Maintain Hardware

12IT VET 99 SyllabusInformation Technology

HSC Revision NotesCopyright D.Groom 2007

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What is hardware?

• The physical components of a computer system.

• Reference is often made to "hardware" and "software"; in that context, "hardware" consists of the computer, input and output devices and other peripheral equipment.

Maintaining

• sustain: supply with necessities and support

• keep: keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"; "hold in place";

• keep: maintain by writing regular records; "keep a diary"; "maintain a record"; "keep notes"

Elements to include

1. The activity of physical labour in looking after a device or component. Installing, checking. Example: A printer.

2. Care and preventative action, cleaning device, tagging power cords, test printing pages. Example: A printer

3. Keeping Records : Updating maintenance logs, update stock lists, re-order used parts. Test printing. Example Toner cartridge for printer.

2 Generic Talk Points!

• OH&S

• “when maintaining computer hardware it is important to follow OH&S procedures and workplace policy, such as wearing disposable gloves when handling toner”

• You can replace the last part in just about any context, just relate it to the topic!

2nd Generic Talking Point

• Communication in the workplace!• “when maintaining any hardware device in the

workplace”• This relates it back to VET – do that often!• “…it is important to let the client know when

maintenance will take place and what is involved, as it may cause disruption and perhaps lead to office routine and deadlines being affected”

Maintain Hardware (Stock Response)

• Include the 3 specific syllabus needs• Include the 2 Generic Talking Points• Giving you 5 things to talk about (almost a

whole PAGE!) which should be enough to access full marks for questions in section 2 of the exam and combined, set you up for any section 3-er!

• Section 2 – short answers – where accuracy and syllabus knowledge is critical.

Quality Short Writing

• You need to have answers in your head before entering the exam room!

• By studying and creating model responses in short sentences using past papers, Band 5&6 students will PREDICT the questions and have prepared answers.

• All past students (B6) cite that this was the single most important key to success – (they knew the content of course)

This is the ‘right stuff’

• Use the text on the following page• Look through 2/3 past papers and see

where you could apply this text. (see my slide share)

• Are they any modifications you could make?

• Was the prediction TRUE – did the topic show up in all years?

• Maintaining hardware in the IT workplace relates to the management of the physical components of a computer system. From internal components such as memory (RAM) to external devices such as printers.

• Maintenance includes: care of the devices – regular cleaning and checking of electrical cords and data cables; physical work of removing or replacing components such as toner drums; keeping records such as maintenance logs and stock records; communicating with the client.

• When carrying out all hardware maintenance, it is important to follow OH&S procedures (such as manual handling of heavy devices such as printers) together with the work place safety guidelines that have been developed in that particular workplace to prevent harm or injury to all staff.

• Communication is also important. Informing the client of any ‘down time’ or inconvenience, offering support – by phone, fax or email, to ensure minimal disruption to the workplace activities.

• Preventative maintenance is the idea of regularly checking hardware to prevent failure. This is preferable to reactive maintenance when the workplace may experience unpredicted and loss of productivity, for some that may be prevented such as low toner in a printer.

Keywords

1. The workplace context

• Maintaining hardware in the IT workplace relates to the management of the physical components of a computer system. From internal components such as memory (RAM) to external devices such as printers.

• Maintenance includes: care of the devices – regular cleaning and checking of electrical cords and data cables; physical work of removing or replacing components such as toner drums; keeping records such as maintenance logs and stock records; communicating with the client.

• When carrying out all hardware maintenance, it is important to follow OH&S procedures (such as manual handling of heavy devices such as printers) together with the work place safety guidelines that have been developed in that particular workplace to prevent harm or injury to all staff.

• Communication is also important. Informing the client of any ‘down time’ or inconvenience, offering support – by phone, fax or email, to ensure minimal disruption to the workplace activities.

• Preventative maintenance is the idea of regularly checking hardware to prevent failure. This is preferable to reactive maintenance when the workplace may experience unpredicted and loss of productivity, for some that may be prevented such as low toner in a printer.

Activity:

Re-read the 5 key topic areas.

Copy and paste the response text

Highlight the key areas one by one

Hitting the right keywords

• Stick to simple statements

• Use computer industry terms at all times

• Hit the 5 key areas multiple times

• Stick to ONE EXAMPLE and identify how an aspect of it relates to maintenance

• PRINTERS are an easy one to use.

• Don’t use many examples – its too hard!

Summary

• You must know the syllabus if you want to rise above band 4 responses.

• Questions are just an opportunity to show you know the syllabus and what to include.

• Always DEFINE the topic. Ie show you know what is meant by the topic!

• Practice – Use past papers to succeed!