INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Other Types of Computers

Workstations are similar to desktop computers, but are more powerful and are usually connected to
a network. There are many different types of servers such as file servers, database servers, and web
servers. For example, employees at a company might store all the business documents on a file
server so that they can share files and access them from any computer on the network. When you
use your browser to click a link, a web server delivers the page you requested on the Internet, the
biggest network in the world.

What are the devices of a computer?

The physical, touchable, electronic and mechanical parts of a computer are called the
hardware which is composed of different devices attached to the computer.
The following list represents a basic set of devices found in most Personal Computers.
1. System Unit- The main part of a microcomputer, sometimes called the chassis. It includes the
following parts: Motherboard, Microprocessor, Memory Chips, Buses, Ports, Expansion Slots and
Cards.
2. Motherboard / Mainboard / System Board- The main circuit board of a computer. It contains all
the circuits and components that run the computer.
3. CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The processor is the main “brain” or “heart” of a computer
system. It performs all of the instructions and calculations that are needed and manages the flow
of information through a computer.
4. Primary storage- (internal storage, main memory or memory) is the computer's working storage
space that holds data, instructions for processing and processed data (information) waiting to be
sent to secondary storage. Physically, primary storage is a collection of RAM chips.

Two (2) Types of Memory

a. ROM – (Read Only Memory) ROM is non-volatile, meaning it holds data even when the
power is ON or OFF.
b. RAM – (Random Access Memory) RAM is volatile, meaning it holds data only when the
power is on. When the power is off, RAM's contents are lost.

5. Expansion Bus - A bus is a data pathway between several hardware components inside or outside
a computer. It does not only connect the parts of the CPU to each other, but also links the CPU
with other important hardware.
6. Adapters- Printed-circuit boards (also called interface cards) that enable the computer to use a
peripheral device for which it does not have the necessary connections or circuit boards. They are
often used to permit upgrading to a new different hardware.
7. Power Supply Unit (PSU) - Installed in the back corner of the PC case, next to the motherboard. It
converts 120vac (standard house power) into DC voltages that are used by other components in
the PC.
8. Hard Disk Drive (HDD) - Also known as hard drive, is a magnetic storage device that is installed
inside the computer. The hard drive is used as permanent storage for data. In a Windows
computer, the hard drive is usually configured as the C: drive and contains the operating system
and applications.
9. Optical Drive- An optical drive is a storage device that uses lasers to read data on the optical
media. There are three types of optical drives: Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and
Blu-ray Disc (BD).
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) - Designed to optically access data stored on a DVD. A laser moves back and
forth near the disk surface and accesses data at a very fast rate.

Computer Operating Systems

What is an Operating System?

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages
computer hardware, and software resources, and provides common services for computer
programs.
For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation, the operating
system acts as an intermediary between programs and the computer hardware, although the
application code is usually executed directly by the hardware and frequently makes system calls to
an OS function or is interrupted by it.

Types of Operating Systems

Single-tasking and multi-tasking

A single-tasking system can only run one program at a time, while a multi-tasking operating
system allows more than one program to be running in concurrency. This is achieved by time-
sharing, where the available processor time is divided between multiple processes. These processes
are each interrupted repeatedly in time slices by a task-scheduling subsystem of the operating
system. Multi- tasking may be characterized in preemptive and co-operative types. In preemptive
multitasking, the operating system slices the CPU time and dedicates a slot to each of the programs.
Single- and multi-user
Single-user operating systems have no facilities to distinguish users, but may allow multiple
programs to run in tandem. A multi-user operating system extends the basic concept of multi-
tasking with facilities that identify processes and resources, such as disk space, belonging to multiple
users, and the system permits multiple users to interact with the system at the same time.
Real-time
A real-time operating system is an operating system that guarantees to process events or
data by a specific moment in time. A real-time operating system may be single- or multi-tasking, but
when multitasking, it uses specialized scheduling algorithms so that a deterministic nature of
behavior is achieved. Such an event-driven system switches between tasks based on their priorities
or external events, whereas time-sharing operating systems switch tasks based on clock interrupts.

Microsoft Windows
Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There have been many
different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10 (released in 2015),
Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-loaded on
most new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.
macOS
macOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes
preloaded on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave
(released in 2018), High Sierra (2017), and Sierra (2016).

According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less than 10% of global
operating systems—much lower than the percentage of Windows users (more than 80%). One
reason for this is that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer
the look and feel of macOS over Windows.

Linux
Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they
can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary
software like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it. The advantages of
Linux are that it is free, and there are many different distributions—or versions—you can choose
from.

According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of global
operating systems. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.

Peripheral Devices

Peripheral Device Types (Internal and External)

Peripheral devices can be in different types according to their connection type to the system
and data transmission direction. According to connection type peripheral devices are categorized as;
1. Internal Peripheral Device are generally located inside the computer system case and named
internal because of their location. Here are some internal peripheral devices.

2. External Peripheral Device are located outside of the computer system case or chassis and
connected different types of connections and cables.

Input Device is composed of a device that accepts data and instructions from the user or
from another computer system. While, output device is any piece of computer hardware that
displays results after the computer has processed the input data that has been entered.

Two (2) Types of Input Devices

1. Keyboard Entry – Data is inputted to the computer through a keyboard.

2. Direct Entry – A form of input that does not require data to be keyed by someone sitting at a
keyboard. Direct-entry devices create machine-readable data on paper, or magnetic media, or
feed it directly into the computer’s CPU.

Three (3) Categories of Direct Entry Devices

1. Pointing Devices - An input device used to move the pointer (cursor) on screen.
 Mouse - The most common 'pointing device' used in PCs. Every mouse has two buttons
and most have one or two scroll wheels.
2. Scanning Devices- A device that can read text or illustrations printed on paper and translates the
information into a form the computer can use.
3. Voice- Input Devices - Audio input devices also known as speech or voice recognition systems that
allow a user to send audio signals to a computer for processing, recording, or carrying out
commands. Audio input devices such as microphones allow users to speak to the computer in order
to record a voice message or navigate software.

OUTPUT DEVICES
1. Computer Display Monitor- It displays information in visual form, using text and graphics. The
portion of the monitor that displays the information is called the screen or video display
terminal.
Types of Monitor
a. CRT Monitors - Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) were the only type of displays for use with desktop
PCs. They are relatively big (14" to 16" deep) and heavy (over 15 lbs).

b. LCD Monitors – Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology has been used in laptops for some
time. It has recently been made commercially available as monitors for desktop PCs.

c. LED Monitors (Light Emitting Diode) - A display and lighting technology used in almost every
electrical and electronic product on the market, from a tiny on/off light to digital readouts,
flashlights, traffic lights and perimeter lighting.
2. LCD Projectors- utilize two sheets of polarizing material with a liquid crystal solution between
them. An electric current passed through the liquid causes the crystals to align so that light cannot
pass through them. Each crystal, therefore, is like a shutter, either allowing light to pass through
or blocking the light.
3. Smart Board - A type of display screen that has a touch sensitive transparent panel covering the
screen, which is similar to a touch screen.
4. Printer - A device that prints text or illustrations on paper.
5. Speakers - Used to play sound. They may be built into the system unit or connected with cables.
Speakers allow you to listen to music and hear sound effects from your computer.

USB is the most popular and easy connection type and protocol for peripheral devices. In
today most of the peripheral devices connect with a USB connection because of its plug and play and
multiple port availability.

Computer Assembly
Personal Computer Assembly
This will be another step of enriching your skill and knowledge in Computer Systems
Servicing, assembling a personal computer. All you need to do is to follow the step by step
procedures provided below.

Step 1. Prepare your workplace

Step 2. Prepare the Motherboard
Step 3. Install the CPU
Step 4. Install the CPU Heat Sink
Step 5. Install Memory (RAM Modules)
Step 6. Place the motherboard into the case
 Step 7. Connect the Power Supply
Step 8. Install Graphics / Video Cards
Step 9. Install Internal Drives
Step 10. Install the Add- in Cards

Connecting Peripherals of a Personal Computer

When attaching hardware and peripherals of the computer, ensure that they are connected
to the correct locations or ports. For example, some mouse and keyboard cables use the same type
of PS/2 connector. So, you must know first the different ports that can be found in the back panel of
the computer.

Steps in Connecting Peripherals of a PC

Step 1. Attach the monitor cable to the video port.

Step 2. Secure the cable by tightening the screws on the connector.
Step 3. Plug the keyboard cable into the PS/2 keyboard port or USB port.
Step 4. Plug the mouse cable into the PS/2 mouse port or USB port.
Step 5. Plug the USB cable into a USB port.
Step 6. Plug the network cable into the network port.
Step 7. Plug the power cable into the power supply.
After connecting all the cables into their proper places, the figure below shows the
appearance of the back panel of your PC.

Motherboard
A motherboard (also called mainboard, main circuit board, system board, baseboard,
planar board, logic board, and mobo) is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in general-purpose
computers and other expandable systems. It holds and allows communication between many of the
crucial electronic components of a system, such as the central processing unit (CPU) and memory,
and provides connectors for other peripherals. Unlike a backplane, a motherboard usually contains
significant sub-systems, such as the central processor, the chipset's input/output and memory
controllers, interface connectors, and other components integrated for general use.
Motherboard Basics
A computer has many components, each with their own roles and functions. The role of the
motherboard is to allow all these components to communicate with each other. It is the central
piece of a PC, the component that brings it all together.

Processor Socket
The processor socket is the central piece of a motherboard, usually being located near the
center of the motherboard. It’s also the central piece because it holds the processor – the brain of
your computer.

Power Connectors
No computer component can operate without power, and a motherboard is no exception.
The power connector, commonly a 20 or 24-pin connector, can be situated either near the right
edge of the motherboard, or somewhere close to the processor socket on older motherboards.
Newer motherboards have an additional 4-pin or 8-pin connector near the processor, used to supply
additional power directly to the processor.

Memory Slots
Located in the upper-right part of the motherboard, the memory slots are used to house the
computer’s memory modules. The number of slots can vary, depending on motherboard, from 2, in
low- end motherboards, all the way up to 8 memory slots, on high-end and gaming motherboards.
Newer motherboards support DDR3 memory, the current industry standard memory architecture,
but motherboards with DDR2 memory slots and even DDR1 memory slots are still present on the
market.

Video Card Slot

This is the type of slot that doesn’t need an explanation, as its name doesn’t leave much
room for interpretation as to what its role is. Coming in the form of a PCI-Express slot on newer
motherboards or AGP on older ones, the video card slot is situated right below the processor. At the
opposite pole, high-end gaming motherboards come with multiple video card slots, allowing the
installation of multiple video cards in a SLI or CrossFire configuration.

BIOS Chip and Battery

The BIOS chip contains the basic code needed to take your computer through the boot
process, up to the point where the operating system takes over. Since the BIOS code is stored on a
memory chip that needs constant power to function, a battery is also present to keep the chip
powered when the computer is unplugged.

