© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 1
Chapter 13: Advanced Laptops and Portable Devices
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.0
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 2
Purpose of this Presentation
List of chapter objectives
Overview of the chapter contents, including
student worksheets
student activities
some potential student misconceptions
Reflection/Activities for instructors to complete to prepare to teach
Additional resources
To provide to instructors an overview of Chapter 13:
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 3
Chapter 13 Objectives
13.1 Describe wireless communication methods for laptops and portable devices
13.2 Describe repairs for laptops and portable devices
13.3 Select laptop components
13.4 Describe preventive maintenance procedures for laptops
13.5 Describe how to troubleshoot a laptop
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Chapter 13 Worksheets and Activity
13.1.5 Activity: Wireless Technologies
13.2 Worksheet: Investigating Repair Centers
13.3.1 Worksheet: Laptop Batteries
13.3.2 Worksheet: Docking Station
13.3.3 Worksheet: DVD Drive Research
13.3.4 Worksheet: Laptop RAM
13.5.3 Worksheet: Verify Work Order Information
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 5
Introduction With the increase in demand for mobility, the popularity
of laptops and portable devices will continue to grow.
A technician should be able to configure, optimize, and troubleshoot laptops, portable devices, docking stations and accessories.
Some laptop manufacturers require technicians complete specialized certification training to perform laptop repairs.
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 6
Wireless Communication Methods
13.1 Describe wireless communication methods for laptops and portable devices
Bluetooth
Infrared
Cellular WANs
Wi-Fi
Satellite
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Bluetooth Technology A short-range wireless technology designed to
eliminate the need for cables between portable or fixed-configuration devices.
Operates at 2.4 to 2.485 GHz in the unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band.
Low power, low cost, and small size.
Uses adaptive frequency hopping.
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Infrared (IR) Technology A short-range, low-throughput wireless technology used
as a data transmission medium.
Infrared light signals operate in the lowest light frequency, typically between 100GHz to 1000THz.
Distances are limited to a few feet or meters.
IR cannot penetrate any object that blocks the light signal.
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 9
Cellular WAN Technology Cellular WAN connections are powerful, 2-way wireless
networks that have been around since the late 1970s.
Cellular networks operate in one of two ranges:
Approximately 800 MHz
Approximately 1900 MHz
Three generations of cellular WAN include voice-only analog, digital, and high-speed data and voice.
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 10
Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Technology Wi-Fi is a wireless technology that provides a simple
connection from anywhere within the range of a base station.
Connection distances of 300 feet (91 meters) or more, depending on the environment.
Ease of access makes Wi-Fi a simple solution for network connectivity.
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 11
Satellite Technology
Satellite networks are faster than dial-up connections but slower than Cable and DSL connections.
Satellite service is ideal for the rural or remote Internet users.
Downloading files is faster than uploading files.
Adverse weather conditions can interfere with satellite reception.
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Wireless Technologies
Purpose Devices Range Frequency Limitation
BluetoothRadio-frequency creating a WPAN
connecting portable devices
Laptop, printer, camera, PDA, cell
phone, smartphone, hands-free headset
Low-power, short range; 1 to 100 meters (3 to 330 feet)
2.4 to 2.485 GHz
Device must be Bluetooth
compatible.
Infrared (IR)
Light waves used as a data transmission
medium
projector, PDA, printer, remote
control, wireless mouse, wireless
keyboard
low-power, short range (1
meter); low through-put
100 GHz to 1000 THz
Susceptible to interference and dilution
Cellular WAN
Cellular signal creating a WWAN
Laptop, cell phone, PDA, smartphone
Within several miles of
cellular tower
850 to 1900 MHz
Only where cell signal reaches
Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
Radio-frequency creating high-speed
WLAN
Laptop, printer, and other network
devices
33 to 100 meters (100 to
300 feet)
2.4 GHz or 5.0 GHz
The 2.4 GHz range is
unregulated and heavily
used.
SatelliteHigh-speed Internet access; ideal when no other broadband
access available
Laptop, GPS devices,
smartphoneTo the satellite
Up to 5,000 channels per
satellite
Slower than DSL/Cable;
higher setup costs
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Repairing Laptops and Portable Devices
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Selecting Replacement Components
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Selecting Batteries
The signs may not always be apparent, but some are obvious:
Laptop shuts off immediately when AC power is removed
Battery is leaking
Battery overheats
Battery does not hold a charge
How do you know when you need a new laptop battery?
