Task 1 B


Virus protection

Virus protection is software that is designed to work with your existing firewall or maybe installing a firewall of its own. The main purpose of computer security is to stop virus from accessing your computer and possibly damaging files/programs or completely erasing them. Virus can and most probably will slow down your computer and the common sign of viruses are pop ups witch can get very annoying. Viruses can come from many different places mainly from the internet via E-mail or possibly some web pages with are not trusted and should be blocked by your firewall’s.

Schedule a full system scan- weekly

Scheduling a full scan on a weekly basses will keep your computer from getting affected by any viruses and deleting or quarantine the virus so it will not affect the system. This will also make the computer run smother and faster with out getting attacked by viruses.


Install service pack 2 patches for windows XP

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides new proactive security technologies for Windows XP to better defend against viruses, worms, and hackers. In addition to a more robust security infrastructure, SP2 improves the security configuration options of Windows XP and provides better security information to help users faced with security decisions.


Clean-up tools- defragment hard drive

Defragmenting your hard drive will free up space on the hard drive and make the system run a lot faster, it will also move all the other data on the hard drive together so it will be easer and quicker to find and load.

Drive formatting

Formatting a drive is just like putting a reference grid in place so it is easer for your computer to find and access the folder/file you wish to access.








Install and run a firewall

Once you have installed the firewall you can customize your firewall by blocking access to other people and stop them from accessing your computer and files unless you allow access to certain people that u wish to view your files you could also install a password. Firewalls can work both ways not just blocking people from accessing your data but also u can also block certain web pages, files and areas in your computer from your access or install a password only access.

Create folders

Creating a folder is a simple thing to do; a folder is a place where you can store your work in separate folders so it makes it easer for you to find.

Copy and delete files

You can copy files to make a duplicate copy of the selected file folder ect..
Deleting a folder/file will erase it from view and use but it will always be on your hard drive.


Back-up to CD using compression software

Backing-up your computer is simply making a copy of your folders and files in case they are lost or damaged. It is always a good idea to back-up your files because some viruses and files you download could affect your files possibly damaging them or erasing them completely. Some virus protecting programs automatically back-up your files to CD’s on a scheduled basses.




Task 1C


· Disk defragmenters. Examples include a disk defragmenter which can detect computer files whose contents have been not stored on the hard disk in disjointed fragments, and move the fragments together to increase efficiency; a disk checker can scan the contents of a hard disk to find files or areas that are corrupted in some way, or were not correctly saved, and eliminate them for a more efficiently operating hard drive; a disk cleaner can find files that unnecessary to computer operation, or take up considerable amounts of space. Disk cleaner helps the user to decide what to delete when their hard disk is full.

· System profilers. A system profiler can provide detailed information about the software installed and hardware attached to the computer. Backup software can make a copy of all information stored on a computer, and restore either the entire system (e.g. in an event of disk failure) or selected files (e.g. in an event of accidental deletion). Disk compression software can transparently compress the contents of the hard disk, in order to fit more information to the drive.

· Virus scanners. Virus scanners scan for computer viruses among files and folders.

· Binary/hex/text Editor utility directly modify the text or data of a file without the WYSIWYG view in editor suites. These files could be data or an actual program.

· Archive utilities output a stream or a single file when provided with a directory or a set of files. Archive utilities, unlike archive suites, usually do not include compression or encryption capabilities. Some archive utilities may even have a separate un-archive utility for the reverse operation.

· Compression utilities output a shorter stream or a smaller file when provided with a stream or file.

· Encryption utilities use a specific algorithm to produce an encrypted stream or encrypted file when provided with a key and a plaintext.

· Application launchers provide a convenient access point for application software. See comparison of applications launchers.

· Registry cleaners clean and optimize the windows registry by removing old registry keys that are no longer in use. See registry cleaner.

· Network managers - programs that check your network, log events and check data transfer.

· System Utilities - Utility programs that provide a convenient method of performing routine data management tasks, such as deleting, renaming, cataloging, uncataloging, moving, copying, merging, generating and modifying data sets, particularly used on mainframe computers such as IBM mainframe utility programs.


Task 2

Firewalls

Firewalls are normally either included with the operating system or included with your security software and can be downloaded off the Internet. Firewalls are used to stop other people accessing your computer and files and can also be used to stop you from entering web sites and other programme witch you chose to block.

Virus protection

The main purpose of computer security is to stop virus from accessing your computer and possibly damaging files/programs or completely erasing them. Virus can and most probably will slow down your computer and the common sign of viruses are pop ups witch can get very annoying. Viruses can come from many different places mainly from the internet via E-mail or possibly some web pages with are not trusted and should be blocked by your firewall’s.

