SHAMBERERE TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT REPORT

NAME : OCHIENG` JUSTUS

ADM NO. : 5211

COURSE : INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

INSTITUITION : WEST KENYA SUGAR MILLS LTD

DEPARTMENT : ICT SECTION

PERIOD : 3 MONTHS (13/10/2021 – 11/12/2021)

ASSESSOR : MR. MIDAMBO ALLAN

SUPERVISOR : MR. OLUOCH BRIAN

SSUBMITTED ON :

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DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this report is my own original work and it contains a summary of the work I
did at West Kenya Sugar Mills for a period of three months. I also declare that information
provided in this report is true and has not been altered in any way.

NAME: OCHIENG` JUSTUS

SIGN…………………………. DATE……………………………..

DECLARATION BY THE SUPERVISOR

This attachment report has been submitted with my approval as the supervisor.

NAME………………………………………..

SIGN……………………………. DATE………………………………

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I appreciate the West Kenya Sugar particularly the Supervisor Mr. Oluoch Brian for his full
support throughout the entire period.

I also wish to acknowledge my Assessor Mr. Midambo Allan and Shamberere Technical
Training Institute for working in hand to make sure I was assessed.

I also wish to recognize the support of my Parents, brothers, relatives, friends and all colleagues
attaches who we worked together for three months at West Kenya Sugar Company Limited.

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ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report is a compilation of the 3 months (12 weeks) industrial attachment I had at West
Kenya Sugar Mills. It outlines a summary of the work done during the period, challenges faced
and also includes suggestions and recommendations on how to counter the problems. It also
highlights specific tasks performed, strong and weak areas of the attachment as compared to the
curriculum. My assessor Mr. Midambo Allan assessed me on 17th November 2021 and requested
for the report on 10/01/2022.

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Table of Contents
DECLARATION..........................................................................................................................................i
ACKNOWLEDGMENT.........................................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...........................................................................................iii
1.0 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................1
1.1 HISTORY..........................................................................................................................................1
1.2 VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT..........................................................................................2
1.2.1 VISION STATEMENT..............................................................................................................2
1.2.2 MISSION STATEMENT...........................................................................................................2
1.2.2 OBJECTIVES/ DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES................................................................2
1.3 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE................................................................................................3
2.0 DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW..........................................................................................................4
2.1 KEY FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES...........................................................................................4
2.1.1NETWORKING..............................................................................................................................4
2.1.2 DEVICES USED IN LAN CONNECTION...............................................................................4
2.3 IP ADDRESSING...........................................................................................................................9
2.4 SYSTEM HARDWARE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE.............................................................9
2.5 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF HARDWARE......................................................................12
2.6 WINDOWS REPAIR AND INSTALLATION...............................................................................12
2.7 PRINTERS......................................................................................................................................13
2.8 MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR THE ATTACHMENT.........................................................................15
EXERCISE............................................................................................................................................15
3.0 Evaluation of the attachment...........................................................................................................15
3.1 SUCCESSES OF THE ATTACHMENT EXERCISE.....................................................................16
3.2 CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED.................................................................................................16
3.3 HOW THE CHALLENGES WERE SOLVED...............................................................................17
3.4 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COLLEGE.............................................................................17
3.5 RECOMENDATION FOR THE ATTACHMENT.........................................................................17
COMPANY...........................................................................................................................................17
3.6 SUMMARY OF THE DAILY ACTIVITIES DURING THE ATTACHMENT PERIOD..............17
References.................................................................................................................................................19

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LIST OF ABBREAVIATION
WEKSCOL West Kenya Sugar Company Limited

