Terminal Assessment on Introduction to Computer

Hardware on Operating Systems

James Harvey Cabugawan

Jan Andrei R. Manzano
Danicka Pabito

October 21, 2024

Submitted to: Prof. Carlito Cunanan
The Importance of Understanding Computer Hardware and Operating Systems

Understanding computer hardware and operating systems in a business context is

critical for several reasons:

1.Efficient Resource Management: Knowing how hardware and operating systems work
helps businesses choose the right tools for tasks, ensuring that resources like memory,
processors, and storage are used optimally.

2. Cost Savings: By understanding hardware specifications, businesses can avoid over-

purchasing equipment or software that exceeds their needs, while still ensuring
performance and scalability.

3. Improved Decision Making: Knowledge of hardware and operating systems helps

leaders make informed decisions when upgrading systems, implementing new
technologies, or troubleshooting performance issues.

4. Security: A solid grasp of operating systems is crucial for managing security settings,
deploying patches, and protecting sensitive business data from cyber threats.

5. Business Continuity: Understanding hardware and OS enables better disaster

recovery planning, ensuring that critical systems are properly backed up and can be
restored quickly after failures.

6. Integration and Compatibility: It ensures that the hardware and software chosen will
work together efficiently, reducing downtime and compatibility issues.

7. Optimizing IT Investments: Businesses can better align their IT infrastructure with

their strategic goals, ensuring that they are investing in technology that supports growth
and productivity.

8. Support and Maintenance: A basic understanding allows businesses to troubleshoot

minor issues in-house or communicate effectively with IT support, reducing downtime
and increasing operational efficiency.

In summary, understanding these components ensures that businesses can operate

more efficiently, reduce costs, and maintain a secure and reliable IT environment.
Assessment Objectives:

- To provide a real company scenario where a new computer system needs to be

set up for an employee.
- Assembling basic computer hardware components.
- Installing an Operating System.
- Disassembling and Reassembling a Computer System.

Task 1: Assembling Basic Computer Hardware Components:

To assemble a basic computer hardware component into a functional system you need:
- CPU: The primary component of a computer that acts as its “control center.”
- CPU Cooler Fan: A component that draws heat away from a CPU chip and other
hot-running chips such as a graphics processor (GPU).
- RAM: Is used as short-term memory storage for a computer's central processing
unit (CPU).
- Motherboard: The main printed circuit board in general-purpose computers and
other expandable systems.
- Power Supply Unit: A hardware device that converts AC electricity into DC
electricity and then distributes it to the rest of the computer.
- Hard Disk Drive: Is a type of data storage device that is used in laptops and
desktop computers. An HDD is a “non-volatile” storage drive, which means it can
retain the stored data even when no power is supplied to the device.
- GPU: Is an electronic circuit that can perform mathematical calculations at high
speed. Computing tasks like graphics rendering, machine learning (ML), and
video editing require the application of similar mathematical operations on a large
dataset.

These are the steps to accomplish this task:

Step 1: Install the Power Supply
- Open the computer case and locate the area for the power supply, usually
at the back.
- Insert the PSU into the designated spot and secure it with screws.
Step 2: Install the CPU on the Motherboard
- Place the motherboard on a non-conductive surface.
- Lift the CPU socket latch and carefully align the CPU with the socket
using the triangle markers.
- Gently place the CPU in the socket, and close the latch.
- Apply a thin layer of thermal paste on the CPU.
Step 3: Attach the CPU cooler fan
 - Secure the cooler to the motherboard over the CPU
- Plug the coolers power cable into the CPU FAN header on the
motherboard.
Step 4: Install the RAM
- Locate the RAM slots on the motherboard
- Open the RAM slot latches and insert the RAM stick by aligning the notch
with the slot.
- Press down evenly until the latches click into place.
Step 5: Install the Motherboard in the case.
- Place the case on its side and install the I/O shield into the case.
- Align the motherboard with the standoffs in the case and secure it using
screws.
Step 6: Install the Storage Device (HDD)
- Locate the storage bay in the case.
- Insert the drive into the 3.5” drive bay and secure it with screws.
Step 7: Install the GPU
- Locate the PCle slot on the motherboard.
- Remove the expansion slot covers from the case.
- Insert the GPU into the PCle slot and secure it with screws.
Step 8: Connect the Power Cables
- Connect the 24-pin ATX power cable from the PSU to the motherboard.
- Connect the 8-pin (or 4-pin) CPU power cable to the motherboard.
- Connect the appropriate power cables from the PSU to the GPU.
- Connect SATA power cables from the PSU to the storage drives.
Step 9: Connect the Front Panel Connectors
- Attach the front panel connectors (power button, reset button, USB ports,
and audio jacks) from the case to the motherboard. Check the
motherboard manual for the correct pin layout.
Step 10: Connect the Data Cables
- Connect the SATA data cables from the storage drives to the SATA ports
of the motherboard.
Step 11: Final Assembly
- After ensuring everything works, close the case, manage the cables, and
make sure the system is properly ventilated.
Task 2: Installing Windows Operating System

Installing Windows is straightforward, especially with Microsoft’s new interface. Here's a

step-by-step guide on how to install Windows on your computer:

Step 1: Prepare the Installation Media

- Download the Windows iSO File: Download the Windows iSO from the official
Microsoft website.
- Create a Bootable USB Drive:Use Rufus or Microsoft’s Media CreationTool to
create a bootable USB using the Windows iSO.
- Minimum USB Size: Ensure your USB drive is at least 8 GB.

