Lesson 2

Objectives

 Determine the location of

System Cases
 Classify the different
function of Cases and
Power Supplies.
 Recognize how electronic
works in different power
supplies.

Content
 Cases and Power Supplies

Learning
Activities
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 Presentation
. Identify the different parts and functions of Cases and
Power Supplies

Discussion
Cases
Although most people do not regard the computer system case as essential as the
other parts or components of the computer, it actually plays a major role in the
computer’s operation. It provides the computer with the structure needed to protect
and cool the electronics and other devices mounted inside it. System cases come in
different shapes and sizes with different form factors. This is basically the size and
shape of how the components will fit together in the system case. System cases
consist of six major components. Each major component with their respective
components performs a number of valuable roles.

 The Power Supply

The power supply converts “AC” power to “DC” power which is used by the
computer’s internal components. It stores and powers the main system cooling
fan.
 The Chassis(“chass-ee”)
It is the metal framework that lies beneath the sheet of metal or plastic exterior
of the system case. It provides the structural framework of the system case
where all the other parts are mounted, attached, or hanged.
 The Cover
The cover of the system case plays an important role. Its design takes into
account the airflow dynamics of the case, as well as its Radio Frequency

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 Interference (RFI) and Electromagnetic interference (EMI) engineering. If it
is Federal Communications Commission (FFC) certified, then it was
designed as part of the radio frequency emissions control of the system case.

Different ways the outer cover of the case can be mounted to the chassis:

 Legacy Desktops

Older computer systems have a U-shaped piece that covers all sides of the
system case. It is attached to the chassis through the rear panel and can be
removed by detaching the screws and sliding it all the way backward or forward
along the system case. Another way is by sliding it back a bit then lifting it
straight up. Be careful when removing and replacing the cover, make sure that
it does not snag the power and the data cables or other components as it could
damage or break them.
 Legacy Towers

The cover is U-shaped piece with longer sides that fit down and over the frame
or tower cases. It is attached at the rear of the case by four to six crews and
could be removed by the lifting the cover straight up or by sliding the cover a bit
then lifting it up.
 Single-Screw Cases

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 Single-Screw case have a single large screw at the back of the case with
spring clips inside that apply pressure and hold the cover pieces in place. It can
be removed and replaced by detaching the screw then slide the case back and
lift it off.
 Screw-less Case

Covers of this type are different as they are held together by one or more hook-
like tabs built into the chassis. It can be removed and replaced by first
detaching its front panel by sliding it up. The top part of the cover can also be
lifted up so both sides of the cover removed.
 Release-Button Desktops

Buttons that is located either on the front or the rear portion of the case. Press
the buttons for the top, rear, front and both sides of the cover to lift off of the
system case.
 Front-Screw Cases

The screws are located on the front panel. The cover can be removed and
replaced by detaching the screw on the front panel and pulling the cover
forward and off.

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 The Front Panel

The primary purpose of the front panel is to cover the front portion of the
chassis. But computers nowadays also feature doors and/or snap-on panels
that mask disk drives, switches and even the Light-Emitting Diode (LED) on the
front panel. LEDs show the status and activity of the system. Two LEDs are
generally on the front panel: The power LED and the Hard Drive LED. The
Power LED shows when the power is on and is typically a green in color. The
Hard Drive LED is typically wired to the motherboard or the disk controller card
and is red/orange/amber in color.

 The Switches
Switches are located in the front panel of the system case and are, generally,
two types: The Power Button and the Reset Button.
The Power Button used to be an extended power switch connected directly to
the power supply. Newer System has electronic buttons connected to the
motherboard. So, instead of switching the computer on and off through the
power switch, the motherboard takes charge.
The Reset Button performs a hardware reset when pressed. This provides the
user with the means to restart the computers if it freezes or does not respond to
normal shutdown or restart commands. Some computers may also have a
featured called a keylock. Although, technically not a switch and is generally
obsolete, there are still some system cases that may still have this feature.

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  Drive Bays
Due to the PC XT form factor, removable media disk drives could be
incorporated in the system case and accessed through the front panel. The
drive bays are typically used for 5.25 and 3.6 inches disk drives.

Two Types of Drive Bay

 Internal Drive Bays are incorporated inside the system case and
cannot be accessed from outside the chassis. These are primarily for
hard disk drives and designed for devices without a need for external
exposure.
 External Drive Bays are inside the case and chassis but can
also be accessed externally. These drive bays are used for removable
media, such as the CD ROMs, DVDs, and removable hard drives.