Northbridge and Southbridge

A square metal component somewhere in the lower-right part of the board. This metal
component is actually a heatsink, and its role is to provide thermal protection for the Northbridge –
one of the most important components of a motherboard. The northbridge is responsible for
coordinating the data flow between the memory, the video card and the processor. A secondary
chip, known as Southbridge, has a similar function, coordinating the data flow between the
processor and peripherals such as sound cards or network cards.

Front Panel Connectors, USB Headers and Audio Header

The front panel connector is where all the elements present on the front of your case are
connected. Power button, reset button, power led, audio connectors and USB connectors – they are
all connected to the front panel or the corresponding headers.

Video Card
A video card (also called a graphics card, display card, graphics adapter, or display adapter)
is an expansion card which generates a feed of output images to a display device (such as a
computer monitor). Frequently, these are advertised as discrete or dedicated graphics cards,
emphasizing the distinction between these and integrated graphics. At the core of both is the
graphics processing unit (GPU), which is the main part that does the actual computations, but should
not be confused with the video card as a whole, although "GPU" is often used as a metonymic
shorthand to refer to video cards
Sound Card
A sound card (also known as an audio card) is an internal expansion card that provides input
and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs. The term
sound card is also applied to external audio interfaces used for professional audio applications.

How to Install an Operating System on a Computer

When you buy a new computer, it usually comes with an operating system installed on a hard
drive partition, but if you're building a computer or replacing a hard drive, you need to install an OS
from scratch. If your computer came with a recovery partition containing an OS installation image,
you can boot into this image to reinstall your OS. Otherwise, you need a USB drive or DVD containing
the bootable disk image so that you can temporarily boot from this medium to format your hard
drive and install the OS.

Booting Into an Installation Medium

PC motherboards usually offer two ways to boot into an alternative medium. You can configure your
default boot drives from the firmware interface, or you can choose a temporary boot device when
you turn on your computer. The splash screen displayed when you power on your PC is part of a
firmware interface installed on your motherboard, and it contains instructions for booting into your
BIOS utility or choosing a temporary boot device. Usually, you select an option by pressing "F2,"
"F12" or a laptop hardware key. With the DVD or USB drive inserted in your computer, choose the
appropriate option from the temporary boot menu or follow the BIOS utility instructions to
permanently configure your boot-drive order.

The Windows Installer

If your PC came with a recovery partition, your startup screen or BIOS utility contains
instructions for booting from this image. After you boot into the installation image, the installer
walks you through the steps to format your disk, enter the product key and install the OS. The disk
menu prompts you to partition your hard drive and choose a location for the operating system. You
can create a partition by clicking "New," delete one by clicking "Delete" or erase its data by clicking
"Format." For 64-bit Windows, you need at least 20GB of free space, and for 32-Bit Windows, at least
16GB. However, to make room for files and applications, you usually need around 40GB. After
selecting a partition and installing Windows, your computer restarts several times and then boots
into your new operating system, which you can configure by following the on-screen instructions.

Installing the Latest Mac OS X

Installing OS X works differently because you can only get the disk image from the App Store,
and you can only access the App Store from OS X. This system works for most people because Macs
come with OS X, and you can upgrade to the latest version by purchasing it from the App Store and
double-clicking the installer. You must own a license for an OS X version compatible with the upgrade
to the latest version; check your version number by clicking the "Apple" menu and selecting "About
This Mac." For advanced users, Apple includes a bootable disk creator with new installation images. If
you're comfortable entering commands in a terminal, you can refer to the Apple website for the
commands to create a bootable medium from the installation image.
Linux on PC or Mac

Most Linux distributions are free because they use mostly free, open-source software to
provide instructions to your hardware. Whether you have a new or old PC or Mac, you can install a
user-friendly distribution such as Ubuntu or Mint as easily as installing Windows or OS X. If you have
an older Mac with a PowerPC processor, you need to install the PPC Linux kernel, which is available
from the Ubuntu, Mint or Debian website. Most new hardware requires little configuration after the
installation because the Linux kernel includes modules for most modern hardware. Ubuntu and Mint
help new users install additional drivers and set up their new desktops after the installation, so you
don't need to be a computer expert to use these operating systems.

A. Determining Which Operating System to Install

1. Check the system requirements.

If you've decided that you want to install a new operating system, you'll first need to figure
out which one you want to use. Operating systems have varying system requirements, so if you
have an older computer, make sure that you can handle a newer operating system.
Most Windows installations require at least 1 GB of RAM, and at least 15-20 GB of hard disk
space. Also, your CPU needs to be powerful enough to run the OS you want to run. Make sure that
your computer can accommodate this. If not, you may need to install an older operating system,
such as Windows XP.
Linux operating systems typically don't require as much space and computing power as
Windows operating systems. The requirements vary depending on the distribution you choose
(Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint, etc.).
2. Decide whether to purchase or download.
Windows licenses need to be purchased. Each license comes with a key good for one
installation. Most Linux distributions are free to download and install as much as you'd like,
though some Enterprise versions are closed and require purchase (Red Hat, SUSE, etc.).
3. Research your software compatibility.
Make sure that the operating system you want to install supports the programs
that you want to use. If you use Microsoft Office for work, you won't be able to install it on a
Linux machine. There are substitute programs available, but the functionality may be limited.
Many games that work on Windows will not work on Linux. The number of supported titles is
growing, but be aware that if you are an avid gamer your library might not transfer over
smoothly.
4. Obtain your new operating system.
If you've purchased a copy of Windows from a store, you should have received an installation
disc along with your product code. If you don't have the disc but have a valid code, you can
download a copy of the disc online. If you are installing Linux, you can download an ISO of the
distribution from the developer's website.
An ISO file is a disc image that needs to be burned to a disc or copied to a bootable USB drive.
5. Backup your data.
When you are installing a new operating system, you are most likely going to be wiping the
hard drive in the process. This means that you will lose all of your files on the computer unless
 you back them up. Always make sure that any important files are copied to a backup location
before starting the installation process. Use an external hard drive or burn the data to DVDs.
If you are installing the operating system alongside your existing one, you most likely will not
have to delete any data. It is still wise to backup important files just in case.
You cannot backup programs; they will need to be reinstalled once you have finished
installing your new operating system.

