Assignment 2.2 How to Install a Processor

You will need to make sure that you have the correct processor for the Motherboard as Motherboards can only support certain types of Processor. You need to make sure that you have with you your thermal compound. Thermal Compound stops the heat sink from overheating the Processor.

Locate the Processor socket on the Motherboard, then flick the switch up by lifting the lever on the side of the socket up to the open position

Make sure you align the processor with the corner of the chip that looks like it has been cut off ( there is a corner of pins missing) with the corner missing on the socket
Now you have lined up the processor you need to slowly insert the processor into the socket. If the processor doesn't slide into the socket DON'T force the processor into the socket as it can bend the pins and the processor will be deemed unusable.

Now that you have inserted the processor you will need to lock it into place using the lever at the side of the socket. You will need to push it slowly down till it is in the locked position.


Now that you have clicked the processor into place you need to apply the thermal compound to the exposed part of the chip that the heat sink will sit on. Apply just a thin layer of paste to the exposed part of the chip. You will need to wrap your hand in a plastic bag to stop the paste from getting contaminated.

Now that you have inserted the processor into the motherboard and you have your thermal compound on the exposed part of the processor you now need to align the heat sink with the thermal compound and the clamps on the heat sink. You need to make sure that the clamps are aligned with the mounting points around the processor.

Now that you have aligned the heat sink assembly to the processor you now need to clamp the heat sink to the mounting parts of the motherboard. Proper mounting technique should be required here as putting to much pressure or a slip of the screwdriver can damage the motherboard. If you are unsure about the correct way to install the heat sink assembly you need to refer to the proper documentation that came from the manufacturer. 


Now that you have inserted the Heat Sink assembley you now need to locate the power lead for the thermal compound fan. Plug the cooling solution fan power connector into the fan header on the motherboard.Make sure that it is properly plugged in before installing the motherboard back onto the system.

This is what the completed installation should look like.

Why is it Important to............

Use antivirus software?
If you get a virus on your PC the performance of your PC could either slow the PC down or it could shut or PC down. It is important to perform anti virus scans so it can improve the performance of your PC and stop unwanted programs from entering your computer. Windows security center provides anti virus software and malware protection, this helps aid the performance of your PC because you aren't getting infectious programs that will stop infecting your PC and stop it functioning properly.


Use disk clean up tools?
The disk clean up tool helps you to free space on your hard disk. This will help your PC to run faster because the memory in the hard disk storage isn't been taken up by unwanted files and folders that have been cleared by the disk clean up tools. Disk cleanup deletes the unnecessary or temporary files on your hard disk so that you aren't taking up as much storage in your hard disk which will help aid performance because your hard disk storage isn't full of temporary files. 


Perform Windows Updates?
The updates that automatically pop up when you are working on your PC are often operating system updates. The operating system updates help to improve PC performance by checking any files. programs that aren't up to date at the time of the update. Windows updates could include service packs. Service packs are an updated version of the OS, which could help with improving the performance of the PC because it is an updated version of the OS. Windows updates could include security updates, software updates and hotfix updates.


Use Disk Defragmenter tools?
It is important to use disk defragmentor to reduce the amount of fragments in the hard drive. This helps to improve the performance of the PC because you are reducing the amount of memory space that is on the file system on the hard drive. Fragmentation makes your hard disk do extra work that can slow down your computer. Removable storage devices such as USB flash drives can also become fragmented. Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your disks and drives can work more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule, but you can also analyze and defragment your disks and drives manually.


Use Firewall Software?
It is important to use firewall software so that unwanted users from entering your PC. Firewall will help to improve the performance of your PC by stopping unwanted files and users from entering your PC. Windows Firewall has the feature to switch between home, work and public networks this can help you if you are wanting to fine tune between the three. When you are connected to a public network like a library or a coffee shop you'll want to block all incoming connections. At home or work this might be an issue. Whatever level of protection you choose for your profiles you'll be able to switch between them with ease. 


Format your drivers?
It is important to format your drivers so that the hard drive is prepared for use by an operating system. Drive formatting will help the performance of your PC to function quicker because you are formatting the hard drive which will delete all files in storage. Usually, only when adding additional storage to your computer. If you install a new hard disk on your computer, it must be formatted with a file system, such as NTFS, before Windows can store files on it. In the past, reformatting a hard disk and reinstalling Windows was sometimes recommended as a method for fixing a serious computer problem. Reformatting would fix the problem at the expense of deleting everything on the computer. You would then have to reinstall your programs by using the original installation files or discs, and then restore all of your personal files, such as documents, music, and pictures, from backups that you had made beforehand. Today, this version of Windows offers a number of recovery options that are less drastic and which provide a a better place to start fixing your computer problems. Reformatting and reinstalling should be considered as a last resort that is only performed after all other recovery or diagnostic options have proved unsuccessful.


Perform File Backup?
It is important to perform file backup so that you don't lose files and folders if the PC crashes. Then you don't lose any of the files. You'll use the backup and restore center in Windows to backup files. The backup and restore center should also restore files if they happen to be lost because your PC has crashed. Windows recommends that you backup your files on the same disk as windows is installed on. Always store media used for backups in a secure place so that your data doesn't get stolen. You might also consider data encryption. 


Use Device Drivers?
It is important to use device drivers because otherwise you won't be able to communicate with the hardware in the PC. Device manager is the way you can view the device drivers installed on your PC. You can also check to see if hardware is working as it should and modify hardware settings. Performance can be effected if the drivers aren't correctly installed or if they aren't the correct drivers for the task your wanting to perform on your PC. E.g. if you are playing a game on a PC the performance can be affected if the correct drivers aren't installed you'll need to make sure that you have the correct drivers installed and kept up to date in order to maintain your PCs performance. 

Cleaning PC Equipment P5 (Part 3 of Assignment 2.2)

I am now going to demonstrate how to clean a PC monitor, Laser Mouse, inside of a PC tower and PC keyboard. To clean each of these items you will need certain tools, some of which are hazardous to health so be careful when using them.

To clean a mouse you will need to wipe it with special cleaning wipes. You will need to clean the bottom of it to ensure that no dust gets into the laser so the mouse doesn't jump across the screen when you move the mouse.

To clean a keyboard you can buy swabs that can get in the middle of the keys to clean the keyboard
This is me cleaning a computer keyboard with a keyboard swab

To clean a computer tower you will need a can of compressed air and possibly a paint brush to brush the dust from out of the fan and out of the electrical components. Before you start cleaning the inside of the tower you will need to mae sure that you remove any electrical components that can get damaged during cleaning. Now that you have removed the electrical components you can now start to clean the inside of the tower. You can either blast the inside of the tower with a can of compressed air or you can brush the dust away with a paintbrush.

To clean a PC monitor you will need some cleaning wipes that are suitable for cleaning PC monitors with. Now that you have got the wipes you will need to wipe the monitor. Make sure that when you are wiping the monitor that you wipe it in the same direction.