Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
National Capital Region

SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE - MARIKINA CITY

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM

Learning Strand 6- DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Name:_____________________________________ Level: AE/JHS Date: _________

Potential Problems of Desktop Computers

I. Learning Objective:
Identify the different potential problems of a desktop computer
 Computer Viruses
 Hardware Malfunctions
 Software Issues
ALS Code: LS6-DC-DO-PSB-JHS-5 ( p-254)

II. Pre-assessment

Encircle nine (9) words inside the box which you consider as potential problems of
desktop computers.

Blank monitors Broken Keyboard

Hardware ILOVEU
Inadequate Security Controls Keyboard
Slammers Strange Noise
Trojan Virus
II. Learning Concepts
Potential Problems of Desktop Computers
A. Computer Viruses
A computer virus is a type of computer program that, when executed,
replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its own code.
When this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be "infected" with
a computer virus. 
(Source:https://www.google.com/search?
ei=Dx3xX7nPNyGr7wPsIWCQA&q=A+computer+virus+is+a+type+of+comput
er+program+that%2C+when+executed
%2C+replicates+itself+by+modifying+other+&oq)

The Most Famous Computer Viruses

1. Cryptolocker Virus-is a malware threat that gained notoriety over the last
years. It is a Trojan horse that infects your computer and then searches
for files to encrypt. This includes anything on your hard drives and all
connected media — for example, USB memory sticks or any shared
network drives.

2. Ransomware -is a malicious software that infects your computer and

displays messages demanding a fee to be paid in order for your system to
work again. It has the ability to lock a computer screen or encrypt
important, predetermined files with a password.

3. ILOVEYOU Virus -is a computer virus (or) worm. It's spread through an

email with a subject line that said “I love you” in 2000. ILOVEYOU is one
of the most well-known and worst computer viruses of all time. ILOVEYOU
was so effective it actually held the Guinness World Record as the most
‘virulent’ virus of all time. A viral virus, by all accounts. Two young Filipino
programmers, Reonel Ramones and Onel de Guzman, were named as
the perps but because there were no laws against writing malware, their
case was dropped and they went free.

4. Storm Worm Virus - was a Trojan horse that infected computers,

sometimes turning them into zombies or bots to continue the spread of the
virus and to send a huge amount of spam mail.

Tip: Never open a link in an email unless you know exactly what it is.
5. Anna Kournikova was a computer worm that spread on the internet
worldwide. It was devised by a 20-year-old Dutch student Jan de Wit –
who called himself "OnTheFly" – on February 11, 2001. It was designed to
trick email users into clicking to open a mail message file appearing to
 provide an image of the professional tennis player of the same name,
while actually hiding a malicious program. 
6. Slammer- The SQL slammer worm is a computer virus (technically, a
computer worm) that caused a denial of service on some Internet hosts
and dramatically slowed down general Internet traffic, starting at 05:30
UTC on January 25, 2003.

7. Stuxnet -is a computer worm that was originally aimed at Iran's nuclear

facilities and has since mutated and spread to other industrial and energy-
producing facilities. The original Stuxnet malware attack targeted the
programmable logic controllers (PLCs) used to automate machine
processes.

8. Trojan - A Trojan horse or Trojan is a type of malware that is often

disguised as legitimate software. Trojans can be employed by cyber-
thieves and hackers trying to gain access to users' systems.

Hardware Malfunction
A hardware malfunction within the electronic circuits or
electromechanical components (disks, tapes) of a computer system.

1. Blank monitors

A blank monitor is the most common computer problem. Most people who
work with computers might have dealt with such a non-working blank monitor at
least once. In such cases, first and foremost is to check the supply cord and
power systems. Sometimes, the video cable might be loosened. Just push the
video cable and place it again, it should help you now.

2. Mouse Problem
The most common problems related to the mouse include failure to move,
connection problems, freezing on the screen, or damage to the mouse.

Jumpy Mouse

Jumpy Mouse! Sounds strange right?  Actually, a jumpy mouse is just a

muted mouse i.e. cannot be scrolled. If you have a track and ball mouse, then
simply turn it over and open the ball container, and remove the excess debris
and clean the dirt that lines the rollers. For an optical mouse, eliminate the dust
that has collected around the optical sensor.
3. PC won’t recognize my USB camera
In this case, even when you connect your USB camera, your PC might not
be able to recognize it and hence throw errors like “Device not recognized” error.
This might be due to the USB connector problems or the software
malfunctioning. Before plugging in the camera, turn it on. This action can usually
solve your problem.

4.Keyboard Problems

Keyboard is a vital part of any computer. It not only allows typing, but it
also gives commands as well. However, you might encounter some common
potential problems with the keyboard that includes keyboards that will not
connect to the computer, stuck keys, broken keyboards, or keyboards where the
letters end up jumbled.

5. Power Cord Problems

Whether it is a laptop or a desktop, power cords are a vital part of any
computer. The desktop needs the power cord to work. A laptop can run on
batteries for a limited amount of time but then needs the power cord for
recharging. The most common problem with the power cord is an improper
connection.

6. Motherboard Problems
The motherboard contains several parts of the computer including the
RAM, BIOS system, mass storage, and CPU. The computer motherboard
contains several devices, which can create numerous potential problems.
Problems with the motherboard range from too little RAM to BIOS problems.
Fixing the problems will depend on the specific problem and, in the worst-case
scenario, purchasing a new motherboard will fix the problems.

7. Insufficient Memory
Processor-intensive programs also demand a lot of memory. Random
access memory (RAM) aides the central processing unit (CPU) by storing
instructions linked to common operations. Without enough RAM, software
crashes and slowdowns can occur.