B. Installing Your New Operating System

1. Determine your installation order.

` If you are installing a Linux distribution that you want to run alongside Windows, you need to
install Windows first and then Linux. This is because Windows has a very strict boot loader that
needs to be in place before Linux is installed, otherwise Windows won't load.
2. Boot from your installation disc.
Insert the installation disc into your optical; drive, and reboot your computer. Normally a
computer boots from the hard drive first, so you will need to adjust some settings in your BIOS in
order to boot from the disc drive. You can enter the BIOS by hitting the designated Setup key
during the boot process. The key will be displayed on the same screen as your manufacturer's
logo. Common Setup keys include F2, F10, F12, and Del/Delete.
Once you are in the Setup menu, navigate to the Boot section. Set your DVD/CD drive as the
first boot device. If you are installing from a USB drive, make sure that the drive is inserted and
then select it as the first boot device.
Once you've selected the correct drive, save your changes and exit Setup. Your computer
will reboot.
3. Try your Linux distribution before installing.
Most Linux distributions come with a copy that can be loaded directly from the installation
disc. This will allow you to “test drive” your new operating system before you commit to the
installation process. Once you are ready to install, click the Installation program on the desktop.
This is only possible with Linux distributions. Windows does not allow you to test out the
operating system before you install.
4. Wait for the Setup program to load.
No matter which operating system you choose, the setup program will need to copy some
files to your computer before it can continue. This can take several minutes, depending on the
speed of your computer's hardware.
You will most likely need to choose some basic options, such as language and keyboard
layout.
5. Enter your product key.
If you are installing Windows 8, you will need to enter your product key before you can begin
the installation. Older Windows versions will ask for the product key after installation is
complete. Linux users will not need a product key unless it is a purchased version such as Red
Hat.
6. Choose your installation type.
Windows will give you the option of Upgrading or performing a Custom installation. Even if
you are upgrading an older version of Windows, it is highly recommended that you choose
Custom and start from scratch. This will minimize problems that may arise later from combining
old settings and new ones.
 If you are installing Linux, you will be given the option to install alongside your existing
operating system (Windows), or to erase the disk and install Linux by itself. Choose the option
that best meets your needs. If you choose to install alongside Windows, you will be given the
option to choose how much hard disk space you want to designate for Linux.

7. Format your partitions.

If you are installing Windows, you will need to choose which hard drive partition you want to
install it on. Deleting partitions will wipe the data on the partition and return the space to the
Unallocated section. Select the unallocated space and create a new partition.
If you are installing Linux, the partition needs to be formatted in the Ext4 format.
8. Set your Linux options.
Before installation begins, your Linux installer will ask you for your timezone, and you will
need to create a username and password. You will use this to log in to your Linux distribution as
well as authorize system changes.
Windows users will fill out personal information after the installation is complete.
9. Wait for the installation to complete.
Depending on the speed of your computer, this can take up to an hour to finish. Most
installations are hands-off at this point. Your computer may reboot several times during the
installation process.
10. Create your Windows login.
Once your Windows installation is complete, you will need to create a username. You can also
choose to create a password, though this is not necessary. After creating your login info, you will
be asked for your product key.
11. Install your drivers and programs.
Once the installation is complete, you will be taken to your new desktop. From here, you can
begin installing your programs and make sure that your drivers are installed and up to date. Make
sure to install an antivirus program if you are going to be connecting to the internet.
C. Install Specific Operating Systems

Application and Devices/Drivers Installation Procedures

Device drivers: Installation and configuration

Methods of installing device drivers

Admins can install device drivers on a server in four ways.
1. Running the Setup. Device drivers are automatically installed for all detected devices
during installation of Windows 2000 system on the server computer
2. Starting the computer. Whenever the server is started, new devices are detected and
their device drivers are automatically installed
3. Scanning for new hardware. Add/Remove Hardware Wizard can be used to perform the
hardware-detection process and desired device driver installation
4. Manual installation. You can use the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard to specify the device
you want to install, or you can right-click the .INF file that comes with the driver and
choose Install.
Configuring devices using Device Manager

Device Manager displays information about all devices installed on your server. It displays a
list of devices that were either detected or for which drivers are installed. The icon for the device
indicates whether the device is in proper working condition.

Normal icon indicates that the device driver has initialized successfully while an Exclamation
point on icon would mean that device is incorrectly configured and a Stop sign on icon means that
device could not be initialized due to hardware conflicts.

To resolve hardware conflicts and to override the resources or the device driver that were
assigned to a device, follow these steps:
1. Start Device manager by typing 'Devmgmt.msc' in the Run dialog box.
2. Right-click the desired device and select Properties.
3. Click the Resources tab on the Properties dialog box.
4. Click the resource to be changed and then clear the "Use automatic settings" checkbox.
5. Click Change Setting and then change the value of the setting to the desired value.

However best thing to do is to let Plug and Play resolve conflicts whenever possible.

