Thomas Steele 40069193

Unit 14
Assignmen
ts 1,2,3,4

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Contents
Task 1................................................................................................................. 3
Benefits........................................................................................................... 3
Task 2................................................................................................................. 4
Training............................................................................................................ 4
Compatibility................................................................................................... 4
Decommissioning (withdrawn from use).........................................................4
Service Level Agreements............................................................................... 5
Risks................................................................................................................ 5
Task 3................................................................................................................. 5
Presentation.................................................................................................... 5
Assignment 2......................................................................................................... 7
Task 1................................................................................................................. 7
Email to manager............................................................................................ 7
Task 2................................................................................................................. 8
Fault-Finding Tools & Techniques.....................................................................8
Hardware Components.................................................................................... 9
Installation and Maintenance Activates...........................................................9
Task 3............................................................................................................... 10
Email to Client............................................................................................... 10
Task 4............................................................................................................... 11
Email to Manager.......................................................................................... 11
Assignment 3....................................................................................................... 12
Task 1............................................................................................................... 12
Hardware Upgrades....................................................................................... 12
......................................................................................................................... 14
Task 2............................................................................................................... 14
Back up......................................................................................................... 14
Restore.......................................................................................................... 15
Task 3 & 4......................................................................................................... 16
Network Interface Card.................................................................................16
Graphics card................................................................................................ 16
Questions for client....................................................................................... 17
Assignment 4....................................................................................................... 19
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Task 1............................................................................................................... 19
Work Log....................................................................................................... 19
Task 2............................................................................................................... 19
Feedback questionnaire.................................................................................19
Task 3............................................................................................................... 20
Report for Manager about results of Questionnaire.......................................20

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Assignment 1
Task 1
There are many benefits to installing and maintaining technology
systems:
Benefits

CEOS Office Computer

Maintain/Upgrade
performance of machine
Increase reliability
Increase storage space
Increase compatibility

General Office Computers

Maintain/Upgrade
performance
of machine
The
ability
to
add
more
computers to an network
Increase storage space
Increase compatibility

If you dont maintain technology systems properly the performance can decrease
after time. The ways this can be done is from: defragmenting the HDD or doing
end of day virus scans, this will not only remove viruses but can also remove
temporary files. The reliability will be increased at the same time due to viruses
can put unnecessary strain on any of the components. By reducing the strain on
components it will increase the life span of the component. You are going to be
able to add more computers to a network using a switch this will allow the
business to grow without a full network change.
Adding a small capacity SSD to the systems to install the operating system and
key applications. SSD contain no moving parts allowing them to achieve
incredible read/write speed. This will increase the computers performance and
boot times. Another area to upgrade is adding 2 optical drives as the CEO would
like to be able to copy data from one disk to another. The reason behind
installing 2 is the CEOs computer is developed a fault in the optical drive that
was making it unable to read any data from a drive that was inserted into the
optical bay.
A good security upgrade to take into account is attaching an NAS (Network
Attached Storage) to the network. Add 4 equal drives and configuring them into
a Raid. Raid (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) allow the security to be
greater as if a drive fails there is no data lose and the files are more secure.
There are many reasons the files are more secure. The main reason is that a NAS
is usually placed in a different location to the desktop machines.
The CEO has asked for a scanner so they company can scan hand-written
documents into the systems. An EPSON V370 Is a good chose for the company at the
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present time. Another requirement for a scanner is to be capable of Optical Character
Recognition.

Task 2
There are many implications of maintaining computer hardware. Some of them
are: training, compatibly and cost. I will be reviewing the implications on the
general office computers there are to the employees and/or its clients. I will also
be explaining the implications and problems that can rise during maintaining the
technology system.

Training
Sometimes maintaining computer hardware can require training to staff, due to
sometimes there new components that are a new renovation in computer design.
If staff no matter what level in a business dont know how to operate something
they will need training. The impact can be huge to a organisation if employees
havent received appropriate training. There can be system failures as well as
decreases in the productivity speed. Training can take up time causing disruption
to work flow for a set period of time.
Training can be done in multiple ways, sometimes training can be reading from a
manual, DVD instructions. In extreme cases you may need to be sent off to a
training centre for a period of time.
Not only on internal components but external as well. For an example a new
printer/scanner could be installed. They could have some new features the
decommissioned printer doesnt have Eg. Double-sided scanning.

Compatibility
While maintaining computer hardware you may have to change a component,
this can sometimes increase or maybe decrease compatibility with other
hardware (monitors, motherboard and storage). This is could cause downtime
where you need to exchange.
Most modern computer components will work together but there are a few cases
they are unable to, such as:
Ram DIMS
Graphics Cards
Network Cards
If the operating system is the reason for lack of compatibility there are a few
things that are able to do. You can install a new operating system if your machine
meets the system requirements of the software.

