INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGY 10
MAINTAINING COMPUTER AND NETWORK SYSTEM

MS. CHERIE LYN C. DE LA CUEVA

ICT Subject Teacher
 Lesson 6 │ MAINTAINING COMPUTER AND NETWORK SYSTEM

Content Standards Performance Standard

The learners demonstrate understanding of The learner independently demonstrates skills in

underlying concepts and principles on configuring configuring computer systems and networks.
computer systems and networks.

Most Essential Learning Competencies

LO 6 – Maintain computer systems
6.1 – Identify faulty Computer System
6.2 – Test normal functions of computer systems
6.3 – Perform repair and replacement of faulty computer systems
6.4 – Adhere to the recommended schedule and techniques in maintaining and cleaning computer
systems
6.5 – Respond to sudden breakdowns of computer systems in accordance with established
procedures

Prayer for Student

Lord our God,
In your wisdom and love you surround us with the mysteries
of the universe.
Send your spirit upon these students and fill them with your
wisdom and blessings.
Grant that they may devote themselves to their studies and
draw ever closer to you, the source of all knowledge.
We ask this through Christ our Lord
Amen!

E XPLORE
Preventing Computer Systems Failure
Computers, in general, are pretty stable, and you can usually rely on them to not fail you. However, if you
develop some basic habits, you can postpone serious computer problems, if not avoiding them entirely.
Selected users:

1. Computer issues. Know that your computer is going to fail.

You need to treat your computer as if it were a doomed
failure. Always assume that failure is imminent.
A fatal error results in data loss, damage to your computer
and/or its ability to function, hardware failure, or other serious
issues.
Signs of imminent failure might include regular poor
performance, frequent errors and/or popups, unknown programs being installed, frequent power loss (the
computer shuts down automatically frequently), frequent crashes, or certain parts not working.

2. Dust issues. Preventing failure means making sure your computer is

physically clean in its operations. Make sure that there is not too
much dust inside, especially on the fans. Dust can reduce
performance and cause overheating.

3. RAM issues. Know your computer's specifications and its limits.

RAM runs even the PC is running idly. It consumes RAM storages
capacity making you difficult to open a program if RAM storage
had been consumed.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 10

 4. Malware Issues. Make sure that your anti-virus software is updated to be able to scan unnecessary files
that enter your PC. Do not install programs that you’re not familiar with or if do not fully trust.

5. When something is not working properly, either diagnose the

problem yourself and fix it, to prevent further damage or contact a
professional and have them look at it for you. Take advantage of
warranties on parts if they fail.

6. Warning issues. If the same error message shows up every

time you log in, be sure to investigate it. Although unlikely,
these errors could be important.

7. Usage issues. Give your computer a break. Believe it or not, your computer
likes rest, too. Leaving it on all of the time wears out hardware, and puts
unnecessary wear and tear on the hardware. Giving your computer a break
also saves you money (electrical bills).

8. Warranty issues. Always take advantage of warranties. Get a

warranty to protect your hardware, so it can be replaced in case of
failure.

9. Backup issues. Back-up everything. Run regular backup of your

important files to other disks, computers, or an online backup
service.

10. Error message issues. If your PC fails to function, diagnose the

problem. Write down the necessary info such as error messages or
things don’t work properly. If you know how to fix it, do it, to
avoid further damage but if not then seek for professional help.

Activity 1 Multiple Choice Shade the correct answer.

1. Know that your computer is going to fail. You need to treat your computer as if it were a doomed failure
RAM Warranty

Computer Dust

2. Preventing failure means making sure your computer is physically clean in its operations.
Computer Issues Malware Issues

RAM Issues Dust Issues

3. Make sure that your anti-virus software is updated to be able to scan unnecessary files that enter your PC. Do not
install programs that you’re not familiar with or if do not fully trust.
RAM Issues Malware Issues

Hardware Issues Computer Issues

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 10

4. Know your computer’s specifications and its limits. It makes you difficult to open a program if _______ storage
had been consumed.
HDD RAM

CPU VGA

5. When something is not working properly, either diagnose the problem yourself and fix it, to further damage or
contact a professional and have them look at it for you.
Computer Issues Hardware Issues