Updating and removing device drivers

Administrators often have to update the existing device drivers or remove them. To update a device
driver:
1. Start Device Manager by typing 'Devmgmt.msc' in the Run dialog box.
2. Right-click the desired device and select Properties.
3. Click the 'Driver' tab and then click the Update Driver button. To remove a device:
a. Start Device Manager by typing 'Devmgmt.msc' in the Run dialog box.
b. Right-click the desired device and select Properties.
c. Click the 'Driver' tab and then click Uninstall button

Note: Removing the device does not actually delete the device driver itself. What it does is remove
references to the driver from the Registry so that the computer does not load the driver.

Driver signing

Driver signing ensures that the drivers have been certified by Windows Hardware Quality Labs
(WHQL). It has been implemented in Windows 2000 to improve the quality of drivers and increase
the overall stability of the Windows operating system.
Microsoft digitally signs all files and drivers on the Windows 2000 installation CD. But administrators
often download drivers from the Internet or get them from various hardware vendors. To configure
how these third-party drivers should be handled:
1. Open Control Panel.
2. Select the System Properties icon.
3. Switch to Hardware tab, and click the Driver Signing button.

A dialog box opens which has three checkboxes:

• Ignore (allows installing all files, regardless of the file signature)
 • Warn (displays a message to the user before installing an unsigned file). This is usually the
default setting.
• Block (restricts the installation of unsigned files).
Check the required checkbox and hit OK.

Driver installations: failure and recovery

Here are three problems that commonly occur during the installation of a device driver and
their solutions:
Problem: Wrong driver is installed
Solution: Press F8 at startup and use the Last Known Good Configuration
Problem: Driver gets installed partially or some files are missed during installation.
Solution: Use a command-line utility called "System File Checker" that can verify the version
of protected system files and revert to a previous version. Type sfc.exe /scannow on the
command prompt for running the utility.
Problem: Files are corrupt during installation.
Solution: Uninstall or remove the device driver, restart the server and reinstall the driver.

Application Packages and Use of Application Programs

Computer software provides instruction to the physical parts of the machine so the
components know how to operate and work together. Software is also known as programs,
applications, procedures and computer code. Computer software is based on hardware criteria; what
may work on one type of machine does not necessarily work on another. Other software can be
purchased separately or downloaded from the Internet, and added to the computer at any time.

Operating System
The most important software on a desktop or mainframe computer is the operating system.
Think of this software as the driver behind the wheel of an automobile. Operating system software
manipulates how data is displayed on a computer, serves as a tracker for files and programs, verifies
that both hardware and software components work together efficiently and controls peripherals like
printers, CD drives and headphones. The most used operating systems include Microsoft Windows,
Mac OS X and Unix.

Office Production
Many businesses use various types of office production software. Intuit's QuickBooks tracks
invoices and expenses while reconciling costs against the current budget. FileMaker Pro is a versatile
database management system that works on Windows, Mac and the Web to track client and
employee information. Many organizations purchase a suite package that contains everything their
employees need to run an efficient business. Both Microsoft and Apple offer packages with word
processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software. For smaller businesses on a tight
budget, OpenOffice is free and downloadable from the Web.

Entertainment
Many consumers purchase high-powered computers with the intention of using them for
entertainment. There is a plethora of computer games available for senior citizens, adults and
children. Video game manufacturers like Sony and Microsoft have tapped into the market as well,
offering the capability to connect computer and video machines so you can play with or against other
users online. Free or pay-per-play videos are available through YouTube, or you can pay a nominal
monthly subscription fee to Netflix and watch movies online.

Bootable Devices
How To Create Bootable Windows 10 USB Requirements:
• Make sure you have a stable Internet connection.
• USB flash drive with space of more than 4GB. We recommend that you format the drive
yourself before going ahead.
• Windows product key if you're installing the operating system for the first time.

1. Go to this link and download the official Windows 10 media creation tool. Make sure you
download the correct one tailored for your desktop operating system which you're currently
running - 32-bit or 64-bit.
2. Plug in a USB drive to your Windows PC.
3. Launch the media creation tool you just downloaded.
4. Select 'Create installation media for another PC' option. Click on 'Next' in the bottom right corner.
5. On the next screen, you'll be presented with a bunch of options. Select your language, the edition
of Windows 10 you wish to download, and of course, the architecture. Click on 'Next' once your
choices have been made.
6. Select the 'USB flash drive' option, which should be highlighted by default. Click on 'Next.' 7. The
tool will now prompt you to select the USB drive you've plugged into your PC. Click on 'Next' once
you've made your choice.
8. Windows 10 will now begin downloading and once the process is complete, you'll be left with a
bootable Windows 10 USB drive, all ready to be installed on a PC of your choice.

How to Create a bootable USB drive using Rufus

Rufus is an open-source portable application which helps to create bootable USB flash drives.
The bootable iso file is quite useful when you are installing an operating system on your computer or
laptop. Rufus supports varieties of .iso files which includes Windows, Linux, and much more. It also
supports the formatting of your flash drive as FAT, NTFS, exFAT, FAT32, UDF or ReFS filesystems.

Here are the requirements of Rufus

• 1GHz processor
• 1GB of RAM (or 2GB for the 64-bit version),
• At least 16GB of storage.
• 4 GB or 8 GB of USB flash drive.

Here are the steps on How to create a bootable USB drive using Rufus on your computer.

