COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer Hardware and Maintenance Assignment

Group members
Name ID
1. Betelhem Belete………………………….1526/10
2. Eyuel Tadesse……………………………1546/10
3. Jima Shibiru…………….......................1562/10

.
4 Wegenu Ketema…………………………1582/10
  Discuss the following basic computer maintenance topics:
 a. Installing Current Operating System Updates

 b. Clearing the Cache in your Internet Browser(s)

 c. Maintaining Current Anti-Virus Software

 d. Maintaining Current Malware Protection Software

 e. Running Disk Cleanup (Windows)


Answer

a. Installing Current Operating System Updates

 A very crucial factor in keeping your computer performance its best, as well
as maintaining latest security updates is to keep your operating system up-
to-date with the developers’ latest patches.
 Software updates are important because they often include critical patches
to security holes. They can also improve the stability of your software, and
remove outdated features.
 All of these updates are aimed at making the user experience better.

The Window operating system update is as the following.

 Click on Start, select All Programs, and then select Windows

Update.
 If there are any outstanding updates, click Install Updates button.
 This may require a restart after updates are finished installing.
 To check settings for Windows updates, you can click on Start, select
 Programs, then select Windows Update.
 On the left-hand side select Change Settings and the option currently
selected for installing Windows updates is listed under Important
Updates.

1
 b. Clearing the Cache in your Internet Browser(s)

 It is another maintenance suggestion which periodically clearing the cache

(memory) and cookies from Internet browser(s).
 It is recommended that doing this about every two weeks or so.
 clearing the cache (memory) and cookies from the internet browser(s) is
important for two (2) reasons: -

 Clear cookies to fix

o Sign-in problems (not being able to sign-in, not being able to stay signed-in
to Blackboard or MyCampus).
o Error messages about setting user cookies.
 Clear cache to fix
o Pages that freeze or don't finish loading
o Outdated pages with old content
o Online applications that don't respond
 There are a number of browsers with different methods to clear cache and
cookies.

2
C. Maintaining Current Anti-Virus Software

 One of the most important steps in maintaining your computer's

performance and security is keeping your anti-virus software up-to-
date and frequently scanning your computer for viruses.
 Scans and updates are scheduled to run automatically.

How to Choose and Properly Maintain an Anti-Virus Program

1. Download a trial version.

2. Be aware of 'weighty' software.
3. Buy as a Suite of Products, Not as a Single Piece of Software.
4. Leverage the Available Bulk Licenses.
5. Get the Physical Software Disks.
6. Run/Schedule Software Updates Regularly.

d. Maintaining Current Malware Protection Software

 Another maintenance recommendation is to run Malware protection software.

 Malware, or malicious software, is any program or file that is harmful to a computer

user.

The ways use to prevent malware are:

1. Keep your computer and software updated.

2. Use a non-administrator account whenever possible.

3. Think twice before clicking links or downloading anything.

4 .Be careful about opening email attachments or images.

5. Don't trust pop-up windows that ask you to download software.

6 .Limit file-sharing.

e. Running Disk Cleanup (Windows)

 Disk Cleanup uses to reduce the number of unnecessary files on your drives,
which can help your PC run faster. It can delete temporary files and system files,
empty the Recycle Bin, and remove a variety of other items that you might no
longer need.
 It is recommended to run Disk Cleanup about twice a month.

3
  To delete files:
The following procedure deletes files associated with user account.

To open Disk Cleanup from the desktop,

 Click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then Click Disk
Cleanup.
 The Disk Cleanup dialog box should appear. It may take a while to detect which files can
be deleted.
 In the Disk Cleanup dialog, select the checkboxes for the file types that you want to
delete, Click OK, and then Click Delete files
 . The process may take a while to complete.

2. Most common computer problems

 A Problem is any situation that occurs that is unexpected or prevents something from
occurring.
 When dealing with computer problems, you must first understand the source of the problem
and then find a solution to fix the problem.

The following are common computer problems.

2. 1 The Computer Won’t Start

 A computer that suddenly shuts off or has difficulty starting up could have a
failing power supply.

 Check that the computer is plugged into the power point properly and, if that
doesn’t work, test the power point with another working device to confirm
whether or not there is adequate power.

2.2 Computer is Slow

 If the computer is slower than normal, it can be often simply fixed the
problem by cleaning the hard disk of unwanted files

 Also install a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware tools, and schedule

regular registry scans.

 External hard drives are great storage solutions for overtaxed CPU’s, and
will help the computer run faster.

4
 2. 3 Overheating

 If a computer case lacks a sufficient cooling system, then the computer’s

components may start to generate excess heat during operation.

 To avoid computer burning itself out, turn it off and let it rest if it’s getting
hot.

 Additionally, you can check the fan to make sure it’s working properly.

2. 4 Windows Won’t Boot

 If there is troubles on booting Windows, then we may have to reinstall it

with the Windows recovery disk.

2. 5. The Screen is Blank

 If the computer is on but the screen is blank, there may be an issue with
the connection between the computer and the screen.

 First, check to see if the monitor is plugged into a power point and that the
connection between the monitor and computer hard drive is secure.

 If the problem is on a laptop, then you may need to get a professional to

fix it as some of the internal wires may be worn.

2.6 Abnormally Functioning Operating System or Software

 If the operating system or other software is either unresponsive or is acting up,

then try restarting your computer and run a virus scan.

 To avoid having this happen, install reliable anti-virus software.

2. 7.Strange Noises

 A lot of noise coming from your computer is generally a sign of either

hardware malfunction or a noisy fan.

 Hard drives often make noise just before they fail, so you may want to back
up information just in case, and fans are very easy to replace.

5
2.8 Slow Internet

 To improve your Internet browser performance, you need to clear cookies and
Internet temporary files frequently.

 In the Windows search bar, type ‘%temp%’ and hit enter to open the temporary
files folder.

2. 9 Dropped Internet Connections

 Dropped Internet connections can be very frustrating.

 Often the problem is simple and may be caused by a bad cable or phone line,
which is easy to fix.

 More serious problems include viruses, a bad network card or modem, or a

problem with the driver.

2.10 The Screen is frozen

 When computer is freezes, you may have no other option than to reboot and risk
losing any unsaved work.

 Freezes can be a sign of insufficient ram, registry conflicts, corrupt or

missing files, or spyware.

 Press and hold the power button until the computer turns off, then restart it and
get to work cleaning up the system so that it doesn’t freeze again.

6
2.11 Blue Screen of Death

The dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) can occur due to both software and hardware
problems, but usually, it’s a hardware problem.

Whatever the cause, BSOD requires immediate attention as it’s a sign of a big problem.

 Blue Screen View is a great Nirsoft utility that will show important information if you have
recently suffered a Blue Screen of Death.
2.12 Monitor goes black after few seconds

 If the monitor goes black after few seconds of display, then it could be a problem with the
color quality or screen adjustment.
 Press the auto-adjust button on your monitor to see if it fixes it. If not, then you will have
to change display color from 32bit to 16 bit.
 We can connect the PC to another monitor to adjust colors from your graphics card
settings.
 Pressing the auto-adjust may show the display for few seconds.