improvements that could be made to a computer system.

I was asked to set up a stand alone computer system in the previous question and download any hardware or software chosen. The hardware I downloaded was a printer and the software I installed was operating system. This was then tested to see if there were any problems with the downloading.

  In my own opinion I would say that when I tested the hardware and software components for functionality, I found that the hardware and software chosen responded well and were loaded without any problems or difficulty. The speed of the computer system was up to date therefore the hardware and software being downloaded finished quickly and worked fine.

  Overall I would say that the computer system was good enough to get the downloading completed, however, if there was anything that I would change I would see if there was enough money left to maybe buy an actual hardware component and download it on the system. Therefore this would allow me to see if the hardware would have any problems while downloading and how the problem could be solved along the way. This would aid the end user when using the computer system.

 KEYBOARD: The Microsoft Sidewinder series gaming keyboards are top-of-the-line, highly functional gaming products that are excellent additions to any gamers’ computer system.

The Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard is a nor frills to the point slim keyboard with side numeric keypad. The keyboard can be used with or without the numeric keypad.

WEBCAM:   The Microsoft Life Cam Cinema is one of Microsoft's new HD webcams. With a max resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels HD video (Still Image: Up to 5 megapixel 2880x1620), the Life Cam Cinema is one of the best webcams on the market today.

There has also been improvement on computers; some computers now come with two processors i.e dual core processors, slim line technologies

 

Evaluate the performance of the computer system you have configured and tested

Take note of the time on your computer when it freezes or crashes. You will need this time to troubleshoot your PC and determine the root of the problem.

2

Start Event Viewer by clicking on the "Start" button and choosing "Control Panel" from the menu. When "Control Panel" starts, make sure you're using the classic view. If you're not, double-click on "Switch to Classic View" in the left-hand pane.

3

Double-click the "Administrative Tools" applet, then choose "Event Viewer." Look through the tabs and search for an event with a time stamp matching the time of your last computer freeze or crash. Note the name of the application that caused the crash. You may need to reinstall this problematic program.

4

Close Event Viewer and start Task Manager by right-clicking on an empty area of the taskbar and choosing "Task Manager" from the menu. Click the "Applications" tab and note any programs with a status of "Not Responding." Then click the "Processes" tab and click on the "CPU" heading to sort the processes by how many system resources they are consuming. Look at the process that is using the most system resources. For instance, if Excel is using 100% of CPU time it is probably not running correctly and will need to be reinstalled.

5

Click on the "Start" button and choose "Control Panel" from the menu. Double-click the "Add/Remove Programs" applet and locate the program that is causing the bottleneck. Click on the "Change" button if one is available and choose "Repair" to repair the program. If no "Change" button is visible, the program does not have a repair function--you will need to click the "Delete" button, remove the program and reinstall it.

Disk Defragmenter is a Utility included in Microsoft Windows designed to increase access speed by rearranging files stored on a disk to occupy contiguous storage locations, a technique commonly known as defragmenting. The purpose is to optimize the time it takes to read and write files to/from the disk by minimizing head travel time and maximizing the transfer rate. As of Windows XP, Disk Defragmenter is also used to improve system startup times.  

To enhance the perfomance of your system;

Download and install software designed to benchmark your PC.

Close any other software you have open on your computer.

3

Run the software. The software should prompt you to scan your computer. If the benchmarking software doesn't prompt you, run the software manually.

4

Read the results. You should see information about things such as your processor speed, RAM usage, memory taken and hard disk capacity E.T.C

An example of software you could use is;






CONTD:

ü  CMOS /BIOS SET-UP: I checked the CMOS Set up to make sure the appropriate drive is set as the bootable device (the hard drive).  I also made sure that the Time and Date are set correctly and I also made sure that the power supply is circulated. So the next time I turned on my computer all of this features were functioning properly. To view the CMOS set-up, it depends on the type of system you are using; in some computers you are asked to press F8 or DEL.