Step 1: First, you have to navigate the official Rufus website by selecting the URL:
https://rufus.akeo.ie/.
Step 2: Then you have to just scroll down to the “Download” section and click on the Download
option to get the latest version of Rufus on your computer.
Step 3: Then make a double-click on the Rufus application, once the app gets download has
completed. There is no need for any additional installation.
Step 4: Once the installation of the application is done, you can insert the USB drive which you want
to convert it as a bootable device.
Step 5: First you have to transfer any of the personal files that you stored on the USB drive on your
computer before using the Rufus. The Rufus app will erase all your contents on the USB drive.
Step 6: You have to select all your USB drive from the “Device” from the drop-down menu in
Rufus. In most of the time, all your USB drive will be listed as “No_Label.”
Step 7: Now you have to place the checkmark on “Create a bootable disk,” and select the “ISO
Images” from the drop-down menu. Moreover, the ISO file is an image file that contains all sort of
contents of a specific file system, such as an operating system.
Step 8: Make a click on the drive image logo that displayed on the right side of “ISO Images,” and
then, select the .iso file you plan on using with Rufus.
Step 9: To erase and format your USB drive you have to Click on “Start,” and then make a click on the
“OK” button to confirm the process. Now the application will start copying the contents of the .iso
for to your USB drive. The process timing takes about five minutes to complete.
Step 10: Once the process gets finished click on “Close “.
Step 11: Now eject the USB drive from your computer.
Step12: Bootable USB device is now ready. Switch off the system and insert the USB to make sure
that the computer boots with your USB device.

How to Create a bootable USB drive using Diskpart/CMD

To install a Windows operating system you need a Windows DVD disc or a bootable USB flash
drive. There are many ways to create a Windows Bootable USB, one is to do it with Diskpart
command line utility.

1. First, connect the USB flash drive to your PC and then run Diskpart.
2. In order to run diskpart, press Windows button+R and type diskpart then hit the enter.
3. In the screen click Yes in order to run diskpart as administrator.
4. So when the diskpart opened, type list disk command for showing the connected USB flash
drive and hard disk.
5. Now it shows 60 GB hard disk and my 14 GB USB flash drive.
6. You must select the flash drive by select command. Type select disk 1 (disk 1 is USB) and
then type list disk to see whether USB has been selected or not.
7. The selected disk showed with a stroke symbol in-front.
8. Now clean the flash with clean command. Just type clean and hit enter.
9. Create a primary partition and format it with the NTFS file format.
10. To create a partition type, create partition primary.
11. Now, format the newly created partition by typing format fs=ntfs quick command.
12. Now set the partition as an active drive for booting during staring system. To do this type
active command
13. Here you can see all commands in one screenshot.
14. Close the diskpart by typing exit command.

INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING COMPUTER SYSTEMS

 Installation of Operating System
Defining the System Software

System Software are programs that work behind the scene and without user intervention in
most situations perform other tasks such as loading and running a program, protecting
computer from viruses and hackers, performing regular checks, controlling hardware
devices connected to the computer such as the printer, sharing of memory resources, and
coordinating connected computers or networks.

What are the types of System Software?

An Operating System or OS is the most important software that runs on a computer. It is a

program that is responsible for the coordination, management, and sharing of hardware
resources and tasks in the computer.

The Utility Software is a program that performs maintenance tasks for the computer’s
resources, such as clean up and organizing files and programs so they would load and work
faster.
An Anti-Virus Software is a program designed to detect, identify, and remove computer
viruses and other malicious software (malware) from the computer.

A Device Driver is a program that allows a particular hardware device to work and
communicate with the computer system.

The Basic Input/ Output System (BIOS)is a program or code that helps the processor to
interact and control the other components in the computer like monitor, printer, scanner, card
reader, speakers, joystick, microphone, camera, disc drives, TV/video/sound card, network cards,
USB ports, and hard drives. It also does the boot process before the operating system do its work.
Other system software are HD Sector Boot, Linker, Assembler, and Compiler.
Installation (or setup) of a computer program (including device drivers and plugins), is the
act of making the program ready for execution. Installation refers to the particular configuration of
a software or hardware with a view to making it usable with the computer. A soft or digital copy of
the piece of software (program) is needed to install it. There are different processes of installing a
piece of software (program). Because the process varies for each program and each computer,
programs (including operating systems) often come with an installer, a specialized program
responsible for doing whatever is needed for the installation. Installation may be part of a larger
software deployment process.

Installing Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2016 is the seventh release of the Windows Server operating system
developed by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It was developed
concurrently with Windows 10 and is the successor to Windows Server 2012 R2. The first early
preview version became available on October 1, 2014 together with the first technical preview of
System Center. Windows Server 2016 was released on September 26, 2016 at Microsoft's Ignite
conference and broadly released for retail sale on October 12, 2016. It has two successors:
Windows Server 2019, and the Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel, which excludes the
graphical user interface and many older components.
Windows Server 2016 installation is one of the key tasks in the network. As an
administrator you should know how to install and configure Windows server
Make a plan
Choose an appropriate edition of the Windows server. An edition of Windows server
supports specific role/roles that others doesn’t support. Think of your present needs and what you
may need in the future. How many virtual machines (VM) do you need? How many VMs you may
need in the future? Does your network need Web server now? What about the future? How many
users work in your network? They are all the things that you should pay attention to while making
a good plan for Windows server installation.
Install Windows Server 2016 Step by Step Guide
Prepare the installation media (DVD, USB flash, etc) and start the installation process. If you don’t
have the Windows Server 2016 installation software.

1. Plug the Windows Server 2016 boot drive (DVD, USB) to the computer and boot your computer.
When the Windows Setup page appears, select your language, time format and keyboard then
click on Next button.
2. Now click on Install now button to start the installation process.

3. Select the appropriate version of the windows server that meets your organization’s needs
then click Next. Make sure that you’ve chosen an appropriate edition of Windows server.

