Understanding Computer Systems: Design, Configuration and Maintenance

This report provides a comprehensive overview of computer systems, starting with an explanation of their role in various environments such as gaming, education, hospitals, banking, and transport. It details the hardware, software, and peripheral components of a computer system, including the motherboard, RAM, CPU, graphics card, hard drives, application software, system software, keyboard, speakers, monitor, printers, and mouse. The report also compares different types of computer systems, including mobile computers, micro-computers, super-computers, mini-computers, and mainframe computers. Furthermore, it covers the process of designing a computer system to meet a client’s needs, building and configuring a system according to a design specification, and testing and documenting the system. Finally, the report discusses routine maintenance tasks such as data backup, software updates, and hardware upgrades, providing a complete guide to understanding and maintaining computer systems. This document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a range of study tools and solved assignments for students.

Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................2
LO1 Understand the function of computer systems..........................................................3
1.1 Explain the role of computer systems in different environments.............................3
1.2 Explain the hardware, software and peripheral components of a computer system
........................................................................................................................................8
1.3 Compare different types of computer systems......................................................19
LO2 Be able to design computer systems.......................................................................21
2.1 Produce a system design specification to meet a client’s needs..........................21
2.2 Evaluate the suitability of a system design specification.......................................24
LO3 Be able to build and configure computer systems...................................................26
3.1 Build and configure a computer system to meet a design specification................26
3.2 Test and document a computer system.................................................................34
LO4 Be able to undertake routine maintenance on computer systems..........................44
4.1 Perform routine maintenance tasks on a computer system..................................44
4.2 Upgrade the hardware and software on a computer system.................................52
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................60
References:......................................................................................................................61

List of Figures
Figure 1 The Basic System...............................................................................................5
Figure 2 Computers in Gaming Sector..............................................................................6
Figure 3 Computers in Education......................................................................................7
Figure 4 Computers in Hospital.........................................................................................8
Figure 5 Computers in Banking.........................................................................................9
Figure 6 Computers in Transport.....................................................................................10
Figure 7 Motherboard in the system................................................................................11
Figure 8 RAM in the system............................................................................................12
Figure 9 CPU of the system............................................................................................12
Figure 10 Graphics Card in the system...........................................................................13
Figure 11 Hard Drives in the system...............................................................................13
Figure 12 Application Software........................................................................................15
Figure 13 System Software.............................................................................................16
Figure 14 Keyboard.........................................................................................................17
Figure 15 Speakers.........................................................................................................17
Figure 16 Monitor.............................................................................................................18
Figure 17 Printers............................................................................................................19
Figure 18 Mouse..............................................................................................................20
Figure 19 Unplug of wires from the system.....................................................................28
Figure 20 Tools Used......................................................................................................29
Figure 21 Adapter removal..............................................................................................30
Figure 22 Driver is removed............................................................................................31
Figure 23 CPU fan removal.............................................................................................31
Figure 24 Removal of memory modules.........................................................................32
Figure 25 Removal of Power button................................................................................33
Figure 26 Removal of motherboard.................................................................................34
Figure 27 Case test 1......................................................................................................38
Figure 28 Case Test 2.....................................................................................................39

Figure 29 Case Test 3.....................................................................................................40
Figure 30 Case Test 4.....................................................................................................41
Figure 31 Case test 5......................................................................................................42
Figure 32 Case test 6......................................................................................................42
Figure 33 Case test 7......................................................................................................43
Figure 34 Case Test 8.....................................................................................................44
Figure 35 Case Test 9.....................................................................................................44
Figure 36 Case Test 10...................................................................................................45
Figure 37 Data Backup....................................................................................................47
Figure 38 Updated OS.....................................................................................................48
Figure 39 Driver Updated................................................................................................49
Figure 40 Page Resize....................................................................................................50
Figure 41 Change of Desktop Theme.............................................................................51
Figure 42 Browser Cleaning History................................................................................52
Figure 43 Antivirus Updation...........................................................................................53
Figure 44 Unused Service Disable..................................................................................54
Figure 45 Updation of Window........................................................................................55
Figure 46 Windows GWX notification..............................................................................55
Figure 47 Upgradation Free............................................................................................56
Figure 48 Confirm reserved for windows.........................................................................56
Figure 49 Option of window selection.............................................................................57
Figure 50 Agreement terms.............................................................................................58
Figure 51 Upgradation Process starts.............................................................................58
Figure 52 Graphics upgradation in the system................................................................60
Figure 53 Status confirmation of Graphics......................................................................61

