Lab 1.1.1 PC Hardware Student Notes
Estimated time: 60 min.
Objectives:
This lab will focus on your ability to accomplish the following tasks:
- Connect peripheral components (monitor, keyboard etc.) to the main PC system unit
- Name the typical PC components
- Document the configuration of a functioning PC
- Boot a system to Windows operating system (Windows 95, 98, NT or 2000)
- Use the Control Panel, System icon utility to gather information about the PC configuration.
- Use ipconfig to gather detailed information about your machine
Background:
This lab will help you become familiar with the basic peripheral components of a PC computer system and their connections including network attachment. You will observe the boot process for the Windows operating system and use the Control panel to find out information about the PC. Knowing the components of a PC is valuable when troubleshooting and is important to your success in the networking field. For some of you, this lab will be a review.
Tools / Preparation:
- PC with Monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cords
- Windows operating system (Win 95, 98, NT or 2000) installed on PC
- Sound card and speakers or head phones
- Network Interface Card and Cat 5 patch cable
- A+ or PC hardware training materials
Notes:
Instructions
Do not start until your instructor
has identified the computer that you will be working on. Follow ALL
instructions and fill in your responses on this sheet in the spaces provided.
Step 1 - Examine the computer for external components.
Task: Examine the computer and peripheral components
both front and back.
1. What is the manufacturer and model number of this computer?
|
Manufacturer |
|
|
Model Number |
|
2. What are the major external components of the PC including the peripherals?
|
Component Name |
Manufacturer / Description / Characteristics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Step 2 - Observe the boot process.
Task: Assemble the PC components and attach all peripherals and boot the PC. Observe the boot process.
Explanation: The computer should boot to the Windows operating system. If the computer does not boot contact the lab assistant.
Observe the boot process.
Did the Windows operating system boot OK?
.
Could you see how much memory there was as the system was booting?
.
Step 3 - General system information.
Task: Click the Start button and select Settings and
Control Panel. Click the System Icon and then the General tab.
Explanation: You are viewing information about the computer using the
operating system.
Which operating system is installed on your PC?
.
Which service pack(s), if any, have been installed?
.
Who is the computer registered to?
.
What is the description of the Central Processing Unit?
.
How much RAM is installed?
.
Step 4 Network Identity
Task: Click the Start button and select Settings and Control Panel. Click the System Icon and then the Network Identification tab.
Explanation: You are viewing information about the computers network identity.
What is the full computer name?
.
Which domain is your machine a member of?
.
Step 5 Network Configuration
Task: Click the Start button, Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt. At the command prompt type:
ipconfig /all
Explanation: You are viewing detailed information about the computers network identity.
Look at the information on the screen.
What is the IP address of your machine?
.
What is the MAC (physical or hardware) address of this machine?
.
What is the subnet mask for this machine?
.
What is the IP address of your default gateway?
.
What is the IP address of your DNS server?
.
What is the IP address of your DHCP server?
.
When you have completed this work, show it to your
instructor/ demonstrator who will be able to check it and give you a mark for
laboratory attendance.