ICAICT302A Install and optimise operating system software

Description

This unit is 20 hours and is about installing operating systems and making adjustments to optimise the system to accommodate for business and client needs.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit of competency you will be able to:

Determine function of operating systems

Identify and demonstrate understanding of the purposes of the operating system
Distinguish between batch system, real-time system, multi-tasking system
Identify and demonstrate understanding of the basic functions of operating system, including file system, memory management, process scheduling
Identify and demonstrate management of virtual memory

Obtain operating system

Contact operating system vendors to obtain technical specifications and system requirements
Document adjustment recommendations and provide to appropriate person
Determine and apply knowledge of licensing, hardware and security requirements

Install, configure and optimise operating system

Install, configure and test the operating system software in accordance with installation procedures and organisational requirements
Optimise the system to meet organisational requirements
Document the system according to organisational requirements
Install the operating system with minimal disruption to client or users

Provide instruction to meet new software requirements

Provide one-to-one instruction about changes to the client or users as required
Obtain client evaluation about new system to ensure requirements are met, using appropriate feedback mechanism

Learning Path

Activity 1

In consultation with your supervisor, trainer or mentor, you will identify a client who has requested an operating system upgrade. You will then document and evaluate the requirements.

Your evaluation may include details such as:

Enterprise guidelines - does the enterprise allow this type of operating system to be installed?
Purchasing requirements - where can you get the required operating system? Internal stores or external?
Licensing arrangements - does the enterprise have enough licenses or will they have to purchase another one?
Budget considerations - does the budget allow for this purchase? Whose budget - the client’s or the technical area’s?
How many people will be involved with or disrupted by the upgrade?
How long will the upgrade take?

You will use your evaluation to make recommendations about the most appropriate operating system to purchase. Once the recommendations have been approved you will arrange the purchase of the operating system.

Checklist

q	Identify a client who has requested an operating system upgrade.
q	Document the client’s requirements. Evaluate the requirements and make notes on the key items. Pass them to your supervisor, trainer or mentor for confirmation.
q	To undertake the upgrade, you may need to purchase the required component. Locate and read your enterprise’s policy concerning purchasing. This should include information such forms to be filled out for purchasing components and any authorization required.
q	Contact the supplier to obtain the technical specifications of the component. Make sure you find out the hardware and software requirements for the operating system. This will ensure that the operating system you purchase is compatible with the system you want to install it in.
q	Complete the required forms and refer them to your supervisor, trainer or mentor for authorisation and action.

Activity 2

In Activity 1 you identified a client who requires an operating system to be installed and you purchased the operating system required. Once you have obtained the operating system, you will begin to install, test and configure it. You will document the system as required. For example, you will record the new operating system in the hardware/software register and file the licence in an appropriate place. Once the operating system is installed you will provide the client with instruction and support. Finally, you will obtain feedback from the client to ensure that the requirements have been met.

Checklist

q	Prepare to install the operating system. Talk with your client about the most suitable time to do this so that you minimise disruption. Install the operating system following the manufacturer’s instructions.
q	If necessary, run diagnostic tests to optimise the system. Keep a list of the tests you have used.
q	Develop instructions for your client on how to use the new operating system. Make notes on the key points you will cover when developing instructions.
q	Ensure that the upgraded operating system meets the client’s requirements. Give the instructions to the client and provide one-to-one instruction, as required.
q	Ask the client to give you feedback to ensure their requirements have been met. This might be verbal or written.
q	Record the new component and its location in the hardware/software register.

Assessments

Assessment Task 1 - Demonstration

You must be observed by your teaching installing and improving system performance with a minimum disruption to the clients. Your teacher will organize this event for you and observe you completing the installation and improvements. You must then write a report on the analysis of the installation for the client and the problems found.

Assessment task 2 - Questions

Answer the following questions:

List the specifications of the system you are working on detailing the CPU, RAM, OS, HDD space, significant software, and user access accounts. NB: significant software means a specific piece of software that is on that machine for a purposed, e.g. MYOB for a computer in the accounting department or AutoCAD for a the Technical drawing department..etc

A client complains of their system running really slow. The HDD light is always flicking. You suspect that some other processes may be running in the background. How can you find out the processes currently running on the computer?

List three functions and features of Windows Vista Business Edition and Windows XP Professional

After a year of setting up and configuring computers for clients of your company, you have been promoted to manage all of the new technicians who are now going to take your place in setting up and configuring computers. You first duty is to develop a checklist of tasks that should be carried out when setting up and configuring computers. List five things that you would have on this checklist.

Graphics and CAD programs like 3ds max and Autodesk Inventor and gaming software like Dawn of War generally require a superior graphics card. Look up a graphics card that can be used for software that requires such cards and list the technical specifications.

In some cases some organisations do not ‘support’ particular applications. List one reason as to why an organisation may not support a particular piece of software? (e.g. Company affiliated with competition product)

Find out the system requirements for Microsoft Office Professional 2007. Does the following machine meet the minimum system specifications for Microsoft Office Profession 2007? YES or NO

CPU: Intel Pentium IV 3.0 Ghz

RAM: 128 MB

HDD: 160 GB

OS: Windows 98

When installing and optimising software for an organisation it is important to have a broad knowledge of incorporating system software. One common aspect to check is the compatibility between different software and the compatibility between different versions of the same software. Answer True of False in the boxes to the for the following statements

Something saved in Word 2007 format can be opened in Word 2003
AutoCAD 2008 is compatible with Windows Vista
WOW (World of Warcraft) is compatible with Windows 3.1

List three common system diagnostic software

You are on the phone with a person who is in a panic state because their computer is doing ‘unexpected things’. The call goes like this

“My computer is just not working, when I click the mouse, the screen just gets messed up, I keep trying again but it just does the same thing! Then a message comes up and then I press enter and then nothing happens.”

List three questions you would ask to clarify what is going on.

Technical manuals can sometimes be difficult to understand and the use of Acronyms may be excessive. List 2 websites that you may use which will help you interpret technical terms. Example www.techterms.com

How can you access the following Diagnostic Tools

Task Manager:

Device Manager:

Event Viewer:

Evidence List

q	Observation Sheet from student demonstration
q	Completed Questions from Assessment Task 2

Observation Sheet

Candidate name
Assessor name
Unit of Competency	ICAICT302A Install and optimise operating system software
Name of workplace
Date of assessment
During the assessment, did the candidate			Satis	Unsatis
Determine function of operating systems
Identify and demonstrate understanding of the purposes of the operating system
Distinguish between batch system, real-time system, multi-tasking system
Identify and demonstrate understanding of the basic functions of operating system, including file system, memory management, process scheduling
Identify and demonstrate management of virtual memory
Obtain operating system
Contact operating system vendors to obtain technical specifications and system requirements
Document adjustment recommendations and provide to appropriate person
Determine and apply knowledge of licensing, hardware and security requirements
Install, configure and optimise operating system
Install, configure and test the operating system software in accordance with installation procedures and organisational requirements
Optimise the system to meet organisational requirements
Document the system according to organisational requirements
Install the operating system with minimal disruption to client or users
Provide instruction to meet new software requirements
Provide one-to-one instruction about changes to the client or users as required
Obtain client evaluation about new system to ensure requirements are met, using appropriate feedback mechanism
Is the candidate Competent:		CO NYC
Feedback to candidate:
Candidates signature:
Assessor’s Signature:
Date: