Recap after Mid Term

It's been a great semester. I cannot say that I am 100% confident that I am ready to take the A+ Certification exam, but I will say that I am going to attempt it. That is, as soon as we get the voucher issue worked out with the school. As I attempted to submit this blog and assignment, I was faced with yet another IT dilema. My deadline was last night, but for some reason, my internet kept failing me. Everytime I tried to click on any of my icons, they never loaded. At first I thought I was having issues with my Norton 360 software again, but I soon realized that it was more drastic. Here I am trying to sum up and recap everything that we discussed in the past weeks. After troubleshooting and researching, I finally figured out my problem...Can you believe my cookies were disabled!!! Now, I tried to find a way to blame it on my son but I had to retrace my steps. I remember a class that Dr. Jackson taught regarding optimizing your computer and using the existing equipment and software to achieve better performance with your system. I know I went in on ALL of my computers, including my son's, deleting internet files and cookies as one of the ways to reach better optimization. Doing too much, I must have inadvertently clicked on the wrong setting and disabled ALL of my cookies. I kept checking my security settings, the Privacy and even the Connection tabs. I checked my internet settings and all this time, I had no idea that I had minimal, to now NO access all due to a simple mistake I made. I've vented. Im able to move on now...LOL

Ok, so I corrected the issue. Im now on the internet and I am FINALLY able to turn in my final assignment, and I learned such a valuable IT related, classroom related lesson.

Laptops and the difference between Laptops and Desktops was an intriguing topic. We covered this for about a week and a half because we all, especially me, had so many questions related to this subject. I was completely shocked and suprised to know that the amount of money we spend to be able to carry around a piece of computer equipment with ease, has no relation to the type of computer we have. For example, the main differences between laptops and desktops are: expandability, cost, and functionality. I always assumed that even though I was paying extra for the portability benefit in my laptop, I still had the same capabilities and capacities as my desktop. That is completely false. Yes, we are going to spend more money because the component suppliers have to "shrink" the average size of their products, ex. desktop harddrive is 3.5", a laptop harddrive is 2.5",but I thought it would still have the same speed, the same processor size, and it doesn't. Laptops tend to overheat a whole lot faster than desktops, because their processors are working too fast. A while ago some manufacturers even made some of the beginner laptops with desktop processors, and the processors blew out the motherboards, because the motherboard couldn't handle the power. I wouldn't trade the benefits of my laptop for nothing in the world, but I know going forward that I need to pay close attention to all the things that are foregone, that wouldn't be in a desktop. Finally, laptops only use two types of memory: SoDIMM which is the most common type and MicroDIMM which is the newest model, and is what the new Apple I-Pad uses.

We discussed the OSI model to some degree. We didn't to deep into that because Dr. Jackson taught a Networking + class and some of my classmates, if not ALL of my classmates took that with him. I froze on the final exam about the OSI model but I do remember some key things, and now the good this is I can look in my book!! I kept concentrating on the steps or process for installing an operating system, or replacing an operating sytem, and I couldn't get that out of my head at finals, but all I needed to do was remember one key word: "LAYER"...duh. I kept thinking process, but I knew the Application Layer, the Presentation Layer, and a couple others. Now, I dont remember what each of them do, so I will go to the book for that.
in the order of top to bottom, the layers are:
7. Application Layer - allows users access to the network services. File and Print services operate on this level.
6. Presentation Layer - checks the layout of the data. Data compression, data translation, and encryption is handled at this level
5. Session Layer - controls session applications.
4. Transport Layer - handles the transporting of all packets using TCP/IP
3. Network Layer - data is organized in packets, or chucks of data.
2. Data Link Layer - arranges data into chuncks called frames. I remember hearing of frame relay and read to learn if the two were related. They were.
1. Physical Layer - describes/decides how data is transmitted.

We talked about real word, senario, problem solving examples like, "Computer is running really slow, but it wasn't a couple of months ago", discussing some possible solutions are: toolbars clogging up the memory, too many start up application, etc...

Understanding Printer Types and their processes was covered at length too. Even thought the book didn't really cover trouble shooting printer issues and malfunctions, it did give you a general understanding of the different types. We discussed impact printer, which are printers that use some kind of impact style like an inked ribbon to make an imprint on paper. Daisy wheel being one of the first impact printers. The book also covered Dot-Matrix printers and Bubble Jet printers. The laser printer was covered in great detail and the steps that it goes through: Cleaning, Charging, Writing, Developing, Transferring and finally Fusing.

