Unit 3- Maintaining & Protecting Hardware

 Identify the importance of protecting computer hardware from theft and damage.  Explain how to protect data.  Identify environmental factors that can cause damage to computer hardware & media.  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.

 Secure physical devices  Businesses or Personal use

 Cooling Stand  Padded Bags

 Data is very valuable to businesses  Can occur in theft & when old system are trashed  Encrypt data ◦ On computer ◦ Keeps data private w/out key  Backup data ◦ Daily ◦ On-site & off-site

 System image and Files ◦ Image= Windows, Programs, Settings & Files  Used if entire drive stops working  The system image must be saved on a hard drive. ◦ Files= just files  The files can be saved on a flash drive, CD, DVD, or a hard drive.

 Temperature ◦ Not too hot  Humidity ◦ Can cause rust  Water  Magnetic fields ◦ Can erase HD  Static electricity ◦ Can damage components ◦ No rugs

 Protect Hardware ◦ Power surge or spike ◦ Power outage ◦ Theft  Protect Files ◦ Online backup ◦ CD/DVD backup

 An increase in voltage significantly above the designated level  Surge Protector diverts extra voltage like a valve

 AKA Surge Protector ◦ Different from Power Strip ◦ Check Joule rating  More joules better protection ◦ Has warranty $$ ◦ Noise Filter

 Uninterruptable Power Supply  Battery backup & surge  Will power equip until you can save & shutdown

 What device will keep your laptop from overheating? ◦ Cooling Pad  What security measure can protect transmitted data? ◦ Encryption  What device will allow you time to save & shutdown your PC when the power goes out? ◦ UPS  An increase of voltage above normal levels is called what? ◦ Spike or a surge

 Compare Surge Protectors  How to Backup Data  Surge Homework

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

 Display problems ◦ Check power ◦ Check video cable ◦ Bad driver  Loss of network ◦ Loose cable ◦ System down  Incompatible device ◦ New device needs driver ◦ Check if it’s plugged in

 Organizing cables under desk  Velcro wire-ties

 Visual Inspection ◦ Check cables  Plugged in  Good condition  Inside computer too

 Dust ◦ Clogs fans ◦ Fans cools parts down ◦ Overheat= shutdown ◦ Compressed Air

 Wipes ◦ For monitors ◦ No tissues or towels (lint/scratch) ◦ No glass cleaners

 Keyboard ◦ Turn upside & shake ◦ Compressed air ◦ Unplug, spray with water, shake out & dry  Mouse ◦ Ball rollers dirty ◦ Wipe bottom of optical

 Keep away from electrical fields (TV/monitor)  Avoid extreme temperatures  Don’t touch media surface  Hold optical disks at edges  Keep disks in case when moving them

 Routine Maintenance Costs  Find Your Specs

 Consider the costs to upgrade versus a new PC  You need 2GB RAM & a bigger hard drive  RAM: $50  Hard Drive: $100  New computer: $500

 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

 Support ◦ Company will help you troubleshoot ◦ May charge per call/per hour  Warranty ◦ Written guarantee ◦ If product doesn’t meet specs, manufacturer will repair/replace ◦ Does NOT cover your damage

 Add RAM  New keyboard, mouse (connections)  Drives/Cards ◦ May require pro to install

 Public- 3-5 years  Special Recycle ◦ Check with town/county  Donate

 Buying a Computer  Recycling

 On boot, message popup ◦ Unable to load library wxfw.dll. Attempted to load \wxfw.dll.Error code:126  Search online for wxfw.dll  Found it was from a Desktop Weather Program  Found program & uninstalled  Reboot & no error

1. What is the problem 2. Check Basic Solutions ◦ Cables, restart 3. Look or research for help & support 4. Talk to a technician 5. Follow their instructions 6. Confirm it’s fixed 7. Document problem/solution

 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?

 Which device protects a computer from electrical surges? ◦ Surge suppressor  Which component has an RJ11 jack? ◦ Modem  Which component has a 15 pin female connector? ◦ VGA

 A legacy printer would be plugged into which port? ◦ Parallel  When troubleshooting, what would a basic solution be? ◦ Checking the cables  What is the last step in troubleshooting? ◦ Confirm the problem is fixed

Unit 3- Maintaining & Protecting Hardware