Untitled Lesson

Computer

Education 2

Grade 8 – Special Science Program

Quarter 1 Module 1

Basic Computer Maintenance/Servicing

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Demonstrate skills in basic computer

maintenance/servicing

Noli A. Esmeña
Module Writer
Teacher 1, Tayug National High School
Region 1 – SDO Pangasinan II

Revelyn C. Camacho, Ph. D.

Head Teacher VI-ScienceDepartment

Mark R. Martinez

OIC, Office of the Principal

8

Reminders in using this module:

1.Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any

part of the module. Detach and use a separate sheet of paper for your
answers.

2.Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other

activities included in the module.

3.Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4.Check your answers on an activity using the answer key.
5.Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your

answers.

6.Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
7.Submit your answers at the given date and time.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do
not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind
that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful
learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You
can do it!

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you master the basic computer maintenance/servicing. The scope of this
module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The
language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The
lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course.

The module is divided into four (4) parts and seven (7) lessons, namely:

Part 1 – Week 1

Lesson 1 – The System Unit and Its Parts

Lesson 2 – Motherboard and Its Parts

Part 2 – Week 2

Lesson 3 – Safety Precautions in handling computer parts

Lesson 4 – Procedures in computer maintenance

Lesson 5 – Installing/Uninstalling programs

Part 3 – Week 3

Lesson 6 – Disassembling/Assembling a computer

Part 4 – Week 4

Lesson 7 – Basic Troubleshooting techniques

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1.distinguish system unit and identify its different parts;
2.distinguish the different parts of motherboard;
3.recognize safety precautions in handling parts of the computer;
4.recognize essential practices in computer maintenance;
5.describe the correct procedure in installing/uninstalling a program;
6.determine the proper methods of assembling and disassembling the

computer; and

7.apply basic troubleshooting techniques in computer errors.

What I Need to Know

8

Computer

Education 2

Grade 8 – Special Science Program

Quarter 1 – Week 1

Module 1 – Part 1

Basic Computer Maintenance/Servicing

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Demonstrate skills in basic computer

maintenance/servicing

Noli A. Esmeña
Module Writer
Teacher 1, Tayug National High School
Region 1 – SDO Pangasinan II

Revelyn C. Camacho, Ph. D.

Head Teacher VI-ScienceDepartment

Mark R. Martinez

OIC, Office of the Principal

4

Before you study lessons 1 & 2, answer this to test your existing knowledge.
Write the capital letter of your chosen answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1.Which part of the system unit serves as the main circuit board?

a.CPU
b.motherboard

c.processor socket
d.power supply unit

2.Which part of the system unit cools the system unit?

a.power supply unit
b.fan

c.ports
d.motherboard

3.Which part of the system unit allows peripherals to connect with the

computer system?

a.power supply unit
b.hard disk drive

c.ports
d.motherboard

4.Which part of the system unit allows the computer system to read and use

various CD’s and DVD’s?

a.connectors and ports
b.motherboard

c.optical drive
d.hard disk drive

5.Which of the following is TRUE about system unit?

a.it always includes the monitor, the keyboard, and the mouse
b.it is also known as the CPU or tower
c.it is a part of the computer system
d.none of these

6.Which part of the system unit allows the addition of extra features to a

computer such as video, sound, graphics, or memory?

a.expansion slots
b.system upgrade slots

c.optical drive
d.hard disk drive

7.Which of the following is part of the system unit?

a.keyboard
b.printer

c.speaker
d.hard disk drive

8.Which part of the motherboard coordinate data transfers between the

various components of the computer (including the processor and memory)?

a.Northbridge chip
b.Southbridge chip

c.connectors
d.both a and b

9.Which of the following is used as an interface between the operating system

and the motherboard?

a.BIOS
b.connectors

c.cables
d.CMOS

10.Which of the following is referred to as the backbone of the computer?

a.CPU
b.processor socket

c.motherboard
d.Either a or b

11.Which of the following ports connects to the computer monitor?

a.USB ports
b.VGA ports

c.parallel ports
d.serial ports

12.Which of the following ports connects to sound speakers?