Power Supply information was covered, helping us all understand how the computer gets its power and what are the standard requirements for the power that's being used. All computers, in the United States, uses power that provided by the power supply. The power supply converts 110V(used in the U.S.) or 220V(used in other countries) from AC (Alternating Current) to DC (Direct Current) voltages. The voltages used for a computer or between: +3.3VDC (Volts Direct Current, +5VDC, -5VDC, +12VDC, -12VDC. Power supplies are rated in watts, which are units of power. We also discussed the old and new different types of power connectors from the P8 and P9 to the Sata power connector.

Overall, I learned a lot in this class, even though I, as well as most others, felt that it should have been a part 1 and part 2...its was a lot of information to learn in 16 weeks. I look forward to taking Network + after this course and EVENTUALLY taking my A+ certification exam, and passing!!!

Class Project (Pop Quiz) Feb. 04, 2010

Building My First Computer. Selecting All of the Parts and Components.

Here is the complete system:

Thermaltake Spedo VI90001W2Z Full-Tower Case - Clear side with 230mm Fan, Top 230mm Fan, Front USB x2, eSATA and Audio Ports, Black
Not only do I like the look of the case, but all of the amenities it offered made it very attractive. For example, It comes with7 external drive bays, 6 internal drive bays, 8 expansion slots, two front USB ports, and 3 fans included (120mm and 140mm.) It also comes with C.R.M.3 which stands for: Cable Routing Management 3 and it makes helps you arrange cables with exclusive plastic covers behind the motherboard, which makes it easier to organize your components and lets the air flow better. It can support up to 8 separate fans.
$209.99



Gateway HD2201 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor - 1680x1050 WSXGA+, 2000:1 Contrast Ratio, HDMI, DVI, VGA, Tilt Mount, HDCP

HDMI, and DVI w/HDCP video signals, flat screen. Tily picture. I didn't want a huge t.v. monitor, I wanted something that's a really nice size, but also something that looks nice on a desktop.

$199.99



Biostar TA790GXE Motherboard & AMD Phenom II X4 945 Quad Core Processor & Sapphire Radeon HD 5750 Video Card Bundle
I chose to purchase the Biostar motherboard bundle not only for cost, but mainly due to the components that it offered. Being fairly new the industry, I wanted a cutting-edge piece of equipment that allowed a lot of room for expansion but I also wasnt sure about all of the things that I needed to help it perform to its best ability or so I decided to go with a bundle of recommended products.
Some of the motherboard and processor features are:
This bundle not only came with a Quad Core Processor but it has a L2 Cache that runs up to 2MB and a L3 Cache that runs up to 6MB, with a Bus speed of 2000MHz. It comes with a fan that's extremely quiet. 1GB of Video built in, and up to a 1066MHz DDR2, but it supports up to DDR5, 16GB of memory supported, but it only allows 4GB per slot. 10 USB ports, a PCIe slot, and it also comes with PS/2 connectors for some older model mouse and keyboard connectors. It also comes with a IDE connector and 4 rear panel USB ports.
The Processor that comes with the bundle is a AMD. Even though I know Intel is the most popular brand of processors, I thought I chose a good procesor for the cost. The bonus feature of this bundle is the Video Card. It supports Windows 7, the Operating System I chose to install, and it also has HDMI support, and support for a highly scalable system.
$389.99


Seagate ST32000542AS Barracuda LP Hard Drive - 2TB, 5900 RPM, 32MB, SATA-3G
Low power consumption (reduced up to 44 percent over other desktop drives), but still delivers great performance. 2 Terabyte drive, SATA interface, transfers data up to 300MB per second.
$189.99


Logitech Cordless Desktop MK700 Keyboard - Mouse, Palm Rest, 2.4 GHz, Hyper Fast Scrolling
The keyboard and mouse bundle saved costs and it also saved space because I only need one USB connection for the two devices. It has a hyper fast scrolling feature which makes accessing game menus a easier and user friendly. It also comes with a built in keyboard rest that argonomically built for comfort.

