It280-Final Project

Computer Maintenance and Training Manual 1
Computer Maintenance
& Training Manual
Jason Buening
NewAge Software Technologies
February 2010

Section 1: Safety
Environmental Concerns of
NewAge Software
Technologies
NewAge Software Technologies has
quickly become one of the fastest
growing computer product
companies in the world. While we
strive to become a leader of
producing high quality computer
products, we are also dedicated in
keeping the planet clean.
One of our company goals is
educating and emphasizing the
recycling of all our products to our
employees and customers while
helping to reduce the physical waste
and the exposure of hazardous
materials into the environment.
As of 2010, research has
concluded that computer and
electronic waste has become the
fastest growing item among North
American landfills. What makes this
trend even more alarming is that
some of computer components
contain chemicals that are harmful
once exposed into the environment.
Some of these chemicals include:
• Mercury
• Lead
• Cadmium
• Chromium
• Nickel
(Computer recycling guidance, 2007).
There are solutions to eliminating
computer waste and the exposure of
component chemicals. NewAge
Software Technologies has made a
commitment to help keep the planet
cleaner by endorsing the
GreenTech© foundation.
GreenTech© provides on-line
information regarding computer re-
use and recycle programs at their
website, www.us.greentech.org.
NewAge Software Technologies can
also be contacted for computer

disposal questions by telephone at 1-
555-877-3137. Our telephone
operators are available Mon-
Saturday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. to help
assist employees and customers in
finding solutions for unwanted
computer’s and components.
Power protection
Computers require certain amounts
of power in order to run safely and
efficiently. Items such as a surge
protector, power conditioner,
uninterruptable power supplies
(UPS), and the smart UPS can help
any user run his or her computer with
a lesser risk of power surges or
outages.
Surge protectors can protect a
computer against hazards such as
power spikes from lightning storms.
Many surge protectors come in the
form of power strips or wall mounted
units. When purchasing a surge
protector, look for the UL seal of
approval and a joules rating of more
than 600 joules.
A power conditioner can regulate
the power during brownout
conditions, as well as provide
protection in the event of a voltage
surges. This item can come in the
form of small desktop units for
convenient use of space in a user
environment. Uninterruptible power
supply (UPS) units can provide
backup power in the event of AC
failing completely. The UPS unit can
also benefit a user because it
conditions for both brownouts and
voltage spikes, and protects against
potentially damaging surges. The
UPS is simple to install, has an
On/Off switch, and requires no
maintenance! The smart UPS offers
another element that the regular
UPS cannot: user control by software
on the computer. The unit checks for
a weak battery; can notify and
prepare users and networks of a
shut-down; and allow for notification
to a facility manager if the power
goes down.
Dust, static, and heat
issues

Any computer user would benefit in
learning how to maintain and clean
his or her personal computer. Some
of the most overlooked hazards of a
computer can include dust, static,
and overheating.
Dust can roam inside of a computer
and build up to form a “sheet.” This
sheet of dust may not seem to be too
big of a problem, but in reality it can
block your computer’s air flow inside
of your tower or chassis, causing the
computer to overheat. Using a can of
compressed air can help blow dust
out of the internal computer
components. The author will cover
how to resolve dust issues in the
“maintenance and cleaning” section
later in this training manual.
Static can also wreak havoc on a
personal computer. Electrostatic
discharge (ESD) can contribute to
damage of your internal computer
components: touching a chip or card
on your motherboard can cause a
tiny static charge that can harm the
computer without you being aware of
it. To avoid ESD, the computer user
should purchase a ground bracelet
(also referred to as an antistatic strap
or ESD bracelet). Wearing this
device can eliminate the potential
static that a user may have when
working with internal computer
components. Other accessories such
as a ground mat or anti-static gloves
can also eliminate ESD issues that
may be lurking near the user.
Heat issues can occur for any
number of reasons. One reason can
be that the user has not cleaned or
protected his or her computer from
dust. Another factor can be if a
computer was assembled by
someone with lower computer
knowledge: the computer may not
have been built properly. A third
factor can be a computer case
without an appropriate amount of
cooling fans or enough space for air
to ventilate can begin to overheat.
Not having a compatible central
processing unit or power supply unit
can also cause a computer to
overheat: the computer may not be
able to support the power demands
of both units. Check your computer
and motherboard’s configuration
before installing new components to

