System

Specification
and
Troubleshooting
 Objectives
 Evaluate the suitability of a given computer system for a specific
purpose: Basic knowledge of system specification needed for
purposes such as: to run a video game, web browsing, graphic
design, video editing, and desktop publishing.
1. Processing speed (CPU type and speed);
2. Memory (RAM);
3. Secondary storage (capacity and speed);
4. Types of software; and,
5. Input/Output devices.
 troubleshoot basic computer hardware problems;
1. Cable problems (for example, loose cables).
2. Monitor problems (for example, improperly adjusted monitor
controls).
What are PC hardware
specifications?
 PChardware specifications are a summary of a
computer’s internal components, including its
processor, memory (RAM), Windows version, and
other system information. Examples of PC specs
include hard drive capacity and processor speed. PC
specs can show you how well your computer can
perform certain processes.
 Why think about System
Specification
 Whether you’re wondering if a game or software
program will run on your computer, or you’re looking
to upgrade it to give it some extra power or storage,
the starting point is always going to be knowing what
you’re working with: what hardware is inside your PC?
A single laptop model might be available with a choice
of AMD or Intel processors, and it might have differing
amounts of storage or RAM – these days, they might
not even run the same operating system.
 How do I find my computer’s
specifications?
In Windows 10 this is very simple, and possible through the
Device Manager. You can access this by right-clicking the
Windows icon in the bottom left and choosing Device Manager, or
typing its name into the search field at the bottom of the screen.
Now click on the downward arrows next to each entry to begin
gleaning info about your computer’s internal hardware.

 Another good place to look is in the System settings, which are

accessible by right-clicking the Windows icon or typing System in
the search bar. Scroll down to the About section to learn your
computer’s name, processor and amount of installed memory.
Scroll down a bit further to learn what operating system you are
running.
 Here’s how to see PC specs via System Information in Windows
10: Type “system information” into the Windows taskbar search
App Piriform’s Speccy Computer’s
Specifications
 Check your Processor

 The Central Processing Unit (CPU) of the Computer

handles all the tasks that you want the computer to
do. The better the processor (CPU), the faster your
computer will run. For a dependable Computer, an
Intel i3 is fine, but an i5 will guarantee good speeds.
Computers with i7 chips cost a lot more, and are more
suited to those running design software. Most
computer-based jobs won't need too powerful a
processor, since text/spreadsheet documents aren't
too intensive, but film editors or graphic designers will
need a computer with a bit more power in terms of
 Check your GPU

 TheGraphics Processing Unit (GPU) — also known as a

graphics card or video card — handles everything
related to graphics. The GPU is one of the most
important components when it comes to PC specs,
especially for graphic designers, gamers, or other
users requiring high-powered visual rendering.
 Theeasiest way to see what video card you have is to
type “device manager” in the taskbar, and click Device
Manager. Then click Display adapters to show the
relevant information. Your video card is probably from
one of the major GPU manufacturers: AMD or NVIDIA.
Check your RAM
 RAM (or random access memory) is another critical
component for determining computer performance. In
general, the more RAM, the better — although each
gigabyte of RAM added yields increasingly
diminishing returns to the point where anything
above, say, 16GB of RAM will impact your wallet much
more significantly than it will improve PC
performance.
A computer that has 8GB of RAM installed, is a
reasonable amount for most people — even relatively
high-end gamers. 12 or 16GB of RAM is necessary
only if you need to use several high-intensity,
 Check your storage
 Disk storage is another key spec to keep in mind. The
kind of SSD or HDD you have affects the volume of
data that can be stored on your computer and how
fast those files can load and transfer data. SSDs are
far ahead of hard drives in terms of speed (not so
much in capacity), so you should get an SSD unless
you’re on a budget.
 System Specification
Computer System Specification Details
CPU Intel® Celeron® B8 l 5 Dual Core (2M Cache, 1.60 GHz)
RAM 2GB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel RAM (8GB MAX)
VIDEO GRAPHICS Intel HD Graphics
HARD DRIVE 320GB 5400RPM SATA
OPTICAL DRIVE 8 x DVD+ CD Player & Burner (Burns both DVDs & CDs)
DISPLAY 15.6" HD Widescreen LED display (1366 x 768)
WIRELESS IEEE 802.llb/g/n
SOUND Built In Speakers, Headphones
PORTS 3 USB 2.0
DIMENSIONS Height - 1.3", Width - 15", Depth - 1O"
WEIGHT 5.73 lb
POWER AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) - 65W, 6 cell Battery
SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition
Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Flash Player, McAfee Internet
Security Suite (Trial), Roxio Easy Creator Starter, Windows Media
Player, Microsoft Office 2007 (Full Version)
Answer the following questions using the
information given in the above
advertisement.
1. Name the type of processor. State the speed of the processor.
2. Name the type of hard drive.
3. State the resolution of the display.
4. Name TWO output devices.
5. State the number of flash drives that can be simultaneously
connected to the computer.
6. Provide ONE piece of information which indicates that the
computer is a laptop.
7. Name the type of operating system included with the
computer system.
8. Name ONE general purpose software included with the
computer system.
Answer the following questions using the
information given in the above
advertisement. Answers in Yellow
1. Name the type of processor. Intel® Celeron® B815 Dual Core
2. State the speed of the processor. 1.60 GHz
3. Name the type of hard drive. SATA
4. State the resolution of the display. (1366 x 768)
5. Name TWO output devices. Built In Speakers, Headphones,
Widescreen LED display
6. State the number of flash drives that can be simultaneously
connected to the computer. (Three) 3 USB 2.0
7. Provide ONE piece of information which indicates that the computer
is a laptop. Weight or Dimensions or Size of Battery
8. Name the type of operating system included with the computer
system. Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition
9. Name ONE general purpose software included with the computer
system. Microsoft Office 2007 (Full Version)
The Risks of Using Damaged
Computer Cables
Some people may believe it’s more convenient to risk
plugging in a damaged cable rather than go for a
replacement wire at times. However, you put yourself
and your equipment in jeopardy when you do this. Look
below to explore the risks of using damaged computer
cables.
 Devices Can Break
Unexpectedly
 Power cords that become broken or uncovered can
create major electrical issues. These issues include
improper power flow or haphazard power delivery to
your device. In turn, these faulty electrical flows lead to
power spikes that create significant heat and fry
internal components, leaving your laptop or PC
unusable.
 They Can Start a Fire

