Module

Judiel meguiel t. mescallado

Grade 12-(steve jobs)
 c.o.c
is divided into 4 areas wich is

required to as c.o.c

(certificate of completely)

You cannot proceed to the next

c.o.c until you complete the task

c.o.c 1

installing computer system and network

basic parts of computer system
basic parts of a computer are the system unit, monitor, keyboard

and mouse. Printers, loud speakers, microphone and camera

are called peripherals.

Disable/assemble desktop computer

Computer System | Source

Parts of Computer System

The computer system is made up of following external
devices:

 CPU Cabinet
 Monitor
 Keyboard
  Mouse
 Printer/scanner [if attached]

switch off the power supply and detach power

cable | Source

remove the CPU cabinet cover

detach internal cables | Source

uninstall internal cards

remove CD/DVD drives | Source

remove RAM | Source

Disassembling the computer system
Detach the power cable:

The disassembling of the computer system starts with externally connected device
detachment. Make sure the computer system is turned off, if not then successfully shut
down the system and then start detaching the external devices from the computer
system. It includes removing the power cable from electricity switchboard, then
remove the cable from SMPS (switch mode power supply) from the back of the CPU
Cabinet. Do not start the disassembling without detaching the power cable from the
computer system. Now remove the remaining external devices like keyboard, mouse,
monitor, printer or scanner from the back of CPU cabinet.

Remove the Cover:

The standard way of removing tower cases used to be to undo the screws on the back
of the case, slide the cover back about an inch and lift it off. The screwdrivers as per
the type of screw are required to do the task.

Remove the adapter cards:

Make sure if the card has any cables or wires that might be attached and decide if it
would be easier to remove them before or after you remove the card. Remove the
screw if any, that holds the card in place. Grab the card by its edges, front and back,
and gently rock it lengthwise to release it.

Remove the drives:

Removing drives is easier. There can be possibly three types of drives present in your
computer system, Hard disk drive, CD/DVD/Blue-ray drives, floppy disk drives (almost
absolute now a day). They usually have a power connector and a data cable attached
from the device to a controller card or a connector on the motherboard. CD/DVD/Blue
Ray drive may have an analog cable connected to the sound card for direct audio
output.

The power may be attached using one of two connectors, a Molex connector or a Berg
connector for the drive. The Molex connector may require to be wiggled slightly from
side to side and apply gentle pressure outwards. The Berg connector may just pull out
or it may have a small tab which has to be lifted with a screwdriver.

Now Pull data cables off from the drive as well as motherboard connector. The hard
disk drive and CD/DVD drives have two types of data cables. IDE and SATA cables. The
IDE cables need better care while being removed as it may cause the damage to drive
connector pins. Gently wiggle the cable sideways and remove it. The SATA cables can
be removed easily by pressing the tab and pulling the connector straight back.

Now remove the screws and slide the drive out the back of the bay.

Remove the memory module:

Memory modules are mounted on the motherboard as the chips that can be damaged by
manual force if applied improperly. Be careful and handle the chip only by the edges.
SIMMs and DIMMs are removed in a different way:
remove processor

remove the motherboard | Source

Remove the power supply:

The power supply is attached into tower cabinet at the top back end of the tower. Make
sure the power connector is detached from the switchboard. Start removing the power
connector connected to motherboard including CPU fan power connector, cabinet fan,
the front panel of cabinet power buttons and all the remaining drives if not detached
yet.
Now remove the screws of SMPS from the back of the cabinet and the SMPS can be
detached from the tower cabinet.

Remove the motherboard:

Before removing all the connectors from the motherboard, make sure u memorize the
connectors for assembling the computer if required, as that may require connecting the
connectors at its place. Remove the screws from the back of the motherboard and you
will be able to detach it from the cabinet. Now remove the CPU fan from the
motherboard. The heat sink will be visible now which can be removed by the pulling
the tab upward. Finally, the processor is visible now, which can be removed by the
plastic tab which can be pulled back one stretching it side way.

Assembling the computer system

The assembling of the computer system is exactly the opposite of disassembling
operation. Before starting assembling the computer system, make sure you have
the screws and a screwdriver for those.

The first step for assembling the computer system starts with mounting the
processor on the processor socket of the motherboard. To mount the process, you
don't need to apply any force. The special ZIF (zero insertion force) sockets are
usually used to prevent any damage to the processor pins. Once the processor is
mounted, the heat sink will be attached on top of the processor. The CPU fan is also
attached on top of the heat sink.

