Trainers Teaching and Learning material

Administrate Network and Hardware Peripherals

IT SUPPORT SERVICE
NTQF Level II

Learning Guide # 15
Unit of Competence: Administrate Network and
Hardware Peripherals
Module Title: Administrating Network and
Hardware Peripherals
LG Code: ICT ITS1M03LO7
TTLM Code: ICT ITS1TTLM 0519

LO7: Maintain peripherals and fix common

problems

Instruction LO7 –Maintain peripherals and fix

LO7: Maintain peripherals and fix Version 1 Date: May,2019 Page 1 of 8
common problem Author: Harar Polytechnic College/ICT Department
Trainers Teaching and Learning material
Administrate Network and Hardware Peripherals

common problems

This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the following
content coverage and topics –

 How to fix common computer network issues

 Top 10 Home Networking Problems and Mistakes to Avoid

This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to –

Learning Activities

1. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide.

2. Read the information written in the “Information Sheet 1” in page 3.
3. Read the information written in the “Information Sheet 1” in page 4-5.
4. Read and perform the “Operation Sheet 1” in page 6.
5. Accomplish the “Self-check 1” in page 7.
6. Submit your accomplished Self-check 1. This will form part of your training portfolio.
7. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to LAP Test.
However, if your rating is unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions.
8. Do the “LAP test” in page 8 (if you are ready) and show your output to your teacher.

*Your teacher will evaluate your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If unsatisfactory, your
teacher shall advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory you can proceed to the next topic.

Information Sheet – Maintain peripherals and fix common

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common problem Author: Harar Polytechnic College/ICT Department
Trainers Teaching and Learning material
Administrate Network and Hardware Peripherals

problems
1.1 How to Fix Common Computer Network Issues

Are you experiencing problems with your computer network? Are these error messages appearing?
 Unable to clear the DNS cache
 Unable to renew your IP address
 An operation was performed on something that is not a socket
 Unable to clear the ARP cache

If so, here are some potential solutions for Windows XP/Vista.

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common problem Author: Harar Polytechnic College/ICT Department
Trainers Teaching and Learning material
Administrate Network and Hardware Peripherals

1.2 Top 10 Home Networking Problems and Mistakes to Avoid

By Bradley Mitchell, About.com Guide

Computer networks bring many good things into the home: more convenient Internet access, sharing of
files and printers, additional home entertainment options, and so on. Yet home network technology also
poses challenges. Many folks don't know where to start. Things often don't work right the first time.
Sometimes, people settle for an inferior setup and never realize the full potential of their home network.
The advice below helps you steer clear of these common problems.

1. Can't Decide Which Network Gear You Need

Networks can be built with different combinations of hardware and software. The sheer number of
choices overwhelms most beginners, who too often jump at the first "solution" they find. However,
setups that perfectly meet the needs of some families just won't cut it for others. Follow the link above to
learn more about your options.

2. Network Won't Reach Certain Areas

In many homes, networks won't conveniently reach all of the areas a person needs. This fact surprises
many folks. Stringing network cables to some rooms can prove impractical, of course. But even with
wireless networks, "cold spots" where Wi-Fi radio signals won't reach corner bedrooms, a study, or a
porch are also common. Be ready to make a few concessions in your network installation plan.

3. Computers Can't See Each Other on the Network

You've finished connecting all your network gear to the best of your ability, but nothing works. None of
the devices can "see" each other or "talk" to the printer. No error messages are being displayed. You're
developing a sneaking suspicion that your network is laughing at you. Relax. Take a step-by-step
approach to this problem, and your network will be up and running soon.

4. Computers Can't Get on the Internet

Even when all of the devices in a home can communicate with each other, they may still fail to reach
Web sites on the Internet. This, too, is a common problem when first installing a home network. After a
simple check of the key network components, you'll be surfing again in no time.

5. Special Devices Won't Join the Network

Many home networks have a "problem child," one computer or device that simply will not cooperate with
the others. The device could be a specialized piece of hardware like a game console. It could be a lone
wireless computer trying to join a wired network. Or it could be a computer running an old version of
Microsoft Windows or running Linux. Whatever the situation, extra care and feeding may be required to
get your problem child to behave.

6. Certain Network Applications Won't Function

While other aspects of a home network may work reliably, this does not guarantee success with the next
new feature that comes along. Instant messaging, P2P file sharing, and online games are typical
problematic applications on home networks. These apps may fail to connect to a "server" or "peer," or
they may sit there like zombies and not do anything. Given time and effort, any such problems can be
solved. However, solutions often require specific knowledge of how these applications work.