ensure that there are enough cooling
units, enough space for air to flow,
and enough power to support each
component.
Downloading unauthorized
software
Whether at work or at home,
downloading software and updates
may become a daily occurrence for
many computer users. Users may
simply be looking to acquire a newer
word processing program, an anti-
virus upgrade, or perhaps a video
player like QuickTime or Media
Player. Unfortunately, there are risks
to downloading software, especially
when the owner or creator of the
software is unknown. Viruses and
malware may be inside of these
downloads, and can immediately
begin to wreak havoc on your
computer’s operations.
If a user downloads software from
the Internet, he or she must decide
whether or not the source is
legitimate: is the source an official
web site like Microsoft.com or
McAfee.com? Is the software
authorized or unauthorized? Can the
user perhaps go a safer route and
purchase the software from a
physical location? These are all
important questions that any user
must ask him or herself when
deciding to download software from
the World Wide Web.
The author recommends running an
anti-virus program on the computer
to block viruses and malware from
causing potential issues, but to also

proceed with caution when dealing
with on-line downloading.
Section 2: Maintenance
and cleaning
As the author mentioned previously
in the “Dust, static, and heat issues”
section, a computer user is
responsible for keeping his or her PC
in proper running condition. Static
can be prevented by using special
accessories like the grounding
bracelet and mat. Heat issues can be
solved by keeping proper air flow
constant for the computer’s internal
components. Dust can be removed
by using a can of compressed air on
components such as fan blades and
cooling units.
Tower or Case
Remove the screws that hold the
cover of your tower or case on.
Remove any dust inside of the
computer tower or case by using a
can of compressed air. Much of the
dust builds up around air vents:
spend quality time cleaning out these
areas.
You can also remove the plastic
cover of your central processing
unit (CPU). Use a smaller
screwdriver or snap-tabs to remove
this cover: take a small painter’s
brush or a toothbrush to remove dirt
and grime from the central
processing unit area. You can
remove the fan by either removing
screws or unlocking clips depending
on your CPU configuration. (Do not
remove the cooling unit; only remove
the fan for cleaning).
The power supply unit (PSU) can
be cleaned, but should not be
removed or opened: even an
unplugged PSU can produce electric
shock. To clean this unit, use a can
of compressed air to blow into the
fans of the PSU. The dirt and grime
should come out the back of the
tower or case. Use a vacuum to pick
up the dirt that has been removed.
Any other dust in the inside of the
tower or case should be removed by
using compressed air.

Monitor
If there is dust or smudges on the
monitor screen, you can use a micro
fiber or soft cotton cloth to remove it.
However, you should gently apply
pressure if attempting to clean
smudges off of the screen. If the soft
cloth is not removing the smudges,
you can use a half-and-half mixture
of isopropyl alcohol and water:
dampen the cloth with the mixture
and wipe the screen.
Keyboard
The keyboard may become one of
the dirtiest parts of a personal
computer: thankfully, it will be easy
to clean and maintain. To clean,
disconnect the keyboard and turn
upside down to shake debris loose. If
you have a can of compressed air
handy, you can use it to spray dust
and other particles out. You can also
use anti-bacterial wipes to eradicate
germs while safely cleaning the
grime off.
Mouse
The mouse can collect dirt and grime
just as much as the keyboard. Begin
the cleaning process of the mouse
by disconnecting it. Rotate the plastic
ring, and release the ball from inside
the mouse. You can also use
tweezers to remove hair and lint that
may be trapped inside the ball area.
You can also use compressed air to
remove dust and other particles
trapped inside. Applying rubbing
alcohol on q-tips to clean any grime
off can also clean the ball to make
the mouse operate more efficiently.

