PC Hardware

Upgrading a Computer

Computer upgrades are among the most common tasks performed by a computer technician. With new technology coming out every day, it is a constant struggle to stay up to date. Before you can upgrade or repair a computer, you must know how to take it apart. A thorough understanding of how to disassemble a computer and put it back together is required by any computer professional. This tutorial provides guidelines for successfully disassembling, upgrading, and reassembling a computer.

Lesson 1: Computer Disassembly and Reassembly

In this lesson, we look at the tools and practices required by a computer technician to physically take apart a computer and successfully put it back together. Although this lesson mentions software that you should have and know how to use, software is covered more deeply in Chapters 15, "Software: MS-DOS and Windows 3.x," and 16, "Windows 95 and Beyond."

After this lesson, you will be able to:
  • Develop a systematic and logical approach to repairing a computer.
  • Identify and describe the basic tools and procedures for working on a computer.
  • Identify basic procedures for adding and removing computer components.
Estimated lesson time: 20 minutes

Before You Begin

Before starting this tutorial, you should review the previous tutorials, which cover the physical components of a computer. Also review Tutorial 13, "The Basics of Electrical Energy," especially Lesson 2: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD).