Basic Education Curriculum

TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD

EDUCATION

Information and Communications

Technology

Computer Hardware Servicing

Learner’s Material
GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

NOT FOR SALE

ALLOTTED TO
District/ School: _________________________________________

Division _________________________________________________
First Year of Use: _________________________________________
 Source of Fund (Year included):__________________________

Department of Education
Republic of the Philippines

Computer Hardware Servicing –Grade 10

Learner’s Material
First Edition, 2014
ISBN: ___________

Republic Act 8293, section 176states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of
the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created
shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things,
impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.)
included in this book are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to
locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher
and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education Secretary:

Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC
Undersecretary: Dina S.Ocampo, Ph.D.
Assistant Secretary: Lorna Dig Dino, Ph.D.

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 Development Team of the Learner’s Material

Authors:
Rosalie P. Lujero
Teacher III / School ICT Coordinator
Dasmariñas East National High School

Ronaldo V. Ramilo
Education Program Specialist
Division of Tanauan

Michael Angelo C. Gatchalian

Teacher III / School ICT Coordinator
Dagupan City National High School

Editors: Joemar A. Garraton

Reviewers: Romeo B. Gacutan, Simfroso C. Robles II and Marion I. Alinas Illustrator
and Layout Artists:
Subject Specialist: Owen M. Milambiling
Management Team: Dr.Lolita M. Andrada, Jocelyn DR Andaya, Bella O. Mariñas,
Dr. Jose D. Tuguinayo, Jr.

Printed in the Philippines by ____________

Department of Education-Instructional Materials Council Secretariat(DepEd-IMCS)

Office Address: 2nd Floor Dorm G, Philsports Complex, Meralco Avenue,
Pasig City, Philippines 1600
Telefax: (02) 634-1054, 634-1072 E-mail
Address: imcsetd@yahoo.com

ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Module 1: PERSONAL ENTREPRENUERIAL COMPETENCIES (PECs)

Introduction ………………….……………………………………. 1
Objectives …………………………………………………………. 2
Pre-Assessment ………………………………………………….. 3
Learning Goals and Target …….……………………………… 4
Reading Resources and Instructional Activities ……………… 4
What to Know…………………………………………………….. 6
Assessment of PECs vis-à-vis Entrepreneur .……………….. 6
What to Process.……………………………………………..…. 7
What to Reflect and Understand ……………………………… 9
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 What to Transfer ………..……………………………………… 12

Module 2: ENVIRONMENT AND MARKET (EM)

Introduction ………………….……………………………………. 14
Objectives …………………………………………………………. 15
Pre-Assessment ………………………………………………….. 15
Learning Goals and Target …….……………………………….. 18

Reading Resources and Instructional Activities ……………… 19

What to Know …………………………………………………… 19
Product Development ……………………………………… 19
Concept of Developing Product …………………………. 22
Finding Value ……………………………………………… 22
Innovation …………………………………………………. 23
Unique Selling Proposition……………………………….. 23
What to Process…………………………………………………. 24
What to Reflect and Understand ……………………………… 25
What to Transfer………………………………………………… 26
What to Know …..………………………………………………… 27

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 Generating Ideas for Business ………………………….. 27
Key Concept of Selecting a business Idea …………….. 29
Branding …………………………………………………… 30
What to Process.………………………………………………………….….. 31
What to Reflect and Understand ...……………………………………….. 33
What to Transfer …………………………………………………………... 34

Module 3: CONFIGURING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORK

Introduction ……………………………………………………… 36
Learning Competencies / Objectives ………………………… 37
Pre-Diagnostic / Assessment …………………………………. 38
Reading Resources / Instructional Activities ……………….. 43
Plan and Prepare for Configuration of Computer 43
Systems and Networks ……………….. 43
What to Know …………………………………………………… 43
Safety Procedures…………………………………….. 44
General Safety Guidelines ………………………….. 44
Fire Safety Guidelines ………………………………. 44
What to Process ……………………………………………….. 45
Peer to Peer Activity ………………………………… 45
What to reflect / Understand …………………………………. 46
Research and Investigation ………………………… 46
What to Transfer ……………………………………………….. 47
Role Playing …………………………………………... 47
What to Know …………………………………………………… 48
Prepare Tools Used for Configuration ……………. 48

v
 Structure of the Registry ……………………………. 53
What to Process ……………………………………………….. 56
MS Configuration and Command Classification … 56
Applet Grouping …………………………………….. 57

What to Reflect / Understand ………………………………… 58

Research and Explore …………………………….. 59
What to Transfer ………………………………………………. 60
Oral Presentation ……………………………………. 60
What to Know ………………………………………………….. 61
Procedure in Using Computer System
Configuration Tools………………………………….. 61
What to Transfer ……………………………………………….. 68
Windows registry Backup and Recovery………. 68
Reading Resources / Instructional Activities…………… 82
What to Know ………………………………………………. 83
Safety Precautions related to Networks ……… 83
Fiber-Optic Safety ………………………. 84
Chemical ………………………………… 84
Tools ……………………………………… 84
Glass Shards …………………………… 84
Harmful Light …………………………… 85
What to Know ……………………………………………… 85
Networking Devices, Media and Connector …… 85
Common Network Cables ……………………… 85
Twisted Pair ……………………………………… 86
Category Rating ………………………………… 87

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 Coaxial Cable ………………………………… 87
Fiber-Optic Cable ………………………………… 88
Creating Ethernet Cable ………………………… 89
What to Process…………………………………………… 93
Criss-Cross Puzzle……………………………. 93
What to Reflect / Understand …………………………. 94
What to Transfer………………………………………… 96
Create Your Own Ethernet Cable……………. 96

What to Know…………………………… 98
Internet Protocols………………………. 98
IP Addressing…………………………….. 100
Subnet Mask…………………… 102
IpConfig…………………… 102
How to Assign IP Address…………… 104
Ping……………………………………. 108
What to Process……………………………… 111
Protocols…………………………………………….. 111
Identify IP Address Classes……………………….. 112
What to Reflect / Understand……………………… 112
Reflection on the Video Presentation…… 113
What to Transfer…………………… 114
Configure an Ethernet NIC to use DHCP…… 114
Configure Wireless Router……… 120
What to Know……………………………. 123
Peer to Peer Network…………………………… 123
Peer to Peer Network in Windows XP…………… 124

vii
 Peer to Peer Network in Windows 7…………….. 128
Client/ server Network ……………………………. 134
What to Process……………………… 136
What to reflect/understand ……………….. 136
What to Transfer…………………… 140
What to Know……………………………… 141
Network Security………………………… 141
Security Attacks…………………………. 142
Virus, Worms, and Trojan Horses…………………. 142
Security Procedure………………………… 143
Data Encryption………………………. 144
Port Protection……………………… 145

How to Enable Windows 7 Firewall…………….. 147

Wireless Security Techniques………………… 148
What to Process……………………… 150
Short Quiz………………………… 150
What to reflect / Understand ………… 151
What to Transfer……………… 152
Configure Windows XP Firewall…………. 152
What to Know…………………………… 157
File Printer Sharing……………………. 157
Printer Sharing……………………………. 159
What to Process……………………………………… 161
Essay Writing ……………………… 161
What to Reflect…………………………….. 161
Read and Examine…………………….. 161

viii
 What to Transfer………………………………………… 162
Share Folder, Printer and Set Share Permission… 162
Reading Resources / Instructional Activities
Inspect and Test Configured Computer System
And Network……………………………………… 170
What to Know……………………………… 171
Safety Precautions………………………… 171
Accident Reports ………………………. 172
Hazardous Substances……………………….. 173
Fire Exits………………………………….. 173
Fire Safety Procedure…………………… 173
Personal Safety While Working with PCs…………. 174
What to Know……………………………….. 174
Guidelines for Testing Configured Computer
System and Network………………………….. 174
Testing Your Computer Network ………………… 174
Writing a Technical Report on Test Conducted ….. 176
What to Transfer………………………………………… 177
Test the Wireless NIC…………………………….. 177
Summative Test ……………………………………………. 182

