Computer Hardware
maintenance
maintenance
Computer hardware is
generally reliable, and most computer problems are related to software issues.
However, computer hardware can become damaged over time, and computer hardware
maintenance is necessary for keeping computers up and running. Many companies
stand to lose a considerable amount of money if their computers stop running,
so maintenance is often a top priority.
generally reliable, and most computer problems are related to software issues.
However, computer hardware can become damaged over time, and computer hardware
maintenance is necessary for keeping computers up and running. Many companies
stand to lose a considerable amount of money if their computers stop running,
so maintenance is often a top priority.
Most hardware breaks
without warning, so having backup parts is necessary for
large servers. Hard drives, in particular, are vulnerable to suddenly stopping,
and maintenance experts can ensure that lost data is recovered as quickly as
possible. Computer maintenance sometimes deals with consulting. A maintenance
expert might offer advice about RAID arrays, which allow a file system to
recover gracefully.
without warning, so having backup parts is necessary for
large servers. Hard drives, in particular, are vulnerable to suddenly stopping,
and maintenance experts can ensure that lost data is recovered as quickly as
possible. Computer maintenance sometimes deals with consulting. A maintenance
expert might offer advice about RAID arrays, which allow a file system to
recover gracefully.
Some simple
maintenance steps can help prevent a wide range of problems. Simply cleaning a
case is sometimes enough to prevent components of overheating. In addition,
hard drives and other hardware sometimes indicate that they are likely to fail
at some point. Computer hardware maintenance experts often provide these
preventative services.
Laboratory
A laboratoryis a facility that provides
controlled conditions in which scientific or technological
research, experiments, and measurement may be performed.
controlled conditions in which scientific or technological
research, experiments, and measurement may be performed.
Hardware maintenance Laboratory
Hardware maintenance Laboratory
is a room or building equipped for technological experiment, research, or
teaching, or repairing and replacing broken and failing computer
hardware. Preventative
maintenance plays a role as well. Many medium and large companies rely on
computer maintenance to ensure that their equipment is able to cope with
demand.
is a room or building equipped for technological experiment, research, or
teaching, or repairing and replacing broken and failing computer
hardware. Preventative
maintenance plays a role as well. Many medium and large companies rely on
computer maintenance to ensure that their equipment is able to cope with
demand.
How hardware maintenance laboratory
should be
should be
Hardware maintenance Laboratory
equipped with:
equipped with:
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Space: The most important
resource in the laboratory is space. It is imperative to resist the temptation
to stuff as many test workspaces as possible into the laboratory.
- Laboratory furniture: Have good quality
chairs and tables. There should also be plenty of cupboard space. Make sure
that there are an adequate number of telephones in the test laboratory. One
phone is rarely enough! Other invaluable aids in the laboratory are flipcharts,
a pinboard, and a whiteboard – useful for having pieces of vital information
visible for all to see.
- Lighting / Air
conditioning: A large amount of
hardware producing waste heat are kept in the laboratory so air conditioning is
a must. Not only do you need to keep the hardware at a controlled temperature. Similarly
do consider the lighting carefully. The windows should be clearly open for
fresh air to come in and the florescent light bulb should be on set.
- (Computer) hardware: Obviously you are
going to need PCs or workstations. Once you have your shopping list for
hardware, be sure to check that the room proposed as the test laboratory has
enough electrical power sockets and network connection points and that they are
in the right place. Having to run extension cables around the room is an
accident waiting to happen. Office supplies / stationery ensure that the laboratory
is stocked with adequate supplies of:
Ø Popular hardware
components
components
Ø Tool box
Ø Hard drive
Ø Floppies, Flash
drives
drives
Ø Cables
Ø Paper (notebooks and
printer paper) etc.
printer paper) etc.
·Reference material
This includes:
Ø User manuals for
hardware and software
hardware and software
Ø Telephone list – with
the phone numbers of all the important contact people in case of problems •
the phone numbers of all the important contact people in case of problems •
Ø Learning Books for
repair or replace etc.
repair or replace etc.
· Door lock
If you have expensive
equipment, sensitive data or anything else you don’t want disappearing from the
laboratory – be it only the printer toner – then it is a good idea to have a
lock on the door. You may also not only want to stop stuff leaving the laboratory
but to prevent people getting in.
equipment, sensitive data or anything else you don’t want disappearing from the
laboratory – be it only the printer toner – then it is a good idea to have a
lock on the door. You may also not only want to stop stuff leaving the laboratory
but to prevent people getting in.
Other Aspects for consideration
Workstation
hardware –
This central aspect of the facility is influenced by all of the previously
mentioned factors. Consider the needs in the following areas
·
CPU
– What level of processing power is required by the applications?
CPU
– What level of processing power is required by the applications?
·
Memory
– What amount of RAM is required by the applications?
Memory
– What amount of RAM is required by the applications?
· Primary
storage space – How much storage space is required to install the local
applications? Will users be storing documents on the local machines? Do
applications require a great deal of swap space?
storage space – How much storage space is required to install the local
applications? Will users be storing documents on the local machines? Do
applications require a great deal of swap space?
