Maintance of computer system and network for safe operation

Computer System Maintenance is a study programme that offers professional

orientation with a substantial practical part of the lesson. The program of education of
IT professionals whose competencies meet today’s market demands has been created
due to the lack of IT systems specialists who serve as a connection between
information system designers, specialists for certain hardware or software technologies
and the information system users themselves.
The curriculum has been designed in such a way that it equally represents the courses
in the field of information systems design, software and hardware technologies, which is
of special significance for future engineers of computer system maintenance, who are
today among the most required profiles of computer orientation on the market both in
Croatia and in the world.
Upon graduation from the professional study programme Computer System
Maintenance, the students acquire knowledge and skills necessary for computer system
maintenance and end-user support.
The baccalaurea of this study are qualified for independent solving of professional
problems of planning, development, implementation of computer systems and their
security and protection.

Occupations in which the computer system maintenance

engineers will be employed
The need to employ an engineer of computer system maintenance exists in various field
of work. These are the following careers or occupations:
Activities regarding computer system maintenance:

 development of optimal configurations of personal computers for various

activities;
 selection and configuration of software support according to business process
requirements;
 support to design and development of software applications;
 database management;
 configuration and maintenance of computer networks;
 configuration and maintenance of operating systems;
 control of computer system and data security (protection against unauthorized
access, data protection and back-up management);
 configuration and maintenance of computers for control and management of
industrial, energy and other processes.

User support activities:

  training of users in computer and application use;
 installing and configuring operating system and applications on users’ computers.

LO
Learning outcomes description
label

Apply the theoretical fundamentals of mathematics, physics, and electrical

ORS1
engineering in computer science

Use the methods of software engineering and programming in contemporary

ORS2
programming languages

Explain basic architectures, protocols and procedures, and standards of

ORS3
computer systems and networks

Describe the principles and methods of maintaining computer systems and

ORS4 performing quality control in computing in accordance with current procedures
and standards

ORS5 Use English in speech and writing for professional communication

Propose solutions in the field of computing with analysis and evaluation of the
ORS6
solutions

ORS7 Use contemporary software tools

ORS8 Customize computer systems with respect to user needs

Actively use programming languages for the design, analysis and adjustment of
ORS9
program support

Develop a project individually or in a team, with respect to to user requirements

ORS10 and needs, in accordance with the adopted standards, technologies and
methodologies for implementation and presentation

Propose solutions for the application of information technologies in the business

ORS11
environment

ORS12 Propose solutions to improve the security of computer systems and data
 LO
Learning outcomes description
label

ORS13 Present views, solutions and projects by using communication skills

ORS14 Propose creative solutions in a business environment

Use professional literature and scientific and professional resources on the

ORS15
Internet

ORS16 Use electronic teaching methods and methods for self-study (e-learning)
 Computer maintenance is the practice of keeping computers in a good state of repair. A computer
containing accumulated dust and debris may not run properly.
Dust and debris will accumulate as a result of air cooling. Any filters used to mitigate this need
regular service and changes. If the cooling system is not filtered then regular computer cleaning may
prevent short circuits and overheating.

Contents

 1Components
o 1.1Keyboard
o 1.2Monitor
o 1.3Mouse
o 1.4Tower/desktop unit
 2Data
o 2.1Backups
o 2.2Legal issues
 3Software
o 3.1Operating system
o 3.2Software updates
 4Security
 5References

Components[edit]
Keyboard[edit]
The crumbs, dust, and other particulate that fall between the keys and build up underneath are
loosened by spraying pressurized air into the keyboard, then removed with a low-pressure vacuum
cleaner. A plastic-cleaning agent applied to the surface of the keys with a cloth is used to remove the
accumulation of oil and dirt from repeated contact with a user's fingertips. If this is not sufficient for a
more severely dirty keyboard, keys are physically removed for more focused individual cleaning, or
for better access to the area beneath. Finally, the surface is wiped with a disinfectant.

Monitor[edit]
A monitor displays information in visual form, using text and graphics. The portion of the monitor that
displays the information is called the screen. Like a television screen, a computer screen can show
still or moving pictures and It’s a part of Output Devices.

Mouse[edit]
The top surface of the mouse is wiped with a plastic cleanser to remove the dirt that accumulates
from contact with the hand, as on the keyboard. The bottom surface is also cleaned to ensure that it
can slide freely. If it is a mechanical mouse, the trackball is taken out, not only to clean the ball itself,
but to scrape dirt from the runners that sense the ball's movement and can become jittery or stuck if
impeded by grime.

