1. UNIT 14: INSTALLING & MAINTAINING COMPUTER HARDWARE

2. FAULT REPAIR PCs are made up of replaceable parts Designed for speed and ease of replacement How many replaceable parts are there in a Standard PC? Discuss this in a pair or work on this on your own on your own and make a list.

3. POSSIBLE ANSWERS

4. New Build Carefully choose the components Matched to the user requirements Matched to each other Build and test system Build hardware and test Install operating system Install device drivers and test Install applications and test

5. Reasons to upgrade Improve performance Support a new application Support an operating system change

6. Upgrade VS. New Computer Key questions Is it financially viable? Is a new PC better value? Will it deliver a significant improvement? Is an upgrade possible?

7. Analysing a PC Prior to upgrade or repair you need to find out the current configuration Tools to use System applet in control panel Device manager Diagnostic tools - CPUZ

8. Analysing a PC Identifying through Windows or other utility The first option is to view the manufacturer and model number in your Windows system, using the System Information utility. To access this utility, follow the steps below. 1. Click Start 2. Open All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and click System Information. This utility provides a good bit of information about your computer. On the System Summary screen, you will find the motherboard manufacturer (System Manufacturer) and motherboard model (System Model). For example, for a computer with a MSI motherboard, the manufacturer would be MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL and a System Model of MS-7599. The Model is the model number of the motherboard.

9. Analysing a PC As an Alternative. You can navigate to device manager to see details for your specification.

10. Analysing a PC Without opening the covers, discover the details for the following on the PC you are using: Motherboard RAM Graphics adapter Hard drive Optical drive Get as much information as you can

11. Analysing a PC What is the maximum RAM you can add to the motherboard and how much will it cost? Check the motherboard specifications Can you upgrade the CPU and how much will it cost? Check the motherboard specifications If you have time Can you find a better performing motherboard/CPU/RAM combination for less money than the upgrade?

12. Analysing a PC What is the maximum RAM you can add to the motherboard and how much will it cost? Check the motherboard specifications Can you upgrade the CPU and how much will it cost? Check the motherboard specifications If you have time Can you find a better performing motherboard/CPU/RAM combination for less money than the upgrade?