BTEC Level 1 Certificate in Information and Creative Technology

Unit 14: Installing and Maintaining Computer Hardware

Due: put the date

Submitted by: Bianca Prisacariu Lecturer: George Wakeman

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You work as an Assistant to a Hardware Consultant specializing in maintaining technology systems.
You are currently working with a client NVE (North Wiltshire Environmental), who need advice on two Computer
systems they are currently running.

System 1
This is a stand-alone computer used in the CEO’s office.
Make & Model: Dell OptiPlex 3020
Processor: Intel Core i5-4590
MEMORY: 4gb DDR3 RAM
HARD DISK DRIVE: Western Digital 500gb 5400rp
Optical Drive: DVD Writer
Monitor: 21.5” Dell P2214 1920 x 1080

System 2
This is an administration computer used for admin tasks.
Make & Model: Dell OptiPlex 780
Processor: Intel core 2 duo E7500
MEMORY: 2gb DDR3 RAM
HARD DISK DRIVE: 250gb Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm
Optical Drive: DVD Drive
Monitor: 21.5” Dell P2214 1920 x 1080

The client is an environmental recruitment agency that places environmental officers into environmental roles.
Their role is to match officers to the correct role. They need to maintain environmental data, have good
communication systems, and provide both sets of officers with relevant information (both electronic and hard
copy).

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 Part One

Introduction

North Wiltshire Environmental would like me to investigate and understand the computer hardware
they have and explain the benefits and implications of alternative/new hardware installations and the
associated maintenance.

What are the Benefits and Implications of installing a Solid-State Drive to replace a
Hard Disk Drive in the Administrators Computer?

Benefits

 Benefits
 The SSD is the best for storing operating systems, gaming apps and frequently used files.
 The SSD is faster than the HDD so you can load programs and data as well as install
latest programs and save the data much more quickly.
 The SSD is non-mechanical, produces less noise. As SSDs have no moving parts
 It is shock resistant, compared to HDD which is more fragile.
 Energy efficiency: SSDs consume less power compared to HDDs since they do not
require a spinning disk and mechanical components.

Implications

 Cost: The SDD is more expensive per MB of data.

 Storage capacity: SSDs have become more affordable over time; they still offer lower
storage capacities compared to HDDs at the same price.
 Data recovery challenges: Has inability to recover old data. Recovering data from an SSD
can be more complex and expensive compared to HDDs.
 Lifespan considerations: Has a shorter life span.
 It has lower written speed compared to hard disk drives.
 SSD requires more power.

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  Compatibility: Some of the older systems or operating systems may not fully support
SSDs or take advantage of their features.

What are the benefits and implications of North Wiltshire Environmental installing
and maintaining hardware themselves?

Benefits

 Benefits: Faster response time, Data security and compliance

 The benefits of installing and maintaining hardware themselves include cost
savings, increased control, customization and scalability. By installing and
maintaining hardware themselves, individuals or organizations can save
money on repair and maintenance costs, as well as have greater control
over the hardware. Additionally, maintaining hardware can lead to a better
understanding of how the hardware works and how to troubleshoot issues.
Finally, installing and maintaining hardware themselves can allow for
greater customization of the hardware to meet specific needs.

Implications

 The implications of installing and maintaining hardware themselves include

the need for technical knowledge and skills, as well as the potential for
errors. Individuals or organizations who install and maintain hardware
themselves need to have a good understanding of how the hardware works
and how to troubleshoot issues. Additionally, there is a risk of damaging
the hardware if it is not installed or maintained properly, which can lead to
expensive repairs. Finally, installing and maintaining hardware can be time-
consuming, which may not be feasible for some individuals or
organizations.

