The document provides an overview of Chapter 13 from the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.0 course which covers advanced laptops and portable devices. The chapter objectives include describing wireless communication methods, repairs, selecting components, preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting laptops. The document outlines the chapter contents including student worksheets, activities, and potential misconceptions. It also provides guidance for instructors to prepare to teach the chapter including additional resources.

1. Chapter 13:
Advanced Laptops
and Portable
Devices
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.0
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2. Purpose of this Presentation
To provide to instructors an overview of Chapter 13:
 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
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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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4. 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
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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.
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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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7. 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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8. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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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12. Wireless Technologies
Purpose Devices Range Frequency Limitation
Radio-frequency Laptop, printer, Low-power,
Device must be
creating a WPAN camera, PDA, cell short range; 1 to 2.4 to 2.485
Bluetooth connecting phone, smartphone, 100 meters (3 to GHz
Bluetooth
compatible.
portable devices hands-free headset 330 feet)
projector, PDA,
Light waves used low-power,
printer, remote Susceptible to
Infrared as a data short range (1 100 GHz to
control, wireless interference and
(IR) transmission meter); low 1000 THz
mouse, wireless dilution
medium through-put
keyboard
Within several
Cellular Cellular signal Laptop, cell phone, 850 to 1900 Only where cell
miles of cellular
WAN creating a WWAN PDA, smartphone MHz signal reaches
tower
Wireless The 2.4 GHz
Radio-frequency
Laptop, printer, and 33 to 100 meters 2.4 GHz or range is
Fidelity creating high-
other network devices (100 to 300 feet) 5.0 GHz unregulated and
(Wi-Fi) speed WLAN
heavily used.
High-speed Internet Slower than
Up to 5,000
access; ideal when Laptop, GPS devices, DSL/Cable;
Satellite no other broadband smartphone
To the satellite channels per
higher setup
satellite
access available costs
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13. Repairing Laptops and Portable Devices
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14. Selecting Replacement Components
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15. Selecting Batteries
How do you know when you need a new laptop battery?
 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
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16. 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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17. Select Storage Devices
Storage devices are CRUs, unless a warranty requires
technical assistance.
 External USB hard drive
 Firewire hard drive
 DVD/CD burner
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18. Select Additional RAM
Additional 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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19. 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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20. Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter
The computer can slow down if the operating system is
searching through fragmented files.
 Windows XP has two programs that help clean up the
hard drive:
Disk Cleanup
Disk Defragmenter
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21. File Management and Version Control
When 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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22. Troubleshooting Process
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
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23. 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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24. 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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25. 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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26. 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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27. 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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28. 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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29. Common Problems and Solutions
Problem Symptom Possible Solution
A laptop user complains that numerous
Provide information to the user about
peripheral cables are constantly getting
cordless peripherals.
tangled.
Reconfigure the wireless security on the
A laptop user is unable to connect to
laptop to connect to the security system
the wireless network.
used by the network.
The keyboard is a FRU. Advise the
The laptop keyboard no longer works. customer to take the laptop to a repair
center or return it to the manufacturer.
A user reports that the laptop battery
Have the user completely discharge the
needs recharging more frequently than
battery, then fully recharge it.
when it was new.
A user obtains a new laptop and
Docking stations are proprietary. Verify
reports that it does not fit in the existing
that the user has a compatible model.
docking station.
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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.
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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
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32. Instructor Training
Activities
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33. Activities for Instructor Training
1. Take the Quiz provided in Chapter 13 course content.
2. Generate list of various laptops by manufacturer and by
model number. Use these details to assign to students for
the basis of their research in the Chapter 13 student
worksheets.
3. Conduct Internet research to pre-screen online resources
for students to use in completing the student worksheets.
4. Generate list of various laptop issues with solutions. When
teaching students, use these issues to allow students to
practice working through the troubleshooting process as
both a level-one technician and as a level-two technician.
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34. Instructor Training Discussion
 Share the following with the other instructors:
List of laptops by manufacturer and by model number
List of online resources
List of laptop issues with solution identified
 Discuss ways to incorporate additional troubleshooting
practice in student classes.
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35. 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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36. Q and A
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37. ITE PC v4.0
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