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Select a Docking Station/Port Replicator Increase the number of ports available to a laptop.
Convenient to connect the laptop to office network and peripherals.
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Select Storage Devices
External USB hard drive
Firewire hard drive
DVD/CD burner
Storage devices are CRUs, unless a warranty requires technical assistance.
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 18
Select Additional RAMAdditional RAM speeds up the process by decreasing the number of times the OS reads and writes data to the hard drive swap file.
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Laptop Preventive Maintenance Preventive maintenance should be scheduled at regular
intervals to keep laptops running properly. Because laptops are portable, they are more likely to be exposed to harmful materials and situations than desktop computers.
Clean the laptop
Perform hard drive maintenance
Disk Cleanup
Disk Defragmenter
Update software
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Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter
Windows XP has two programs that help clean up the hard drive:
Disk Cleanup
Disk Defragmenter
The computer can slow down if the operating system is searching through fragmented files.
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File Management and Version ControlWhen moving files from a laptop to a desktop computer, be careful that data copied from one computer does not inadvertently overwrite data on the other computer.
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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
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1. Gather Data from the Customer
Customer information
Company name, contact name, address, phone number
Laptop information
Manufacturer, model, OS, network environment, connection type
Description of problem
In the scenario outlined in the student course content, the laptop will not boot.
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2. Verify the Obvious Issues
Examine the most obvious causes of a problem.
Is the laptop plugged in with the AC adapter?
Is the battery secure?
Is the power switch turned on?
Have there been any power outages?
Have any cables been unplugged?
Are the cables or connectors damaged?
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3. Try Quick Solutions First
A quick solution can save time and money.
Replace the AC power adapter with a known good AC power adapter.
Remove and reinsert the battery, making sure that it is secure and locked in place.
Replace battery with a known good battery.
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4. Gather Data from the Computer
After connecting the AC adapter to a power outlet and the laptop still does not boot,
Remove the battery and start the laptop with just the AC adapter connected to a power outlet.
Check the connections inside the laptop case:
Reseat the memory module.
Remove the hard drive and then reinstall it.
Remove any optical drives, such as the CD or DVD drive.
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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
Note: Try each solution one at a time. If a solution is tried and the problem is not fixed, then the technician should totally reverse the attempted solution before proceeding to the next step.
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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.
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Common Problems and Solutions
Problem Symptom Possible SolutionA laptop user complains that numerous peripheral cables are constantly getting tangled.
Provide information to the user about cordless peripherals.
A laptop user is unable to connect to the wireless network.
Reconfigure the wireless security on the laptop to connect to the security system used by the network.
The laptop keyboard no longer works.
The keyboard is a FRU. Advise the customer to take the laptop to a repair center or return it to the manufacturer.
A user reports that the laptop battery needs recharging more frequently than when it was new.
Have the user completely discharge the battery, then fully recharge it.
A user obtains a new laptop and reports that it does not fit in the existing docking station.
Docking stations are proprietary. Verify that the user has a compatible model.
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 30
Apply Troubleshooting Skills Now that you understand the troubleshooting process, it
is time to apply your listening and diagnostic skills.
The worksheet is designed to reinforce your communication skills to verify information from the customer.
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 31
Chapter 13 Summary
Advanced Laptops and Portable Devices
Describe wireless communication methods
Describe CRU and FRU repairs
Select laptop CRU components
Schedule and perform preventive maintenance
Troubleshoot laptop issue as a level-two technician
© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 32
Additional Resources Bluetooth Basics http://www.bluetooth.com/Bluetooth/Learn/Basics/ Wireless Networking Overview http://www.escotal.com/wifi.html Wireless Network Technology http://www.northoak-training.com/Wireless.htm “Infrared” from About.com
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/g/bldef_infrared.htm Wide-Area Wireless Computing from Network Computing
http://www.networkcomputing.com/netdesign/wireless1.html 802.11 Wireless Standards from About.com
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wireless80211/80211_Wireless_Standards.htm Wi-Fi Alliance http://www.wi-fi.org Satellite Internet Service Information
http://www.high-speed-internet-access-guide.com/satellite/ Howstuffworks: “How does satellite Internet operate?”
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question606.htm Cleaning laptop keyboards from Computing.Net
http://www.computing.net/howto/simple/keyboard/ Cleaning a Laptop Computer from About.com
http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/usingyourlaptop/a/cleanlaptop.htm Book: Wireless Home Networking Simplified (Cisco Press book) ISBN #1587201615
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Q and A
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