How to take apart a compact computer

How to take apart a compact computer

By: Lucas BerryPaul Bundus

Cory PetersonHolly Easter

Chad Broderick Charlie Nicholson

Trevor Ratley

Removing The Top Cover.To remove the top cover push the two buttons in on both sides then push outward to slide off the cover.

After housing is removedTo get to the motherboard from here you have to remove the top right corner piece . Then lift up the power supply. Then lift up the whole left side.

Motherboard Exposed

DIMMThe DIMM is in the memory socket to remove DIMM press the two levers down. Then you want to pull the DIMM out. The DIMM holds RAM memory and stands for Dual Inline Memory Module. The memory socket is the thing that holds the DIMM and allows you to add more DIMM.

PCI SocketThe PCI socket is used to add hardware expansions (extra memory) and it is on the right corner piece that was removed in the computer.

Heat SinkTo remove the heat sink first you remove the cord that is attached to the heat sink. Then you lift up the lever behind the heat sink and you lift the heat sink off. Then you should see the CPU. The heat sink is keeps the mother board and processor from over heating.

How to Remove the processor First remove the heat sink of the CPU socket the there is a green latch on the side of the socket pull that up then lift the processor out of the socket. the processor is the brain of the computer it tells how to do things. The CPU socket holds the CPU in place.

Capacitor

The capacitor holds charges and works with the transistors to send currents through the motherboard. We found these capacitors in several different areas on the motherboard.

Cooling Fan

The cooling fan keeps the computer from overheating. We found this cooling fan right attached to the power supply.

CPU Socket

The CPU Socket basically holds the Central Processing Unit in place. We found this CPU Socket under the CPU which is under the heat sink which is under the hard drive.

Mouse and Keyboard Port

The Mouse and Keyboard Ports connect the mouse and the keyboard to the computer. We found the mouse and keyboard port on the back of the motherboard on the outside of the computer.

CD Drive

The CD drive reads CDs and DVDs. We Found the CD drive on top of the floppy drive and next to the hard drive. To get the CD drive out of the computer you just have to pull it out of its socket.

Hard DriveThe hard drive is permit storage for the computer. We found it right next to the CD and floppy drives on the inside of the computer. It was one of the flaps you lifted up to see the full motherboard.

USB Port

The Universal Serial Bus port connects universal serial busses or other peripheral components to the motherboard. We found this on the back of the computer near the mouse and keyboard port.

Backup BatteryThe backup battery is used for when the main power source goes out on the motherboard. It is then used to power the mother board. It is found somewhere on the mother board and we didn’t remove it.

Audio portsUsed for an input/output path on audio devices found in the back of the computer and it is not removable

Power socketConnects the power supply to the motherboard. Found right under the power supply . Cannot be removed.

skuzzy

Skuzzy cables attach peripheral devices to the computer. Found connecting the CD and Floppy drives and the hard drives to the computer to remove them just pull them out of the slots they are in.

transistorsTransistors open and close circuits in the computer. They are found throughout the motherboard. The have a little plastic case on them remove that to see the full view of a resistor.

LAN/ Ethernet portEthernet ports allow you to connect to the internet. Found in the back of the computer. Not removable.

Floppy drive

The floppy drive allows you to put floppy disks in your computer to be read. Found under the CD drive. It is not removeable.

ChipsetsChipsets look like mini CPU’s. they are specialized chips on the motherboard. Also called south bridge and north bridge. North bridge is bigger than the south bridge. Not removable.

Onboard controllersOnboard controllers allows you to control devices not directly apart of the computer.

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