Computing Fundamentals Module Lesson 3 Maintaining and Protecting Hardware

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Computing Fundamentals ModuleLesson 3
Maintaining andProtecting Hardware

• Computer Literacy BASICS

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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.

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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.

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Vocabulary

• Firewall
• Hackers
• Modem
• Parallel ports
• Plug and play
• Serial ports

• Surge protectors
• Troubleshooting
• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
• Universal serial bus (USB)
• Virus

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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 computers
  operating system.
• Consider the expected useful life of the
  components.

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Comparing CPUs

• Different types of computers use different
  central processing unit (CPU) chips.
• The 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.
• The amount of RAM available also affects the
  processing speed.

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Comparing Computer Models

• The tasks you want to perform with a computer and
  the environment in which you will use it will
  guide you in deciding what kind of computer you
  need.
• Consider the peripherals and storage devices you
  will need when comparing available systems.

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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
  that fit easily into the computers motherboard.
• Hardware peripherals, such as a new keyboard,
  mouse, or printer, are even easier to install
  with an installation wizard.

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Bundled Software

• Sometimes the software that comes with a new
  computer system is fully operable and can be
  registered and used for the life of the computer.
• Other software may be offered on a trial basis,
  and you must pay a fee to continue to use the
  program after a certain date.

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Warranties and Technical Support

• Most electronic equipment has a limited warranty
  that ensures defective components will be
  repaired or replaced during that time.
• Manufacturers and retailers offer extended
  warranties at additional cost. Read the terms of
  a warranty to make sure it is a good value.
• Register new equipment so that the manufacturers
  warranty will be in effect.

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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.

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Typical PC Port Arrangement
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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.

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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

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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
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Plug and Play

• Most hardware components available today are
  called plug and play because they install so
  simply.
• The computers operating system recognizes the
  new device when it is plugged in and takes care
  of all configuring tasks.
• A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm
  the type of new hardware, and then the computer
  takes care of changing all settings and making it
  ready to use.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Protecting Hardware

• Keeping hardware safe involves protecting it from
  power surges and electrical failures, theft, and
  environmental damage.
• An uninterruptible power source prevents damage
  and data loss during a power failure.
• Surge protectors can protect against power spikes
  that can destroy components.
• Using security measures and good sense protect
  computer hardware from theft or damage.

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Protecting Data

• Saving active files frequently is the best way to
  protect against data loss.
• Backup procedures create files that can be used
  to restore data if the primary storage system
  becomes inaccessible.
• Viruses are programs written to corrupt data.
  Backup files and antivirus software help avoid
  data loss from viruses.
• Firewalls, a combination of software and hardware
  elements, prevent unauthorized access to a
  computer on a network (including the Internet).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.