Session 4 - Configuring Computers and other hardware; Virus and Security protection

Screen/Monitor

The easiest way to access information about the screen is to right-click on the desktop.

 

Windows 8

To troubleshoot the screen display or projector, select Screen Resolution

From this screen, you can change the resolution, check the details of any monitor or projector that may be connected as well as change the text size.

If you choose connect to a projector, you will be able to select the monitor display configuration

If you click on What display settings should I choose, Windows Help will load with some tips about screens

 

You can also access screen information from the Control Panel.

 

Windows 8

 

Printers

To see where your computer thinks it is printing to, you need to access the printer information in the Control Panel. From the Windows Start button or via the Control Panel, choose Devices and Printers.

For example, here are the Devices and Printers attached to my laptop.

The printer with the green tick underneath, is the default printer for my laptop - so if I was to press "the print button" in any application, it is this printer that the print will be sent to. Of course, if that printer is not actually connected or online, then you will not get a printout. If I double-click on my default printer, a screen will display that gives me more information.

If you look at the above image (try clicking on it) you will see that it tells me that the printer is offline. As I am sitting here and actually know that this printer is not connected, it may seem a bit pointless, but sometimes when you connect a printer, Windows will reload the drivers and create a duplicate printer icon, which may not be default and so may not print anything.

Windows 8

My desktop computer does not have any printers attached or even configured.

I randomly located a couple of old printer brands and models. One was a DELL 1130n Laser Printer

ACTIVITY 1

See if you can locate the latest drivers for the following printers:

Give details of the filename and/or website link of where you found the drivers.

• HP Photosmart C5380 (Frankston)
• HP Color Laser Jet CP1215 (Frankston)
• DELL 1130n Laser Printer (Bairnsdale/Lakes Entrance)
• Canon Pixma MG2260 (Cranbourne)
• Brother Monochrome laser printer MFC-1810 (Frankston)

Default Programs

The default programs section allows you to associate a file type with an application. A filename is made up of the actual name plus a file extension. The file extension will tell Windows what type of file it is and also what program should be used to open this file by default. A word document could be called MyResume.docx. The file name is MyResume and the DOCX indicates that it is a Word 2007 or 2010 document. DOCX files will be associated by default with Microsoft Word.

 

If you want to use a different application to open a file type, you can change it here.

 

Windows 8

Other Control Panel Options

 

If you want to get into the nitty gritty of what is attached to your computer, you can use the Device Manager screen.

If you need to Remove or Change the installed options of an application, you use the Programs and Features option in the Control Panel

System will give you all the dirt on what Operating system, CPU and RAM is inside your PC.

AND if all else fails - PHONE A FRIEND.

This will actually allow you to connect remotely to another computer and collaborate with the troubleshooting process.

Virus Protection and Security

There are a range of tools that you can install that offer various levels of virus protection, security protection, malware protection and/or Virus and malware removal. You can install multiple products or you can install a suite that will cover most of the tools necessary.

ACTIVITY 2

Read the following article

http://www.internetbasics.gov.au/all_text_guides/how_to_stay_safe_on_the_internet/protecting_your_computer

What do you currently use for Virus Protection on your computer? Is it a paid version or a free version? What about for Internet Security? Do you use any other tools to help keep your computer free from viruses and malware?

Frankston:

Locate a range of FREE tools that you could install to protect your computer system. Include both virus protection and Internet security. Based on your research, what would you recommend? Include the names of the packages and what services/features are offered by the software.

Cranbourne/Bairnsdale 

Locate a range of PAID tools (can also be paid versions of free tools) that you could install to protect your computer system. Based on your research, what would you recommend? Include the names of the packages and what services/features are offered by the software. How much does each cost?

Conclusion

SO.....if you were to buy a computer tomorrow, which tools would you buy/install on your computer?

Different Operating Systems

I have just upgraded to Windows 10. What virus protection and Internet security would you recommend?