Unit 2.3 Task 2

Task 6b (M2)

So the marketing director can make an informed decision about the system the design team will purchase you are required to suggest an alternative system for example an Apple Mac.  The report needs to compare this system with the system in P4 and you need to make a decision on which system should be purchased and why.

14th June

I believe that purchasing the iMac would be a bad decision on all fronts, especially the price. Instead, I firmly believe that the BAM600 PC with a Benq GI2450H monitor would be a much better option. With the same size hard-drive and similar graphics capabilities, along with the fact of being £383.25 altogether (over £700 cheaper than the iMac), the model BAM600 would be the much better option. Also there is 8GB of RAM and a larger processor of over 1 GHz.

Instead of the awkward iMac mouse I believe the Logitech G600 mouse would be much better, as it has been designed to be comfortable for the user as well as having programmable thumb keys. PRICE = £55.75

I would also suggest the XPS L521X 421X BELGIUM Windows 8 Keyboard as it works with not only Windows 8 but it also works with Windows 7, making a very modern and capable keyboard. PRICE = £49.99

The Logitech Z906 5.1 Speaker System 980-000468 is a top quality sound system with five 67 watt speakers and a 165 watt Sub-woofer. They are also designed for the consumer; it comes with a small controller which can mute the system immediately and the speakers and Sub-woofer fit easily onto stands. PRICE = £284.57

Finally I would also suggest the Sapphire 11166-02-20R HD 5450 1GB DDR3 PCIE HDMI Graphics Card as it is very powerful and very highly rated. It comes with a storage size of 1024 MB and has very advanced graphics and display features.

Unit 2.2 Task 5

Task 5 (M3)

Evaluate the performance of a given computer system. This can be either a laptop or desktop, and either Mac or PC.

You may wish to use benchmarking software to do this (i.e.Novabench).

(D2)

Suggest improvements to the system, in each case explaining what benefits the improvement will bring in terms of performance and/or functionality.

7th June

Using NovaBench to evaluate the overall performance of a computer system, I decided to do a comparison between the Intel Core i7 and the MacBook Pro. The test is divided into 4 categories: System RAM, CPU tests, graphics tests and hardware tests and are given a score for each category.

- With an Intel Core i7, the system RAM was given an overall score of 175 with a total RAM speed of 11,339 MB/s. This is much better than the MacBook Pro, which was given a score of 108 and had a total RAM speed of 2,687 MB/s.

- The CPU testing is based on Floating Point Operations, Integer Operations and MD5 Hashes Calculated (all per second). The Intel Core i7 has a test score of 796 with 210,561,168 Floating Point Operations/s, 914,180,192 Integer Operations/s and 1,265,105 MD5 Hashes Calculated/s. The MacBook Pro has a test score of 187 with 48,447,244 Floating Point Operations/s, 95,730,000 Integer Operations/s and 677,596 MD5 Hashes Calculated/s.

- In the graphics test, the Intel Core i7 has a test score of 954 with a 3D Frames rate of 2,485/s whilst the MacBook Pro has as abysmal test score of 29 with a total of 70 3D Frames per second.

- Finally, the hardware tests is split into two categories: Primary Partition Capacity and Drive Write Speed. The Intel Core i7 has a test score of 18 with the Primary Partition Capacity at 932 GB and the Drive Write Speed at 143 MB/s. The MacBook Pro has a test score of 16 with a Primary Partition Capacity of 223 GB and a Drive Write Speed of 40 MB/s.

Overall, the Intel Core i7 tests better in every category with a large data storage capacity, impressive graphics and is very quick. The MacBook Pro on the other hand is lacking somewhat significantly in the majority of categories, particularly in the graphics testing.

The improvements I would make the MacBook Pro would begin with a much improved graphics card. This basically improves the user's experience with this machine as everything seems sharper and more detailed, thus making it more appealing to the eye. The second improvement I would make would be to enlarge the capacity of the machine. Many people prefer to take their computer systems with them for work or hobbies such as graphic design. A large capacity would be required for this to be able to manage the applications and the data storage required.

I feel that the Intel Core i7 is a very capable computer system that needs little to no improvements for your standard machine. Computer gamers may want a larger storage system or graphics card, but aside from that the Intel Core i7 is a very good machine.

LEFT: MacBook Pro

RIGHT: Intel Core i7

Unit 2.2 Task 4

Witness statement
Learner name		Callum James
Qualification		BTEC National 1st certificate in IT
Unit number and title		Unit 2.2 computer systems.
Assignment
Description of activity undertaken (please be as specific as possible)
Using the computer system provided, carry out the following routine maintenance: I created a file structure which contained 3 folders labelled ‘Home’, ‘Work’ and ‘Study’ within a folder labelled with my name. I then configured the computer operating system to back-up procedures, do automatic scheduling and deletion of unwanted data, archiving, defragmentation and deleting temporary files. I cleaned the keyboard, mouse and the display screen along with replacing the printer paper in the printer and replacing the broken mouse.
Assessment and grading criteria
Task 4. Undertake routine maintenance tasks on a standalone computer system. P8
How the activity meets the requirements of the assessment and grading criteria, including how and where the activity took place
Witness name	Lucia Lemos		Job role	Student
Witness signature	LLemos		Date	02/06/2014
Assessor name	Chris Sumpter
Assessor signature	CSumpter		Date	02/06/2014

Unit 2.2 Task 3

Task 3 (P7)

Using the computer system provided check that the changes that you have work correctly:

Design a simple test table that shows the results of the following tests.