SAP System Applications and Products

AMS Agricultural Management System

POE Power Over Ethernet

UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply

COMS Complementary Metal Oxide Semi-Conductor

IP Internet Protocol

LAN Local Area Network

WAN Wide Area Network

TCP Transfer Control Protocol

CD ROM Compact Disk Read Only Memory

CPU Central Processing Unit

RAM Random Access Memory

ROM Read Only Memory

CCTV Closed Circuit Television

SADP Serch Active Device Protocol

AD Active Directory

CEO Chief Executive Officer

GPH Group Procurement Head

CTO Chief Transport Officer

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Figure 1........................................................................................................................................................4
Figure 2........................................................................................................................................................5
Figure 3........................................................................................................................................................5
Figure 4........................................................................................................................................................5
Figure 5........................................................................................................................................................6
Figure 6........................................................................................................................................................6
Figure 7........................................................................................................................................................6
Figure 8........................................................................................................................................................6
Figure 9........................................................................................................................................................7
Figure 10......................................................................................................................................................7
Figure 11......................................................................................................................................................8

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 HISTORY

West Kenya Sugar Company is a private entity that started its operations in year 1981. It’s
situated along Shamberere South Kabras Kakamega Kenya
with an installed capacity of 150TCD following the Open Pan Sulphitation (O.P.S) technology
with a Government Policy to employment at the Rural level.

It successfully expanded its OPS capacity to 400TCD in 1990. In the year 1992 installed a
500TCD Vacuum Pan Sulphate (VPS) Technology therefore expanding the capacity to 900TCD.

In 2005 it had further expansion and the installed capacity has been increased to 1800TCD.
Presently the company is under the expansion plan of 5000TCD which was commissioned by
2012.

The company sources its raw material sugarcane from 35000 small scale farmers within the West
Kenya Sugar Zone. The Zone has been allocated to the company by the Ministry of Agriculture
(MOA) and covers an approximate of 24km from the factory.

The Directors since then were:

 Sarbjit Singh Rai

 Jaswat Singh Rai
 Tejveer Rai
Other stations of WEKSCOL includes

 Miwani Weighbridge in Kisumu County

 Magut Weighbridge in Kakamega county
 Misikhu Weighbridge in Bungoma county
 Naitiri plant in Bungoma county
 Nzoia Quarry in Kakamega county
 Chemelil Weighbridge in Kisumu County
 Kericho Weighbridge in Kisumu County
 Olepito plant in Busia
 Khalaba Weighbridge in Busia

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1.2 VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT

1.2.1 VISION STATEMENT

 To establish ourselves as the market leader in Kenya by producing and distributing high
quality sugar which meets international standards.
1.2.2 MISSION STATEMENT

 To emerge as the premier producer of the finest sugar and allied products whilst
continually striving to achieve long –term sustainable growth and profitability. We also
to aim to reward our stakeholders by undertaking technological developments offering
competitive pricing, focusing on diversification, providing a safe, harmonious and
challenging working environment and improving our relations with farmers by working
alongside the farming community and maximizing our productivity

1.2.2 OBJECTIVES/ DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Team
They succeed as team not as an individual

 Innovation
They anticipate customer needs and deliver compelling solutions.

 Passion for success

They strive to win in everything they do.

 Respect
We treat others as we would like to be treated.

 Ownership
We are responsible for driving our success.

 Relations with farmers

Have equitable partnership with farmer and follow pricing mechanism

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 1.3 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

BOARD OF
DIRECTORS

MANAGING SYSTEM
CTO
DIRECTOR ANALYST

CCO
CEO

GPH

HR & ADIM GENERAL FINANCE

HEAD CFO
MANAGERs HEAD

TRANSPORT
HEAD

WTP CIVIL AGRIC. STORES PROC. TECH. SALE &

HEAD HEAD HEAD HEAD HEAD HEAD MARKRTING HEAD

CHIEF INFORMATION
OFFICER

SYSTEM USER
NETWORK ADMIN SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
ADMIN SUPPORT

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2.0 DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Considering the many departments in West Kenya Sugar Mills, IT department is the one that
contributed most to my professional growth during the 12 weeks attachment period.

2.1 KEY FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

2.1.1NETWORKING
Computer networks is the connection of two or more computers for the purpose of sharing
information and resource.