Now the motherboard is to be fixed vertically in the tower case and the screws are
fixed from behind of the motherboard.
Now line up the power supply at the top back end of the cabinet and screw it. The
power connectors for motherboard power supply and CPU fan power supply are to
be connected. If the cabinet cooling FAN is required then it is to be screwed at the
back end grill of the cabinet and its power connector is to be connected from SMPS.

Install the CD/DVD drives at the top front end of the cabinet and screw it. Install
the Hard disk drive and floppy disk drive below CD/DVD drive and screw it. Make
sure once screwed there is no vibration in either of the CD/DVD, Hard disk or
Floppy disk drives.

Now select the appropriate data cable and connect one end of the cable to its drive
socket and another end at its appropriate connector on the motherboard. For SATA
hard disk drive or CD/DVD drives use SATA cable and its power cable, else use IDE
data cable. Do the proper jumper settings as per the usage requirement.

It is time now to mount the memory modules on the motherboard by aligning the
RAM to its socket on the motherboard and press it downward. Make sure the side
tab are fixed into the RAM notch. If not, you may still have to press a bit.

Install the internal cards to its socket and attach the cables or power cable to it.
The selection of right socket or slot is required as per the type of socket.

Cover the tower by placing it and pressing towards front side and screw it.

Connect the external devices with CPU at its appropriate socket. It includes mouse
and keyboard at PS2 or USB connectors. Monitor at the video output socket.
Connect the power cable to the back of tower in SMPS. Plug in the power cable to
the electric board.
 Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive

Applies To: Windows Server 2016 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 R2

Essentials, Windows Server 2012 Essentials

You can create a bootable USB flash drive to use to deploy Windows
Server Essentials. The first step is to prepare the USB flash drive by
using DiskPart, which is a command-line utility. For information about
DiskPart, see DiskPart Command-Line Options.

Tip

To create a bootable USB flash drive for use in recovering or reinstalling

Windows on a PC instead of a server, see Create a recovery drive.

For additional scenarios in which you may want to create or use a

bootable USB flash drive, see the following topics:

Restore a full system from an existing client computer backup

Restore or repair your server running Windows Server Essentials

To create a bootable USB flash drive

Insert a USB flash drive into a running computer.

Open a Command Prompt window as an administrator.

Type diskpart.
In the new command line window that opens, to determine the USB flash
drive number or drive letter, at the command prompt, type list disk, and
then click ENTER. The list diskcommand displays all the disks on the
computer. Note the drive number or drive letter of the USB flash drive.

At the command prompt, type select disk <X>, where X is the drive number
or drive letter of the USB flash drive, and then click ENTER.

Type clean, and the click ENTER. This command deletes all data from the
USB flash drive.

To create a new primary partition on the USB flash drive, type create part
pri, and then click ENTER.

To select the partition that you just created, type select part 1, and then
click ENTER.

To format the partition, type format fs=ntfs quick, and then click ENTER.

Important

If your server platform supports Unified Extensible Firmware Interface

(UEFI), you should format the USB flash drive as FAT32 rather than as
NTFS. To format the partition as FAT32, type format fs=fat32 quick, and
then click ENTER.

Type active, and then click ENTER.

Type exit, and then click ENTER.

When you finish preparing your custom image, save it to the root of the
USB flash drive.
 Install Windows Server 2008 R2

Installing Windows Server 2008 is pretty straightforward and is very much like
installing Windows Vista, but I thought I’d list the necessary steps here for
additional information. For those of you who have never installed Vista before, the
entire installation process is different than it used to be in previous Microsoft
operating systems, and notably much easier to perform.

Using Vista’s installation routine is a major benefit, especially for a server OS.
Administrators can partition the system’s hard drives during setup. More
importantly, they can install the necessary AHCI or RAID storage drivers from a
CD/DVD or even a USB thumb drive. Thus, error-prone floppies can finally be sent
to the garbage bin.

Note: Windows Server 2008 can also be installed as a Server Core installation,
which is a cut-down version of Windows without the Windows Explorer GUI.
Because you don’t have the Windows Explorer to provide the GUI interface that you
are used to, you configure everything through the command line interface or
remotely using a Microsoft Management Console (MMC). The Server Core can be
used for dedicated machines with basic roles such as Domain controller/Active
Directory Domain Services, DNS Server, DHCP Server, file server, print server,
Windows Media Server, IIS 7 web server and Windows Server Virtualization virtual
server. For Server Core installations please see my “Installing Windows Server
2008 Core” article.

