Chapter 6: Laptops and Portable Devices

IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.0

Chapter 6 Objectives

6.1 Describe laptops and other portable devices6.2 Identify and describe the components of a laptop 6.3 Compare and contrast desktop and laptop

components 6.4 Explain how to configure laptops 6.5 Compare the different mobile phone standards 6.6 Identify common preventive maintenance

techniques used for laptops and portable devices 6.7 Describe how to troubleshoot laptops and portable

devices

Chapter 6 Worksheets

6.1.2 Worksheet: Research Laptops, Smart Phones, and PDAs

6.2.3 Worksheet: Laptop Docking Stations 6.3.4 Worksheet: Laptop Expansion 6.4.1 Worksheet: ACPI Standards 6.7.2 Worksheet: Research Laptop Problems

Optional Virtual Laptop Activities

6.2.1 Explore the different views of the virtual laptop6.2.2 Explore the virtual laptop keyboard6.2.3 Explore the different views of the docking station6.4.2 Replace components and devices in the virtual

laptop

Introduction

Do you know when the first laptops were developed?

Who do you think used the early laptops?

One of the original laptops was the GRiD Compass 1101. It was used by astronauts on space missions in the early 1980s.

It weighed 11 lb (5 kg) and cost US $8,000 - $10,000!

This chapter focuses on the differences between laptops and desktops and describes the features of PDAs and Smartphones.

Laptops and Portable Devices

Notebooks, laptops, and tablets are types of portable computers.

For clarity and consistency in this course, all portable computers will be called "laptops".

Today, laptops are very popular because advances in technology have resulted in laptops that cost less, weigh less, and have improved capabilities.

PDAs offer features such as games, web surfing, e-mail, instant messaging, and many other features offered by PCs.

Smartphones are cell phones with many built-in PDA capabilities.

Common Uses of Laptops

Taking notes in school or researching papers

Presenting information in business meetings

Accessing data away from home or the office

Playing games while traveling Watching movies while traveling Accessing the Internet in a public place Sending and receiving email in a public

place Can you think of other uses for laptops?

Common Uses of PDAs and Smartphones

The PDA is an electronic personal organizer with tools to help organize information

The Smartphone is a mobile phone with PDA capabilities.

Other uses of PDAs and Smartphones are to take phone calls, voice memos, taking notes, text messaging, browsing the internet, reading eBooks, playing games, internet chat, music, contacts, calendar and GPS.

The Components of a Laptop

Common laptop features:Small and portableIntegrated display screen in lidIntegrated keyboardAC power source or rechargeable batteryHot-swappable drives and peripheralsSome type of docking station or port replicator to

connect to peripherals

Components Outside of a Laptop

Top view of virtual laptop

Bluetooth status LED

Battery status LED

Standby LED

Components Outside of a Laptop

Rear view of virtual laptop

AC power connector

Parallel portBattery bay

Components Outside of a Laptop

Left side view of virtual laptop

Security keyhole

USB port

S-video port

Headphone jack

Microphone jack

PC card slot

Ventilation grillRJ-11 modem

Ethernet port

Network LEDs

Components Outside of a Laptop

Front view of virtual laptop

Infrared port

Speakers

Latch

Ventilation grill

Components Outside of a Laptop

Right side view of virtual laptop

Optical drive

Optical drive indicator

VGA port

Drive bay indicator

Components Outside of a Laptop

Underside view of virtual laptop

Hard drive access panel

Battery latches

Docking connector

RAM access panel

Components Inside of a Laptop

Open laptop

Keyboard

Volume controls Power button

Touchpad

Pointer controller

Fingerprint reader

Components Inside of a Laptop

LEDs inside laptop

Wireless Bluetooth Caps lock

Num lockHard drive Battery

Power on

Standby

Components on a Docking Station

Top view of docking station

Docking connector

Power button

Eject button

Components on a Docking Station

Rear view of docking station

Exhaust fan

AC power connector

PC card slot

Ethernet port

RJ-11 port

Serial port

VGA port

Parallel port

DVI port

External-diskette-drive connector

Headphone connector

Line In connector

USB port

Keyboard port

Mouse port

Components on a Docking Station

Right side view of docking station

Key lock

Compare Laptop Components and Desktop Components

Desktop components tend to be standardized. They usually meet universal form factors.

Laptop manufacturers focus on refining laptop components to make them more efficient and compact as a result, laptop components are proprietary. 

You may not be able to use components made by one laptop manufacturer to repair a laptop made by another manufacturer.

Compare Motherboards

Compare CPUs

Compare Power Options

Laptop Power Options Desktop Power Options

Compare Expansion Capabilities

Compare Expansion Capabilities

Configure Laptops

To allow applications and processes to run smoothly: Configure and allocate system resources Install additional components and plug-insChange environmental settings to match software

requirements.

