power point lesson 03
TRANSCRIPT
Computing Fundamentals ModuleLesson 3 — Maintaining and
Protecting Hardware
Computer Literacy BASICS
Computer Literacy BASICS2
Objectives
Explain how to evaluate computer hardware to purchase components or upgrades.
Identify and describe how input and output devices are connected to the computer.
Describe the routine maintenance tasks necessary to keep your computer in good working condition.
Computer Literacy BASICS3
Objectives (cont.)
Explain how to use troubleshooting techniques to solve computer-related problems.
Understand how to protect the computer system from damage.
Identify factors that can damage storage media and learn how to safeguard stored data.
Computer Literacy BASICS4
Vocabulary
Firewall Hackers Modem Parallel ports Plug and play Serial ports
Surge protectors Troubleshooting Uninterruptible
power supply (UPS) Universal serial bus
(USB) Virus
Computer Literacy BASICS5
Evaluating Hardware Componentsand Upgrades
Make a list of the tasks you want to accomplish with a new system or upgrade.
Check company policies or standards. Make sure the software you want to use for
applications is compatible with the computer’s operating system.
Consider the expected useful life of the components.
Computer Literacy BASICS6
Comparing CPUs
Different types of computers use different central processing unit (CPU) chips.
Speed of the CPU – depends on the system clock– but one 800-MHz computer system may run
faster than another of the same speed because they are designed differently.
Amount of RAM available also affects the processing speed.
Computer Literacy BASICS7
Comparing Computer Models
What do you want to do with the computer?– Office Applications– Pictures– Music– Video editing– Games
What about peripherals and storage?– Monitors, speakers, card readers– Hard drive storage,– CD, DVD
Computer Literacy BASICS8
Comparing Models
Computer Literacy BASICS9
Upgrading Computer Hardware
You can add more RAM to make a processor run faster. – Expansion cards with 128K to 512K or more
additional RAM are available on expansion cards– Fit easily into the computer’s motherboard.
Hardware peripherals, such as a new keyboard, mouse, or printer, are even easier to install with an installation wizard.
Computer Literacy BASICS10
“Bundled” Software
Software that comes with the computer– Virus software– Microsoft® Works
Other software may be offered on a trial basis– must pay a fee to continue to use the program after
a certain date– Microsoft® Offices (latest edition)
Computer Literacy BASICS11
Warranties and Technical Support
Most electronic equipment has a limited warranty – ensures defective components will be repaired or replaced
during that time Manufacturers and retailers offer extended
warranties – additional cost (Read the terms of a warranty to make sure
it is a good value.) Register new equipment so that the
manufacturer’s warranty will be in effect.
Computer Literacy BASICS12
Connecting Devices to the Computer
Input and output devices must be connected to the printer before they can be used.
There are two ways to connect I/O devices to the computer:– Plug the device into an existing socket or port
on the back of the computer.– Install a circuit board with the port you need
already included.
Computer Literacy BASICS13
Typical PC Port Arrangement
Computer Literacy BASICS14
Serial and Parallel Ports
Serial ports transmit data one bit at a time and are used to connect a mouse, modem, and keyboard.
Parallel ports transmit data eight bits at a time and are used for printers and external storage devices.
Computer Literacy BASICS15
Special Ports
PS/2: Often used to connect a mouse or keyboard USB: A newer standard that can be used to
replace serial and parallel ports and can handle up to 127 devices
SCSI: Allows many devices to use a single port MIDI: Used to connect recording devices PC card: Can be connected to add memory or
storage capacity
Computer Literacy BASICS16
Cables
Different types of cables are required to connect different devices:
Power cords Computer-to-peripheral
connections Telephone line or cable
modem connections
A printer cable
Computer Literacy BASICS17
Plug and Play
Most hardware components available today are called plug and play
– They install so simply– Computer’s operating system recognizes the new device
when it is plugged in and takes care of all configuring tasks– A dialog box (Wizard) will appear
asks you to confirm the type of new hardware Computer takes care of changing all settings and making it
ready to use.
