CHAPTER 4CHAPTER 4Notebooks, Tablet PCs
and PDA
Suraya Alias
Tips for buying notebookTips for buying notebook
◦ A notebook or laptop computer is a computer designed to be portable The main advantage of notebook is portability. The cost is
higher that pc, so if the computer is to remain at one place, buy a desktop
Notebook cannot be easily upgraded compared to desktop, so buy it without expecting to upgrade internal component
Don’t buy extra features if not needed Go for extended warranty since the parts is not easily replaced Go for the brand
◦ Buy the fastest processor, select active matrix LCD rather than dual scan
◦ Buy the highest memory that you plan to used because upgrading later might be expensive. Lithium battery is the best.
◦ Consider also the weight and size of the notebook
Caring for your notebooksCaring for your notebooks
Don’t connect to a phone line in a stormRun Antivirus softwareDon’t pick it up by the display panelUse Admin password to secureKeep the notebook in normal temperatureUse a quality suitcase
Securing notebook and its data◦Security devices - use cable lock◦Power on and hard drive password◦Data backups
Notebook - OverviewNotebook - Overview
Replacing a hard driveReplacing a hard drive
A notebook hard drive is smaller (2.5 inches), desktop is 3.5 inches
Most notebook hard drive uses universal 40-pin connector for an IDE notebooks
For IDE drives, some notebooks use an adapter to interface between a proprietary connectors on their hard drives and the 40 pin connectors on the notebook motherboard.
If the old drive has crashed, you’ll need the recovery CD and notebook drivers CD to reinstall
If you are upgrading, you need to consider how to transfer data from old to new one.
One way is to use USB IDE converter so that both drives can be up and working on the notebook at the same time you can copy files
Replacing a hard driveReplacing a hard drive
Remove the hdd screw, then take out the hard drive case out.
Remove the attachedscrews
Remove the hard drive from case The hard drive is connected with ribbon cable, remove it.
Replacing the LCD PanelReplacing the LCD Panel
1. Remove the battery pack2. Remove the keyboard in order to remove the LCD
Top cover. To remove the keyboard, remove the screw first
3. Remove screws in the back of the notebook to release the hinge assembly
4. Remove hinge covers carefully5. Lift the cover off the notebook case6. Disconnect the cables that connect the hinges
assembly7. Remove screws that hold the top cover and LCD
panel together8. If the notebook has USB connection on the top
cover, carefully remove all the connection
Replacing the LCD PanelReplacing the LCD Panel
LCD Front Bazel Hinges
LCD PanelInverter card
LCD RearCover
LCD Interface cable
Replacing a mini PCI cardReplacing a mini PCI card
There are two color antenna wires connected to the wireless card. White wire is for main connector on the card. Black wire is for the auxiliary
connector on the card.
To disconnect the antenna wire grasp with finger and unsnap it from the card.
Now spread latches as shown with red arrow on both sides of the wireless card slot to release the card.
The wireless card will comes up at 30 degrees angle
Now as shown with red arrows. Pull the wireless card from the slot
Others field replaceable units for Others field replaceable units for notebooknotebook
Besides memory, hard drive, there are other Field Replaceable Unit (FRU) for notebooks such as the motherboard, CPU and keyboards.
All these parts must be approved by the notebook manufacturer before using it to your notebook
A DC (direct current) controller is a card inside the notebook that converts voltage to CPU core voltage.
It also support battery mode, AC Adapter mode and others
Troubleshooting problems with Troubleshooting problems with the power systemthe power system
Check the power light, if it blinks indicates the notebook has power and in standby mode. If its steady, it has power, if the lights is off, press power on.
The battery charge might be depleted. Connect the AC Adapter.