Section 3: Internal
hardware installation and
maintenance
Replacing a Motherboard:
When a user is looking to replace the
motherboard within a computer case,
he or she needs to have an
organized step-by-step process. The
user should have a few important
items such as a grounding device
(ex: a ground bracelet, a ground mat,
or anti-static gloves,) a screwdriver,
and a notebook to write down
specific details of the motherboard
set-up before disassembling. The
user should also back up all data
from the computer on external types
of storage (Ex: CD, Flash Drive) in
the possible event of losing it while
replacing the motherboard. Let’s
begin:
1. Carefully remove the screws
that hold the computer case
together. Place these screws
in a plastic bag to keep track
of them for later on in the
process.
2. Slide the cover forward and
remove from the computer
case. Make sure that the
cover slides off easily (it is
possible to overlook a screw
that can keep the cover from
removal.)
3. Disconnect the computer’s
power cable.
4. Ground yourself with a ground
device, or by simply touching
the metal chassis of the
computer.
5. Remove all video, sound, and
any other cards installed in
the motherboard’s expansion
slots by removing the screws
that secure them to the

chassis. After removing the
screws, the cards can be
removed by pulling them
straight up and out. The user
should place the cards in a
clean and static free area.
6. Remove all cables that
connect the motherboard to
the hard drive, the optical
drive, fans and any other
wired components of the
board. The user should take
note of which disconnected
cable/cord is for which item by
taking a photograph or simply
writing little notes for later
reference.
7. Remove the Pin connector of
the Power Supply Unit by
gently squeezing the
latch/lever that is one of the
sides. Then, carefully remove
the cords.
8. After all cords have been
disconnected between the
components and the
motherboard, the user should
then remove all drives (hard
drive, CD-DVD drive, etc)
from the motherboard.
At this point, we are ready to
make the switch or replacement of
the motherboard. Here are the steps
to making this transition a success:
9. Locate and remove the
screws that hold the
motherboard to the computer
case: there are usually
between 6 to 9 screws total.
10.Disengage the I/O panel from
the motherboard, and
carefully remove the board
from the case.
11.The user should then examine
to see if the old or the new I/O
panel (most new
motherboards come with a
new I/O panel) would be
compatible with the
motherboard and the
computer case. After
matching the motherboard
with the correct panel, the
user should then insert the I/O
panel into the computer case.
12.After inserting the I/O panel
inside of the computer case,
the user can then line up the
motherboard with the holes
that will be used for the

screws. The user can then
use the screws that were
removed earlier to secure the
motherboard in the case.
13.Unless the user is making
upgrades with new
motherboard components like
a more powerful video card,
he or she can begin to install
the different cards that were
removed from the old
motherboard.
Depending on the difficulty of
locating and installing components
onto the new motherboard, the user
can re-install the different drives and
cords by determining what will be
easier and more sequential to install
first. In some cases, the hard drive
will be easier to install first.
Sometimes, the user can go in
reverse of the directions given earlier
in this document for removing the old
motherboard. The user should also
use the manual that came with the
new motherboard so that he or she
can understand the configurations
and features.
Replacing the power supply
unit (PSU):
The power supply unit (PSU) is a
crucial component to supplying
enough electrical power to your
computers hardware. Sometimes, a
user may need to replace the unit for
a variety of reasons. Here is a list of
directions to un-install the old PSU
from your computer:
1. Turn off the power of your
computer
2. Disconnect all computer
external cables (especially the
power cable).
3. Use a flat-head screwdriver to
unscrew any screws that hold
the computer case together.
4. Place the case screws in a
safe place to avoid losing
them.
5. Once case is open,
disconnect any power cords
that connect the PSU (Power
Supply Unit) to other internal
computer case components
such as the hard drive, CD-
DVD player and motherboard.
6. If you need to remove the
motherboard in order to
replace the power supply unit,