$99.99





AMD Phenom II X4 945 Quad Core Processor HDX945FBGIBOX - 3.00GHz, 6MB Cache, 2000MHz (4000 MT/s) FSB, Retail, Socket AM3, Processor with Fan
(already included in bundle price)

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32BIT Operating System Software - OEM DVD

I chose the Professional edition of Windows 7 because it gave me more bang for my buck. My computer set up is correct because I made sure the 32 Bit Operating System was supported with the system I built. The installation requirements were 1GHz or faster 32 bit processor, I have a 3GHz system, DirectX 9 graphics device which is supported with the Sapphire Video Card that i purchased, and lastly at least 1GB of RAM (32bit) or 2GB RAM (64 bit) and I have a dual channel 4GB of RAM so I knew I wouldn't max out my system but still be able to have a very functioning system that can handle all of my components that I've purchased.
$149.99

OCZ SLI-Ready Dual Channel 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2x2048MB)
800MHz speed, 4GB, Dual channel, DIMM socket, 240 pin count, DDR2 type.
$111.99

Complete System Price: $1351.93
***There were a lot of rebates out there on some of the items (components) I chose, but I put the original price instead of the sale price.***

I made sure all of the components I seleted fit the motherboard, space requirements, and design set up. If only I could afford such a thing. I think gamers would appreciate this set up, even though there were so many higher end models. I wanted to reach a little above my scope but not get unrealistic, since I was building this for me.

What do you think???

Class Discussion: January 28, 2010

In our lab we added an second optical drive and had to set the different settings to master and slave. I am having a problem, as I have always, trying to figure out why these new technilogical devices have to have such a negative reference and implication, but I'm going to leave that alone. Back to the disucssion at hand.

Our lab was divided into groups and together we were able to connect the devices as well as the settings. Everyone in the group did their individual parts to succesfully connect our devices.
First, we had to open the motherboard. We took all precautionary steps to avoid any damage to the machine or the motherboard and its components. Once we opened up the case we placed the optical drive, a CD-RW drive, in the appropriate spot. The tower we were using allowed for up to 4 devices. We already had a DVD/CD-RW drive connected to our tower that was set to the Master setting by a jumper. A jumper designates the appropriate settings on the back of the device you are connecting. We connected the device using an IDE cable that allowed for two connections. We used the additional connector on the cable to connect our CD-RW drive. We then used another jumper to set our secondary device to ughhhhh...s-l-a-v-e! Ok, I did. I typed it. I'm moving on now. LOL. On our device, our secondary setting was the 2nd positon, out of three. I'll back it up for a minute. There are three different setting avaiable for connecting additional devices such as a Hard Drive and Optical Drives. The three options are:
1. Master
2. Slave
3. Cable Select
With this option the Cable actually recognizes the position of the devices automatically. It knows when to set which device as master or slave. There are two cable/connection options for optical drives.
1. IDE
2. SATA
We checked our connections by powering on the unit. We orginally had a little difficulty connecting, but our instructor showed us a technique we'll learn learn later in the semester that listens for a certain type of beep combination to test what might be wrong. The instuctor took out our memory card, our RAM, and realized that it wasn't sitting in the DIM correctly. Once he showed us that, it was corrected and we powered back on succesfully. Our instructor also showed us a different way of checking our settings to make sure we configured everything correctly. Once you turn on the tower, connecting it of course to a monitor and a power supply, wait for the Operating System prompt to pop up (or around that time) on your computer will tell you the key to press to get into the internal set up system.
This exercise is benefical both in personal computing as well as business solutions. Being able to enhance and add to existing machines.

Exercises: 3.3 and 5.1

Exercise 3.3: Degaussing a CRT Monitor

**You can only degauss a CRT monitor** If you want to reduce the magnetic field of an object. You cant reduce the magnetic field entirely, so you can only attempt to reduce it some.** There may be times that you need to degauss your monitor. For instance, if you have a glare on the monitor you can degauss the magnetic field.

The steps to degauss the monitor are fairly simple. Once the monitor is powered on, the steps are as followed:
1. Press the menu button in front of the Monitor. There are 4 buttons in a circle and then one by itself, on the far right. Make sure to press that button.

You will notice a screen shot that displays a menu of results. The monitor will automatically detect the type of signal that it being received from the graphics adapter. It detects the refresh rate.

2. Select the Extra Controls sub menu by using the up and down arrow keys.
3. Once you press the menu button, the degauss option is already selected. If your CRT needs degaussing, you will hear a distinctive noise and you will also see the image distorting.

The next exercise deals with Printers. Exercise 5.1 covers: Identifying the Parts of a Bubble-Jet Printer.

This is a very helpful tool but a technician should be able to know the difference between the different types of printers. Not only that, once the type is identified, individual parts can then be pointed out within the different types of printers. In this example, we are identifying parts in an inkjet, also called a Bubble-Jet printer.

Class Discussion: January 14, 2010: Expansion Slots

Recap from Previous Week.