Tower/desktop unit[edit]
Internal components accumulate dust brought in by the airflow maintained by fans to keep the PC
from overheating. A soft brush may remove loose dirt; the remainder is dislodged with compressed
air and removed with a low-pressure vacuum. The case is wiped down with a cleaning agent. A
pressurized blower or gas duster can remove dust that cannot be reached with a brush.[1]

Data[edit]
Backups[edit]
Main article: Backup

Important data stored on computers may be copied and archived securely so that, in the event of
failure, the data and systems may be reconstructed. When major maintenance such as patching is
performed, a backup is recommended as the first step in case the update fails and reversion is
required.
Disk cleanup may be performed as regular maintenance to remove these. Files may become
fragmented and so slow the performance of the computer. Disk defragmentation may be performed
to combine these fragments and so improve performance.

Legal issues[edit]
In the U.S.A, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act specifically exempts computer-maintenance
activities, so copies of copyright files may be made in the course of maintenance provided that they
are destroyed afterwards.[2]

Software[edit]
Operating system[edit]
Operating-system files such as the Windows registry may require maintenance. A utility such as
a registry cleaner may be used for this. Also inbuilt Disk defragmenter will also help.

Software updates[edit]
Software packages and operating systems may require regular updates to correct software bugs and
to address security weaknesses.

Security[edit]
Main article: Computer security

Maintaining security involves vulnerability management and installation and proper operation
of antivirus software like Kaspersky, Avast Antivirus, McAfee and Many are available.
 Computer cooling is required to remove the waste heat produced by computer components, to
keep components within permissible operating temperature limits. Components that are susceptible
to temporary malfunction or permanent failure if overheated include integrated circuits such
as central processing units (CPUs), chipset, graphics cards, and hard disk drives.
Waste heat is heat that is produced by a machine, or other process that uses energy, as a
byproduct of doing work
Here are the components and peripherals necessary to assemble a basic
modern PC system:
 Motherboard.
 Processor.
 Memory (RAM)
 Case/chassis.
 Power supply.
 Floppy drive.
 Hard disk.
 CD-ROM, CD-RW, or DVD-ROM drive.

Mechanical mouse
Featured snippet from the web
A mechanical mouse is a computer mouse that contains a metal or rubber ball on its under side. When
the ball is rolled in any direction, sensors inside the mouse detect this motion and move the on-
screen mouse pointer in the same direction. ... Today, this mouse has been replaced by the
optical mouse.

Gas duster, also known as canned air, is a product used for cleaning or dusting electronic
equipment and other sensitive devices that cannot be cleaned using water.

A patch is a set of changes to a computer program or its supporting data designed to update, fix, or
improve it.

reversion or reverting is the abandonment of one or more recent changes in favor of a return to a
previous version of the material at hand (typically software source code in the context of application
development; HTML, CSS or script code in the context of web development; or content and
formatting thereof in the context of wikis).

Disk Clean-up (cleanmgr.exe) is a computer maintenance utility included in Microsoft

Windows designed to free up disk space on a computer's hard drive. The utility first searches and
analyzes the hard drive for files that are no longer of any use, and then removes the unnecessary
files. There are a number of different file categories that Disk Clean-up targets when performing the
initial disk analysis:
 Compression of old files
 Temporary Internet files
 Temporary Windows files
 Downloaded program files
 Recycle Bin

defragmentation is a process that reduces the degree of fragmentation. It does this by physically
organizing the contents of the mass storage device used to store files into the smallest number
of contiguous regions (fragments).

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a 1998 United States copyright law that implements
two 1996 treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It criminalizes production
and dissemination of technology, devices, or services intended to circumvent measures that control
access to copyrighted works (commonly known as digital rights management or DRM). It also
criminalizes the act of circumventing an access control, whether or not there is actual infringement of
copyright itself.

An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer

hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.

The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores low-level settings for the Microsoft
Windows operating system and for applications that opt to use the registry. also allows access
to counters for profiling system performance.

A registry cleaner is a class of third party software utility designed for the Microsoft
Windows operating system, whose purpose is to remove redundant items from the Windows
registry.

