Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office No. VIII
Division of Northern Samar
ALLEN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Allen

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS

LEARN THE BASICS OF COMPUTERS

APPLYING BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING

TECHNIQUES
Unit of Competency: LEARN THE BASICS OF COMPUTERS

LO7. APPLY BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING TECHNIQUES

(Quarter 3, Week 1-2)

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
1. Safety guidelines in troubleshooting are observed.
2. Common computer problems are identified, minimized and solved.
3. Factors that cause damage or malfunction to a computer are
determined.
4. Ways in routinely taking care of computer are practiced.
5. Computer equipment is installed and upgraded.

CONTENT:
 Observing safety guidelines
 Identifying, minimizing and solving common computer problems
 Determining the factors that cause damage to computer
 Practicing ways in routinely taking care of a computer
 Installing and upgrading computer equipment

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 Basic Troubleshooting Techniques

Increasing the Computer’s Performance

 If system seems to respond slower (or not at all), could be a result

of:
– System resources are low, especially in RAM memory
– Too much network traffic
– Not enough space on your hard drive for the operating system
– Size of the file is quite large and will not open or close
– One program has failed for whatever reason
– Conflict in system device files
– Operating system, software program, or data file may be
corrupt
– Device you want to access has a loose connection or is not
plugged in
– Modem connection is either too slow or not big enough to
handle the transfer of information
– A virus on your system that is now active
– Your system becoming full or has excessive number of
temporary files stored on it

 How can you increase the overall performance?

– Change microprocessor chip
– Increase amount of RAM memory chips for system
– Change video card and amount of RAM for video card
– Change network type and connections
– Increase size of hard drive for storage
– Clean hard drive of any older files no longer used or needed
– Change modem connection type
– Write down error messages and work with technical support to
determine what problem might be or where it may be
originating
– Have technical support run anti-virus program on your system
– Check to make sure that all components are plugged in, active
and online, or even exist

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Working with Hardware

Follow a logical path to try and isolate the problem and how to
resolve it

– Is hardware securely plugged in?

– Check cable or cord type
– Turn computer off and restart it
– Never force a connection between device and port
– Did you delete any files recently?
– Have you upgraded or installed new software recently?
– If device is your mouse, clean the mouse and desktop/mouse
pad
– If keys on keyboard sticking, turn computer off and wipe with
a clean cloth

If problem is with printing:

– Check printer turned on and then check for paper jams or
open areas on printer
– Consider quality of printer cartridges if documents appear
smudged or smeared
– Check connection from printer to computer, or if network
printer, check network cable connection from printer
– Try turning printer off and on to reset connection

Possible problems with disk drive:

– If cannot access a file from floppy disk, floppy disk drive might
need to be cleaned or floppy disk damaged
– If having problems accessing data from hard drive, this may be
an indicator of a more serious problem
– If maintenance tools run and error messages still indicate
failure to access file, call technical support

When installing new hardware and device does not work, check:
– Is device connected securely in its port?
– Is device connected to appropriate port?
– During installation, did you see any error messages?

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  Always read instructions completely before starting installation

 Generally, Windows will detect new device plugged in and use Plug
and Play technology to install

 If computer is in an office, technical support person will likely

complete installation

 If no access to technical support department, first avenue should be

vendor who sold device to you

 If computer is still under warranty, technical/customer support at

computer vendor will be able to help

 Next option would be to call local computer repair service

Taking Care of the Computer

1. Use a dry cloth to clean the Screen,

System Unit, Mouse and a keyboard
cleaning brush.
2. Never use water to clean the computer.
3. Don’t use the pencil on the screen.
4. Type softly.
5. Use the virus check.
6. Place your computer in a clean, cool and
dry place.
7. Do not place your computer under the
direct heat of sunlight or in a place where it might get wet.
8. Don’t eat & drink while using your computer. Small particles of food
might fall on your computer & entice insects to feed on them.
Liquids, when spilled on your computer, might
destroy it.
9. Cover your computer when not in use. This will
prevent dust from gathering in your computer.
10. Use an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) to give
your computer a few minutes of power during
power failure. This allows you to save your work & Uninterrupted Power
properly shut down your computer. Supply (UPS)

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 ACTIVITY 1

Write down inside the circles some tips on how to maintain the computer
in its normal condition.