 Excessivepower can cause heat damage to electronics,

whether it comes in the form of spikes or an improperly
controlled power flow. Frayed wires inside power cords
are especially vulnerable to these kinds of uncontrolled
outputs. The possibility of a fire breaking out will
continue to increase as a device with these issues heats
up, potentially burning you or setting nearby materials
ablaze.
 Loose Cables
 Power, Data and Peripherals’ cables often wiggle loose
from PC cases over time, or sometimes after being
moved around. When those circumstances occur they can
affect the function of the Computer system significantly.
 Checking every point where electricity is delivered to the
computer system is usually a first step when a computer
isn't receiving power.
 Make sure that all the cables fit tightly in the ports for
smooth communication between the system unit and
peripheral devices or movement of data.
Computer, laptop or mobile device
does not respond when power is
turned
 1 Ensureon
that the power cable is connected to the power
connector on the back of the computer or device and plugged
into the electrical outlet.
 2 If it is plugged into a power strip or surge suppressor, check
that the power strip is connected to an outlet and turned on.
 3 Make sure that the electrical outlet is working. This can be
done by testing it with another device such as the monitor or a
printer.
 4 Briefly bypass the surge suppressors, power strips and
extension cables in turn, which connect the computer directly to
the power outlet, to verify that the computer turns on.
 5 Try using another power cable that is suitable for the
device. If the power turns on, then the cable needs replacing.
 Monitor problems - Blank
screen
1 Check the monitor power light - if it is off, then press
the button to ensure that the monitor is turned on. If the
power light is on, then the monitor has power.
Alternatively, if the monitor light is blinking or in a
different colour, then the monitor may be in power save
mode. Press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse.
2 Check the monitor cable connections. Check to ensure
that the monitor power cable is connected to an outlet,
power strip or surge suppressor. Check the monitor data
cable is connected to the computer correctly.
3 Ensure the electrical outlet is working by testing with
another device.
 Monitor Problems – Screen
Difficult to read
 1 Monitor settings may need to be adjusted (such as colour,
contrast or brightness).
 2 Ensure that no strong sources of magnetism are near to
the monitor - such as speakers and amplifiers.
 3 Monitors should be kept away from external power
sources such as fans and fluorescent lamps and radios. These
can cause the screen image to appear to vibrate. Nearby
power sources should be turned off to check for interference.
 4 Monitors facing bright sources of light such as windows
and lights can make the images difficult to see. The monitor
should be turned away from strong light sources.
Printer problems
1 Ensure the printer driver is installed on the
computer.
2 Ensure that the printer is plugged into a power
strip or outlet and the printer is turned on.
3 Check that paper is not stuck in the printer. Open
the printer and remove the component that holds the
paper. You may need to remove the ink or toner
cartridge to see if paper is stuck under the cartridge.
You may see an error message on the monitor or the
printer lights may indicate what the error could be.
 Printout is blank
1 Change the ink or toner cartridge
2 If the problem persists, seek further technical
assistance since the nature of the problem may
require an experienced technician or a new printer.
 Printer is receiving power but
is not printing correctly

 1 Ensure the printer contains one or more ink cartridges or that the
correct toner is installed.
 2 If the print quality is poor, the ink or toner cartridge
 may need to be replaced.
 3 Ensure printer settings for ink cartridge alignment, paper
orientation, margins are correctly set.
 4 If the print quality is low, check the print quality
 being used - options are provided to set the quality of print being used
from the printer. Draft, Normal and Best are examples of print quality
you may see for an inkjet printer.
 5 Some printers use Wi-Fi, so check on the display
 panel to see if the printer's Wi-Fi is connected.
 If no paper is seen when you
try to print
1 Ensure no parts of the printer are open.
2 Check that paper is correctly placed in the printer.
3 Verify that the correct data cable is being used,
and the cable is connected to the computer and the
printer.
4 Ensure that you have selected the correct printer.
Several printers may be installed, and you must
choose the required printer in the print dialogue
window
 Battery problems

 Forlaptops and mobile devices, check the amount of

charge in the battery. Move the cursor arrow over the
battery icon while the laptop is connected to power
adapter to view the remaining charge.
 Battery problems
 The battery may need charging or replacing if:
• the laptop or mobile device shuts off when the
power adapter is unplugged
• the device powers off soon after use
• the battery icon indicates that a battery is not
detected or found.
 Tryanother cord of the same make and model. If the
battery charges then the power cord may need
replacing.