Computer Maintenance

Upgrading Your PC: Flash Memory and

Gathering User Information

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

Course Objectives
Define

flash memory
Demonstrate how to upgrade/update flash
memory
Define information from the user
Convey understanding of how to gather
information from the user

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

Computer Maintenance
Flash

Memory

Solid-state and rewriteable

Uses low voltage and retains data even when the
device is off
Used in many portable devices and functions like
a combination of RAM (random access memory)
and a hard drive

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

Flash Memory
Benefits

of flash memory

Durable: No moving or mechanical parts

Low Power Consumption: Saves battery usage,
generates less heat, and components run cooler
Size: Its small footprint and large capacity allows
it to be used in a diverse range of ways

Devices Include

Cell phones, PDAs, laptops,

desktops, cameras, printers,
audio recorders, TVs, thumb
drives, etc.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

Flash Memory
Most

notable benefit of flash memory

Speed

Since there are no moving parts, the retrieval, transfer,

and write speeds for data are much faster.
Flash memory in use as a hard drive is often referred
to as an SSD (solid-state drive).

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

Computer Maintenance:
Flash Memory

Traditional
Hard Disk
Drive
Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

Flash-Based
Solid-State
Hard Drive
6

Flash Memory
Updating

or Upgrading flash memory

and storage

Firmware or software update: Computers that already

have a flash based hard drive can be updated with newer
drivers for increased functionality and performance.
Hardware upgrade: To upgrade a computer containing a
traditional hard drive, you should open the case, remove
the old hard drive, and connect and install the new drive. It
should be formatted and loaded with the operating system
and all drivers for the hardware that exists on the computer.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

Flash Memory
Steps

for software updates:

Determine the type and model of your SSD.

Go online to the manufacturers website and
download the latest software update to your
computer.
Double click the icon to initiate installation and
follow the prompts.
When youve finished the installation, delete the
icon.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

Flash Memory
Upgrading

the hardware

There are different hard-drive connections to the

motherboard of your computer: IDA and SATA.
The SATA connection has a faster transfer rate, and
the cable is smaller than an IDE cable. When
purchasing a new hard drive, you need to know what
type of connection is supported on the motherboard.

IDE Cable

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

SATA Cable

Flash Memory

Upgrading the hardware (cont.)

There should be an informational label on the hard drive detailing the hard-drive size and
manufacturer.
If you are upgrading to a larger hard drive, you will want to know the capacity of the old drive.
You will also want to back up the data from the old hard drive prior to removing it.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

10

Flash Memory
Upgrading

the hardware (cont.)

Once youve installed the new hard drive, shut

the computer down and disconnect the power.
Make sure that you are grounded (that your body
does not carry any static electricity) and then
disconnect the power cable and open the case.
Unscrew, unplug, and remove the hard drive.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

11

Flash Memory
Upgrading

the hardware (cont.)

Mount the new hard drive the same way you

removed the old hard drive.
Firmly plug the cables into the new hard drive.
Close the computer and plug the power cable
back in.

Note: This image is an SATA connection

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

12

Flash Memory
Upgrading

the hardware (cont.)

Turn the computer ON. The POST screen should

flash new hard drive information.
At this point, you should reinstall the operating
system on the new hard drive along with all of
the appropriate drivers for the hardware.
Finally, you can restore previously backed-up
software and data.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

13

Flash Memory
Things

to consider when upgrading flash

memory

The different speeds of flash memory

Flash memory comes in different speeds that allow for

faster read or write speeds.
Higher speeds give more performance but also cost more.

The capacities of flash memory

Consider how much storage space you currently use and

how much you foresee yourself needing.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

14

Flash Memory
Things

to consider when upgrading flash

memory (cont.)

The manufacturer

Make sure that the manufacturer is well known.

Flash SSD hard drives are still relatively new; lesserknown, inexpensive companies may have poor records for
reliability and component failures where data can be lost
from a drive.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

15

Flash Memory
The

future of flash memory

Computer manufacturers are making computers harder

to upgrade by making them smaller, lighter, and more
integrated.
Components such as flash memory are beginning to be
soldered to the motherboard of the computer.
As technology evolves and components become
integrated, some new computers will not be upgradable
at all.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

16

Computer Maintenance
User

information

Information provided by the user about the

computer for troubleshooting and upgrading
purposes

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

17

Gathering Information
from the User
Ask

Have the user explain what the problem is.

Ask

general questions first

specific questions

What type of computer is having the issue?

When does the computer have issues?

All the time

Part of the time

When does it occur? (during certain programs, after

rebooting, etc.)

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

18

Gathering Information
from the User

How long has the issue existed?

Find out if the problem has remained the same or gotten

worse as time has progressed.

Software

questions

Is the software up to date?

Does the computer have security software or an antivirus program installed? If so, are the definition files
current?
Does rebooting the computer make any difference?
What programs are open when the issue arises?

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

19

Gathering Information
from the User
Hardware

Does the computer make unusual sounds?

questions

What types of sounds (grinding, squeaking, loud, soft)

Is the computer set up correctly?

Did the computer always have this issue?

Has it been relocated recently?
Does it have proper ventilation?

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

20

Gathering Information
from the User
Obtain

system specifications

What specific components are installed?

Computer OS (operating system), processor, graphics
card, memory, hard drive, etc.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

21

Gathering Information
from the User
Obtaining

information from the user helps

Diagnose the problem correctly

Determine if the issue is software or hardware
related
Identify the specifications of the users computer

This

is the first step in troubleshooting!

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

22

Independent or
Group Work
Groups:

Get into your groups.

Practice uninstalling and reinstalling a flash-based hard drive.

Individual

Gather information from a friend or family member about a problem

he or she has or has had with his or her computer in the last 6
months
Have the individual sign off on your report
Extra credit: Write up a diagnosis and repair plan for the computer

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

23

Exam Preparation
An

exam will be given over the material in the

presentation.
Make sure to review your class notes and
these slides.
Questions will be multiple choice and
true/false.

Copyright Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.

24