a.audio plugs
b.jack ports

c.music ports
d.RJ45 connector

13.Which of the following is used to connect newest peripheral devices?

a.USB ports
b.RJ45 connector

c.parallel ports
d.serial ports

14.Which of the following ports is also called the LAN or ethernet port?

a.USB ports
b.RJ45 connector

c.network port
d.serial ports

15.Which of the following is/are the role(s) of the motherboard?

a.component’s hub
b.communication hub

c.power distributor
d.all of these

What I Know

5

Lesson 1

The System Unit and Its Parts

When someone wants to purchase a computer, he or she will be faced with
two options: a desktop computer or a laptop. For instance, you chose a
desktop computer; you might want to learn about its most important part:
the system unit.

What’s In

On the side is a picture of a common desktop
computer. What parts of a desktop computer can you
recognize from the picture? Enumerate them in your
paper. Put a short description on each part you know.

Where would you usually see a lot of desktop computers? Have you ever been
to a computer shop? Have you ever wonder about those “large boxes” in each
computer? Those boxes are actually part of the desktop computers which
each costumer is using. In the following section, you will learn what that box
is and what is inside of it.

System Unit Defined

First, let us define what a system unit is. The system unit, also known as
“tower” or “chassis”, is the main part of a desktop computer. It includes
the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and other internal components. It also includes
the case itself that houses the internal components. The term “system unit”
is often used to differentiate between the computer and peripheral devices
such as the monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Difference between Computer System and System Unit

If a desktop repair shop asks you to bring in your computer that

would be confusing right? It is unclear whether you need to bring your
monitor and peripheral devices as well. Some computers such as the IMac
combine the system unit and monitor into a single device, in this case the
monitor is part of the system unit. While laptops also have built-in displays,
they are not called system units, since the term only refers to desktop
computers (Christensson, 2011).

What’s New

What is It

This is the SYSTEM UNIT.

The monitor, keyboard, mouse, system unit,
other devices connected is collectively called the
COMPUTER SYSTEM.

Figure 1. Desktop Computer

Source: pixabay.com

6

Basic Parts of the System Unit

Now that you already know what a system unit is, let us discuss some

of its basic parts. Refer to the image on the side, and to pictures on the next
page numbered according to the list so youcan visualize the basic parts.

1.Motherboard – It is the main circuit board of a microcomputer. It contains

the connectors for attaching additional boards. All other boards connect
in one way or another to the mother board.

2.Hard Disk Drive – It is magnetic data storage with a disk that is usually

non-removable and is fixed.

3.Optical Drive – It allows the computer system to use various DVD’s, CD’s

and Blu-ray Optical drives.

4.Power Supply Unit (PSU) – It is used to convert AC currents from the main

supply to the different DC voltages required by various computer
components. A standard power supply would deliver around 350 watts. A
PC with more operating components needs higher power than that.

5.Fan – Its role is in the cooling the computer, specifically the CPU. If this

component reaches pre-set temperature, the computer will shut down.
Note that there are different types of fan being used in a computer: case
fan, CPU fan, power supply fan, and video card fan.

6.Connectors/Ports – It generally refers to parts of a computer available

for connection to peripherals such as input and output devices.

7.Expansion Slots – It is a socket on the motherboard that is used to insert

expansion card (or circuit boards), which provides additional features to a
computer such as video, sound, graphics, or memory.
(Kamau, 2019; Cole & Johnson, 2020; Hughes, 2020)

Figure 2. Basic Parts of the System Unit

Source: turbofuture.com

Figure 3. Individual Parts of the System Unit

Sources: (1-5, 7) commons.m.wikimedia.org, (6) vectorstock.com

7

What’s More

PART 1: TRUE OR FALSE
Direction: The following are statements which describes a system unit and
computer system. Write TRUE if the statement is correct, if not write FALSE.
Write your answers on your paper.

1.According to Christensson, system unit only pertains to desktop

computers.

2.When a repair shop asks you to bring your system unit, it

automatically means that you have to bring the monitor, the keyboard
and other peripheral devices.