Dust Issues RAM Issues

6. If the same error message shows up every time you log in, be sure to investigate it.
Usage Issues Backup Issues

Computer Issues Warning Issues

7. Give your computer a break. Believe it or not, your computer likes to rest too. Leaving it on all the time wears
your hardware, and puts unnecessary wear and tear on the hardware.
Usage Issues Warning Issues

Warranty Issues Backup Issues

8. If your PC fails to function, diagnose the problem. Write down the necessary info such as error messages or
things don’t work properly.
Error Message Issues Warning Issues

Backup Issues Usage Issues

9. Creating a duplicate of your important files to other disks, computer, or an online storage.
RAM Issues Usage Issues

Warning Issues Backup Issues

10. Always take advantage of warranties.

Warranty Issues Hardware Issues

Error Message Issues RAM Issues

F IRM UP
Network Problems
When you suddenly cannot connect to the Internet, any of several things could be wrong. Use this checklist
to find and solve common Internet connection problems.

1. Unplugged Network Cable

Unplugged or loose network cables are one of the most common reasons why you might suddenly find yourself
unable to connect to the Internet. That's a problem on wireless networks, but on most laptops the wireless-fidelity
(Wi-Fi) radio can be inadvertently shut off instead. On home networks, it's also possible that someone unplugged
the router.
Action: Ensure your wired or wireless network hardware is switched on and plugged in.
2. Website Temporarily Offline
What may seem to be a network problem connecting to the Internet is sometimes simply a Web site (or whatever
server is on the other end of the connection) being temporarily offline.
Action: Before assuming your Internet connection is faulty, try visiting several popular Web sites rather than just
one.
3. IP Address Conflicts
If your computer and another on the network both have the same IP address, the conflict between them will
prevent either from working properly online.

Action: To resolve an IP conflict, follow these instructions to release and renew your IP address. If your
network uses static IP addresses, manually change your IP to a different number.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 10

Step 2: On the command prompt, enter “ipconfig/release” then press [Enter].
Step 3: Once the IP address becomes 0.0.0.0, enter “ipconfig/renew” then press [Enter].

4. Computer Firewall Malfunctions

Firewall software running on most computers is intended to prevent unwanted network traffic from disrupting its
operation. Unfortunately, these software firewalls can malfunction and start blocking valid Internet traffic. When
two software firewalls, such as Windows Firewall plus a third-party product, are installed on the same computer,
contention between the two can also incorrectly block traffic.

Action: If you have recently installed or upgraded software firewalls on your computer, temporarily disable them
to determine whether it may be the cause of Internet connection problems.

5. Outside Wireless Signal Range

The performance of Wi-Fi network connections depends on distance between the device and the wireless access
point. The farther away a Wi-Fi device is, the slower the local connection generally runs, until it breaks
altogether. Wireless signal interference in the area can also limit the effective range of a Wi-Fi connection.
Whenever you are unable to reach the access point, you also cannot connect to the Internet, obviously.

Action: Use one of the options written below to measure the strength of your wireless signal and try these ideas
to expand the range of your Wi-Fi.

6. Wireless Network Configuration

Wi-Fi networks with encryption options like WPA or WEP turned on require computers to use matching security
keys when connecting. If someone changes the encryption keys or password on the access point, devices that
worked before will suddenly be unable to establish sessions and Internet connections. Likewise (though less
likely), if the access point settings are changed to require using a specific Wi-Fi channel number, some
computers may be unable to discover it.

Action: Confirm that the Wi-Fi channel number and encryption keys on your router have not recently changed
(check with the network administrator if necessary). When using a hotspot, follow the provider's instructors for
signing in carefully.

7. Broadband Router or Access Point Malfunctions

Home networks that use broadband routers are easier to manage than those without one, but technical glitches
with the router can also prevent computers from connecting to the Internet. Router failures are caused by
overheating, excessive traffic, or simply a faulty unit. Typical symptoms of a flaky router include computers on
the network not being able to obtain IP addresses, or the router console not responding to requests.

Action: Check the router's lights and console if possible to ensure it is running and responding properly.
Troubleshoot and reset the router if necessary. Change the old router if necessary.

8. Blocked By Your Service Provider

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can choose to block access from your account if you fail to make payment or
otherwise violate the provider's Terms of Service. Especially when using paid hotspots that charge by the hour or
day, sometimes people forget to keep their subscription updated. Other common reasons an ISP might block your
account include exceeding bandwidth caps, sending spam e-mail, and downloading illegal or inappropriate
content.