1. software applications open and work as intended
2. default folder settings are correct
3. desktop shortcuts go to the right place
4. the correct device drivers are installed
5. the correct paper sizes are set for printing
6. menu options work as intended
7. the correct date and time are set

24th May

TEST	EXPECTATION	OUTCOME	ACTION REQUIRED
Software applications open and work as intended.	When I wish to open a program I can double click the software link and it will load up automatically with no problems.	I tried to open several different applications and all opened successfully.	No action required as applications work as expected.
Default folder settings are correct.	When I open a folder I am presented with all of the right folders and files.	I opened a folder but there were several files that were missing and had been duplicated.	The hard-drive may have become fragmented, so defragmentation is necessary.
Desktop shortcuts go to the right place.	When I want to open a shortcut the correct software is opened with no faults.	I opened all of my desktop shortcuts and all redirected me to the correct place.	No action required as desktop shortcuts all work.
The correct device drivers are installed.	My devices are linked to the computer and are fully operational.	I attempted to use the printer but my computer could not find the printer option.	The device drivers will have to be upgraded for compatibility with the printer.
The correct paper sizes are set for printing.	When I want to print off some work then the correct paper size is chosen automatically.	I printed off several pages and all came out complete and to size.	No action required as printing works well.
Menus options work as intended.	All menu options are fully functioning and redirect me exactly where I want to go.	All options on the start menu take me to exactly the right program and applications with no problem.	No action required as menu options work as intended.
The correct date and time are set.	The date and time are already set to the correct date and time for my time-zone.	The date was correct but the time was slightly incorrect.	I opened the control panel and manually reset the time according to the time on my phone.

Unit 2.2 Task 2

Task 2 (P6)

Using the computer system provided:

• Change the icon size to large
• Change the font size to large
• colour/background to red

Witness statement
Learner name		Callum James
Qualification		BTEC National 1st certificate in IT
Unit number and title		Unit 2 computer systems.
Assignment		Set up and maintain a computer system
Description of activity undertaken (please be as specific as possible)
Task 2 (P6) Using the computer system provided: 1)     Change the icon size to large 2)     Change the font size to large 3)     Colour/background to red
Assessment and grading criteria
To configure a computer system to fit the consumer’s needs.
How the activity meets the requirements of the assessment and grading criteria, including how and where the activity took place
A single computer was set up in IV6 and the above tasks were completed under supervision.
Witness name	Rosey Sellars		Job role	Student
	MB
Witness signature	RSellars		Date	15/05/14
Assessor name	Chris Sumpter
Assessor signature			Date	15/05/14

Unit 2.2 Task 1

Task 1 (P5)
You are required to:
set up and connect the provided computer:

• monitor
• keyboard
• mouse

Install additional hardware:

• The Memory (RAM) provided

Install software:

• Microsoft Office 2003
• Microsoft security essentials
• device driver for printer

Create the following folder structures on the c: drive:

• User
• Systems Software
• Application Software
• Documents

Configure: BIOS configuration:

• Setting or change password

Editing anti-virus configurations:

• change the time of day when the virus database is updated, OR the time of day when the system is scanned.

13th May

Witness statement
Learner name		Callum James
Qualification		BTEC National 1st certificate in IT
Unit number and title		Unit 2.2
Assignment		Set up and manage a computer system
Description of activity undertaken (please be as specific as possible)
After making a successful start in your role as an IT trainer for the IT Support Department of RS Components, you have been have been asked to prepare training material of a more advanced and practical kind. Before you are allowed to do this you are required to prove your abilities in hardware and software upgrades. Task Achieved Date achieved Connect a monitor to a computer / 15/05/14 Connect a keyboard to a computer / 15/05/14 Connect a mouse to a computer / 15/05/14 Demonstrate where the graphics card is installed / 15/05/14 Install MS Office 2003 / 15/05/14 Install MS security essentials / 15/05/14 Create a user account / 15/05/14 Configure system software, application software and documents / 15/05/14
Assessment and grading criteria
P5 set up a standalone computer system, installing hardware and software components [SM3] For P5, learners must install at least one hardware and one software component in a stand-alone system. This is best evidenced with a witness statement or observation record and screen shots. Learners must use suitable safety equipment/tools and pay due regard to health and safety issues.
How the activity meets the requirements of the assessment and grading criteria, including how and where the activity took place
Ryan connected the monitor to the computer, as well as the keyboard and mouse by simply looking at the appropriate ports to plug the peripherals in. When another student in the group had their computer opened, Ryan pointed out where the graphics card was installed. Ryan then moved onto the laptop in the room and installed MS Office 2003 by opening the setup file, as well as the security essentials. A user account was already present on the computer, however Ryan displayed knowledge of how to complete this task.
Witness name	Rosey Sellars		Job role	Student
Witness signature	RSellars		Date	15/05/14
Assessor name	Chris Sumpter
Assessor signature			Date	15/05/14