Software Utilities

It is important to use Virus Protection on your PC because getting a virus, or a trojan can slow down, or completely break your computer, allow unauthorised personnel from accessing personal data via a virus and also delete your files. Although Virus Protection Software can slow down PC performance, they protect your PC from these things.

It is important to use a Firewall because it stops unauthorised users from enetering a network and stealing your personal data and files. Firewalls stop these and this aids computer performance.


It is important to use Disk Defragmentation becuase it reduces the amount of fragmented files in the system, allowing for more storage space and a better performing PC.

It is important to use disk cleanup tools because it helps to free up storage space on your hard drive and allow for a better performing computer.

It is important to update your system frequently so that computer performance is at its maximum and your system is using the most up to date software it can in case it breaks down or problems occur. This is important because it will be easier to fix an up to date computer than an out of date.

It is important to back up your computer files frequently in case your computer crashes, you get a virus that wipes the system or another disaster occurs. If your files are backed up frequently, you always know you have a copy of your files if anything ever goes wrong.

Software Utilities

Utility	Description with example software	Describe how you would use this utility and indicate how often
Virus Protection	Avast! – Scans for viruses, worms and Trojans on disk, CDs, in emails, IM and P2P. Allows users to set automatic scans to automatically detect and remove viruses, worms and trojans.	Use the scan utility to detect viruses in the PC and to remove them so no damage is caused. Scan the PC once a week.
Firewall	PC Tools Firewall – used to block unauthorised access to the PC. Allows users to choose which networks and other users are allowed through the firewall and which aren't.	Use a firewall to allow certain users into a network. Scan the PC once a week.
Disk defragmentation	Defraggler – used to defragment files to improve computer performance. Allows users to improve computer performance by collecting all fragments of a file together.	Use to collect all fragments of different files together to improve computer performance. Perform defragmentation once a week.
Drive formatting	Command prompt and Device Management Tool – dividing drives into sections/partitions. Prepares a Hard Drive Disk for use by the operating system.	Create many file systems on a drive. Done on computer setup or when drive storage space needs to be altered.
Device Drivers	Software driver and Device Manager – allow for interaction with hardware. Allows user to communicate and change the settings of hardware.	Use as a translator between hardware and software. Used whenever new hardware needs to be installed.
Disk clean up tools	Disk Cleanup – deletes unused and temporary files from PC. Allows users to improve computer performance and increase storage space by deleteing unused and temporary files.	Deletes unused programs and files, temporary files and old backup files to help improve computer performance and create space on the PCs hard drive. Perform a disk clean up once a week.
Updates	Windows Update – keep system up to date. Allows user to use the latest software which allows for easier repair of the computer if it breaks.	Perform updates to keep computer systems up to date, PCs performing faster and systems working to their best abilities. Perform updates whenever they are received.
Back up	Windows Back up – back up files in case computer breaks, data corrupts or another disaster. Allows user to save important files that will not be lost in the case of a disaster, break down or corruption. Also allows user to restore deleted or corrupt files.	Create and save copies of computer files to ensure no files are lost if the computer hard drive breaks and cannot be fixed. Back up at least once a week. Restore files if they have been corrupted since the last backup or have been deleted. This feature also allows files to be restored to a disk if there is a problem with the operating system or the computer system.

Cleaning Computer Components

Cleaning the Tower

Open up or take off the tower cover.

lUsing a brush, clean as much of the visible dust out as possible.

lThen, using compressed air, clean the areas that cannot be reached by the brush.

lAlso clean the back of the tower to clear dust from the power supply and other components. 

 

Cleaning the Monitor

lUsing moist, anti-static screen cleaning wipes, clean the screen thoroughly.

lUse a special micro fibre cloth to clean off dust from the screen, stand and the back of the monitor.

Cleaning the Keyboard

lUsing a keyboard cleaning brush, clean off all visible dust.

lDust each key individually.

lThen using damp cotton buds, or special moist keyboard cleaners, clean in between each key thoroughly.

lUsing special keyboard putty can help get out dirt from underneath the keys. 

Cleaning the Mouse

lTrackball mice can be cleaned by taking off the back cover and taking out the ball.

lUsing a special brush and cleaning liquid, clean out the area where the ball sits.

lClean the ball and put back together.

lTo clean an optical mouse, use a moist, anti-static cleaning wipe and thoroughly wipe the mouse.

Heat Sink and Processor

Before starting, you need to ensure that you have the correct processor for your motherboard as most motherboards only support certain processors.

The next thing you should do is unplug the power cable from the mains and system as you may seriously hurt yourself or damage the equipment. Also you should use an anti-static wrist band to protect the system from damage. Attach the wire to the metal part of your system and then place the band around your wrist which will ensure that you are connected to the system at all times. This will cancel out all static charge from you and the system, protecting the components.

Next, locate the heat sink on the motherboard. You will find a small lever on the side of the fan, pull this to release the fan. Underneath you shall find a space that will fit a processor chip. To put the chip in, you must make sure you line the chip in carefully with the gold triangle which shows the direction that the chip fits in. If the chip does not fit, do not force it in as this will damage the pins of the processor chip and make it unusable. When the chip is in safely, lock it into place with the lever at the side until it clicks, locked into place.  

Now you must apply the thermal compound to the chip. This is a paste that secures the heat sink to the processor and only a thin layer is needed. You must now put the fan back on, over the processor. This should have a nice fit over the processor and can be locked back into place with the clamp on the side of the fan. You must now connect the fan to the motherboard and power supply so that it functions when the system is running to cool down the processor.