To use Windows Server 2008 you need to meet the following hardware
requirements:

Component Requirement

Processor • Minimum: 1GHz (x86 processor) or 1.4GHz (x64 processor) •

Recommended: 2GHz or faster Note: An Intel Itanium 2 processor is required for
Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems
Memory • Minimum: 512MB RAM • Recommended: 2GB RAM or greater •
Maximum (32-bit systems): 4GB (Standard) or 64GB (Enterprise and Datacenter) •
Maximum (64-bit systems): 32GB (Standard) or 2TB (Enterprise, Datacenter and
Itanium-based Systems)

Available Disk Space • Minimum: 10GB • Recommended: 40GB or greater Note:

Computers with more than 16GB of RAM will require more disk space for paging,
hibernation, and dump files

Drive DVD-ROM drive

Display and Peripherals • Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor •

Keyboard • Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Upgrade notes:

I will not discuss the upgrade process in this article, but for your general
knowledge, the upgrade paths available for Windows Server 2008 shown in the
table below:

If you are currently running: You can upgrade to:

Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition (R2, Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2)
Full Installation of Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition

Full Installation of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition

Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition (R2, Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2)
Full Installation of Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Edition

Windows Server 2003 Datacenter Edition (R2, Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2)
Full Installation of Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Edition

Follow this procedure to install Windows Server 2008:

1. Insert the appropriate Windows Server 2008 installation media into your DVD
drive. If you don’t have an installation DVD for Windows Server 2008, you can
download one for free from Microsoft’s Windows 2008 Server Trial website.
2. Reboot the computer.

3. When prompted for an installation language and other regional options, make
your selection and press Next.

4. Next, press Install Now to begin the installation process.

5. Product activation is now also identical with that found in Windows Vista. Enter
your Product ID in the next window, and if you want to automatically activate
Windows the moment the installation finishes, click Next.

If you do not have the Product ID available right now, you can leave the box empty,
and click Next. You will need to provide the Product ID later, after the server
installation is over. Press No.

6. Because you did not provide the correct ID, the installation process cannot
determine what kind of Windows Server 2008 license you own, and therefore you
will be prompted to select your correct version in the next screen, assuming you
are telling the truth and will provide the correct ID to prove your selection later
on.

7. If you did provide the right Product ID, select the Full version of the right
Windows version you’re prompted, and click Next.

8. Read and accept the license terms by clicking to select the checkbox and
pressing Next.
9. In the “Which type of installation do you want?” window, click the only available
option – Custom (Advanced).

10. In the “Where do you want to install Windows?”, if you’re installing the server
on a regular IDE hard disk, click to select the first disk, usually Disk 0, and click
Next.

If you’re installing on a hard disk that’s connected to a SCSI controller, click Load
Driver and insert the media provided by the controller’s manufacturer.

If you’re installing in a Virtual Machine environment, make sure you read the
“Installing the Virtual SCSI Controller Driver for Virtual Server 2005 on Windows
Server 2008”

If you must, you can also click Drive Options and manually create a partition on the destination hard
disk.

11. The installation now begins, and you can go and have lunch. Copying the setup files from the DVD to
the hard drive only takes about one minute. However, extracting and uncompressing the files takes a
good deal longer. After 20 minutes, the operating system is installed. The exact time it takes to install
server core depends upon your hardware specifications. Faster disks will perform much faster installs…
Windows Server 2008 takes up approximately 10 GB of hard drive space.

The installation process will reboot your computer, so, if in step #10 you inserted a floppy disk (either
real or virtual), make sure you remove it before going to lunch, as you’ll find the server hanged without
the ability to boot (you can bypass this by configuring the server to boot from a CD/DVD and then from
the hard disk in the booting order on the server’s BIOS)

12. Then the server reboots you’ll be prompted with the new Windows Server 2008 type of login screen.
Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to log in.
 13. Click on Other User.

14. The default Administrator is blank, so just type Administrator and press Enter.

15. You will be prompted to change the user’s password. You have no choice but to press Ok.

16. In the password changing dialog box, leave the default password blank (duh, read step #15…), and
enter a new, complex, at-least-7-characters-long new password twice. A password like “topsecret” is not
valid (it’s not complex), but one like “T0pSecreT!” sure is. Make sure you remember it.

