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A+ Certification Guide

Learn about the components of a laptop, disassembly best practices, hardware device replacement, laptop displays, and portable and laptop diagnostics.

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A+ Certification Guide

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  1. A+ Certification Guide Chapter 9 Laptop Computers and Portable Devices

  2. Chapter 9Objectives • Options for Expansion in Laptops and Portable Devices • Describe the components of a laptop in contrast to a PC. • Laptop Disassembly – Best Practices • Demonstrate how to remove hard drives, memory, batteries, and so on. • Hardware Device Replacement • Hard drives, memory, batteries, and so on. • Laptop Displays • Resolution, technologies, and components • Laptop Features • Function keys, using projectors/external displays, and docking stations • Portable and Laptop Diagnostics • Demonstrate how to troubleshoot power, displays, and peripherals.

  3. Features of Laptops and Portable Devices • Display—LCD • Keyboard—Built in • Mouse or pointing device—Touchpad • Battery use—Time limited • Expansion bus—Docking station capability • Hard disk form factor—Smaller; 2.5” or 1.8” • PC Card slot—Card reader • ExpressCard slot • Floppy drive location—Optional peripheral on newer machines • Optical drive—Generally included but removable • Memory expansion—Small outline modules • CPU upgrades—Not generally available • Video—Integrated

  4. Expansion Options • PCMCIA cards/CardBus: • Hot swappable—No rebooting to remove and substitute • Express Cards: • Express Card/34 or /54 slot • Upgradeable SODIMM memory • USB ports : • For use with USB flash memory or hard drive drives • Flash memory card reader slot

  5. PCMCIA Comparison

  6. PCMCIA Installation

  7. ExpressCard Slots • Replacement for PCMCIA /PC card slot • 2.5 times faster than ExpressCard • As fast or faster than CardBus • Compatible with USB 2.0 • Two variations: • ExpressCard/34 = 34mm wide • ExpressCard/54 = 54mm wide • /54 is compatible with /34 card. • Communicates with system board chipset using PCIe or USB subsystem Figure 9-4

  8. Memory Options/Upgrades Normal DDR SODIMM • USB connected flash memory /external drives • Flash memory cards (if reader slot is available) Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (SODIMM)

  9. SODIMM Memory Replacement Figure 9-10 • SODIMM chips are often nonproprietary and available from third-party vendors.

  10. Best Practices for Laptop Disassembly • Refer to manufacturer documentation: • Identify screw types, screw lengths, number of screws. • Most vendors offer this information online. • Use appropriate hand tools for case disassembly/component removal: • Repair documentation typically lists the recommended tools for each procedure. • Document and label cable and screw locations: • Typically use a mixtures of screw lengths and sometimes screw types. Mix them up, and you could damage components or not secure them properly. • Organize parts: • Small component storage tray • Tip: Use an egg crate.

  11. Hardware Device Replacement • Laptops Versus Desktop • Integrated: touchpad, wireless antenna, and speakers • Proprietary components in many cases • Tighter tolerances for opening case • Easy to break snaps and plastic retainers • Component Sources • Display, keyboard, network card, and system board must generally be purchased from the original manufacturer. • Optical drives and hard driver, memory, and the CPU are available from third-party sources but attention to compatibility is important. • Laptop Power Sources • Internal battery. • AC adapter that also charges the battery. • “Universal” replacement AC adapters/batteries are often available.

  12. Laptop Screen Casing Parts Figure 9-17

  13. Laptop Display Options • LCD • Use CCFL (fluorescent bulbs) • Refresh rate typically limited to 60Hz • LED (Lighted Electrical Diode) • Brighter, crisper color, more even coverage • Less power hungry • OLED • Small screens – cameras/phones • External Displays • Connect to VGA/USB, and so on • Use keyboard toggle to activate

  14. Laptop LCD Resolution XP Note that most laptops have an optimized default resolution.

  15. Windows Vista/7 Resolution Figure 9-16

  16. Display Troubleshooting • If display is cracked, the entire LCD screen must be replaced. • It’s sometimes cheaper to buy a new laptop PC. • Use an external monitor plugged into the video input. • This checks to see if the video subsystem works. • Use Fn key to toggle from external to internal. • Consult manufacturer’s manual for appropriate F key. • If external monitor works, but LCD fails • Check connector between motherboard and LCD. • With unit running, check the screen display at an angle to see if any of the familiar desktop icons are faintly there. • If visible, replace bulb or bulb power inverter. • Dead pixels—Pixels that do not change colors. • Lightly tap on screen over a dead pixel; this may or may not work. • Manufacturer’s warranty applies; see details in warranty.

  17. Laptop/PDA Inputs • Stylus/digitizer: • Popular on PDAs and Tablet PCs • Function (Fn) keys: • Press Fn+F# key to access specific functions. • Example: Dell: Fn+F3 brings up battery power display. • Touch pad/left- and right-click buttons: • External mouse • Pointing stick/track pointer: • Touch-resistant mini joystick in middle of keyboard

  18. Input Problems • Stylus/digitizer issues: • Check for loose connections. • Keypad/keyboard: • Try a different application, such as notepad. • If characters do not appear, the keyboard controller may be bad. • Keyboard controllers relate to PS/2 connectors. • If characters do appear, the problem is in the keyboard. • Restart the system. • Try updating/reinstalling the keyboard driver software. • Uninstall, and then reboot and let PnP discover the hardware. • Try an external keyboard from a USB connector. • Mouse/track pointer—Same basic procedure as for a keyboard • Clean the mouse ball.