Class Discussion: Expansion Slots and Devices Required for Set-Up

Expansion slots allow devices to be added to enhance the functionality of the computer. This helps every day life for example, if you notice your USB drive doesn't work and your computer only has one of them, you can add an expansion slot that accomodates USB connections to the motherboard.

There are several different kinds of slots available. The main slots are:
1. PCI - non video, 32 bits (found in Pentium class products)
2. AGP - Video only, (Accelerated Graphics Port) - ususally Brown but it comes in different sizes.
3. PCIe - for video and non video slots. It has a faster technology - 64bits. Uses lanes to switch through components. It doesn't share bandwidth so it can push data faster.
4. AMR - (Audio modem riser) common on Intel. 46 pins. Converts audio from the modem to a digital signal.
5. CNR
6. ISA - 16 bits

Another example, if you ripped your intergrated video card from its motherboard, you can buy a Video slot, a AGP or a PCIe expansion slot.

**Know the size and slot of the expansion slot. There are two sizes:
1. 5v
2. 3.3
**Make sure the size and type od your expansion slot is compatible.

The slots come in different bit sizes: 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x, 32x.
1x, 4x, and 16x are the most common.
8x is the least common.

Remember 8 bits make a byte.
Ex. AGP has 32 bits. It may also say 4B. This is because it passes over 4 characters at 1 time.
32(bits)/8(bits) = 4 (bytes)

Class Date: January 19, 2010

Tuesday's class assignment was based on the different form factors that are used with computers as well as the different motherboards.

Form Factors:
In electronics, the form factor of an alternating current waveform (signal) is the ratio of the RMS (Root Mean Square) value to the average value (mathematical mean of absolute values of all points on the waveform).
There are different values when it comes to an analog wave and a digital wave.
You need to understand the different form factors because they are used daily with computer technicians. When technicians and also end users learn to build desktops, they have to stay mindful of the different types and sizes of the Form Factors available.

Form factor refers to the size and shape of a motherboard. Read more about motherboard form factors.

Motherboard varieties:
1. AT (no longer manufactured)
2. ATX
3. Mini ATX
4. NLX (no longer used. used with riser/daughterboards)
5. ITX

Form factors ensure that parts are interchangeable across competing vendors and generations of technology. Form factors normally determine the size of the case.

Homework Assignment: Changing the Refresh Rate.

During our first day of class, Professor Jackson discussed all the of objectives of the A+ Certification class. We covered a lot of the motherboard components and even went over some different types of motherboards.

Our homework assignment was over Exercises 3.1 and 3.3 from the CompTIA A+ Certification manual.

3.1 Changing the Refresh Rate in Windows Vista. I didn't have Vista on my home computer so I had to wait until I went to work to do the exercise. I immediately noticed a difference as soon as I right clicked on the desktop. I had always been used to seeing Properties as an option instead of Personalize.

Personalize is a new option that allows users to adjust their monitors display settings. You can set several refresh rates. It even allows you the ability to set rates that may or may not be compatible with your monitor, so you want to make sure you know what works best.

The book states that the refresh rate is a scan frequency that scans vertically and it specifies how many times in one second the scanning beam of electrons redraws the screen in CRTs.

The steps were quite simple and it didn't take long to change them using a drop down menu of predetermined rates that are stored in hertz frequency.

Now to the Multimonitor. Whenever the need calls for more than one monitior hooked up to the same computer, the term is called Multimonitor. You may have a need to change the resolution and possibly the built in display.

For both options the process is a simple click process. You can choose to identify 1 or 2 monitors.

Exercise 3.3 Discussed Degaussing a CRT Monitor.

Degaussing is caused by reducing the magnetic field of an object. You can never fully neutralize an object's magnetic field, so all you can count on is reducing it. Electron beams guide through magnetic fields but LCD's do not. You can only degauss a CRT, never a LCD.

Degaussing:

Step 1: Attach a CRT to a working computer system and power on the monitor.

Step 2: Press the menu button on the front panel of the CRT cabinet.

-A menu will pop up that shows the results. The monitor will automatically detect the signal that is being receiving from the graphics adapter.-

Step 3: Use the up and down arrow keys on the front panel of the CRT to select the Extra Controls menu item.

Step 4: Press the menu button on the front panel to select the Extra Controls sub menu, shown here.

The final step, Step 5: Press the menu button on the front panel of the CRT because the Degauss menu item is already selected.

-There's a distinctive degaussing noise that you will hear to confirm the process. You will also notice some image distortion.