refer back to this manual’s
section, “How to replace your
motherboard.”
7. Make sure to remove any
screws on the back of the
case that holds your power
supply unit in place. You may
need to use one hand to hold
the unit while unscrewing
some of the screws to avoid
dropping the PSU.
8. Carefully slide the old power
supply out of the computer
case.
You are now ready to proceed in
installing your new power supply
unit.
1. Carefully slide the new power
supply unit into the case.
2. Use one hand to hold the unit
in place while using the other
hand to screw the power
supply into the case.
3. Re-connect all of the internal
computer components, which
include items such as the hard
disc drive, the DVD-CD drive,
and the motherboard. You
may need to go in the exact
reverse order of how you
disconnected each
component.
4. Re-connect all of the power
cords that were disconnected
in the replacement of the old
power supply unit back to the
proper components and other
locations.
5. If there is a few power cords
left over that are not being
used and cannot be removed,
you may need to acquire
cable holders. You can fasten
the cords to an empty area
inside of the case where they
will not block your computers
inner airflow.
6. Turn on the computer to verify
that all components are
working. If the computer is
running properly, shut the
computer off before re-
installing the external cords
and the cover back on the
case.
7. Re-install the cover back onto
the case and all external
cords into their proper
location.

After all re-installing is accomplished;
turn your computer back on to insure
that it is running correctly.
Replacing the central
processing unit (CPU):
The central processing unit (CPU)
is one of the most important
components of a computer. Without
the CPU, data cannot be read and
sent throughout the PC’s
components. The overall
performance of a CPU also
determines how quickly data can be
processed for the computer user!
Here are a few important tips for a
computer user to follow in order to
un-install and install a processor on
the PC motherboard:
1. Refer to the motherboard’s
documentation to ensure that
the new CPU is compatible.
2. Unplug the computer case.
3. Ground yourself by always
touching the inside of the
chassis, or by having a
ground device bracelet.
4. Remove the case cover.
5. (Optional) If it is easier to
have space to work, the user
can un-install the
motherboard.
6. Flip the CPU lever up to open
the clamping mechanism or
socket cover.
7. Pull the CPU out from the
motherboard.
At this point, the user should find
a secure space to place the old CPU
unit. The user can then prepare to
install the new processor and cooling
unit:
1. Slowly align the new CPU with
the processor socket on the
motherboard (there may be
distinguishing notches that the
user can line up the new unit).
For some processors, the unit
may “click” into place.
2. (If applicable) Close socket
cover.
3. Return the lever to lock
position.
4. The packaging of the new
CPU and cooling system may
have a small tube of thermal
compound included: the user
should apply a small amount

of the compound on top of the
processor before installing the
cooling unit directly on it.
5. Fasten the new cooling unit
atop of the new processor.
Some of these devices will
click into place or use a lever
to lock down. Refer to the
cooling unit manual for further
instructions.
6. Connect the power cord from
the cooling unit to the
motherboard power connector
near the central processing
unit.
7. Turn on the computer to verify
that the CPU and cooling unit
are operating properly. (Note:
If they are not running
properly, the user may have to
go back inside of the case to
make sure the processor and
the cooling unit are installed
correctly).
Go into the PC set-up program in the
systems BIO’s to select the proper
clock frequency of the computer.
Refer to the computer and processor
manual to ensure compatibility.
Replacing computer memory:
Replacing and adding memory to a
computer is a process, but it will be
one of the easier tasks to accomplish
after learning how to replace a
motherboard, a central processing
unit, or a power supply unit. Before a
user installs new memory to his or
her computer, he or she should find
out how much RAM (Random
Access Memory) the computer
needs. The user can find out by
reading the computers manual or by
searching inside of the computers
set-up to verify requirements. After
acquiring new modules of memory,
the user can then begin the
replacement process (the author will
use DIMM memory for this example
since it is the most popular
standard):
1. Turn off the computers power
and unplug the power cord.
2. Remove the case of the
computer to have access to
motherboard.
3. Ground yourself with a static
bracelet or by touching the
inside of the chassis.