4. Put a check mark in the box next to the I accept license terms and click on the Next button.
License term is about the way you want to buy license for your server from Microsoft.

5. Select the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option for clean installation. Clean
installation is the term used against upgrade. When you upgrade a Windows server you
can have your settings, apps, etc from previous version of Windows. When you do the clean
installation you can’t have the settings, apps, etc.

6. Select the hard drive that you want to install the windows server on, then click on the New
button to do the partitions.

7. After clicking on the New button, some options appear. Specify the amount of the drive based
on MB and click on the Apply button. A warning appears which wants you to give the
permission to system to create a drive for system files. Click on ok button, if you want to add
more drives do this process again. When finished hit Next.

8. After clicking Next the System starts coping all the files from the external drive to internal hard
drive. It will take a while so be patient. Be aware that your system will be restarted several
times.

9. When the system copied all the files and restarted, finalize your task by entering the required
details. Type complex password (composed of uppercase, lowercase, symbol and numbers)
twice in the boxes and click on the Finish button. User name is Administrator by default.
10. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del buttons to jump start the screen to a login page and inside the box below
the administrator user name, enter the password and press Enter button from the keyboard to
sign in the Windows.

11. Done. Welcome to Windows Server 2016.

Installing Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 R2 is a version of Microsoft’s Windows Server operating system.
Microsoft tries their best to make each task as simple as possible, and Server 2008 R2 is a shining
example of that goal in action. We’re going to take you through a basic install and show you just
how easy it is.

After booting up from your install disk, you will arrive at a language and preferences screen.
Once you have chosen those options, you get to the Operating System Selection page. Depending
on your license and the purpose of your server, there are a variety of options to choose from. For
our purpose today, we are going to choose the Enterprise (Full Installation) version.

Since we’re doing a base install and not an upgrade, so we choose the Custom (advanced)
option.

We’ve got a blank 24 GB disk, so we’re just going to install it there. If you want to create a
partition out of the available drive space or reformat a drive, then choose Drive options
(advanced).

Windows will take a little while with your install, and reboot a few times.
Once the install is finished, we’re prompted to change our password before logging in.

Windows requires that you have a strong password, seven characters long with at least
three of the four following: uppercase letter, lowercase letter, numeral, or symbol. You’ll want to
make sure you write it down somewhere for now, because if you forget it later, the entire install
will have to be re-done.
The Initial Configuration Tasks window pops up as soon as you logon. You could also type in
Oobe.exe in the Command Prompt to arrive here.

One of the first things we want to correct is the time, so choose Set time zone. Make sure
that you set the time zone first, because the date and time will shift after.

Next we want to choose Configure Networking. The first server installed in a network needs
to be a Domain Controller, and since they require a static IP, we are going to need to set one up
now. Double-click on Local Area Connection, and once the information box pops up, click on
Properties.

Click on Internet Protocol Version 4 in the Networking box, then click Properties. Change the
radial button to Use the following IP address: and then enter the settings for your specific server
and network IP addresses. When you’re finished, click OK to save those settings.

Finished!
 Installing Windows 7 operating system:
1. Turn your computer on then press Del or F2 (depending on your computer’s main board) to
enter the system BIOS.
2. Go to Boot menu and choose Boot from CD/DVD as your priority 1.
3. Save the configuration and exit BIOS then reset your computer.
4. Insert Windows 7 DVD into your DVD drive then start up your computer, Windows 7 will be
loading files.
5. Select your language, time & currency format, keyboard or input method and click Next.
6. Click Install now.
7. Check I accept the license terms and click Next.
8. Click Upgrade if you already have a previous Windows version or Custom (advanced) if you
don’t have a previous Windows version or want to install a fresh copy of Windows 7.
9. (Skip this step if you chose Upgrade and have only one partition) Select the drive where you
want to install Windows 7 and click Next. If you want to make any partitions, click Drive
options (advanced), make the partitions and then click Next.
10. It will now start installing Windows 7. The first step, (e.i. Copying Windows files) was already
done when you booted the Windows 7 DVD so it will be completed instantly.
11. After completing the first step, it will expand (decompress) the files that it has copied.
12. The third and fourth step will also complete instantly like the first step.
13. After that, it will automatically restart after 15 seconds and continue the setup. You can also
click Restart now to restart without any delays.
14. After restarting for the first time, it will continue the setup. This is the last step so it will take
the most time that the previous steps.
15. Type your desired username in the text-box and click Next. It will automatically fill up the
computer name.
16. If you want to set a password, type it in the textboxes and click Next.
17. Type your product key in the textbox and click Next. You can also skip this step and simply
click next if you want to type the product key later. Windows will run only for 30 days if you
do that.
18. Select your desired option for Windows Updates.
19. Select your time, date, and click Next.
20. If you are connected to any network, it will ask you to set the network’s location. After that,
you are done installing the OS.

Installing Windows 10

Start by booting from the installation media. This may require modifying the boot order
in your PC’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
firmware.
On the Windows Setup screen, select your language, time and currency format, and
keyboard layout. Click “Next” to continue.

When you reach the installer screen, select “Install Now” and follow the instructions to
install Windows 10 on your PC.
 When you see the Activate Windows screen, you’ll need to either enter a key or skip it. You
may not see this screen if Windows 10 automatically detects a key associated with your PC’s
hardware.
• If you’ve never installed and activated Windows 10 on this computer before, enter your
Windows 10 key here. If you don’t have one, but you have a valid Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 key,
enter it here instead.
• If you’ve previously taken advantage of the free Windows 10 upgrade offer on this PC,
click “I don’t have a product key”. Windows will automatically activate with a “digital
license” associated with your PC’s hardware on Microsoft’s servers once it’s installed.

