Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

P2

Task 2: P2

 

Operating Systems

 

Operating systems are the systems of which that allow you to work a computer and what let you use and see what you see on screen. There are various kinds or operating systems:

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft-windows-vista-logo

Mac

Apple-logo

Linux

Linux

Android

Android

 

The Operating System manages computer hardware resources and serves as software that allows you to access other applications.

 

 

Machine and peripheral management

The windows operating system has a control panel which allows control inside and outside the system. The control panel manages things like user accounts, security (firewall and security centre), program access and defaults and applications. There are also administrative tools that are used for restoring the system, defragging the system, resetting the system back to factory condition, installing and uninstalling Windows.

Security

Securities on an operating system take for example Avast Antivirus. Avast is an anti-virus, anti-malware application which stops your computer from being hacked or damaged. Microsoft Windows have their own anti-virus software called Microsoft Essentials which is free and does all the same as to scan the computer to look for damaged files and to protect against malware and viruses. It is a new manufacturer trend for an operating system to have downloaded antivirus software on it in a new state. An operating system also has security features like setting passwords for login and passwords for access to specific files so that only the user may use them and gain access to them. There is also a firewall on the Windows operating system which filters which websites are safe - The Mac operating system however doesn't have any viruses for it . There is a security centre on Microsoft Windows XP which moniters the essential security settings and warns the user when the computer may be at risk. The windows operating system also has features which allow a heirachy for user's e.g. Admin, User 1, User 2, etc... The admin would be able to set program defaults and what the users can and cant use.

 

Best_free_antivirus_software_-in_2009


File Management

Operating Systems not only work as a basis for the user of the computer to use the software but an operating system allows you to create files to store work and data in an orderly fashion. E.g. A folder named ‘Animals’ and within that folder could be branch folders named ‘Birds’, ‘Wild Cats’, ‘Amphibians’, etc… This kind of management allows easy access to a user’s data and allows them to know what is what and where.

 

Device drivers

Within a working operating system, a device driver allows more advanced programs to run at best and interact with the hardware device e.g. A new graphics card may need a device driver for it to sync/interact with it to allow it to work at best.

 

P1

Unit 2: Task 1

 

 

Processor

The processor is the brain of the computer which tells it what to do, when to do it and it also decides which task is most relavent and prioritises the tasks to the computer's needs.  A computer processor controls the functions of most electronic products. The computer accepts the input data, processes the information and sends it to the component that is in charge of executing the action.

Pentiumee_processor_back

Motherboard

The Motherboard is the main printed circuit board that holds the most important components of a microcomputer or another device that can have other circuit boards inserted. All components communicate with the motherboard through either by directly plugging thm into the motherboard or communicating through the motherboard ports.

Motherboard



BIOS

BIOS is a set of computer instructions that control input and output operations. It is the built-in set of instuructions that work a computer without a disk. The BIOS contains all the code needed to display on-screen, use the keyboard, work disk drives, serial communications, and a number of other functions.

Bios_main

Power Supply

The power supply is what allows the whole system to work by supplying it with electricity. It supplies electricity to all components in order to make them work and ultimatley allow the computer to function. The more watts the power can supply, the more powerful the computer which means that more power can be supplied to other components in the computer.


220px-psu-open1

Fan and Heat Sink/Cooling

The heat sink is a component that cools the computer/device by making the heat scatter out into the surrounding air. The fan is used to keep the heat sink itself from overheating. This stops the computer from getting too hot and melting components on the inside.

Cpu-heatsink-fan

Hard Drive Configuration and Controllers SATA or IDE or EIDE

SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) and EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics).

 

SATA is a computer bus interface for connecting host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives. SATA was designed to replace the older Parallel ATA (PATA) standard (often called by the old name IDE).Serial ATA host-adapters and devices communicate through a high-speed serial cable over two pairs of conductors. However, the parallel ATA used 16 data conductors each operating at a much lower speed.

 

_satpat

 

IDE is a standard electronic interface used to connect to a computer motherboard's data paths or bus and the computer's disk storage devices. The IDE cable connects CD drives and Hard drives to the mother board. IDE is also a programming environment that has been packaged as an application program, usually containing a code editor, a compiler, a debugger, and a graphical user interface (GUI) builder.  The IDE cables transfer data and commands between the devices but not power. The cables come in the 40 pin and 80 pin configurations which have to be observed and connected for the cables to work correctly. The side of the cable with a red line indicates pin #1 and that has to be toward the correct position as indicated on the drives and Motherboard. 

Ide

EIDE is an updated and newer version of IDE which supports data rates of between 4 and 16.6 MBps (around 3 to 4 times faster than IDE). It can support mass storage devices of up to 8.4 gigabytes, whereas the old standard was limited to 528 MB. EIDE has four modes. Mode 4 is the most common one with transfer rates of 16.6 MBps. There is also another mode, called ATA-3 or Ultra ATA that supports transfer rates of 33 MBps.

 

1278089_big

 

Ports USB and/or Parallel and/or Serial


The USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports are where USB devices and drivers can be inserted e.g. Memory sticks, External Harddrives, etc… USB devices are used to transport and store data in a safe place.

 


220px-types-usb_new

 

Serial ports are for serial devices that transfer information one bit at a time like a computer to a projector on a board for example.