4. Remove the old memory
modules from the DIMM slots.
Accomplish this by pushing
down on the two clips of each
DIMM slot, carefully move the
modules in a rocking motion,
and lift the old memory
modules straight out of the
slots.
At this point, you will now be able
to insert the new memory
modules into the PC’s memory
slot(s):
5. Carefully put the new memory
modules into the lowest
numbered empty slots first.
Always make sure that the
new memory modules have
the same amount of memory.
Never mix two different
powered memory modules
together (ex: installing a 2 GB
module with a 4 GB module).
6. Distinguish the notches in the
middle or side of the memory
module in order to properly
position the new memory into
the open memory slot.
7. Slowly and carefully apply a
small amount of pressure
when pushing down on the
modules. They will snap into
place when the modules are
fully inserted properly.
8. Re-install the cover back onto
the computer case. Plug the
computer to a power source.
9. Restart the computer. The
user may have to tell the
CMOS setup the amount of
memory now present (this
may not be necessary for a
newer computer, but will
probably need to be done with
an older PC).
If the computer does not respond to
the new memory after following
these steps, the user may have to re-
open the case and make sure the
modules are installed properly: the
memory banks may not have been
secured by the user. If there are no
problems re-starting the computer,
then the user has successfully
replaced and upgraded his or her
PC!
Replacing the hard drive:
A hard drive for a computer is one

of the most critical devices within the
case. The hard drive is the
computer’s main storage device, as
the operating system instructions
and files are recorded on the drive’s
discs. The drive can also store
important files like pictures,
documents, and even videos to a
users personal computer! At some
point, a user may decide that he or
she needs to upgrade the hard drive
to gain higher retrieval time, or to
gain more available space for
memory. After acquiring a new hard
drive, the user should understand
how to replace the old drive properly.
Since a majority of the hard drives
being used presently are of the
SATA interface standard, the author
will use discuss the removal and
installation of SATA standard hard
drives. Here is the process for
making this transition successful:
1. Back up any data of the hard
drive onto a secondary source
of memory: the user risks
losing important data that
cannot be replaced if the
procedure is done wrong!
2. Test the back up to make sure
it is functioning properly.
3. Unplug the computer from the
electrical outlet.
4. Ground yourself with a static
bracelet or by using one free
hand to touch the inside of the
computer chassis.
5. Remove the cover of the
computer case and locate the
hard drive.
6. If the hard drive is connected
directly to the case, remove
the screws on each side of the
hard drive and slide the
device out from the
motherboard. If the drive is
located in a fixture, remove
the screws that hold the
fixture in place. Once the
fixture is free for removal, take
off any screws on each side of
the hard drive in order to
remove it from the fixture.
At this point, the user can then
begin to install the new hard drive
onto the motherboard.
1. Make sure that the new SATA
hard drive can be supported
by the computer (this

information can be found in
the computer’s manual or
documentation). If not
supported, you may need to
change a jumper setting on
the drive (refer to the hard
drive manual for detailed
instructions, this should not be
an issue for any Serial ATA
hard drives).
2. Slide the new hard drive into
where the old one came out.
Go in reverse order of how the
old hard drive was removed to
install the new one. (If the new
drive is a 3.5 inch drive and
the bay is 5.25 inches, you
may need to add a mounting
bracket to make it fit. Install
the screws on the bracket,
and tighten them to set the
drive in place).
3. Connect the SATA cable from
the new drive to the
motherboard, and re-connect
the power cable to the hard
drive.
4. Put the cover back on the
computer case. Re-plug the
system in and turn the
computer on.
5. Look for the information of the
new hard drive on your
computer monitor in the BIOS
screen. If the new hard drive
is not recognized, make sure
that the power and data
cables are plugged in
securely. If troubles still arise,
re-check the inside of the
computer case to make sure
that the drive is installed
properly on the motherboard.
Once the drive has been detected
and there are no pending issues, the
user can then reboot the system and
install the PC’s operating system.

Section 4: Basic principles
for supporting I/O devices:
The input and output devices of a
computer are usually afterthoughts
when comparing them to
motherboard components, but they
are just as vital to a PC. Without
these devices, instructions from a
user or software would not travel
between the computer and the user’s
eye. A mouse, keyboard, and
microphone are three device
examples that can be classified as
input. Output devices can include
items such as the computer monitor
and printer. Another important
device is a modem, which is unique
because it handles both input and
output (it receives and sends data
during internet transmission). The
author will now discuss the
installation of a USB device, a
modem, and a keyboard in three
separate sections:
Installing a USB device
Many different input and output (I/O)
devices use the USB standard for
installation in a PC. They can include
I/O devices such as printers, hard
drives, mice, keyboards, and even
digital cameras. These instructions
will describe how to connect such a
device:
1. Read the device’s
documentation to ensure that
connection steps are
conducted properly. Then,
connect the USB driver of the
I/O device into the USB port of
the PC. Windows will launch a
large text box on the computer
screen that is entitled, “Found