Step 2: Boot from the USB

- Insert the bootable USB into your computer.
- Restart the Computer: Enter BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the assigned key
during startup.
- Set the USB as the first boot device, save, and exit BIOS.

Step 3: Running Windows Setup

- After booting from the USB, the Windows setup will begin.
- Select your preferred language, time, and keyboard layout, then click Next.
- Click Install Now.

Step 4: Enter the Windows Product Key

- Enter your Windows product key, if you don't have one, choose “I don't have a
product key” to activate Windows later.

Step 5: Accept the License Terms

- Accept Microsoft’s license terms and click Next.

Step 6: Choose Installation type

- You will have two options:
- Upgrade: Preserves your files, settings, and applications.
- Custom (Advanced): A clean installation that erases all data on the drive.

Step 7: Partition the Disk

- Select the drive where you want to install Windows. If needed, delete existing
partitions or create a new one. For a new drive, Windows will create necessary
partitions automatically.
- Click Next to start the installation.
Step 8: Installing Windows
- The installer will copy files and install Windows. The system will restart several
times during this process.

Step 9: Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE) Setup

- After installation, Windows will guide you through these setup steps:
- Region and Keyboard Layout: Select your region and keyboard layout.
- Network Setup: Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
- Account Setup
- Microsoft Account: Sign in to sync settings and access OneDrive.
- Local Account: Create a local account with a username and password.
- Privacy Settings: Choose your privacy preferences for location tracking,
diagnostics, and advertising.
- Cortana: Enable or disable the Cortana voice assistant.

Step 10: Configure Additional Preferences

- Personalize: Set up your device for gaming, work, or entertainment.
- OneDrive: Decide whether to back up files to OneDrive or skip.
- Sync Settings: If using a Microsoft account, sync settings across devices.

Step 11: Finalizing Setup

- After completing the setup, Windows will finalize the configuration and boot into
the desktop. You can now log in your account.

Step 12: Post-Installation Setup

- Install Updates: Check for updates via Settings Updates & Security.
- Install Drivers: Download and install necessary drivers from your hardware
manufacturer’s website.
- Personalize Windows: Customize the desktop, themes, and taskbar under
Settings Personalization.
- Install Applications: Install essential software like browsers and media players.

Step 13: Activate Windows (Optional)

- If you skipped the product key, you can activate Windows later via Settings >
Update & Security > Activation.

Once this steps are complete, your Windows OS is ready for use!
Task 3: Disassembling and Assembling a System Unit

Disassembling a System Unit

Step 1: Detach the Power Cable
- The disassembling of the computer system starts with externally connected
device detachment. Make sure the computer system is turned off; if not, then
successfully shut down the system and then start detaching the external devices
from the computer system.
- This includes removing the power cable from the electricity switchboard and then
removing the cable from SMPS (switch mode power supply) from the back of the
CPU cabinet. Do not start the disassembling without detaching the power cable
from the computer system.
- Now remove the remaining external devices like the keyboard, mouse, monitor,
printer, or scanner from the back of the CPU cabinet.
Step 2: Remove the Cover
- The standard way of removing tower cases used to be to undo the screws on the
back of the case, slide the cover back about an inch and lift it off. The
screwdrivers, as per the type of screw, are required to do the task.
Step 3: Remove the Adapter Cards
- Make sure if the card has any cables or wires that might be attached, and decide
if it would be easier to remove them before or after you remove the card.
Remove the screw, if any, that holds the card in place. Grab the card by its
edges, front and back, and gently rock it lengthwise to release it.
Step 4: Remove the Drives
- Removing drives is easier. There can be possibly three types of drives present
in your computer system: hard disk drive, CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives, and floppy disk
drives (almost absolute nowadays). They usually have a power connector and a
data cable attached from the device to a controller card or a connector on the
motherboard. CD/DVD/Blu-ray drive may have an analog cable connected to the
sound card for direct audio output.
Step 5: Remove the Memory Module
- Memory modules are mounted on the motherboard as the chips can be damaged
by manual force if applied improperly. Be careful and handle the chip only by the
edges. SIMMs and DIMMs are removed in a different way:

