Principles of Technology

Unit 3- Maintaining & Protecting Hardware

Identify the importance of keeping a computer clean. Explain what is needed to clean a PC. Identify the importance of protecting computer hardware

from theft and damage. Make a secure password. Protect a computer against viruses. Explain how to backup data. Identify how to protect computer hardware from power loss. Identify common problems associated with computer

hardware. Identify routine maintenance tasks. Define problem solving & identify the steps. Identify criteria for selecting a computer.

Objectives

How much do computers cost?

You want to protect your investment

Easy to maintain◦ Keep it physically clean◦ Protecting it from bad software◦ Protect/Backup your files

Why Keep the PC Healthy?

What makes the screen dirty?

LCD/LED screens (Non-glass)◦ NEVER spray liquid or

Windex! Ruins the anti-glare coating Can leak into monitor

Dirty Screen

Pre-moistened Wipes

Spray & Cloth◦ Spray liquid onto

microfiber cloth

Use on LCD/LED, cell phone screen, Tablets, photo frames, etc.

Cleaning the Screen

What makes the keyboard dirty?

Could cause it not to work

Dirty Keyboard

Unplug, turn upside down & shake◦ Use compressed air

Use wipes

Spill?◦ Disconnect, turn upside down to

drain Sticky?

Hold on side & rinse Drain for 2 days

Cleaning the Keyboard

Can get sticky & dusty on bottom◦ Causes erratic movement

Sticky/dirty on top

Dirty Mouse

Use wipes

Cleaning the Mouse

Your laptop screen is dirty. Why should you NOT use Windex to clean it?◦ Ruins the anti-glare coating & can leak inside

What can be used to get food particles & dust out of your keyboard?◦ Compressed air

When cleaning an LCD screen with a liquid pump spray, how do you apply the spray?◦ Spray onto the cloth

Review

Dust & dirt build-up Clogged fans

Dirty Computer Case

Use compressed air◦ DON’T blow dust inside PC!◦ Dust keeps PC hot

Vacuum outside case only◦ Anti-static vacuum inside

Wipes to clean surface

Cleaning the Case

Keep the expensive laptop clean!

Cleaning Your Laptop

How can dust damage your computer?◦ Clogs up fans; causes overheating

Vacuuming the inside of a computer with a regular vacuum cleaner can cause what kind of damage?◦ Static electricity can damage components

When using compressed air to clean dust from computer fans, how should you do this?◦ Blow dust outside of the computer, not in

Review

Take in air on bottom, expel heat out back

Cooling Stand◦ Keeps cool air going in◦ Prevents overheating

Padded Bags◦ Protect when carrying

Laptop Care

Protect from Theft Kensington Lock Secure physical devices Businesses or Personal use

Organizing Cables Organizing cables under desk Velcro wire-ties

Shop for maintenance accessories

Project

Allows many plugs into one Not recommended!

Power Strip

Surge or Spike◦ Too much electricity◦ Lightning strike or power

fluctuation

Power Outages◦ No electricity

Protect from Electrical Damage

What’s a surge? An increase in voltage significantly above

the designated level

Surge Protector diverts extra voltage like a valve

AKA Surge Protector◦ Better than Power Strip

What to look for?◦ # of outlets◦ Joule rating

More joules better protection

◦ Cord length◦ Noise filter◦ $$ protection warranty

Surge Suppressor

Surge Protector Features

# of Outlets

Length of cord

# of Joules

Connected equipment warranty $$

UPS Uninterruptable Power

Supply

Battery backup PLUS surge protection & noise filter

Will power equip until you can save & shutdown◦ 10-20 min.

Find a single outlet surge protector for your laptop

Find a 6-8 outlet surge protector (strip or wall) for computers with at least 2500 joules

Find a surge/UPS strip with at least 10 minutes of backup time

Comparing Surge Protectors Handout (group)

Surge Protector Homework Handout

Project

Don’t use easy, common words Mistakes:

Passwords

Most common password is…password◦ Also 123456

Tips & Advice:

Password Tips

Top 25 worst passwords of

2011

Strong Password

Checker from Microsoft

Prevents virus install & helps remove it

Enable auto-update◦ New virus’ made

everyday Be careful what you

download◦ AV might not catch

them all Name some AV

software

Anti-virus Protection

Office Max◦ McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 1 & 3-user◦ Kaspersky Internet Security 3-user

Staples◦ Norton Internet Security 2013 3-user◦ McAfee Total Protection 2013

Best Buy◦ Kaspersky Internet Security 3-user

Walmart◦ McAfee Antivirus Plus 2013 3-user◦ Norton Antivirus 2013 3-user

Anti-virus Software Project

What files are important to you?