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 Part Two

Introduction

North Wiltshire Environmental would like you to perform an upgrade to their computer systems and
repair a recurring fault.
System 1 the CEOs computer has an error whenever the hard disk is accessed which causes the
computer to restart, they would like this looked at and replaced if needed.
System 2 the Administration computer is struggling to run programs and is slow to load, they would
like it to be upgraded to make it run smoother.
North Wiltshire Environmental are concerned that they could lose important data when the computers
are worked on.
North Wiltshire Environmental have provided a budget of £150 for parts.

Identify what could be causing the issues with System 1 and what you could do to
improve it.

The Hard Disk could be faulty and need replacement.

What parts will you need?

What will they cost?

Identify what could be causing the issues with System 2 and what you could do to
improve it.

The System does not have much RAM and has a Slow Processor, these could be upgraded.

What parts will you need?

What will they cost?

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The purpose of installing and maintaining hardware

• The purpose of installing and maintaining hardware in a technology system is to

ensure that the system is running efficiently and effectively.

User requirement description

The client's requirements for hardware installation and maintenance will vary
depending on their specific needs and goals.

- system speed and performance

- reliability and security

- compatibility and functionality.

- Full find the problems with the optical drive.

- overheating. (Dust, cleaning them)

Create a Plan to complete the upgrades and maintenance to the systems.

Upgrade Plan

Upgrade activities list Administrator computers are very slow. It takes

time for the administrator machines to boot up,
open applications and complete jobs.
Burning DVD/CDs The CEO would like it to be
possible for the administrator computers to be
able to burn to CD/DVDs
External device: North Wiltshire environment
wants to expand geographically and therefore
needs to upgrade the ability to communicate to

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 take advantage of the internet for
communications. E.g., VoIP/Webcams
Required hardware components Hardware components and devices: RAM, hard
drives, CPUs, cooling systems, printers, web
cams, Burning DVD/CDs
Required software Software resources: drivers and firmware updates
for hardware components, make the system
faster, system software updates and patches,
software applications that are compatible with the
upgraded hardware components,
security/antivirus software
Required tools Tools Required
Testing and debugging tools, backup and
recovery tools.
Pen and Paper: Used for notes - To write down the
order in which you took the pieces off to
remember how to put them back.
Screwdriver: To open the hardware components
of a PC. To remove parts from the PC. For screws
Tweezers: To help you move or pick up certain
small PC parts that you can’t pick up with your
fingers.
Power supply tester
Side Cutters: They can cut the cables.
Soldering Iron: Heat to melt solder so that it can
flow into the joint between two workpieces.
Multimeter: Measuring the voltage
Cable Tester: Used to verify the electrical
connections in a signal cable.
Replace faulty or outdated hardware components
as needed. CEO computer the optical drive had

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 developed a fault and it was not possible to read
any data from its optical drive.
The administrator computers are experiencing
issues of overheating, and shutting down

How Will You Test the System?

Test description Result Comments

Clear understanding of the system yes the systems are reliable,
requirements. Testing individual components efficient, and meets the needs
of the system to ensure that they are working of its users
as expected. Ensure that it meets the
requirements and specifications. Using testing
tools. Test the system for performance,
scalability, and security.

Maintenance Plan

Maintenance activities list - upgrading hardware to improve system

performance,
- replacing faulty or outdated components
and ensuring compatibility with new software
or systems.
- Compatibility: CD/DVD burner
- Change in system functionality: Fit a
webcam.
- Upgrade: replace HDD with SDD

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 - perform regular system backups and updates
- clean and maintain hardware components to
prevent damage or failure
Required hardware components Hardware components and devices: RAM, hard
drives, power supplies, motherboards, CPUs,
cooling systems, and peripherals such as
printers, web cams
Required software Software resources: drivers and firmware
updates for hardware components, system
software updates and patches, software
applications that are compatible with the
upgraded hardware components,
security/antivirus software.
Required tools Tools Required
Testing and debugging tools, backup and
recovery tools.
Pen and Paper: Used for notes - To write down
the order in which you took the pieces off to
remember how to put them back.
Screwdriver: To open the hardware
components of a PC. To remove parts from the
PC. For screws
Tweezers: To help you move or pick up certain
small PC parts that you can’t pick up with your
fingers.
Power supply tester
Side Cutters: They can cut the cables.
Soldering Iron: Heat to melt solder so that it
can flow into the joint between two workpieces.
Multimeter: Measuring the voltage
Cable Tester: Used to verify the electrical

