Importance of Software in the Maintenance of Computer

► Explain the importance of computer maintenance

Story 1: Raina was very intent on having a laptop from his father after getting admission to the college. As her attainment in the first term examination was good, her father bought her a branded laptop with core i5 processor. Raina was impressed with the quality and speed of the laptop. She installed many pieces of software within few days. However, she noticed a gradual decline in its performance. After one year, she observed that the laptop was running too slow and it was irksome working on the computer. After somedays, she made a capricious demand to her father for purchasing another one for her.

Story 2: Ankon has recently taken internet connection for the computer. Now he frequently browses the Web and has benefitted greatly from the sites with the information related to his study. Besides education, he uses the internet for sending emails, listening to music, and watching movie. Recently he has found the computer often restarting without any prior notification. In addition, the internet browser opens different sited without any command. One day, he inserted a memory stick into the USB connection port on his computer. He was shocked to find out that his files turned into 'shortcuts'. He couldn't even locate the original files. 

What do you understand from the above events? Is it similar to your experience? You have already known many things about Information and Communication Technology this time, and you have understood that the processor and software are the main components in ICT. A new computer, be it a desktop, laptop or tablet, usually runs fast, but after somedays, it gradually slows down. As it gets old, so it becomes slow. Sometimes, you have to wait for long after giving a command. Situation at times becomes so worse sometimes you become so annoyed that you want to buy a new one.

What is the way to get rid of this situation? Here lies the importance of computer maintenance. You have llearnt a little about computer maintenance in the junior Class. Most of the people do not like the task of maintaining ICT or technological devices. However, it is an important task. If you want to keep your ICT device operative, you have to maintain it. You need not to be an expert for that job. We are talking of software-oriented maintenance of ICT devices.

If the Windows Operating System of Microsoft Company is used in your ICT device ( almost in all the computers of the world, Windows Operating System is used), you have to check its status and update of the operating system all the time. If the device is connected to the internet, the updates are done automatically. Other operating systems provide a similar kind of facilities same facilities too. In spite of that, you have to use registry clean up software to keep the machine fast. If you do not use this software, your machine will not work properly and it will be a matter of annoyance for you.

Besides, everytime while using the computer, some temporary files are created. If these files are not erased for a long time, they occupy a lot of space in the hard disk and slow down the speed of the computer. That is why we should erase the temporary files with a software. It will make some space free and speed up the computer.

Nowadays, the use of ICT device can not be imagined without the internet connection. Many cookies and temporary internet files are saved in the cash memory of the internet browser when you surf the net. It slows down the computer. If it is not possible to clean up the cash memory everyday, it must be done in every few days' intervals. A piece of software can help you to get the job done.

Using ICT device without anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-malware is very risky. It's an important maintenance activity that protect the users' device from the attack of virus, malware and spyware, and they can safely use their devices. Now many anti-virus, anti-malware, and anti-spyware software can be downloaded free of cost from the internet and used to protect the computer. Even these pieces of software can be updated from the internet. The use of ICT device without updated anti-virus is very risky.

The computer users can run disk clean up and disk defragmentor to keep the usual speed of the computer. These programmes are attached with the operating system. These two pieces of software clean up the space of hardware and arrange the files in such an order so that the speed of the computer is kept up.

Installation and Uninstallation of Software

We know that the ICT devices are operated with software. These pieces of software have to be installed in the computer or in other devices. When we purchase any ICT device, the seller asks us about the software that we require. The seller after installing the required pieces of software along with operating software gives it to us. In this way, we can use ICT devices, for example, computer, tablet, smartphone, etc., as we require.

The process of installing operating system software is complex, and expertise is essential for this job. We will have discussions on it in your next Class. In addition to the operating system software, we need different types of software. These pieces of software should be installed on the basis of our needs.

Installation of any software requires special attention to the issues given below:

► Whether the hardware of your device supports the pieces of software to be installed;

► Whether there is anything important in 'read me' file, if any, read it;

► Whether all other works are stopped during installation or not; if not, the installation process often gets hampered;

► Whether the anti-virus software is turned off, and

► Whether the administrator of operating system has the permission or not;

(All the devices have the permission except some particular devices.)

Installation of software, except the operating system one, depends almost on the operating system itself. However, the process of installation is almost the same. We need the soft or the digital copy of the piece of software to install it. It can be collected from CD, DVD, Pendrive, or the Internet. In most of the cases, a programme called 'Auto Run' is attached with the software. When you insert CD and DVD or connect a pmdrive to the USB port, the 'Auto run' programme becomes activated and the piece of software seeks permission for the set up. Follow the next steps after giving the permission and the piece of software will be installed in your computer. Restarting the device, you will be able to use the programme.

► Differentiate between software uninstallation and software deletion;

► Explain the importance of using password and anti-virus for the security of computer, data and software;