17. Someone thought it would be cool to nag you once more, so now you’ll be prompted to accept the
fact that the password had been changed. Press Ok.

18. Finally, the desktop appears and that’s it, you’re logged on and can begin working. You will be
greeted by an assistant for the initial server configuration, and after performing some initial
configuration tasks, you will be able to start working.

Next, for the initial configuration tasks please follow my other Windows Server 2008 articles found on
the Related Windows Server 2008 Articles section below.

For Official Microsoft information on Windows Server 2008, see the Windows Server 2008 homepage.
How to Install Microsoft Office Software on a Laptop

Related Articles

1Software for a Portable Hard Disk

2Transfer MS Office to a New Computer

3Copy MS Word From a Laptop to a Desktop

4Five Ways to Open Microsoft Word

Installing Microsoft Office on a laptop is no different than installing the software on a desktop or
netbook. Some low-end or older laptops may have smaller hard drives which limits how much data can
be written to disk. In this case, you can set up a customized install to load only the important
applications or features to the laptop, reducing the amount of space Microsoft Office takes up on the
hard drive.

How to Install Microsoft Office Software on a Laptop

A media file stored on a CD or DVD can be played through a computer and a

projector.

Related Articles

Software for a Portable Hard Disk

Transfer MS Office to a New Computer

Copy MS Word From a Laptop to a Desktop

4
Five Ways to Open Microsoft Word

Installing Microsoft Office on a laptop is no different than installing the software

on a desktop or netbook. Some low-end or older laptops may have smaller hard
drives which limits how much data can be written to disk. In this case, you can set
up a customized install to load only the important applications or features to the
laptop, reducing the amount of space Microsoft Office takes up on the hard drive.

1.

Insert the Microsoft Office media disc into the DVD drive. Click "Start" followed by
"Computer." Double-click the disc drive if Windows fails to launch setup
automatically.

2.

Enter your product key when prompted and click "Continue." Read the license
terms and then check "I Accept the Terms of This Agreement." Click "Continue."

3.

Click "Customize." Select the first program or tool from the list and then choose
"Run From My Computer," "Run All From My Computer," "Installed on First Use"
or "Not Available" from the options.

4.

Repeat the previous step for each application or feature. Click "Install Now" to
install Microsoft Office to the laptop.

How to Install Windows 7

Installing Using a Windows installation DVD

Clean Install
A clean install is intended for users who want to freshly install Windows on
their computer (by deleting all of the data on the hard disk and then
installing Windows) or computers that do not have an operating system yet.

1
Enter your computer's BIOS. Turn off the computer that you want to
install Windows on then turn it back on. When the BIOS screen appears or
you are prompted to do so, press Del , Esc , F2 , F10 , or F9 (depending on
your computer’s motherboard) to enter the system BIOS. The key to enter
the BIOS is usually shown on the screen.

2
Find your BIOS's boot options menu. The boot options menu of your BIOS
may vary in location or name from the illustration, but you may eventually
find it if you search around.
If you can't find the boot options menu, search the name of your BIOS (most
likely located in the BIOS menu) online for help.

3
Although this method may vary among computers, the boot options menu is
typically a menu of movable device names where you should set your CD-
ROM drive as the first boot device. It can also be a list of devices that you
can set the order of their boot on. Consult a manual or the internet for help
if you're stuck.

4
Save the changes of the settings. Press the button indicated on the screen or select
the save option from the BIOS menu to save your configuration.

5
Shut off your computer. Either turn off the computer by choosing the shut-down option
in your current operating system, or hold the power button until the computer powers
off.
6
Power on the PC and the insert the Windows 7 disc into your CD/DVD drive.

7
Start your computer from the disc. After you have placed the disc into the disc drive,
start your computer. When the computer starts, press a key if you are asked if you
would like to boot from the disc by pressing any key. After you choose to start from the
disc, Windows Setup will begin loading.
If you are not asked to boot from the disc, you may have done something wrong. Retry
the previous steps to solve the problem.

8
Choose your Windows Setup options. Once Windows Setup loads, you'll be
presented with a window. Select your preferred language, keyboard type, and
time/currency format, then click Next.