 

 

9_pin_pin_out

 


Parallel ports are for devices which transfer data by sending several data signals simultaneously over several parallel channels. Devices like printers use this kind of transfer method.

 

15

 

Internal memory RAM, ROM and cache

Internal memory is used to store data that is used by the system at startup and to run various types of programs such as the operating system. Usually, internal memory is contained on small microchips that are either attached or connected to the computer's motherboard.

 


RAM (Random Access Memory) is one of two separate places where data is stored. RAM is where data is saved on a memory module to save and retrieve data efficiently and quickly.

 

Ram

ROM (Read-Only Memory) is another storage device which holds data that can’t be modified. (ROM can be modified but slowly or with difficulty). ROM is mostly used for distributing firmware that is specific to hardware. E.g. Mobile phone installation data , etc…

Rom

 

Cache is a part of the main memory (RAM) that can be used as Cache or it can be a separate chip. The commands that are often used, or data often used will be kept in this static RAM. This static RAM is called Cache memory.

Cache-seamonkey

Specialized cards network and/or graphic cards

A graphics card allows the output of images to be displayed. Graphics cards different standards for use. Some are used for HD gaming for example which allows for a much clearer picture – some games require a graphics card good enough to play them.

8600gt

Peripherals:

 

Printer

A printer is used for printing off physical data on paper, card, etc… E.g.  Legal documents, Coursework, Design ideas, etc…

Canon-ix4000-printer3

Scanner

A scanner is a device which allows images like card, paper, etc to be imported onto a device like a computer. Its can be used to convert physical images or text into virtual items/files. E.g. A book.

Img_29684_plustek_scanner

Twisted pair cabling

Twisted pair cabling is a method of wiring of which that two conductors are twisted together to cancel out EMI (Electromagnetic interference) from external sources like electromagnetic radiation from unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables.

Splitpairs-500

Backing Storage:

 

Pen Drive

A USB flash drive is a device which can be inserted into a USB port. A USB flash drive also has storage space for transferring files and storing them.

Hard drive

A Hard drive is a storage device which can be internal or external and is used for the same purposes as a USB flash drive. Unalike USB flash drives, Hard drives can hold a substantial amount more than memory sticks or Pen drives. 

Iomega-420-90

D1

D1

Analyse interpersonal and written communications criticising or justifying particular techniques used.

 

During this project I have used:

 

  • Electronic Communication
  • Verbal Communication
  • Written Communication

 

I used written communication when writing e-mails back to my tutor (question & response method) and also when writing my ‘dummies guide to using PowerPoint’. I used verbal communication when talking to my peers and tutor about the work. I also used electronic communication through the internet again, when I was using the e-mail feature to send messages to my tutor.

 

Verbal Communication

 

Advantages: The advantages of verbal communication are that in doing so, you can discuss and come to conclusions with another individual in a much more efficient way than messages over the internet or in note form across phones.

Disadvantages: Some things will take a long time to come to a conclusion even though done in an efficient way. Some things can be misinterpreted through tone of voice and can be misunderstood. Or said in a way that another doesn’t understand.

 

Written Communication

 

Advantages: Advantages are that you can plan what you are going to write or ask in any way before writing it down and you don’t have to remember what you write. Written communication can be more precise than someone talking because some people aren’t clear with their words.

Disadvantages: Some disadvantages are that some people’s handwriting is illegible and this makes it virtually impossible to understand what’s on paper. Some people’s use of language (using big words to establish a point) or lack of grammar can confuse the reader into reading the wrong message.

 

Electronic Communication

 

Advantages: There is no use of paper. You can send a message anywhere in the world in the click of a button. You can share and receive information on the net and on websites i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, etc…

Disadvantages: Once something is on the web, it stays there for a long, long time so if there is some information you don’t want up there, you can’t just get rid of it.

 

Written communication was most appropriate when writing up documents because it enabled a more formal type of communication whereas electronic communication was most appropriate used in the e-mail when getting feedback from my tutor and sending messages back which enabled easier communication which was slightly less formal. Verbal communication was most appropriate when I was talking and discussing things with my tutor and when trying to find things out because it was an effective way of communication.

 

When I used word on the computer, not only could I re-write mistakes without mess but it was more efficient and an easier way of writing rather than pen and paper. Thanks to the autocorrect feature, word count feature and various others it was much faster and worked in my favour. I could also look up words in the thesaurus to expand and elaborate. In word I am also able to make documents look professional with the use of templates. I can also align text to make the text look orderly and make Bold headings to space the text out and show the subject easily. My advantages in using PowerPoint presentation while presenting communication methods to a group of people was that I had the help of the slides that I had done before. The fact that talking alone can bore an audience is covered while using a PowerPoint presentation full of images can keep the audience tuned and keep them taking things in if not what I am saying, then on the slide. 

 

Task 3 Evidence

Click here to download:
How_to_add_footnotes_and_Endnotes.doc (342 KB)
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Click here to download:
How_to_make_an_e-mail_signiture.doc (104 KB)
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Click here to download:
Absolute_cell_referening.doc (37 KB)
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Click here to download:
How_to_make_an_Index_In_Microsoft_Word.doc (391 KB)
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Click here to download:
How_to_use_Goal_Seek.doc (280 KB)
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Click here to download:
On_the_Tools_menu.doc (22 KB)
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