Computer Literacy BASICS18
Routine Maintenance
Make regular visual inspections of the computer system to look for problems.
Keep the computer components clean. Perform routine “internal” maintenance by
running utility programs that clean up the hard disk drive by removing unneeded files and defragmenting the drive.
Computer Literacy BASICS19
Routine Maintenance
Keep anti-virus software up-to-date Run software to remove “spyware”
– Ad-Aware Free download (www.cnet.com)
Run disk cleanup to remove temporary files– Gives you space on your hard drive– Helps your computer run faster
Delete “cookies” and temporary files through your browser (Internet Explorer)
Computer Literacy BASICS20
Troubleshooting Steps
1. Recognize the problem.2. Replicate the problem by reproducing the steps
that cause the problem consistently.3. Attempt basic solutions to correct the problem,
such as restarting the hardware or checking cable connections.
4. Look for available help and advice in manuals, or access a technical support Web site or telephone number.
Computer Literacy BASICS21
Troubleshooting Steps (cont.)
5. Communicate the problem accurately to the support technician.
6. Follow the instructions the technician gives you carefully.
7. Confirm that the problem has been fixed.8. Avoid similar problems in the future.
Computer Literacy BASICS22
Accessing Technical Support
When trouble-shooting a computer problem, you can find advice on a technical support Web site provided by the hardware or software manu-facturer.
Computer Literacy BASICS23
Protecting Hardware
Protect it from power surges and electrical failures, theft, and environmental damage.
Use an uninterruptible power source (UPS) – prevents damage and data loss during a power failure
Surge protectors – protect against power spikes that can destroy
components Use security measures and good sense protect
computer hardware from theft or damage.
Computer Literacy BASICS24
Protecting Data
Saving active files frequently Backup procedures
– create files that can be used to restore data if the primary storage system becomes inaccessible
Use anti-virus software– Viruses are programs written to corrupt data.
Use Firewalls– a combination of software and hardware elements, prevent
unauthorized access to a computer on a network (including the Internet).
– Zone Alarm (Free)
Computer Literacy BASICS25
Caring for Storage Media
Keep disks away from magnetic and electrical fields, such as those contained in televisions and monitors.
Avoid extreme temperatures. Never touch the surface of the media itself. Hold optical
media, such as CDs and DVDs, at the edges. Remove media from drives and store them properly when
not in use. Never remove a disk from a drive when the drive indicator
light is on. Keep disks in a sturdy case when transporting.
Computer Literacy BASICS26
Summary
Decisions about what kind of computer to buy should be based on what you want a computer to do.
The kind of software you want to run should also help you decide what kind of computer to buy.
It is important to register new equipment to activate the warranty and technical support.
Computer Literacy BASICS27
Summary (cont.)
Input and output devices are connected to the computer through serial and parallel ports.
The Universal Serial Bus is a newer standard that is beginning to replace serial and parallel ports.
There are several types of ports: USB, SCSI, MIDI, parallel, and serial.
Computer Literacy BASICS28
Summary (cont.)
Cables connect peripherals to the computer. Many hardware devices today are designed
to be plug and play, so the operating system recognizes the new hardware and configures the system for it to work correctly.
Computer Literacy BASICS29
Summary (cont.)
A regular visual inspection of your computer system can help you find loose cables and other potential problems before they affect how the computer runs.
Keeping your computer system clean is another way to avoid serious problems.
Computer Literacy BASICS30
Summary (cont.)
Troubleshooting involves analyzing problems to correct faults in the system.
Power outages and power surges can both damage hardware and corrupt data, so it is important to protect your computer system from fluctuations in the power supply.
Computer Literacy BASICS31
Summary (cont.)
Protect your computer from theft, viruses, and hackers by taking basic security precautions.
To maintain a permanent copy of data, you must store it on some type of storage medium. These may include floppy diskettes, hard drives, CDs, magnetic tape cartridges, and WORM disks.