3.System unit is also referred to as “tower” or “chassis”.
4.The CPU is another name for the system unit.
5.System unit is only a part of a computer system.

PART II: IDENTIFY ME!
Direction: The following are roles which the basic parts of a system unit play.
Identify which part is being referred to in each number. Write your answers
on your paper.

1.It contains a disk that is usually non-removable and is fixed.
2.It allows the computer system to read information from CD’s and

DVD’s.

3.It makes the addition of various features such as graphics and

memory in your computer, possible.

4.It is also referred as the main circuit board.
5.It is the peripheral devices gateway to connect in the system unit.

What I Have Learned

Is it correct to call the system unit as the CPU? Why? Write your answer on
your on your paper. Keep your answer concise.

Lesson 2

Parts of the Motherboard

In the previous lesson, you came across the motherboard that is actually
located in the system unit: because of its special role as the main circuit
board, we will discuss it further to see its parts.

What’s In

In the previous lesson we defined motherboard as the main circuit board of a
microcomputer. It contains the connectors for attaching additional boards.
All other boards connect in one way or another to the mother board.

8

Roles of Motherboard

What makes motherboard a central part of the system unit and the computer
system? We will try to understand that by knowing some of its functions.

1.Component’s Hub. The motherboard acts as the central backbone of a

computer on which other modular parts are installed such as the CPU,
RAM and hard disks.

2.Slots for External Peripherals. The motherboard also acts as the

platform on which various expansion slots are available to install other
devices/interfaces.

3.Power Distribution. The motherboard is also responsible to distribute

power to the various components of the computer.

4.Data Flow. The motherboard works as a communication hub for all the

connected

peripheral

devices.

All peripherals

communicate

or

send/receive data through motherboard and the motherboard manages
the data traffic.

5.Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). The motherboard is used in the

coordination of the various devices in the computer and maintain
interface among them. Motherboard holds a Read Only Memory (ROM),
BIOS which is required to boot up the computer. Thus, the motherboard
plays a role in starting the computer.

Simply put, the motherboard is the “data and power infrastructure” of the
entire computer system. (Chakrabarty, 2020)

What is It

Parts of the Motherboard

Now, that you have an idea how the motherboard is called the main circuit
board; let us know what makes the motherboard (Pillou, 2012)

1.The chipset. The chipset is

an electronic circuit whose
job is to coordinate data
transfersbetween

the

various components of the
computer

(including

the

processor

and

memory).

The chips are also referred
separately

as

the

Northbridge

and

Southbridge chips.

2.The

CMOS,

clock

and

battery.

The

real

time

clock (or RTC for short) is a
circuit which synchronizes
system signals. It is made
from a crystal which, as it
vibrates, gives off pulses (called timer ticks) in order to keep the
system elements running on the same time.When the computer is
turned off, the power supply stops providing electricity to the
motherboard. When the computer is turned on again, the system is
still on the right time. An electronic circuit, called the CMOS

What’s New

Figure 4. Parts of the Motherboard

Source: tech.windelslife.com

9

(Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor, sometimes called the
BIOS CMOS), saves some system information, such as the time, the
system date, and a few essential system settings.

3.The BIOS. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the basic

program used as an interface between the operating system and the
motherboard. The BIOS is stored in ROM (read-only memory, which
cannot be rewritten), so it uses data contained within the CMOS to
find out what the system’s hardware configuration is.

4.The processor socket. The processor or the CPU (also called the

microprocessor) is the computer’s brain. It runs programs using a set
of instructions. The processor is characterized by its frequency, the
rate at which it executes instructions. This means that an 800 MHz
processor can carry out 800 million operations per second.

5.Fans and radiators. Since the processor releases

heat, it is necessary to dissipate it, to keep the circuits
from melting. This is why it is generally mounted atop
a heat sink (sometimes called a cooler or radiator. The
heat sink includes a base in contact with the
processor and fins in order to increase the heat
transfer surface. Note that the fan being
described in this part is the CPU Fan.

