Principles of Technology Unit 3- Maintaining & Protecting Hardware

Objectives Identify the importance of keeping a computer clean. Explain what is needed to clean a PC. Identify the importance of protecting computer hardware from theft and damage. Make a secure password. Protect a computer against viruses. Explain how to backup data. Identify how to protect computer hardware from power loss. Identify common problems associated with computer hardware. Identify routine maintenance tasks. Define problem solving & identify the steps. Identify criteria for selecting a computer.

Why Keep the PC Healthy? How much do computers cost? You want to protect your investment Easy to maintain Keep it physically clean Protecting it from bad software Protect/Backup your files

Dirty Screen What makes the screen dirty? LCD/LED screens (Non-glass) NEVER spray liquid or Windex! Ruins the anti-glare coating Can leak into monitor

Cleaning the Screen Pre-moistened Wipes Spray & Cloth Spray liquid onto microfiber cloth Use on LCD/LED, cell phone screen, Tablets, photo frames, etc.

Dirty Keyboard What makes the keyboard dirty? Could cause it not to work

Cleaning the Keyboard Unplug, turn upside down & shake Use wipes Use compressed air Use wipes Spill? Disconnect, turn upside down to drain Sticky? Hold on side & rinse Drain for 2 days

Dirty Mouse Can get sticky & dusty on bottom Sticky/dirty on top Causes erratic movement Sticky/dirty on top

Cleaning the Mouse Use wipes

Review Your laptop screen is dirty. Why should you NOT use Windex to clean it? Ruins the anti-glare coating & can leak inside What can be used to get food particles & dust out of your keyboard? Compressed air When cleaning an LCD screen with a liquid pump spray, how do you apply the spray? Spray onto the cloth

Dirty Computer Case Dust & dirt build-up Clogged fans

Cleaning the Case Use compressed air Vacuum outside case only DON’T blow dust inside PC! Dust keeps PC hot Vacuum outside case only Anti-static vacuum inside Wipes to clean surface

Cleaning Your Laptop Keep the expensive laptop clean!

Review How can dust damage your computer? Clogs up fans; causes overheating Vacuuming the inside of a computer with a regular vacuum cleaner can cause what kind of damage? Static electricity can damage components When using compressed air to clean dust from computer fans, how should you do this? Blow dust outside of the computer, not in

Organizing Cables Organizing cables under desk Velcro wire-ties

Laptop Care Take in air on bottom, expel heat out back Cooling Stand Keeps cool air going in Prevents overheating Padded Bags Protect when carrying

Protect from Theft Kensington Lock Secure physical devices Businesses or Personal use

Protect from Theft Tracking Software Identify location of computer Alarm sounds Lock device remotely Erase data remotely Remote camera activation

Protect from Environment Overheating- temp should be kept under 85 degrees; damages components ESD- don’t touch internal components without proper ESD strap or knowledge Physical damage- be careful, use padded cases, etc. Liquid damage- keep beverages away from computer

Project Shop for maintenance accessories

Power Strip Allows many plugs into one Not recommended!

Protect from Electrical Damage Surge or Spike Too much electricity Lightning strike or power fluctuation Power Outages No electricity

What’s a surge? An increase in voltage significantly above the designated level Surge Protector diverts extra voltage like a valve

Surge Suppressor AKA Surge Protector What to look for? Better than Power Strip What to look for? # of outlets Joule rating More joules better protection Cord length Noise filter $$ protection warranty Noise- unwanted/extra electricity on the lines. Sources include microwave, vacuum cleaner, wireless products, etc. Noise interferes with normal electrical signals.

Surge Protector Features # of Outlets Length of cord # of Joules Connected equipment warranty $$

UPS Uninterruptable Power Supply Battery backup PLUS surge protection & noise filter Will power equip until you can save & shutdown 10-20 min.

Project Find a single outlet surge protector for your laptop Find a 6-8 outlet surge protector (strip or wall) for computers with at least 2500 joules Find a surge/UPS strip with at least 10 minutes of backup time Comparing Surge Protectors Handout (group) Surge Protector Homework Handout

Passwords Don’t use easy, common words Mistakes:

Strong Password Checker from Microsoft Password Tips Most common password is…password Also 123456 Tips & Advice: Top 25 worst passwords of 2013 Strong Password Checker from Microsoft Students should name some tips. Never use personal information such as your name, birthday, or spouse's name. Personal information is often publicly available, which makes it much easier for someone to guess your password. Use a longer password. Your password should be at least six characters long, and for extra security it should ideally be at least twelve characters (if the site allows it). If you need to write down your passwords, keep them in a secure place. It's even better if you "encrypt" your passwords or just write down hints for them that others won't be able to understand. Don't use the same password for each account. If someone does discover your password for one account, all of your other accounts will be vulnerable. Try to include numbers, symbols and both uppercase and lowercase letters (if the site allows it). Avoid using words that can be found in the dictionary. For example, "swimming1" would be a very weak password. Random passwords are the strongest. Use a password generator instead of trying to think of your own. Random passwords are harder to remember, so create a mnemonic device. For example, "H=jNp2#" can be remembered as "HARRY = jessica NOKIA paris 2 #." This may still seem random, but with a bit of practice it becomes relatively easy to memorize.