LOCAL AREA NETWORKS (LAN)

Is a computer network that interconnects computer within a limited area such as residence, office
building. In WEKSCOL most of the tasks are done through internet since the most software like
SAP, AMS work via the internet connection. Through this need of internet connection, the
Company uses both Local Area Networks and Wide Area networks. LAN connections are used
in most departments. I participated in connecting the networks in some of the departments. Most
of the devices that we used were straight through Ethernet cables, switch, router, crimping tool
and Rj45.

Fig 1.0.1

Figure 1

WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)

Wide area network is a collection of local area networks

2.1.2 DEVICES USED IN LAN CONNECTION

 SWITCH
Switch is a computer networking device that connects devices together on a computer network
by using packet switching to receive, process, and forward data to the destination device.

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It enables two or more computers to be connected in one network using one router. Multiple
cables are plugged in in the switch to enable communication between different networked
devices.

., ,m.

 ETHERNET CABLE
Ethernet cables connect devices within a local area network, like PCs, routers, and
switches.

Figure 2

STRAIGHT THROUGH CABLE

A straight-through cable is a type of twisted pair cable that is used in local area networks to
connect a computer to a network hub such as a router. This cable uses either at both ends 568A
Standard or 568B standard.
It is the most commonly cable that is used in WEKSCOL for network connection
I participated in terminating the cable at both ends using crimping tool
The arrangement of the unshielded cable before crimping is orange/white, orange, green/white,
blue, blue/white, green, brown/white, brown
One end of the cable is connected to the computer and the other end connected to the

Figure 3

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switch/router.

 ROUTER AND NANO STATION

A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. Routers
perform the traffic directing functions on the Internet.

Nano station Router

Figure 4

Figure 5

 CRIMPING TOOL AND RJ45

Crimping tool is a device that is used to terminate Ethernet cable at both ends.

The diagrams below shows the crimping tool and RJ45

Figure 6

RJ45 CONNECTOR

Figure 7

ROUTER CONFIGURATION

Steps to configure the router.

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STEP 1: Connect your router to the computer and modem

STEP2: Open a web browser and enter your router IP address.

Routers are accessed through your web browser by entering the IP address into the address bar

STEP 3: Enter username and password.

Figure 8

STEP4: Reset your router if you cannot access it.

If you’ve looked up your default address and username/password combo and you still can’t
access your router, you can reset it to factory defaults to clear out any changes that may have
been made

Figure 9

STEP5: Assign the router a new username and password.

Choose a username and password that can’t be easily guessed. Include numbers and symbols in
the password to make sure that it is hard to hacked

NANO STATIONS
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There are two types of Nano stations that were commonly used in this company. These nano
stations are;

 Nano station M5
The ubiquity Nano station M5 is the perfect solution for creating a dedicated point to point or
point to multipoint connections between locations where the Ethernet cable is not a visible
option. It can also be used for extending wireless coverage outdoors.

Features of M5 Nano station

 Next-Gen Antenna Design

 Dual Ethernet connectivity
 Intelligent POE
 AirOS V

 Nano station M2
This is the ultimate 2GHz wireless outdoor CPE with integrated 14dBi Dual polarity antenna

Features

 Great performance
 Dual Ethernet connectivity
 Intelligent POE
 Easy installation

Figure 10

CONFIGURING NANO STATIONS

I participated in configuring Nano stations in the company. I am in a position of configuring of

more Nano station in my future. There are two types of Nano station that were commonly used in
our company. These includes M2 and M5 Nano stations. The M2 Nano stations were the most
preferred.

STEP 1: Log in to the Nano station using its IP address e.g., 192.168.21.53

STEP 2: On the Menu Select the Network and set the desired IP address.

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STEP 3: Click on the Wireless and decide whether to set the Nano Station as an access point or
a station.

NOTE

For Station point you need to select the SSID on which the station to receive the internet from.
One also needs to set the WAP prepared key which is the same key that is used on the access
point.