ü  POST (Power-on-self-test): I Performing the power on self test made me know if all my device drivers and other peripherals like the keyboard and mouse were functioning properly. The POST also helps to know which device is set as the master and which is set as the slave. When the POST loads it also shows what type of micro-processor, memory (whether 32-bit or 64-bit). It basically shows the type of configuration you have made, if the configurations are wrong it tells you so you can amend it immediately.

ü  INITIATION OF REGISTERS AND POWER MANAGEMENT: To do this I loaded the CMOS Set-up and initiated the power management set up  and the Frequency/ voltage control. To do this, after the POST a blue screen comes out like this telling you to press any key to check your file system.

 

ü  DISPLAY SYSTEM SETTINGS: I made sure the display settings is set to its appropriate resolution and colour

ü  DETERMINING BOOTABLE DEVICE: I determined the bootable device by loading the boot menu and I selected the hard drive as my first bootable device. This configuration was determined to be correct by the POST.

ü  INITIATE BOOTSTRAP SEQUENCE: A boot sequence is the set of operations the computer performs when it is switched on which load an operating system.

 This is an example of my computer going through boot sequence.

Configure a computer system to meet user needs.

Configure a computer system to meet user needs.  To do so, you must configure the following basic system settings:

 Left and right mouse buttons: 

To configure mouse buttons go to> control panel> mouse, then a dialog box opens. Click on either right handed or left handed depending on your choice, you can also adjust the mouse click speed and pointers

 Power saving options: To configure  power saving option go to> control panel> power options, then you select the type of power  plan you want, to make your battery or pc last longer it is advisable to select power saver.

 Screen resolution: To configure the screen resolution for windows vista go to> control panel>personalization> display settings, then click on the type of resolution you want

Desktop theme:To configure the desktop theme for windows vista go to> control panel>personalization>theme, then you click on any one depending on your choice, you can also use your picture as the desktop theme .

Font size:To configure the font size for windows vista go to> control panel>Fonts, then you make changes to the fonts( deleting or editing them)

 Default language setting:To configure the default language settings for windows vista go to> control panel>Regional and language options> keyboards and languages> change keyboard, this tab includes text and input languages 

Default folder locations:To configure the default folder location for windows vista go to> control panel>Folder options, in this dialog box there are three tabs which is general, view and search.

Virus protection — run an update to the virus definition files: To configure this go to> control panel>windows security centre or go to your anti-virus program, then run it, in here you can configure when it should always scan your pc( every day , every week, months or even hours) 

Schedule a full system scan for 10:00 am every Friday

Drive formatting: To configure this go to>my computer>right click on the drive you want to format, then click format.

Setting up a stand alone computer system by installing and configuring your chosen hardware and software components

In order to design and install a stand-alone system to meet specified user

needs you will need to develop the following skills and techniques:

• installing a stand-alone PC
• installing operating system software
• installing application software
• configuring hardware and software
• preparing and implementing test procedures

Application Software

You must be able to select appropriate types of application software and choose between different packages. In order to do so, you will need to know about, and have had hands-on experience of, as wide a range of software as possible, including:

• word processing software
• spreadsheet software
• database software
• website software
• artwork and imaging software
• presentation software
• specialist software, such as:
• accounts applications
• logistics planning applications
• computer-aided design applications
• digital video editing
• music composition and editing
• project management applications

Operating System Software

You must know about operating system software and be able to assess

features, including:

• ability to customise
• support for connectivity of portable media
• security, stability and reliability
• ease of management
• associated utilities
• cost and support for the user

You will need to learn how to select the most appropriate operating

system for the systems you are designing. It is not necessary at this stage to learn about networks, but you do need to understand the difference between single user and multi-user operating systems.

System Hardware

Before you can design a hardware specification for a system, you need a good understanding of ICT components and their purpose, including:

• motherboards (Pentium II mobo pic)
• processors
• heat-sinks
• fans
• multimedia devices, such as graphics cards, sound cards, TV cards
• network interface cards
• hard disks (1GB Then & Now)
• optical drives
• other storage media
• main memory
• input and output devices
• ports

system Installation

You will learn about the procedures involved in system installation and the need to work in a safe, controlled environment.