Anti-virus Protection Prevents virus install & helps remove it Enable auto-update New virus’ made everyday Be careful what you download AV might not catch them all Name some AV software

Anti-virus Software Project Office Max McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 1 & 3-user Kaspersky Internet Security 3-user Staples Norton Internet Security 2013 3-user McAfee Total Protection 2013 Best Buy Walmart McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 3-user Norton Antivirus 2013 3-user

Protect Your Data What files are important to you? Data is very valuable Backup data External drive Online Online backups- carbonite, backblaze

Backup Your Data Image= Windows, Programs, Settings & Files Used if entire drive stops working The system image must be saved on a hard drive. Files= your pics, songs, files The files can be saved on a flash drive, CD/DVD, external hard drive, network. Win 7 Mac Win 7 Image Win 7 Files

Project How to Backup Data & Images In groups of 2 Make a 1-2 page EASY instruction sheet with pictures Keep it organized with pictures under each step or to the right After checked, save as a PDF

Review Which is a better password? Mcdonalds1 puppydog 8564681445 28Cr38teR_! What 2 jobs does AV software perform? Prevents virus install & removes it What 2 things can you back up on the PC? Image (programs & settings) and files

Common Problems What are some common problems people have with computers?

Hardware Issues Crashed HD Damaged media Printer Problems Overheat, dropped, shaken, wear out Damaged media Scratched CD/DVD Dusty flash drive, banged around Printer Problems Paper jams Low ink or toner

Hardware Issues Display problems Loss of network Incompatible device Check power Check video cable Loss of network Loose cable Wireless down Incompatible device Check if it’s plugged in

Routine Maintenance Visual Inspection Check cables Plugged in Good condition Inside computer too

Care for Removable Media Avoid extreme temperatures Don’t touch media surface Hold optical disks at edges Keep disks in case when moving them

Useful Life Personal PC: 3-5 years Special Recycle Donate Check with town/county Donate Also recycle ink/toner

Buy or Upgrade Consider the costs to upgrade versus a new PC 8GB RAM= better performance; you have 4GB You need 4GB more RAM & a 1TB hard drive RAM: $50 Hard Drive: $100 New computer would cost: about $500 Is it worth it? Is your PC in good shape & performing well? Is it doing what you want it to do normally ok?

Buying a Computer What to consider Who is using it? What will it be used for? List the tasks, software Check requirements Portability or not MAC or PC Brand/Reliability Storage devices Peripherals- how many? Warranty/Support Examples: Store lots of photos- large hard drive; Video Editing- RAM, CPU, HD, USB 3.0, Dual Monitors; Business or school standards- maybe needs a certain OS

Support & Warranty Tech support (for the hardware, not OS) Company will help you troubleshoot Free for a time period Then, may charge per call/per hour Written guarantee for a time period If product doesn’t work, manufacturer will repair/replace Normal wear & tear Does NOT cover damage you do Return Policy is a time period when you can get your money back from where you bought item. Usually 14 days, 30 days, or 90 days. Product must be in re-sellable condition and complete. Some stores charge a re-stocking fee on non-defective electronic items. Product Support Product Warranty

Upgrading Components New keyboard, mouse (check connections) Anyone can add themselves Add RAM or Drives/Cards May require pro to install Show Memory Configurator & show how to look up brand/model/price if memory upgrade. For homework, they should find the brand/model of their computer.

Project Buying a Computer Recycling Each student will get a budget amount Meet requirements given Add to your “My Computer” PPT Slide 1= budget & requirements Slide 2= brand, model, specs, picture, price Recycling Look up your town’s/county’s computer recycling program Describe what to do with items

Solving Problems What do you do when your computer has a problem? Nothing Call someone you know Look it up Fix it yourself Buy a new computer You should troubleshoot!

My Troubleshooting Example On boot, message popup Unable to load library wxfw.dll. Attempted to load <Key not found>\wxfw.dll.Error code:126 Search online for wxfw.dll Found it was from a Desktop Weather Program Found program & uninstalled Reboot & no error

Troubleshooting Identify the problem (What’s the problem?) Check Basic Solutions Cables plugged in, just restart it, out of ink Research for help & support Internet, boards, tech support site Talk to a technician & follow their instructions Confirm it’s fixed Document problem/solution

Troubleshooting Examples PROBLEM: Hard drive makes unusual sounds Cause & Solution? PROBLEM: Computer does not start at all Cause & Solution? PROBLEM: Beeps during POST Cause & Solution? PROBLEM: Newly installed software doesn’t start Cause & Solution? PROBLEM: OS does not start or starts and freezes Cause & Solution? 1: Cause- files failed to load; Solution- restart PC, update OS 2: Cause- corrupt or missing files; Solution- uninstall & then reinstall software 3: Cause- possible CPU, RAM, or Video card error; Solution- check for proper install or damage 4: Cause- dropped or ready for failure; Solution- backup data ASAP and replace 5: Cause- might not be plugged in, bad power supply, bad motherboard; Solution- check cable, check outlet, replace PSU or Mobo

Troubleshooting Scenarios- Check the basics The entire computer has completely frozen up. I can't click anywhere on the screen. I can't even use the Start button to shut it down. Ctrl + Alt + Delete I press print & the printer does not respond at all. Check the cables; what other solutions?

Review Which device protects a computer from electrical surges? Surge suppressor What rating on a surge protector identifies the amount of extra electricity it can handle? Joules UPS stands for what? Uninterruptable power supply What is the purpose of a UPS? Gives you time to save files & safely shut down when the power goes out

Review When troubleshooting, what would a basic solution be? Checking the cables to see if they’re plugged in What is the last step in troubleshooting? Document the problem/solution T or F. When you have a problem, you should contact tech support immediately. False

Principles of Technology Unit 3- Maintaining & Protecting Hardware