A Guide to Hardware, 4e

1
A Guide to Hardware, 4e

• Chapter 11
• Notebooks, Tablet PCs, and PDAs

2
Objectives

• Learn how to select, support, and add peripheral
  devices to notebooks
• Learn how to replace and upgrade internal
  notebook components
• Learn how to troubleshoot notebooks
• Learn about technologies relating to tablet PCs
• Learn about personal digital assistants (PDAs)

3
Supporting Notebooks

• Notebook (laptop) a portable computer
• Comparing notebooks to full-sized computers
• Same internal technology, but built as a single
  system
• Notebooks are smaller and portable
• Notebooks use less power
• Topics to cover
• Selecting and purchasing a notebook
• Special considerations for servicing notebooks
• Caring for notebooks
• Connecting peripheral equipment to notebooks

4
Tips for Buying a Notebook

• Consider a notebook if portability is important
• Desktops are faster, cheaper, and easier to
  upgrade
• Do not buy extra features unless they are needed
• Extra features are costly and add to notebook
  weight
• Purchase an extended warranty
• Select a well regarded brand
• Some guidelines for notebook components
• Choose an active matrix LCD panel (over dual
  scan)
• Buy as much memory as you plan to use later
• The best type of battery to buy is a lithium
  battery

5
Special Considerations When Servicing Notebooks

• Warranty concerns
• Be careful not to void the warranty
• Information needed before contacting technical
  support
• Notebook model and serial number
• Name, phone number, and address of the purchaser
• Service manuals and other sources of information
• Enable you to safely disassemble a notebook
• Where to find the necessary documentation
• Physical manual provided by the manufacturer
• On the Internet e.g., the manufacturers Web site

6
Special Considerations When Servicing Notebooks
(continued)

• Diagnostic tools provided by manufacturers
• Used to pinpoint a problem component
• Sources setup CD or manufacturers Web site
• Example PC-Doctor
• The OEM operating system build
• Notebooks are sold with the OS preinstalled
• OEM original equipment manufacturer
• OS build customized operating system build
• Diagnostic software is customized to the
  notebook

7
Special Considerations When Servicing Notebooks
(continued)

• Windows notebook features
• Channel aggregation allows two modem connections
• Power management features
• Support for PC cards
• Windows 9x/Me Briefcase
• Windows 2000/XP Offline Files and Folders
• Folder redirection under Windows 2000/XP
• Hardware profiles under Windows 2000/XP
• Sources for backup OS recovery CD or partition

8
Figure 11-6 This notebook hard drive has a
recovery partition that can be used to recover
the system
9
Caring for Notebooks

• Securing a notebook
• When leaving work, lock notebook in a secure
  place
• Use a notebook cable lock to secure it to your
  desk
• Use a theft-prevention plate (with an identifying
  label)
• Types of passwords
• Supervisor, user (power-on), and hard drive
• Check CMOS setup to see if passwords are
  supported
• Data backups
• Always back up critical data
• Use an online backup service (good when
  traveling)

10
Caring for Notebooks (Continued)

• Two power sources AC adapter and DC adapter
• Types of batteries
• Ni-Cad (nickel-cadmium)
• NiMH (nickel-metal-hydride)
• Lithium Ion
• Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) experimental
• A few tips for managing power
• Check the manual for battery recharging
  instructions
• Use power-management features of your OS
• Use standby or hibernate mode when notebook is
  idle

11
Caring for Notebooks (Continued)

• Power Options Properties dialog box
• Used to modify multiple power management schemes
• Example cause notebook to hibernate after set
  time
• The battery meter can be added to the taskbar
• Port replicator interface to AC outlet and
  peripherals
• Docking station port replicator secondary
  storage
• Hardware profiles
• Enable you to store various hardware
  configurations
• Example set up one profile to use a docking
  station

12
Figure 11-13 The Power Options Properties dialog
box of Windows 2000/XP allows you to create and
manage multiple power schemes
13
Figure 11-20 Ports on the back of a notebook
14
Figure 11-22 Many peripheral devices are added to
a notebook using a PC Card slot here, a modem PC
Card is inserted in a PC Card slot
15
Connecting Peripheral Devices to Notebooks
(continued)

• PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
  International Association)
• Develops standards for PC card slots
• PCMCIA standards related to size Type I to Type
  III
• PC cards may also provide proprietary
  ports/adapters
• PC card slot technologies 16-bit ISA and 32-bit
  PCI
• Two new PCMCIA standards
• CardBus increases bus width to 32 bits
• ExpressCard matches PCI Express and USB 2.0

16
Figure 11-27 Dimensions of CardBus and
ExpressCard cards
17
Connecting Peripheral Devices to Notebooks
(continued)

• WiFi review
• Two connection modes ad hoc and via access point
• Change wireless settings in Network Connections
• To make a connection, turn on wireless switch
• You can choose from a list of wireless networks
• Bluetooth review
• Used for short-range wireless e.g., optical
  mouse
• Some special considerations for Bluetooth
• Read documentation for configuration guidelines
• If device does not function, reinstall the device
  driver

18
Replacing and Upgrading Internal Parts

• Three common maintenance tasks
• Upgrading memory
• Exchanging a hard drive
• Replacing a broken component e.g., the LCD panel