New Hardware Wizard.”
2. NOTE: If no notifications show
up on the computer screen
after inserting the USB device
into the PC, you may have to
run the setup CD or floppy
disk that came with the USB
product.
3. After the PC recognizes the
USB device, go to “Device
Manager” to make sure that
the computer has identified
and can use the introduced
product. Decide on which path
you want to use for the new
device by clicking one of the
locations in the text box.
Windows will locate the
drivers and complete the
installation.
4. If there are no problems with
your computer and USB
device working together, you
can now use the new product
as desired.
Installing a Modem
The modem card is a device that is
located inside of a computer’s case,
and is responsible for detecting the
Internet signal from your Internet
Service Provider (ISP). Some of
these cards need wired connection,
while many are wireless. The
following instructions will provide the
user insight into how to install one
into his or her PC:
1. Always read the modem card
instructions and
documentation before
installing into your PC. Not all
modem cards are the same,
and missing important details
could cause re-percussions
for installation and proper
operation.
2. Ground yourself from possible
electrostatic discharge by
wearing a ground bracelet and
using a grounding mat if
possible.
3. Shut off the computer, un-plug
it, and open up the case by
removing the cover.
4. Locate which expansion slot
you plan to use to install the
modem card, and carefully
remove the faceplate (some
users refer to this piece as a
“blank”).
5. Insert the card straight into the
slot, without rocking it (this

can cause widening of the
slot, which will harm the
effectiveness of the device).
6. Secure the card with the one
screw that holds the item to
the computer case.
7. (Optional: you can keep the
cover off the case until after
testing the modem card to see
if it is installed and running
properly).
8. Re-install the case cover.
Turn the computer back on.
After re-starting the computer, the
PC operating system should
recognize the new modem card (if
not, you may have to re-open the
case and make sure that the card is
inserted properly: if it is, you may
need to use one of the other
expansion slots available). The user
should then utilize the application
software that came with the modem
card by inserting it into the PC. The
instructions should be fairly simple to
follow for the user to make sure the
modem card is running properly and
that the PC will recognize it.
Installing a keyboard
A keyboard is an essential
component for computer users.
Keyboards can connect with a
computer in four different methods;
DIN, PS/2, USB port, and wireless
connection. Since the PS/2 is
currently the most popular keyboard
used, we will focus on how to install
a PS/2 keyboard:
1. Locate the PS/2 port on your
computer. Most computers
have this port located in the
I/O panel in the rear of the
case. If the computer has a
tower, then the PS/2 port is
located on the top of the I/O
panel (Denton, 2008). NOTE:
some computer
manufacturers use color
codes or icons to identify the
keyboard and mouse port: the
purple port is specifically for
the keyboard.
2. Turn off your computer.
Remove the old keyboard
from the port.
3. Plug in your new keyboard
into the PS/2 port. The
keyboard’s PS/2 connector
has 6 pins, so you may need
to carefully line up the

connector to the port.
Otherwise, the connector
should slide right in.
4. Turn your computer back on.
If included, run any software
that came with the keyboard
to fully utilize the keyboards
capabilities.
Section 5: Multimedia and
mass storage devices:
This is the fifth and final section of
the NewAge Software Technologies
Maintenance and Training Manual.
Multimedia and mass storage
devices have helped improve the
capabilities of a personal computer.
Items such as sound and video
cards, CD/DVD players, and external
types of memory like flash drives
have given computer users
increased incentives like never
before. The author will discuss how
to install two important multimedia
and mass storage items that allow
computers to thrive: a video card and
CD/DVD drive.
Replacing a video card
A video card is an essential item for
a computer because it is responsible
for sending and receiving data that
ultimately becomes video on your
computer. Some video cards are
“integrated” on a computer, meaning
that they are permanently installed.
However, not all motherboards of
computers have an integrated video
card. This section will instruct a user
of how to properly install a video card
on his or her computer (NOTE:
Although PCI Express x16 video
cards may eventually replace AGP,
many computers still use the AGP
video card. Due to wide array of AGP
video cards still in use; we will
discuss how to install an AGP card):
1. Unplug the computer. Ground
yourself with bracelet or by
using one hand to touch
inside of chassis after
removing the case cover.
2. Remove any clamp or
mechanism that keeps the
video card in place. On many
computer motherboards, there
may be a locking mechanism
that keeps the AGP video