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 connections in a signal cable.
Replace faulty or outdated hardware
components as needed. CEO computer the
optical drive had developed a fault and it was
not possible to read any data from its optical
drive.
The administrator computers are experiencing
issues of overheating, and shutting down

How Will You Test the System?

Test description Result Comments

Is the cost of the total system less than £150 yes Proposal currently under
budget but missing
requirements (blank list)
Change product (blank) for a
cheaper model
Additional constraints. yes the system data should be
backed up before any activities
take place.
Timeframe yes this task should be completed
with 3 weeks.
Test the newly installed hardware components yes Good functionality
to ensure that they are functioning correctly.
Check if there are no errors yes The computer is working fine

Check the windows if it’s appearing fine Yes

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Ram . the device is working
Yes
Listen to number of
beeps. check device.

Hard drive yes Hard drive installed and

Installing a higher store.
Memory

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 Part Three

Introduction

North Wiltshire Environmental would like you to do the upgrade to the computer system you
recommended and repair the recurring fault.
System 1 the CEOs computer replace the Hard Disk Drive.
System 2 the Administration computer upgrade the RAM.
North Wiltshire Environmental are concerned that they could lose important data when the computers
are worked on so would like their data backed up.
North Wiltshire Environmental have provided a budget of £150 for parts and would like evidence that
the parts cost less than this.

Replacing The Hard Disk Drive

Evidence Comments
Remove the power cables and data
connectors from the drive itself and then the
screws.

Remove the old drive

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 Place the new drive.

Take the right screws for the new Hard Disk

Drive and position it in place.

Plug in the power connectors according to the

new drive, then follow up with data
connection cords.

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Upgrading the RAM
Evidence Comments
Unplug all cords, cables, and peripherals.
Removing RAM modules by pressing down
on the clips at either end, allowing them to
pop up from the slot to be able to lift them
straight out.

Add new RAM and locate it in the computer

and align the new RAM module to fit into
position. Press down gently on the RAM
cartridge until you hear a click signalling that
the module has locked into the RAM clips
inside my computer.

Testing the System

Evidence Comments
The Hard Disk Drive was successfully
replaced and the computer is running fine
having a larger GB size hard drive

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 The Administrator computers can burn to
CD/DVDs

The system is working fine

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 Part Four

Introduction

North Wiltshire Environmental asked you to do the upgrade to the computer system you
recommended and repair the recurring fault.
System 1 the CEOs computer replace the Hard Disk Drive.
System 2 the Administration computer upgrade the RAM.
North Wiltshire Environmental were concerned that they could lose important data when the
computers are worked on so would like their data backed up.
North Wiltshire Environmental provided a budget of £150 for parts and would like evidence that the
parts cost less than this.

How did you meet the requirements of North Wiltshire Environment

Replaced the Hard Disk Drive in the CEOs computer.
Upgraded the RAM in the Administrators computer.
How did you preserve their Data.
How did you stay in budget.

The maintenance and upgrades I have planned for the North Wiltshire environmental
such as, Hard drive, RAM, adding an external device such as webcam will bring their
hardware into the future. These two Computer systems they are currently running, and
they have the upgrades the company needs. I test the modified technology system for
functionality and performance and record the results. The hard drive was upgraded by
installing a larger GB size hard drive for loads of storage for files.
Benefits of these upgrades are being able to work for long periods of time, faster speed
in certain applications and more storage for files.
It meets mainly all the requirements by updating software, hard drive and RAM to pro-
duce large number of documents, and by staying in the budget and not needing to
spend more money.

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