Module 4: MAINTAINING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORK

Introduction …………………………………………………. 187
Learning Competencies / Objectives……………………….. 188
Pre – Diagnostic / Assessment……………………………… 190
Skills Test

ix
 Reading Resources / Instructional Activities………………… 191
Procedure in Planning and Conducting
Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance……………………………. 191
Maintenance Procedure…………………………… 192
What to Know…………………………………………………..
Diagnosis and Identification of Faulty Computer and
Networks
Preventing Computer System Failure ………………. 196
Network Problems ………………………………..…… 199
What to Process………………………………………………….. 203
Slide Show of Computer and Network Errors
What to Reflect / Understand…………………………………… 203
Pictorial Tour
What to Transfer………………………………………………… 204
Video Demo
What to Know………………………………………………………
204
Maintain Computer and Network System
What to Process……………………………………………….
207
What to Reflect / Understand…………………………………… 208
Investigative Report
What to Transfer……………………………………………….. 208
Magazine Article
What to Know……………………………………………………… 209
Computer Specification

x
 Understanding Computer Specification
What to Process………………………………………………….. 214
Internet Research
What to Reflect / Understand…………………………………… 215
Making Checklist
What to Transfer………………………………………………… 216
Computer Specifications
What to Know……………………………………………………… 217
Networking Hardware Requirements
What to Process………………………………………………….. 220
Network Layout
What to Reflect / Understand…………………………………… 221
Critical review
What to Transfer………………………………………………… 221
Computer Shop Network Layout
Reading Resources / Instructional Activities
Maintaining Computer System ………………………………. 223
What to Know……………………………………………………… 224
Maintenance of Computer System…………………… 224
Data Backup………… ………………………………… 225
Malware Maintenance/Disk Maintenance…………… 228
What to Process………………………………………………….. 229
Essay activity
What to Reflect / Understand…………………………………… 230
Research and Investigate
What to Transfer………………………………………………… 230
Demonstration

xi
 What to Know……………………………………………………… 231
Diagnosis and Identification of Faulty System
What to Process………………………………………………… 238
Critical Review
What to Reflect / Understand………………………………. 238
Slide Show Presentation
What to Transfer………………………………………………… 239
Video Tutorials

What to Know……………………………………………………… 240

Diagnostic Software Tools
Procedure in Cleaning Hardware Components
Cleaning Tools
What to Process………………………………………………… 253
Ways To Improve Your Computer Performance
To Defragment Your Hard Disk.
How to Defragment Your Computer Hard Drive
Cleaning Windows Registry Organizing Disk Drive
Partition.
What to Reflect / Understand…………………………….……. 258
Evaluating Your Needs
What to Transfer…………………………………………………. 258
Defragmentation Issue
What to Know……………………………………………………… 259
Understanding Partitions
Making a Disk Image Backup

xii
What to Process…………………………………………………………… 260
Duplication – Disk Image backup
What to Reflect / Understand…………………………….…………..…. 263
Critical Review
What to Transfer……………………………………..…………….……. 264

Online Review
264
What to Know…………………………………………………….………
How to Scan Disk
265
What to Process…………………………………………………….……
How to Run Scan Disk in Windows 2000 and Windows XP
How to Run Scan Disk in Windows Vista
Run Scan Disk on Windows 7
Run CHKDSK Using GUI
Run CHKDSK from the DOS Command Prompt
267
What to Reflect / Understand………………………………….….…….
267
What to Transfer……………………………………..…………….…….
Concept Mapping
Scan Flash Drive
268
What to Know……………………………………………………………..
Delete Temporary Files
Unused Software Application
269
What to Process………………………………………………….………
Temporary Internet Files
Windows Temporary Files 270
What to Reflect / Understand………………………………….….…….
Computer Terminologies 271
What to Transfer…………………………………………….…………..
Deleting Temporary Files 271

xiii
What to Know……………………………………………………………..
Disk Cleanup

xiv
xv
What to Process……………………………………………. 272
Remove Unnecessary Startup Programs
What to Reflect / Understand………………………………….….……… 274
Internet Research
What to Transfer…………………………………………….…………….. 275

Activity
277
Maintain Network Systems ………………………………………………
277
What to Know………………………………………………………………
Procedure on how to maintain Computer System and Networks
Perform computer maintenance task regularly
General Safety
Electrical Safety Fire
Safety
284
What to Process………………………………………………..……………
Maintenance Inspection Checklist
284
What to Reflect / Understand………………………….………….….…….
Video Tutorial
284
What to Transfer…………………………………..…………….…………..
Weekly Maintenance Checklist
285
What to Know………………………………………………….…………….
Burn-In Testing
Standard Scripts 286
What to Process…………………………….……………………………….
Performing Immediate Burn- in Testing
Reading Resources / Instructional Activities 291
Inspect Computer Systems and Networks………………………. 293
What to Know……………………………………………………….……..
Maintenance of the Computer System and Networks 294

xvi
What to Process…………………………….……………………………….
Testing Demonstration

xvii
What to Reflect / Understand………………………….………….….……. 294
Network Diagnostics for Windows XP Tool
What to Transfer…………………………………..…………….………….. 294
Schedule and Techniques in Maintaining Systems
What to Know……………………………………………………………… 298

Network Monitoring
299
What to Process……………………………………………………………
Testing Network Configuration
301
What to Reflect / Understand………………………….………….….…….
Practicing TCP/IP Networking Skills
302
What to Transfer…………………………………..…………….…………..
Network Checking
303
What to Know………………………………………………………………
Computer Communications
Methods of Connection Commonly Used
How Network Works- Computer in network
305
What to Process……………………………………………………………
Set Up a DSL or cable connection
306
What to Reflect / Understand………………………….………….….…….
Video Tutorial 307
What to Transfer…………………………………..…………….…………..
Network Connection Demo 308
What to Know……………………………………………….……………….

xviii
 Identify Safety Procedures and Potential Hazards for Users and
Technician
Preparing Technical Reports
What to Process…………………………………………………………… 310
Simple Technical Reports
What to Reflect / Understand………………………….………….….……. 312
Computer Item Enumeration
What to 312
Transfer…………………………………..…………….…………..
Computer Hardware- Software Tools Report 313
Summative Test 317
……………………………………………………………... 319
References
……………………………………………………………………
Glossary
……………………………………………………………………….

xix
 Module 1
Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs)
Content Standards Performance Standards

The learner demonstrates The learner independently creates a

understanding of one’s PECs in plan of action that strengthens and/or
Computer Hardware Servicing. further develops his/her PECs in
Computer Hardware
Servicing.

Quarter I Time Allotment: 4 hours

In this module, you will learn more about entrepreneurship and the
entrepreneurial competencies related to Computer Hardware Servicing. You
will have a first-hand experience in educational activities leading to
assessment of your personal entrepreneurial competencies (PECs) and the
entrepreneurial competencies of a successful computer technician within your
province. You will also have several activities that will align your competencies
with those of successful practitioners. Moreover, this module will encourage
you to think about entrepreneurship and its role in the business community as
well as in the economic and social development of an individual.

To start with this module, let us first understand entrepreneurs and

entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurs are those with the skills and capabilities to see and
evaluate business opportunities. They are individuals who can strategically
identify products or services needed by the community, and have the capacity
to deliver them at the right time and at the right place.

Entrepreneurs are agents of economic change; they organize, manage,

and assume risks of a business. Some of the good qualities of entrepreneurs
are: opportunity-seeker, risk-taker, goal-setter, excellent planner, confident
problem-solver, hardworking, persistent and committed.

1
 Entrepreneurship, on the other hand, is not just a simple business
activity but a strategic process of innovation and new product creation.
Basically, entrepreneurship is both an art and science of converting business
ideas into marketable products or services to improve the quality of living.

Now that you have background knowledge about entrepreneurs and

entrepreneurship, you can now walk through in assessing your PECs. Always
remember that successful entrepreneurs continuously develop and improve
their PECs.

To begin, let us find out the competencies you will have gained upon
completion of this module.

assessmentObjectives

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

• identify areas for improvement, development, and growth,

• align your PECs according to your business or career choice, and
• create a plan of action that ensures success in your business or career
choice.

Now try to take the first challenge in this module, the pre assessment.

Pre-assessment

As part of your initial activity, try to assess your prior knowledge and
experience related to personal entrepreneurial competencies. Answer Task 1.

Task 1: Matching Type

Directions: Match the entrepreneurial competencies in column A with their

meaning in column B. Write the letter of the correct answer on the space
provided before each number.

A B

____1. Creative A. makes wise decisions towards the set

objectives

2
____2. Profit-oriented B. strategic thinking and setting of goals

____3. Disciplined C. trusting in one’s ability

____4. Sound decision maker D. adoptable to change

____5. Possess people skills E. innovates to have an edge over other

competitors

____6. Excellent Planner F. solid dedication

____7. Confident G. skillful in record keeping

____8. Hardworking H. always sticks to the plan

____9. Ability to accept change I. work diligently

____10. Committed J. effective and efficient communication

skills and relates well to people

K. always looking for an opportunity to

have/earn income.

Task 2: Guide Questions

Directions: The following are guide questions which covers the entire module.
Write your answers on your assignment notebook. Discuss / share these to
the class.