6.RAM

connectors.RAM

(Random

Access

Memory) is used to store data while the computer is running; however,
its contents are wiped out as soon as the computer is switched off or
restarted, as opposed to mass storage devices such as hard drives,
which keep information safe even while turned off. This is why RAM is
called “volatile.”

7.Expansion slots. Expansion slots are compartments into which

expansion cards can be inserted. These are cards which give the
computer new features or increased performance. There are different
types of cards which can be inserted such as network card, video card,
sound card and modem.

8.The input-output connectors. The motherboard has a certain

number of input/output sockets found on the rear panel.

Most motherboards have the following connectors:
A serial port, can be used for connecting modems, security
cameras, device controllers, etc.;

A parallel port, can be used for connecting printers, Hard drives,
CD drives, etc.;

USB ports, for connecting more recent peripheral devices;

RJ45 connector (called LAN or ethernet port) used for connecting
the computer to a network. It corresponds to a network card
integrated into the motherboard;

VGA connector, for connecting a monitor. This connector interfaces
with the built-in graphics card; and

Audio plugs (Line-In, Line-Out and microphone), for connecting
sound speakers or a hi-fi system, as well as a microphone. This
connector interfaces with the built-in sound card.

Note that there might be parts which are not covered in this lesson.

Figure 5. CPU Fan

Source: tech.windelslife.com

Figure 6. Input-Output Connectors

Source: tech.windelslife.com

10

Activity: Who am I?

Imagine each of part of the motherboard can speak! The following statements
from them describe who they are. Your job is to identify which part of the
motherboard is speaking in each statement. Write your answers on your
paper. Good luck!

1.“I am very privileged to hold the computer’s brain!”
2.“You will need me so that the computer can read your flash drive”
3.“I always try my best to keep the system cool.”
4. “They call me the data coordinator because I am good in data

transfers.”

5.“You won’t need me not until you want to add features to your

computer.”

6.“Don’t disturb me when your computer is running because I am busy

storing data.”

7.“I have no choice but to connect with your monitor. I always do.”

What I Have Learned

In this lesson, the motherboard is referred to as the “data and power
infrastructure of the computer”. If you would give the motherboard another
“title” like that, what would it be? Why?

CHOOSE ONE between system unit and motherboard then draw it and label
their parts in a simple illustration/sketch on your paper. Refer to the scoring
rubric below. Highest possible score: 15 points.

5 (Very Good)

4 (Good)

3 (Fair)

2 (Needs Improvement)

Completeness

Correctness

Neatness

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the capital letter
ofyour chosen letter on your paper.

1.Which of the following is TRUE about system unit?

a.it always includes the monitor, the keyboard, and the mouse
b.it is also known as the CPU or tower
c.it is a part of the computer system
d.none of these

2.Which of the following DOES NOT describe a system unit?

a.it is the main part of the laptop computer
b.it is also called “chassis”
c.it includes the computer case
d.none of these

What’s More

What I Can Do

Assessment

11

3.Which of the following part of system unit is magnetic data storage

with a disk that is usually non-removable and is fixed?

a.optical disk drive
b.hard disk drive

c.permanent disk drive
d.non-removable disk driv

4.Which of the following parts of system unit is opened to read CD’s and

DVD’s?

a.optical disk drive
b.hard disk drive

c.USB port
d.motherboard

5.Which of the following is NOT TRUE about computer fans?

a.if it reaches pre-set temperature, the computer will shutdown
b.there may be more than one fan in a system unit
c.it cools the CPU
d.all of the statements is true

6.Which of the following can be inserted in an expansion slot?

a.Video card
b.Graphics card

c.Memory card
d.all of these

7.Which of the following is NOT TRUE about power supply unit?

a.It coordinates with the main circuit board
b.standard power supply deliver around 750 watts
c.It supplies power to all parts the computer
d.All of the statements is true

8.If a computer repair shop asked you to bring your computer, it means

you would _____.

a.Bring the monitor and keyboard
b.Bring the system unit only
c.All that connects to your desktop computer
d.The instruction is vague