19
Upgrading Memory

• General considerations
• Add memory to improve performance
• Additional memory needed for video-editing
  software
• Types of video memory dedicated and shared
• Types of memory modules used in notebooks
• SO-DIMMs (small outline DIMMs)
• SO-RIMMs (small outline RIMMs)
• Credit card memory
• Proprietary memory modules
• MicroDIMMs

20
Upgrading Memory (continued)

• Preparing for the upgrade
• Make sure you are not voiding your warranty
• Search for best buy on a suitable and authorized
  part
• Upgrade process is similar to that for desktops
• General instructions for accessing memory
• Turn the notebook upside down
• Remove the screws and the panel cover
• Locate the memory modules in expansion slots
• Advice check user guide for specific instructions

21
Replacing a Hard Drive

• General guidelines
• Check with OEM for drive sizes and connector
  types
• Be aware or voiding manufacturers warranty
• A notebook drive is 2.5 inches wide
• Other issues
• If old drive crashed, obtain recovery and driver
  CDs
• When moving data, you may need USB-IDE converter
• General instructions for replacing the hard drive
• Open the case, pull old drive out of bay, and
  replace
• Boot the system from a recovery CD (if drive is
  new)

22
Figure 11-59 Remove the top LCD cover by first
removing hinge screws and disconnecting the
hinges then lift off the cover
23
Replacing a Mini PCI Card

• Mini PCI specifications
• Define the form factor for notebook expansion
  cards
• Three types Type I, II, and III (differ by
  connectors)
• Steps for removing a Mini PCI wireless network
  card
• Remove the hinged cover and the keyboard
• Disconnect the cable to the wireless antenna
• Pull outward on the securing tabs
• After the card pops, lift it out of the cavity
• Replacing the Mini PCI wireless network card
• Insert card, reconnect antenna, add keyboard and
  cover

24
Other Field Replaceable Units

• A number of field replaceable units (FRUs)
• The motherboard and CPU
• The keyboard
• The PC Card socket assembly
• The optical drive (CD or DVD drive)
• The floppy drive
• A sound card
• A pointing device
• AC adapter, the battery pack and the DC
  controller
• OEM must approve or make replacement parts

25
Troubleshooting Notebooks

• Software and hardware problems are covered
• Actions that apply to all computer
  troubleshooting
• Interview the user
• Back up any important data
• Document each step

26
Problems with Video

• Causes
• Display settings
• The power system
• A faulty LCD panel or inverter board
• Table 11-4 shows troubleshooting tips
• Advice for replacing the LCD panel or inverter
  board
• Purchase the same LCD assembly originally
  installed

27
A Notebook Gets Wet

• Steps to take when a notebook gets wet
• Turn off the electricity at the circuit breaker
• Turn off the computer and disconnect the AC
  adapter
• Turn off any attached devices
• Ground yourself by touching a metal unpainted
  part
• Remove any PC Cards or removable drives
• Remove the battery pack, memory, and hard drive
• Open the notebook and elevate it on two books
• Allow notebook to dry for 24 hours

28
Figure 11-67 Use an IDE adapter kit to install a
notebook hard drive into a desktop system
29
More Errors and What to do About Them

• Other sources for notebook troubleshooting tips
• Table 11-5
• Troubleshooting tips for desktop computers
• Web site of the notebook manufacturer
• The notebook service manual
• Other Internet sites (using general search)

30
Surveying Tablet PCs

• Tablet PC small notebook with special features
• Forms of tablet PC
• A convertible tablet PC
• A slate model tablet PC
• A tablet PC with a docking station
• Some features
• Onscreen writing ability for notes and drawings
• Voice- and handwriting-recognition software
• Built-in support for wireless, wired, dial-up
  networking
• Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system

31
Surveying PDAs

• PDAs (personal digital assistants)
• Sometimes called personal PCs or handheld PCs
• Used for smaller tasks, such as scheduling
• Examples Palm Pilot, Pocket PC, or BlackBerry
• PDAs connect to desktop using Bluetooth or USB
• A few features GPS receiver, fold-out keyboard
• A few questions to ask before purchase?
• How easy is the PDA to use?
• What operating system does the PDA use?
• What is the price of the PDA?

32
Battery Life on a PDA

• Battery life on a PDA varies by model
• Some PDAs use rechargeable batteries
• Data is lost if battery completely discharges
• Good habit set PDA in its cradle when not in use

33
Applications on a PDA

• Some tasks performed
• Store addresses and phone numbers
• Manage a calendar
• Run word-processing software
• Send and receive e-mail
• Access Web sites
• Provide telecommunication
• Applications may be preinstalled or downloaded
• Web content read by PDA is limited

34
Connecting a PDA to a PC

• Use cradle with cable or Bluetooth wireless
• Synchronization process by which PDA and PC talk
• Setting up communication
• Install synchronization software
• Connect the PDA
• PDA and PC will immediately synchronize
• A few troubleshooting tips
• Ensure USB or serial cable is plugged in at both
  ends
• Ensure USB or serial port is enabled in CMOS
  setup
• Uninstall and reinstall the PDA software on the PC

35
PDA Manufacturers and Operating Systems

• List of operating systems used on PDAs
• Windows Mobile
• BlackBerry
• Palm OS
• Symbian OS
• Some manufacturers
• Casio
• Compaq
• Hewlett-Packard
• Palm (was PalmOne)