1. Chapter 6 Purchasing and Maintaining a Computer
Technology Now,
2nd Edition
Chapter 6
Purchasing and
Maintaining a Computer

2. In this Chapter Buy a Computer Install Hardware
Protect Computer Hardware
Safeguard Your Computer
Troubleshoot Common Hardware Problems
Keep Your Computer in Working Condition
Use Software to Maintain Your Computer

3. Buy a Computer (1 of 9)
Computers can be expensive, so you want to make an informed purchasing decision
The computer you buy needs to be within your budget, and it must support the computing tasks you expect to perform

4. Buy a Computer (2 of 9)
Computer purchasing options

5. Buy a Computer (3 of 9) Consider Budget and Intended Uses
A peripheral device is hardware you add to your computer system for additional functionality
Before you buy a computer, think about why you need it and how you intend to use it
Consider many questions to help you decide the size and shape, operating system, hardware specs, and peripherals to look for in a computer

6. Buy a Computer (4 of 9)
Select a Computer Form Factor Form factor is the size and shape of the computer

7. Buy a Computer (5 of 9)
Select a Computer Form Factor

8. Buy a Computer (6 of 9) Select a Computer Platform
Operating system or platform
Coordinates the functions of your computer’s hardware components
Determines the types and brands of application software you can use

9. Buy a Computer (7 of 9) Evaluate hardware requirements
Central processing unit (CPU)
Random access memory (RAM)
Bytes
Gigabytes (GB)
Terabytes (TB)
Storage devices
Internal hard drive
External hard drive
Solid state drive (SSD)

10. Buy a Computer (8 of 9) Buy Peripheral Devices May include: Printer
Headset
Speakers
Scanner
Mouse

11. Buy a Computer (9 of 9) Make the Purchase Consult knowledgeable people
Organize findings
Look at all the options
Consider service plans and extended warranties

12. Install Hardware (1 of 3)
Understand the pairing or connectivity requirements
Have needed cables ready
Know the power sources

13. Install Hardware (2 of 3) Install Necessary Device Drivers
Driver or device driver is a software program that works to connect and control devices attached to your computer so they can communicate and work together

14. Install Hardware (3 of 3)
Pair Bluetooth Devices and Install Wireless Devices
Bluetooth RF
Wireless printer
Pair

15. Protect Computer Hardware (1 of 4)
Computers are made of sensitive electronic components that can be damaged
Computer hardware should be protected from:
Extreme temperatures
Physical impact
Liquids
Magnetic fields
Dust and sand
Power fluctuations

16. Protect Computer Hardware (2 of 4)

17. Protect Computer Hardware (3 of 4)
Protect Devices from Power Fluctuations
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
Power fluctuations
Power spikes or power surges
Surge suppressor

18. Protect Computer Hardware (4 of 4)
Protect Devices from Power Fluctuations

19. Safeguard Your Computer (1 of 10)
Valuable on your computer: software programs, documents, financial and legal statements, photographs, music, and video files
Safeguard data by using secure devices, backing up your data, using passwords, building a firewall, and encrypting your data

20. Safeguard Your Computer (2 of 10)
Hardware can be secured using physical locks and cables

21. Safeguard Your Computer (3 of 10)
Recover Stolen Devices
Global positioning system (GPS)
Real- time location systems
radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags
computer tracking software

22. Safeguard Your Computer (4 of 10)
Recover Stolen Devices

23. Safeguard Your Computer (5 of 10)
Backup Data
Best protection is to back up your files to an external storage location
Store backups in a safe place
Consider advantages and disadvantages of cloud backup and storage

24. Safeguard Your Computer (6 of 10)
Backup Data

25. Safeguard Your Computer (7 of 10)
Backup Data

26. Safeguard Your Computer (8 of 10)
Use Passwords
Passwords are short words or phrases kept secret by a person and used to gain access to a website or data
Personal identification numbers often called PINs
Usernames
Two-factor authentication
Strong passwords

27. Safeguard Your Computer (9 of 10)
Build a Firewall
Firewall inspects data being transmitted by your computer to external recipients to prevent unsolicited data exchanges

28. Safeguard Your Computer (10 of 10)
Encrypt Data
Data encryption
Full disk encryption (FDE)
Encrypting File System (EFS) for Windows
FileVault for macOS

29. Troubleshoot Common Hardware Problems (1 of 5)
Computers are prone to problems
Basic hardware troubleshooting skills can save a lot of time and money
Professional repairs can be very expensive

30. Troubleshoot Common Hardware Problems (2 of 5)

31. Troubleshoot Common Hardware Problems (3 of 5)
Troubleshoot Storage Device Problems
Head crash
Manage Disk Space
Random access memory (RAM)
Virtual memory

32. Troubleshoot Common Hardware Problems (4 of 5)
Solve Display Problems
Video card
Solve Keyboard Problems
Solve Pointing Device Problems

33. Troubleshoot Common Hardware Problems (5 of 5)
Solve Printer Problems
Power
Connectivity
Toner or ink
Paper
Troubleshoot Power Problems
Troubleshoot External Storage Problems

34. Keep Your Computer in Working Condition (1 of 6)
Regular maintenance of a computer can keep it functioning properly and extend its life
Maintaining peripherals is as important as maintaining the main computer

35. Keep Your Computer in Working Condition (2 of 6)

36. Keep Your Computer in Working Condition (3 of 6)
Maintain the Hard Drive
magnetic hard drive
head crash
solid state drives (SSDs)
Maintain Removable Media
flash drive
solid state storage
memory cards

37. Keep Your Computer in Working Condition (4 of 6)
Care for Display Screens
Always turn off device
Use special cleaning products
Us lint free soft cloth
Use screen protector

38. Keep Your Computer in Working Condition (5 of 6)
Maintain Keyboards
Maintain Pointing Devices

39. Keep Your Computer in Working Condition (6 of 6)
Maintain Printers
Ink and toner
Paper
Use compressed air to clean
Clean an Electronic Device
Clean exterior regularly
Use a professional when necessary

40. Use Software to Maintain Your Computer (1 of 5)
Utility programs can help return your computer to better working condition
Be sure that your computer updates drivers, and frequently run the programs that clean up and optimize your hard drive

41. Use Software to Maintain Your Computer (2 of 5)
Use Disk Cleanup Tools

42. Use Software to Maintain Your Computer (3 of 5)
Optimize Magnetic Drives
disk defragmentation utility or disk optimization utility

43. Use Software to Maintain Your Computer (4 of 5)
System and Security Maintenance
Software on your computer is often updated automatically
Check the Action Center periodically
Control Panel > System and Security > Security and Maintenance

44. Use Software to Maintain Your Computer (5 of 5)
A computer virus is malicious software that infects your computer without your knowledge or permission
A virus can steal data, wipe out files or entire hard drives, and slow down performance
Virus protection software can scan incoming messages and programs to prevent virus infection
Spyware and Adware removal software can protect your computer from other harmful malware