Two Ways of mounting a device in an internal or External Drive

Bay

 Drive Rails are two strips of metal mounted on the sides of the
disk drive. When the drive rails are attached, a device is placed
into the drive bay with the rails sliding into notches or facets on the
sidewall of the bay.
 Sidewall Mounting is a common feature of most of the newer
system cases. This method involves attaching the disk drives to
the sidewalls of the drive bays using the screws place through
holes on the sidewalls matching pre-threaded holes with standard
placement and spacing, which then solidly attached it to the
chassis.

Two basic styles of a system case:

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  The Desktop Case is a flat and boxy. It is designed to sit on desktops. It also
doubles as the base for the computer’s monitor and is actually more space
efficient than the mid-sized tower models.
 The Tower Case is tall and thin. It is designed to sit on the floor or on large
shelves. It provides more internal space, compared to the desktop case, which
can be helpful when expanding or upgrading the computer system.

Four Kinds of Tower Cases

The primary difference among the kinds of tower cases are the number of external
dive bays and the power supply included in the design of each system case.

 Full Tower Case

It is the largest standard system case available. It has the most to offer in terms
of expandability where it usually has three to five external drive bays and a few
internal drive bays as well.
 Midtower Case
It is a slightly shorter version of the Full Tower Case.
 Miditower Case
It is typically smaller than a midtower case but is bigger than a minitower case.
 Minitower Case
It provides slightly more expansion capacity than a desktop case, yet small
enough to sit on a desktop next to the monitor.

“System Cases” have their own form factors that define its style, shape, internal
organization, and the compatibility of its components of the system case. Different
form factors have their own variations.

Nowadays, computer system cases have punch out or knock out slugs(metal sheets
or pieces) in the I/O ports on the I/O template and the expansion slots.

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  The Power Supply comes with the most system case styles that is matched to
its form factor.
 The Auxiliary Fan is a supplementary fan that helps cool the interior of the
system case and is typically, if available, located on the opposite front or back
panel of the main cooling fan.
 The System Speaker acts as the basic means of communication between the
user and the motherboards, BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), chipset,
processor, and other system components.
 Cooling Vents are a group of small vent holes, cuts, louvers, or the likes, that
allows air to pass through the system. Larger system case provide better
ventilation for internal components.

Power Supplies

The Primary job of a power supply is to convert Alternating Current

(AC) to Direct Current (DC). It supplies the converted power to the system unit.

The Capabilities of the power supply would depend on the size and shape of its
system case.

Four Basic Electronic components are used to build nearly all electronic circuits in a
computer: The resistor, capacitor, diode and transistor. Each has a specific function
and contribution to the circuit.

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 1. The function of a resistor is to slow down the flow of electrical current in a
circuit.
2. The capacitor functions as a shelter for electrical charges.
3. The diode is a one-way electronic valve and its function is to direct the flow of
current in only one direction.
4. A transistor is a semi-conductor capable of storing a single binary value.

Activity
Name:____________________________________________Date:_______________

Enumeration
A. The six (6) major parts of a system case.
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
4. _____________________________
5. _____________________________
6. _____________________________
B. The three (3) basic types of materials used in electronics
1. ________________________________________
2. ________________________________________
3. ________________________________________
Directions: Identify the parts indicated in the picture. Choose your answer inside the
box.

Power Supply Chassis Cover

Drive Bays Front Panel Switches

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 Assessment
Name: ______________________________________________Date:_____________

Fill in the blank

Directions: Write your answer on the space provided.

1. ___________________ are two scripts of metal that are mounted to the sides of
the disk drives.

2. The __________________ is flat and boxy, and designed to sit on desks.

3. The ___________________ is tall and thin, designed to sit on the floor or on large
desks.

4. The ___________________ can be snapped into a system case to provide I/O port
patterns desired.

5. the Ohms Law was discovered by______________________.

6. _________________ is the fundamental relationship among current, voltage, and

resistance.

7. The function of a ______________________is to slow down the flow of electrical

current in a circuit.

8. A ____________________functions as a shelter for electrical charges.

9. A ____________________is a one-way electronic valve.

10. A ___________________is a semi-conductor capable of storing a single binary

value.

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