- SIMM - Gently push back the metal tabs while holding the SIMM chips in the
socket. Tilt the SIMM chip away from the tabs until a 45% angle. It will now lift out
of the socket. Put SIMM in a safe place.
 - DIMM - There are plastic tabs on the end of the DIMM sockets. Press the tabs
down and away from the socket. The DIMM will lift slightly. Now grab it by the
edges and place it safely. Do not let the chips get dust at all.
Step 6: Remove the Power Supply
- The power supply is attached to the tower cabinet at the top back end of the
tower. Make sure the power connector is detached from the switchboard. Start
removing the power connector connected to the motherboard, including the CPU
fan power connector, cabinet fan, the front panel of cabinet power buttons, and
all the remaining drives if not detached yet.
- Now remove the screws of the SMPS from the back of the cabinet, and the
SMPS can be detached from the tower cabinet.
Step 7: Remove the Motherboard
- Before removing all the connectors from the motherboard, make sure you
memorize the connectors for assembling the computer if required, as that may
require connecting the connectors at its place. Remove the screws from the back
of the motherboard, and you will be able to detach it from the cabinet.
- Now, remove the CPU fan from the motherboard. The heat sink will be visible
now, which can be removed by pulling the tab upward. Finally, the processor is
visible now, which can be removed by the plastic tab, which can be pulled back
by stretching it sideways.

Assembling a System Unit

Step 1: Mount the Processor
- The first step for assembling the computer system starts with mounting the
processor on the processor socket of the motherboard. To mount the process,
you don't need to apply any force.
Step 2: Fix the Motherboard in the Tower Case
- Now the motherboard is to be fixed vertically in the tower case, and the screws
are fixed from behind the motherboard.
Step 3: Connect the Power Supply
- Now line up the power supply at the top back end of the cabinet and screw it.
The power connectors for the motherboard power supply and CPU fan power
supply are to be connected. If the cabinet cooling FAN is required, then it is to be
screwed at the back end grill of the cabinet, and its power connector is to be
connected from SMPS.
Step 4: Install the Drives
- Install the CD/DVD drives at the top front end of the cabinet and screw it. Install
the Hard disk drive and floppy disk drive below the CD/DVD drive and screw it.
Make sure that, once screwed, there is no vibration in either of the CD/DVD, hard
disk, or floppy disk drives.
Step 5: Connect Cables
- Now select the appropriate data cable and connect one end of the cable to its
drive socket and another end to its appropriate connector on the motherboard.
For SATA hard disk drives or CD/DVD drives, use SATA cable and its power
cable. Otherwise, use the IDE data cable. Do the proper jumper settings as per
the usage requirement.
Step 6: Mount the Memory Module
- It is time now to mount the memory modules on the motherboard by aligning the
RAM to its socket on the motherboard and pressing it downward. Make sure the
side tabs are fixed into the RAM notch. If not, you may still have to press a bit.
Step 7: Install the Internal Cards
- Install the internal cards to its socket and attach the cables or power cable to it.
The selection of the right socket or slot is required as per the type of socket.
Step 8: Cover the tower
- Cover the tower by placing it and pressing toward the front side and screwing it.
Step 9: Connect the External Devices and Power
- Connect the external devices with the CPU at its appropriate socket. It includes a
mouse and keyboard with PS2 or USB connectors. Monitor at the video output
socket. Connect the power cable to the back of the tower in SMPS. Plug in the
power cable to the electric board.
Practical Exercise: Identifying CPU, memory, and I/O components

Identifying CPU on your PC

- Right-click your taskbar and select “Task Manager” or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to
launch it.
- Click the “Performance” tab and select “CPU.”

Identifying RAM memory on your PC

- Click “Start” Begin by clicking on the “Start” menu, located in the bottom left of
your screen.
- Find “About your PC”
- Navigate to “Device Specifications”
- Find out how much RAM you have.
 -

Identifying I/O components on your PC

- In the Settings menu, click on System. Scroll down and click on About.
Use OS tools for File Management and Process Monitoring

File Management
- Open the File Explorer on your PC and navigate to a specific folder
(Documents).
- Create a new folder named “School Activity”.
- Inside the “School Activity” folder, create three text files named “File 1.txt”,
“File 2.txt”, and “File 3.txt”.
- Move one of the text files to another location (Desktop).
- Delete one of the text files.
Process Monitoring
- Go to “task manager” click “processes”.
- Find your chosen task in the list, right-click, and select the end task.
 Reflection
In conclusion we face challenges on completing this terminal assessment like
assembling and disassembling the system unit and identifying the CPU, Memory and
different components. Although we didn't accomplish the video presentation in task 2 we
learned how to assemble and disassemble the system unit and the lesson we learn is
more improvements on our skills on this subject and learn more about the computer
components.