Drive formatting
Formatting a drive is just like putting a reference grid in place so it is easer for your computer to find and access the folder/file you wish to access.
They are used to help your computer run smother and faster and so that the computer can Easley identify your work.

Task 4

I have research four suitable computers that are up to the spec needed, I am going to compare them to find out witch is the best value for money.
The organisation has received a donation of £2500 to purchase a new computer system.
I am going to focus on five key points and compare them against the specification.
· Computer system
· Operating System
· Internet
· Software
· Hardware

1) Dell XPS One (£999.97)

· INTEL CORE 2 DUO PROCESSOR E6550
· Windows Vista Ultimate Operating-System
· 320GB Hard Drive
· 4GB Memory
· Multi-Format Dual Layer DVD Re-Writer Drive

2) Sony VGC-LM2E T8100 (£799.99)

· Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 Processor
· (2.1GHz, 800MHz FSB, 3MB Cache)
· Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium
· 2GB DDR2 Memory
· 320GB Hard Drive
· Dual Layer DVD Rewriter

3) Philips HEPC9602 (£899.99)

· Intel® Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor
· (2.4GHz, 1066MHZ FSB, 8MB Cache)
· Windows Vista Home Premium
· 2GB DDR2 667MHz memory
· 500GB SATA hard drive (7200rpm)
· 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS graphics
· Dual Layer DVD Rewriter




4) HP Touch Smart IQ500

· Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 Processor
· (2.2GHz, 667MHz FSB, 2MB Cache)
· Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium
· 22" Touch screen display
· 4GB memory
· 500GB hard drive
· Dual Layer DVD Rewriter

The computer system I have chosen is the Dell XPS One. It costs £999.97 Inc VAT, it has a Intel core 2 duo processor this is compatible with windows latest operating system, Vista.The Computer system comes with an integrated hard drive and comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse.
The speed of the computer depends on the amount of memory, the more the better, and the XPS One has 4GB witch means it will run at a very high speed and will accesses programs and files much quicker. High speed data transfer link for digital video and other media. Ideal for quickly downloading video images from a camcorder to PC.
The graphics card enables the computer system to load more complex detailed pictures and software in a reduced amount of time. The graphics card that comes with this computer is the 1.5GB NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600.The XPS One comes with the standard internal audio system as well as the standard sound card. It also comes with 6 USB slots for various functions such as memory sticks, printer/scanner, wireless keyboards and mouse.

The operating system that I have chosen to use is Windows Vista Ultimate and it also has all the updates such as Service Pack 1 available. I have chosen windows because many more programs are compatible with Windows than other operating systems such as Mac. Windows is a much more common than any other operating system so it it more likely the staff will know how to use it. Windows vista ultimate is much more advanced than Windows Vista Basic and is suited to a business because it has automatic file restore that allow you to undo accidentally saved documents or corrupted documents. You can back-up everything on the hard drive so that if the business loses everything they can restore it all. Windows Vista Ultimate costs £229.99 but has many benefits.
I have chosen o2, 20 mb fibre optic service I have researched all other internet providers and I have found that this is the best deal. The Package includes:
20 MB internet
£20 a month
Free o2 wireless router
Free set up
Free 24 hour help line
1.6meg download speed
Unlimited downloads
Personal e-mail address
Free McAfee security (1 year)

Software
Microsoft office professional
I have chosen to use Microsoft office professional 2007 because it is compatible with the operating system that I have chosen and is the best package for the company as it has all the packages required and more.
Suite Includes:
• Microsoft Office Access 2007
• Microsoft Office Excel 2007
• Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager
• Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
• Microsoft Office Publisher 2007
• Microsoft Office Word 2007

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2

Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 is packed with editing tools to help you get professional looking photos fast. It enables you to retouch photos, remove shadows & reflections, and apply automatic dodging, burning and much more.

* Professional-Looking Photos Fast
* Wide Selection Of Photo-Editing Features
* Erase Shadows, Glows & Reflections
* Easy-To-Use Retouching Tools
* Add Watermarks To Photos
* Express Lab
* Apply Automatic Dodging and Burning

Macromedia Flash
Macromedia Flash can be used to bring static web sites to life by adding interactivity to static web pages. Common uses for Macromedia Flash are website introductions which are called flash intros, animated buttons, animated navigational menus and animated advertisements on web pages.
Features:
Tool for creating effective, rich content across desktops and devices
Accelerate projects while maintaining a high degree of creative control
Jumpstart projects with templates & components, and take advantage of the online resource library
Speed workflow by directly importing media, including digital video, PDF and EPS files


The specification given to me by the organisation requires me to buy scanner out of the £2500 budget. I thought the best idea would be to not just get a scanner and get an all-in-one printer.

