Installing and Maintaining Software in Computers

Learning Aim A:

2A.P1 - Explain the benefits of installing and maintaining software for two different technology systems

The benefits of installing and maintaining Windows 10 and Linux (Peppermint)

The benefits of installing and maintaining Windows 10

The benefits of installing Windows 10 Home is that it's mostly used on regular systems. Windows 10 Home is slightly lighter than Pro because there is lack of many system tools. Windows 10 is Proprietary. Windows 10 Home takes less disk space on your device. Windows 10 uses more battery compared to Linux Peppermint.

The benefits of installing Windows 10 Pro is that it's a safer choice when it comes to protecting your PC and securing your information. In addition, you can choose to connect the Windows 10 Pro to a domain.

The benefits of maintaining Windows 10 is that it has to keep up to date with the modern technologies,
to customise different components of software applications to meet users’ needs and
t
o prevent software problems occurring and/or to repair software problems
.

Another benefit of maintaining Windows 10 is that it has
t
o upgrade software (such as office applications, operating systems, device drivers) and t
o change system functionality (such as media centre, network, other specialist purposes).

The benefits of installing and maintaining Linux (Peppermint)

The benefits of installing Linux (Peppermint) are that it's open-source and uses less battery. Peppermint OS is lightweight and stable. Peppermint OS emerges as a better choice. Peppermint OS is free and has no costs. Peppermint OS is simple and clean with the smallest footprint and has sensible use of resources ideal for machines with older hardware.

The benefits of maintaining Linux (Peppermint) is that it has to keep up to date with the modern technologies,

to customise different components of software applications to meet users’ needs and

o prevent software problems occurring and/or to repair software problems

Another benefit of maintaining Linux (Peppermint) is that it has
t
o upgrade software (such as office applications, operating systems, device drivers) and t
o change system functionality (such as media centre, network, other specialist purposes).

Two different pieces of software for technology systems (installation and maintenance)

Windows 10 - This is installed by Select CD -ROM Boot Type:, type number 1 next to 'Select CD -ROM Boot Type:', selecting the operating systems you want to install, read the License Terms, accept the License Terms, which type of installation do you want?, where do you want to install Windows?, installing Windows, windows need to restart to continue, blank page appears on your screen, select CD -ROM Boot Type:, type number 1 next to 'Select CD -ROM Boot Type:' and finally the PC turns on with Windows 10 operating system logo after that you have to create an account for your PC.

This is maintained by clearing the PC junk, uninstall unwanted programs, control startup programs, remove Crapware, run Disk Defragmentation tool, run Check Disk occasionally and keep OS and software updated.

Linux (Peppermint) - This is installed by select CD -ROM Boot Type:, type number 1 next to 'Select CD -ROM Boot Type:',

Select ‘PeppermintOS (amd64)’ on your PC screen,

Press ENTER to boot or TAB to edit a menu entry, blank page appears on your screen, the operating system logo appears on your screen, Welcome to Peppermint appears on your screen, Install Peppermint icon appears on your screen, click Install Peppermint, Peppermint Installer appears on your screen, the welcome page appears on your screen, the language

page appears on your screen, the location

page appears on your screen, the keyboard

page appears on your screen, the partitions

page appears on your screen, the users

page appears on your screen, the summary

page appears on your screen, the install

page appears on your screen, the finish

page appears on your screen, click done after the procedure has finally been

accomplished, then restart the PC and finally type the login and password for the Linux (Peppermint) computer.

This is maintained by updating the software in the computers, firewall helps you to block unwanted websites which are irrelevant and use Linux Malware Direct when scanning large files to detect viruses, malware and other common security issues.

Why we install and maintain computer software?

Updating the operating system will ensure that any new software applications are compatible with the latest standards.
Customising a spreadsheet using macros to automate calculations and functions will result in saved time and improved efficiency.

The wider implications of installing and maintaining i.e. who does it impact and how?

An implication for installing software is that new software doesn't always roll out smoothly, the cost of new software and the training time involved.

Another implication for installing software is that it's not easily accessible everywhere, must be installed on each computer and you must make your own backups.

An implication for maintaining software is that the software could be incompatible because the software might not match up to the specification of the device. Also, with maintaining software there are high chances of data risks such as data loss and data corruption happening in your computer.