A. Explain why entrepreneurial activities are important to social

development and economy progress.
B. What entrepreneurial activities related to Computer Hardware Servicing
do you know and are capable of doing?
C. If you were given the opportunity to own a business that relates to
Computer Hardware Servicing, do you think you will be confident to
manage it? Explain your answer.
D. What do you think are the most important competencies one must
possess in order to be successful in running a chosen business?
E. Name successful entrepreneurs from your province whose businesses
are related to Computer Hardware Servicing. Make sure you will be able
to share with the class the PECs that made them successful.

3
 After all the guide questions are answered, share these with your
classmates. You may also compare your insigths, personal knowledge,
and relevant experiences on the topic to make the sharing more exciting
and engaging.

Learning Goals and Targets

After understanding the objectives of this module, having gone

through pre-assessment, and answering the guide questions, you will be
asked to set your own personal goals and targets. These goals and targets
will urge you to further achieve the ultimate objective of this module. In the
end, these ultimate goals will motivate you to learn more about PECs.

Goals and Learning Ultimate Goal

Activities
Targets

Figure 1: Strategic process to achieve the objectives of this

module

Reading Resources and Instructional Activities

After setting your own personal goals and targets in achieving the
objectives of this module, check your inherent knowledge of PECs. Answer
the following guide questions with the help of your classmates.

Task 3: Group Activity

Directions: Answer the following guide questions on a separate sheet of

paper. Share your answers with the class.

4
1. Explain the importance of assessing one’s PECs before engaging in a
particular entrepreneurial activity.
________________________________________________________
_
________________________________________________________
_
________________________________________________________.

2. Are there other strategies or approaches where you can assess your
PECs? Explain how these strategies will become more useful in
selecting a viable business venture.
________________________________________________________
_
________________________________________________________
_
________________________________________________________.

3. What are the desirable personal characteristics, attributes, lifestyles,

skills, and traits of a prospective entrepreneur? Why are these
important?
________________________________________________________
_
________________________________________________________
_
________________________________________________________.

4. Why is there a need to assess one’s PECs in terms of characteristics,

attributes, lifestyles, skills, and traits before starting a particular
business?
________________________________________________________
_
________________________________________________________
_
________________________________________________________.

5. What is the significance of evaluating PECs of a successful

entrepreneur? What helpful insights can you draw from this activity?
________________________________________________________

5
 ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
.

How was your experience in answering the guide questions with your
classmates? Were you able to benefit from them? What were the insights you
have realized?

This time you’re going to study the different topics that will enrich your
knowledge of PECs. Read all the important details about the succeeding topic
carefully.

Assessment of Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs) and

Skills vis-à-vis a Practicing Entrepreneur in a Province

Entrepreneurial competencies refer to the important characteristics

that should be possessed by an individual in order to perform entrepreneurial
functions effectively. In this module, you will learn some of the most important
characteristics, attributes, lifestyle, skills and traits of a successful
entrepreneur or an employee to be successful in a chosen career.

Below are few important characteristics / traits / attributes of a good

entrepreneur:

• Hardworking: One of the important characteristics of a good

entrepreneur is hardworking. This means working diligently and
being consistent about it. Hardworking people keep improving their
performance to produce good products and/or provide good
services.

• Confident: Entrepreneurs have self-reliance in one’s ability and

judgment. They exhibit self-confidence to cope with the risks of
operating their own business.

6
 • Disciplined: Successful entrepreneurs always stick to the plan
and fight the temptation to do what is unimportant.

• Committed: Good entrepreneurs assume full responsibility over

their business. They give full commitment and solid dedication to
make the business successful.

• Ability to accept change: Nothing is permanent but change.

Change occurs frequently. When you own a business, you should
cope with and thrive on changes. Capitalize on positive changes
to make your business grow.

• Creative: An entrepreneur should be creative and innovative to

stay in the business and in order to have an edge over the other
competitors.

• Has the initiative: An entrepreneur takes the initiative. You must

put yourself in a position where you are responsible for the failure
or success of your business.

• Profit-oriented: An entrepreneur enters the world of business to

generate profit or additional income. The business shall become
your bread and butter. Therefore, you must see to it that the
business can generate income.

Listed below are the important skills of a successful entrepreneur:

• Excellent planner: Planning involves strategic thinking and goal

setting to achieve objectives by carefully maximizing all the
available resources. A good entrepreneur develops and follows the
steps in the plans diligently to realize goals. A good entrepreneur
knows that planning is an effective skill only when combined with
action.

• Possesses people skills: This is a very important skill needed to

be successful in any kind of business. People skills refer to
effective and efficient communication and establishing good
relationship to the people working in and out of your business. In
day-to-day business transactions, you need to deal with people. A

7
 well-developed interpersonal skill can make a huge difference
between success and failure of the business.

• Sound decision maker: Successful entrepreneurs have the ability

to think quickly and to make wise decisions towards a pre-
determined set of objectives. No one can deny that the ability to
make wise decisions is an important skill that an entrepreneur
should possess. Sound decisions should be based on given facts
and information and lead towards the pre-determined objectives.

To firm up what you have learned and have a better

appreciation of the different entrepreneurial competencies, read the
PECs checklist below, then answer the same.

Task 4: PECs Checklist

Directions: Using the PECs checklist, assess yourself by putting a check

( ) mark in either strengths or development areas column. Interpret the
results by counting the total number of check marks in each of the
columns. After accomplishing the checklist, form a group and share your
insights on the result of the personal assessment.

Table 1: PECs Checklist

Personal Assessment in terms
Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies of:
(PECs) of an Entrepreneur

Strengths Development
Areas

Hardworking
- Works diligently

Confident
- Self-reliance in one’s ability

8
 Disciplined
- Always stick to the plan

Committed
- Solid dedication

Ability to accept changes

- Adaptable

Creative
- Innovative to have edge over other
competitors

Profit-oriented
- Always looking for an opportunity to
have/earn income

Excellent planner
- Strategic thinking and setting of goals

Possess people skill

- Effective and efficient communication
skills and relates well to people

Sound decision maker

- Makes wise decisions towards the set
objectives

TOTAL

Interpretation or Insight:

___________________________________________________________________________

9
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________.

How was your experience in discovering the strengths and the areas
you need to develop? Did you gain a valuable experience in exchanging
insights with your classmates? To learn more and deepen your understanding
of PECs, do task 5 below.

Task 5: Interview

Directions: In your province, interview a successful computer technician or

entrepreneur whose type of business is related with computer hardware
servicing. Focus your questions on PECs and other business-related attributes
that helped them become successful. Analyze the results of the interview and
reflect on the similarities and/or differences. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

Sample Interview Guide

Name of Proprietor/Practitioner: ____________________________________

Age: _______________ Number of Years in Business: _________________
Business Name: ________________________________________________
Business Address: ______________________________________________

1. What preparations did you make before you engaged in this type of
business or job?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.

10
 2. What special skills and characteristics do you have that are related with
your business or job?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.

3. How did you solve business-related problems during the early years of
your business operation?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.

4. Did you follow the tips from a successful businessman or practitioner

before you engaged in your business?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.

5. What best business practices can you share with aspiring

entrepreneurs?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.

6. What do you think are the salient characteristics, attributes, lifestyle,

skills and traits that made you successful in your business or job?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.

Directions: Copy the tables below in your notebook or in a separate sheet of

paper. Gather the needed information from the interview to supply answer/s
to row 1 in the table below, after which, fill out the second row with your PECs.

Personal
Entrepreneurial Characteristics Attributes Lifestyles Skills Traits
Competencies

11
 Successful
Entrepreneur in
the province

My PECs

Using the information on the table above, analyze and reflect on the
similarities and differences in your answers. Put your reflection on the table
you copied in your notebook or in a separate sheet of paper. Write your
conclusion on the space provided.

Personal
Entrepreneurial Similarities Differences
Competencies

Characteristics

Attributes
Lifestyles
Skills
Traits

Conclusion:

12
 ________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_
_____________________________________________________________
_
_____________________________________________________________
_
_____________________________________________________________
.

After performing the activities on the importance of PECs, let’s determine

how much you have learned. Perform task 6 to determine how well you have
understood the lesson.

Task 6: Preparation of a Plan of Action

Directions: Use in a separate sheet of paper / in your notebook the

information generated from task 5 (Interview) and prepare an action plan that
indicates alignment of your PECs to the PECs of a successful entrepreneur in
computer hardware servicing in your province.

Objective Area Activities Strategies Time Expected

Frame Outcome

To align my Characteristics
PECs with
the PECs of
a successful
entrepreneur
in Computer
Hardware
Servicing Skills

13
 Attribute

Traits

Task 7: Essential Questions

Directions: Read and study the following questions below. You may use a
separate sheet of paper or your notebook to write your answers.