STEP 4: On station, when you are done with selecting the SSID you need to lock up in order for the
setting to effect.

2.3 IP ADDRESSING
An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical label assigned to each device connected
to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves
two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.

During my attachment I changed the IP addresses of most computers which were conflicting in
various department. To solve the IP conflict the IP address is changed.

HOW TO CHANGE IP ADDRESS OF THE COMPUTER

 Right click on the network icon of the connected computer.

 Click on open network and sharing center
 Click on the Network provided whether it is LAN or Ethernet or WIFI
 Click on properties and select the IP version
 Then you might change the IP Either by doing manually or commanding it to pick
automatically

2.4 SYSTEM HARDWARE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

Computer hardware includes the physical parts or components of a computer, such as the central
processing unit, monitor, keyboard, computer data storage, graphic card, sound card, speakers
and motherboard.

During my attachment period I solved many problems concerning hardware and solved it and
participated in its maintenance and repair

COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER AND ITS PERIPHERAL

 Central Processing Unit

The central processing unit (CPU) is the unit which performs most of the processing inside a
computer. To control instructions and data flow to and from other parts of the computer, the CPU
relies heavily on a chipset, which is a group of microchips located on the motherboard.

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  Monitor
A computer monitor is an output device which displays information in pictorial form. A monitor
usually comprises the display device, circuitry, casing, and power supply

fig2.3

 Keyboard

 keyboard

A computer keyboard is a typewriter-style device which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys

to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches

 Motherboard
The motherboard is a sheet of plastic that holds all the circuitry to connect the various
components of a computer system

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  CD ROM Drive

 CD-rom

A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed optical compact disc which contains data

fig 2.6

 Hard disk
The hard disk drive is the main, and usually largest, data storage hardware device in a
computer. The operating system, software titles, and most other files are stored in the
hard disk drive.

 RAM
Random-access memory is a form of computer data storage that stores data and machine
code currently being used. A random-access memory device allows data items to be read
or written in almost the same amount of time irrespective of the physical location of data
inside the memory
RAM s

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  Network Card

 Network interface card

It is network adapter hardware in the form of an add-in card that fits in an expansion slot
on a computer's motherboard

fig 2.9
 Power supply unit
A power supply unit (or PSU) converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the
internal components of a computer.

2.5 MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF HARDWARE

 If the power supply fails replace the power supply with a working one. This can be noted
if the system unit is not lighting up
 Failure of hard disk, one has to back up the information and boot the computer and
partition the hard disk then restore the information. This can be identified if the system
unit doesn’t sense the hard disk on the monitor.

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Failure of operating system, one has to back up the information and perform windows recovery if it fails
perform booting.

2.6 WINDOWS REPAIR AND INSTALLATION

Most of the machines run on windows XP, 7 and 8. When I was in this company, I was familiar
with the installation of windows operating system into machines. During this speriod, I was here
I was able to install windows operating system and repair some operating system which had
failed

WINDOWS REPAIR

 When it was in use and fails, click on CTR+ALT+DEL to restart the computer or
when is switched off click on start menu.
 Click on f9 for boot menu and press any key for the booting.
 Select the device you want to boot from e.g. CD-ROM
 Click on R for repair then click on either CHKDSK\S or CHKDSK\P.
 Then wait for the booting process and after its done it will give you the hard disk
to partition
WINDOWS INSTALLATION

 Back up all Insert a blank disk into your Disk tray.

 Burn the ISO image to a disk.
 Reboot your PC with the disk still in the tray.
 Go to your BIOS configuration screen.
 Choose primary boot device as CD/DVD drive.
 Reboot again.
 The system should boot to the Windows 8.1 setup screen
 Use this product key of the format drive NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-
9Y92F if it asks for and copy from the DVD drive.
 Configure your PC settings in the setup
 Follow the setup instructions till the setup finishes.

