Pcat Lab Manual
Pcat Lab Manual
EXPERIMENT- 1
THEORY :
1.Preparation:
Shutting down the computer properly and disconnecting it from power sources.
Removing peripherals and ensuring a clear workspace for component removal.
2 .Component Removal:
Disconnecting and removing components such as GPU, RAM, storage devices, and PSU cables.
Unscrewing and removing the motherboard from the case, ensuring all screws and standoffs are
accounted for.
Using compressed air or a dust blower to clean dust from components and inside the case.
Inspecting components for signs of wear or damage, such as bent pins on the CPU socket.
4. Reassembly Considerations:
Checking for updates or upgrades to components (e.g., BIOS updates, new CPU cooler
installation).
Ensuring all necessary tools and components are ready for reassembly.
Storing removed components safely in antistatic bags or containers to prevent damage from
static electricity.
Before We discuss the Assembling of computer system first be need to understand that what is a Computer
system?
A computer system primarily comprises a central processing unit (CPU), memory, input/output devices
and storage devices. All these components function together as a single unit to deliver the desired output.
● CPU cabinet
● Monitor
● Keyboard
The assembling of the computer system is exactly the opposite of disassembling operation. Before starting
assembling the computer system, make sure you have the screws and a screwdriver for those.
The first step for assembling the computer system starts with mounting the processor on the processor
socket of the motherboard. To mount the process, you don't need to apply any force. The special ZIF (zero
insertion force) sockets are usually used to prevent any damage to the processor pins. Once the processor
is mounted, the heat sink will be attached on top of the processor. The CPU fan is also attached on top of
the heat sink.
Now the motherboard is to be fixed vertically in the tower case and the screws are fixed from behind of
the motherboard.
Now line up the power supply at the top back end of the cabinet and screw it. The power connectors for
motherboard power supply and CPU fan power supply are to be connected. If the cabinet cooling FAN is
required then it is to be screwed at the back end grill of the cabinet and its power connector is to be
connected from SMPS.
Install the CD/DVD drives at the top front end of the cabinet and screw it. Install the Hard disk drive and
floppy disk drive below CD/DVD drive and screw it. Make sure once screwed there is no vibration in either
of the CD/DVD, hard disk or floppy disk drives.
Now select the appropriate data cable and connect one end of the cable to its drive socket and another end
at its appropriate connector on the motherboard. For SATA hard disk drive or CD/DVD drives use SATA
cable and its power cable, else use IDE data cable. Do the proper jumper settings as per the usage
requirement.
It is time now to mount the memory modules on the motherboard by aligning the RAM to its socket on the
motherboard and press it downward. Make sure the side tab are fixed into the RAM notch. If not, you may
still have to press a bit.
Install the internal cards to its socket and attach the cables or power cable to it. The selection of right
socket or slot is required as per the type of socket.
Cover the tower by placing it and pressing towards front side and screw it.
Connect the external devices with CPU at its appropriate socket. It includes mouse and keyboard at PS2 or
USB connectors. Monitor at the video output socket. Connect the power cable to the back of tower in SMPS.
Plug in the power cable to the electric board.
The disassembling of the computer system starts with externally connected device detachment. Make sure
the computer system is turned off, if not then successfully shut down the system and then start detaching
the external devices from the computer system. It includes removing the power cable from electricity
switchboard, then remove the cable from SMPS (switch mode power supply) from the back of the CPU
Cabinet. Do not start the disassembling without detaching the power cable from the computer system.
Now remove the remaining external devices like keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer or scanner from the
back of CPU cabinet.
The standard way of removing tower cases used to be to undo the screws on the back of the case, slide the
cover back about an inch and lift it off. The screwdrivers as per the type of screw are required to do the
task.
Make sure if the card has any cables or wires that might be attached and decide if it would be easier to
remove them before or after you remove the card. Remove the screw if any, that holds the card in place.
Grab the card by its edges, front and back, and gently rock it lengthwise to release it.
Removing drives is easier. There can be possibly three types of drives present in your computer system,
Hard disk drive, CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives, floppy disk drives (almost absolute now a day). They usually
have a power connector and a data cable attached from the device to a controller card or a connector on
the motherboard. CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive may have an analog cable connected to the sound card for direct
audio output.