1. Why is there a need to compare and align one’s PECs with the PECs
of a successful entrepreneur?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.

2. How does your action plan help sustain your strong PECs and/or
address your development areas?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

14
 ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.

3. What plan of action will you utilize to address your development areas?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________.

Module 2
ENVIRONMENT AND MARKET (EM)
Content Standards Performance Standards

The learner demonstrates The learner independently creates a

understanding of environment and business vicinity map reflective of
market in Computer Hardware potential market in Computer
Servicing in one’s province. Hardware Servicing in a province.

Quarter I Time
Allotment: 4 hours

Aspiring entrepreneur need to explore the economic, cultural, and

social conditions prevailing in an area. Needs and wants of the people in a
certain area that are not met may be considered business opportunities.
Identifying the needs of the community, its resources, available raw materials,
skills, and appropriate technology can help a new entrepreneur seize business
opportunities.

15
 To be successful in any kind of business venture, potential
entrepreneurs should look closely at the environment and market. They
should always be watchful of existing opportunities and constraints, and to
take calculated risks. The opportunities in the business environment are
factors that provide possibilities for a business to expand and make more
profit. Constraints, on the other hand, are factors that limit business growth,
hence reduce the chance of generating profit. One of the best ways to evaluate
opportunities and constraints is to conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis.

SWOT Analysis is a managerial tool used to assess the environment. It

is used to gather important information which is then used in strategic planning.
Strengths and weaknesses are internal in an organization. They relate to
resources owned by an organization that you have control over and also the
extent of its marketing.

Opportunities and threats exist in the external environment.

Opportunities relate to the market, new technologies, and the external factors
such as government policies, climate, and trends. Threats replace what the
competitors are doing. It also includes legal and other constraints.

Now that you have read some important considerations to explore to be

successful in any business, you are now ready to explore more about the
environment and market.

To begin with, let’s find out the competencies that you will master as
you finish this module.

Objectives

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

• identify what is of “value” to the customer,

• identify the customer to sell to,
• explain what makes a product unique and competitive,
• apply creativity and innovative techniques to develop marketable
products, and
• employ a unique selling proposition (USP) to a product and/or
service.

16
 Now that you have an idea about the things you will learn, take the first
challenge in this module – the pre-assessment.

Pre-

Task 1: Multiple Choice

DIRECTIONS: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. It is generated by examining the goods and services sold in the

community.
A. business creation C. business concept
B. business pricing D. business idea
2. It is a process of making new products which will be sold to the
customers.

A. product analysis C. product

development
B. product conceptualization D. product
implementation
3. These are luxuries, advantages and desires that every individual
considers beyond necessary.
A. wants C. requirements
B. desires D. needs
4. It is a factor or consideration presented by a seller as the reason that
a product or service is different from and better than that of the
competition.
A. unique selling plan C. unique pricing
policy
B. unique selling proposition D. finding value-added
5. A stage in which the needs of the target market are identified,
reviewed, and evaluated.
A. concept development C. project development
B. economic analysis D. refine specification
6. It is the introduction of new ideas to make the product and services
more attractive and saleable to the target customers.
A. new idea C. product development

17
 B. creativity D. innovation
7. It is a managerial tool used to assess the environment and to gather
important information that can be used for strategic planning.
A. scanning C. WOTS Analysis
B. SWOT Analysis D. survey analysis

8. It is creating names, symbol, or designs that identifies and

differentiates a product from the other products.
A. product naming C. branding
B. unique selling proposition D. tagline
9. It is a meaningful and unforgettable statement that captures the
essence of the brand.
A. product naming C. branding
B. unique selling proposition D. tagline
10. These are things that people cannot live without.
A. wants C. requirements
B. desires D. needs

Task 2: Guide Questions:

Directions: Read and study the guide questions below. Use a separate
sheet of paper to write your answer.

1. How does one determine the product or services to be produced

and/or to be provided to the target customers?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

2. How does one select an entrepreneurial activity?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

3. When can one say that a certain product has “value?”

________________________________________________________

18
 ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

4. Does applying creativity to your product or services important? Why?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

5. How can one effectively respond to the needs of the target customer?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

6. From the viewpoint of business owner, discuss the importance of

scanning the environment and market in generating business ideas.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

7. Using self-assessment, explain the level of your confidence in

formulating a business idea.
_______________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________
_

After all the guide questions are answered and skills have been
mastered, share insights/ideas with your classmates. Discuss your insights,
personal knowledge, and relevant experiences on the topic to make it more
exciting and engaging.

Learning Goals and Target

19
 After reading and understanding the objectives of this module and
having gone through the pre-assessment and guide questions, you will be
asked to set your own personal goals. These goals will urge you to further
achieve the ultimate objective of this module. In the end, these goals will
motivate you to learn more about environment and market.

Goals and Learning

Targets Activities Ultimate Goal

Figure 2: Strategic process to reach the objectives of this module

After setting your own personal goals and targets in achieving the
objectives of this module, you will have the opportunity to read and learn more
about environment and market. You will also be given a chance to do practical
exercises and activities to deepen your understanding of the topic.

Product Development

When we talk of product development, we are referring to a process of

making a new product to be sold by a business or enterprise to its customers.
Product development may involve modification of an existing product or its
presentation, or formulation of an entirely new product that satisfies a newly-
defined customer’s needs, wants and/or a market place.

The term development in this module refers collectively to the entire

process of identifying a market opportunity, creating a product to appeal to
the identified market, and testing, modifying, and refining the product until it
becomes ready for production.

20
 There are basic, yet vital questions that you can ask yourself about
product development. When you find acceptable answers to them, you may
now say that you are ready to develop a product and/or render services.
These questions include the following:
1. For whom are the product/services aimed at?
2. What benefit will the customers expect from product/service?
3. How will the product/service differ from the existing brand? From its
competitor?

In addition, needs and wants of the people within an area should also
be taken into big consideration. Everyone has his/her own needs and wants.
However, each person has different concepts of needs and wants. Needs in
business are the important things that an individual cannot live without in a
society. These include:
1. basic commodities for consumption,
2. clothing and other personal belongings, 3. shelter,
sanitation and health, and
4. education.
Basic needs are essential to an individual to live with dignity and pride
in a community. These needs can obviously help you generate business ideas
and subsequently to product development.
Wants are desires, luxury and extravagance that signify wealth and
expensive way of living. Wants or desires are considered above all the basic
necessities of life. Some examples of wants or desires are: fashion
accessories, expensive shoes and clothes, travels, eating in an expensive
restaurant, watching movies, concerts, having luxurious cars, wearing
expensive jewelry and perfume, living in impressive homes, among others.
Needs and wants of people are the basic indicators of the kind of
business that you may engage in because it can serve as the measure of your
success. Some other points that might be considered in business
undertakings are the kind of people, their needs, wants, lifestyle, culture and
tradition, and their social orientation.
To summarize, product development entirely depends on the needs and
wants of the customers. Another important issue to deal with is the key
concepts of developing a product. The succeeding topic shall enlighten you
about the procedure in coming up with a product.

21
Concepts of Developing a Product

Concept development is a critical phase in the development of a product. In

this stage, the needs of the target market are identified, and competitive
products are reviewed before the product specifications are defined. The
product concept is selected along with an economic analysis to come up with
an outline of how a product is being developed. Figure 3 shows the stages of
concept development of a product.

Identify Establish Generate Select a

Refine
Customer Target Product Product
Specifications
Needs Specifications Concepts Concept

Plan
Remaining
Analyze Development
Perform
Competitive Project
Economic
Products
Analysis

Concept
Development

Figure 3: Stages of Concept Development

The process of product development follows the following stages:

22
1. Identify customer needs: Using survey forms, interviews, researches,
focus group discussions, and observations, an entrepreneur can easily
identify customers’ needs and wants. In this stage, the information that
can be possibly gathered are product specifications (performance, taste,
size, color, shape, life span of the product, etc.). This stage is very
important because it would determine the product to be produced or
provided.

2. Establish target specifications: Based on customers' needs and

reviews of competitive products, you can now establish target
specifications of the prospective new product and/or services. A target
specification is essentially a wish-list.

3. Analyze competitive products: It is imperative to analyze existing

competitive products to provide important information in establishing
product or service specifications. Other products may exhibit successful
design attributes that should be emulated or improved upon in the new
product or service.

4. Generate product concepts: After having gone through with the

previous processes, you may now develop a number of product concepts
to illustrate the types of products or services that are technically feasible
and will best meet the requirements of the target specifications.

