Remove
those seven, then lift the motherboard out of the frame.
Step 14: Done!