USE OF TOOLS IN PC HARDWARE

SERVICING

To complete hardware repairs, it is important to have a toolkit that should contain all of the necessary tools. As you gain experience, you will learn which tools to have available for different types of jobs.

Hardware tools are grouped into these 4 categories:• Electro-Static Discharge (ESD)

Tools• Hand Tools• Cleaning Tools• Diagnostic Tools

ELECTRO-STATIC DISCHARGE (ESD)

TOOLSStatic electricity is generally generated by friction on carpets, tile flooring, clothing, hair, fabric, and etc. The friction of moving air alone will charge suspended particles and cause the buildup of static electrical charges on people and objects in the environment.

ESD TOOLS

1. Anti-static Wrist Strap2. Ant-static Mat

1. Anti-static Wrist Strap-also called ESD wrist strap, or ground bracelet.-used to safely ground a person working on very sensitive electronic equipment, to prevent the buildup of static electricity on their body, which can result in electro-static discharge.

CAUTION: Never wear an antistatic wrist strap if you are repairing a power supply or CRT.

2. Anti-static MatUsed to stand on or place hardware on to prevent static electricity from building up.

HAND TOOLS-devices for performing work on a material or a physical system using only hands.

-hand tools can be used manually or electrically powered.

Hand Tools1. Flat Head Screwdriver2. Phillips Head Screwdriver3. Torx Screwdriver4. Hex Driver5. Needle-Nose Pliers6. Wire Cutter7. Tweezers8. Part Retriever9. Flashlight

1. Flat Head Screwdriver-used to loosen or tighten slotted screws

2. Phillips Head Screwdriver• Used to loosen or tighten cross-head screws

3. Torx Screwdriver• Used to loosen or tighten screws that have a

star-like depression on the top, a feature that is manly found on laptop

4. Hex Driver• Sometimes called a Nut Driver• Used to tighten nuts in the same way that a

screwdriver tightens screws.

NUT

5. Needle-Nose Pliers• also known as pointy-nose

pliers, long-nose pliers, pinch-nose pliers or snipe-nose pliers

• Both cutting and holding pliers.

• Because of their long shape they are useful for reaching into small areas where cables or other materials have become stuck or unreachable with fingers or other means

6. Wire Cutter• Used to strip and cut wires

7. Tweezers• are tools used for picking up objects too small

to be easily handled with the human hands.• used to hold small sensitive part of a

computer.

8. Part Retriever• Used to retrieve parts from a location that is

too small for your hands to fit.

9. Flashlight• Used to light up areas that you cannot see

well.

• Use the proper type and size of screwdriver by matching it to the

screw.

• Do not over tighten screws because the threads may become stripped.

Caution: If excessive force is needed to remove or add a component, something is likely to be wrong.

Caution: Magnetized tools should not be used around electronic devices.

Caution: Pencils should not be used inside the computer because the pencil lead can act as a conductor and may damage the computer components.

Proper Use of Hand Tools

CLEANING TOOLS

Having the appropriate cleaning tools is essential when maintaining or repairing

computers. Using these tools ensures that computer components are not damaged during

cleaning.

1. Lint-free Cloth2. Compressed Air3. Cable Ties4. Parts Organizer

CLEANING TOOLS

1. Lint-free Cloth• Used to clean different computer components

without scratching or leaving debris.

2. Compressed Air• Used to blow away dust and debris from

different computer parts without touching the components.

3. Cable Ties• Used to bundle cables neatly inside and

outside of a computer.

4. Parts Organizer• Used to hold screw, jumpers, fasteners and

other small parts and prevents them from getting mixed together.

Proper Use of Cleaning Materials

•To clean computers and accessories: Use mild cleaning solution and lint-free cloth to clean computer cases, outside of monitor, LCD screen, CRT screen, and mouse.•Use compressed air to clean heat sinks.•Use isopropyl alcohol and lint-free swabs to clean RAM. •Use hand-held vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to clean a keyboard.•CAUTION: Before cleaning any device, turn it off and unplug the device from the power source.

DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS• Computers are easier to use and more

dependable with each new generation of hardware and operating system update, but that does that mean they are problem-free.

Here are the most popular tools for diagnosing your computer problems:1. Multimeter2. Loopback Adapter

1. Multimeter• Used to test the integrity of circuits and the

quality of electricity in computer components.

2. Loopback Adapter• Used to test the functionality of computer

ports.

The End