This document discusses considerations for upgrading computer hardware and software components. It covers whether an upgrade is needed or worth it based on compatibility, risks of issues, and whether current versions are still supported. Key factors to evaluate include new features, performance improvements, bug fixes in updates, and avoiding early upgrades to allow time for major problems to be addressed.

1.  
PC Repair and Troubleshooting

2.  Replacing the old with new version for improvement
 What do you need?
o Hardware Upgrade or Software Upgrade
 Are you willing to pay? Is it worth it?
o Upgrade or Buy a new one
 Risks?
o Compatibility
o Breakage
o Undesired Result
o Bug
o Improper Function

3.  CPU & RAM
 Motherboard
 Display
 Hard Disk
 CD Rom Drive

4. CPU RAM
 Ability to execute many  Remembers what you
instructions at a quick write
rate  Availability for reading
 Instruction requires many  Huge Capacity, Good
memory reference Speed
 The processor is idle  The memory is idle while
while the memory is the processor is working
working

5.  Memory inside the processor chip
 Fast enough to keep up with the processor
 Faster access but Smaller capacity
 Copy of recently used instructions
o L1 Cache – very frequently used
o L2 Cache – less recently used
 Reduce demand of RAM

6. CPU RAM
 Socket compatibility  Memory Differences
o Intel or AMD o Voltage
 Motherboard Capability o Capacity
o CPU speed depends on o Number of pins
chipset  Socket Compatibility
 Motherboard Capability
o RAM speed depends on
chipset
o Capacity of RAM allowed

7.  Proprietary of PC
o Notebooks, Laptops, Models with big brand names
 Upgrade of motherboard is unnecessary
o Only upgrade if it can’t support the CPU and RAM
 Core of Computer
o Bus, Memory and Processor = Balanced
o Choke Point
• slow component will slow down the entire system
• fast component can’t deliver its max capability

8.  Processor and FSB speed
o FSB connects CPU to RAM ; Faster CPU need faster RAM access
o Motherboard Limits FSB max speed and determines design
 Amount type and Memory Configuration
o Limited DIMM
o Faster CPU benefits from motherboards supporting multiple
memory channels and faster memory technologies
 Adapter Card Bus Type
o PCI Slots and AGP Slot
 Internal I/O Ports
o IDE or SATA options
 External I/O Ports
o USB, Audio, Ethernet Options

9.  Video Upgrade
o Video images are arrays of dots (pixels) output by the
motherboard
o Higher resolution – closer dot spacing – more pixels – more work
 Monitor Upgrade
o CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
• cheaper to produce and offered viewing angles close to 180
degrees
• superior contrast, superior response time, are able to use multiple
screen resolutions natively, refresh rate can be set.
o LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
• consume less power, take up much less space, and are
considerably lighter
• less flickering than CRTs, which reduces eye strain
o LED (Light Emitting Diode)
• provide higher contrast and better viewing angles than LCDs

10.  What do you want?
 Manufacturer (ATI , NVIDIA)

11.  Luminance - describes the amount of light that passes
through or is emitted from a particular area, and falls
within a given solid angle.
 Aspect Ratio - the ratio of the width of the image to its
height
 Viewable Image Size - actual amount of screen space
that is available for display without obstruction from the
case
 Display Resolution - number of distinct pixels in each
dimension
 Dot Pitch - distance between sub-pixels of the same
color in millimeters. smaller the dot pitch = sharper the
picture

12.  Refresh rate - number of times in a second that a display
is illuminated
 Response time - time a pixel in a monitor takes to go
from active to inactive. Lower numbers mean faster
transitions
 Contrast ratio - ratio of the brightest color to that of the
darkest color that the monitor is capable of producing
 Power Consumption – electrical energy needed to
operate
 Viewing Angle - max angle at which images on the
monitor can be viewed, without excessive degradation to
the image

13. HD Upgrade CDR Upgrade
 Why upgrade if you can  How often do you use
add one? your CDR?
 Space on case  CDR – DVDR
 Software for copying files  Read and Write Upgrade
for business purposes

14.  Do I need an update or upgrade?
o Software Update
• provides bug fixes and minor software enhancements and is made
available by free download.
• A software update is sometimes called a software patch because it
is applied over software that you already have installed.
• A software update does not provide a full software package
installation.
o Software Upgrade
• purchase of a newer version of software you currently use of a more
fully-featured version of your current software.

15.  Is my current version no longer supported?
o As software manufacturers release new software, they no longer
support the older versions.
o Most software companies support the most recent version and
two old versions.
o To check if your version is supported, you can go to the software
maker's website and check the support area.
o When your software is no longer supported, it may be hard to get
answers to questions you have and this can lead to possible
delays and frustration if you run into a problem with the software.

16.  Does the new version have some features that will make
my work more efficient?
o Almost every software release includes a slew of new features
designed to make work more efficient or easier.
o Examine the list of new or changed features to see if any will
really benefit me.
o Most people never use more than 10-20% of the features of a
software package, so new features in that unused 80% are of
less interest.

17.  Has the software been out long enough to detect any
significant problems?
o Wait 6-12 months after a major new software version is released
before upgrading.
o In the first few months, the software company finds bugs that
they didn't find when testing it and they prepare a service release
or minor upgrade to fix those problems.
o This reduces the risk of upgrading and running into significant
problems.

18.  Will I run into file format compatibility issues?
o If a software application has changed the file format that the
information is saved in, the new files may not be compatible with
the old version of the software.
o This can cause problems when sharing files with colleagues or
partners.
o If the file format has changed, wait longer to upgrade in order to
ensure that most of the people you will share files with have
upgraded to reduce the risk of running into file compatibility
problems