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Decommissioning (withdrawn from use)

While decommissioning components you will need to take any components to a
WEEE centre. The implications this can have on an organisation are it can take a
longer period of time to dispose of the old hardware.
With hard drives this is a different story, they can hold confidential information
and to permanent delete files its more complex. The only way to completely be
sure that there is no way for any of the files to be recovered is to physically
destroy the drive. There is a few companies that will provide this service for
around 13 a drive or 300 drives for 300.

Service Level Agreements

A service level agreement is where a company lease you systems. Sometimes
the supplier may agree to guarantee the company 100% of its system 24/7. If
the supplier finds a fault they will upgrade or replace the part free of charge.
They will try to do this a quick as possible, they do this to avoid any impact on
the company. Unfortunately this can cause implications just like anything else.
Sometimes the supplier may not honour their guarantee and this can cause more
down time than necessary.

Risks
Systems are always going to be at risks while undertaking maintenance. The
company will have down time causing them not to do any work. Component
failure is another risk due to electrostatic discharge. This can damage a
component causing it to no longer work properly. Data can also be at risk due to
if the hard drive is in the chassis the vibrations and corrupt a drive. This will
cause the company serious problems.

Task 3
Presentation

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Assignment 2
Task 1
Email to manager
To
manager@gmail.com
Subject: Summarised brief
Dear Manager,
Central Employment is a small company. Their role is to match candidates to
vacancies.
There a few technical problems that have been encountered.
The CEOs machine is no longer able to log on.
The optical drive has developed a fault and not possible to read any data
from any disk that is inserted.
The CEO is unhappy about the time it takes for the machine to log on and
open any applications.
There are a few things the client would like to be able to upgrade. He would be
able to like to scan hand-written documents into the computer data base.
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Another requirement of the clients is they would require the capability to be able
to copy data from one optical disc to another.
The purpose of a scanner is to be able to scan hand-written documents into the
computer data base. This will increase compatibility by being able to scan into
the computer database. There may be some systems/network requirements.
Also the purpose of adding another optical drive to their technology systems
would be so they can copy data from a single disk to another to allow data to be
transferred to clients without excess paperwork.
They would like to be able to use the internet for communications via email. This
would allow them to communicate with more staff and clients.
Please respond when you get a free minute.
Yours sincerely.
Thomas Steele

Task 2
Installation & Maintenance Action Plan

Fault-Finding Tools & Techniques

Tools:
Tools that can be helpful while fault finding. Without some of these fault-finding
tools maintenance on the machines would be more complex or even impossible.
Some of them are software tools, some hardware. They are as follows:

Checking POST (Power.On.Self.Test)

Windows have a few built in tools to help diagnose a fault.
CrystalDiskInfo to help find any faults with the hard drive.
IFIXIT tool kit
Anti-Static wrist strap.

These tools can be used in different ways or for different tasks.

Techniques:
While fault-finding there are certain techniques that will be involved. They are as
followed:
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The POST (Power on Self-Test) can be read faults in a few ways. On older
machines they can be beep codes E.g. Long beeps or short beeps. On the
newer mother boards they may have a small LED screen (usually located
on the top right part of the motherboard) with numbers and this will read
out the fault for you. Sometimes the POST is generic or sometimes you
may have to research and see if the codes are different depending on the
motherboard. If the motherboard being used doesnt support beep codes
or a LED display you will be able to buy a small USB reader that costs
around 10 pound.
Windows Memory Checker is used for checking your Random Access
Memory (RAM) for memory leaks or other faults. The POST is a basic test
and the Windows Memory Checker is a more complex Tool. This is even
possible to run a test if the hard drive is corrupt and the user had no
operating system any longer.
IFIXIT is a complete tool kit that can service any computer hardware. They
can undo any screws or fixings this will become useful when taking
hardware components out of the chassis. This kit also includes an antistatic wrist strap this will clip onto the turned of PSU (power supply) this
will cause any ESD (electro-static discharge). If a hardware component is
shocked or came into contact with ESD the component could no longer
function for the life span of the component could have been shortened.