A software bug is an error, flaw or fault in a computer program or system that causes it to produce
an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways. The process of finding and fixing
bugs is termed "debugging" and often uses formal techniques or tools to pinpoint bugs, and since
the 1950s, some computer systems have been designed to also deter, detect or auto-correct various
computer bugs during operations.

Vulnerability management is the "cyclical practice of identifying, classifying, prioritizing,

remediating, and mitigating" software vulnerabilities.[1] Vulnerability management is integral
to computer security and network security, and must not be confused with Vulnerability
assessment[Antivirus software, or anti-virus software (abbreviated to AV software), also known
as anti-malware, is a computer program used to prevent, detect, and remove malware.2].
Top 10 things you should be doing to
maintain your computer
Written on April 29, 2008 by Melissa Hermanson

Share:

Always look at the date when you read a hardware article. Some of the content in this article is most
likely out of date, as it was written on April 29, 2008. For newer information, see our more recent
articles.

Everyone loves computers when they work. Everyone screams at them when they don't. Here's ten ways
to keep your computer running smoothly into its old age. While I can't promise that these tips will keep
your computer from ever having problems, it will at least help prevent them, and make recovery easier
when they do occur.

1. Back up your data.

When was the last time that you backed up your data? Not 'when was the last time you thought about
it', or 'when was the last time you told someone how important it is', but when was the last time you
actually backed up your data? And how much will you lose if your current hard drive fails right now and
you have to rely on that backup?

Think about that for a second. Now, go create a

backup.

If you don't know how, don't have a regular plan, or

just want to see what's new in the field, Consumer
Reports has a good overview of the most common
options. Personally, I have very little media on my
computer, so I burn my files to CD once a year or so,
and copy files to a flash drive in between. It's quick,
inexpensive, and secure enough for my needs.

Another decent solution is to use a program

like Foldershare to synchronise your files between
two computers (even better, two locations).

If you have the opportunity, make a full disk image (a 'snapshot' of your entire hard drive) immediately
after reloading the OS and all your programs. This gives you a clean starting point to go back to if you
need to reload everything again, and will be much faster than redoing everything manually. Acronis True
Image 11 is good for the job.

2. Clean dust from your computer.

Computers are some of the most efficient dust collectors known to man. Aside from looking gross and
possibly being an allergy hazard, a dusty computer will trap heat, which can reduce its performance and
lifespan. The easiest way to clean it is with compressed air - open up the case, take it outside, and blow
the dust out. The exterior of the case can be wiped down with a damp cloth. Be careful about using
household cleaners, as they can easily destroy circuit boards. For most computers, cleaning once every
year or eighteen months should be adequate.

Beyond just getting the dust out, here are some other steps to consider: Dust often
collects inside the CPU and video card heatsinks, consider disassembling and cleaning
them if you're comfortable doing so, or at least using compressed air to specifically
blow them out. While the case is open, plug in the computer and turn it on long enough
to make sure all the fans are still spinning. Replace any that are dead or noisy (a
common sign of a worn-out fan). If there is sticky residue or dirt on the circuit boards, it
can be removed with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, which will evaporate
cleanly. (Make sure the computer is unplugged first!) If you're not comfortable with working inside your
computer or suspect your computer has chronic overheating issues, Puget Systems or another
professional repair service can help you out.

3. Clean up your cabling, and everything else too.

There are probably two things behind your computer: a mess of cables, and dust bunnies. If you're
moving your computer, take the opportunity to clean your desk and floor as well. While I can't claim
that a clean work area will improve your computer's performance or lifespan, it will certainly improve
your peace of mind, and clean cabling will help prevent snags and stresses on your computer ports. If
you have a lot of peripherals, consider using cable management of some type. Twist ties work fine, or
make a trip to any large office supply store. You can use a full out cable solution, but even a five dollar
cable wrap can neaten up your desk considerably.
 While you're wiping down your desk, wipe down the monitor too. CRT screens can be cleaned
with any mild glass cleaner, but LCD screens can't tolerate it. Use a dampened cloth or a
product specifically made for LCD screens.

 Keyboards can be turned upside down to dump out crumbs and dirt, or keys can be pried off
and the whole assembly cleaned with compressed air. There are some good step-by-step guides
available on Lifehacker. Take a picture first so you can put the keys back in the right place! If
you're feeling adventurous (or just have a really disgusting keyboard), some people advocate
running it through the dishwasher.

