Setting Up the Hardware and Software

Process Overview

<p><span style="font-size:small;"> You will need to connect and set up a range of hardware components and equipment such as monitors, printers, routers, keyboards, mouse, speakers, microphones, RAM and hard drive. Most computer systems can automatically connect to all <strong>monitors</strong> by plugging them in using the standard cables such as VGA, DVI or HDMI. When connected, the devices drivers in the operating system will enable the system to output to the monitor using plug n play technology. Similarly, <strong>printers</strong> are normally installed using plug n play technology but some printers come with device drivers on a CD that need to be installed on the system to connect to the printer. Network printers need to be configured so that all users on the network can find and connect to the printer. The connection is normally checked by printing a test page. Routers and modems are used to connect systems to the internal network and internet. Routers need to be configured by connecting to the network through a secure password. They can be configured so that users can access the network using wireless technology and part of maintaining systems is to ensure someone takes ownership of the password and adds new machines to the network. Most standard keyboards and mouse can be connected using plug n play technology that is managed by the operating system. Plug the <strong>keyboard</strong> in and check that it operates correctly. You may then need to configure the keyboard so that it uses the correct languages settings etc. A <strong>mouse</strong> can be configured for individual uses such as click speed and operation of different buttons. Speakers and microphones are used to control the systems audio. <strong>Speakers</strong> are plugged in using the correct cables and the balance and volume settings can normally be adjusted using the operating system software. Microphones can be configured using different associated software packages to eliminate noise when recording or communicating. Adding speakers and a microphone to a computer system that is connected to the internet really increases the functionality as it can be used to communicate all over the world using software packages such as Skype. Setting up <strong>RAM</strong>requires some more technical knowledge. You need to open up the system case and install the RAM in the correct slots. The system BIOS will then install the RAM as an add on to the existing RAM or to replace the existing RAM. It is important to ensure that the RAM that you select is compatible with the system motherboard. Different types of RAM are DRAM, SDRAM, SIMM and DIMM these come in varying memory sizes and speed and you need to be careful to select the correct option for the user needs. Installing a new <strong>hard drive</strong> means either replacing the existing hard drive or configuring the new hard drive to work along side the existing drive by using master/slave configuration if the are running on the same communications bus. Different types of hard drives are IDE, SATA and PATA to name a few. Again this requires opening the system case and more technical knowledge and the hard drive will be recognised by the system BIOS when connected.</span></p>