You will gain practical experience of installation by setting up a stand-alone computer system. You will learn how to connect at set up equipment such as:

• Monitor: Your monitor should be operated in subdued light; strong direct light should not reach the screen, your display adaptor software should be set to 24 or 32 bit color (True Color). To see the setting, right-click on the Windows wallpaper (the background outside any open windows), then click on Properties, Settings. Set the 'contrast', which is also called 'picture' on some monitors to its midpoint. You need to select the type of monitor you want to use.
• Printer: 

  Setting Up a Network Printer 1. Click on the Start button, then click Control Panel, then click Printers and Faxes, then click Add Printer.

  2. A new Add Printer Wizard window opens. Click Next to start.

  3. Select Local printer attached to this computer. Make sure Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer is NOT checked. 4. Then click Next to continue.

  5. We will create a new port for your network printer.Select Create a new port. 6. Beside Type of Port, click on the down arrow, then click on Standard TCP/IP Port. 7. Click Next to continue.

  8. A new Add Printer Port Wizard will open. Click Next to continue.

  9. You must now type your printer's IP Address in the Printer Name or IP Address field. 10. The Port Name will automatically be filled when you enter the IP Address. Do not change the Port Name. 11. Click Next to continue.

  12. IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS, then you will see the screen on the right.This means that the IP Address for the printer is NOT available on the network. Select the Back button and make sure you entered the correct IP Address. Check to see that your network printer is powered on and displays a 'ready' status.

  13. IF YOU DID NOT HAVE PROBLEMS, Windows XP will scan the network to find your printer's IP Address. This may take a few seconds. Select Finish to continue.

  14. You must now select the printer's manufacturer and model.Windows XP will automatically select the detected manufacturer and printer driver. Normally, you will not have to change this selection. 15. OPTIONAL: If your printer is listed but you have more than one printer model to choose from, please select the model with PS, if available. 16. IF your network printer is NOT automatically detected, select the Windows Update button to find the proper software drivers.

  Note: If your printer is not automatically recognized using Windows Update, please call your Help Desk.

  17. You will be prompted to confirm the selected printer driver. Make sure Keep existing driver is selected, then click Next to continue.

  18. You will be prompted to assign the printer a Name. You can use the default name, or add more info to indicate the printer location, such as My Office, Hallway, Foyer, Room 222, etc. 19. Select Yes if you want to use the printer as the default printer. Click Next to continue.

  20. You will be prompted to share the network printer. Do NOT share the network printer.  21. Click Next to continue.

  22. You will be prompted to print a test page. Select Yes, then click Next. 23. Check your network printer to make sure your page printed.Select Yes when prompted to confirm a successful test page. 24. Click on the Finish button to complete the Add Printer Wizard.

  Congratulations! If your test page printed, you have successfully installed the network printer.

• modem/router:
• keyboard/mouse
• speakers
• microphone

install components, such as: 

• graphics card
• sound card

install and configure software, including:

• operating system software: Installing windows such as windows XP

1. if you're planning on installing Windows XP on a new, empty hard drive, The most important before setting up Windows XP is to check the minimum system requirements for installation. 

 2.   Boot From the Windows XP CD; To begin the Windows XP installation process, you will need to boot from the Windows XP CD. Watch for a Press any key to boot from CD... message similar to the one shown in the screen shot above. Press a key to force the computer to boot from the Windows CD. If you do not press a key, your PC will attempt to boot to the next device in the boot order, which is probably your hard drive. Since your hard drive has no operating system on it, the boot process will fail.

3. Press F6 to Install a Third Party Driver

Install Windows XP - Step 3 of 30

The Windows Setup screen will appear and a number of files and drivers necessary for the setup process will load.

