Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 11

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify common causes of slow computer performance.
• Apply basic troubleshooting techniques.
• Describe and implement methods for optimizing performance.
• Explain the importance of system maintenance and security.
• Distinguish between hardware and software troubleshooting.

Lesson summary

In today's digitally driven world, the performance of computer systems is critical, from the banking systems we use daily to the point-of-sale systems in our local spaza shops. Understanding how to troubleshoot and optimize these systems is a valuable skill, not only for future IT professionals but for anyone who uses computers, smartphones, or any technology. Imagine the frustration of a slow internet connection while trying to access online learning resources or the impact of a malfunctioning point-of-sale system on a small business in your community. This week, we'll delve into the key aspects of systems technologies, focusing on performance and troubleshooting.

Lesson notes

2.1 Understanding System Performance System performance refers to how efficiently a computer or network system carries out its tasks. A well-performing system responds quickly, executes instructions accurately, and utilizes resources effectively. Poor performance leads to frustration, reduced productivity, and potential data loss. Performance is impacted by both hardware and software components. 2.2 Factors Affecting System Performance Several factors contribute to slow or degraded system performance. Identifying these factors is the first step in troubleshooting.

Insufficient RAM (Random Access Memory): RAM is the computer's short-term memory. When the RAM is full, the system resorts to using the hard drive as virtual memory, which is significantly slower. Think of it like trying to cook a large meal in a tiny kitchen. Not enough space leads to chaos and slow progress.

Example: Imagine you're working on a large video editing project. If your computer only has 4GB of RAM, the system will constantly be swapping data between the RAM and the hard drive, causing the video editing software to lag and become unresponsive.

How to Check: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) on Windows or Activity Monitor on macOS to monitor RAM usage.

Slow Hard Drive/SSD: The speed of the storage device directly affects how quickly the system can access data. Traditional hard drives (HDDs) are slower than solid-state drives (SSDs).

Fragmented Hard Drive (HDDs Only): As files are created, deleted, and modified, the data can become fragmented, scattered across the hard drive. This forces the read/write head to move around more, slowing down access times. SSDs do not suffer significantly from fragmentation due to how data is stored.

Analogy: Imagine a library where the chapters of a book are scattered across different shelves. Finding the information takes much longer.

CPU Overload: The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer. If the CPU is constantly at 100% usage, the system will become sluggish. This can be caused by multiple applications running simultaneously, resource-intensive processes, or malware.

Example: Running a virus scan, rendering a 3D model, and playing a demanding video game at the same time can overload the CP

U. How to Check: Use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) or Activity Monitor. Malware Infection (Viruses, Spyware, Adware): Malware can consume system resources, install unwanted programs, and compromise security. Real-World

Example: Ransomware, a type of malware that encrypts your files and demands a ransom for their decryption, can severely impact system performance and accessibility.

Outdated Drivers: Drivers are software that allows the operating system to communicate with hardware devices (e.g., printers, graphics cards). Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues and performance problems.

Example: An outdated graphics card driver might cause a video game to crash or display graphical glitches.

Too Many Startup Programs: When the computer starts, numerous programs might launch automatically in the background, consuming system resources and slowing down the boot process.

Example: Applications like Skype, OneDrive, and Adobe Creative Cloud often start automatically, even if you don't use them immediately.

Operating System Issues: Corrupted system files, outdated operating systems, or conflicting software can all contribute to performance problems. 2.3 Troubleshooting Techniques Task Manager/Activity Monitor: Provides real-time information about CPU usage, memory usage, disk activity, and network activity. Allows you to identify processes consuming excessive resources. On Windows, use Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. On macOS, use Cmd+Space to search for Activity Monitor.

Resource Monitor (Windows): Offers a more detailed view of resource usage than Task Manager, showing graphical representations of CPU, memory, disk, and network activity.

Event Viewer (Windows): Logs system events, including errors, warnings, and information. Can be helpful for identifying the root cause of system crashes or errors.

Disk Defragmenter (Windows): Reorganizes fragmented files on HDDs, improving disk access times. Not needed for SSDs.

Disk Cleanup (Windows): Removes temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary data from the hard drive, freeing up space and potentially improving performance.

Malware Scans: Use a reputable antivirus program to scan the system for malware infections.

Driver Updates: Update drivers through Device Manager (Windows) or the manufacturer's website.

System Restore (Windows): Reverts the system to a previous state, potentially resolving software conflicts or other issues. (Use with Caution)

Checking Disk Space: Ensure the hard drive is not full or nearly full. Low disk space significantly impacts performance.