1. P3 - prepare a computer for installation/upgrade By Ridjauhn Ryan

2. Contents Test selection Test configuration Reading instructions Following procedures safety check Obtain resources Tools Associated installation software Backing up data Recording serial numbers Hardware Access rights

3. Introduction I'm going to talk about how to prepare a computer for an installation and how to prepare a computer for an upgrade. I will also be talking about hardware and software compatibility

4. Test selection You must test the new hardware works, it is an important task it allows it to be available to users. Firstly you must check that it is compatible with the computer system. Secondly find out if it has been recognised by the device manager, you can find the device manager by ‘right clicking’ the mouse then press the manage button found in the popup. You might need to update other software as well as the new hardware.

5. Test configuration It is highly important to test how efficient the new hardware is, it might not meet your standards if it doesn’t, you can keep it or replace it. You should find out if the hardware is working at its peak. If it isn't you can manually adjust them or run software to test the specified hardware to ensure it is working as you initially expected it to. Pc test pro is a good example of a software that you could run to test the hardware.

6. Reading instructions & following procedures READING the instructions should be the first thing you do when installing or upgrading hardware, you can learn a lot as well as finishing quicker if you go through the instructions. The main reason you need to follow the instructions is to get it correct the first time, if you improvise and fail the first time it will be no ones fault but your own you will also need to start over again which will waste a lot of time that is also why it is best to follow procedure

7. Safety check Safety checks are essential during hardware installation, it’ll help you spot faults in the hardware such as; system errors, viruses and unsupported data It also allows you to check if it is performing at its usual level or if its performance has decreased in the specified areas.

8. Obtain resources & tools You'll need to obtain specific tools to perform an installation you will also need to acquire specific resources and compatible hardware and software to install

9. Associated installation software Sometimes when you connect hardware to your laptop/Pc it will ask for the associated installation software which is the Cd/ disk that has the installation software for the piece of hardware you connected to your laptop/PC.

10. Backing up data & recording serial number Backing up data is an essential factor of everything, you need to back up your computer to avoid losing any important data that includes presentational and business documents as well as other installed software that has been changed from default settings. It is always good to record the serial number, serial numbers all hold loads of data the is only visual while on a computer

11. Hardware Ensure the hardware is compatible with the software. You must also ensure that you install the correct installation program for your hardware. You should follow the instructions and protocol on how to install the hardware to avoid having to attempt it more than once.

12. Access rights Most networks will have been set up with 'access rights'. This means the administrator has set up each person who can log on, with the right to access certain files and folders. Other parts of the network may have files you can only read but not write. And there will be areas that you cannot enter at all. Very few people will have access rights, on most occasions it is only one person who will have absolute access, the rest of the staff (if used in a school or company) will be unable to access. Access rights allow one person to keep control and fix any problem that my occur. The person who usually has this access is the technician as he is most qualified.

13. Installing software and hardware You must ensure that your devices are compatible with each other. You cannot expect Microsoft hardware to be compatible with Mac software they're completely different types of technology. You can find software that is compatible with Microsoft hardware but it might not be in the usual format that you are used to.

14. Upgrading software and hardware When you upgrade from Microsoft 2007 to Microsoft 2010 you should keep the old version to allow yourself to still access all of your saved documents on the old version, If you upgrade without keeping the old version your previous documents may become corrupt or inaccessible When

15. Conclusion I have explained each task you must do before you install hardware. It is essential that you follow those tasks to ensure that the hardware is successful installed