A laptop can be customized for specific purposes by adding external components.

Adding external components is usually accomplished through the use of Plug and Play, but occasionally driver installation and additional configuration may be required.

Follow safe removal procedures when disconnecting hot-swappable and non-hot-swappable devices.

Configure Laptop Power Settings

ACPI Standards

S0 The computer is on and the CPU is running.

S1 The CPU is not running. However, the CPU and RAM are still receiving power.

S2 The CPU is off, but the RAM is refreshed. The system is in a lower power mode than S1.

S3The CPU is off, and the RAM is set to a slow refresh rate. This mode is often called “Save to RAM”. In Windows XP, this state is known as the Standby mode.

S4The CPU and RAM are off. The contents of RAM have been saved to a temporary file on the hard disk. This mode is also called “Saved to Disk”. In Windows XP, this state is known as the Hibernate mode.

S5 The computer is off and nothing has been saved.

Checking the ACPI Settings in the BIOS

Here are the steps to check the ACPI settings in the BIOS:

1. Enter BIOS setup by pressing the appropriate key or key combination while the computer is booting. Typically this is the Delete key or the F2 key, but there are several other options.

2. Locate and enter the “Power Management settings” menu item.

3. Use the appropriate keys to enable ACPI mode.

4. Save and Exit BIOS setup.

Power Settings in Windows XP

To configure your power settings, click:Start > Control Panel > Power Options

Replacing Laptop Components

CAUTION: Always disconnect power and remove the battery before installing or removing laptop components that are not hot-swappable. 

Mobile Phone Standards

Internet Standard

• Short Message Service (SMS)

• Multimedia Message Service (MMS)

• Packet Switching

• Used for text messaging

• Used for sending and receiving photos and videos

• Used for accessing the Internet

Purpose

Proper Cleaning Procedures

Follow proper cleaning procedures to clean a laptop.

CAUTION: Do not spray cleaning solution directly onto the LCD display. Use products specifically designed for cleaning LCD displays.Use a soft, lint-free cloth with an approved cleaning solution to

avoid damaging laptop surfaces. Apply the cleaning solution to the lint-free cloth, not directly to

the laptop.

Keyboard

Ventilation

LCD display

Touch pad

Floppy drive

Optical disk drive

CD or DVD disc

Optimal Operating Environments

Pack for transportClean properlyVentilateAir temperature Humidity

Troubleshooting

Determine if a repair is cost-effective.

The cost of the repair should be compared to the replacement cost minus the salvage value. 

Step 1 Gather data from the customer

Step 2 Verify the obvious issues

Step 3 Try quick solutions first

Step 4 Gather data from the computer

Step 5 Evaluate the problem and implement the solution

Step 6 Close with the customer

Troubleshooting Process

1. Gather Data from the Customer

Customer informationCompany name, contact name, address, phone number

Laptop informationManufacturer, model, OS, network environment, connection

type

Description of problemOpen-ended questions What was happening when you first experienced the

problem?Closed-ended questions Is the laptop currently using the battery as the power

source?

2. Verify the Obvious Issues

Examine the most obvious causes of a problem. Loose or improper connections

Check the Device Manager; remove and reinsert components

Power issuesCheck power LEDs and power source

Wireless network issuesCheck network LEDs, Network Connections and wireless

signal strength

Sound and audio issuesStylus issues

3. Try Quick Solutions First

A quick solution can save time and money.Reboot the computer.Verify BIOS settings.Remove or unplug unnecessary peripherals.Use the Last Known Good Configuration option.

4. Gather Data from the Computer

Data gathered from the laptop can be used to confirm the problem description given by the customer.

5. Evaluate Problem & Implement Solution

1. Evaluate the information gathered from the customer and from the laptop

2. Determine possible solutions

3. Implement the best solution

Previous experience of solving problems with computers

Other technicians

Internet search engines

News groups

Manufacturer FAQs

Computer manuals

Device manuals

Online forums and chat

Technical websites

6. Close with the Customer

Discuss with customer the solution implemented.Have customer verify problem is solved.Provide all paperwork to customer.Document steps of solution.Document components used in repair.Document time spent to resolve the problem.

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem Symptom Possible Solution

LCD laptop screen is not displaying anything

Disconnect any external monitors and use Fn key sequence to activate the LCD

Image on the LCD screen is too dim

Swap laptop to AC power and adjust brightness controls for the LCD

Image on the LCD screen contains a black border

Adjust display resolution setting

Chapter 6 Summary

Laptops and Portable Devices Description of portable devices Laptop componentsConfiguration proceduresPreventive maintenance techniques