Hardware Components
The following are some hardware components that I may have to replace:
Hard Drive (HDD/SSD) HDD is a hard disk drive usually larger than SSDs
and have more capacity then an SSD. An SSD has no moving parts so the
speed of the drive is generally a lot faster that an HDD. Hard drives can
fail this will cause a replacement or the client may require a higher
capacity of storage.
Graphics card (Video Adapter / GPU) A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
connects to the computer through a PCI-PCIe socket this is what you
connect a monitor to that will output video. There are few things that can
fail on a GPU, they are fairly simple to replace.
Network Interface Card/Controller (NIC) a NIC is where the Ethernet cable
connects to allow to assess the internet or network. To replace this it is as
as simple or even simpler as a GPU.
Optical drive (CD/DVD Writer) these parts are cheap and easy Plug in and
Go these can fail due to moving parts inside the component. If the optical
drive has failed and wont open but has a drive inside most drives usually
have a manual over-ride that you can operate using a paperclip or a small
object.

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Random Memory Access (RAM) the RAM can fail over time. There are
DDR1, 2, 3, 4 they insert next to the CPU socket. You will be aware to
when to replace RAM when applications and the UI (User Interface)
became slow or even unresponsive.

Installation and Maintenance Activates

1. Replace the HDD. I will have unplug the SATA and SATA Power connectors
and plug them into the new HDD then depending on the case insert and
fix the drive into place with the old screws using the IFixIt Tool Kit. Then
boot into the Bios/UEFI to set the boot sequence as the client requests.
The final step will be to test the new component.
2. Replace the graphics card. I will have to unplug any power connectors (not
all graphics cards require power connectors) using a positive screw driver
undo the screw holding the card in place. The new card will go into its
place. (I may need to remove another expansion bay cover if the graphics
card is a 2 slot) The final step will be to test the new graphics card is
functioning as required.
3. Replace the optical drive. I will have to take out the holding screws, then I
will unplug the SATA data and power connecters. The new optic drive will
go in its place, the next step would be is to plug in the SATA data and
power connecters. The final step is to test the optical drive and operates
in the way the clients require.
4. Replace RAM. As everything thing else replacing RAM is easy. I will have to
push the tabs on either end of the DIMM socket. Pull the DIMMs out. While
inserting the new DIMMs match the notch with the notch on the socket
and inset the DIMM. The next think I will do is push each end of the DIMM
to secure it. The final task will be to test the new RAM replacements.

Task 3
Email to Client
To
client@gmail.com
Subject: Maintenance or Possible Alternatives
Dear client,
I will be undertaking some maintenance and upgrades on your technology
system. The following tasks are what will be undertaken:
I will be installing a computer scanner. This will allow you to be able to
scan hand written documents into the already installed computer
database. This will minimise excessive paperwork.
The optical drive will be having an upgrade. To be able to undertake this
task I will remove the old one and replace it with 2 brand new ones. The
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reason for this upgrade is you require the ability to copy data from one
optical disk to another.
A farther upgrade I will be doing is I will be changing out the RAM (Random
Access Memory) from 3 GB to 4 GB because the CEOs computer has
become slow when opening applications and completing tasks. To be able
to complete this task I will require the machine to be shut down for a shot
amount of time.
To increase the boot-up speed of the machine I will be replace the HDD
with an SSD. To be able to undertake this task I will require to reinstall
windows onto the new SSD.
The reasons I have chosen to do the upgrades the way I have is the constraints
are. The CEO is concerned about clients data so I will be unable to take any
machines of-site. The ram will increase the applications and boot-up speeds.
Normally the more ram the better. Another option that is possible is to install a
NAS this will increase the confidentiality of clients data while increasing the
reliability. The reason why I havent chosen to do this is due to the limited
budget.
I hope things are going well. Look forward to talking later
Best wishes
Thomas Steele

Task 4
Email to Manager
To
manager@gmail.com
Subject: Justification of Final Decisions.
Dear manager,
I will be undertaking some upgrades to the technology systems at Central
Employment. I will be upgrading their memory (RAM&SSD). I will also be
installing a desktop scanner.
The reasons behind me decisions are the client would like to be able to scan
hand written documents into the computer data base. They consider a portable
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scanner not to suitable for the company at the current time. I will be undertaking
them takes on site as the client is concerned about confidential data that could
be lost or corrupt if taken off site. So I will be doing the upgrades on site to
minimise any risk of this happening.
The reasons I will be upgrading the RAM are the CEO has become concerned
about the boot up speed of the machine, the time it takes to open applications as
well as the time it takes to compete set tasks. The Amount of ram currently in
the machine is 3 Gb I will upgrade to 4 Gb.
There are only a few constraints on my plan. If I am to install an SSD the client
will have to back up of the data on the current drive. And I will have reinstall
windows or transfer the licence. The data shouldnt be lost if it has been backed
up correctly. The impacts can be data loss this is cause the client to lose time or
customers. Another implications can be down time while undertaking these
tasks.
Please respond when you get a free minute.
Yours sincerely
Thomas Steele

Assignment 3
Task 1
Hardware Upgrades
To start with the replacements I will need to place the computer
chassis on an available workstation. The next step would be to
either to undo any screws handling the side panels or push any clips.
Then lift the top panel off and put it in a save place, this is so it
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doesnt get dented. Remember to keep any screws into a save place so they
dont go missing. I didnt need any tools to complete this task but if I needed I
would use a screwdriver to undo any screws.

