Itt Tech
Chapter 3: Maintenance and Safety Precautions
NEWBIE 3 hours SOME EXPERIENCE 2 hours EXPERT 1 hour There’s more to keeping a PC running smoothly than launching an occasional chkdsk or deleting some temporary Internet files. PCs are machines, and all machines need regular maintenance. This doesn’t include changing the oil every 3000 miles, but it does include cleaning and dusting, among other things. Yes, dusting! Being a PC tech doesn’t get you out of housework! Don’t be fooled by the benign appearance of a typical PC, monitor, or printer. Underneath that unassuming exterior lurk dozens of voltage-carrying wires and circuits. Any one of these can reach out and bite an unwary tech—sometimes with deadly effect. Finally, you should appreciate that all PCs and PC components have a finite service life. Where do old monitors, batteries, and toner cartridges go to die? This chapter covers the important cleaning and maintenance routines that you should follow to keep your system in optimal running condition. These routines take you into the very guts of your PC, so to prevent damage to your PC and to you, it’s vital that you use the appropriate tools and follow proper safety precautions. This chapter wraps up with a discussion on how to dispose of dead or obsolete PC equipment properly.
Objective 3.01
Cleaning and Maintenance Procedures
To prolong the life of your PC, you must inspect and clean it regularly. Inspecting your PC alerts you to any dangerous or damaging conditions that exist, such as rust and corrosion, damaged connectors, damaged and improperly installed components, frayed cables, loose connections, and heat damage. Cleaning your
PC rids it of the dirt, dust, and grime that build up from normal use. This does more than simply maintain a neat appearance; it helps you prevent two of the most damaging conditions: overheating and electrostatic discharge (ESD). Local Lingo ESD ESD is a quick electrical charge that occurs when two objects with different
NEWBIE 3 hours SOME EXPERIENCE 2 hours EXPERT 1 hour There’s more to keeping a PC running smoothly than launching an occasional chkdsk or deleting some temporary Internet files. PCs are machines, and all machines need regular maintenance. This doesn’t include changing the oil every 3000 miles, but it does include cleaning and dusting, among other things. Yes, dusting! Being a PC tech doesn’t get you out of housework! Don’t be fooled by the benign appearance of a typical PC, monitor, or printer. Underneath that unassuming exterior lurk dozens of voltage-carrying wires and circuits. Any one of these can reach out and bite an unwary tech—sometimes with deadly effect. Finally, you should appreciate that all PCs and PC components have a finite service life. Where do old monitors, batteries, and toner cartridges go to die? This chapter covers the important cleaning and maintenance routines that you should follow to keep your system in optimal running condition. These routines take you into the very guts of your PC, so to prevent damage to your PC and to you, it’s vital that you use the appropriate tools and follow proper safety precautions. This chapter wraps up with a discussion on how to dispose of dead or obsolete PC equipment properly.
Objective 3.01
Cleaning and Maintenance Procedures
To prolong the life of your PC, you must inspect and clean it regularly. Inspecting your PC alerts you to any dangerous or damaging conditions that exist, such as rust and corrosion, damaged connectors, damaged and improperly installed components, frayed cables, loose connections, and heat damage. Cleaning your
PC rids it of the dirt, dust, and grime that build up from normal use. This does more than simply maintain a neat appearance; it helps you prevent two of the most damaging conditions: overheating and electrostatic discharge (ESD). Local Lingo ESD ESD is a quick electrical charge that occurs when two objects with different