Unit 2: Task 3: P3

Task 3 (P3)

Produce notes explaining the purpose of different software utilities.

The presentation should contain screen shots or images and has to cover:

• security virus protection and/or firewalls
• clean up tools for removal of cookies and/or internet history and/or defragmentation
• drive formatting

The purpose of different software utilities:
Software utilities help allow you to control your programs through different management and controls. They can be applications such as Windows, which will then perform the functions required and control the computers management with things such as the firewall, internet security and drive formatting. 

Security virus protection and firewalls:-

• Firewalls put up a barrier to block out unauthorized  access that may be trying to enter the PC.
• Firewalls help prevent any data leakage, as if hackers have accessed the PC they are unable to withdraw any files or information from the device. 
• Firewalls are capable of blocking traffic to ensure that nothing untoward may enter the network via the web address. 
• Firewalls block out any software that may contain Trojans or that can be harmful to the system in any way.
• Simplistic firewalls block out traffic whereas more complex firewalls look within the network traffic in order to prevent any leakage or unwanted hackers accessing through files. 
• The main role of a firewall software is to prevent any malicious material entering the device, it protects both identity theft and analyses the programs and software that try to connect with the PC.
• Security virus protection is used to protect your PC from any malicious material or programs and prevents it from getting any viruses. 
• It helps allow you to eliminate infection that may be harmful to your device by doing a scan of the system.
• It can quarantine any harmful or infected programs .
• It will scan all files and data on the device checking each individual segment to ensure that any infections are slowing your computer down and that anything is beaching the security on your computer.
• Virus protection will scan any downloads or attachments by running a scan whilst other task can be completed in the mean time.
• Antivirus can control the blocking of pop-ups and when scanned data it will give you an alert so the threat can be removed before it corrupts your computer.
• Antivirus is also against spyware.

Clean up tools for removal of cookies and internet history and defragmentation:-

                                     

• All data that has been accessed on the internet is automatically saved and stored onto your computer. The caches that may be saved can be deleted when deleting all history through the settings on the web browser. 
• Some websites may leak cookies which can be saved so it is best to erase these from your history file or block them all together.
• Internet clean-up utility can clear and remove and dangers that may have stored itself among your files. 
• By performing this it will track and allows you to rid any of your browsing history or saved internet data that would have already been saved on your hard disc. 
• It allows you to erase any cookies that have the availability of tracking your activity if not removed. 
• Defragmentation consolidates data on the hard disc and makes it work more effectively. 
• A disc defragmenter tool rearranges data and it can be run automatically or manually to change settings and monitor what is happening. Example is Windows.

Drive formatting:-

                          

• All data needs formatting before it can be used. It involves configuring the disc using a file system so that the data/information can then be stored onto the system.
• Any new computer that runs Windows has the files already formatted. 
• Formatting will erase any files that had previously existed on the hard drive.
• Storage devices come preformatted so when connected it is not necessary to the format the data and files that are then shared. 
• CD's and DVD's use a different format than removable storage devices. 
• Disk formatting allows you a quick format option where it will create a new file table on the hard drive but will not erase the disc. 
• All software or removable devices must been installed and formatted when connected to the system for example NTFS before software such as Windows can store it on the hard drive/disc.
• Reformatting will erase everything using patricians, all programs and data would then need to be re-installed and personal information and data files would be restored via back up discs and syncing to other devices. 
• System support recovery can restore this data on up to date devices so reformatting and re-installing will then be the final option to recover all deleted files and programs that may be lost.

Unit 2: Task 2: P2

Task 2 (P2)

Produce additional pages to explain the purpose of operating systems.

The presentation should contain screen shots or images and has to cover:

• machine and peripheral management
• security
• file management
• device drivers

Operating systems can either be installed via hardware or downloaded via the internet. It allows you to control your machine in many ways. Operating systems manage the computers memory, its processors, hardware and software. Operating systems help boot up your computer: this involves running tests to ensure everything is working correctly, it also checks for any new hardware on the system and starts up the computer. An example of an operating system is Windows. It will manage all the different programs at the same time so that everything will start up together and all at once. Different programs are capable of running at the same time, operating systems can be used with multi-users so that more than one individual may use the device.
                       
