Unit 2- Computer Systems

Here are the aims for unit 2 -
 

1      Understand the components of computer systems.

2      Be able to recommend computer systems for a business purpose.

3      Be able to setup and maintain computer systems.

In task one of this Unit I created a Powerpoint on the different components of a computer. The internal system components are the objects like, processor, motherboard, power supply, RAM, Graphic Card and a Network Card. 
The peripherals of the computer are components like, printer, scanner and other input/output devices.
The backing storage I wrote about is hardware like disks, USBs, CDRW's and  DVDRW's.


Task two I gave an explanation of the purpose of operating systems including the functions they carry out. The functions I wrote about was machine functions, peripheral management, security and file management. Also I had to compare the features of different operating systems high-lighting the strengths and weaknesses of each. The features I wrote about was the ability to customise, connectivity of portable media, stability and reliability and the ease of management which includes the cost and user support.


For task three I had to recommend a computer for the Lincolnshire County Council from the range that are available. The computer is needed for administration purposes so needs all software aswell.I had to justify my selection by giving reasons for my choice. Highlighting parts of the components which meets the Councils requirements. For example I chose Norton Internet Security as it protects the computer against viruses. Also I chose a high range printer as the council work with photos. Adobe Photoshop was recommended because then the council can view and edit all images needed.


Task four I explained the purpose of some computer utilities. I wrote about Virus Protection, Firewalls, Clean up Tools and Drive Formatting.
Virus protection- This protects you from getting a virus on your computer. Also it can protect you from spyware, infected websites, hacker attacks, spam prevention and identity theft. You also get email protection, parental control and recovery tools with the software. 
Firewalls- A firewall is used to stop unauthorized internet users accessing other people’s/companies private networks which are connected to the internet. If the messages that go to the firewall do not meet the security criteria, then it will not pass through the firewall. 
Cleanup Tools- The tool shows the files you can safely delete. The tool asks if you want to delete some of the files or maybe all of them. The clean up can remove temporary internet files, remove downloaded program files, empty the recycle bin, remove windows temporary files such as error reports, remove optional windows components that you don’t use, remove installed programmes that you no longer use and remove unused restore points and shadow copies from System Restore.  
Drive Formatting- This is where you prepare a storage medium for reading and writing, usually a hard drive.  When the hard drive is formatted it erases all book marking information on the hard drive, tests the hard drive to make sure all parts are reliable, marks the bad parts and created internal address tables that it uses to locate information later on. Usually you format a hard drive to remove errors from hard drive. 
Also I had to explain how these utilities can improve the computers performance.