Action: Contact your ISP if you suspect your account has been blocked.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 10

 9. Computer Glitches
Computers suffer from technical glitches or malfunctions. Although relatively uncommon nowadays, a computer's
network adapter hardware might suddenly fail due to overheating or age. Failures in the operating system software
that control the adapter, on the other hand, can occur frequently especially with computers that are heavily used.
Viruses and worms also may disable or block a computer's network interfaces from functioning properly. If using
a laptop or other mobile device, transporting it from one location to another can corrupt the state of its network.

Action: Check the computer and remove any malware that you will find. On Windows computers, try resetting
the network connection. Reboot the computer if necessary.

10. Network Downtime

Those using satellite Internet service may notice they canot connect to the Internet during periods of very bad
weather. Providers in dense urban areas (including cellular Internet carriers) sometimes are unable to support peaks
in network traffic that causes sporadic outages for some customers. Finally, those who subscribe to newer or more
complex forms of Internet services (such as fixed wireless broadband) may experience more downtime than others
as providers encounter more issues with relatively less mature equipment.

Action - If all else fails, contact your Internet provider to verify whether they are experiencing an outage. Some
providers also give advice on troubleshooting problems connecting to their network.

Activity 2 Slide Show Computer and Network

Directions: In this worksheet, you will write the computer errors/problems, error messages and the network
problems you encountered. Create a PowerPoint presentation.
Be prepared to discuss your answers.

D EEPEN

Activity 3 Multiple Choice. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. One of the most common reasons why you might suddenly find yourself unable to connect to the Internet?
a. Unplugged Network Cables
b. Computer Firewall
c. Website Temporary Offline
d. IP Address Conflicts

2. Before assuming your Internet connection is faulty, try visiting several popular Web sites rather than just
one, is a solution to what network problem?
a. Website Temporary Offline
b. Unplugged Network Cables
c. IP conflicts
d. Broadband Router or Access Point Malfunctions

3. If your computer and another on the network both have the same IP address. Speaks on _____.
a. Outside Wireless Signal Range
b. Wireless Network Configuration
c. Broadband Router or Access Point Malfunctions
d. IP Address Conflicts

4. This causes blocking valid Internet traffic.

a. Outside Wireless Signal Range
b. Wireless Network Configuration
c. Computer Firewall Malfunctions
d. Broadband Router or Access Point Malfunctions

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 10

 5. The performance of Wi-Fi network connections depends on distance between the device and the wireless
access point. The farther away a Wi-Fi device is, the slower the local connection generally runs, until it
breaks altogether.
a. Broadband Router or Access Point Malfunctions
b. Outside Wireless Signal Range
c. Wireless Network Configuration
d. Blocked By Your Service Provider

6. If someone changes the encryption keys or password on the access point, devices that worked before will
suddenly be unable to establish sessions and Internet connections. It speaks on _____________.
a. Outside Wireless Signal Range
b. Computer Glitches
c. Broadband Router or Access Point Malfunctions
d. Wireless Network Configuration

7. Typical symptoms of a flaky router include computers on the network not being able to obtain IP addresses,
or the router console not responding to requests.
a. Broadband Router or Access Point Malfunctions
b. Computer Glitches
c. Blocked By Your Service Provider
d. Network Downtime

8. Block access from your account if you fail to make payment. Explains _______________
a. Computer Glitches
b. Blocked By Your Service Provider
c. Network Downtime
d. Wireless Network Configuration

9. Hardware and software failure may result to _______.

a. Blocked By Your Service Provider
b. Computer Glitches
c. Network Downtime
d. Wireless Network Configuration

10. Those using satellite Internet service may notice they canot connect to the Internet during periods of very
bad weather.
a. Blocked By Your Service Provider
b. Computer Glitches
c. Network Downtime
d. Wireless Network Configuration

T RANSFER
Activity 4 Pictorial Tour
Directions: Make an additional research on the different diagnoses on faulty computer and network
systems. Give 5 samples with pictures.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 10

A SSESSMENT

Video Demo. Application of Diagnosis on Faulty Computer and Network Systems

Directions: After making additional research and observation on what you have learned make a video
demo. You can use a video camera to record the event stressing the diagnosis on faulty computers and
networks system

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 10