4. Press ENTER to Set Up Windows XP

Install Windows XP - Step 4 of 3        

After the necessary files and drivers are loaded, the Windows XP Professional Setup screen will appear.

5. Read and Accept the Windows XP Licensing Agreement

6. Create a partition

Since your hard drive is probably new or has never been used, all of the space on it is unpartitioned. In this step, you will create a new partition for Windows XP to use.

7. Choose a partition 

Here you need to choose a size for the new partition. This will become the size of the C drive, the main drive on your PC that Windows XP will installl to. 

8. Choose a partition to install windows xp on

Highlight the line with the newly created partition and press Enter to set up Windows XP on the selected partition.

9.  Choose a file system to format the partition 

For Windows XP to install on a partition on a hard drive, it has to be formatted to use a particular file system - either the FAT file system format or the NTFS file system format. NTFS is more stable and secure than FAT and is always the recommended choice for a new Windows XP installation.

10. Wait for the new partition to format

Depending on the size of the partition that you are formatting and the speed of your computer, formatting the partition could take anywhere from a few minutes to several minutes or hours.

11. Wait for the Windows XP Installation Files to Copy

12. Windows xp installation begins

Windows XP will now begin installing. No user intervention is necessary.

13. Choose regional and language option 

During installation, the Regional and Language Options window will appear.

14.  Enter your name and organization

In the Name: text box, enter your full name. In the Organization text box, enter your organization or business name. Click Next > when complete

15. Enter a computer name and administrator password

16. Set the date and time

In the Date and Time Settings window, set the correct date, time and time zone settings.

Click Next > when complete.

17. Choose the networking settings

The Networking Settings window will appear next with two options for you to choose from -Typical settings or Custom settings.

18. Enter a work group or domain name

19. Wait for windows XP installation to finalise

The Windows XP installation will now finalize. No user intervention is necessary.

20. Wait for restart and first windows XP boot

Your PC will automatically restart and proceed to load Windows XP for the first time.

21. Accept automatic display adjustment

22. Confirm automatic display adjustment

23.  Begin final set up of windows XP

The Welcome to Microsoft Windows screen appears next, informing you that the next few minutes will be spent setting up your computer.

24. Wait for Internet connectivity setting

The Checking your Internet connectivity screen appears next, informing you that Windows is checking to see if your computer is connected to the Internet.

 

25. Choose an Internet connection method 

In this step, Windows XP wants to know whether your computer connects to the Internet through a network or if it connects to the Internet directly.

26.  Optionally register windows xp with Microsoft

Registration with Microsoft is optional, but if you'd like to do that now, choose Yes, I'd like to register with Microsoft now, click Next -> and follow the instructions to register.

Otherwise, choose No, not at this time and click Next ->.

27. Create initial user account

In this step, setup wants to know the names of the users who will use Windows XP so it can setup individual accounts for each user. You must enter at least one name but can enter up to 5 here. More users can be entered from within Windows XP after installation is complete.

28. Finish final set up of windows xp 

All of the necessary files are installed and all of the necessary settings are configured.

Click Finish -> to proceed to Windows XP.

29. Wait for windows XP to start

Windows XP is now loading for the first time. This may take a minute or two depending on your computer's speed.

30. Windows xp installation is complete

This completes the final step of installing Windows XP! Congratulations! If you're new to Windows XP, click on the balloon (shown above) to take a tour.

• applications software
• create appropriate directory/folder structures

System Configuration

You will learn how to customise the system by altering the configuration of

both system and application software to suit a client’s needs, including:

• accessing the BIOS and making suitable and safe changes, such as setting a BIOS password to prevent unauthorised access, editing power management options etc.
• editing anti-virus configurations
• editing the desktop — icon size, font size, colour, background, icon choice
• creating start-up options
• setting file sharing/permissions
• creating and reconfiguring application toolbars

Health and safety:

• ensuring that hardware, cables, seating etc are positioned correctly
• ensuring that lighting is appropriate
• taking regular breaks
• handling and storing media correctly