Computer security is a safe way of preventing any unorthodox software of data that may be harmful and trying to access the computer. It prevents any intruders or hackers from accessing your PC. All computer security software can detect intruders through a system scan that will scan all of your data and determine whether or not the risk is high enough to take action or whether the risk should be erased.  One form of security is internet security which is installed so that you can use the internet without any worry of losing any important or personal data. Due to the increase of individuals using the internet for things such as online banking ans shopping, you wish to be safe when involving your personal details as you don't want those to end up in the wrong hands. There are different types of internet security like Avast which allow you to use passwords to help protect all of your data and personal statements from things like cookies which use trackers. It is also better to avoid saving passwords and to always delete internet history so that no intruders can use cookie trackers to invade your computers operating system and files. You also need protection from Malware by using AntiMalware as Malware is malicious software that can result in viruses and Trojan horses that are severely dangerous toward your PC. To avoid Malware being a danger to your computer you need to run automatic updates on the AntiMalware software and to always have the firewall up for protection services. Also avoid opening any spam messages and to use and anti virus software like Microsoft which also has a AntiMalware software. Spyware is software that usually performs certain functions without your consent with things like the configuration of your computer and collecting your personal information without any of your knowledge. Spyware is difficult to remove and can slow down how fast your computer will run and to prevent this it is best to install software that prevents and monitors any spyware that may try to access your PC. Also for security it is best to keep the firewall on at all times as it prevents hackers, viruses and worms accessing your computer at any time when accessing the internet. 
                                                     

File management is the way of which data and files are stored on a device. File management allows you to locate files quickly and easily. it stores files in a specific way so that they are organised in storage and wont be lost. It uses storage units such as folders to secure files in specific locations within your device, if files are not organised without any methodical system or without backing theses files up it can take a lot of time to restore them corrupt files are capable of erasing a whole folder so it is best to back up all files to avoid losing them all together. File management is used via My Computer, My Computer allows you to access any data on your computer via the lists it displays with the various disc drives that are available. By entering one of these folders you are then capable of accessing the files that you are in need of. It is best to save files on a regular basis so that in any circumstance where your computer may just shutdown you will not lose any files/data. Files can also be imported and transferred onto a memory stick or even send an attachment to yourself via Email so you are certain you have the file.  

  

Machine and peripheral management. This controls the computers components, any device that is connected must be installed and can change the input language used when first installed onto the system. The operating system used e.g. Windows will control the whole machine and data stored in the system. The peripheral  management will control the functioning of the mouse, keyboard and printers which have to be connected and inserted into the ports within the tower. With machine management it will manage the properties of components such as the monitor and how it will display data and allows you to change its resolution and the speed of certain programs like the mouse and how quickly it will move. When a new peripheral is added the machine shall automatically install the device, then when installed corrections and changes can be made to the devices system and settings can be altered. 
 

Disc drivers are accessible and re writable storage devices and can be including the optical drive that accepts discs and the floppy disc. They can house the storage internally or externally, they read and write data and have a great performance rating. 
The (H:) drive is used to save any data to the Share drive  this can be any files or documents within the system that have been created and saved. The (F:) drive is used to save or read any data from a CD Rom or DVD that has been inserted into the optical drive to be viewed on the system. 
The optical disc drive that accepts CD's and DVD's reads them by retrieving the data, some USB sticks when connected to the tower can appear as its own disc drive so that data can either be imported and exported from the portable USB stick.
 

Unit 2: Task 1: P1

         Communication between components:

A processor:- A processor is the logic circuitry that controls the computer, it has to process and respond to input signals to send that correct output signals to the various components (other hardware) within the device. It is located in the computers tower, it is inserted in the socket which is located on the motherboard (the socket of the processor also corresponds with the socket within the motherboard as they must be specific otherwise if not compatible the device will not work what so ever as no data or signals will be able to get transferred and sent when required) so that it can power and display information and various other things through the monitor that is required. It had been previously known as the CPU (central processing unit) and those inserted in small devices such as tablets etc contain microprocessors. Processors are specific to their motherboard and must be correspondant to allow the computing unit to work at all.

Motherboard:- It is known as the arrangement of all the basic circuitry and components within a computer. It is the foundation of the computer, every other component connects into the MB.The motherboard sends a direct current to all of the components and hardware that is connected to the computing unit itself. It uses the the various sockets and circuitry to send numberous electrical impulses to each of the individual components so that they can peform ther desired function. The motherboard allows the CPU and RAM and other alternative hardwares so that they can all communicate correctly amongst each other.All of the components that are inserted within the motherboard have soldered circuitry which helps the hardware and software to communicate amongst it.