The power may be attached using one of two connectors, a Molex connector or a Berg connector for the
drive. The Molex connector may require to be wiggled slightly from side to side and apply gentle pressure
outwards. The Berg connector may just pull out or it may have a small tab which has to be lifted with a
screwdriver.
Now pull data cables off from the drive as well as motherboard connector. The hard disk drive and
CD/DVD drives have two types of data cables. IDE and SATA cables. The IDE cables need better care while
being removed as it may cause the damage to drive connector pins. Gently wiggle the cable sideways and
remove it. The SATA cables can be removed easily by pressing the tab and pulling the connector straight
back.
Now remove the screws and slide the drive out the back of the bay.
Memory modules are mounted on the motherboard as the chips that can be damaged by manual force if
applied improperly. Be careful and handle the chip only by the edges. SIMMs and DIMMs are removed in a
different way:
● SIMM - Gently push back the metal tabs while holding the SIMM chips in the socket. Tilt the SIMM chip
away from the tabs until a 45% angle. It will now lift out of the socket. Put SIMM in a safe place.
● DIMM - There are plastic tabs on the end of the DIMM sockets. Press the tabs down and away from the
socket. The DIMM will lift slightly. Now grab it by the edges and place it safely. Do not let the chips get dust
at all.
The power supply is attached into tower cabinet at the top back end of the tower. Make sure the power
connector is detached from the switchboard. Start removing the power connector connected to
motherboard including CPU fan power connector, cabinet fan, the front panel of cabinet power buttons
and all the remaining drives if not detached yet.
Now remove the screws of SMPS from the back of the cabinet and the SMPS can be detached from the
tower cabinet.
Before removing all the connectors from the motherboard, make sure you memorize the connectors for
assembling the computer if required, as that may require connecting the connectors at its place. Remove
the screws from the back of the motherboard and you will be able to detach it from the cabinet. Now
remove the CPU fan from the motherboard. The heat sink will be visible now which can be removed by the
pulling the tab upward. Finally, the processor is visible now, which can be removed by the plastic tab
which can be pulled back one stretching it side wa
OUTPUT:
Efficiency and Safety: Both processes contribute to efficient system management and ensure safe
handling of delicate electronic components.
Cost-effectiveness: Allows for cost-effective maintenance and upgrades rather than replacing
entire systems.
Environmental Impact: Promotes sustainability by extending the life cycle of components
through maintenance and reuse.
CONCLUSION:
Assembling and disassembling a computer system are integral processes that empower individuals with
practical skills, customization capabilities, and efficient maintenance practices. These processes not only
result in functional and optimized computer systems but also foster a deeper understanding of technology
and its components. Whether building a new system or upgrading an existing one, these skills contribute
to personal and professional development in the realm of computer hardware management. Embracing
these processes ensures individuals are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of modern technology
and harness its full potential.
EXPERIMENT- 2
AIM: Write a program to Loading and configuration procedure of Microsoft Client o/s Win
xp/Win7 and Window 8.
OBJECTIVE: To understand how to Loading and configuration procedure of Microsoft Client o/s Win
xp/Win7 and Window 8.
PREREQUISITES:
Processor: 1 GHz with PAE, NX, and SSE2 support
RAM: 1 GB for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
RAM: 1 GB for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
Hard Disk: 16 GB for 32-bit or 20 GB for 64-bit
Graphics: DirectX 9 with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver DVD-ROM drive or USB port
EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE TOOLS: -
Category Tools/Equipment
THEORY :
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI): Replaces BIOS in many systems, offering faster startup
and better security features.
Windows Boot Manager:
Graphical Boot Options Menu: Offers a new user-friendly interface for selecting boot options.
BCD: As in Windows 7, it contains the boot configuration parameters.
1. What are the minimum hardware requirements for installing Windows XP?
2. Describe the installation process of Windows XP using a bootable CD.
3. What are the different installation modes available in Windows XP?
4. How do you change the default apps for file types in Windows 8?
EXPERIMENT- 3
EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE TOOLS: -
Device Drivers
A device driver is a computer program that controls a particular device that is connected to your
computer. Typical devices are keyboards, printers, scanners, digital cameras and external storage devices.
Each of these need a driver in order to work properly.
