Lesson 4

1. Lesson 4 Computer Maintenance

2. Regular maintenance is required to keep computer running efficiently • Potential issues: • Hard drive performance slowing • Printer problems • Keyboard and mouse sluggish • Monitor not working properly • Computer cables damaged Cable Management: • Use to organize computer cables and bundle them together • Kits available almost anywhere computer supplies are sold • Damaged cables can prevent communication problems with peripheral devices Identifying Maintenance Issues

3. Preventative Maintenance performed on regular schedule will cut down on computer repairs Clean every 3-6 months; if dusty, clean more often • Keyboard • Check and clean periodically b/c keys can become jammed from dirt, dust, hair, or food particles • Use compressed air to clean • Spilled liquid on keyboard = turn off computer immediately, disconnect keyboard, rinse with water, turn upside down to remove excess liquid, dry with cloth, leave upside down for @ least 12 hours before reconnecting. Maintaining Hardware

4. Mouse • Mechanical mice (ball inside) can prevent rollers from moving effectively if they become clogged • Cleaning eliminates jerky or erratic movement: • Remove Cover • Remove Ball • Remove/Clean Debris from inside/outsidemouse and the mouse ball • Reassemble Mouse Maintaining Hardware

5. Printer • Check Printer Documentation (manual or online) • Clean recommended parts • Use cleaner recommended by manufactureror lint-free cloth with 50-50 mixture of water and vinegar; do not allow fluid inside of printer • Never spray aerosol directly on printer • Wear latex gloves to protect hands Maintaining Hardware

6. Inkjet Printers • After extensive use, small deposits of dried ink accumulate on printhead and eventually will clog ink jets and cause blotchy printing. • Many printers have self-cleaning modes that are available through printer’s control panel; if not, you can use inkjet cleaning cartridge. • Dust and ink from inexpensive paper can affect printer rollers • Suggested Cleaning: • Turn off printer and unplug it • Let it cool down, if necessary • Use small vacuum to remove debris • Do not use compressed air; it adds moisture to printer • Use special cleaning supplies, if required Maintaining Hardware

7. Laser Printers • Cleaned when print quality deteriorates or change toner cartridges • When cleaning internal components, do not touch anything shiny as if might be HOT or contain a charge • Suggested Cleaning: • Use printer brush or paint brush and lint-free cloth toclean inside toner openings • Remove paper fragments • Use clean cloth to remove spilled toner or dust • Clean rollers but do not touch transfer sponge roller • Replace toner cartridge(s) • Do not touch CORONA WIRES, if applicableThey are used to generate positive charge on drumsurface and paper. Do not use brush or vacuum on them either • Exposure to light can damage toner cartridges Maintaining Hardware

8. Necessary if components are become damaged or output/production needs to be increased. • Computer Memory • Best value to increasing computer performance • RAM made up of small memory chips to forma memorymodules; found in RAM slots on motherboard • Hard Drive (HD) = Long term memory • RAM = Short term memory (temporary) • Computer “Reads” and “Writes” to RAM • When RAM becomes full, processor accesses HD to replace old data with new data • HD access is slower than RAM therefore processing speed slows down when RAM is overloaded • Overloaded RAM can affect speed of monitor • Adding RAM increases performance, speed, and usability • Computers have max on amount of RAM that can be installed Upgrading and Replacing Hardware Components

9. Keyboards • Keyboards can be replaced without having to replace any other hardware components • Select keyboard according to design,performance and comfort • Ergonomic keyboard allow natural positioning for arms and hands; many are smaller in width to allow mouse to be closer; some include touchpads • Wireless keyboard reduces clutter of wires and cables and improves mobility Upgrading and Replacing Hardware Components

10. Mouse • Mice can be replaced without having to replace any other hardware components • Various types - Mechanical, Optical, Laser, Wireless • Can be ergonomic as well Touchpad can be used as a pointing device • Sense position of finger and move pointer accordingly • Notebook/Laptop computers usually have one • Cannot be replaced or upgraded withoutreplacing entire computer • Can use external touchpads Upgrading and Replacing Hardware Components

11. Computers slow over as you add/delete files, install/uninstall software, and normal activities Microsoft Windows comes with a Utilities program to help with the maintenance of your computer • Defrag HD • Empty Recycle Bin • Delete Temporary Files • Remove Cookies Following a routine maintenance schedule will allow your computer to run faster and more efficient PerformingPreventative Maintenance

12. Disk Defragmentation • New HD write file data in a set of side-by-side clusters • When HD becomes cluttered or limited on space, windows divides new data into sectors • Disk fragmentation occurs when data is broken upin to several pieces but not stored close together • Sectors are stored in blocks of non-adjacentclusters creating fragmented files Contiguous File PerformingPreventative Maintenance Hard Disk Sector