 The motherboard includes the following:-

• A microprocessor
• Coprocessors
• Memory
• BIOS input/output systems
• Interconnecting circuitry

Components can be added to the motherboard via the expansion slots, it is a heavily soldered circuit.

BIOS:- Basic input/output system. The processor/microprocessor uses the program to allow the computer system to start  before it has been turned on. BIOS is used to manage the data flow through the computer to other attached  

devices for the mouse, keyboard etc.  BIOS controls functions throughout the computer like keyboard control and booting up as the start screen. BIOS can also configure and identify hardware on the computer for example the hard drive, memory and the optical drive. BIOS assists all the hardware so that it can function when the PC is turned on at the beginning. It is the built in software that helps determine what the computer is able to access. BIOS is complementary to the processor so without using BIOS the required signals will not be transferred to the processor allowing the computer to turn on. It is the first function that allows the processor to exececute the instructions that are sent and complete the function of booting up the device. 

                                              Power Supply:-

Computers have either AC/DC adapters as the power supply which sends the current toward the motherboard to then power the whole computer system. AC- is an alternating current whereas DC- is a direct current, they are the transmission and conduction of electrical energy. The power supply helps the computer access the different voltages it requires to perform various functions throughout the computer. The power supply is the vital component as without it no function can be made on the device, some power supplies contain their own cooling system so that they do not overheat when used for long periods of time. The supply connects to the computing unit through a 24 pin port allowing the power supply to then when turned on send the current from the main source into the motherboard which then communicates with the central processing unit and then boot the computer up. 

                            Fan and heatsink or cooling:-

Hot air produced by the other components cannot build up as it will either cause overheating or the units within the motherboard i.e. the CPU can burn out. These cooling fans help avoid overheating, in certain areas like the processor which causes vast amounts of heat due to how many watts it uses requires a thermal paste on the back of it and a heat sink to draw out the hot air it produces. A cooling fan helps draw cold air into then cool down the hot air that is circling around in the tower, it helps cause sufficient air flow and is very efficient in household PC’s. The fan works with the CPU as the CPU tells the fan via messages how much energy is being used so that the cooling fan knows how much hot air transfer needs cooled down.

Hard drive and the configuration/controller:-

A HDD also known as a hard disc drive it is an internal storage device within computers, it allows you to execute files and information.It permanently stores all data on the computer.

On the back of a hard drive is a circuit board called the disc controller. The disc controller is printed circuitry that has the instructions for the diskettes. It controls the hard drive, floppy disc drive COM ROMs and other drives.

SSD stands for solid-state drives,  it uses semiconductor chips to store data. SSD’s have their own compartment within the computer and do not have to be inserted into the motherboard to function. It is the primary storage unit medium used like a hard drive, they are designed to be in the place of the hard drive.  RAID takes seperate drives controls them and then connects them into one main drive. It stands for redundant array of inexpensive drives or disks. Types: 0,1 5 10 SATA is a serial bus interface that connects storage devices to the main system for example optical drives etc. The hard drives receives any data on the device and stores it including BIOS, the hard drive must communicate with the processor using and electrical current and various input/Output signals so that all data will result in being transferred to the hard drive.

           Ports USB and/or parallel and/or serial:-

A universal serial bus or USB as it is commonly known as has ports that allow you to connect various hardwares like keyboards and other USB connectors such as memory sticks etc. The ports allow you to connect printers and other accessories that your computer may require. Most hardware that is inserted into the USB has to be installed onto the device for it to work for example wireless internet connectors. Modems use the serial port which is used to connect serial devices they are also used for mice and usually have 2 COM ports.Serial ports are not used as much due to the introduction of USB and that manufacturers create cables for USB ports now rather than serial ports. The serial port is now only used for the connection to the monitor and the tower and also the connection to the power supply into the back of the tower to supply the image from the processor and for the electricity to power the PC. Serial ports are used for:

The mouse, modem, network and printer.

Parallel ports previously were used to as printer connectors or scanners and very few external hard drives. The different ports contain various pins which when hardware is inserted it sends an electrical impulse through the motherboard to both the processor and the hard drive which then results in the display on the monitor that has the diffeent data and files shared via transfers onto the device.

