Instructor Manual: Andrews, Dark Shelton, Schmelz, Jaqua, CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 12th Edition, 2027, 9798214409665,
Chapter 1: Taking a Computer Apart and Putting It Back Together
Instructor Manual Chapter 1
ANDREWS, DARK SHELTON, SCHMELZ, JAQUA, COMPTIA A+ G UIDE TO IT TECHNICAL SUPPORT,
12TH EDITION , 2027, 9798214409665, C HAPTER 1: TAKING A COMPUTER APART AND PUTTING IT
BACK TOGETHER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................3
Chapter Objectives........................................................................................................3
What's New in This Chapter........................................................................................3
Teaching Tips................................................................................................................4
Exploring A Desktop Computer................................................................................................................4
Protecting Yourself and the Equipment................................................................................................. 4
Step 1: Planning and Organizing Your Work and Gathering Your Tools.............................................4
Step 2: Opening the Case.......................................................................................................................5
Step 3: Removing Expansion Cards...................................................................................................... 6
Step 4: Removing the Motherboard.......................................................................................................6
Step 5: Removing the Power Supply.....................................................................................................7
Step 6: Removing the Drives................................................................................................................. 7
Steps to Put a Computer Back Together................................................................................................ 7
Quick Quiz 1.............................................................................................................................................. 8
First Look at Laptop Components.............................................................................................................9
Docking Stations and Port Replicators..................................................................................................9
Special Considerations when Supporting Laptops................................................................................9
Working Inside a Laptop Computer.................................................................................................... 10
Exploring Laptop Internal Components...............................................................................................11
Exploring Inside an All-in-One Computer..........................................................................................11
Maintaining Laptops............................................................................................................................ 11
Quick Quiz 2............................................................................................................................................ 12
Discussion Questions..................................................................................................13
Additional Projects...................................................................................................................................13
Additional Resources..................................................................................................14
Internet Resources....................................................................................................................................14
Appendix.....................................................................................................................14
© 2027 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 1
,Instructor Manual: Andrews, Dark Shelton, Schmelz, Jaqua, CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 12th Edition, 2027, 9798214409665,
Chapter 1: Taking a Computer Apart and Putting It Back Together
Generic Rubrics....................................................................................................................................... 14
Standard Writing Rubric.......................................................................................................................... 15
Standard Discussion Rubric.....................................................................................................................16
© 2027 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 2
, Instructor Manual: Andrews, Dark Shelton, Schmelz, Jaqua, CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 12th Edition, 2027, 9798214409665,
Chapter 1: Taking a Computer Apart and Putting It Back Together
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students to the basic hardware components in a computer.
Students will learn how to identify various hardware components inside desktop computers as well as the
tools they will need to work inside the case. Later in the text, students will learn how to work inside of a
desktop and a laptop computer and how different components are removed or replaced in a case.
[return to top]
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1. Disassemble and reassemble a desktop computer safely and identify external ports and major
components inside a desktop. Describe how they connect and are compatible. Identify various
tools you will need as a computer hardware technician.
2. Disassemble and reassemble a laptop computer safely and identify external ports and slots and
major internal components. Explain special concerns when supporting and maintaining laptops.
[return to top]
WHAT'S NEW IN THIS CHAPTER
Read about updates and improvements in this chapter:
Updated for currency with minor updates
[return to top]
© 2027 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 3
, Instructor Manual: Andrews, Dark Shelton, Schmelz, Jaqua, CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 12th Edition, 2027, 9798214409665,
Chapter 1: Taking a Computer Apart and Putting It Back Together
TEACHING TIPS
Consider the following teaching tips when assigning this chapter to your students.
EXPLORING A DESKTOP COMPUTER
1. Encourage students that as they work through this chapter, they should follow all the safety
precautions found in Appendix A, “Safety Procedures and Environmental Concerns.”
Protecting Yourself and the Equipment
1. Discuss basic tips and best practices in planning and ensuring that work inside a computer case is
performed safely.
2. Define how Electrostatic discharge (ESD), or static electricity, occurs and can damage electrical
components in a computer.
3. Demonstrate how to use a ground bracelet or ESD strap, which protects against electrostatic
discharge when you work with hardware components.
4. Describe a Faraday cage as any device that protects against an electromagnetic field. Point out
that they work similarly to the antistatic bag.
Step 1: Planning and Organizing Your Work and Gathering Your
Tools
1. Explain the importance of taking notes and practicing good organizational skills to make
disassembling and reassembling go smoothly.
Tools Used by a Computer Hardware Technician
1. Discuss the list of essential tools of a computer hardware technician:
a. An ESD strap
b. Flathead screwdriver
c. Phillips-head or crosshead screwdriver
d. Torx screwdriver set
e. Tweezers
f. Software (recovery CD or DVD)
2. Cover the list of tools that might not be essential but may be convenient to have on hand.
3. Point out the importance of keeping software discs used for troubleshooting inside a hard plastic
case to protect them from scratches and dents.
