Practical excercise II

Date 29/09/08
Unit 2

Computer Systems

Dilyana Manolova

Task: Connecting a secondary device (CD-ROM) to the IDE2 of the motherboard. Set one of the devices as Master and the other one as Slave.

People involved:
Working in a team of two including Nathan and Dilyana Manolova 159400

Used equipment:
Antistatic Wrist strap
Screw drivers – Phillips and Slotted

Health and Safety procedures followed:
1. Cleared enough space for work on the desk.
2. Took a machine from the shelves and put it on the working desk.
3. Took out the Tool kit pack and prepared them for use.
4. Listened to the instructions of the tutor: how to connect a second device – CD-ROM, and what to be aware of not to cause damage of the equipment.
5. Put an antistatic wrist strap to protect the equipment.
6. Checked the power before started to work.
7. During all these steps of taking out the computer components and putting them back in the computer, we were using our antistatic wrist strap and the written above screw drivers.

Description of the task:
We needed to open the computer case and connect a secondary CD-ROM to the one existing in the computer. In order to work both devices we had to made one of them Master (the Primary one) and the other one Slave (The secondary one).

Step 1:
Unscrewed the case and released it. Lifted and opened it to see all the computer components inside.

Step 2:
We released the ribbon cable that was connected to the CD-ROM as it was folded and tighten.

Step 3:
We had to check the status of our already connected CD-ROM whether it was Master or Slave. It was setup as a Slave device. The CD-ROM that we had to connect had to be a Master. So we had to remove the jumper at the back of the CD-ROM on a Master position.

Step 4:
We put the CD-ROM into its slot. Also we plugged the ribbon cable into the new Master CD-ROM very carefully. We checked the position of pin 1 on the device and plug the ribbon cable with the red line into the pin 1.

Step 5:
We plugged the power supply cable into the CD-ROM.

After all these steps, we closed the case and connected it to a monitor, keyboard and mouse. We plugged it into the power socket and put the power on.
When the computer started we went into the BIOS to check, whether everything was fine. We saw there that we had connected to IDE 1 the HDD and to IDE 2 we had the Primary device (CD-ROM) and Secondary device (another CD-ROM).
when we started the computer, we went into a Linux operation system as that was the OS on our machine. It made its general checks and showed out a message saying that a new hard drive is found. This was our connected Secondary CD-ROM.

What we have learned
1. How to open and close a computer
2. How to install a secondary disk drive on a computer.
3. What I need to check on the disk drives when I plug the ribbon cable on it. To search for the marked pin 1 on the disk drive and the red/black line on the ribbon cable that correspond it.
4. What cables need to be plugged, where and in which connector.
5. How to be careful with the connectors not to break the pins.

What went well/less well?
There was a problem that we did not check the existing CD-ROMs status at the beginning. It was slave and we could not see it on the BIOS window. So we had to check the devices again and solve this problem.

Conclusion:
Do not think that everything should be set up by default. Each part of a computer needs to be checked properly, in order to have properly working system.

Evidences of work: at the top of the page.

Practical excercise I

Date 22/09/08

Unit 2

Computer Systems

Dilyana Manolova

Motherboard

Task: Understanding of the main components in a computer system and how they are connected to the motherboard.

People involved:

Working in a team of two including Rositsa Chavdarova 162856 and Dilyana Manolova 159400

Used equipment:

Antistatic Wrist strap

Screw drivers – Phillips and slotted

Health and Safety procedures followed:

1. Cleared enough space on the working desk

2. Took a machine from the shelf and put it on the working desk.

3. Took out the Tool kit pack and made them ready for use.

4. Listened to the instructions of the tutor: how to plug the devices and what to be aware of not to cause damage of the equipment.

5. Put an antistatic wrist strap to protect the equipment.

6. Checked the power of the machine before started work.

Description of the task:

We needed to take apart a computer. We took out all the components and cables from its case as we just left the motherboard in. After the tutor check our work, we had to put everything back on place and try it on.

Step 1:

Unscrewed the case and released it. Lifted and opened it to see all the computer components inside.

Step 2:

We released the processor as we pressed its holding clip.

Step 3:

We started with the PSU. We unpluged all its cables from the different components, such as CD-ROM, HDD, Floppy disk drive and motherboard. Released the SPU from its screws and took it out of the case. This was helpful as we provided more clear space inside the case and we could see more clearly the components.

Step 4:

We took out the memory cards as we released their clips and just pulled them up. Also we unscrewed and pulled up the network and the sound cards.

Step 5:

We unplugged the ribbon cable from the CD-ROM and the FDD and the other end from the motherboard. We released the devices from its clips and took them out of the case.

Step 6:

Then we unplugged the ribbon cable of the HDD and the other end from the motherboard. We unscrewed it and took it out, pulling it on side.

After all these steps all the components were unattached and out of the computer case. Then the tutor checked our work and we had permission to start putting back all the components.

Step 1:

We put back the HDD, screwed it on the case and plug the ribbon cable and the power supply cable in it. We had to check the pin 1 on the HDD port. After that to plug in it the ribbon cable with its black line part in pin 1. It was very important not to plug the cable wrong, because this might cause damage of the computer and its component.

Step 2:

We put back the CD-ROM and the FDD on their places. Also we plugged their power supply cable and the ribbon cable. And made sure we checked the pin 1 before we did that.

Step 3:

Then we put back the memory cards. Put back the network and sound card, as we screwed them on the case.

Step 4:

Then we put the processor on its place.

Step 5:

Then we put the SPU back on its place and screwed it on the case. And checked all its cables, if they were plugged on correct place.

Step 6:

We had to call the tutor to check again out work. Whether all components were on place and plugged properly. And to get our permission to test it before we closed the case and screwed it.

During all these steps of taking out the computer components and putting them back in the computer, we were using our antistatic wrist strap and the written above screw drivers.

After everything was done we had to connect the case with a monitor, keyboard and mouse and plug it into the power socket. We put the power on and everything was working properly.

What we have learned

1. How to separate computer apart.

2. How to put back all the components.

3. What I needed to check on: the disk drives when I plugged the ribbon cable on them. To find the marked pin 1 on the disk drive and the red/black line on the ribbon cable.

4. What cables need to be plugged, where and in which connector.

5. How to be careful with the connectors not to break the pins.

6. We have learned the different types of ribbon cables, which were used to connect the HDD and the FDD.

What went well/less well?

We were doing diagrams of the components, which helped us to put everything back on place.

The only problem we had got was to remove the CD-ROM and the FDD as there was need of a bit pressure to pull them out.

We were not the fastest in the class, as we were checking everything twice, not to make any mistake or to damage the equipment.

Conclusion

As a first time the whole procedure went well. This was a good practical exercise, which helped me a lot to learn what the computer is all about.

Diagrams