9.CPU: brain of the computer ; _______: backbone of the computer

a.processor socket
b.connectors and ports

c.motherboard
d.computer case

10.One of the roles of motherboard is to facilitate data flow within the

computer system. Thus, motherboard acts as a ______.

a.communication hub
b.component hub

c.BIOS
d.power distributor

11.Which of the following is NOT a part of the main circuit board?

a.system unit
b.expansion slots

c.connectors/ports
d.serial & parallel ports

12.Which of the following act as a data transfer coordinator between the

various components of the computer?

a.Northbridge chip
b.Southbridge chip

c.both a and b
d.none of these

13.What type(s) of port or connector will you used to connect the

computer to a network?

a.VGA port
b.RJ45 connector

c.serial & parallel ports
d.USB port

14.Which part of the computer system allows you to upgrade your

computer in terms of graphics, video and sound?

a.motherboard
b.expansion slots

c.chipset
d.monitor

15.Which of the following is TRUE about CMOS?

a.sometimes called the BIOS or CPU
b.it can save some system information
c.it stands for Complementary Metal-Oxide Superconductor
d.none of these

12

You may want to watch these excellent 3-4 minute video lectures
summarizing the two lessons:

For lesson 1, https://youtu.be/WOnSEkrRLYs
Title: Computer System Unit, Author: Sultan Alhazml, 2016

For lesson 2, https://youtu.be/6UEiQ9vUGWo,
Title: Major parts & components of the Motherboard identified and
explained, Publisher: Computer Tech at Hutch Tech, 2017

Congratulations in finishing module 1 part 1! Make sure that you have
accomplished all the activities. You can always ask your teacher if there are
some parts which you find hard to understand.

References

1.Alhazml, S. (2016). Computer System Unit. https://youtu.be/WOnSEkrRLYs
2.Chakrabarty, T. (2020). What is Motherboard? What are the role or functions of

motherboard?.

Online

Class

Notes.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/onlineclassnotes.com/what-is-motherboard-what-
arerole-or-functions-of-motherboard/amp/

3.Christensson,

P.

(2011).

System

Unit

Definition.

TechTerms.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/techterms.com/amp/definition/system_unit techterms

4.Cole

& Johnson.

(2020).

What

is an Optical

Drive?

Clever

How

To’s.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cleverfiles.com/howto/what-is-
opticaldrive.html%3famp

5.Computer Tech at Hutch Tech. (2017). Major parts & components of the Motherboard

identified and explained. https://youtu.be/6UEiQ9vUGWo

6.Hughes,

A. (2020).

What

is the fan function

in the computer.

Techwalla.

https://www.techwalla.com/articles/what-is-the-fan-function-in-a-computer

7.Kamau,

P. (2019).

Computer

System

Basic

Parts.

Turbofuture.

https://turbofuture.com/computers/Pcs-system-unit

8.Pillou, J. F. (2012). Motherboard. CCM. https://ccm.net/contents/377-motherboard

PHOTO SOURCES

turbofuture.com

pixabay.com

commons.m.wikemedia.org

vectorstock.com

tech.windelslife.com

Additional Activities

Answer Key

What I Know

1.B

2.B

3.C

4.C

5.C

6.A

7.D

8.D

9.A

10. C
11. B
12. A
13. A
14. B
15. D

What's More Lesson 1
Part I
1.

TRUE

2.

FALSE

3.

TRUE

4.

FALSE

5.

TRUE

Part II
1.

Hard disk drive

2.

Optical disk drive

3.

Expansion slots

4.

Motherboard

5.

Connectorss/ports

What's More
Lesson 2
6.

Processor’s
socket

7.

USB Ports

8.

Fan

9.

Chipset

10. Expansion

slots

11. RAM
12. VGA

connector

Assessment

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.A

5.D

6.D

7.B

8.D

9.C

10. A
11. A
12. C
13. B
14. B
15. B

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Noli A. Esmeña (Module Writer)

Agency: Tayug National High School

Contact Information

Phone Number: 09062326089
Email: [e-mail]

FB Name: Noli Esmeña