When you reach the “Which type of installation do you want?” screen, click “Custom” to
perform a clean installation and remove everything on your PC. (If you’ve changed your mind
and want to upgrade your existing installation, you can click “Upgrade”.)

On the next screen, select the hard drive you want to install Windows on and erase it. If you
have multiple partitions on that drive, you may want to erase those as well.

Warning: When you delete a partition, you’re also deleting all the files on that partition. Be
sure you have backups of any important files before doing this!

Windows 10 will install itself, and may restart a few times during this process. When it’s
done, you’ll see the normal setup interface you see when setting up Windows 10 on any new PC,
where you can add user accounts and adjust various settings.

Install and Configure Peripheral Devices

Computer Peripherals/Devices
The Computer Peripherals/Devices are the physical, touchable, electronic and mechanical
parts of a computer. They are also known as Hardware, which are composed of different devices
attached to the computer through the motherboard. Some of its examples are: keyboard, mouse,
monitor, speakers, printer and many others.

An installation program or installer is a computer program that installs files, such as applications,
drivers, or other software, onto a computer. Some installers are specifically made to install the files they
contain; other installers are general-purpose and work by reading the contents of the software package to
be installed

Steps on Installing a Printer

Most of the devices connected to the computer are installed instantly the moment they
plugged to its ports this process is called Plug & Play. But the printer needs to be installed with a
special program before it can be used by the computer. For our example, we will be using an Epson
L3110 Ecotank Inkjet Printer since it is the most common printer used by offices today.

For new printers, follow the manual step by step instructions in unboxing your printer which comes
with the product.
Step 1: Insert the installer CD to your CD/DVD Drive – if you do not have a CD installer download
the printer driver from its website and run it as administrator.
Step 2: Accept Product License Agreement – tick on the checkbox I agree by the contents of the
License Agreement in order to continue with the setup and click Next.
Step 3: System Check & Installation – the program will check the internet for the latest version of
the driver. Click the Next button.
Step 4: Installing of the Printer Driver Software – Once done the program will give you two
choices. Choose Re-install the essential software if you have already installed a similar
printer driver before. choose Install application software for a fresh copy of the printer
driver and click Next.
Step 5: Printer Setup – Click the Next button and follow the instructions of the setup. And keep
hitting the Next button until it begins to install the Printer Manual Package.
Step 6: Connect your Printer – use the printer cord to connect your printer to the computer. Don’t
forget to turn on your printer during this process so that the computer can detect it. Once
the computer finds the printer the Next button will be activated then click it.
Step 7: Print a Test Page – the ink system will begin to initialize and prepare the printer for its first
test page printing. Click Print Test Page to test the print quality of the printer. Click Next
to finish the printer connection setting and proceed to Additional
Installation.
Step 8: Install Additional Software – the setup will check for additional application to be installed. When
you have installed all necessary applications click Finish to exit from the setup. And your done
setting up your new printer.

Installing Updates

It is very important for computer software to be updated. One primary reason is that
software updates resolve common problems that are frequently encountered like system errors or
on some occasion the slowing down of your PC. These updates also give the user access to new
features that come along with the update, making your PC more reliable, flexible, versatile, and
productive.

How to install Windows 10 updates?

Most of the time your operating system does the update automatically for you and all you
have to do is schedule an update restart so that it can begin the installation, but if you have set
your PC to update manually then you have to follow certain procedures.
Step 1: Click the Windows Icon – it is located on the bottom-left of your screen.
Step 2: Click the Settings Icon – it is the next icon from the Power symbol.
Step 3: Click Update & Security
Step 4: Click Download – in the Windows Update panel you will see Updates available if there are
new updates that are waiting to be downloaded and installed. Click Download button to start
downloading and installing these updates.
Step 5: Restart – your PC will ask you to restart your computer so that the updates will be applied.
You may schedule the restart or you may choose to restart right away. Just make sure that you
have saved any work that you are doing or close any program that is active. Click Restart now to
begin. While your computer is working on its updates, it is advised that you do not turn off the
computer or else it will take longer to start. The update might take a while from a few minutes up
to an hour or more depending on the update package.
Step 6: Up-to-date – after the restart is complete, you will see in your Windows Update that there
are no more updates available for installation.

How to install Device Driver updates

Device drivers allows your computer to access devices that are connected to your
computer. There are cases that when device drivers are not updated, they cause your computer to
go Blue Screen which is a type of error prevents your computer to work properly. To prevent this,
just like the operating system update, your device driver is automatically updated by your PC
whenever new updates are detected. But if you want to manually update a device driver you have
to follow the steps below. In this case let us update our graphics card which is the AMD Radeon ™
Vega 8 Graphics.

Step 1: Right-Click the Windows Icon – it is located on the bottom-left of your screen.
Step 2: Click Device Manager
Step 3: Click Display adapters and Right-click AMD Radeon ™ Vega 8 Graphics Step 4: Click
Update driver.
Step 5: Search for driver – the device manager will ask you where to search for the driver update.
Step 6: You may choose Search automatically for updated driver software if you want to search
online and follow the instructions from the online driver update wizard.
Step 7: if you have a driver software downloaded somewhere in your PC, choose Browse my
computer for driver software and look for the driver software in your computer. You can also click
Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer and the computer will show you the
compatible hardware for driver software. Hit the Next button to begin the installation and follow
the instructions until it is finished.

But if you already have the up-to-date driver, the Device manager will tell you that The best drivers
for your device are already installed.