Device drivers act as a translator between the operating system of the computer and the device connected
to it. For many types of devices, the necessary drivers are built into the operating system. When you plug
in a device, the operating system starts looking for the right driver, installs it and you are ready to start
using the device. This is referred to as plug-and-play and is much preferred over having to manually install
the correct drivers.
There are so many different devices, however, that not all of them are built into the operating system. As
an alternative, the operating system can look online to find the right driver to install. Many hardware
devices, however, come with the necessary drivers. For example, if you buy a printer, it may come with a
CD that typically will include the correct driver. The advantage of this is that the hardware manufacturer
can make sure you have the right driver for the printer.
Now you will see several options on the right hand side, click on “Other devices“
You will find the printer here, right-click on your printer name and click on “Update Driver
Software
Now click on “Let me pick from the list of device drivers on my computer“.
Now you will see a list of devices on the screen, just press “P” and then select “Printer” and
click Next.
Now locate the printer basic driver that we have extracted in step 2. Here, look forward to the .INF
file name. For this particular printer, select CNAB4STK.INF file and click on open.
Then select your printer model number from the list of drivers in this window. Then click on Next.
Type the printer name you want to set and click on Next and wait while installing it manually.
Device Drivers
A device driver is a computer program that controls a particular device that is connected to your
computer. Typical devices are keyboards, printers, scanners, digital cameras and external storage devices.
Each of these need a driver in order to work properly.
Device drivers act as a translator between the operating system of the computer and the device connected
to it. For many types of devices, the necessary drivers are built into the operating system. When you plug
in a device, the operating system starts looking for the right driver, installs it and you are ready to start
using the device. This is referred to as plug-and-play and is much preferred over having to manually install
the correct drivers.
There are so many different devices, however, that not all of them are built into the operating system. As
an alternative, the operating system can look online to find the right driver to install. Many hardware
devices, however, come with the necessary drivers. For example, if you buy a printer, it may come with a
CD that typically will include the correct driver. The advantage of this is that the hardware manufacturer
can make sure you have the right driver for the printer.
Now you will see several options on the right hand side, click on “Other devices“
You will find the printer here, right-click on your printer name and click on “Update Driver Software
Now click on “Let me pick from the list of device drivers on my computer“.
Now you will see a list of devices on the screen, just press “P” and then select “Printer” and click Next.
Now locate the printer basic driver that we have extracted in step 2. Here, look forward to the .INF file
name. For this particular printer, select CNAB4STK.INF file and click on open.
Then select your printer model number from the list of drivers in this window. Then click on Next.
Type the printer name you want to set and click on Next and wait while installing it manually.
EXPERIMENT- 4
EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE TOOLS: -
• The Utility Software is system software that helps to maintain the proper and smooth functioning
of a Computer System.
• It assists the Operating System to manage, organize, maintain, and optimize the functioning of the
computer system.
• Utility Software performs certain tasks like virus detection, installation, and uninstallation, data
backup, deletion of unwanted files, etc.
• Some examples are antivirus software, file management tools, compression tools, disk
management tools, etc.
ANTIVIRUS
Backup Utility:
• This utility software helps to back up the files, folders, databases, or complete disks.
• Moreover, backup refers to duplicating the disk information so that the data can be restored if any
data loss happens.
Download the Avast Free Antivirus setup file from web, and save it in a familiar location on your PC (by
default, downloaded files are saved to your Downloads folder).
Right-click the downloaded setup file and select Run as administrator from the context menu.
AVAST_FREE_ANTIVIRUS_SETUP_ONLINE.EXE
To change the default setup language, click the current language in the top-right corner of the screen.
Then, click Install to proceed with default installation, or click Customize if you need to make changes to
the default setup
EXPERIMENT- 5
AIM: Write a program to Firewall configuration, Antivirus/Internet security loading and configuration
Procedure
OBJECTIVE: To understand how to Firewall configuration, Antivirus/Internet security loading and
configuration Procedure
PREREQUISITES:
Define Security Policies: Determine what traffic needs to be allowed or blocked based on the
organization's security policies.
Understand Network Topology: Know your network layout, including IP addressing schemes,
subnets, and devices.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure configuration complies with relevant regulations (e.g., GDPR,
HIPAA).
A firewall is a network security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and permits
or blocks data packets based on a set of security rules. Its purpose is to establish a barrier between your
internal network and incoming traffic from external sources (such as the internet) in order to block
malicious traffic like viruses and hackers.