List of Tables
Table 1 Various Computers classification.......................................................................20
Table 2 Director System configuration............................................................................22
Table 3 Manager System Configurations........................................................................23
Table 4 Receptionist System configurations...................................................................24
Table 5 Case Test...........................................................................................................35

Introduction
The increasing demand for the computers in the present world tells us the importance of
computers in almost every sectors especially in the IT companies. So systems need to
be maintained and upgraded for smooth and linear workflow. So there is an
organization SYNERGY, in which director wants the system to be upgraded by the
company. Before proceeding there, a detailed information of computer are given and
their roles and sectors are also defined. As well as comparison is also made between
various computers types.
Apart from this, system design will get introduced to the proper solution in second
section. Also, specification of the system and some case of testing is given in section
third. In the last phase of this assignment, the performance enhancement of the system
is given just by introducing routine maintenance and regular updates in the hardware as
well as the software.

LO1 Understand the function of computer systems
1.1 Explain the role of computer systems in different environments
Computer System:
The combined package of the software as well as the hardware components completely
make up the computer system. The system is consisting of various functional
specifications as well as non-functional specifications configured within the system. It is
an electronic device for the users which can perform lots of tasks and can store very
large amount of data with very high speed and high accuracy. It can perform actions like
an input can be taken, processing of data, storage of useful information, and give a fast
response as an output.
The expanding interest and prevalence made the system very useful for almost every
person in this world. Almost each and every sector is making use of computers at
present time due to its high performance and multitasking nature in a fraction of time.
So in different sector, the role of the computer has been discussed.
Figure 1 The Basic System
Source: (Caresoft, n.d.)

Computer System role in many different Environment:
 Gaming: In the sector of gaming, the system can be used to display the virtual
environment in front of users. Any type of game can be played on the system and
with required configurations.
Figure 2 Computers in Gaming Sector
Source: (Writer, 2016)
 Education: In the sector of education, the requirement of the system is at prior.
As the computers stores very high amount of data and process it in milliseconds
and the manipulation of the data can be done at very high speed. It helps in this
sector by enhancing the learning skills of the students with the improvisation in
the skills of teaching also. Also, online material for studies provided which can be
accessed using internet (Uniassignment, 2017).

Figure 3 Computers in Education
Source: (Apessay, n.d.)
 Hospital: In the sector of the hospital, systems can be used for keeping all the
track record activities taking place in a hospital on daily bases like patients data,
staff members, doctors record, and the visitors. Other than this it helps in various
machine also like ECG and many more.

Figure 4 Computers in Hospital
Source: (Williams, 2017)
 Banking: Banking means management of the money. So to control and manage
money automatic system are required which can perform a various action like
transactions, net banking, account management, and so many with the very high
speed with high accuracy.

Figure 5 Computers in Banking
Source: (Writer, 2017)
 Transport: The fastest growing network is of the transport. Using system, an
individual can have a record of the huge amount of information, traffic can be
analyzed, and booking online, navigation and map reading and so much more
can be done.

Figure 6 Computers in Transport
Source: (Kjeldskov, n.d.)
1.2 Explain the hardware, software and peripheral components of a computer
system
Hardware Part of the desktop:
The computer is the combined package of software and hardware. Therefore, hardware
of computer is the term which can be used to describe the physical hardware which an
individual can actually touch. System hardware includes components like monitor,
mouse, CPU, and keyboard. Also there are some hidden components in the CPU like
hard drive, motherboard, and RAM and so many.
Function and Components of the System:

 Motherboard: It is the heart of any hardware system, which is a planer
consisting of the interconnection of small hardware, making a combined system
to perform various types of actions.
Figure 7 Motherboard in the system
Source: (Macy, 2018)
 RAM: It is also one of the most required components of the system, which stores
the temporary piece of data for various actions performed.