P7, M3 and D2- James Brooks

TEST PLAN
Testing Test Anticipated Real Outcome Ac
Outcome
Power runs Activate PC PC switches on PC switched on N/A
Monitor functions Output displays Output shown Output is shown N/A

Keyboard functions Type search criteria in Text displayed in Text is displayed in N/A
Google search bar search bar

Mouse operates Mouse is functioning N/A

Windows pop up XP desktop noticeable XP desktop is XP desktop is noticeable N/A
noticeable
Internet Connection Initiate Internet Default webpage Default webpage is N/A
Explorer – link to shows shown
website

Screensaver After established time Screensaver shows Screen saver is shown N/A
screensaver shows
My documents Double click shortcut My documents folder My documents folder N/A
shortcut on desktop pops up pops up

Anti-Virus Software set Double click shortcut Anti-virus software Anti-virus software starts N/A
up on desktop starts

Anti-virus software Select option for Anti-virus update Anti-virus update runs N/A
able to update update anti-virus runs
databases

Anti-virus software Confirm in settings for Selections set to set to routinely update N/A
arranged to update configuration routinely update
routinely selections

Anti-virus software Confirm in settings for Selections set to set to routinely update N/A
arranged to update configuration routinely update
routinely - retest selections
Anti-virus software Confirm in settings for Choices set to set to routinely scan at N/A
arranged to scan arrangement choices routinely scan at specific point in time
routinely specific point in time

Download Ccleaner Run ccleaner to wipe Unnecessary and Unnecessary and N/A
off unnecessary files duplicate files found duplicate files found and
and removed removed
Install Ram Install the RAM and Extra RAM is shown Extra RAM is shown N/A
check to see if
additional RAM is
P7, M3 and D2- James Brooks

displayed
Install hard drive Install the hard drive hard drive is hard drive is displayed N/A
and check to see if the displayed
hard drive is displayed
Installing novabench Run nova bench and PC performance is PC performance is shown N/A
find results of PC shown
performance
Changing power saving Check to see if the PC PC is saving power PC is saving power N/A
options is saving power consumption consumption
consumption
Changing mouse Use mouse to see if Mouse pointer speed Mouse pointer speed has N/A
pointer speed the speed has changed has changed and changed and become
become more more responsive
responsive
Changing desktop Go into the desktop Desktop appearance Desktop appearance has N/A
appearance and check if the has changed changed
appearance has
changed
Adding widgets Go onto the desktop to widgets work widgets work correctly N/A
see if the widgets work correctly
correctly
Adding shortcut to Check if the application on the application on the N/A
applications application on the desktop is working desktop is working
desktop is working
Setting date and time Check the clock or date Date and time shown Date and time shown is N/A
and time section in the is correct correct
task bar if the date and
time is correct
P7, M3 and D2- James Brooks

Evaluate the performance

of a computer system

The computer I will be evaluating is an old PC. It is a Dell OptiPlex330. It has an Intel core 2
duo 2.5 GHZ dual-core 64-bit processor and has 2 1GB DDR2 RAM. It contains an 80GB
Seagate ST380815AS 7200RPM SATA HDD. The PC had a base score or 321 which Is fairly
decent, particularly for what I need the PC for. In my opinion this computer is a decent PC.
The PC has enough RAM to perform basic tasks smoothly also the HDD is big enough for
basic user needs such as running windows 7 as the requirements to run it are only 16GB of
available disk space. The 2.5 GHZ processor is fast enough for whatever I use such as open
Office writer and internet browsing as they both only requires a processor that can run at
1.6 GHZ or faster.
P7, M3 and D2- James Brooks

The pictures beneath illustrates the CPU usage. Here I am running Open office Writer and
chrome. The PCs processor copes with this extremely well, I have two applications running
and it only takes my CPU score to 205. This is extremely good and verifies that the Processor
is more than capable for what I use it for.

This image displays I have far more than 60% free space on the partition that Windows is
installed in. This will keep my PC operating at optimum speed and stop me from running
into glitches later down the line.
P7, M3 and D2- James Brooks

The following image shows that the computer has a large quantity of unnecessary files on
the computer system, consequently, this can take up a substantial amount of storage. To
prevent this from happening I ran Ccleaner to remove all un-needed files.

I renewed the antivirus when it reminded me, to keep my computer free from virus’. I have
put in place automatic updates on my windows partition. So that the device always remains
up to date.
P7, M3 and D2- James Brooks

Explain and justify improvements that

could be made to a computer system

There are numerous methods in which the computer system can be perfected; for example,
updating software to the up-to-date version or switching/adding hardware components to
increase computer functioning. Improving the system can be critical as it stops the system
from crashing and will let it to increase performance.

Hardware Improvements

When using old or damaged components, improving the computer by adding new
components or switching old ones will let the computer system to function quicker. Newer
hardware components have an improved performance and functions than older models so
can help the computer significantly and bring new features that will enhance the user’s
experience.

Increase Hard Drive Capacity

The PC that we used has a very small capacity of storage space 80GB to be exact on the hard
drive so an extra or new hard drive can be added to the computer to increase its storage
capacity. Adding an additional hard drive would be useful as it would allow for more storage
space on the computer – the user can have more programs and documents on their
computer. Likewise, a bigger hard drive would similarly speed up the functioning of the
computer.

