As discussed in previous weeks content the preparation of any task or activity in the creation/builing of a Personal Computer must be carefull considered and not rushed. Some of the most simple preparation tasks is to read the information that is provided by the manufactuer them self. This information may stop any damage happening to the components from heavy handed installation or even removal. A classic example is the removal of the cover that is place on top of the CPU slot on any new motherbaord. If this was not removed and the CPU was installed, when the holding clamp i put on it could damage the motherboard AND the CPU.
● Read component manufacturer’s hardware and software instructions. The components that have been chosen for a PC build must be compatible with each other, if they are not they may not work correctly, or even short ciruit itself or other components. Guidance to compatiablilty and installation is normaly shipped inside the packaging the components come in.
● Consider health and safety including taking electrical shock precautions. When constructing a PC people may have an urge to turn it on whilst building it to see how it looks if there is any RGB or fancy hardware, however caution must be applied as the can be a potential to touch cables that can carry a significant amount of electrical current that could harm someone. A good practice is to work with the computer pluged in to the mains BUT TURNED OFF AT THE SOCKET as this would provide a ground/earth incase of any stored charge or electrostatic build up to be discharges safely.
● Consider the risk of static while protecting the equipment from discharge.
● Obtain hardware components (tools, hardware and devices).
● Obtain software resources (operating system installation media, performance testing software, software licence keys).
● Establish software configuration, e.g. setting correct date/time, language settings.
● Check tools required.
Links to Learning Outcomes |
Links to Assessment criteria |
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Learning aim C: Build and test a personal computer |
1C.4 Build a personal computer, with guidance, ensuring that: ● all hardware components are assembled correctly ● all software resources are installed and configured correctly ● all health and safety checks are performed.
1C.5 Test the personal computer for functionality, with guidance, and repair any faults.
1C.6 With guidance, carry out performance tests on the functional personal computer.
2C.P4 Build a personal computer, ensuring that: ● the planned installation sequence is followed ● all hardware components are assembled correctly ● all software resources are installed and configured correctly ● all health and safety checks are performed.
2C.P5 Test the personal computer for functionality against the purpose, and repair any faults.
2C.P6 Carry out performance tests on the functional personal computer.
2C.M3 Modify the personal computer, using at least two of the alternative design ideas from the plan.
2C.M4 Test the modified personal computer for functionality against purpose, and repair any faults.
2C.M5 Carry out performance tests on the modified functional personal computer, and explain any changes in performance.
2C.D3 Using the test results, explain how further refinements to the personal computer could improve performance. |
Anonymous Assessment - Learners assess an anonymous piece of work containing deliberate mistakes against given success criteria.