Computing Fundamentals

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.

Objectives

Protect from Theft Secure physical devices Businesses or Personal use

Cooling Stand

Padded Bags

Protect From Damage

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

Protect Your Data

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.

Backup on Windows 7

Temperature◦ Not too hot

Humidity◦ Can cause rust

Water Magnetic fields

◦ Can erase HD Static electricity

◦ Can damage components◦ No rugs

Environmental Protection

Protect Hardware◦ Power surge or spike◦ Power outage◦ Theft

Protect Files◦ Online backup◦ CD/DVD backup

Protect from Damage

What’s a surge? 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

Surge Suppressor

UPS 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

Review

Compare Surge Protectors How to Backup Data Surge Homework

Projects

Crashed HD◦ Overheat, dropped,

shaken, wear out

Damaged media◦ Scratched CD/DVD◦ Dusty flash drive,

banged around

Printer Problems◦ Paper jams◦ Low toner

Hardware Issues

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

Hardware Issues

Routine Maintenance Organizing cables under desk Velcro wire-ties

Routine Maintenance Visual Inspection

◦ Check cables Plugged in Good condition Inside computer too

Routine Maintenance Dust

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

Dusty!

Routine Maintenance 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

Clean Keyboard & Mouse

Care for Removable Media

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

Review 1

Review 2

Routine Maintenance Costs Find Your Specs

Projects

Buy or Upgrade 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

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

Support◦ Company will help

you troubleshoot◦ May charge per

call/per hour

Buying a Computer Warranty

◦ Written guarantee◦ If product doesn’t

meet specs, manufacturer will repair/replace

◦ Does NOT cover your damage

Upgrading Components

Add RAM New keyboard, mouse (connections) Drives/Cards

◦ May require pro to install

Useful Life Public- 3-5 years Special Recycle

◦ Check with town/county Donate

Review

Buying a Computer Recycling

Project

Troubleshooting Example

On boot, message popup◦ Unable to load library wxfw.dll. Attempted to load

<Key notfound>\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

1. What is the problem2. Check Basic Solutions

◦ Cables, restart

3. Look or research for help & support4. Talk to a technician5. Follow their instructions6. Confirm it’s fixed7. Document problem/solution

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

Which component has an RJ11 jack?◦ Modem

Which component has a 15 pin female connector?◦ VGA

Review 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

Review 1

Review 2

Computing Fundamentals

Unit 3- Maintaining & Protecting Hardware