5. Select a product concept: Through the process of evaluation between

attributes, a final concept is selected. After the final selection, additional
market research can be applied to obtain feedback from certain key
customers.

6. Refine product specifications: In this stage, product or services

specifications are refined on the basis of input from the foregoing
activities. Final specifications are the result of extensive study, expected
service life, projected selling price among others are being considered in
this stage.

7. Perform economic analysis: Throughout the process of product

development, it is very important to always review and estimate the
economic implications regarding development expenses, manufacturing

23
 costs, and selling price of the product or services to be offered or
provided.

8. Plan the remaining development project: In this final stage of concept

development, you can prepare a detailed development plan which
includes list of activities, necessary resources and expenses, and
development schedule with milestones for tracking progress.

Finding Value

People buy for a reason. There should be something in your product or

service that would give consumers a good reason to go back and buy more.
There must be something that will make you the best option for target
customers; otherwise, they have no reason to buy what you are selling. This
implies further, that you offer something to your customers that will make them
value your product or service.

The value you incorporate in your product is called value proposition.

Value proposition is a believable collection of the most persuasive reasons
why people should notice you and take the action you’re asking for. It is what
gets people moving, what makes people spend for your product or service.

Innovation

Innovation is the introduction of something new in your

product or service. This may be a new idea, a new method, or a
new device. If you want to increase your sales and profit, you must
innovate. Some of the possible innovations for your products are
change of packaging, improvement of taste, color, size, shape,
and perhaps price. Some of the possible innovations in providing
services are application of new and improved methods, additional
featured services, and possibly freebies.

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

24
 Unique Selling Proposition is the factor or consideration
presented by a seller as the reason that one product or service is
different from and better than that of the competition. Before you
can begin to sell your product or service to your target customers,
you have to sell yourself in it. This is especially important when
your product or service is similar to your competitors.
USP requires careful analysis of other businesses' ads and
marketing messages. If you analyze what they say or what they
sell, not just their product or service characteristics, you can learn
a great deal about how companies distinguish themselves from
competitors.

Here's how to discover your USP and how to use it to increase your sales
and profit:

• Use empathy: Put yourself in the shoes of your customers.

Always focus on the needs of the target customers and
forget falling in love with your own product or service.
Always remember, you are making/providing
this product not for yourself but for the target customers to
eventually increase sales and earn profit. Essential
question such as what could make them come back and
ignore competition, should be asked to oneself. Most
possible answers may be focused on quality, availability,
convenience, cleanliness, and reliability of the product or
service.

• Identify customer’s desires. It is very important for you to

understand and find out what drives and motivates your
customers to buy your product or service. Make some effort
to find out, analyze and utilize the information that motivates
the customers in their decision to purchase the product or
service.

• Discover customer’s genuine reasons for buying the

product. Information is very important in decision making.
A competitive entrepreneur always improve their products
or services to provide satisfaction and of course retention of
customers. As your business grows, you should always
consider the process of asking your customers important

25
 information and questions that you can use to improve your
product or service.

To enhance your understanding of the topic previously presented,

you will be tasked to form a group and arrange an interview with a
successful entrepreneur or practitioner. You have to document this
interview and present this to the whole class for reflection and
appreciation.

Task 3: Interview

Directions: Select a successful entrepreneur or practitioner.

Conduct an interview using the set of questions below. Document
the interview and present it to the class. Use a separate sheet of
paper.

1. How did you identify your customers?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

2. What were your considerations in selecting your customers?

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

3. Explain how your product or service became unique to other products.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

4. Did you consult somebody before you engaged in this business?

Cite / give sample insights that you gained from the consultation.

26
 ________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

5. What were your preparations before you started the actual business?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

6. What creative and innovative techniques did you adapt in the

development of your product or service? What was the effect of the
innovative techniques to the sales and profits of your business?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

7. What strategy did you consider to create a unique selling proposition to

your product or service?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Task 4: Browsing the Internet

Directions: To deepen your understanding of the lesson, perform the

following tasks:

1. Browse the internet and view the topics related to:

a. customers’ needs and wants
b. techniques in identifying customers’ needs and wants
c. creativity or innovations in products and services
d. unique selling proposition
e. product development

2. Prepare a short narrative report about these topics and discuss it to the
class. You can highlight the aspect that intensifies your knowledge of
product development.

27
Task 5: Product Conceptualization

Directions: In a separate sheet of paper or in your notebook. Develop your

own concept of your product or service by using the figures on this page. Use
bullets in every stage of product conceptualization in listing important key
ideas.

28
 1. Identify
Customers N eed
7. Prepare a 2. Target
-
Development Plan Specifications
-
- -

- -

- -

6. Refine Product 3. Analyze a

Specification Competitive
Product
-
-
-
-

5. Select A product 4. Generate Product

Concept Concept

- -

- -

29
Generating Ideas for Business

The process of developing and generating a business idea is not a

simple process. Some people come up with a bunch of business ideas that are
not really feasible. There are two problems that arise; first is the excessive
generation of ideas that can forever remain as a dreaming stage and the
second is when they don’t have ideas and don’t want to become
entrepreneurs.

The most optimal way is to have a systematic approach in generating

and selecting a business idea that can be transformed into a real business.
Here are some basic yet very important considerations that can be used to
generate possible ideas for business:

1. Examine existing goods and services. Are you satisfied with the
product? What do other people who use the product say about it? How
can it be improved? There are many ways of improving a product from the
way it is made to the way it is packed and sold. You can also improve the
materials used in crafting the product. In addition, you can introduce new
ways of using the product, making it more useful and adaptable to the
customers’ many needs. When you are improving the product or
enhancing it, you are doing an innovation. You can also do an invention
by introducing an entirely new product to replace the old one.

Business ideas may also be generated by examining what goods and

services are sold outside the community. Very often, these products are
sold in a form that can still be enhanced or improved.

2. Examine the present and future needs. Look and listen to what the
customers, institutions, and communities are missing in terms of goods and
services. Sometimes, these needs are already obvious and identified right
away. Other needs are not that obvious because they can only be
identified later on, in the event of certain development in the community.
For example, a province will have its electrification facility in the next six
months. Only by that time will the entrepreneur could think of
electricallypowered or generated business such as photo copying,
computer service, digital printing, etc.

30
3. Examine how the needs are being satisfied. Needs for the products and
services are referred to as market demand. To satisfy these needs is to
supply the products and services that meet the demands of the market.
The term market refers to whoever will use or buy the products or services,
and these may be people or institutions such as other businesses,
establishments, organizations, or government agencies.

There is a very good business opportunity when there is absolutely no

supply to a pressing market demand.

Businesses or industries in the locality also have needs for goods and
services. Their needs for raw materials, maintenance, and other services
such as selling and distribution are good sources of ideas for business.

4. Examine the available resources. Observe what materials or skills are

available in abundance in your area. A business can be started out of
available raw materials by selling them in raw form and by processing and
manufacturing them into finished products. For example, in a
copraproducing town, there will be many coconut husks and shells
available as
“waste” products. These can be collected and made into coco rags or
doormats and charcoal bricks and sold profitably outside the community.

A group of people in your neighborhood may have some special skills that
can be harnessed for business. For example, women in the Mountain
Province possess loom weaving skills that have been passed on from one
generation to another. Some communities set up weaving businesses to
produce blankets, decorative, and various souvenir items for sale to
tourists and lowlanders.

Business ideas can come from your own skills. The work and experience
you may have in agricultural arts, industrial arts, home economics, or ICT
classes will provide you with business opportunities to acquire the needed
skills which will earn you extra income should you decide to engage in
income-generating activities. With your skills, you may also tinker around
with various things in your spare time. Many products are invented this
way.
5. Read magazines, news articles, and other publications on new
products and techniques or advances in technology. You can pick up
new business ideas from magazines such as Newsweek, Reader’s Digest,

31
 Business Magazines, “Go Negosyo”, Know About Business (KAB)
materials, and Small-Industry Journal. The Internet also serves as a library
where you may browse and surf on possible businesses. It will also guide
you on how to put the right product in the right place, at the right price, and
at the right time.

Key Concepts of Selecting a Business Idea

Once you have identified business opportunities, you will eventually

see that there are many possibilities available for you. It is very unlikely that
you will have enough resources to pursue all of them at once.

You have to select the most promising one among hundreds of ideas.
It will be good to do this in stages. In the first stage, you screen your ideas to
narrow them down to about few choices. In the next stage, trim down the
choices to two options. In the final stage, choose between the two and decide
which business idea is worth pursuing.