There are two kinds of hard drive that can be added to the computer – internal or external.
A suggested internal hard drive was the Samsung HD103SJ 1TB hard drive. It has two 500GB
platters that can be accessed at speeds of 7200RPM and the disk delivers high performance
and lower power use. The large storage capacity of the disk lets for additional programs and
files to be kept on the PC. This hard drive costs around £91. For an external hard drive, the
Seagate 2 TB External Hard Drive is what I would recommend. It can hold up to 2TB of data
and uses a USB 3.0 connector offering constant read and write speeds. The hard drive also
comes with a power management feature which manages energy efficiency; a performance
management system likewise increases performance. Generally, this external hard drive
offers fast, portable access to large amounts of data and can be used as a backup device for
the computer. This device costs about £69.99.
P7, M3 and D2- James Brooks

Increase RAM Capacity

The computer has only 1GB of RAM so this is additional part of the PC that can be enhanced.
With 1GB, the computer cannot load many processes, this means the computer will be
slower when loading and running programs. The motherboard lets for a total of 8GB of RAM
to be used in the computer so extra RAM can be added to the PC. Increasing the RAM size of
the PC will let for more processes to be loaded into the computer at faster speeds.
Increasing the RAM will likewise increase the speed at which the computer boots up and
functions.
The RAM I would recommend for this computer is Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C5C 4GB XMS2
PC2-6400 800MHz 240-Pin Dual Channel DDR2 RAM. This model of RAM is one of the fastest
models of RAM adjusted with both the motherboard and the processor. Replacing the RAM
with two of these 4GB packs will let for 8GB of RAM to be used by the computer. It has a
speed of 800MHz which is faster than the existing speed of RAM in the computer so will
increase the computer systems performance. 4GB of RAM costs £56 so if two sets of RAMS
are used it will cost £112.

Software Improvements

Similar hardware, software can be substituted with newer versions or removed if it is not
required. Updating software lets for improved system performance and means the
programs the user requires are more beneficial. Removing applications that aren’t used free
up disk space that can be used to store files etc.

Update/Upgrade Application and Utility Software

The computer system can likewise be enhanced by upgrading any application software that
is used frequently. Upgrading software increases the computer by correcting any bug
problems with the program which prevents the computer from decelerating in speed. The
new version of the program also has improved stability and improved performance. Having
the newest version of application software also means that the user will have more features
accessible to them which can help improve their communication with PC. Some application
software vendors let the user to download the latest versions of their software for free;
while other vendors request users to pay a monthly/yearly fee for using and upgrading
software.
For utility software for example anti-virus software, renewing the software can increase the
system’s security and stop the computer from crashing. In certain updates, the program will
have been altered to deal with new viruses and security risks. Antivirus costs about £20 -
£60 per year and this usually contains free updates in that time.
P7, M3 and D2- James Brooks

Upgrade Operating System to Latest Version

Likewise, upgrading the operating system can cause a substantial improvement on a

computer system. By upgrading the operating system, a computer system can profit
significantly from extra features, improved security, more compatible hardware and
software components and more stability. Having more features will make the PC simpler to
manage, safer and offer an improved GUI setting for the user. Likewise, most hardware and
software components will be improved for use with newer operating systems so may not
perform well in the computer system.
The cost for upgrading the operating system differs – certain operating systems like Linux
are free to upgrade or change as they are open source OS’s. Additional operating systems
for example Windows and Mac OS require users to pay a small sum to upgrade to a newer
operating system – Apple has merely recently stopped the upgrade fee on Mac OS, but it
before used to cost about £130 to upgrade. Upgrading to the latest Windows OS typically
involves the user to pay for the latest version of the operating system – a reduced price
tends to be proposed to anybody who already uses Windows. With Windows 8, upgrading
to Windows 8.1 is free nonetheless to upgrade from Windows 7 or newer the user will have
to pay for the upgrade.
In this exact computer system, upgrading the operating system to Windows 8 or 8.1 would
increase the computer’s functioning. It would offer improved security than Windows 7 and
the interface is simpler to use. Additionally, Windows 8 is much cheaper than former
versions and still has support whereas Microsoft is terminating support for Windows 7.
Lastly, Windows 8 functions much quicker than 7 – it starts up quicker and is capable of
communicating better with the processor and other components in the computer.

Carry Out Regular Routine Maintenance Tasks

To increase the system, regular maintenance duties should be carried out more regularly.
This would increase the system by confirming that the computer is well structured and there
are backup procedures in place in the event that the computer crashes or breaks. There are
several benefits to carrying out regular maintenance tasks for example files being easy to
find in a directory with suitably titled folders; redundant data and information does not take
up storage on the data and lets for more significant data to be saved on the system; the
computer can be restored from a backup if it crashes or the hard drive is damaged; and dirt
does not hinder the functioning of critical components within the PC and lets it function at
larger speeds. Carrying out regular maintenance tasks does not cost the user any money
unless they are required to change components within the PC, or they have to purchase a
device to put their backups on such as a hard drive.
P7, M3 and D2- James Brooks