  19. Mouse/Track Pad Pointer

  20. External Docking Stations Replicates Ports to enable instant access to External speakers, VGA /HDMI/Component Display, Additional USB Connections, Network Connection

  21. Power Sources • Power sources: • AC adapter: • Verify compatibility for wattage and connector sizing. • 12v external power (for use with 12v automobile power): • Verify wattage capacity. • Onboard battery: • Lithium-ion (Li-ion)—Most efficient, lightest weight. • Look for highest mAh available for best runtime. • Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH)—Replacement for NiCd. • Nickel Cadmium (NiCd)—Legacy type. • Still used for motherboard CMOS in some models.

  22. Power Management Features • Processor throttling: • Enabled through BIOS • Peripheral power management: • Low power sleep when idle—Device Properties  Power • ACPI (Advanced Power Configuration Interface): • APM was the older power management application. • Allows Windows to manage power usage. • Accessed in Control Panel (power options). • Disable power management in BIOS to avoid ACPI conflicts. • Power Schemes tab: • Triggers Standby or Hibernate based on idle time • Advanced tab: • Closed lid triggers standby or hibernate. • Alarms tab: • Alerts user when battery is low

  23. Suspend, Standby, and Hibernate Modes • ACPI supports modes S0 (working)—S5 (system off). • Standby modes: • S1:Standby or POS (power on standby). • Computer is on at reduced power. • Power to the CPU(s) and RAM is maintained. • Processor caches flushed. CPU(s) stop executing instructions. • Devices not needed may be powered down. • S2: In addition to S1, the CPU is powered off. • S3: Commonly referred to as Sleep, or Suspend to RAM (STR). • RAM is still powered. • Quick recovery time to wake up and resume working. • Suspend (supported by some manufacturers/models). • Hibernate mode: • S4: RAM contents saved to nonvolatile memory, such as a hard drive. • Hiberfil.sys file on hard drive stores copies of all open programs, data, and settings. • All power is turned off. • Takes time to recover data to a fully operational state. • Standby and Hibernate are supported by Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.

  24. Power Options Properties(Accessed from Control Panel)

  25. Troubleshooting Power Issues • No power • Plugged in? • Wall outlet supplied with power? • Check output with voltmeter. • Battery charging problems • Check to see if installed properly. • Clean contacts. • Is battery too old to hold a charge? • Battery hot after charging? Replace it.

  26. Laptop Security Figure 9-25 • Physical security against theft • Logical security against data breach • If hard drive stolen, is it encrypted?

  27. LAN/WAN Connections Communications Options • Cellular WAN: • Can use USB, ExpressCard, and CardBus. • Connects to cellular phone providers. • Device is found in Device Manager/modems. • Ethernet: • Uses an RJ-45 port. • Can be integrated or mounted on a peripheral card. • Can be wireless—Check documentation for 802 type. • Phone modem—Not as common on modern laptops. • Bluetooth: • Mostly for connecting wireless keyboard/mouse.

  28. Network Problems • Wi-Fi • Check signal strength. • Check for presence of Wi-Fi networks. • Check to see if Wi-Fi adapter is enabled. • Try disabling and re-enabling. • Check Device Manager for Wi-Fi adapter. • Scan for hardware changes/driver updates. • Bluetooth • Press Fn key that enables Bluetooth. • Verify that Bluetooth is enabled. • Verify that any Bluetooth external adapters are fully plugged in. • Check Bluetooth settings.

  29. Preventative Maintenance • Cooling devices: • Make sure all fans work. • Verify that air intakes are clear and clean. • Verify that the processor heat sink is properly attached. • Display screens: • Clean with antistatic cleaners designed for LCD screens. • Use PC in an appropriate atmosphere: • Temperature range of 50–95 degrees. • Condensation can form on cold PCs transferred into warm environments, causing internal shorts. • Air can be compromised by • Smoking, dusty conditions, and small particulate • Salty air • If storing the unit for long periods, remove the CMOS battery to prevent leakage.

  30. What Have You Learned? • What is processor throttling? • How is standby different from hibernate? • What is a common cause of a mouse pointer not moving smoothly across a screen? • What is wireless zero configuration? • What type of memory module is used in a laptop PC? • Which key is normally found on a laptop PC that might not be found on a desktop PC?

  31. Chapter 9Summary • Options for expansion in Laptops and Portable Devices • Describe the components of a laptop in contrast to a PC. • Laptop Disassembly – Best Practices • Demonstrate how to remove hard drives, memory, batteries, and so on. • Hardware Device Replacement • Hard drives, memory, batteries, and so on • Laptop Displays • Resolution, technologies, and components • Laptop Features • Function keys, using projectors/external displays and docking stations • Portable and Laptop Diagnostics. • Demonstrate how to troubleshoot power, displays, and peripherals. Next Lesson: Chapter 10

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