In screening your ideas, examine each one in terms of the following

guide questions:

1. How much capital is needed to put up the business?

2. Where should the business be located?
3. How big is the demand for the product? Do many people need this
product and will continue to need it for a long time?
4. How is the demand met? Who are processing the products to
meet the needs (competition or demand)? How much of the need
is now being met (supply)?
5. Do you have the background and experiences needed to run this
particular business?
6. Will the business be legal and not against any existing or
foreseeable government regulation?
7. Is the business in line with your interest and expertise?

Your answers to these questions will be helpful in screening which

ones among your many ideas are worth examining further and worth pursuing.

Branding

Branding is a marketing practice of creating a name, a symbol or design

that identifies and differentiates product or services from the rest. It is also a

32
promise to your customers. It tells them what they can expect from your
product or service and it differentiates your offerings from other competitors.
Your brand is derived from who you are, who you want to be and what people
perceive you to be.

Branding is one of the most important aspects in any business. An

effective brand strategy gives you a major edge in increasingly competitive
markets.

A good product can:

- deliver message clearly,
- confirm credibility,
- connect to target prospect, - motivate buyers, and
- concretize user loyalty.

Here are simple tips to publicize your brand:

• Develop a tagline. Write a statement that is meaningful, impressive,

and easy to remember to capture the essence of your brand.

• Design a logo. Create a logo symbolic of your business and consistent

with your tagline and displace it strategically.

• Write a brand message. Select a key message to communicate about

your brand.

• Sustain a brand quality. Deliver a promise of quality through your

brand.

• Practice consistency. Be reliable and consistent to what your brand

means in your business.

33
 In generating a business idea, you should first identify the
type of business suited to your business idea. You should analyze
and scan the potential environment, study the marketing practices
and strategies of your competitors, analyze strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in your environment to
ensure that the products or services you are planning to offer will
be patronized and within easy reach of target consumers.

How to conduct SWOT Analysis:

• Be realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of your business when

conducting SWOT Analysis.

• SWOT Analysis should distinguish between where your business is

today, and where it can be in the future.
• SWOT Analysis should always be specific. Avoid any gray areas.

• Always apply SWOT Analysis in relation to your competition,

i.e. better than or worse than your competition.

• Keep your SWOT Analysis short and simple. Avoid complexity and over
analysis.

• SWOT Analysis is subjective.

34
Task 6: SWOT Analysis

Directions: In a separate sheet of paper or in your notebook list down all your
observations for your business idea. Categorize your observations according
to strengths, weakness, opportunities and treats. After carefully listing them
down, use the stated strategies to come up with a sound analysis, activities
and best business idea.

Strength (S) Weaknesses (W)

- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -

Opportunities (O) Threats (T)

- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -

Strategies:

35
 • SW - Maximize on the Strengths to overcome the internal Weakness.
• OW - Capitalize on the Opportunities to eliminate the internal
Weakness.

• ST - Maximize on your Strengths to eliminate the external Threats.

• OT - Take advantage of the available Opportunities to eliminate the
external Threats.

Analysis:

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Activities:

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

My Best Business Idea:

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

To deepen your understanding of the topics previously discussed, you

will be asked to perform the following activities:

Task 7: Extra Reading and Video Viewing

36
 Reading books and watching videos have been considered as some of
the most effective educational activities that can help learners broaden their
understanding on a certain topic. In this particular task, you will be asked to
conduct extra reading and video viewing on the Internet with the following
topics:

A. Steps in selecting a business idea

B. Criteria of a viable business idea
C. Benefits of a good brand
D. Ways on developing a brand

After successfully performing the assigned task, make a narrative report

about it and share it with the class.

Task 8: Designing a Logo

Directions: In a separate sheet of paper or in your notebook draw a logo that

you will use in your business. Provide a simple statement to describe your
logo.

37
 Logo

Tagline

Task 9: Making My Own Vicinity Map

Directions: In a separate sheet of paper or in your notebook draw a vicinity

map reflective of potential market in Computer Hardware Servicing in your
province. Provide a simple statement to describe your map.

Vicinity Map

38
39
 MODULE 3:

CONFIGURING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS

Content Standard Performance Standard

The learner The learner independently

demonstrates understanding demonstrates skills in configuring
of the underlying concepts and computer systems and networks as
principles on configuring prescribed by TESDA
computer systems and networks. Training
Regulations.

Number of Sessions (Time Allotment): 72 Hours (2 Quarters)

Welcome to the next level of your modular training in Computer Hardware

Servicing (CHS) under the Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
Course. In this module, you will have a great deal of understanding of Configuring
Computer Systems and Networks.
At the end of this module you will be able to apply the knowledge and skills on
planning and preparing for configuration, configure computer systems and networks
and inspecting configured computer systems and networks. Those skills are essential
for you to pass the National Certification II in Computer Hardware Servicing.

In this module, topics will be introduced progressively for easy understanding.

After carefully answering the pre assessment exercises, reading all the lessons,
answering all the guide questions, skilfully performing all the activities, showing
evidences of learning and finally answering the summative test you will gain a
considerable knowledge and skills in configuring computer systems and networks
essential to be successful in computer hardware servicing as one of the career option
in ICT.

40
 Reminder! Just follow the instructions given in this module. Now let us start
exploring new things in this module.

There are three learning objectives (LO) in this module: (1) plan and prepare
for configuration; (2) configure computer systems and networks; and (3) inspect and
test configured computer systems and networks. These three learning objectives
(LO) contain sub-topics that discuss the details on configuring computer systems and
networks. This module has four essential parts, namely: what to KNOW, what to
PROCESS, what to REFLECT and UNDERSTAND and finally, what to TRANSFER.
The competencies for this module are the following:

LO 1. Plan and Prepare for Configuration of Computer Systems and Networks

• Follow Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) procedures in planning and
preparing for configuration of computer systems and networks;
• Prepare computer systems tools, devices, equipment and materials;
• Check computer systems and networks configuration against specified
requirements; and
• Identify the procedures in using the tools and equipment.

LO 2. Configure Computer Systems and Networks

• Follow OHS procedures in configuring computer systems and networks;
• Inspect networking devices, media and connectors;
• Create cross-over and straight-through cables;
• Assign IP address to clients and servers;
• Configure the assigned IP address to clients and servers; Enable network
security to the computer systems; and Configure file and printer sharing.

LO 3. Inspect and Test Configured Computer Systems and Networks

• Follow OHS procedures in testing systems and networks;
• Test computer systems and networks in accordance with the job requirements;
and
• Accomplish technical reports on the tests conducted.

41
 In order to master the listed competencies, you must gain knowledge of the
topics under what to KNOW, perform activities required under what to PROCESS,
accomplish additional tasks under what to REFLECT and UNDERSTAND and
finally show some evidences of your learning by transferring what you have
learned to a different context under
what to TRANSFER.

Pre Assessment

Before you proceed to the core of this module, challenge yourself first and dig
deep into your mind in order to answer the pre assessment exercises prepared for
you. Take time to answer it!

A. Paper and Pencil Test

General Directions: Read the items very carefully. Write your answer in a clean
sheet of paper.

Test I. True or False

Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if otherwise.
_______1. A safe workplace is clean, organized and well-lit.
_______2. One must unplug the power from the source before opening a case and
performing services.
_______3. It is a best practice that a fire extinguisher and first aid kit be available in
the workplace.
_______4. You are allowed to open the power supply or a monitor.
_______5. You can bring food and drinks inside the laboratory.
_______6.The key to a well-tuned computer system is the proper
configuration.
_______7. Boot log stores all information from the boot process.
_______8. Registry is a collection of database of configuration of database of
configuration in Windows Operating System.
_______9. The shortcut of Microsoft Configuration is Ipconfig.
_______10. Configuration is the way a system is set up.