Another implication for maintaining software is that with new released software's there will be issues such as the software could be not run smoothly.

How installing and maintaining computer software could improve the productivity for an individual or organisation?

The benefits of installing and maintaining software for an individual and business?

The benefits of installing and maintaining software for an individual and business is that this reduces costs, improves productivity, speed, accuracy and ease of use.

Another benefit of installing and maintaining software for an individual and business is that this improves the users experience, improves communication, improves/maintain customer service, apply software updates made available by manufacturer, improves security or stability.

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of software for a given technology system.

What is good and bad about it?

The strengths about Windows 10 is that this operating system offers stronger security than other versions of Windows, Windows as a service, one connected Ecosystem and Desktop and Tablet mode.

Another strength is that this operating system is lighter and faster, excellent virus protection, system updates for a longer period, touch screen for hybrid devices and full control over Windows 10.

The weaknesses about Windows 10 is that this operating system needs mandatory Windows updates, issues about privacy and lost apps.

Another

weakness is that this operating system has possible privacy problems, compatibility issues and discontinued applications.

The strengths about Linux (Peppermint) is that
this operating system can easily be customisable, pre-installed apps, stable, proper use of system resources and absolute freedom over your system.

Another strength is that this operating system is safe and reliable, easy to use, highly secure, high performance, privacy-friendly, easily install software and better software updates.

The weaknesses about

Linux (Peppermint) is that this operating system lacks of proprietary software, hard learning curve, no standard edition, lack of technical support and limited market share.

Another weakness about Linux (Peppermint) is that this operating system has difficulty to troubleshoot, no unified installer/package manager, poor support for games, unsupported hardware and no hibernation.

What could go wrong?

There are a number of factors with

Windows 10 that could go wrong such as not enough space to install Windows updates, PC boots slowly, files open in the wrong application, you can't play DVD movies, apps won't work with

Windows 10 after you've upgraded and printers won't connect.

There are a number of factors with
Linux (Peppermint)

that could go wrong such as encryption, lacking

support for some hardware, steep learning curve and lack of user friendliness.

Learning Aim B:

2B.P2 - Describe the purpose and ‘client’ requirements for installing and maintaining software in a technology system

Intended Purpose

Learning Aim A - Scenario

I work as a software installation engineer for an IT company that specialises in maintaining technology systems. For this scenario, a ‘client’ manages a small company with employees that use technology systems.

They want to know:

The benefits and implications of installing and maintaining software in at least two different technology systems.
How software in at least one technology system could help improve productivity in their organisation.

I need to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the software for a given technology system.

Prepare a blog post for the ‘client’.

Learning Aim B - Scenario

The ‘client’ wants me to install and maintain the software in one technology system.

My task is to plan the installation and maintenance of software to fulfill my ‘client’ requirements.

Produce a plan to include:

List of the installation and maintenance activities.
A description of software resources required for an installation or upgrade.
A description of customisation tools and techniques I will use when customising software applications to improve productivity.
A test plan.

I must also consider alternative ideas, e.g. different software or customisation tools and techniques of software installation that will fulfill the same purpose.

It's important that I explain how the plan meets the purpose and ‘client’ requirements and what effect it will have on users.

Learning Aim C:

2C.P4 - Install and maintain software in a technology system that includes the:

Installation or upgrade of one operating system.
Installation or upgrade of at least two different software applications.
Customisation of at least three different components in software application(s).

Time - My lab work started at 9:15am and I finished my lab work at 11:15am.

Problem - The first problem was that the first PC Case didn’t show bootable device on screen. The second problem was that the second PC Case did switch on but the monitor didn’t turn on.
What Went Well - I was successful with the Anti-Virus installation.
The steps I used to accomplish my Anti-Virus installation are:

Plug in the ‘Power Supply Unit Cable’ into the PC Case and the sockets.
Plug in the ‘Mouse’ and ‘Keyboard’ into the PC Case.
Plug in the ‘PC Case’ to the sockets.
Turn on the PC Case.
Insert the ‘Windows 10’ CD to the ‘Optical Drive’ in the PC Case.
Select CD-ROM Boot Type:

Type number 1 next to where it says ‘Select CD-ROM Boot Type’.