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common problem Author: Harar Polytechnic College/ICT Department
Trainers Teaching and Learning material
Administrate Network and Hardware Peripherals

7. Network is Too Slow

For several reasons, a home network might not run fast enough to keep up with a family's needs. They
may experience very slow Web page downloads, sluggish or unplayable network games, interminable
delays in online chatting/IM applications, and other symptoms of a bad network performance problem.
Know what to watch for to avoid this frustrating situation.

8. Network Connections Drop Unexpectedly

A home network may operate flawlessly for a day, a week or a month, but suddenly, at the most
inopportune time, something breaks. You may have been happily listening to an Internet radio station,
swapping files on a P2P network, or playing a networked game at home. Then… boom! What
happened? There are several possibilities. Don't be surprised if this happens to you.

9. Office Computer Won't Join Home Network

Those who use laptop computers or PDAs at their workplace naturally might want to use those same
devices at home. Technical limitations make this form of network mobility more difficult than it should be.
Some folks see it as a big hassle, give up, and miss out on a major gain in their personal productivity.
By carefully establishing home and work network settings (often called "profiles") on the devices,
home/office network mobility can be a reality for you.

10. Network is (Too) Insecure

No, a home network won't become overly self-conscious and suffer from a lack of confidence. Many
home networks are insecure, though, in the sense of data privacy. Too many homeowners fail to take a
few essential steps to protect their network from attacks by outsiders. Network attacks and "hacks" are
real threats; they happen every day and affect real families. Don't let them happen to yours!

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common problem Author: Harar Polytechnic College/ICT Department
Trainers Teaching and Learning material
Administrate Network and Hardware Peripherals

Operation Sheet – 1 How to fix common computer network issues

Steps
1. Check to make sure your computer is on and is connected to a network.
2. Be aware that Windows has a built-in function to repair a network connection. This function
can give valuable information in the form of an error message if you know what you are looking
for. Some common error messages given are:
o Unable to clear the DNS cache
o Unable to renew your IP address
o Unable to clear the ARP cache
3. Deal with a message that states "Unable to clear the DNS cache." When you get the
message “Unable to clear the DNS cache”, this usually means that the DNS client service has
been disabled. Follow these steps as an administrator to re-enable it:
a. Open the Services MMC plugin, located under Administrative Tools in the Control Panel;
b. Find the “DNS Client” service in the list presented and enter it's properties by double-
clicking it;
c. Change the Startup Type from Disabled to Manual or Automatic then click apply;
d. Either reboot or click “Start” to start the service;
e. Verify by attempting to repair the connection again.
4. Fix a problem related to an IP address. If the repair process reports that it has been 'Unable to
obtain an IP address', it is probable that more information can be obtained through the command
line. Open a Command Prompt by going to Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt,
then type 'ipconfig /renew' to attempt to obtain an IP address from the command line.
5. Follow up the error messages that will likely appear. There is a high likelihood of an error
message similar to the one below occurring, the remainder of the guide will focus on this error.
a. “An operation was performed on something that is not a socket"
6. Fix the error message "An operation was performed on something that is not a socket.":
This is a Winsock corruption generally due to spyware. The fixes are:
a. A simple fix can be done with Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista (Start > Run
>cmd>netshwinsock reset), then reboot your computer. If you do not have SP2, you can
download a small program to reinstall Winsock: winsockfix.exe.

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common problem Author: Harar Polytechnic College/ICT Department
Trainers Teaching and Learning material
Administrate Network and Hardware Peripherals

Self-Check 1 Written Test

Name: ____________________ Date: _________________

Instruction: Answer all the questions listed below, if you have some clarifications – feel free to ask your
teacher.

Note: Satisfactory rating –points above / Unsatisfactory - below points. You can ask you teacher
for the copy of the correct answers

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common problem Author: Harar Polytechnic College/ICT Department
Trainers Teaching and Learning material
Administrate Network and Hardware Peripherals

Lap Test Practical Demonstration

Name: _____________________________ Date: _______________________

Time started: ________________________ Time finished: ________________

Instructions: You are required to perform the following individually with the presence of your teacher.

 Your teacher will evaluate your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If

unsatisfactory, your teacher shall advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory, you can
proceed to the next topic.

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common problem Author: Harar Polytechnic College/ICT Department