2.7 PRINTERS
Printer is a peripheral device which makes a persistent human-readable representation of
graphics or text on paper.

During my attachment period we have solved so many problems affecting the printers in
different departments of the company. Since the printers help to print out the hard copies of
vouchers, and another documents in the company

The mostly used Printers in the company include: Dot matrix printers, LaserJet printers and
Inkjet Printers.

 DOT MATRIX PRINTER

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A dot matrix printer is an impact printer that prints using a fixed number of pins or wires.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DOT MATRIX PRINTER AND HOW TO SOLVE IT

 Continuous feeds paper jam

This can be seen when there is tractor feed problems
Solution
You must clean paper from gears, align tractor feed and replace worn out gears.
 Poor printing quality
This can be seen when printer adjustment for paper thickness is set to an incorrect value,
Poor quality paper, Bad ribbon or Dirty print head.
Solution
Set the thickness to match the paper you are using. Use good-quality paper. Replace the
ribbon. Clean the print head.
 Flecks and smudges on the paper
This can be seen when the ribbon is not aligned correctly, not feeding correctly, or is over
linked.
Solution
Reposition the ribbon. Replace the ribbon cartridge; cartridges are not economical to
repair. Clean and lubricate the gears that advance the print head.
 Horizontal lines appear in the print so parts of characters are missing
This occurs when the print head is damaged or needs to be cleaned.
Solution

LASERJET PRINTER
A laser printer is a type of printer that uses a laser and electrical charge model instead of the
traditional printing of ink onto paper

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HOW TO ASSIGN THE PRINTER AN IP ADDRESS

 Click on the system icon on the printer’s screen.

 Click on network
 Click on TCP/IP
 Tap on the change IP icon
 Type in the dialog box the IP address of your choice.
 Save the changes made

HOW TO SHARE THE PRINTER

 Right click the start Menu on windows.

 Click on printers and devices
 Select the printer which you want to share
 Click on printer and then click on sharing (it will share by name of the printer)
 Check the IP address of the computer you want to share its printer
 Go to the computer that wants the printer to be shared with.
 Right click on start Menu of the computer you want the printer to be shared with and
click on run
 Enter the IP address of the host computer: \\ 192.168.10.80 (Halsey, M. (2015).)

2.8 MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR THE ATTACHMENT

EXERCISE

The main objectives of the attachment exercise as specified by the curriculum includes the
following:

 Perfection of practical and theoretical skills in the use of Microsoft Office Application
Programs.

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  To gain knowledge and skills in Installation, Configuration and Maintenance of ICT
equipment.
 Improve and gain basic skills in Installation, Configuration and Maintenance of
Networks.
 Customer ICT Support.
 Proficiency in Computer Application Programs.
 Computer - Based Networking Skills.

3.0 Evaluation of the attachment

Below is a summary of the success, challenges, some solutions initiated to solve the challenges and
recommendations from my perspective point of view.

3.1 SUCCESSES OF THE ATTACHMENT EXERCISE

i. Basic Installation, Configuration and Repair of ICT Equipment.

The institution had a well-equipped computer laboratory alongside a bulk of faulty
computers and printers that I had to work on. This greatly impacted positively to my
knowledge in ICT equipment repair and maintenance.

ii. Basic skills in Installation, Configuration and Maintenance of networks.

The institution also had a lot of networking and cabling since the entire ICT Center had
no any network cables installed.

iii. Customer ICT support. I was

able to gain some news skills in Customer ICT support as well as perfecting in the skills
that I already had.

iv. Perfection of practical and theoretical skills in the use of Microsoft Office
Application Programs. Due to some assigned tasks that included the use of Microsoft
Office Applications from the institution and clients who visited

v. Proficiency in Computer Application Programs.