Internal memory RAM, ROM and cache:-

RAM also known as main memory and random access memory is computer storage it can be accessed at any time in any order, RAM uses transistors to turn on or off access to a capacitor at each intersection. It stores all the information for programmes that you are running ROM also known as read-only memory like RAM it contains a circuit of rows and columns however ROM uses a diode for its programming so it can send electric currents to specific memory in the circuit columns. Cache is memory that is extremely fast built into the CPU, the computer uses it to either run certain programs to improve the overall speed of the computer system. It is capable of speeding up the microprocessor itself and is twice as fast as random access memory. The internal memory contais soldered circuitry that has to correspond with the motherboard so that it can communicate through the transfer and store any data that the processor and hard drive sends via messages quickly and efficeintly.

      Specialised cards networks and/or graphics cards:-

Graphics cards control the resolution settings and screen display and the computer converts the pixels into images.  It uses binary data to translate the pixels through the CPU onto the monitors display. Graphics cards can be built into the PC’s motherboard or can be bought and added to the device for extended graphics, also gaming computers contain numerous graphics cards due to the use and need for them. They use a a processor known as a graphics processing unit so that it can perform the inputs and outputs of software necessary and quickly. There are different types of graphics cards e.g AMD, Integrated, PCI, AGP and PCI-express. Graphics cards communicate with the motherboard using three different interfaces which are 1. Peripheral component interconnected 2. Advanced graphics port 3. PCI Express. These provide a direct connection to the computers power supply.

                                 Peripherals:-  

Printer: A printer is a device that accepts graphics and texts from a PC transfers the data onto sheets with the information on them. They can be sold separately and can either be wireless or wired, wireless can either connect via the network/internet or via bluetooth. Printers can also contain scanners as photocopiers depending on the type purchased. Printers are capable of either printing in black + white, colour and economic print to save ink. Printers can produce 3-6 sheets or paper in minutes however only have one megabyte of memory. The common used printer is an inkjet printer which uses very small inkjets to produce the data that has been transferred however you can also get laser printers which uses static electricity to use as a temporary glue as the laser receives the data as tiny dots and they form the text or image. It communicates with the computer through the USB ports, they must go though an interface and be installed onto the computer so that they can function.  A printer requires the communication within the cables and wires to send the required data necessary to peform its valued process.

Scanner: Scanners capture images from photographic prints, posters, magazine pages, and similar sources for computer editing and display. There are various types of scanners that can be about, flat board scanners and in some cases scanners that are built in some printers. Scanners have to be connected to the computers interface so that they can work and sometimes they have built in software for example Adobe Photoshop. A scanner communicates with the computing unit the same way as the printer which is shown above.

Twisted pair cabling: It is a capable made by two different insulated cables, usually shielded and unshielded. Shielded twisted pairs have a mesh to protect transmission whereas unshielded does the opposite. Shielded wires are used for telephone networks, networks and communications. The network cable also known as an ethernet cable allows you connect data throughout a computer on a local network.

                             Twisted pair cabling uses electrical transmission to connect with the processor and work throughout the computer, it uses a prong like system to connect with the tower and then the transmission causing the network cable to light up and then allows you to log onto your device if a password is used.

                 Backing storage:-

Pen drive: It is a portable serial bus flash memory device used for storage; it can store and transfer various formats such as videos, images, and other file formats. They have large storage capacities and can perform very fast data transfers to electrical devices e.g. PC’s and laptops. They can be compatible with any operating system that has a USB port as in the image it shows the connection is through a USB port. You transfer the data from the hard drive onto the pen drive at a fast rate.It gets inserted into the drive and when the drive is active files can be dragged straight into the device. The pen drive communicates just like the USB as it uses the same port however it just performs a differnt function the oen drive uses the impulses sent back and forth from the processing unit and then converts it so it can connect the pendrive as hardware.

Hard drive: External hard drives can be portable and inserted into the USB port via a USB connector cable like a pen drive. It is larger than a normal hard drive that would remain inside the computers tower, it allows the external hard drive to communicate with the internal hard drive and computer so that different forms and data can be sent back and forth. By having an external hard drive it can remove some of the data from the device to free up some space on the internal hard drive so more memory can be stored. An external hard drive communicates through the USB port it connected by, this sends messages to the processor and other areas of the computer so that it can store any information externally from the computer so it can free up space on the internal memory.