COMPUTER INSTALLATION

a) How to Install Computer Hardware

Installing computer hardware may seem to be a difficult task but once you know what to do it will
be very easy process.
Steps
1. Turn off the computer and unplug all wires connected to the tower and if there is a power
switch on the back switch it off.
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2. Take out the screws on the back of the tower, take out the panel, and then wear an anti-
static wrist strap to protect components by earthing your static electricity, and then take out
the motherboard tray.

3. Take the motherboard and screw it on to the motherboard tray then slide it back into the
case.

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4. Firmly insert RAM (Random Access Memory) sticks into the long and narrow slots usually
located at the top right of the motherboard.

5. Carefully place the CPU into the socket that is square shaped on the motherboard then
place the CPU fan on top.

6. For video cards, look for a slot about the length of your middle finger and has very small
lever. Take out the small case panel about the size of your finger on the back and firmly insert the
card into the slot, make sure the back of the card comes outside.
 For sound/network cards look for a slot similar to the video card slot, but slightly shorter
and without the lever.

7. Slowly slide the hard drive into the hard drive bay usually located at the front of the tower
then connected the cables from the back of the hard drive to the motherboard.

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8. CD (compact Disk)/DVD (Digital Video Disc) ROM (Read Only Memory) drives are
similar to hard drives, just slide it into the bay at the top (right or left depending on the panel
that was open) and connect the wires.

9. For audio devices match the colors and USB is pretty much self-explanatory.

10. If you have a video card the back of it should be sticking outside which is where you
connect the monitor cable to, unless there is no video card then you connect to the
motherboard. Video cards now days come with adapters for older monitors so make sure to
connect the adapter to the back of the video card before plugging in the monitor.
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Tips
 While working on the components of your computer, it’s always good practice to use an
anti-static strap clipped to the frame of your case to minimize the risk of zapping your
components. If you don't have an anti-static strap , touching either the frame of your case

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 or your power supply will ground you enough so that you can work on the delicate parts of
your PC.
 Do not power on the computer until all components are installed.
 Motherboard, hard drive, and video cards usually come with electrostatic bags. Before
working rub your hands on the bags to release any static electricity in your hands.
Warnings
If you think you have static and have no electrostatic bag either buy grounding equipment or rub
your hands on the outside of the tower.
 NEVER have any form of liquid near the computer.
b) How to install software
The installation process for software depends on your operating system and the program you are
installing. As a result of these many combinations, we have created the steps below as a general
guideline. The following does not cover errors during the installation process, as they are too vast
for one document. Search on our site for further information on errors during the setup.
 General Tips
 Microsoft Windows users
 MS-DOS Users
General Tips
 Make sure your computer meets the system requirements of the program, game, or utility
you are attempting to install.
 The manual or the readme file contains exact instructions on how to install a program and
are in the same directory as the installation files.
 When installing a program, utility, or game, it is always a good idea first to close or disable
any other programs that are running.
 After installing a new program, if it prompts you to reboot the computer, do it.

Microsoft Windows users

Autorun from a CD or DVD
Many software programs, games, and utilities have an AutoPlay feature. This feature automatically
starts a setup screen for the software program when inserting a CD or DVD. If your program
contains this feature, follow the steps that appear after inserting the disc.

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No Autorun Feature
1. Open My Computer.
2. Within the My Computer window, open the drive that contains the installation files. For
example, if the files are on the CD-ROM drive, open the D: drive or letter of your CD-
ROM drive. Or if the files are on a USB flash drive, open the E: drive or letter of your USB
flash drive.
3. Within the drive that contains your files, locate either the executable setup or install file.
Double-clicking on this file starts the installation process. If you see multiple setup or
install files, try to locate an executable file or double-click each of the setup or install files
until you find the file that starts the installation. Many times the icons associated with the
installation files have the same name.
An alternate method for starting installation in Microsoft Windows
1. Click Start and Run.
2. In the Run window, type x:\setup or x:\install, where x is the letter of the install drive.
Installing from a Download
1. If the file you downloaded is an executable file, double-click the file icon to start the setup
process. If the downloaded file is compressed (e.g. .zip), you must extract the file's
contents before setup can begin. Fortunately, this function is built into most versions
of Windows.
2. Once the files are extracted, double-click the setup to install.
MS-DOS users
Users installing a program from Microsoft DOS should have a basic understanding of the MS-
DOS commands. If you are unfamiliar with any of the commands listed below, click the link to
get additional information on that specific command.
1. Before installing a program in MS-DOS, you must switch to the drive or directory that
contains the installation files. If you are installing a program from a CD or diskette, switch
to that drive. If the installation files are located in a different directory, use the dir
command to list the directories and the cd command to switch to the appropriate
directory.
2. Once you are in the directory or drive that contains the installation files, run the executable
for setup. Many times this can be done by typing setup or install at the prompt to start the

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 installation. If both of these commands give a bad command or file name error message,
type dir *.exe or dir *.com or dir *.bat. These commands list any executable files found
in the directory or drive. If any files are listed, execute these files to run the installation or
setup of the program. If no files are listed when typing all three of the above commands,
you are in the incorrect directory or drive letter for that program.

SOFTWARE INSTALLATION METHODS

Software installation methods come in various flavors, each with its own characteristics and
purposes. Here are some common types:

User Interaction:

 Attended Installation: Requires user input during the process, following prompts
and making choices about installation options.
 Unattended Installation: Runs automatically without user interaction, often used
for deploying software on multiple machines.
 Silent Installation: Similar to unattended but might suppress certain dialogs or
progress bars, offering a quieter experience.
By Distribution and Access:

 Local Installation: Software is installed directly on the user's machine.

