How To Set Up A Standalone Computer System: Undertake routine maintenance tasks on a standalone computer system

Undertake routine maintenance tasks

Organisation and naming of files

Having a properly organized file structure is important so that any needed files can be located easily without having to do much searching, this can potentially save a lot of time looking for files since you would know exactly where to look when searching for the file needed. An example of proper file organisation is how i have my year 1 work structured. In my year 1 work folder, there is a sub-folder for each individual unit, and inside those the files are named properly (eg. Unit 16 Assignmment 2 - P3).

Back-up procedures

Backing up data is important so that nothing important is lost if something happens to the data saved on your computer (eg. corruption, physical hard drive damage). There are two methods to backing up data; online and offline. Online, data can be backed up by using cloud storage through things such as Google Drive, Skydrive, or Dropbox, all three of these can be accessed online through a web browser and will hold a considerable amount of data free of charge. Cloud storage can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, and is extremely reliable.

Offline, data is backed up on things such as USB drives, CD ROMs, external hard drives, and extra internal hard drives. The advantage of using offline back ups is that hardware like external hard drives and USB sticks can be taken with you and connected to any computer with a compatible port.

To back up data offline, you simply connect an external storage device, open it in windows explorer, and drag over any files you want to backup.

Dragging the file over to the backup drive

The file is now on the backup drive

Deleting temporary files

Removing temporary files is an important thing to do as it frees up wasted hard drive space.
To remove temporary files, you can use the built in disk cleaner feature, which deletes all unimportant temporary files for you. To access disk cleaner, you open "My Computer", right click on the C; drive, and clicked properties, from here click "cleanup disk" and select the temp files check box, and then run.

C Drive Properties

Disk cleanup

Defragmentation

Defragmentation is an important process which helps ensure your computer is running fast by ordering the files on the hard drive. To defragment your computer, you need to first open the disk defragmenter by searching for "disk defragmenter" in the start menu. Once you have the disk defragmenter open, you must select the drive you want to defrag (usually C;) and then just click the defragment disk button and let the computer get on with it. Defragging may take some time depending on how long it has been since it was last defragged or how many files are on the drive being defragged.

Windows Disk Defragmenter

Cleaning Computer

Cleaning your computer is an important part of routine maintenence, as it keeps the computer from overheating and makes sure everything stays cool. Most computer fans will have a dust filter which will clog up over time, so this should be cleaned out regularly to stop overheating. The fins on the fans should also be cleaned to make sure there is as little dust as possible.

Attached to the side panel

Before cleaning

Dust filter detached

Cleaned and put back together

Reattached to the side panel

Replacing consumables

Replacing consumables is an important thing to know how to do, so that you can replace printer ink and paper when it runs out. Replacing consumables is usually quite simple, involving little work. To refill printer paper, simply take some correctly sized printer paper and slot it in to the printers paper tray, the location of the paper tray depends on the printer, although it is usually on the back.

Replacing damaged components

When a computer component gets damaged and is not functional, it must be replaced for the computer to function properly. for example, if a PC fan stops working completely, it should be replaced as soon as possible due to the risk of overheating which can lead on to more damaged components.

Here i will demonstrate how to replace an internal hard drive.

First, Unscrew the hard drive and disconnect any wires connected to it. Pay attention to where the connected wires were as you will be connecting them to the new hard drive.