The AC Adapter might be loose at any ends. Eliminate power strips or other devices that might cause
problem. Connect direct to electrical outlet The memory modules might be defective or loose To many device is connected, try to unplug unnecessary
device Use a multimeter to measure voltage in the 1 to 10 V DC The voltage range should be +- 5% of the accepted
voltage. For example if the notebook is designed to use 16V, the voltage should measure about 15.2 and 16.8 V DC
If you boot and the CMOS settings such as datetime is wrong, maybe the battery needs replacement
Troubleshooting problems Troubleshooting problems with videowith videoProblems What to do
Display is blank maybe lack of power Check the lcd switch (maybe it is off) display settings has been set very low loose connection The panel or inverter is broken (try desktop monitor) Try adjusting the brightness and contrast level
Display is hard to read check if any device interference such as speaker, stereo systemTry to eliminate glare
Bright dots, dark dots, bubbles on lcd, discoloration dent
Damaged LCD panel
Screen Flicker Display setting need adjusting
LCD Contrast and brightness cannot be adjusted
Try reseating the LCD Connector inside the notebook Replace the LCD assembly
LCD Panel is unreadable, characters missing or incorrect characters appears
Try reseating the LCD Connector inside the notebook Replace the LCD assembly
Troubleshooting problems:Troubleshooting problems:
When the notebook gets wet◦Turn off the AC Adapter, disconnect the n/book◦Turn off any attached device◦Ground yourself by touching the parallel port◦Remove any PC cards or removable drivers◦Remove the battery pack◦Remove the hard drive and memory modules◦Open the notebook up and set it across two
books to circulate the air◦Allow it to dry 24 hours at room temperature,
don’t use hair dryer
Troubleshooting problems:Troubleshooting problems:
When the notebook is dropped◦If the system is still running, save your work and
close any open files and applications, shut down the computer
◦Disconnect the AC Adapter from the notebook and from the electrical outlet
◦Turn off and disconnect any external devices such as printer and remove the battery pack
◦Reinstall the battery pack or the AC adapter and turn on the notebook
◦If the notebook does not work, begin troubleshooting
Protecting and retrieving dataProtecting and retrieving data
Obtain a notebook IDE adapter kit such as the one purchased from PC Cables used to install a notebook hard drive in a desktop system
Remove the notebook hard drive from the notebook and connect the adapter to the drive
Copy the data onto a hard drive in the desktop system
If appropriate, you can then put the notebook hard drive back to troubleshoot
Errors and how to solve itErrors and how to solve itError Message What to do
Operating System not found Remove any bootable devices, such as floppy or CD Suspect damaged system files on the hard drive. For windows XP try booting to the advanced options menu by pressing F8.Try booting from support CD or rescue disk Go to CMOS setup and verify that the hard drive is correctly identified Reseat the hard driveTroubleshoot the OS installed on the hard drive Flash BIOS and the install the OS Replace the motherboard
Error reading PC Card Try reseating the card and rebooting Reinstall the drivers for the PC Card
Keyboard controller error Try reseating the card and rebooting Try an external keyboard, disable internal keyboard Replace the keyboard
Certain keys on keyboard don’t work
Is the NumLock key set correctly An application might not be configured correctly, try different application
Errors and how to solve itErrors and how to solve itWireless connectivity is not working or weak
Move the notebook to better hot spot Is the wireless switch turned on The internal antenna might be loose
One beep and the LCD panel is blank
Reseat the LCD connector Replace the LCD panel Replace the motherboard
Touchpad or touch screen does not work
Check the digital pen type, reboot Check device manager for errors Try updating device drivers and flashing bios
Intermittent problems Run diagnostic software, then test the hardware component Watch for problem pattern
The system does not detect PC card or Express card
Reinstall PCMIA driver, try different card Consider using USB Replace motherboard or PCMIA assembly
Surveying Table PCSurveying Table PC
Is a type of notebook computer with a pad and pencil
Price is higher, size is smaller, more portables and it has the features of a LCD touch screen, digital pen to write text on the screen
Uses Windows XP Tablet PC edition Operating System – extension from Win XP Pro
Example of application written specially for tablet PC is OmniForm Filler Solution by Scansoft
Surveying PDASurveying PDA PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant), sometimes called personal PC or handheld PC
Example Palm Pilot, Pocket PC, BlackBerry
Connects to your desktop using wireless Bluetooth, USB or serial port and powered by AC adapter or battery
PDA + cell phone = smart phone
PDA uses grayscale or color LCD panel, sometimes uses stylus (writing utensil) to operates
Surveying PDASurveying PDA
Battery life on PDA varies by model, a good habit is to set the PDA on its cradle when its not in use
PDA can serve as an address book, access the internet, find directions using GPS and exchange information with desktop computer
To connect a PDA to PC◦ Read the documentation, install the PC synchronization s/ware◦ Connect the PDA to PC using USB or serial port (cable connection)◦ IF using wireless connection, verify the standard (using bluetooth or
WiFi) and encryption methods◦ The PDA and PC should synchronized immediately
If unsuccessful◦ Check for USB and cable plugged and device manager◦ Check the wireless connection◦ Install/uninstall the PDA software◦ Check documentation
PDA Manufacturer and OSPDA Manufacturer and OS
Operating System Manufacturer
Windows Mobile Microsoft
BlackBerry Research in Motion
Palm OS Access Co
Symbian OS Symbian