Lesson 2: Upgrading a Computer
In today's world of constant change, the most frequently performed task by a computer professional is to upgrade old systems to the latest technologies. This ability to expand and upgrade a computer can prolong the life and utility of a system. However, sometimes even the simple addition of a new piece of software can lead to hardware conflicts and the subsequent need for an upgrade, as a computer owner tries to squeeze one more year out of "old faithful." This lesson discusses many aspects of computer hardware upgrades.
After this lesson, you will be able to:Estimated lesson time: 30 minutes
- Describe the principles behind upgrading a computer.
- Define the limits of and expectations for upgrading a system.
Run the mboard video located in the demos folder on the CD accompanying this book to view a presentation of a personal computer's motherboard subsystem.
Run the assembly video located in the demos folder on the CD accompanying this book to view a presentation of components being assembled into a personal computer.
As discussed in Lesson 1, before you begin to upgrade any computer, you need to document the system. You should create and maintain files that document all computers for which you are responsible. Figure 14.1 provides a sample configuration sheet. Use it as a model to create your own.
Figure 14.1 Sample configuration sheet