Lesson2: Use of Tools in PC Hardware Servicing
To complete hardware repairs, it is important to have a toolkit that should contain
all of the necessary tools. As you gain experience, you will learn which tools to have
available for different types of jobs. Hardware tools are grouped into these four categories:
• Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) tools
• Hand tools
• Cleaning tools Diagnostic tools
Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) Tools
Static electricity is easily generated by friction on carpets, tile flooring, clothing,
hair, fabric, and etc. The friction of moving air alone will charge suspended particles and
cause the buildup of static electrical charges on people and objects in the environment.
Grounded antistatic work mats used with antistatic wrist straps provide the most basic
means for the controlled discharge of electrostatic electricity.
Examples of ESD Tools:
Anti-static wrist strap – Used to prevent ESD damage
to computer equipment.
Figure 29. Anti- static wrist strap
Anti-static mat – Used to stand on or place hardware on to
prevent static electricity from building up.
Figure 30. Anti- static mat
Hand Tools
A hand tool is a device for performing work on a material or a physical system
using only hands. Hand tools can be used manually or electrically powered, using
electrical current. Examples of Hand Tools are as follows:
Table 3. Hand Tools
Tool Description
Flat Head Screwdriver – Used to loosen or tighten slotted screws.
Philips Head Screwdriver – Used to loosen or tighten cross-head
screws.
Torx Screwdriver - Used to loosen or tighten screws that have a
star-like depression on the top, a feature that is mainly found on
laptop.
Hex Driver – Sometimes called a nut driver, is used to tighten nuts
in the same way that a screwdriver tightens screws.
Needle-Nose Pliers – Used to hold small parts.
Tool Description
Wire Cutter – Used to strip and cut wires.
Tweezers – Used to manipulate small parts.
Part Retriever – Used to retrieve parts from location that is too small
for your hand to fit.
Flashlight – Used to light up areas that you cannot see well.
Cleaning Tools
Having the appropriate cleaning tools is essential when maintaining or repairing
computers. Using these tools ensures that computer components are not damaged during
cleaning. Examples:
Table 4. Cleaning Tools
Tools Description
Lint-free Cloth – Used to clean different computer components
without scratching or leaving debris.
Tools Description
Compressed Air – Used to blow away dust and debris from different
computer parts without touching the
components.
Cable Ties – Used to bundle cables neatly inside and outside of a
computer.
Parts Organizer – Used to hold screw, jumpers, fasteners and other
small parts and prevents them from getting
mixed together.
Diagnostic Tools
Computers are easier to use and more dependable with each new generation of
hardware and operating system update, but that does not mean they are problem-free.
Here are the most popular tools for diagnosing your computer problems:
Table 5. Diagnostic tools
Tools Description
Multimeter – Used to test the integrity of circuits and the quality of
electricity in computer components.
Loopback Adapter – Used to test the functionality of computer
ports.
Proper Use of ESD Tools
Proper Use of Antistatic Wrist Strap
1. Connect the cable to the metal chassis of the computer.
2. Wrap the strap around your wrist.
3. The connection will keep your body at the same voltage
(potential) as the computer.
4. Attach the wire on the same side of the equipment as
the arm wearing the antistatic wrist strap to keep the
wire out of the way while you are working.
Figure 31. Proper Use of Anti- static wrist strap
CAUTION: Never wear an antistatic wrist strap if you are repairing a monitor or CRT.
Proper Use of Antistatic Mat 1.
Lay the computer on the mat.
2. Connect the computer to the mat
with the cable.
3. Connect the mat to a reliable
electrical ground with its cable.
4. Now, you and the computer are at
ground potential.
Figure 32 . Proper Use of Anti- static mat
Proper Use of Hand Tools
1. Use the proper type and size of screwdriver by matching it to the screw.
2. Do not over tighten screws because the threads may become stripped.
CAUTION: If excessive force is needed to remove or add a component, something may
be wrong.
CAUTION: Magnetized tools should not be used around electronic devices. CAUTION:
Pencils should not be used inside the computer because the pencil lead can act as a
conductor and may damage the computer components.
Proper Use of Cleaning Materials
To clean computers and accessories:
1. Use mild cleaning solution and lint-free cloth to clean computer cases, outside of
monitor, LCD screen, CRT screen and mouse.
2. Use compressed air to clean heat sinks.
3. Use Isopropyl alcohol and lint-free swabs to clean RAM.
4. Use hand-held vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to clean a keyboard.
CAUTION: Before cleaning any device,
turn it off and unplug the
device from the power source.
