Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
CD-ROM/DVD drivers, which can be used to boot test the system and possibly load other
software. You can download these and other boot disks from
www.bootdisk.com
.
•
Windows install discs
—Install discs for Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8 can be used to boot test
the system from a CD-ROM/DVD drive, to attempt system recovery, to install the OS, or to run
memory diagnostics (Windows Vista and later).
•
Diagnostics software
—You can use this software for PC hardware verification and testing. I
especially recommend the Ultimate Boot CD (
www.ultimatebootcd.com
) and the Ultimate Boot
CD for Windows (
www.ubcd4win.com
)
, both of which are free collections of diagnostics on
bootable discs.
•
POST card
—This displays POST diagnostics codes on systems with fatal errors.
•
Nylon cable-ties
—These help in routing and securing cables; neatly routed cables improve
airflow in the system.
•
Digital multimeter
—This checks power supply voltages, connectors, and cables for continuity.
•
Cleaning swabs, canned air (dust blower), and contact cleaner chemicals
—These clean,
lubricate, and enhance contacts on circuit boards and cable connections. Products include those
from
www.chemtronics.com
, as well as contact enhancer chemicals such as Stabilant 22a
(
www.stabilant.com
)
.
•
Data transfer cables and adapters
—These quickly connect two systems and transfer data
from one system to another. This includes serial and parallel cables (often called Laplink,
Interlink, or Direct Cable Connect cables); Ethernet crossover cables; as well as more
specialized USB-to-Ethernet, USB-to-USB, or USB-to-parallel adapters.
•
2 1/2-inch PATA drive cables and adapters
—These connect 2 1/2-inch (laptop) PATA
drives to desktop systems for transferring or recovering data. This includes 44-pin (2 1/2-inch)
PATA-to-40-pin (3 1/2-inch) PATA ribbon cable/power adapters, 44-pin PATA-to-
USB/FireWire adapters, and 2 1/2-inch USB/FireWire external drive enclosures.
•
3 1/2-inch drive enclosure
—A hard disk drive enclosure equipped with a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0
port enables you to recover data from a hard disk if the original host system is no longer
functioning. Normally you will need separate enclosures for PATA and SATA drives.
•
Spare keyboard and mouse
—You can use these to operate a system if the existing keyboard or
pointing device is defective or difficult to use.
•
USB hub, USB/FireWire cable adapters
—These connect multiple external USB devices. The
cable adapters and gender changers are recommended for connecting different types of USB and
FireWire devices.
•
Spare screws, jumpers, standoffs, and so on
—These are handy if you lose any of these items
from the system you are working on.
•
Spare CR-2032 lithium coin cell batteries
—These are used as the CMOS RAM batteries in
most systems, so it is a good idea to have a replacement or two on hand. Although a number of
CR20xx battery types are available, most systems use the CR2032.
Safety
From a personal safety point of view, there really isn't that much danger in working on a PC. Even if
it
is
open with the power on, a PC runs on only 3.3, 5, or 12 volts, meaning no dangerous, life-