9
Click the Install Now button.

10
Accept the License Terms. Read over the Microsoft Software License Terms, check I
accept the license terms, and click Next.

11
Select the Custom installation.
12
Decide on which hard drive and partition you want to install Windows on. A hard
drive is a physical part of your computer that stores data, and partitions "divide" hard
drives into separate parts.
If the hard drive has data on it, delete the data off of it, or format it.
Select the hard drive from the list of hard drives.
Click Drive options (advanced).
Click Format from Drive options.
If your computer doesn't have any partitions yet, create one to install Windows on it.
Select the hard drive from the list of hard drives.
Click Drive options (advanced).
Select New from Drive options.
Select the size, and click OK.

13
Install Windows on your preferred hard drive and partition. Once you've decided on
where to install Windows, select it and click Next. Windows will begin installing.

c.o.c 2

Configure Computer System and

Network

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION
• The way a system is set up, it is the assortment
of components that make up the system.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS RELATED TO

NETWORKS
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING A LADDER
1. Read the labels on the ladder, and follow...

SAFETY RULES WHEN WORKING WITH

CABLES
The tools required to install copper and fiber-optic cable may cause
danger through ...

FIBER OPTIC SAFETY

Fiber-optic cables are useful for communications, but they have
certain hazards:
1. Dangerous chemicals...

CHEMICALS
• The solvents and glues used with fiber optics are
dangerous. You should handle them with
extreme care.

TOOLS
• When working with any tool, safety should
always be your first priority. Any compromise in
safety.

GLASS SHARDS
• The process of cutting and trimming the strands
of fiber-optic cables can produce tiny fragments
of glass.

HARMFUL LIGHT
• Protect your eyes from the harmful light that
may be in the fiber-optic strands.
• The light is a color.

Creating network cables

Sure, you can buy Ethernet cables from the store, but where's the fun in that? If
you want to make custom cable lengths or crossover cables, or repair a broken
connector, why not do it yourself? Here's how.

Before you get started, make sure you have the necessary tools, and decide
whether you're going to use Cat 5e or Cat 6 network cables.

What you'll need:

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) patch cable

Modular connector (8P8C plug, aka RJ45)
Crimping tool
Cable tester (optional, but recommended)

There are four pairs of wires in an Ethernet cable, and an Ethernet connector
(8P8C) has eight pin slots. Each pin is identified by a number, starting from left to
right, with the clip facing away from you.

The two standards for wiring Ethernet cables are T568A and T568B. T568B is the
most common and is what we'll be using for our straight Ethernet cable. The tables
below show the proper orientation of the colored wires to the pins.
 T568A Standard

Pin 1 White/Green

Pin 2 Green

Pin 3 White/Orange

Pin 4 Blue

Pin 5 White/Blue

Pin 6 Orange

Pin 7 White/Brown

Pin 8 Brown

T568B Standard

Pin 1 White/Orange

Pin 2 Orange

Pin 3 White/Green
Pin 4 Blue

Pin 5 White/Blue

Pin 6 Green

Pin 7 White/Brown

Pin 8 Brown
HOW TO MAKE AN ETHERNET CABLE
Purchasing Ethernet cables can be quite
expensive and pre-made lengths are not
always the length you need. Making
Ethernet cables is easy with a box of bulk
Category 5e Ethernet cable and RJ-45
connectors that are attached to the cut ends
of your preferred cable length.

Bulk Ethernet Cable - Category 5e or CAT5e

(You may also use Category 6 or CAT6 cabling which

has higher performance specifications and is about
20% more expensive than CAT5e.)

Bulk RJ45 Crimpable Connectors for CAT-5e

or
Bulk RJ45 Crimpable Connectors for CAT-6

RJ-45 Crimping tool

 There are two kinds of Ethernet cables you can
make, Straight Through and Crossover.

STRAIGHT THROUGH Ethernet cables are the

standard cable used for almost all purposes, and are
often called "patch cables". It is highly recommend you
duplicate the color order as shown on the left. Note
how the green pair is not side-by-side as are all the
other pairs. This configuration allows for longer wire
runs.

CROSSOVER CABLES - The purpose of a Crossover

Ethernet cable is to directly connect one computer to
another computer (or device) without going through a
router, switch or hub.

Here's how to make a standard cable:

Cut into the plastic sheath about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from
the end of the cut cable. The crimping tool has a razor
blade that will do the trick with practice.

