1. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.1 Computer Literacy for IC 3 Unit 1: Computing Fundamentals Project 3: Evaluating, Purchasing, and Maintaining Computer Equipment

2. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.2 Identify criteria for selecting a personal computer Identify factors that affect computer performance Identify other factors to consider when purchasing a computer Protect your computer from physical damage Identify maintenance issues Solve hardware problems Objectives

3. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.3 Identifying Tasks Match computer capabilities to the tasks Software packages have specific requirements  Office 2003 requirements 233 mHz processor, 128 MB RAM, 400 MB hard disk space  Windows XP requirements 233 mHz processor, 128 MB RAM, 1.5 GB hard disk space

4. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.4 Platforms Software that allows application software to work with specific types of hardware is called the operating system Combination of the operating system and hardware is a platform Three common platforms  IBM compatible  Macintosh (Mac)  Linux

5. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.5 Windows with Pentium-Class Processor Intel or compatible processor from other manufacturer

6. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.6 Mac OS with G5 Processor Operating system from Apple Corporation  Macintosh (Mac) IBM supplies processors to Apple Corporation

7. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.7 Linux OS with Pentium-Class Processor Works with same Intel- compatible processors as Windows

8. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.8 Choosing a Platform Things to consider Software requirements Cross-platform file management Backward compatibility Drivers for peripheral devices Cost

9. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.9 Choosing Between Desktop and Portable Computers Desktop computers cost less Portable computers are portable and take up less space  Cost more and are more likely to be stolen

10. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.10 Relationships Among Factors Determine the tasks the computer will perform Consider software, platform, and location

11. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.11 Processor Word Size & Clock Speed Personal computer processors use 32- bit words  Display millions of different colors  Display characters in hundreds of languages  Perform calculations with a high degree of accuracy Clock emits pulses measured in Hertz  One pulse per second = one Hertz  The faster the clock speed, the more actions the processor can perform

12. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.12 Effects of RAM Speed and Capacity RAM  Measured by its response time in nanoseconds (ns) and quantity of data it can store in megabytes  Used to store instructions from software applications  If RAM is too slow, it might cause errors and malfunctions or cause computer to use virtual memory

13. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.13 Hard Disk Factors Rate at which disks spin and speed with which heads move determine speed  Speed of rotation measured in revolutions per minute (rpm)  Capacity measured in gigabytes Faster rotation = faster performance

14. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.14 Connection Speed Factors LAN connection speed  Common NICs, routers, and other devices operate at 10 megabits per second  Company LAN devices operate at 100 megabits per second or more Internet connection speed  Telephone voice lines are slowest  Broadband is 30 times faster than voice lines  Asynchronous digital subscriber line (ADSL) is fast

15. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.15 Optical Data Storage Options CD-ROM drive cannot write to disc CD-RW drive can read and write to disc DVD drive stores large files such as digital video

16. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.16 Software and Sources Site license Prepackaged Freeware, shareware, and trials Student discount Retail software

17. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.17 Other Considerations Fan noise level Maintenance contracts Return policies Performance/price ratio Organizational standards

18. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.18 Protecting Computers from Theft To protect computers from theft  Use cables with locks  Lock doors and limit access to rooms with computer equipment  Attach a unique identifying tag to computer  Record serial number in separate location  Install tracking software

19. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.19 Factors That Damage Computers Overheating Humidity Magnetic fields  Electromagnetic interference Electrical damage  Power surges  Power fluctuations  Voltage differences  Static electricity

20. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.20 Avoidance Common problems can be avoided with routinely scheduled maintenance Seek professional assistance if you are unsure

21. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.21 Common Problems Dust and dirt – Overheated processor Sticky keys Malfunctioning mouse Printing problems – Clogged jets or dirty rollers Hard disk problems – Avoid full hard disk, defragment, remove temporary files

22. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.22 Professional Maintenance Replacing and adding: Power supply Expansion cards  Sound cards, video cards, and network cards RAM Disk drives  Floppy, optical, and hard disk Processor Working on peripherals Printers, monitors, and scanners

23. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.23 Common Hardware Problems Nothing happens High-pitched whine Floppy won’t read Blank screen Distorted images New peripheral device doesn’t work

24. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.24 Steps to Resolve a Problem 1.Isolate the problem(s) 2.Restart the computer 3.Troubleshooting guide 4.Reproduce the problem 5.Document the problem 6.Find qualified help 7.Provide specific info 8.Use a repair shop

25. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.25 End-of-Project Exercises Multiple Choice Discussion Skill Drill  Deleting Web Pages from Cache  Emptying the Trash from the Recycle Bin  Using Office Help to Troubleshoot Problems Printing Envelopes and Labels Challenge  Learning About StarOffice  Determining Student Discounts on Software  Checking Out Free Anti-Virus Software from AVG Discovery Zone  Discovering the World of Freeware and Shareware  Learning About Anti-Theft Software that Reports on Your Stolen Computer’s Activity

26. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.26 Summary Identified common and specialized input and output devices Identified internal components such as storage, memory, and processing hardware Learned about external storage devices and how to connect the devices to various ports Extended your knowledge by reviewing concepts and terms, and by practicing variations of skills presented in the lessons

27. Copyright © 2006 Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved.27 Questions?