Computer Literacy BASICS Computing Fundamentals Module Lesson 3 — Maintaining and Protecting Hardware Computer Literacy BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 BASICS

Evaluating Hardware Components and 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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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. Computer Literacy BASICS

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. Computer Literacy BASICS

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 computer’s motherboard. Hardware peripherals, such as a new keyboard, mouse, or printer, are even easier to install with an installation wizard. Computer Literacy BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS “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. Computer Literacy BASICS

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 manufacturer’s warranty will be in effect. Computer Literacy BASICS

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. Fig.3-2 Computer Literacy BASICS

Typical PC Port Arrangement Computer Literacy BASICS

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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 Fig.3-4 Computer Literacy BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS Plug and Play Most hardware components available today are called plug and play because they install so simply. The computer’s 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. Computer Literacy BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 BASICS

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 BASICS

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 BASICS

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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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. Computer Literacy BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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). Computer Literacy BASICS

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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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 BASICS

Computer Literacy BASICS 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. Computer Literacy BASICS