· Sub-systems
– evaluate your needs for:
– evaluate your needs for:
· Networking
– generally only a 10/100 Ethernet card is required
– generally only a 10/100 Ethernet card is required
· Audio
– Sound card, speakers, headphones, microphones
– Sound card, speakers, headphones, microphones
· Video
– Video card speed and memory
– Video card speed and memory
· Secondary
storage – CD, CD-R, DVD, Zip, etc.
storage – CD, CD-R, DVD, Zip, etc.
· Input
– Keyboard and mouse variations
– Keyboard and mouse variations
· Monitor
– Is a large monitor needed for graphics or engineering work?
– Is a large monitor needed for graphics or engineering work?
·
Form
factor – Is a small computer required due to furniture or space limitations? Is
a small form factor monitor required for students to see the instructor or each
other?
Form
factor – Is a small computer required due to furniture or space limitations? Is
a small form factor monitor required for students to see the instructor or each
other?
Server
hardware –
Most computing facilities rely on a server for application serving, print
serving, or storage. This hardware can vary greatly depending on the specific
use of the server.
hardware –
Most computing facilities rely on a server for application serving, print
serving, or storage. This hardware can vary greatly depending on the specific
use of the server.
Networking – Networking is a
core component of computing facilities; it allows access to Internet resources,
access to email, and the ability to collaborate remotely. Potential networking
costs include installation/activation of Ethernet jacks (B-jacks), monthly
B-jack fees, hubs/switches for networking within the room (not needed if each
computer has a B-jack), and cabling. Networking may represent a good portion of
the cost of the facility.
core component of computing facilities; it allows access to Internet resources,
access to email, and the ability to collaborate remotely. Potential networking
costs include installation/activation of Ethernet jacks (B-jacks), monthly
B-jack fees, hubs/switches for networking within the room (not needed if each
computer has a B-jack), and cabling. Networking may represent a good portion of
the cost of the facility.
Printing – Most computing
facilities require some form of printing to be available. For most applications
this simply means the ability to print black and white text documents, but
there are a variety of printing needs. Another consideration is the quantity of
printing expected in the facility. This greatly influences the specific model
of printer within a type of printer. The following are the most popular forms
of printing in campus computing facilities:
facilities require some form of printing to be available. For most applications
this simply means the ability to print black and white text documents, but
there are a variety of printing needs. Another consideration is the quantity of
printing expected in the facility. This greatly influences the specific model
of printer within a type of printer. The following are the most popular forms
of printing in campus computing facilities:
·
Black
and white laser printing
Black
and white laser printing
·
Color
printing (laser or inkjet)
Color
printing (laser or inkjet)
·
Plotting
Plotting
Other peripherals – The purpose and
specific application of a facility may require additional hardware not in a
traditional computing lab. These are some common peripherals used in special
applications:
specific application of a facility may require additional hardware not in a
traditional computing lab. These are some common peripherals used in special
applications:
·
Scanning
Scanning
·
Special
storage (CD-R, Jaz, DVD-R, etc.)
Special
storage (CD-R, Jaz, DVD-R, etc.)
·
Special
input (tablets, mapping, data acquisition, etc.)
Special
input (tablets, mapping, data acquisition, etc.)
Audio/Video
systems (projector, sound, etc.) – Many computing facilities, especially
instructional ones, benefit from the ability to display information for the
entire room. This may include the ability to project computer screens, project
television/video tapes/DVDs, play audio tapes/CDs, and amplify input from
microphones. More advanced systems even allow instructors to project any of the
workstation screens to a projector or to other computer screens on the fly.
systems (projector, sound, etc.) – Many computing facilities, especially
instructional ones, benefit from the ability to display information for the
entire room. This may include the ability to project computer screens, project
television/video tapes/DVDs, play audio tapes/CDs, and amplify input from
microphones. More advanced systems even allow instructors to project any of the
workstation screens to a projector or to other computer screens on the fly.
Upgrade
path –
Any computer hardware and software will eventually have to be replaced as it
becomes obsolete. Computing facilities should have an upgrade plan and budget
for both hardware and software. In general, ITS uses a three-year replacement
cycle for hardware in computing facilities. Software is replaced more
frequently, usually as new, more useful, versions are released. Budgeting for
new software is difficult due to the unpredictable nature of software
development, but plan on spending about a third of your original software costs
each year in upgrades.
path –
Any computer hardware and software will eventually have to be replaced as it
becomes obsolete. Computing facilities should have an upgrade plan and budget
for both hardware and software. In general, ITS uses a three-year replacement
cycle for hardware in computing facilities. Software is replaced more
frequently, usually as new, more useful, versions are released. Budgeting for
new software is difficult due to the unpredictable nature of software
development, but plan on spending about a third of your original software costs
each year in upgrades.
Furniture – The purpose of a
facility is the strongest influence on the furniture and layout of the
facility. An open computer lab may simply be rows of computers on basic tables.
An instructional facility may have rows all facing the front of the room for
instruction. A collaborative facility may have single computers (or groups of
computers) at large tables designed to seat many students. At least one
workstation in each facility should be placed on an adjustable height table for
accessibility by people using wheelchairs. In an instructional facility, the
instructors workstation should also be placed on an adjustable height table.
facility is the strongest influence on the furniture and layout of the
facility. An open computer lab may simply be rows of computers on basic tables.