Firewalls carefully analyze incoming traffic based on pre-established rules and filter traffic coming from
unsecured or suspicious sources to prevent attacks. Firewalls guard traffic at a computer’s entry point,
called ports, which is where information is exchanged with external devices.
Types of firewalls:
Firewalls can either be software or hardware, though it’s best to have both. A software firewall is a
program installed on each computer and regulates traffic through port numbers and applications, while a
physical firewall is a piece of equipment installed between your network and gateway.
Packet-filtering firewalls
Proxy firewalls
NAT firewalls
Packet-filtering firewalls
Packet-filtering firewalls, the most basic firewall type, examine packets and prevent them from moving on
if the specific security rule is not met. This firewall's function is to perform a simple check of all data
packets arriving from the network router and inspecting the specifics like source and destination IP
address, port number, protocol, and other surface-level data.
Proxy firewalls
Proxy firewalls, also known as application-level firewalls, filter network traffic at the application layer of
the OSI network model. As an intermediary between two systems, proxy firewalls monitor traffic at the
application layer (protocols at this layer include HTTP and FTP). To detect malicious traffic, both stateful
and deep packet inspection are leveraged.
NAT firewalls
Network address translation (NAT) firewalls work by assigning a public address to a group of devices
inside a private network. With NAT, individual IP addresses are hidden. Therefore, attackers scanning for
IP addresses on a network are prevented from discovering specific details.
3)Under Microsoft Defender Firewall, switch the setting to On. If your device is connected to a network,
network policy settings might prevent you from completing these steps. For more info, contact your
administrator.
4)To turn it off, switch the setting to Off. Turning off Microsoft Defender Firewall could make your device
(and network, if you have one) more vulnerable to unauthorized access. If there's an app you need to use
that's being blocked, you can allow it through the firewall, instead of turning the firewall off.
EXPERIMENT- 6
AIM: Write a program to Installation and configuration of I/O devices – Printers, Webcams, Scanners.
OBJECTIVE: To understand how to Installation and configuration of I/O devices – Printers, Webcams,
Scanners
EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE TOOLS: -
Installation Of printer:
Now you will see several options on the right hand side, click on “Other devices“
You will find the printer here, right-click on your printer name and click on “Update Driver
Software
Now click on “Let me pick from the list of device drivers on my computer“.
Now you will see a list of devices on the screen, just press “P” and then select “Printer” and
click Next.
Now locate the printer basic driver that we have extracted in step 2. Here, look forward to
the .INF file name. For this particular printer, select CNAB4STK.INF file and click on open.
Then select your printer model number from the list of drivers in this window. Then click
on Next.
If you don’t have an extra USB port to connect your webcam to your laptop, you can still buy some
models that feature a built-in WiFi connection.
1. Connect: Connect your webcam directly to your router with an Ethernet cable. This step is
necessary to configure your device but you won’t need to leave the cable in after your webcam is
fully set up.
2. Configure: Set up the wireless feature of the webcam by using your home or office WiFi
network settings. This includes the SSID for your specific network and the security keys you need
to connect to your network. You’ll want to follow the on-screen constructions that came with
your webcam model.
3. Disconnect: Unplug the Ethernet cable from your router and webcam and allow the webcam
to connect to the WiFi network. Test out the video stream by accessing the camera on your laptop
and checking out its features.
If you own a USB webcam, you’ll need to follow these instructions to get it up and running.
1. Connect the webcam to your laptop
● The webcam should have a USB cable that plugs directly into one of your computer’s USB ports.
If your cable doesn’t go in the first time, turn it 180 degrees for correct installation - USB cables
only go into the port in one orientation
● If you have a Mac, it’s likely you’ll need to invest in a USB to USB-C adapter in order to work
with a regular webcam
Installation of a Scanner
NOTE: If the installation screen does not appear automatically, click here to see how to
open the installation screen.
5) Click Next
Click Next.
8)Click Complete
9) Click Install.
EXPERIMENT- 7
AIM: Write a program to Installation and configuration of I/O devices – Digital Camera, USB Wi-fi,USB
BT, USB Storages, Projectors
OBJECTIVE: To understand how to Installation and configuration of I/O devices – Digital Camera, USB
Wi-fi,USB BT, USB Storages, Projectors
EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE TOOLS: -
Connect your camera or card reader to your computer (placing your camera in Connect mode, if
necessary).