The next step will be to clip the anti-static wrist strap to

an unpainted portion of the case. This will dissipate any
electro static discharge that has been generated on your
body. This is not 100% necessary if you have taken the
correct precautions but its also a good idea to be safe.
Better safe than sorry especially while undertaking work
for a paid client.

When I completed this I moved onto the next step

that was to remove the graphics card that was going
to be decommissioned. To remove I lifted the card
out of the socket making sure I didnt damage the
socket in any way so the replacement wouldnt be
able to function.
This case is tool-less design
meaning I didnt need to use any tools to remove
this component. The reason I will be
replacing this GPU is due to its out-dated VGA card.

I am taking the 10/100 Mbps NIC out of this chassis and I

will be decommissioning it. To be able to complete the
task I have to
repeat the same tasks as I did when removing the GPU
as they connect in the same manner.

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Here I am inserting the replacement graphics card.

I first insert the small tab (on the bottom of the
metal plate) into the hole inside the chassis. Then
gently insert the gold connecters into the socket.
Firmly push the car until in fully inserted. I am
replacing the VGA graphics card for a DVI-I
graphics card. This chassis allows you to use no
tools due to the tool-less design.

Here I am inserting the replacement Network Interface

Card. I first insert the small tab (on the bottom of the
metal plate) into the hole inside the chassis. Then
gently insert the gold connecters into the socket. Firmly
push the car until in fully inserted. I am replacing the
10/100 MBps card to a 1Gbps card. I didnt use any
tools in the step.

The last final steps I did were I removed my antistatic wrist straps. I turned the machine on to test
the new components were functioning as intended.
Then I placed the top cover that I stored in a save
place. Then I returned the machine to the client.

To install a
went into

printer after it was plugged into the network. I

the server and found the printer.

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It alerted me that I didnt have any drivers
installed. It prompted me to open a driver
finder utility. So I clicked yes.

I inserted the driver

disk that was supplied with the printer. After I did that I
selected have disk. Then it automatically found the drivers
that I needed to install.

Here I was installing the correct printer drivers

onto the computer systems. After this is
complete the printer will be fully installed onto
tis machine.

Task 2
Back up
To be able to complete a full back up of data I will
open up the backup wizard. And select that I
wanted to back up the data on the computer. The
reasons why I would undertake this is due to
minimising risk to data.
While undertaking upgrades or maintenance there
will always be a risk to the data on the machines.
Risks are as follows; data loss or corruption.

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The next the step I did to complete a successful backup is
select what data I wanted to backup. This is important so
you dont waste time especially when your maintenance
with cause downtime in the busy company. This is also
important you dont take excessive space up in your
backup drive.

The next step I took to complete the backup was

I selected the location I wished the backup to
go. I selected the local NAS that was named
Backup. I then made
a folder for the
backup files to be
located.

Restore
To restore a system I will go on the same wizard as I
did for a backup. The only difference is I will be
selecting restore files and settings instead of
backup files and settings.
The reason I would need to complete this is if the
clients data was lost during the work was
undertaken I would be able to restore their data.
The next step I did to restore the machine was I selected the original back up I
made in the back up location I set. This will restore
the machine to how it was before there was any data
lose. To complete the restore I clicked finish on the
next page.

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Task 3 & 4
Network Interface Card
This is showing the Network interface
card has been successfully installed and
all the drivers have also been installed. I
have found this by right clicking my
computer and going down to manage
then I went into device manager and
then found the driver details for the
selected device.
I didnt come by any issues on this
upgrade.

Graphics card
The graphics card wasnt being seen by the system so I needed to install any
necessary drivers. To this I inserted the driver disk that came supplied with the
graphics card. I ran the software. During this there were no issues. The final
step I did was I went into device manager and looked for the driver details. They

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had been installed with no issues what so ever.

Network interface card

Test method

Expected result

Actual result

Further action
required.

Device Manager

Would need to
install drivers and
configure the NIC

None

Tried to print
over network

Configure the NIC

Drivers
automatically
installed. No need
to configure the
NIC
Work properly
with no faults

Installed the
printer drivers.

Graphics card
Test method

Expected result

Actual result

Further action
required.

