Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ‫ا ا اد‬

Royal Commission at Yanbu %&' ‫ا)( ا‬

University College – Yanbu %&'-./0‫ا ا‬
Department of ACS & AIT
Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah 3/'4‫ ا‬%&'

2ND Semester 2007-08

LAB SHEET 1 (Week No. 1 and 2)
PREPARATORY COMPUTERS I

[HARDWARE DEVICES, WINDOWS XP & UTILITY PROGRAMS]

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this Lab exercise is to make the students be familiar with both internal and
external components of the computer system in order to have a better understanding of how the
computer works. The usage of some computer utilities will also be demonstrated.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this laboratory exercise, the student will learn how to:
• Open and identify the components in the system unit
• Connect all the I/O devices to the system unit.
• Put on and shutdown the computer system.
• Defragment the Hard disk
• Use antivirus software

MATERIAL REQUIRED
a. PC With MS Office 2003 Installed
b. Toolkit
c. Lab Sheet 1 & 2 (Combined)

1.0 HARDWARE DEVICES

1.1 Microcomputer Hardware

Hardware for a microcomputer system consists of a variety of different devices. See

Figure 1 for a typical desktop system. This physical equipment falls into three basic categories:

• System unit
• Input/Output and
• Secondary storage.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Updateed By: Mirza Abrar Baig CS001 Labsheet 3 Page 1 of 5
 Figure 1: Common computer hardware components

1.2 The System Unit

The system unit, also know as the system cabinet or Chassis, is a container that houses most of
the electronic components that make up a computer system. Two important components of the
system unit are the microprocessor and memory. The microprocessor controls and manipulates
data to produce information. Many times the microprocessor is contained within a protective
cartridge. Memory, also known as primary storage or random access memory (RAM), holds data
and program instructions for processing the data.

2.0 UTILITY PROGRAMS

2.1 Introduction

Utilities, also known as service programs, perform specific tasks related to managing computer
resources. Such programs include Backup, Disk Cleanup, and Disk Defragmenter.

2.2 Disk Defragmentation

Disk Defragmenter consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard disk so
that each occupies a single, contiguous space on the volume. As a result, your system can gain
access to your files and folders and save new ones more efficiently. By consolidating your files
and folders, Disk Defragmenter also consolidates the volume's free space, making it less likely
that new files will be fragmented.

Note: You might need to have a computer administrator account to perform some tasks.

Updated By: Mirza Abrar Baig CS_001_Labsheet_1and 2 (Week 2) Page 2 of 5

To open Disk Defragmenter
• Click Start
• Point to All Programs
• Point to Accessories
• Point to System Tools and then
• Click Disk Defragmenter.

Figure 2: Disk Defragmenter

To Defragment a volume
1. Open the Disk Deframenter
2. Click the volume that you want to defragment, and then click Defragment.
3. Click View Report to view the Defragmentation Report, which displays detailed
information about the volume you defragmented.

2.2.1. Best practices

• Analyzing before defragmenting

Analyze volumes before defragmenting them. After analyzing a volume, a dialog box
tells you the percentage of fragmented files and folders on the volume and recommends
whether to defragment the volume.
• Analyzing after large numbers of files are added
Volumes might become excessively fragmented when users add a large number of files
or folders, so be sure to analyze volumes after this happens.
• Ensure that your disk has at least 15% free space
A volume must have at least 15% free space for Disk Defragmenter to completely and
adequately defragment it. If a volume has less than 15% free space, Disk Defragmenter
will only partially defragment it.

Updated By: Mirza Abrar Baig CS_001_Labsheet_1and 2 (Week 2) Page 3 of 5

 • Defragmenting during low-usage periods
Defragment file server volumes during low-volume usage periods to minimize the effect
that the defragmentation process has on file server performance.
• Defragmenting after installing software or installing Windows
Defragment volumes after installing software or after performing an upgrade or clean
install of Windows. Volumes often become fragmented after installing software, so
running Disk Defragmenter helps to ensure the best file system performance.

2.3 Anti Virus Software

To find out if your computer has antivirus software:

1. Click Start, and then point to All Programs (or point to Programs if you are using the
classic Start menu).
2. In the list of programs, look for the word "antivirus."
3. If you do not have antivirus software installed, you should purchase and install an up-to-
date antivirus program to help protect your computer.

Note:
If you have antivirus software installed on your computer but you want to install a new product
from a different company, be sure to uninstall your current antivirus software before installing
the new one. Having two different antivirus programs installed can cause problems on your
computer.

There are several anti virus software in the market today, two of such are:
1. Norton Anti virus (See Figure 2)
2. McAfee (See Figure 3)

Figure 3: Norton AntiVirus Software

Updated By: Mirza Abrar Baig CS_001_Labsheet_1and 2 (Week 2) Page 4 of 5

 Figure 4: McAfee AntiVirus Software

3.0 EXERCISES
3.1 EXERCISE 1

Analyze your hard disks and determine if it needs to be defragmented or not. If the Defragmenter
on your computer recommends you to defragment the volume, go ahead to Defragment the hard
disk.

3.2 EXERCISE 2

Using the installed anti virus software on you computer system, scan for virus on your Hard
Disks.

Updated By: Mirza Abrar Baig CS_001_Labsheet_1and 2 (Week 2) Page 5 of 5