The Accidental Techies Guide

to Keeping Aging PCs Alive

Piet Sanchez, InfoTAP
Jeff Hancock, San Diego Futures Foundation
Introductions
Welcome
Overview of session
Speaker Background
Housekeeping

Agenda
The Boot Sequence
Performance Parts
Hands On Lab
Break
Operating Systems
References
Q/A
Boot Sequence
What happens after you push the power
button?
ROM software loads
Checks parts
Identifies errors (if any)
Loads settings (stored in CMOS)
Starts loading Operating System
Motherboard
ROM (Read Only Memory)
RAM
AGP Video Slot
Keyboard/Mouse
CMOS
CMOS
Battery
CPU
IDE Hard Drive Connectors
PCI Slots
EISA Slots
Printer Port (not USB)
Preview
Boot Sequence
Power goes on
Built-in software loads into RAM
memory
Checks the PC for broken parts
If all is good, loads settings and the
operating system from the hard drive
Performance Parts
What are the critical parts that affect
performance?
RAM Memory
Hard Drive
Other
CPU
Backplane
Brief Explanation
Working together
RAM, otherwise known as memory, and hard
drives are constantly working together to make
your computer function
Performance of one can affect performance of
the other and vice versa
Upgrading only a hard drive or only memory
will not always resolve performance issues
The CPU is not usually a big factor
Brief Explanation
What does I need a faster computer
mean?
You need
(A) more RAM memory,
(B) a faster, larger hard drive,
(C) most likely both
or (D) a new computer if you cant do
any of the above
RAM
What is it?
Stands for Random Access Memory
Active programs must run from RAM
RAM works directly with the CPU
Unlike ROM, RAM can be upgraded
The more RAM you have, the more
programs you can run, the faster your
PC will be
RAM
How does it affect performance?
Operating systems load into and out of
memory all day long
Applications must reside in memory
Eventually your PC runs out
Files start swapping between RAM and
the hard drive
Result: SSSLLLOOOOWWWW
RAM
How can I upgrade it?
PCs have different memory capacities
Most can be upgraded to 256MB minimum
Some require replacement of all existing
memory
Others can take add-on chips in existing vacant
slots
Check with manufacturer or memory suppliers
(www.thechipmerchant.com)
Hard Drive
What is it?
Your PCs master file cabinet
Software, files, operating
systemsalmost everything is stored on
the hard drive
Hard drives are also used as a type of
virtual RAM
Hard Drive
Average sizes range from ~2gb
(minimum) to 40gb
Hard drives cant be upgraded
They can be replaced
Additional drives can be added
Serious contributor to performance issues
Over time, hard drives begin having
trouble keeping track of files
Hard Drive
What does that involve?
Installing the new drive
Reinstalling the operating system
Reinstalling the applications
Copying files
OR
Backup the old drive, install the new one, and
restore everything from the backup
Other Parts
CPU
Central Processing Unit, otherwise known as
the processor, Pentium, etc. etc.
Performs all functions and calculations as fast
as it can
Executes all of the commands
Some CPUs can be upgraded
NOT the first place to look for performance
issues
Other Parts
Backplane (huh?)
The data road inside your PC
EVERYTHING flows from one place to
another on the backplane and similar roads
Backplanes have their own speed, usually much
slower than the CPU
Can not be upgraded
Not a substantial performance part unless you
do a lot of digital media work
Exceptions
What do these upgrades NOT help with?
Internet speed
Streaming media
Graphics-intensive applications (although
RAM and HD upgrades help a bit)
Number crunching (thats the CPUs job)
Hands On Lab
Remove and replace RAM Memory
Remove and replace hard drives
Discuss options for migrating data from one
drive to another
Take parts out
Identify ports
Ask questions
Break


10 minute break
Operating Systems
What is an operating system?
Software that makes the computer
functional
Runs the mouse, keyboard, monitor,
printer, video settings
Makes it possible to store files and keep
track of them
Operating Systems
Examples Include
MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating
System)
Windows
MAC OS
Unix (Linux, FreeBSD, HP-UX, Sun,
etc., etc)
Novell Netware
Windows
Windows 98
Pros
Small footprint
Relatively fast on older PCs
Doesnt need as much hardware to run
Not as vulnerable to viruses
Windows
Windows 98
Cons
No security
Doesnt network easily
Doesnt support newer web
technologies
Aging
Windows
Windows 2000
Pros
Secure
Stable
Made for networking
Not too resource intensive
Windows
Windows 2000
Cons
Doesnt include some graphics or
media support
Lacks some hardware or other
peripheral drivers
Not as user-friendly
Requires slightly more hardware
Windows
Windows XP
Pros
Excellent combination of user-friendliness
and security
Stable
Great for networking
Lots of web features
Latest greatest
Windows
Windows XP
Cons
Very resource intensive (will use all
the hardware you can give it)
Target of virus developers
Requires frequent updates
Takes a lot of hard drive space
Settings and Maintenance
What features do they have in common that
might impact performance?
Internet
Temporary files and allocation of
temporary file storage
Screen redraw or resolution on older
machines/Win98 might impact
graphics performance
Settings and Maintenance
What features do they have in common that
might impact performance?
Foo-foo stuff
Mouse trails
Shadow text
Desktop effects
Settings and Maintenance
Sample
Windows XP Performance
Options
This will make for a
very slow computer
UNLESS you have a lot
of RAM and a fast CPU
Settings and Maintenance
What features do they have in common that
might impact performance?
Startup programs
What is this stuff?
Loads automatically
when you start the PC
May be spyware
Start / Run /
MSCONFIG
Settings and Maintenance
What features do they have in common that
might impact performance?
Disk Defragmenter
Optimizes hard disk
performance
Remember, over time,
hard disks have a hard
time finding stuff
Settings and Maintenance
Before
After
Resources
RAM
http://www.thechipmerchant.com (San Diego company)

Hard drive info
http://www.dummies.com (search for hard drives)

Local Training
http://www.vortexdata.com
http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/rop/courses/computer.html
Questions and Answers