What is a Stand Alone Computer System (p5)

Hello,

 Many people ask the question 'What is a Stand Alone Computer System'?, well i have the answer, its simple , A computer that is not part of any network, typically Local Area Network, is considered stand-alone computer.

I have been tasked by some Business Directors to to set up and test a desirable computer. 

Scenario:                                                                                                                 

As it is tending towards the end of year, the computer systems repair and maintenance department has a huge backlog of computer systems due for upgrade or repair and maintenance.

I will be required to set up and test a stand alone computer system.

Take this Computer below :
 
A fast AMD processor, large 200 GB hard drive, DVD/CD-RW drive, 19" TFT flat screen monitor and lots of pre-installed software, ensures that this computer system is easily able to manage all of your broadband Internet and other everyday computer requirements.
The main features are as follows:

·         Fast AMD processor.

·         200 GB hard drive.

·         DVD/CD Rewriter.

·         Large 19" monitor.

·         Keyboard and mouse.

·         Broadband ready.

·         Microsoft Windows XP pre-installed.

·         Microsoft Office software pre-installed.

·         Anti-virus security software.

·         Lots of additional software.

These are all obtained at a range of £450 pounds unless extra hardware is required.
As per my requirements I am to installed one hardware device and one software programming.


I have installed an AMD processor and i can explain how it is installed so here is how it goes:
the processing chip -

- Line this up with the CPU slot on your motherboard and drop the chip in place. You should not need to apply any force at all, so if it fails to drop into place, check you have the pins lined up correctly and the marker on the CPU matches the marker on the slot. Also check that the metal lever is upright (which it may not be if you are installing the CPU in a new motherboard).

 

-       Next, push the metal lever down which will secure the CPU. After this one would install the heat sink and fan.

This completes installation of the CPU into the computers motherboard.

I have also chosen to install(replace) a computer case fan with a higher performance fan which usually sits at the back of the whole system and keeps the entire computer cool from overloading as many of the component units generate a lot of heat.

How it was installed:

Unplug the computer from the power source. Be sure and touch a metal surface to ground any static electricity from your body before opening the computer and chancing shorting something out.

Open the computer case. This is most often done by unscrewing between 2 and 6 screws from the outside rim of the back of the computer. The case will then slide off the chassis. It is possible you can take off only one side cover with one or two screws on some cases. Some newer computers like Dell can be opened by depressing two large buttons on the top and bottom of the computer case.
The fan is usually located at the bottom of the front face of the case though differing designs may alternate. It is normally attached with 4 screws, one on each corner and the fan is also attached to the motherboard by a pair of wires. Remove these components to free the old fan.

Now you can easily replace the fan into the casing, re-attach the screws and follow the wires from the previous attachment to add the new wires.
Make sure that the red and black wires on the connector are plugged in at the same pins as before. If necessary then use a can of compressed air to clean the area as dust particles would have gathered no doubt, there after replace the casing and re-plug the computer, the fan should now be fully operational.

Installing an Anti-Virus:

Computers are under daily threats from new virus and spyware attacks all trying to disrupt your system or harness the system to allow it to send itself on to more people.

Some viruses are designed to collect personnel information others are designed to make your system unstable or unusable by altering crucial files. The examples below show the kinds of software ant-virus protection there is.

 

The big name antivirus companies are Symantec, McAfee, AVG, Trend Micro, and Sophos.

Many viruses are designed to simply copy itself repeatedly which often results in the available memory being used up and the system freezes whilst it tries to recover. Some variants can send itself to people in an address book or to a network drive if this was happening on a network PC and spread to other PCs. The network itself could become unusable as the virus spreads and disrupts more PCs until the network is shutdown and the virus is identified and isolated.

 

What can be done first hand?

-       When using sites ensure the site is secure with a valid certificate.

-       Never disclose personal information which could be used to gather information or money from you.

-       Do not open emails especially ones with attachments from senders you do not recognize.

-       Keep your anti-virus software updated and scan your whole system regularly.

-       Use a Firewall, most routers come complete with one firewall built-in but it is worth installing Zone alarm or similar as well and taking the time to understand how they work so you can be better protected.