The Operating System Logo has appeared on my PC for Windows.

The 'Windows Setup' has appeared on my PC but I couldn't change United States to United Kingdom for 'Languages to Install:'.

I changed the 'Time and Currency Format:' to United Kingdom from United States.

I clicked 'Install now' on 'Windows Setup'.

The ‘Setup is starting’ has appeared on my screen.

Select the operating system you want to install.

I clicked 'Windows 10 Pro' on 'Windows Setup' which is shown below.

You have to read the license Terms and click ‘I accept the license terms’.

The 'Which type of installation do you want?' has appeared on my screen.

The 'Where do you want to install Windows?' has appeared on my screen.

I deleted all of the files on 'Where do you want to install Windows?' which is shown on my screen.

'Installing Windows' has appeared on my screen.

The ‘Status: Copying Window files' is shown on 'Installing Windows' page on my screen.

The ‘Status: Getting files ready for installation' - 0% complete is shown on 'Installing Windows' page on my screen.

The ‘Status: Getting files ready for installation' - 50% complete is shown on 'Installing Windows' page on my screen.

The ‘Status: Getting files ready for installation' - 88% complete is shown on 'Installing Windows' page on my screen.

The ‘Status: Getting files ready for installation' - 90% complete is shown on 'Installing Windows' page on my screen.

The ‘Status: Getting files ready for installation' - 100% complete is shown on 'Installing Windows' page on my screen.

The 'Status: Installing Features' is shown on 'Installing Windows' page on my screen.

The 'Status: Installing Updates' is shown on 'Installing Windows' page on my screen.

The 'Windows needs to restart to continue' - 'Restarting in 8 seconds'.

Click ‘Restart now’ after 'Restarting in 1 second' has finished and is shown on the 'Windows needs to restart to continue' page.

A blank screen has appeared on my PC.

Select CD-ROM Boot Type:

Type number 1 next to where it says ‘Select CD-ROM Boot Type’.

The Operating System Logo has appeared on my PC screen for Windows.

'Just a moment' has appeared on my PC screen.

‘Create an account for my PC’ has appeared on my PC screen.

Type your name in the box where it says ‘Who's going to use this PC’ which is shown on my screen.

'Just a moment' has appeared on my PC screen.

'Hi' has appeared on my PC.

'We're setting things up for you' has appeared on my PC screen.

'This won't take long' and 'Setting up your apps' has appeared on my PC screen.

'Taking care of a few things' and 'Setting up your apps' has appeared on my PC screen.

The Operating System Logo has appeared on my PC for Windows 10.

Open up 'Settings' by searching for it on the 'Start Menu'.

Click ‘Update & Security’ on the ‘Settings’ page.

‘Windows Update' is shown on the ‘Update & Security’ page.

Click ‘Windows Defender’ on my PC screen.

Click ‘Use Windows Defender' on 'Settings' page.

'Windows Defender' page has appeared on my PC screen.

Click ‘Scan now' on 'Windows Defender' page.

On my screen this showed up 'Your PC is being scanned'

after clicking 'Scan now'.

On my screen this showed up 'Your PC is being scanned' - 'Items scanned: 45311' after clicking 'Scan now'.

On my screen this showed up 'Your PC is being scanned' - 'Items scanned: 67367' after clicking 'Scan now'.

On my screen this showed up ‘Scan Completed on 67572 items’ after the computer scan has been completed.

Insert the ‘Peppermint’ CD to the ‘Optical Drive’ in the PC Case.

Select CD-ROM Boot Type:

Type number 1 next to where it says ‘Select CD-ROM Boot Type’.

Select ‘PeppermintOS (amd64)’ on my PC screen.

Press ENTER to boot or TAB to edit a menu entry.

A blank screen has appeared on my PC.

The Operating System Logo has appeared on my PC for Linux.

A blank screen has appeared on my PC.

The PC screen has turned on for Linux (Peppermint).

‘Welcome to Peppermint’ has appeared on my PC screen.

‘Install Peppermint’ icon has appeared on the left-hand corner of my PC screen.

Click ‘Install Peppermint’ icon on the left-hand corner of my PC screen.

The ‘Peppermint Installer’ has appeared on my PC screen.

The ‘Welcome’ page has appeared on my PC screen.