Unwind and pair the similar colors.

Pinch the wires between your fingers and straighten them out as shown. The color
order is important to get correct.

Use scissors to make a straight cut across the 8 wires

to shorten them to 1/2 Inch (1.3 cm) from the cut sleeve to
the end of the wires.

Carefully push all 8 unstripped colored wires into the

connector. Note the position of the blue plastic sleeve.
Also note how the wires go all the way to the end.

A view from the top. All the wires are all the way in.
There are no short wires.
 WRONG WAY - Note how the blue plastic sleeve is not
inside the connector where it can be locked into place.
The wires are too long. The wires should extend only
1/2 inch from the blue cut sleeve.

WRONG WAY - Note how the wires do not go all the

way to the end of the connector.

CRIMPING THE CABLE ... carefully place the connector into the Ethernet Crimper and
cinch down on the handles tightly. The copper splicing tabs on the connector will
pierce into each of the eight wires. There is also a locking tab that holds the blue
plastic sleeve in place for a tight compression fit. When you remove the cable from the
crimper, that end is ready to use.

For a standard "Straight Through" cable, repeat all

steps and wire color order on the other end of cable.
For a cross-over cable, the other end will have a
different color order as shown by the crossover
picture above.
 Make sure to test the cables before installing them. An
inexpensive Ethernet cable tester does this quite well.

Ping test in Windows 7

1. Open the Start menu by clicking the orb in the bottom left-hand corner of the
screen.

2. Type “cmd” in the search bar at the bottom of the menu.

3. Click cmd found in the search results for Programs.

4.A black box with a flashing cursor will open; this is the Command Prompt. Type “ping”
and then hit the Space bar on your keyboard.

Type in the address you’d like to ping and then hit the Enter key on your keyboard. Wait
for the ping results.

c.o.c 3
setup computer server
INSTALLING A NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM
In most cases, the best way to install Windows Server 2008 is to perform a new install

directly from the DVD installation media. Although upgrade installs are possible, your

server will be more stable if you perform a new install. (For this reason, most network

administrators avoid upgrading to Windows Server 2008 until it’s time to replace the

server hardware.)

To begin the installation, insert the DVD distribution media in the server’s DVD drive and

then restart the server. This causes the server to boot directly from the distribution media,

which initiates the setup program.

As the setup program proceeds, it leads you through two distinct installation phases:

Collecting Information and Installing Windows. The following sections describe these

installation phases in greater detail.

PHASE 1: COLLECTING INFORMATION

In the first installation phase, the setup program asks for the preliminary information that

it needs to begin the installation. A setup wizard prompts you for the following

information:

Language: Select your language, time-zone, and keyboard type.

Product Key: Enter the 25-character product key that came with the installation media.

If setup says you entered an invalid product key, double-check it carefully. You probably

just typed the key incorrectly.

Operating System Type: The setup program lets you select Windows Server 2008

Standard Edition or Core. Choose Standard Edition to install the full server operating

system; choose Core if you want to install the new text-only version.

License Agreement: The official license agreement is displayed. You have to agree to its

terms in order to proceed.

 Install Type: Choose an Upgrade or Clean Install type.

Disk Location: Choose the partition in which you want to install Windows.

Upgrade to NTFS: If you want to upgrade a FAT32 system to NTFS, you’ll need to say so

now.

PHASE 2: INSTALLING WINDOWS

In this phase, Windows setup begins the actual process of installing Windows. The

following steps are performed in sequence:

1. Copying Files: Compressed versions of the installation files are copied to the server
computer.

2. Expanding Files: The compressed installation files are expanded.

3. Installing Features: Windows server features are installed.

4. Installing Updates: The setup program checks Microsoft’s website and downloads any
critical updates to the operating system.

5. Completing Installation: When the updates are installed, the setup program reboots so it
can complete the installation.

CONFIGURING YOUR SERVER

After you’ve installed Windows Server 2008, the computer automatically reboots, and

you’re presented with the Initial Configuration Tasks Wizard. This wizard guides you

through the most important initial tasks for configuring your new server.

The following list describes the server configuration settings available from this

wizard:

Set the Administrator Password: The very first thing you should do after installing

Windows is set a secure administrator password.

Set the Time Zone: This is necessary only if the indicated time zone is incorrect.

Configure Networking: The default network settings are usually appropriate, but you

can use this option to change the defaults if you wish.

