Task 6
Specification of under-performing PC workstation
CPU: Pentium 3 (2.1 GHz)
Hard drive: 40 Gb
RAM: 512Mb
OS: Windows 2000
Anti-Virus: AVG 5.00

1) It takes a long time to boot
2) It takes a long time to load applications
3) Internet access is slow
4) On screen message indicates that the hard disk is almost full
5) Anti-Virus software reports a virus that can’t be removed
6) Frequent BSOD
7) The machine hangs when multitasking is attempted

Task 6a - Create a short report outlining the current problems, including an analysis of the current specifications.
The computer that employees are using seems to be a very old computer and theses problems could have many reason for them happening. Such as;
1) It takes a long time to boot, could be the fact it has a very small hard drive, the small amount of RAM it has, windows 2000 was installed over 15 years ago and needs to be reloaded, it may have a virus, it may have a faulty hard drive or the fact the processor is only a Pentium 3 (2.1 GHz).
2) It takes a long time to load applications this could be to do with many of the same reason as 1) such as the fact it has a very small hard drive and is nearly full, the small amount of RAM it has, windows 2000 was installed over 15 years ago and needs to be reloaded, it may have a virus, it may have a faulty hard drive or the fact the processor is only a Pentium 3 (2.1 GHz).
3) Internet access is slow can also relate to other problems with the computer and the reason for this problem could be, the small amount of RAM it has, windows 2000 was installed over 15 years ago and needs to be reloaded, it may have a virus or the place has a really slow internet speed and it has nothing to do with the computer/ it could be the modem or hub.
4) On screen message indicates that the hard disk is almost full, as this computer is clearly very old it will have filled up with many files that probably aren’t used anymore or old programs that also haven’t been used for years, also the computer could have a virus and that is the reason why it is saying this message.
5) Anti-Virus software reports a virus that can’t be removed, if the antivirus cannot remove the virus you could try and boot it into safe mode and try to remove it like that other than that the computer could be backed up and reloaded with a fresh operating system.
6) Frequent BSOD, the BSOD can be caused from many problems such as driver issues so if anyone has updated any drivers, it could also be a hardware fault such as faulty RAM so tests on the hardware would need to be ran, if neither of these fix the issues then the operating system should be reloaded.
7) The machine hangs when multitasking is attempted, this problem can be caused by many of the problems stated above, such as; the fact it has a very small hard drive and is nearly full, the small amount of RAM it has, windows 2000 was installed over 15 years ago and needs to be reloaded, it may have a virus, it may have a faulty hard drive or the fact the processor is only a Pentium 3 (2.1 GHz).
When using a computer of this age there are many things you can do to improve the computer that wouldn’t cost much money but, in the long run it would not be worth upgrading as it will possibly do the same in a short amount of time and it would not be capable to cope with modern day computers or the modern software that may need to be used and it would defiantly not be able to hold windows 7. You could upgrade the RAM and the Hard Drive which would improve it also probably find a new faster processor and load windows XP. So in all I wouldn’t bother with this computer I would just buy a new one.

Task 6b - You have been given the go ahead to complete the upgrade. Create a test plan for the proposed upgrade, upgrade the system and then run your plan – M3
Test
How to test it
Result
Upgrade
RAM
MemTest Before windows boots, usually on a disc
The original memory works.
Upgrade the RAM to a minimum of 2GB preferably 4GB
HDD
Using a Seatool program