Select the ‘Language’ you want the Peppermint installation to be in on the ‘Welcome’ page.

Change the language from 'American English' to 'British English (United Kingdom) on Peppermint installation.

Then click ‘Next’ which is shown on this page.

The ‘Location’ page had appeared on my PC screen.

Change the ‘Region’ from America to Europe and ‘Zone’ from New York to London on the ‘Location’ page.

Then click ‘Next’ which is shown on this page.

The ‘Keyboard’ page had appeared on my screen.

Select the ‘Keyboard Language’ and the ‘Default’ on the ‘Keyboard’ page.

Then click ‘Next’ which is shown on this page.

The ‘Partitions’ page had appeared on my screen.

Select ‘Install alongside’ on the ‘Partitions’ page.

Select ‘sda2’ on the ‘Partitions’ page.

The partitions for Windows 10 and Linux (Peppermint) is shown on my PC screen.

Then click ‘Next’ which is shown on this page.

The ‘Users’ page has appeared on my screen.

Type your name in the box where it says ‘What is your name’ which is shown on my screen.

Underneath that box, it will show the name you have typed in the above box but the first letter will appear as lower case and not upper case on my screen.

Underneath that box, it will show the name of this computer on my screen.

‘Choose a password to keep your account safe’ has appeared on my screen.

Type a password into that box after you have chosen one so that your account is safe.

Underneath that box, it says ‘Log in automatically without asking for the password’ which is shown on my screen.

Then click ‘Next’ which is shown on this page.

The ‘Summary’ page has appeared on my screen.

Select ‘Install’ on the ‘Summary’ page.

The ‘Install’ page has appeared on my screen.

‘The installation has started – 1%’ shown on the ‘install’ page.

‘The installation was proceeding slowly – 37%’ shown on the ‘install’ page.

‘The installation has come more than half way – 75%’ shown on the ‘install’ page.

‘The installation has finally finished – 100%’ shown on the ‘install’ page.

‘All done’ has appeared on the ‘Finish’ page.

Click ‘Done’ on the ‘Finish’ page.

Select 'Windows 10' on 'GNU GRUB version 2.04.20' page.

The PC has restarted and opened up Windows 10.

Type the ‘Username’ and ‘Password’ for the ‘Windows 10’ computer.

The ‘Welcome’ page has appeared on my PC screen for ‘Windows 10’.

The Operating System Logo has appeared on my PC for Windows 10.

Open up 'Control Panel' by searching for it on the 'Start Menu'.

Type 'System Restore' on the 'Settings' search bar.

'System Restore' has opened up on my PC screen.

Click 'System Protection' on 'System Restore' page.

Click 'System Restore' on 'System Properties' page.

'Store Protection' - The restore point was created successfully.

Click 'Configure' on 'System Properties' page.

The Operating System Logo has appeared on my PC for Windows 10.

Place the USB Stick into the ‘USB Slot’ gently in the PC Case.
Open up ‘File Explorer’ on your PC.

Click ‘Removable Disk’ on the left-hand side of the ‘Quick Access’.

Select ‘LibreOffice_7.3.1_Win_x86’.

Right click ‘LibreOffice_7.3.1_Win_x86’ and select ‘Copy’.

Right click on 'Downloads' page and select ‘Paste’.

Copying 1 item from ‘Removable Disk’ to ‘Downloads’ – 78% complete which is shown on my screen.

Right click on ‘FD_057 (E:)’ to ‘Eject’ the USB safely from the desktop.
Remove the USB Stick gently and safely from the PC Case.

Click ‘LibreOffice_7.3.1_Win_x86’ on the ‘File Explorer’ which is shown on your screen.

The ‘Welcome to the Installation Wizard for LibreOffice7.3.1.3’ has appeared on my screen.

Then click ‘Next’ which is shown on this page.

The ‘Setup Type’ has appeared on my screen.

Select ‘Typical’ or ‘Custom’ for the computer ‘Setup Type’.

I have selected ‘Custom’ for the computer ‘Setup Type’.

Then click ‘Next’ which is shown on this page.

The ‘Custom Setup’ has appeared on my screen.

On my screen this showed up ‘Click on an icon in the list below to change how a feature is installed’ after ‘Custom Setup’ has appeared on my screen.