Provide Computer Name and Domain: This option lets you change the server’s

computer name and join a domain.

Enable Automatic Updating: Use this option if you want to let the server automatically

check for operating system updates.

Download and Install Updates: Use this option to check for critical operating system

updates.

Add Roles: This option launches the Add Roles Wizard, which lets you configure

important roles for your server.

Add Features: This option lets you add more operating system features.

Enable Remote Desktop: Use this option to enable the Remote Desktop feature, which

lets you administer this server from another computer.

Configure Windows Firewall: If you want to use the built-in Windows firewall, this

option lets you configure it.

 c.o.c 4
maintaining computer system and networks

Top 10 things you should be doing to maintain your

computer

Everyone loves computers when they work. Everyone screams at them when

they don't. Here's ten ways to keep your computer running smoothly into its old

age. While I can't promise that these tips will keep your computer from ever

having problems, it will at least help prevent them, and make recovery easier

when they do occur.

1. Back up your data.

When was the last time that you backed up your data? Not 'when was the last

time you thought about it', or 'when was the last time you told someone how

important it is', but when was the last time you actually backed up your data?

And how much will you lose if your current hard drive fails right now and you

have to rely on that backup?

Think about that for a second. Now, go create a backup.

If you don't know how, don't have a regular plan, or just want to see what's

new in the field, Consumer Reports has a good overview of the most common

options. Personally, I have very little media on my computer, so I burn my files

to CD once a year or so, and copy files to a flash drive in between. It's quick,

inexpensive, and secure enough for my needs.

Another decent solution is to use a program like Foldershare to synchronise

your files between two computers (even better, two locations).

If you have the opportunity, make a full disk image (a 'snapshot' of your entire

hard drive) immediately after reloading the OS and all your programs. This

gives you a clean starting point to go back to if you need to reload everything

again, and will be much faster than redoing everything manually. Acronis True

Image 11 is good for the job.

2. Clean dust from your computer.

 Computers are some of the most efficient dust collectors known to man. Aside

from looking gross and possibly being an allergy hazard, a dusty computer will

trap heat, which can reduce its performance and lifespan. The easiest way to

clean it is with compressed air - open up the case, take it outside, and blow the

dust out. The exterior of the case can be wiped down with a damp cloth. Be

careful about using household cleaners, as they can easily destroy circuit

boards. For most computers, cleaning once every year or eighteen months

should be adequate.

Beyond just getting the dust out, here are some other steps to

consider: Dust often collects inside the CPU and video card

heatsinks, consider disassembling and cleaning them if you're

comfortable doing so, or at least using compressed air to

specifically blow them out. While the case is open, plug in the

computer and turn it on long enough to make sure all the fans are still spinning.

Replace any that are dead or noisy (a common sign of a worn-out fan). If there

is sticky residue or dirt on the circuit boards, it can be removed with a cotton

swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, which will evaporate cleanly. (Make sure the

computer is unplugged first!) If you're not comfortable with working inside

your computer or suspect your computer has chronic overheating issues, Puget

Systems or another professional repair service can help you out.

 3. Clean up your cabling, and everything else too.

There are probably two things behind your computer: a mess of cables, and dust

bunnies. If you're moving your computer, take the opportunity to clean your

desk and floor as well. While I can't claim that a clean work area will improve

your computer's performance or lifespan, it will certainly improve your peace

of mind, and clean cabling will help prevent snags and stresses on your

computer ports. If you have a lot of peripherals, consider using cable

management of some type. Twist ties work fine, or make a trip to any large

office supply store. You can use a full out cable solution, but even a five dollar

cable wrap can neaten up your desk considerably.

 While you're wiping down your desk, wipe down the monitor too. CRT

screens can be cleaned with any mild glass cleaner, but LCD screens can't
 tolerate it. Use a dampened cloth or a

product specifically made for LCD screens.

 Keyboards can be turned upside down to dump out crumbs and dirt, or keys

can be pried off and the whole assembly cleaned with compressed air. There

are some good step-by-step guides available on Lifehacker. Take a picture

first so you can put the keys back in the right place! If you're feeling

adventurous (or just have a really disgusting keyboard), some people

advocate running it through the dishwasher.

 This is a good time to take a look at where your computer is located. Is there

adequate ventilation? Is the computer out of direct sunlight, and away from

heat sources? What is it plugged in to? There's no excuse for not having a

good surge protector (not just a plastic power strip!), and battery backup

units have become affordable for most users. This will affect the lifespan of

your computer.