8. Computer Keeps Restarting

These problems are generally due to some hardware malfunction, maybe
there is a problem in the graphics driver slot. Maybe RAM is not properly
 attached in its slot. If it still not fixed then you can check for some OS Update
issue.

9. Strange Noises
A lot of noise coming from your computer is generally a sign of either
hardware malfunction or a noisy fan. Hard drives often make noise just before
they fail, so you may want to back up information just in case, and fans are very
easy to replace.
10. The Screen is Frozen
When your computer freezes, you may have no other option than to
reboot and risk losing any unsaved work. Freezes can be a sign of insufficient
ram, registry conflicts, corrupt or missing files, or spyware. Press and hold
the power button until the computer turns off, then restart it and get to work
cleaning up the system so that it doesn’t freeze again.

11.Overheating
If a computer case lacks a sufficient cooling system, then the computer’s
components may start to generate excess heat during operation. To avoid your
computer burning itself out, turn it off and let it rest if it’s getting hot. Additionally,
you can check the fan to make sure it’s working properly.

12. Slow Internet

To improve your Internet browser performance, you need to clear cookies
and Internet temporary files frequently. In the Windows search bar, type
‘%temp%’ and hit enter to open the temporary files folder.

Software Issues
Software are computer programs made up of a sequence of short commands
called instructions that tell the computer what to do. Normally software is in two forms,
either built into the computer’s more permanent memory, called ROM (read-only
memory), or loaded on demand in less permanent but more volatile memory called
RAM (random access memory).

The following are the most common software problems appear in wide variety of
applications and environments, but are especially prone to be seen in dirty systems.

1.Incorrect calculations- This is seen in functions such as financial and date

calculations. The key determinants is whenever mathematica functions and
mathematical operations are involved.
2. Incorrect data edits- This is when the software does not apply existing data edits
 correctly. For example, a data edit may be coded to prohibit the entry of the day of
the
month greater than “31” and other invalid dates.
2. Ineffective data edits- This is when the edits are place and working correctly, yet
still fail to prevent incorrect data from being entered into the system.
3. Incorrect coding/implementation of business rules-This refers to the one of the
most common sources of software problems-the mistakes that occur between what
is intended to be developed or implemented and what is actually delivered.

4. Inadequate software performance - This refers to slow system response times and
transaction throughput rates.

5. Confusing or misleading data- This means that the data shown to users maybe
correct, but the users might not fully understand how to interpret the data.

6. Software that is difficult to use- Many people have experienced first-hand the
frustration of using software that is cumbersome or heavy, difficult to navigate and
requires several steps to perform tasks.
7.
8. Obsolete software -Refers to software that no longer works due to new hardware or
support software changes and software that is based on functions found in older
versions of databases and operating systems.
9.
10. Inconsistent processing- Software that only works correctly in one environment –
This refers to software that has been designed for only one environment and cannot
be easily transported and used in another environment.
11.
12. Difficult to maintain and understand- This refers to the ability of a programmer or
developer to maintain the software. To maintain software, the person performing the
maintenance must first analyze and understand the software.
13.
14. Unreliable result or performance- This means that the software does not
deliver
consistently correct results or cannot be depended to work correctly each time it is
used.

15. No longer supported by the vendor- This can occur due to the vendor's
decision
to no longer support a product, due to the vendor going out of business, or the
vendor
selling the product to another vendor.

16. Incorrect or inadequate interfaces with other systems-This means that the
software does not correctly accept input (data, control, parameters, print, etc.) to
other
systems.
17. Incorrect matching and merging of data-This refers to situations where data is
obtained from one source and matched or merged with data from one another
source. Examples include sorting multiple files into a single file or table or matching
data from a master file to an ID number entered as a lookup entry.
14. Data searchers that yield incorrect results- This means that a search retrieves
incorrect data as the result of a search. In the worst-case situation, the data retrieved
appears to be correct in format, but only by tracing back to source documents and other
original data.
IV. Post-Assessment

A. Classify the following desktop computer problems. Write the letter of your answer
from the choices below.

A. Computer Viruses B. Hardware Malfunctions C. Software Issues

______ 1.) ILOVEU
______ 2.) Incorrect calculation
______ 3.) Jumpy mouse
______ 4.) Kryptolocker
______ 5.) Obsolete software
______ 6.) Overheating
______ 7.) Ransomware
______ 8.) Slammer
______9.) Slow internet
______ 10.) Unreliable result/performance
B. Identify what kind of desktop computer problem is described in each sentence. Write
your answer on the space provided.

_____ 1. The software does not apply existing data edits correctly.
_____ 2. Computer case has no sufficient cooling system causing the computer’s
components to generate excess heat during operation.
_____ 3. It is one of the most well-known and worst computer viruses of all time.
_____ 4. A Trojan horse that infects your computer and searches for files to encrypt.
_____ 5. A software designed for only one environment and cannot be easily
transported and used in another environment.

C. Give 2 examples of the following:

a. Computer Viruses
1.
 2.

b. Hardware Malfunctions
1.
2.

c. Software Issues
1.
2.
V. References:

1.https://uk.norton.com/norton-blog/2016/02/the_8_most_famousco.html

2.https://answers.mak.ac.ug/computer-hardware/top-10-most-common-

computer-problems

3.https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4757-2950-4_7

4.https://intl.siyavula.com/read/cat/grade-12-cat/software/03-software?

id=sec3-4

5.https://www.remosoftware.com/info/common-pc-hard-ware-problems

Prepared by:

MERLITA M. CORTES