Test II. Multiple Choice

42
Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer in a clean sheet of paper.
1. What boot configuration utility allows setting the programs that will run at
startup?
a. Ipconfig c. msconfig
b. regedit d. dxdiag
2. What application allows you to edit the registry?
a. Ipconfig c. msconfig
b. regedit d. dxdiag
3. Which of the following enables you to test sound and graphics output?
a. Ipconfig c. msconfig
b. regedit d. dxdiag
4. Which of the following is an applet that controls the look of windows?
a. Appearance and Themes c. Performance and Maintenance
b. Network and Internet d. Sounds, Speech and Audio
5. Which of the following applets does not belong to performance and
maintenance category?
a. Administrative tool c. Power Options
b. Automatic Updates d. System
6. Which of the following is a wizard used to configure MS Windows for vision,
hearing and mobility needs?
a. Accessibility Option c. Sounds, speech and audio
b. Security Center d. User Accounts
7. Which of the following tab in direct X Diagnostic tool displays your current
audio settings?
a. Input c. Sound
b. Music d. System
8. Which of the following networking cable category is the most commonly used?
a. Cat3 c. Cat 5 and 5e
b. Cat 5 d. Cat 6
9. What copper-cored cable is surrounded by a heavy shielding?
a. coaxial cable c. optical fiber
b. fiber optics d. twisted pair
10. What Ethernet cable is used to connect two devices directly?
a. cross- over c. both A and B
b. straight-through d. none of the options
11. Which of the following is a number used to identify a device on a network?
a. Default gateway c. IP address
b. DNS Server d. Subnet mask
12. In which of the following IP address classes does 192.168.1.105 belong to?
a. Class A c. Class C e. Class E

43
 b. Class B d. Class D
13. What command is used to test the ability of the source computer to reach a
specified destination computer?
a. Ipconfig c. Ping
b. Msconfig d. Regedit
14. What do you call an approach to computer networking where all computers
show equivalent responsibility for processing data? a. Client server c. Peer
to client
b. Peer to peer d. None of the options
15. Which of the following is an example of a Class A subnet mask?
a. 255.0.0.0 c. 255.255.255.0
b. 255.255.0.0 d. 255.255.255.255

Test III. Matching Type

Directions: Match Column A with Column B. Write the letter of your answer in a
separate paper.

A B
1. Copper cabling used for a. Crimping tool
telephone communication b. Cross-over
2. Standard Ethernet cable c. Fiber-optic
3. Cable that has a very thin core d. Ipconfig
4. Cable that has a thicker core e. Multi-mode
5. Tool used for crimping RJ45 f. Ping
6. Connector for Cat 5e cable g. Protocol
7. Set of rules h. RJ45
8. Indicates the network portion of i. Single-mode
an IP address j. Straight-through
9. Command used find out the IP k. Subnet mask
address l. Twisted pair
10. Glass or plastic conductor

Test IV. ACRONYMS

Directions: Give the complete meaning of the following acronyms. Write your answer
in a separate sheet of paper.
1. UTP
2. STP

44
 3. IP
4. TCP /IP
5. HTTP
6. FTP
7. SSH
8. IMAP
9. SMTP
10. DHCP
11. DNS
12. TTL
13. LAN
14. VPN
15. NIC

B. Skills Checklist
Configuration Skills
Directions: Below is a matrix containing the most important skills that one must have
to configure computer systems and networks successfully. Check (∕) the appropriate
column which describes the level of your confidence in performing the given tasks.

I can do it
I can do it confidently
I am not
Competencies confidently but with
confident 1
3 assistance 2

1. I can use the different

tools for configuration.
2. I can inspect networking
devices and connectors.
3. I can create a cross-over
and straight-through
Ethernet cable.
4. I can test the functionality
of an Ethernet cable.
5. I can assign and
configure IP address.
6. I can execute the IPconfig
command properly.

45
7. I can manage to create a
peer-to-peer networking.
8. I can configure Network
Interface Card using
DHCP.
9. I can enable a firewall.
10. I can configure file and
printer sharing.
TOTAL
GRAND TOTAL

Add all the scores to get the grand total and then divide it by the total number
of items. Refer to the verbal interpretation on the table below to determine your initial
competency on configuration of computer systems and networks.

Numerical and Verbal interpretation

Numerical Value Verbal Interpretation
2.51 – 3.00 Confident
1.76- 2.50 Confident but needs assistance
1.00 – 1.75 Not yet Confident

Don’t feel bad if you got a “not yet confident” in all of the
competencies. B ear in mind that this is just a p re assessment of
the knowledge and skills on the lessons to be presented. Also, it
will guide and inspire you to study harder as you go along with the
lessons.

46
 The following topics familiarize you with the tasks involved
in planning and preparing for configuration of computer systems
and networks . All you need to do is to carefully read all the topics
and apply the skills you have gained through the distinct activities
provided in this module. Good luck and have fun while learning!

Lesson 1. Plan and Prepare for Configuration

This lesson is intended to develop your skills in planning and preparing for
configuration of computer system and networks. At the end of this lesson you are
expected to:
✓ Familiarize, follow and apply OHS in configuring computer systems and
networks;
✓ Prepare materials and tools for configuration;
✓ Check and adhere to the standard operating procedures and requirements
in computer system and network configuration; and ✓ Identify the
procedures in using the tools for configuration.

Safety Procedures

It is essential to maintain safe working conditions to prevent accidents and

injury to any person or damage to any object in a work area. New staff and visitors
must be informed of the appropriate safety procedures. Any transgression of the
procedures must be reported.
As an aspiring computer technician, you should be aware of all possible
dangers in the workplace. It is a must to follow proper procedures for handling
computer equipment. Failure to follow the prescribed safety procedures could result
in fines, criminal convictions, and damage to equipment, claims for damage from the
owner of the property and data, injury, or death.

47
 A safe work space is clean, organized, and well-lit. The disposal or recycling
of hazardous computer components must be done properly. Make sure to follow
regulations that govern how to dispose specific items. When an organization violates
these regulations, there can be legal consequences.
To keep you safe, this module provides the general and fire safety guidelines
that protects the technician and the equipment.

General Safety Guidelines

Follow the basic safety guidelines to prevent cuts, burns, electrical shock, and
damage to eyesight. As a best practice, make sure that a fire extinguisher and first
aid kit are available in case of fire or injury. Here are some general safety guidelines:
• Remove your watch or any other jewelry and secure loose clothing.
• Turn off the power and unplug equipment before opening the case and
performing service.
• Cover any sharp edges inside the computer case with tape.
• Never open a power supply or a monitor.
• Do not touch areas in printers that are hot or those which use high voltage.
• Know where the fire extinguisher is located and learn how to use it.
• Know where the first aid kit is located.
• Keep food and drinks out of your workspace.
• Keep your workspace clean and free of clutter.
• Lift heavy objects with sturdy leg support to avoid back injury.

Fire Safety Guidelines

Follow fire safety guidelines to protect equipment and lives. Turn off and unplug
the computer before beginning a repair to avoid damage to the computer or electric
shock to the technician. Fire can spread rapidly and be very costly. Proper use of a
fire extinguisher can prevent a small fire from getting out of control. When working
with computer components, always consider the possibility of an accidental fire and
prepare how to react. If there is a fire, you should follow these safety procedures:
• Always have a planned fire escape route before beginning any work.
• Never fight a fire that is out of control or not contained.
• Get out of the building quickly in case of an out-of-control fire.
• Contact emergency services immediately for help.

48
Peer-to-Peer Activity
General Directions: Get a partner to perform the next activity. Identify whether each
statement is true or false. Gather picture evidences that make it true or false. On the
third column, show the effects of not following the safety precautions through a picture
presentation.

Example:
Turn off the power and unplug equipment before opening the case and performing
service.

Answer Picture Presentation

Evidence Effect

True

TRUE OR EVIDENCE Effect

FALSE
1. A safe workplace is
clean, organized
and well-lit.
2. Before opening the
case and performing
services, one must
unplug the power
from the source.
3. It is a best practice
that a fire
extinguisher and first
aid kit be available
in the workplace.
4. You are allowed to
open the power
supply or a monitor.
5. You can eat inside the
laboratory.

49
Research and Investigate
Directions: Form a group of five members and research on the different safety
precautions used in computer laboratory. Interview/Observe a practitioner while
lending a quality service in computer hardware servicing. Use a video camera to
record the event stressing the safety guidelines and procedures in the laboratory.
You will be rated according to the following rubrics:

Video Documentation of Computer Laboratory Safety Precautions

Excellent
Criteria Poor (70-75) Good (76-85)
(86- 100)
Content/Information The provided The provided The provided
(50%) information was information was, information was
not necessary or for the most part, necessary and
Technically sound not sufficient to necessary and sufficient to the
information the computer sufficient to the computer
Coherence of laboratory safety computer laboratory safety
information precautions. laboratory safety precautions.
precautions.