Select Automatic Port Detection in the wizard (see figure), then click Next.
Select your digital camera make and model in the Camera Manufacturer and Model lists; then click
Next.
Step 2
Step 3
Open Device Manager. Right click the adapter and then click Update Driver Software....
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Click Browse.
Step 9
Point to the inf file in the driver folder, and then click Open.
Step 10
Click Next.
Step 11
Step 12
Click Close.
Installation of Projector:
Show Desktop Only On Computer Display uses your current display (on a laptop, that’s the display in
the lid).
● Duplicate Desktop on Projector shows your desktop on both your current display and a connected
projector.
● Extend Desktop to Projector splits the image between the two displays.
● Show Desktop Only on Projector turns off the current display and displays the desktop only on the
projector.
● The Projector settings window closes.
The new settings take effect immediately.
EXPERIMENT- 8
EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE TOOLS: -
USB Drives
Your computer’s operating system is generally installed on its internal hard drive. When you boot
your computer, the BIOS loads the boot loader from the hard drive and the boot loader boots the
There’s no limit to the number of operating systems you he installed — you’re not just limited to a
single one
Follow These Steps if you have window 7/8 intalled on your system:
irst, you’ll need to make space for Windows 10 on your hard drive. If you have two different hard
drives in your computer and one of them is empty, you can skip this part. But you’ll probably want
to install Windows 10 alongside Windows 7 or 8 on the same hard drive.
Whether you’re using Windows 7 or 8, you can use the Disk Management utility to do this. Press
Windows Key + R, type diskmgmt.msc into the Run dialog, and press Enter to launch it.
Locate your system partition — that’s probably the C: partition. Right-click it and select “Shrink
Volume.” If you have multiple partitions on your hard drive, you could also choose to resize a
different partition to free up space.
Shrink the volume to free up enough space for your Windows 10 system. Microsoft says Windows
10 has the same system requirements as Windows 8, and the 64-bit version of Windows 8.1
requires at least 20 GB of hard drive space. You’ll probably want more than that.
Download a Windows 10 ISO file and either burn it to a DVD or make a bootable USB flash drive.
Microsoft’s Windows USB/DVD Download Tool still works well, and will let you image a Windows
10 ISO file onto a USB drive.
Leave the DVD or USB drive in your computer and reboot. It should automatically boot into the
Windows 10 installer. If it doesn’t, you may need to change the boot order in your BIOS. If you have a
Windows 8 computer that comes with the newer UEFI firmware, you’ll need to use Windows 8’s advanced
boot menu to select your USB drive or DVD drive when you boot your computer.
Go through the Windows 10 installation process normally. Select your language and
keyboard layout and then click “Install now.”
fter agreeing to the license agreement, click the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”
installation option. Upgrading would upgrade your existing Windows 7 or 8 system to the
Windows 10 Technical Preview. Custom lets you install Windows 10 alongside an existing copy of
Windows.
fter agreeing to the license agreement, click the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”
installation option. Upgrading would upgrade your existing Windows 7 or 8 system to the
Windows 10 Technical Preview. Custom lets you install Windows 10 alongside an existing copy of
Windows.
fter agreeing to the license agreement, click the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”
installation option. Upgrading would upgrade your existing Windows 7 or 8 system to the
Windows 10 Technical Preview. Custom lets you install Windows 10 alongside an existing copy of
Windows.
You’ll be taken to the “Where do you want to install Windows?” screen, which
handles partitioning. You’ll see an “Unallocated Space” option here, assuming you resized
your existing Windows partition to free up space earlier. Select it and click New to create a
new partition in the empty space.
The Windows installer will create a new partition and select it for you. Click Next to install
Windows 10 on that new partition
1. What are the common methods to install multiple operating systems on a single computer?
2. Explain the concept of dual-booting. How does it work?
3. What considerations should be taken into account when partitioning a disk for multiple operating
systems?
4. Outline the general steps you would take to troubleshoot a dual-boot setup that is failing to
load one of the installed operating systems.
5. How would you diagnose and fix a boot loader issue (e.g., GRUB, Windows Boot Manager) in
a dual-boot configuration?
6.