The activity greatly impacted positively to my knowledge and skills in the use,
installation and management of all Computer Application Programs. This was made
possible by the large number of computers at the institution that I had to interact with.

vi. Computer - Based Networking Skills. Under Computer – Based Networking Skills, I
gained a lot from West Kenya Sugar Limited i.e., installation of nano stations, crimping
vii. Problem solving skills

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 Conceptual skills are vital in problem solving. During my training period, sessions have
involved problem solving that require the mental ability to analyze and diagnose for a
solution

3.2 CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED

 The supervisor who was the most qualified in ICT profession was sometimes too
busy to interact with the attaches.
 The institution doesn’t have all networking tools that makes it difficult to gain a lot of
networking skills and getting to know how the tolls are used.
 Limited period for training on the activities done by the company and on the ERP
application used.
 Inadequate of essential tools and equipment in IT workshop that may make work not
to be done on time because of being waited to be purchased.
 The confidentiality and controlled access of SAP system through administration and
access password for login limited the practice of the concept covered during the
industrial attachment.

3.3 HOW THE CHALLENGES WERE SOLVED

 Sometimes the supervisor was forced to arrange a special interactive section with
attaches on weekends. During that period, we (attaches) got the opportunity to ask a
lot of questions and the director himself was more than willing to answer and chip in
with assistance.
 The supervisor requested for more tools.

3.4 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COLLEGE

 The company is equipped with ICT equipment and I therefore recommend my

Learning Institution to advise and encourage most of the ICT students to get attached
during their Industrial attachment.

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3.5 RECOMENDATION FOR THE ATTACHMENT

COMPANY
 Some of the computers used have lower space in terms of memory (RAM) and hard
disk space hence cannot support heavy applications. The machines should be
upgraded if not replaced with new machines.

3.6 SUMMARY OF THE DAILY ACTIVITIES DURING THE ATTACHMENT

PERIOD.

 Blowing dust from the machine. Blowing dust from the machine is one of the
frequently performed management practice. I used to blow dust from all the machines
at least once per week. (Vorderbrueggen, 2011).)

 Updating of the antiviruses. Frequent updating of the antiviruses was a key data
security practice that I carried out. The most common antiviruses that I interacted
with included SMADAV and Kaspersky.

 Installation, Repair and Upgrading and Downgrading of the Microsoft Office

application programs. Under this I used to install the MS Office for clients and for
the institution, repair malfunctioning MS office applications and upgrading from
either office 2007 t0 2010, or 2010t0 2013. Some others clients had office 2010
installed but preferred to use 2007 which resulted to the downgrading option.

 Installation of the operating systems (WINDOWS). I majorly worked on

upgrading the OS from windows 7 to windows 10. I also gained skills in
booting and changing/configuring the boot order so as to boot from your
appropriate boot media.

 Changing and replacement of the power supply. I used to remove the

faulty power supply systems and replace them with new ones or the ones
that are functioning normally. (Lasseter, (2002, January))

 Repair and maintenance of networks. I used to repair and maintain

networks so as to ensure they serve their intended purpose accordingly
without any fault. (Kushalnagar, (2007). )

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  Repair and maintenance of printers. I was also tasked with making sure
that the printer is in the right working condition

 Memory management practices. I used to carry out disk defragmentation

and disk cleanup as memory management practices to all the computers in
the Institution. (KjelsØ, (1995, September).)

References
Halsey, (. 1.-2. (M. (2015).). Printing and Managing Printers. In Beginning Windows 10. Apress,
Berkeley, CA.

KjelsØ, M. &.-4. ( (1995, September).). Memory management in flash-memory disks with data
compression. In International Workshop on Memory Management. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.

Kushalnagar, N. M. ((2007). ). IPv6 over low-power wireless personal area networks. (6LoWPANs.

Lasseter, R. H. ((2002, January)). In 2002 IEEE Power Engineering Society Winter Meeting. IEEE.: (Cat.
No. 02CH37309) (Vol. 1, pp. 305-308).

Vorderbrueggen, J. B. (2011).). Imperial sugar refinery combustible dust explosion investigation. .

Process Safety Progress, 30(1), 66-81.

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