ACTIVITY 2

Read the statement carefully. Choose only those statements that tell
about the causes of slow performance of computer system by putting
a check mark (/) inside the box.

 Too much network traffic.

 Not enough space on your hard drive for the operating system.
 Use of uninterrupted power supply.
 Size of the file is quite large and will not open or close.
 A virus on your system that is now active.
 Your system becoming full or has excessive number of
temporary files stored on it.
 Updating operating system and antivirus software.

ACTIVITY 3

Write inside the box those things that you do to protect your cellphone
from any damages:

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ASSESSMENT:

I. Multiple Choice: Write the letter of the correct answer in your answer
sheet.

1. Which of the following items can harm your computer?

a. Extreme temperatures. c. Sharp objects.
b. Liquids. d. All of the above.

2. When you aren't using your computer in class, it should be

a. on the floor. c. hanging on the back of your chair.
b. inside the computer lab. d. lying on your desk
.
3. Which of the following options indicates what you are allowed to have
in your computer bag?
a. computer, textbooks, and lunch
b. computer, earbuds, pens/pencils, and flash drive
c. computer, water bottle, library book, flash drive
d. computer, snacks, textbooks, and a drink

4. Each of the location below is NOT an acceptable place for leaving your
computer EXCEPT
a. your living room couch. c. the kitchen table or counter.
b. your study table. d. your little brother's/sister's bedroom.

5. When cleaning any of the components or peripherals of a computer,

which method would you use to clean dirt, dust, or hair around their
computer on the outside case and on the keyboard?
a. Users can use a vacuum
b. Users can use a damp cloth with water
c. Users can use a feather duster or dry cloth
d. all of those

6. A cloth is the best tool to use when rubbing down a component;

although paper towels can be used with most hardware, which hardware
component can be cleaned with a cloth?
a. You use a cloth when cleaning components such as the outside
of the case, a drive, mouse, keyboard
b. Monitor screen
c. Inside the case of a computer
d. power supply

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7. What should you do if someone other than a parent asks for your
computer password?
a. Give it to them if they seem trustworthy.
b. Do not give them your password.
c. Give it to them, but then change your password the next day.
d. Give them someone else's password instead.

8. What does UPS stand for?

a. Uninterrupted Power Supply c. United Power Supply
b. Unified Power Source d. Interrupted Power Source
9. When typing
a. Try to press the keys as soft as you can.
b. Press the keys hard.
c. Use stick in pressing keys
d. never use your keyboard.

10. Plug and Play means

a. used to describe devices that work with a computer system as soon
as they are connected.
b. devices that need driver to work
c. it means that devices need to have cable to be connected on ports.
d. none of them

II. True or False. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if
otherwise.
_______1. Always read instructions completely before starting
installation.
_______2. If you have problem on your printer, the first thing to do is to
check cable or cord if it is connected properly on your computer or
properly plug in.
_______3. It is necessary to consider quality of printer cartridges if
documents appear smudged or smeared.
_______4. UPS allows you to save your work & properly shut down your
computer.
_______5. To reset the printer’s connection, just turn it off and press ON
button again.

--------------------
References:
Essential Skills for Digital Literacy, Computing Fundamentals, IC3 Module A
The Amazing World of Computers, pp. 47-52
https://www.slideshare.net/gimandes/care-of-the-computer-parts?from_action=save
https://www.slideshare.net/CyberTeach/proper-care-of-computers
https:// product-detail/PCH550-300W-offline-PC-UPS-12V_60461927589.html

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