 Smoking will make a mess of a computer faster than anything else I know of.

While we at Puget Systems have never seen one quite this bad, we can
 always identify a smoker's computer as soon as we unbox it. Electronics

absorb the smell very easily, and even an all-metal case will retain the odor

after all the components have been removed. Plus, there's usually a layer of

dust and tar on the circuitry that tends to be a giveaway as well. Please, if I

can't convince you to quit smoking all together, at least take it somewhere

away from the computer!

4. Organize your installation disks

Keep software, peripheral, and driver disks in a single location, preferably close

to the computer. A shoebox works fine. Make sure you have them handy before

attempting computer maintenance or repairs - it's amazing what can become

necessary in the middle of a lengthy troubleshooting session, and it is common

to not know what you're missing until you need it!

5. Run antivirus and spyware scans regularly.

This item should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway. Any

computer that is connected to the internet needs to have some

sort of antivirus software. There is a tremendous variety

available, everything from AVG Free to enterprise-level

solutions. Use whichever you like best. Most antivirus software

will monitor the system for threats in real time, so a full daily

scan probably isn't necessary, but do make time to run a full scan every month

at the least.

Some antivirus programs also protect against adware and spyware, but not all.

If yours doesn't, or if you just want an extra layer of

security, AdAware and SpyBot are two of the best known (and free!) products
available. While they may not be as destructive as viruses, adware and spyware

will compromise privacy and slow your computer drastically. Run scans for

them at the same time as your antivirus.

6. Clean up your software.

Every few months, look through the 'Add or Remove Programs' interface that is

found in the control panel. If there's software on there that you don't use any

more, remove it. This goes triple for browser toolbars, free games, and other

resource-eating bits of fluff. Be a little cautious, though - some system drivers

appear in this list, and can cause hardware to stop working if you remove

them.

There's an excellent scanning utility on Steffen Gerlach's website that gives a

graphical representation of the data stored on your hard drive. This will give

you a good idea of just how much room your music collection really takes, or

how much space is going to old games.

7. Clean up your OS

Windows is not the most efficient operating system, and sometimes needs

attention itself. It saves a large amount of unnecessary information, mostly in

the form of 'temporary' files (which never get deleted) lists of recently

performed searches, and the like. There's an excellent program called CCleaner,

which will clear out most of the unneeded data automatically. If you're

interested in further optimizing your OS, there's a wealth of information

available online, including an article on improving XP performance available

here on Puget's website.

8. Update everything
 Check for updates for your hardware and software. This includes

running Windows Updates, checking for updated drivers, and

checking for software patches. The easiest way to find these is to

go to the manufacturer's website, to their support section, and then

look for a 'downloads' section or search for your product's name. If you've been

having problems with a piece of hardware or software, be sure to check for

patches or updates - if other people have been having similar problems, it's

likely the manufacturer has released a fix for it.

The exception to this is motherboard BIOS updates. Flashing a BIOS can be

difficult, and if it's done incorrectly you may need to send the computer for

professional repair to get it working again. If the update was specifically

released to address problems that you've been dealing with, it's probably worth

it. Follow the manufacturer's directions carefully! Otherwise, leave it alone.

9. Defragment

Once your hard drive has been cleaned up, it's a good time to defragment. This

organizes your files, leading to faster disk access times and improved system

performance. The Windows defragmenting tool (Start > All Programs >

Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter) works well, or there's a list of

open source and commercial defragmenting software available on Wikipedia if

you'd rather use something else.

10. Read more articles like this one

Last but not least, continue to read articles like this one, and anything else

computer related that catches your eye. The computer industry is constantly

changing - even if you have the same computer, there will be innovations that
 affect you. At the very least, you'll go into your next computer purchase far

better informed than you would be otherwise.

We at Puget Systems always encourage our customers to learn about computers

in general and their system in particular. Well educated users tend to have

fewer difficulties with their system, and besides, we love computers and think

everyone else should too! Our commitment is to create a computer to meet your

needs and budget, using our experience to assist you every step of the way from

the first visit to our website to tech support calls two years later. We

accomplish this in part through friendly sales and support reps, an informative

website, and publishing articles on a regular basis. Give us a call or email, we'd

love to hear from you!