 This is a good time to take a look at where your computer is located. Is there adequate
ventilation? Is the computer out of direct sunlight, and away from heat sources? What is it
plugged in to? There's no excuse for not having a good surge protector (not just a plastic power
strip!), and battery backup units have become affordable for most users. This will affect the
lifespan of your computer.

 Smoking will make a mess of a computer faster than anything else I know of. While we at Puget
Systems have never seen one quite this bad, we can always identify a smoker's computer as
soon as we unbox it. Electronics absorb the smell very easily, and even an all-metal case will
retain the odor after all the components have been removed. Plus, there's usually a layer of dust
 and tar on the circuitry that tends to be a giveaway as well. Please, if I can't convince you to quit
smoking all together, at least take it somewhere away from the computer!

4. Organize your installation disks

Keep software, peripheral, and driver disks in a single location, preferably close to the computer. A
shoebox works fine. Make sure you have them handy before attempting computer maintenance or
repairs - it's amazing what can become necessary in the middle of a lengthy troubleshooting session,
and it is common to not know what you're missing until you need it!

5. Run antivirus and spyware scans regularly.

This item should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway. Any computer that is
connected to the internet needs to have some sort of antivirus software. There is a
tremendous variety available, everything from AVG Free to enterprise-level
solutions. Use whichever you like best. Most antivirus software will monitor the
system for threats in real time, so a full daily scan probably isn't necessary, but do
make time to run a full scan every month at the least.

Some antivirus programs also protect against adware and spyware, but not all. If
yours doesn't, or if you just want an extra layer of
security, AdAware and SpyBot are two of the best known (and free!) products available. While they may
not be as destructive as viruses, adware and spyware will compromise privacy and slow your computer
drastically. Run scans for them at the same time as your antivirus.

6. Clean up your software.

Every few months, look through the 'Add or Remove Programs' interface that is found in the control
panel. If there's software on there that you don't use any more, remove it. This goes triple for browser
toolbars, free games, and other resource-eating bits of fluff. Be a little cautious, though - some system
drivers appear in this list, and can cause hardware to stop working if you remove them.

There's an excellent scanning utility on Steffen Gerlach's website that gives a graphical representation of
the data stored on your hard drive. This will give you a good idea of just how much room your music
collection really takes, or how much space is going to old games.

7. Clean up your OS
Windows is not the most efficient operating system, and sometimes needs attention itself. It saves a
large amount of unnecessary information, mostly in the form of 'temporary' files (which never get
deleted) lists of recently performed searches, and the like. There's an excellent program called CCleaner,
which will clear out most of the unneeded data automatically. If you're interested in further optimizing
your OS, there's a wealth of information available online, including an article on improving XP
performance available here on Puget's website.

8. Update everything
Check for updates for your hardware and software. This includes running Windows
Updates, checking for updated drivers, and checking for software patches. The easiest
way to find these is to go to the manufacturer's website, to their support section, and
then look for a 'downloads' section or search for your product's name. If you've been
having problems with a piece of hardware or software, be sure to check for patches or
updates - if other people have been having similar problems, it's likely the manufacturer
has released a fix for it.

The exception to this is motherboard BIOS updates. Flashing a BIOS can be difficult, and if it's done
incorrectly you may need to send the computer for professional repair to get it working again. If the
update was specifically released to address problems that you've been dealing with, it's probably worth
it. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully! Otherwise, leave it alone.

9. Defragment
Once your hard drive has been cleaned up, it's a good time to defragment. This organizes your files,
leading to faster disk access times and improved system performance. The Windows defragmenting tool
(Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter) works well, or there's a list of
open source and commercial defragmenting software available on Wikipedia if you'd rather use
something else.

10. Read more articles like this one

Last but not least, continue to read articles like this one, and anything else computer related that
catches your eye. The computer industry is constantly changing - even if you have the same computer,
there will be innovations that affect you. At the very least, you'll go into your next computer purchase
far better informed than you would be otherwise.

We at Puget Systems always encourage our customers to learn about computers in general and their
system in particular. Well educated users tend to have fewer difficulties with their system, and besides,
we love computers and think everyone else should too! Our commitment is to create a computer to
meet your needs and budget, using our experience to assist you every step of the way from the first visit
to our website to tech support calls two years later. We accomplish this in part through friendly sales
and support reps, an informative website, and publishing articles on a regular basis. Give us a call or
email, we'd love to hear from you!