Device manager

Would need to
install drivers

Would need to
install drivers

Tested on
another
monitor & cable

Work properly
with no faults

Work properly
with no faults

Installed drivers
using instillation
disk.
None

Test method

Expected result

Actual result

Further action
required.

Checked backup

For a copy to be
there

No backup was
created

Needed to create
a backup before
undertaking work.

Data

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Questions for client
I asked the client: Have I fixed any issues you had?
What they responded: Yes all the issues have been fixed.

I asked the client: Are you happy with the amount of downtime caused?
What they responded: Yes you kept the downtime to an minimum.

I asked the client: did you accrue any lost data.

What they responded havent lost any data as you backed up properly.

I asked the client: would you recommend our work to anyone else?
What they responded: yes we would because we are happy with all that
happened.

Task 5
There are a few improvements to the systems that in increase performance one
of them is over clocking the CPU or GPU using the BIOS/UEFI by tweaking the
voltage and clock speed. By doing this the CPU will run faster that before this.
The better cooler you have and better power delivery your motherboard supports
the better overclock that will be available to you. After I have done this running a
Prime95 Test will test if the over clock was a success and if the CPU is now
stable.
The other performance tweaks that could be made are running daily virus checks
this will allow the system to run cleaner. By also doing defrags will speed up a
HDD but if you defrag an SSD it actually can be harmful to the drive.
Cleaning the fans will also deem better performance. Dust can build up causing
the fan to slow down not or filling the fins on the heat sink this will restrict the
cooling of any component. If you clean dont use a hover this will cause
electrostatic discharge.

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Assignment 4
Task 1
Work Log

Complet
ed
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Task
What I did

Description of what I accomplished

Include specific details

Upgraded
the RAM

The extra RAM has speeded up the

machine. The reason why it is suitable is
because the clients machine had
become slow and this has speeded up
the general speed.
The new optical has solved the problem
that developed. It has also enables the
ability to copy one disk to another.
The new SSD has increased the boot up
time and key application performance
speed.
The scanner has been installed for the
purpose to be able to scan hand written
document into the computer database.
The new NIC is suitable so the client can
have better connection speeds and also
communicate over a network.

Replaced
the Optical
Drive
Upgraded
HDD to an
SSD
Installed
a
Scanner
Installed NIC

Time
taken
30
minutes

30
minutes
2.5 hours

1 hour

20
minutes

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Task 2
Feedback questionnaire.
How satisfied was you with the work that was undertaken?
I was very satisfied, great customer service. Im happy with the quality of the
work that was done.
What has happened to the original issue?
The original issue doesnt happen, it has been sorted.
Has there been an increase in performance?
The boot time is faster than it was due more RAM and the upgraded SSD as the
boot drive.
Have you had any issues since the work was undertaken?
No issues or faults has shown up since the upgrades. I am pleased that there was
no issues loosing data or drivers that no longer function.
Is there any damage to any of your equipment?
No there is no damaged to any of company computers or workbenches.

How pleased are you with the response time?

Very happy
Happy
Mutual
Unhappy
Very unhappy
How pleased are you about the overall cost?
Very happy
Happy
Mutual
Unhappy
Very unhappy
Would you recommend our services?
Yes
No
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Maybe
If so why?
Depending on their circumstances

Is there any other modifications would like to me done?

Just to maintain the system maybe to upgrade the general office at a later date.

Task 3
Report for Manager about results of Questionnaire
Review from recent upgrade for Central employment
I have recently completed some maintenance at central employment.
The things they are happy about:

I have solved the original issue

I have stayed within their budget
The response time
That the boot speed has been increased

The response from the client was that they were happy with the work that was
undertaken.
The original changes that were made to the system were the amount of RAM that
each machine had. I increased the amount of RAM from 3GB to 4GB. I have also
installed a scanner successfully this is allowing them to scan hand written
documents into the computer database.
The reasons I have done the changes that I have are the requirements from the
client require faster application opening speed and better performance in there

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computer. I replaced the optical drive due the CEOs machine developing a fault
where it is no longer able to read any data from any disk that is inserted.
The client wanted faster boot speed so as well as the RAM upgrades. I have also
included into the price I have also added a SSD into the machine. I changed the
boot drive from the HDD to the SSD so that windows has been installed onto the
SSD
A few recommendations they could improve are; install a NAS in a raid 10 array.
This will help protect their confidential client against lost data or corruption.
Another recommendation could be to upgrade the internal RAM from 4 GB to
either 8 GB or 16 GB. Upgrade from DDR2 to DDR3 or DDR4 if the budget could
afford the upgrade. The final recommendation that I suggest is to install an
wireless router, this would allow them to allow staff to bring in devices from
home to do work on if they well please.

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