 Network Installation: Software is installed from a central server to multiple
machines across a network.
 Web-based Installation: Software is downloaded and installed directly from a
website.
 Cloud-based Installation: Software runs on remote servers accessed through a
web browser or dedicated client, not physically installed on the user's machine.
By Scope and Control:

 Full Installation: Installs all features and components of the software.

 Custom Installation: Allows users to choose which features or components to
install, offering a more personalized experience.
 Portable Installation: Doesn't require administrative privileges and runs directly
from a removable storage device without leaving permanent changes on the
system.
Additional Types:

 Upgrade Installation: Installs a newer version of the software, often preserving

user data and settings.

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  Patch Installation: Applies specific fixes or updates to an existing software
installation.
 Rollout Installation: Deploys software across a large number of machines in a
controlled and automated manner.

INSTALLING AN OPERATING SYSTEM

Installing an operating system (OS) involves several steps, from preparing your hardware to
configuring system settings. Here's a general guide to installing a typical OS like Windows,
Linux, or macOS. The steps might vary slightly depending on the specific OS, but this guide
covers the essential process.

1. Preparation

 Backup Important Data: Before installing an OS, ensure you back up any important
data on your device, as the installation process might format your disk.
 Check System Requirements: Verify that your hardware meets the OS’s minimum
requirements, such as CPU, RAM, disk space, and graphics capabilities.
 Download or Obtain the OS Installation Media:
o Download the OS ISO file from the official website or purchase an installation
DVD/USB.
o For Windows: Visit the Microsoft website.
o For Linux: Visit the distribution's website (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.).
o For macOS: You can reinstall through macOS Recovery or create a bootable USB
from a downloaded version.

2. Create a Bootable USB Drive

 Using a Tool: Use tools like Rufus, Etcher, or UNetbootin to create a bootable USB
from the ISO file.
 For Windows: Use the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft to create a bootable USB.
 For Linux: Use tools like Rufus (Windows), Startup Disk Creator (Linux), or Balena
Etcher.
 For macOS: Use the terminal command createinstallmedia to create a bootable USB
if installing on a Mac.

3. Boot from the Installation Media

 Insert the USB/DVD: Connect the bootable USB drive or insert the installation DVD
into your computer.
 Restart the Computer: Restart the computer to boot from the installation media.
 Access BIOS/UEFI: Press a key (e.g., F2, F10, Del, Esc) during startup to enter the
BIOS/UEFI settings.

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  Change Boot Order: In the BIOS/UEFI, change the boot order to boot from the USB
drive or DVD first.
 Save and Exit: Save the changes and restart the computer. It should boot into the OS
installation setup.

4. Install the OS

 Select Language and Preferences: Choose your preferred language, keyboard layout,
and region settings.
 Choose Installation Type:
o Clean Installation: Wipes the entire disk and installs the OS from scratch. Use
this if you want a fresh start or to replace an existing OS.
o Upgrade Installation: Keeps your existing files and settings and upgrades the OS
to a newer version (usually for Windows).
o Custom Installation: Allows you to choose specific partitions for the installation
(advanced users).

5. Partition the Hard Drive

 Select a Disk or Partition: Choose the disk or partition where you want to install the OS.
 Create/Delete Partitions: Create a new partition or delete existing ones to make space
for the OS.
 Formatting: Format the selected partition to prepare it for the new OS.
o For Windows: Use the NTFS file system.
o For Linux: Use the ext4 file system.
o For macOS: Use APFS or HFS+.
 Proceed with Installation: Once you’ve selected and formatted the partition, proceed
with the installation.

6. Configure Initial Setup

 Set Up User Account:

o Create a user account and set a password.
o Provide a name for your computer.
 Set Time Zone: Choose your time zone and date/time settings.
 Connect to a Network: Choose a Wi-Fi network or connect through Ethernet for internet
access.

7. Install Drivers and Updates

 Automatic Updates: Most modern OS installations will automatically check for and
install necessary drivers and updates.
 Manual Driver Installation:
o For Windows, visit the manufacturer's website to download drivers for your
graphics, sound, network, etc.

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 o For Linux, drivers are often included or can be installed through the package
manager.
o For macOS, drivers are generally included, but additional updates can be done
through the App Store.

8. Set Up Security and Privacy Settings

 Enable Firewall: Ensure that the OS’s firewall is enabled to protect against unauthorized
access.
 Install Antivirus Software (for Windows): Consider installing antivirus software to
protect against malware.
 Configure Privacy Settings: Adjust privacy settings to control what data is shared with
the OS developer.

9. Install Essential Software

 Browsers: Download a web browser of your choice (e.g., Chrome, Firefox).

 Productivity Software: Install office suites like Microsoft Office or LibreOffice.
 Media Players: VLC Media Player is a versatile option for playing various media
formats.
 Development Tools: If needed, install programming tools and IDEs.

10. Backup the System (Optional but Recommended)

 Create a System Restore Point (for Windows): This allows you to revert to a previous
state if something goes wrong.
 Backup Software: Consider using backup software to create an image of your fresh
installation.

11. Restart and Test the OS

 Restart the System: Ensure that the OS boots correctly and that there are no issues.
 Test Hardware Components: Check if the keyboard, mouse, display, speakers, and
network connection are working properly.
 Verify Drivers: Go to Device Manager (Windows) or System Information
(macOS/Linux) to ensure that all devices are correctly installed.