Thursday

M1: Installation of DVD Re-Write Drive

I have got the DVD Re-Write Drive device on my hand for which needs to be installed.
Now, I have inserted and slide the device into the slot on the tower case.

Then after inserting the device in, I’ve screwed the screws on to hold the device in the slot.

These are the cables and wires for which I need to connect them to the drive from motherboard. I have connected the data ribbon cable to the motherboard.

Now have slide in the side-case to close the case.

Lastly, I have inserted the power cable in to start on the tower and the PC with the drive installed.

M3: Effect of the Activities for the Computer System

I have undertaken the activities on the performance of the computer system, these activities will be explained why these were performed and how they would benefit to the computer system.

Virus Protection – This is one of the important issues within a computer system. It is essential for the system to be stored with an anti-virus protection, as it decreases the chances of harmful viruses affecting the computer system. This could leads to corrupting the data, losing data or worse system failure and affecting its performance levels. By installing anti-virus software the chances of system being affected by such risks can be reduced.

Schedule a Full System Scan – As well as having anti-virus software installed on the system, it is also necessary to run a system scan. A full system scan can be done by through either a full system scan or a quick scan. These scans can be run on the system depending on the situations. For example, a quick scan would be useful when a new file has been downloaded on to the system, whereas the full system scan would scan all of the folders and other applications installed on the system. This is beneficial as it scans to detect the corrupted files and request the user to perform specific actions, which tends to be fixed or removed.

Service Pack 2 – This update was released by Microsoft 4 years ago [August 25, 2004, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389 ], which includes “Security Centre”. This service pack has useful features such as Windows Firewall and Automatic Updates and it is for Window XP. These features within this service pack are essential as the Automatic Update ensures that the system is up to date with the latest releases by the Microsoft Company. Also, the firewall ensures that unauthorised access to the system is blocked for which protects the user privacy.

Clean-up Tools – Defragmenting the hard disk drive allows removing the unwanted files, including temporary files from internet, which takes up the free space. This tool is useful as it would clean up the unwanted files, which isn’t used at any time.

Drive Formatting – A feature that is not recommended often as it removes the applications, files and other contents installed on the system, which would put the system back to its default settings. By formatting the drive, the system would be effective as loading applications will be quicker and performing other tasks as unwanted contents would be removed.

Firewall – In the modern technology environment, firewalls have become essential on the systems as it blocks the intruders from gaining access to the system. Firewalls also include many other features such as paternal control, which allow the parents (in some cases, admin) to control on which websites that the users can gain access to. This is because some websites contain harmful content, which could harm the system or the user.

Folders – Creating folders were needed to organise the files and store them in the suitable folder. This would be easier as it enables the user to find the files because of the files being organised into categorised folders, rather than having all files stored in one area which would be time consuming in finding the file required.

Copy and Delete Files – Copying the files can be used as a back-up or other user wants a copy of the files. Also, for deleting the files the users can delete the files that are not necessary to be kept on the system anymore.

Back-up with Compression – Backing up the files and written on to the CD by compressing the files then storing it on the CD was undertaken. This is because if the files have been lost on the system, there is always a back-up of the files available stored on the CD.

Monday

P4 - Range of Utility Software

P3: Software Utitlities

There are two software utilities that perform tasks that allow helping the management on a computer system, I will explain on how they are used and why they are used. The two software utilities I will be explaining about are, ‘Virus Protection’ and ‘Firewalls’.

Virus Protection

It is very important to protect the computer systems from receiving viruses that may harm and damage the data stored on the computer system. Turning on the virus protection will keep the data stored on the computer systems safe and secured without any damages causing its data. To be able to reduce the risks of receiving virus attacks, the computer systems will need to be fully scheduled to be scanned on a regular basis of updating the virus protection contents. One of the safest and easiest actions, for the users to take is that they should not open an attachments files or emails that might harm the systems. The users must always back up the data regularly. After scanning the system fully, there are checks to see if any files on the system have detected to be harmed or damaged by the virus, so the virus can be repaired.

Firewalls


Many users these days use firewalls to protect a network on the computer from receiving unwanted internet traffic, and unknown sources accessing to the computer without an authorisation. Firewalls can be installed through a software programs or integrated into the hardware, which allows the users to access the internet websites whilst firewall contents performing tasks making sure the unknown hackers are unable to gain unauthorised access to the resources on the computer systems. Firewall also display alerts with warning message before actually opening the websites to be viewed at for confirmation from the users to ensure the risks of accessing specific websites.