An instructional facility may have rows all facing the front of the room for
instruction. A collaborative facility may have single computers (or groups of
computers) at large tables designed to seat many students. At least one
workstation in each facility should be placed on an adjustable height table for
accessibility by people using wheelchairs. In an instructional facility, the
instructors workstation should also be placed on an adjustable height table.
Accessibility – In addition to
placing accessible tables in the lab (see the above section on furtiture), one
should also consider the accessibility of the computer applications (using
special input/output hardware or software), other systems (printing, A/V
equipment, etc.), and the accessibility of the room layout. More detailed
information about accessibility is available from the CU-Boulder Assistive
Technology Lab.
placing accessible tables in the lab (see the above section on furtiture), one
should also consider the accessibility of the computer applications (using
special input/output hardware or software), other systems (printing, A/V
equipment, etc.), and the accessibility of the room layout. More detailed
information about accessibility is available from the CU-Boulder Assistive
Technology Lab.
Power – Often the
existing power circuit(s) in a room are not sufficient for a computing
facility. Examine your power needs and resources, and contact facilities
management regarding power system upgrades.
existing power circuit(s) in a room are not sufficient for a computing
facility. Examine your power needs and resources, and contact facilities
management regarding power system upgrades.
Some of the tools needed in hardware
maintenance laboratory
maintenance laboratory
To
troubleshoot and repair PCs properly, you need a few basic tools. If you intend
to troubleshoot and repair systems professionally, you may want to purchase
many more specialized tools as well. These advanced tools enable you to more
accurately diagnose problems and make jobs easier and faster. Here are the
basic tools that should be in every troubleshooter’s toolbox:
troubleshoot and repair PCs properly, you need a few basic tools. If you intend
to troubleshoot and repair systems professionally, you may want to purchase
many more specialized tools as well. These advanced tools enable you to more
accurately diagnose problems and make jobs easier and faster. Here are the
basic tools that should be in every troubleshooter’s toolbox:
· Simple
hand tools for basic disassembly and reassembly procedures, including a
selection of flat-blade and Phillips screwdrivers (both medium and small
sizes), tweezers, an IC extraction tool, and a parts grabber or hemostat.
Although most of the same toolkits sold for conventional desktop systems will
have these tools, for portable systems you may also need sets of smaller-sized
flat-blade and Phillips screwdrivers and a set of small Torx drivers or Torx
bits as well.
hand tools for basic disassembly and reassembly procedures, including a
selection of flat-blade and Phillips screwdrivers (both medium and small
sizes), tweezers, an IC extraction tool, and a parts grabber or hemostat.
Although most of the same toolkits sold for conventional desktop systems will
have these tools, for portable systems you may also need sets of smaller-sized
flat-blade and Phillips screwdrivers and a set of small Torx drivers or Torx
bits as well.
·
Diagnostics
software and hardware for testing components in a system.
Diagnostics
software and hardware for testing components in a system.
· A
multimeter that provides accurate measurements of voltage and resistance, as
well as a continuity checker for testing cables and switches.
multimeter that provides accurate measurements of voltage and resistance, as
well as a continuity checker for testing cables and switches.
· Chemicals
(such as contact cleaners), component freeze sprays, and compressed air for
cleaning the system.
(such as contact cleaners), component freeze sprays, and compressed air for
cleaning the system.
·
Foam
swabs, or lint-free cotton swabs if foam isn’t availaboratoryle.
Foam
swabs, or lint-free cotton swabs if foam isn’t availaboratoryle.
· Small
nylon wire ties for “dressing” or organizing wires or small cables
(such as internal Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antennas).
nylon wire ties for “dressing” or organizing wires or small cables
(such as internal Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antennas).
You may want to consider
the following items,
the following items,
· Memory-testing
machines (used to evaluate the operation of memory modules).
machines (used to evaluate the operation of memory modules).
· Serial
and parallel loopback (or wrap) plugs to test serial and parallel ports.
and parallel loopback (or wrap) plugs to test serial and parallel ports.
· A
network cable tester or scanner (many types with varying functionality are availaboratoryle,
from simple loopback jacks to full-blown Time Domain Reflectometers). Etc.
network cable tester or scanner (many types with varying functionality are availaboratoryle,
from simple loopback jacks to full-blown Time Domain Reflectometers). Etc.
Reference
1. Computer hardware
maintenance Lab Design consideration (University of Colorado, 2012)
maintenance Lab Design consideration (University of Colorado, 2012)
2. Computer Lab Manager
Training Course (Module1: Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Repair)
Training Course (Module1: Maintenance, Troubleshooting and Repair)
3. PCTechBytes. (2009). Computer Troubleshooting Zone. From
PCTechBytes: http://www.pctechbytes.com/troubleshooting/
PCTechBytes: http://www.pctechbytes.com/troubleshooting/
4.
Setting
up and Managing a Lab (Ruth Keys, Independent Testing Consultant)
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Setting
up and Managing a Lab (Ruth Keys, Independent Testing Consultant)
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