13. Disk Defragmentation (cont) • Computer reads fragmented file as single file, but has to scan multiple parts of drive and extends disk seek time; slows processing cycle and computer performance • Defragmentation organizes files so all of the file’s sectors are stored together • Defrag utility available in Windows • Defrag utility does not work on read-only disks, networks drives, or locked drives PerformingPreventative Maintenance

14. Disk Defragmentation (cont) • Steps to Defrag • Click Start then Control Panel • Click System and Security • Under Administrative Tools, click Defragment Hard Drive • Click Defragment Hard Drive Performing Preventative Maintenance

15. Recycle Bin • Holding area for files and folders before final deletion from storage • Contains files from HD that have been deleted intentionally or accidentally • removable media do not contain a recycle bin, therefore once file is deleted it is permanently gone • Access from desktop icon • Can view (double-click or right-click, open) contents before permanently deleted • Right-clicking an item will display shortcut menus • Restore, Cut, Delete, or Properties • Empty contents of Recycle Bin to permanently delete files/folders • Right-click icon and click Empty Recycle Bin • Warning box displays to prevent accidental deletion of files • Options are Yes or No at this point • Once file(s) have been deleted from bin = cannot be restored Performing Preventative Maintenance

16. Recycle Bin (cont) • Restore file(s) by opening Recycle Bin • Right-click name of file • Click Restore • Modify Recycle Bin settings • Right-click icon • Select Properties • Select settings to change • Click OK Performing Preventative Maintenance

17. Temporary Files • Created by various programs; it determines where and when to create temp files • Reasons: • Free memory for other programs • Act as a safety net to prevent data loss • Print while computer performs other tasks • Exist in current session of program • Program closed normally = temp files deleted automatically • Power loss/program not closed properly = temp file remain on HD PerformingPreventative Maintenance

18. Temporary Files (cont) • Steps to delete Temp Files • Click Start, Accessories, System Tools, “DISK CLEANUP” • Select Drive (if system contains more than one drive) to scan, Click OK • After scan, click on files to delete to display description, then click checkbox to select specific temp files to delete, then click OK PerformingPreventative Maintenance

19. Cookies • Small text file form a website used to identify specific computer • File created/updated on computer’s HD each time visit Website • Not a threat to computer’s security • Text file contains code that identifies your computer with the Web server each time Web page is accessed • Used primarily to gather info about your surfing habits PerformingPreventative Maintenance

20. Cookies (cont) • Steps to delete Cookies • Click Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet, Internet Options • Select General tab; in browsing history section, click the Delete button to display Delete Browser History dialog box • Check the Cookies checkbox • Press Delete PerformingPreventative Maintenance

21. Cookies (cont) Internet Options Network and Internet Delete Button Temporary Internet Files Checkbox Cookie Checkbox PerformingPreventative Maintenance

22. Some maintenance procedures require a computer professional; listed below are examples: • Replacing power supply/opening power supply case • Replacing electrical components • Replacing processor • Replacing/Adding HD • Replacing/Adding RAM Monitors, scanners, or printers are not designed to be opened by average computer user; use a computer tech RequestingSpecial Maintenance

23. Computer network security tested by equipment malfunctions, system failures, hackers, and viruses Examples: • Natural disasters – floods, storms, fires • Electrical disturbances – brownouts or blackouts • Server malfunctions – lose of network resources like printers, drives, and information • Hackers – gain unauthorized access to computer systems to steal services and/or information and cause damage to computer systems • Viruses – created to infect/sabotage computer systems and files/information Network Computing

24. 1) A computer is no different from a car in that it requires regular __________. Answer: maintenance 2) __________ kits can be used to organize cables and bundle them together. Answer: Cable management 3) As a general rule, how often should you clean a computer? Answer: Every three to six months QUICK QUIZZES

25. 4) True or False? You should brush or vacuum the corona wires on a laser printer once a year. Answer: False 5) Adding __________ to a computer generally helps increase performance, speed, and usability. Answer: RAM 6) __________ keyboards allow for a more natural positioning of your arms and hands. Answer: Ergonomic QUICK QUIZZES

26. 7) A(n) __________ keyboard reduces the clutter of unsightly wires and other cable problems and improves mobility. Answer: wireless 8) A(n) __________ is a pointing device you can use instead of a mouse. Answer: touchpad 9) Disk __________ occurs when data is broken up into many pieces that are not stored close together. Answer: fragmentation QUICK QUIZZES

27. 10) Disk __________ organizes fragmented files so that all of the file’s sectors are stored together. Answer: defragmentation 11) The Windows __________ is a holding area for files and folders before their final deletion from a storage device. Answer: Recycle Bin 12) True or False? Replacing or adding additional RAM to your computer should generally be performed by a computer professional. Answer: True QUICK QUIZZES