card held firmly in the AGP
slot. Slide the mechanism
over to make the slot open to
insert the AGP video card.
3. After inserting the card into
the slot, slide the retention
mechanism back into place so
that the video card is firmly
secured in place.
4. Use a single screw to properly
secure the card to the
computer’s case.
5. Make sure that the card looks
like it is in place (make sure
that it does not appear
lopsided or uneven. Some
computer cases do not secure
the card as well as others).
6. Re-install the case cover. Plug
the video cable in. Turn the
PC back on.
7. After starting up the operating
system to the computer, the
PC should launch a
notification regarding the new
video card (for Windows
users, this will appear as the
“Found New Hardware
Wizard”).
8. Follow the notification’s
instructions, and utilize any
software provided by the new
video card to make sure the
new card will be running at full
capacity. As a user, you will
discover that this process will
be one of the easiest
installation procedures to
accomplish!
Replacing a CD/DVD drive
CD/DVD ROM drives have become
one of the most necessary hardware
components of a computer. In the
past, computers relied on floppy disk
drives for external mass storage.
Today, many personal computers
have standard CD/DVD ROM drives
built internally inside so that a user
can listen to CD’s, watch DVD’s, or
to record pictures, files, and other
types of important data. This section
will explain how to replace and install
a CD/DVD ROM drive into a
personal computer:
1. Turn off the computer and
unplug the power cord.
2. Wear a grounding bracelet to
avoid electric shock. Remove
the computer case cover.
3. Locate your CD/DVD drive.
Remove any cords or

connectors from the drive to
any components of your
computer. Depending on the
type of computer you have,
you may have to unlock a clip
that transmits sound from the
sound card to your CD/DVD
drive. (If necessary, write
down and keep track of all of
the cords/connectors you
disable when disconnecting
your old drive: you need to re-
connect these when installing
your new drive).
4. For newer computer models:
Squeeze the two clips on
each side of the drive bay in
order to release them. Then,
pull them forward. For older
computer models: Remove
the screws that hold in your
CD/DVD drive and keep them
in a safe location.
5. Check the settings on the
back of your old drive to
determine what settings are
being used (Slave, Master or
Master Only).
6. Remove the old drive from
computer case.
At this point you should know
where each cord/connector goes,
what setting needs to be used for the
new drive, and how to lock the new
drive in place. Let’s install the new
CD/DVD drive.
1. Slide the new CD/DVD drive
into the bay of the computer
case. To determine if it is in
fully, align the front of the
drive with the paneling of the
computer case.
2. For newer computer models:
Secure the clips back into
position. For older computer
models: Use the screws that
were removed from the old
drive to secure the new one
into place.
3. Re-connect the
cords/connectors to the
appropriate places. If you had
a clip that secures sound to
the drive from the sound card,
then re-attach it.
4. Before re-applying the cover
back to your computer case,
make sure that you have set
the new drive to the
appropriate setting (Slave,
Master, or Master Only), that
all cords/connectors are

installed, and that the new
drive is secure in the bay.
5. Secure the cover back on the
computer case. Plug the main
power cord back in to your
outlet. Turn the computer
back on.
(For Windows users): Run the
“Found New Hardware Wizard” on
your computer so that it recognizes
the new drive. You should then be
able to run your computer and your
new CD/DVD drive!
References
Denton, C. (2010). How to install a
keyboard. Retrieved March 25, 2010
from http://
www.smartcomputing.com.

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