I have chosen the HP DeskJet F2280 All-in-One Printer
· Print, Copy, Scan
· Maximum Print Resolution - 4800 x 1200 dpi
· Normal Print Speed - 20ppm b&w /14ppm colour
· Standalone Copying - Yes
· Number of Cartridges - 2 Individual Inks
· Connectivity - USB 2.0



Computer: £999.97
All in one printer: £59.99
Software packages: £469.97
Internet: £20 a month.

IT course work due 22/09/08

System unit components

Processors and options:
The central processing unit (the CPU is housed in a single chip called a microprocessor) is considered the brain of the computer. It is sometimes referred to as the processer. Most calculations take place in the CPU. In terms of computing power the CPU is the most important element of the computer system. Instructions are stored in cash memory the CPU fetches decodes and executes the instructions.
Two typical components of a CPU are the following:
The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations. Abbreviation of arithmetic logic unit, the part of a computer that performs all arithmetic computations, such as addition and multiplication, and all comparison operations. The ALU is one component of the CPU(central processing unit).

The control unit (CU), which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary. Control unit, is a typical component of the CPU that implements the microprocessor instruction set. It extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, and sends the necessary signals to the ALU to perform the operation needed. Control Units are either hardwired (instruction register is hardwired to rest of the microprocessor) or micro-programmed.

Motherboard:
The motherboard is the main printed circuit board and contains the buses, or electrical pathways. Found in a computer. These buses allow data to travel between the various components that comprise a compute. A motherboard is also known as the system board, the backplane, or the main board.
The motherboard consists of the central processing unit (CPU), RAM, expansion slots, heat sink/fan assembly, BIOS chip, chip set, and the embedded wires that interconnect the motherboard components.


BIOS:
One of the most common uses of Flash memory is for the basic input/output system of your computer, commonly known as the BIOS.
The BIOS software has a number of different roles, but its most important role is to load the operating system. When you turn on your computer and the microprocessor tries to execute its first instruction, it has to get that instruction from somewhere. It cannot get it from the operating system because the operating system is located on a hard disk, and the microprocessor cannot get to it without some instructions that tell it how to do it.
Whenever you turn on your computer, the first thing you see is the BIOS software doing its thing, you may also see BIOS displaying information such as amount of memory.

Power supply:
If there is any one component that is absolutely vital to thecomputer, it is the power supply. Without it, the computer would not work. The power supply converts the alternating current (AC) line from your home to the direct current (DC) needed by the personal computer.
Today the power source we use is an ATX-based power supply.


Fan and heat sink:
The fan is activated when the computer system reaches a certain temperature and cools down the system to prevent overheating and any damage.
These can be located in the front and the back of the computer casing and can also be on the actual processor.

Internal memory (RAM, ROM, cache):
ROM
Read-only memory (ROM) these chips are located on the motherboard. The ROM chips contain instructions that can be directly accessed by the CPU.
Basic instructions for starting up the computer and loading the operating system are stored in ROM. ROM chips retain their contents even when the computer been turned off and has no power running through it.

RAM
Random access memory (RAM) is the temporary storage for data and programs that are being accessed by the CPU. RAM is volatile memory, which means that the contents is lost when the computer is shut down and has no power going to it.
The more RAM computer the computer has, the more capacity the computer has to hold and process large programs and files, and it also increases the system performance.



Operating systems Windows Vista and Windows XP

Vista
Vista is very resource hogging and requires a lot of ram and a good CPU. Windows vista is only good if u have at least one GB of RAM and a good graphics card. Vista is a better option as vista home premium comes with an inbuilt multimedia system it also has Sophisticated graphics. Windows vista has Improved security so it is more secure than XP security it also has better search and organization tools, it is easer to access information and applications it also has Improved system tools for backups, updates, and more

Windows XP is a better option for gaming. Windows XP is faster in gaming and running application. XP Home has several benefits over earlier versions of Windows like 95, 98. XP Home is generally more stable than previous versions, and the new interface used in XP Home makes XP easier for most people to use.One key benefit of XP Home over earlier versions of Windows is improved security. The Windows Security Center, Automatic Updates, and the Windows Firewall are all new in XP. They all help to ensure a safer computer, particularly when online.