© 2027 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 4
Chapter 1: Taking a Computer Apart and Putting It Back Together
Instructor Manual Chapter 1
ANDREWS, DARK SHELTON, SCHMELZ, JAQUA, COMPTIA A+ G UIDE TO IT TECHNICAL SUPPORT,
12TH EDITION , 2027, 9798214409665, C HAPTER 1: TAKING A COMPUTER APART AND PUTTING IT
BACK TOGETHER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................3
Chapter Objectives........................................................................................................3
What's New in This Chapter........................................................................................3
Teaching Tips................................................................................................................4
Exploring A Desktop Computer................................................................................................................4
Protecting Yourself and the Equipment................................................................................................. 4
Step 1: Planning and Organizing Your Work and Gathering Your Tools.............................................4
Step 2: Opening the Case.......................................................................................................................5
Step 3: Removing Expansion Cards...................................................................................................... 6
Step 4: Removing the Motherboard.......................................................................................................6
Step 5: Removing the Power Supply.....................................................................................................7
Step 6: Removing the Drives................................................................................................................. 7
Steps to Put a Computer Back Together................................................................................................ 7
Quick Quiz 1.............................................................................................................................................. 8
First Look at Laptop Components.............................................................................................................9
Docking Stations and Port Replicators..................................................................................................9
Special Considerations when Supporting Laptops................................................................................9
Working Inside a Laptop Computer.................................................................................................... 10
Exploring Laptop Internal Components...............................................................................................11
Exploring Inside an All-in-One Computer..........................................................................................11
Maintaining Laptops............................................................................................................................ 11
Quick Quiz 2............................................................................................................................................ 12
Discussion Questions..................................................................................................13
Additional Projects...................................................................................................................................13
Additional Resources..................................................................................................14
Internet Resources....................................................................................................................................14
Appendix.....................................................................................................................14
© 2027 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 1
,Instructor Manual: Andrews, Dark Shelton, Schmelz, Jaqua, CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 12th Edition, 2027, 9798214409665,
Chapter 1: Taking a Computer Apart and Putting It Back Together
Generic Rubrics....................................................................................................................................... 14
Standard Writing Rubric.......................................................................................................................... 15
Standard Discussion Rubric.....................................................................................................................16
© 2027 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 2
, Instructor Manual: Andrews, Dark Shelton, Schmelz, Jaqua, CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 12th Edition, 2027, 9798214409665,
Chapter 1: Taking a Computer Apart and Putting It Back Together
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students to the basic hardware components in a computer.
Students will learn how to identify various hardware components inside desktop computers as well as the
tools they will need to work inside the case. Later in the text, students will learn how to work inside of a
desktop and a laptop computer and how different components are removed or replaced in a case.
[return to top]
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1. Disassemble and reassemble a desktop computer safely and identify external ports and major
components inside a desktop. Describe how they connect and are compatible. Identify various
tools you will need as a computer hardware technician.
2. Disassemble and reassemble a laptop computer safely and identify external ports and slots and
major internal components. Explain special concerns when supporting and maintaining laptops.
[return to top]
WHAT'S NEW IN THIS CHAPTER
Read about updates and improvements in this chapter:
Updated for currency with minor updates
[return to top]
© 2027 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 3
, Instructor Manual: Andrews, Dark Shelton, Schmelz, Jaqua, CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 12th Edition, 2027, 9798214409665,
Chapter 1: Taking a Computer Apart and Putting It Back Together
TEACHING TIPS
Consider the following teaching tips when assigning this chapter to your students.
EXPLORING A DESKTOP COMPUTER
1. Encourage students that as they work through this chapter, they should follow all the safety
precautions found in Appendix A, “Safety Procedures and Environmental Concerns.”
Protecting Yourself and the Equipment
1. Discuss basic tips and best practices in planning and ensuring that work inside a computer case is
performed safely.
2. Define how Electrostatic discharge (ESD), or static electricity, occurs and can damage electrical
components in a computer.
3. Demonstrate how to use a ground bracelet or ESD strap, which protects against electrostatic
discharge when you work with hardware components.
4. Describe a Faraday cage as any device that protects against an electromagnetic field. Point out
that they work similarly to the antistatic bag.
Step 1: Planning and Organizing Your Work and Gathering Your
Tools
1. Explain the importance of taking notes and practicing good organizational skills to make
disassembling and reassembling go smoothly.
Tools Used by a Computer Hardware Technician
1. Discuss the list of essential tools of a computer hardware technician:
a. An ESD strap
b. Flathead screwdriver
c. Phillips-head or crosshead screwdriver
d. Torx screwdriver set
e. Tweezers
f. Software (recovery CD or DVD)
2. Cover the list of tools that might not be essential but may be convenient to have on hand.
3. Point out the importance of keeping software discs used for troubleshooting inside a hard plastic
case to protect them from scratches and dents.
© 2027 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a
publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 4
