© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 1 Chapter 13: Advanced Laptops and Portable Devices IT Essentials: PC

© 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


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:


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


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


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.


Wireless Communication Methods

13.1 Describe wireless communication methods for laptops and portable devices

Bluetooth

Infrared

Cellular WANs

Wi-Fi

Satellite


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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


Repairing Laptops and Portable Devices


Selecting Replacement Components


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?


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.


Select Storage Devices

External USB hard drive

Firewire hard drive

DVD/CD burner

Storage devices are CRUs, unless a warranty requires technical assistance.


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.


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


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.


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.


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


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.


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?


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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


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


Q and A


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© 2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 13 1 Chapter 13: Advanced Laptops and Portable Devices IT Essentials: PC