Data is very valuable

Backup data◦ External drive◦ Online

Protect Your Data

Image= Windows, Programs, Settings & Files◦ Used if entire drive stops working◦ The system image must be saved on a hard drive.

Files= your pics, songs, files◦ The files can be saved on a flash drive, CD, DVD,

or a hard drive.

Backup Your Data

Win 7 Image Win 7 FilesWin 7 Mac

How to Backup Data & Images◦ In groups of 2◦ Make a 1-2 page EASY instruction sheet with

pictures◦ Keep it organized with pictures under each step or

to the right◦ After checked, save as a PDF

Project

Which is a better password?◦ Mcdonalds1 ◦ puppydog ◦ 8564681445◦ 28Cr38teR_!

What 2 jobs does AV software perform?◦ Prevents virus install & removes it

What 2 things can you back up on the PC?◦ Image (programs & settings) and files

Review

What are some common problems people have with computers?

Common Problems

Crashed HD◦ Overheat, dropped, shaken,

wear out

Damaged media◦ Scratched CD/DVD◦ Dusty flash drive, banged

around

Printer Problems◦ Paper jams◦ Low ink or toner

Hardware Issues

Display problems◦ Check power◦ Check video cable

Loss of network◦ Loose cable◦ Wireless down

Incompatible device◦ Check if it’s plugged in

Hardware Issues

Routine Maintenance Visual Inspection

◦ Check cables Plugged in Good condition Inside computer too

Care for Removable Media

Avoid extreme temperatures

Don’t touch media surface

Hold optical disks at edges

Keep disks in case when moving them

Useful Life Personal PC: 3-5 years Special Recycle

◦ Check with town/county Donate

Buy or Upgrade Consider the costs to upgrade versus a new

PC

8GB RAM= better performance; you have 4GB◦ You need 4GB more RAM & a 1TB hard drive◦ RAM: $50◦ Hard Drive: $100◦ New computer would cost: about $500

Is it worth it? Is your PC in good shape & performing well?

Buying a Computer What to consider

◦ Who is using it?◦ What will it be used for?◦ List the tasks, software

Check requirements◦ Portability or not◦ MAC or PC◦ Brand/Reliability◦ Storage devices◦ Peripherals- how many?◦ Warranty/Support

Support & Warranty

Product Support Product Warranty

Tech support (for the hardware, not OS)

Company will help you troubleshoot

Free for a time period

Then, may charge per call/per hour

Written guarantee for a time period

If product doesn’t work, manufacturer will repair/replace

Normal wear & tear

Does NOT cover damage you do

Upgrading Components

New keyboard, mouse (check connections)◦ Anyone can add themselves

Add RAM or Drives/Cards◦ May require pro to install

Buying a Computer◦ Each student will get a budget amount◦ Meet requirements given◦ Add to your “My Computer” PPT

Slide 1= budget & requirements Slide 2= brand, model, specs, picture, price

Recycling◦ Look up your town’s/county’s computer recycling

program◦ Describe what to do with items

Project

What do you do when your computer has a problem?◦ Nothing◦ Call someone you know◦ Look it up◦ Fix it yourself◦ Buy a new computer

You should troubleshoot!

Solving Problems

My Troubleshooting Example

On boot, message popup◦ Unable to load library wxfw.dll. Attempted to load

<Key notfound>\wxfw.dll.Error code:126

Search online for wxfw.dll Found it was from a Desktop Weather

Program Found program & uninstalled Reboot & no error

Troubleshooting1. Identify the problem (What’s the

problem?)2. Check Basic Solutions

◦ Cables plugged in, just restart it, out of ink3. Research for help & support

◦ Internet, boards, tech support site4. Talk to a technician & follow their

instructions5. Confirm it’s fixed6. Document problem/solution

Troubleshooting Scenarios- Check the basics

The entire computer has completely frozen up. I can't click anywhere on the screen. I can't even use the Start button to shut it down. ◦ Ctrl + Alt + Delete

I press print & the printer does not respond at all.◦ Check the cables; what other solutions?

Review Which device protects a computer from

electrical surges?◦ Surge suppressor

What rating on a surge protector identifies the amount of extra electricity it can handle?◦ Joules

UPS stands for what?◦ Uninterruptable power supply

What is the purpose of a UPS?◦ Gives you time to save files & safely shut down

when the power goes out

Review When troubleshooting, what would a basic

solution be?◦ Checking the cables to see if they’re plugged in

What is the last step in troubleshooting?◦ Document the problem/solution

T or F. When you have a problem, you should contact tech support immediately.◦ False

Principles of Technology

Unit 3- Maintaining & Protecting Hardware