Chapter 10 Installing End-user Computer Systems

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Chapter 10Installing End-user Computer Systems
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Learning Objectives

• Site preparation steps for computer installations
• Tasks to prepare an installation site
• Purpose and contents of a site management
  notebook
• Tools needed to install hardware
• Steps to install and configure hardware
• Steps to install and configure an operating
  system
• Steps to install and configure software software
  packages
• Wrap-up tasks that installers often perform

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System Installation Overview
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Site Preparation

• Pre-installation inspection
• Checklist of issues
• Space requirements
• Space constraints
• Storage requirements
• Ergonomic issues
• ADA or OSHA accommodations or issues
• Adequate power supply accessible
• Power conditioning required
• Telephone and/or network access
• Air conditioning required
• Lighting problems
• Fire suppression

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Locating System Components

• Locate computer system and devise strategies to
  conserve space
• System Components
• System unit
• The footprint of a desktop case is its length
  times its width (measured in square inches)
• Keyboard and Mouse
• Optimal desk height is 26-28 inches from the
  floor
• Monitor
• Optimal user view is straight ahead or slightly
  down
• Printer
• Optimal access for loading paper, retrieving
  print-outs, and clearing jams

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Locating System Components (continued)

• Supplies (manuals, ink/toner cartridges, media,
  printer paper)
• Convenient access
• Tip avoid storing paper in damp area
• Tip avoid storing magnetic media near
  generators, motors, electric and phone equipment
• Furniture considerations
• Importance of adjustable chair
• Adjustable seat height, seat swivel, tilt,
  backrest, arm rest
• Waterfall seat edge
• 5-leg base

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Space Constraint Solutions

• Separate computer worktable
• Flat panel display screen
• Monitor arm for CRT display
• Keyboard shelf
• Locate system unit and peripherals under or close
  to, but not on, users desk

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Ergonomic Concerns

• Ergonomics is the study of how to design computer
  systems and workspaces to
• Minimize health problems
• Maximize worker
• Safety
• Productivity
• Comfort
• Job satisfaction

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Health Concerns Related to Ergonomic Problems
(Overview)

• Back or Neck Muscle Pain
• Leg Pain
• Eyestrain and Headaches
• Wrist and Finger Pain
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) result from
  continuous use of joints in a limited range of
  motion
• Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common form of
  repetitive strain injuries that affects wrists
  and fingers

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Back or Neck Muscle Pain or Numbness
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Leg Pain or Numbness
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Eyestrain and Headaches
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Wrist and Finger Pain
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Workstation Ergonomics
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Devices to Address Ergonomic Problems

• Adjustable tables and work surfaces
• Adjustable chairs
• Footrests
• Keyboard shelves
• Alternative (natural/ergonomic) keyboards
• Alternative pointing devices (trackballs and
  touchpads)

• Wrist rests
• Mouse support rests
• Document holders
• Monitor arms
• Task lighting
• Antiglare screens
• Assistive devices

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Impacts of Ergonomic Problems

• Ergonomics are important concerns
• Injuries
• Permanent disabilities
• Legal rules and regulations
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  (OSHA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Tip Ergonomics is an area where a user support
  specialist can develop special expertise to add
  value to their employment or résumé

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Power Requirements Overview

• Many small computer systems do not require
  special electrical power
• Special situations
• Outlets
• Outlet wiring
• Circuit amperage
• Shared circuits
• Power stability
• Multiple computers

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Special Power Requirements

• 1. Outlets
• Old buildings may have two-pronged outlets
• Avoid cheater plug adapters
• 2. Outlet wiring
• Use LED tester
• Test three-prong outlets to make sure the hot,
  neutral, and ground prongs are wired correctly

continued
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Special Power Requirements (continued)

• 3. Circuit amperage
• Determine total amperage to see whether circuit
  can handle the load of devices
• 4. Shared circuits
• Do not install computer system on a circuit that
  services devices with heavy motors or generators
• A dedicated circuit is preferable

continued
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Special Power Requirements (continued)

• 5. Power stability
• Get advice from local electric company
• Use metering device to measure quality of power
• Power conditioner is a device placed between
  computer and power source that regulates
  electrical power to keep it within acceptable
  limits
• 6. Multiple computers
• Consult electrical contractor to verify that
  power is adequate and well-conditioned

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Tips on Power

• Use an electrical power strip for convenience,
  but not as an extension cord
• Best power strips include surge suppression
  features
• Certification UL 1449 (second edition)
• Peak protection at least 40,000 amps
• Clamping voltage 330 volts or less
• Clamping response time 1 nanosecond or less
• Energy rating (dissipation) 750 joules or more
• Status indicator LED lamps
• Warranty against damage to protected equipment

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More power tips

• Avoid
• Stressed cables
• too tight
• hard bends
• Cables on floor or under carpet
• Use
• Wall-mounted cable conduits (runways)
• Protective rubber conduits
• Plastic ties to bundle cables

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Telephone and Network Access

• Determine location of access points before
  installation in case extension lines are
  necessary to reach installation site
• Identify type of network access
• Dial-up modem
• DSL
• Cable modem
• ISDN
• Satellite
• T1 or T3
• Wireless

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Air Conditioning

• May be required in locations where a large number
  of computer systems will be installed close
  together
• Small office
• Training room
• Computer lab facility
• Mainframe and minicomputer facilities
• Consult an HVAC specialist
• Determine BTUs of air conditioning capacity
  required

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Lighting Problems

• Light intensity
• Reduce lighting in over-lit areas
• Light source
• Position display screen to avoid glare on screen
• Light type
• Florescent bulbs may flicker at same rate as
  CRT-type monitor

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Fire Suppression

• Electromechanical equipment can cause fires,
  primarily due to power supply problems
• If no fire extinguisher system exists
• Use portable fire extinguishers rated for
  electrical fires (Class C)
• Use Halon-substitute in gas extinguisher

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Site Management Notebook

• A site management notebook consolidates important
  information about a computer system
• Useful to operate, diagnose, troubleshoot,
  reconfigure, upgrade, and repair system and its
  components
• Critical in multiple-computer situations where
  many support staff are likely to work on various
  components

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Contents of Site Management Notebook

• Hardware configuration
• Operating system configuration
• Network configuration
• Software licenses
• Application software configuration
• Special operating procedures
• Warranty and repair information
• Problem log
• Backup media log

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BasicHardware Installation Tools

• Screwdriver set
• Slotted
• Phillips
• Nut driver
• Pliers
• Regular
• Needle-nose
• IC chip extractor/inserter
• Parts-picker

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AdditionalHardware Installation Tools

• Pocketknife
• Small parts container
• Mirror
• Small flashlight
• PC Pocket Reference
• Isopropyl alcohol

• Lint-free cloth or foam tip brush
• Antistatic wrist strap
• Electricians tape
• Compressed air
• Circuit tester
• Multi-meter

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Typical Hardware Installation Toolkit
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Common Hardware Installation Steps

• Following hardware installation safety
  precautions
• Unpack the system
• Connect power and signal cables, basic components
• Install upgrades
• Test the system

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Common Operating System and Network Installation
Steps

• Make backup copies of existing system and data
• Install operating system software
• Configure network connectivity
• Install client software
• Dial-up networking
• LAN networking
• Perform network administrative tasks
• User accounts
• Access rights

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Common Steps to Install Application Software

• Determine whether software is compatible with
  hardware and network
• Make backup copies of user data files
• Choose type of installation
• Install special devices drivers
• Configure application to meet user needs
• Install organization-specific utilities,
  templates, or style sheets
• Reboot and test all applications

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Application Software Compatibility Issues

• CPU types the software runs on
• Amount of memory the software requires
• Amount of hard drive space the software requires
  for full installation
• Whether the software is compatible with hardware
  peripherals
• Whether the software is compatible with the
  users network environment

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Installation Media

• Distribution media is the original vendor copies
  of software
• CD-ROM
• Floppy disk
• Internet download

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Installation Types

• Express (typical or common)
• Most commonly used features
• Custom (special or expert)
• User selects specific features to install
• Minimal (laptop or space-saver)
• For users with little hard drive space available
• Smallest set of functions and features possible
• Full (maximum or complete)
• All program features
• Takes maximum amount of hard drive space

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Tips on Applications Software Installation

• Close all open programs prior to installation as
  a precaution
• Retain license information, installation key
  codes (in Site Management Notebook), and
  distribution media
• To reduce staff time to install and maintain
  application software
• Download or launch software upgrades from server
• Use an application service provider (ASP), which
  is a vendor that sells or rents access to
  applications software

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Wrap-up Tasks

• Document system settings
• Back up critical files
• Create rescue disks
• Fill out warranty and registration cards
• Document problems
• Address ergonomic concerns
• Make sure user can use the system

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Chapter Summary

• Basic steps to install a computer system
• Site preparation
• Hardware installation and configuration
• Operating system and network installation and
  configuration
• Application software installation and
  configuration
• Wrap-up tasks
• Site preparation steps for computer installations
• Location
• Ergonomic concerns
• Power requirements
• Network connectivity
• Air conditioning
• Lighting
• Fire suppression precautions

continued
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Chapter Summary (continued)

• A Site Management Notebook organizes information
  about a system in a convenient location
• Hardware installers need a variety of mechanical
  tools to aid with installation tasks
• Hardware installers follow several safety
  precautions when working inside the system unit
• Installers develop check lists of installation
  procedures for
• Hardware
• Operating system and network software
• Application software
• Wrap-up tasks
• The ultimate measure of installation success Is
  the user satisfied?