Quality of Video It lacks clarity Most part is well The video was
(30%) and/or does not organized, clear well organized,
• Clarity and present ideas in and presents clear and
cohesiveness of a coherent way. ideas in a presents ideas in
the video coherent way. a coherent way.
• Organization and
coherence of
ideas
Interview on Questions were Most of the All of the
practitioner (20%) not congruent questions were questions were
with the topic congruent with congruent with
• Congruency of and were not the topic and the topic and
questions to the delivered delivered delivered
topic clearly. clearly. clearly.
• Clarity of questions

50
Application of Safety Procedures While Accomplishing a Task

Directions: After the interview and observation with a practitioner, your group will
showcase what you have learned through a role playing. You will be rated based on
the Rubrics written below:

Rubrics for Role Playing

Criteria Excellent Good Fair Weak
4 3 2 1
Content (40%) -
Conveys full
understanding of
the content
Enthusiasm (10%)
-Facial expression
and body language
generates strong
enthusiasm
Interest and
Purpose (10%) -
Displays interesting
purpose
Speak Clearly
(10%)
-Group members
speaks clearly at all
times
Volume (10%) -
Loud volume
Preparedness
(10%)
-Group is prepared
with props and
costumes
Cooperation (10%)
-displays teamwork

51
Prepare Materials and Tools Used for Configuration

A key to a well-tuned, trouble-free system is proper configuration. In order to

accomplish this, you must start by understanding its configuration. It can be difficult to figure
out all the devices in your system and the resources they are using.
To assist in this, several software tools have been created. These are typically
called diagnostic utilities or programs. Some of them are built-in to your operating
system and others are available either for free download or commercial purchase.
Some of the built-in tools used in Microsoft system configuration involves
Microsoft System Configuration, Register Edit, Direct X and Control Panel Applets.

1. Microsoft System Configuration: This boot configuration utility allows you to set the
programs that will run at startup and to edit configuration files. It also offers
simplified control over Windows Services.
System Configuration Utility consists of five functional tabs such as
General, Boot, Services, StartUp and Tools. The succeeding table describes the
use and functionality of each tab:

Table 1. General Tab of System Config Utility

Tab Function and Description

The general tab is the default tab in the System
configuration and shows how the computer will start, by
default Normal startup should be selected.

List of choices for startup configuration:

• Normal Startup. Starts Windows in the usual manner.
Use this mode to start Windows after you are done
General using the other two modes to troubleshoot the problem.
• Diagnostic Startup. Starts Windows with basic services
and drivers only. This mode can help rule out basic
Windows files as the problem.
• Selective Settings. Starts Windows with basic services
and drivers and the other services and startup
programs that you select.

52
 Figure 4. General Tab

Table 2. Boot Tab of System Config Utility

Tab Function and Description

This tab allows you to make the same adjustments you
can make in the Windows boot.ini file without having to edit the
file. It shows configuration options for the operating system and
advanced debugging settings, including the following:

• Safe boot (Minimal): Boots the Windows graphics user

interface in safe mode running only critical system
services. Networking is disabled.
• Safe Boot (Alternate Shell): Boots the Windows
Command Prompt in safe mode running only critical
system services. Networking and the graphical user
Boot interface are disabled.
• Safe Boot (Active Directory Repair): Boots the Windows
graphical user interface in safe mode running critical
system services and Active Directory.
• Safe boot (Network): Boots the Windows graphical user
interface in safe mode running only critical system
services. Networking is enabled.
• No GUI boot. Does not display Windows splash screen
when booting.

53
 Boot Log. Stores all information from the boot process in
the file %SystemRoot% Ntbtlog.txt.
Base Video. Boots to the Windows graphical user
interface in minimal VGA mode. This loads standard
VGA drivers instead of display drivers specific to the
video hardware on the computer.
OS boot information. Shows driver names as drivers are
being loaded during the boot process.
Make all boot settings permanent. Does not track
changes made in System Configuration. Options can be
changed later using System Configuration, but must be
changed manually. When this option is selected, you
cannot roll back your changes by selecting Normal
startup on the General tab.

Figure 5. Boot Tab

Table 3. Services Tab of System Config Utility

Tab Function and Description

54
 The Services tab allows you to enable or disable any of
the Microsoft Windows services or other program services
running on the computer. It lists all the services that start when
Services the computer boots, along with their status (Running or
Stopped). By checking the "Hide all Microsoft services" box at
the bottom of the window, you can see all non-Windows
services such as driver services and program services that are
often the cause of startup problems. Unchecking a box will
disable the service from starting.

Warning:
Disabling services that normally run at boot time might
cause some programs to malfunction or result in system
instability. Do not disable services in this list unless you know
they are not essential to your computer’s operation. Selecting
Disable all will not disable some secure Microsoft services
required for the operating system to start.

Figure 6. Services Tab

Table 4. Start Up Tab of System Config Utility

Tab Function and Description

55
 The Startup tab is one of the most frequent reasons
most Windows users enter the System Configuration utility. In
the Startup tab, you will be able to see the list of applications
that run when the computer boots, along with the name of their
publisher, the path to the executable file, and the location of
Startup the registry key or shortcut that causes the application to run.
These startup programs are often one of the biggest causes
for a computer to startup and run slow. You can clear the
check box for a startup item to disable it on your next boot. If
you have chosen Selective startup on the
General Tab, you must either choose Normal startup on the
General tab or select the startup item’s check box to start it
again at boot time. If you suspect an application has been
compromised, examine the Command column to review the
path to the executable file.

Windows 8 Microsoft has removed this Startup feature

in the System Configuration utility and moved it into the
Windows 8 Task Manager. Uncheck any program that you
want to disable from starting up each time.

Note:
Disabling applications that normally run at boot time might
result in related applications starting more slowly or not
running as expected.

56
 Figure 7. Startup Tab

Table 5. Tools Tab of System Config Utility

Tab Function and Description

This Provides a convenient list of diagnostic tools and
Tools other advanced tools that you can run.

Figure 8. Tools Tab

2. Register edit: This application allows you to edit the registry.

The Windows Registry, usually referred to as "the registry," is a collection of
databases of configuration settings in Microsoft Windows operating systems.
In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, the Registry is stored in several Hives,
located in the following path: \windows\system32\config and
\Documents and Settings\ {username} folders.

Structure of the Registry

1. The Registry has a hierarchical structure, like the directories on your hard disk.
Each branch (denoted by a folder icon in the Registry Editor, see below) is called
a key. Each key can contain other keys, as well as Values. Each value contains

57
 the actual information stored in the Registry. There are three types of values:
String, Binary, and DWORD - the use of these depends upon the context.
2. There are six main branches (five in Windows 2000 and Windows XP), each
containing a specific portion of the information stored in the Registry. They are as
follows:
o HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT - this branch contains all of your file types as well
as OLE information for all your OLE-aware applications.
o HKEY_CURRENT_USER - this branch points to the part of HKEY_USERS
appropriate for the current user.
o HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - this branch contains information about all of
the hardware and software installed in your computer. Since you can
specify multiple hardware configurations, the current hardware
configuration is specified in
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG.
o HKEY_USERS - this branch contains certain preferences (such as colors
and control panel settings) for each of the users of the computer. In
Windows 95/98/Me, the default branch here contains the currently-logged
in user. In Windows 2000/XP, the default branch here contains a template
to be used for newlyadded users.
o HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG - this branch points to the part of
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE appropriate for the current hardware
configuration.
o HKEY_DYN_DATA (Windows 95/98/Me only) - this branch points to the
part of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, for use with Windows' Plug-&-Play
subsystem.

3. Direct X Diagnostic: The Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool provides you with
information about the DirectX API components and drivers on your system. It
enables you to test sound and graphics output and Microsoft DirectPlay service
providers. You can use the diagnostic tool to gather information about your system
to use for diagnostic purposes.
If you are experiencing problems when running
Microsoft DirectX applications, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool can help you find the
source of the trouble such as incorrect versions of DirectX components, lack of
hardware acceleration, devices that are not connected and unsigned drivers.

58
 Figure 9. DX Diagnostic Tool

4. Control Panel applets

The names of various applets in the Control Panel differ slightly depending
on the version of Windows installed. In Windows XP, the icons are grouped into
categories:
• Appearance and Themes: Applets that control the look of windows: ✓ Display
✓ Taskbar and Start menu
✓ Folder options
• Network and Internet Connections: Applets that configure all the connection
types: ✓ Internet options
✓ Network connections
• Add or Remove Programs: An applet to add or remove programs and
windows components safely
• Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices: Applets that control all the settings for
sound:
✓ Sounds and audio devices
✓ Speech
✓ Portable media devices
• Performance and Maintenance: Applets to find information about your
computer or perform maintenance:
✓ Administrative tools
✓ Power options
✓ Scheduled tasks
✓ System

59
 Printers and Other Hardware: Applets to configure devices connected to
your computer:
✓ Game controllers
✓ Keyboard
✓ Mouse
✓ Phone and modem options
✓ Printers and faxes
✓ Scanners and cameras
User Accounts: Applets to configure options for users and their email:
✓ E-mail
✓ User accounts
Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options: Applets to change settings
based on your location and language:
✓ Date and time
✓ Regional and language options
• Accessibility Options: A wizard used to configure windows for vision,
hearing, and mobility needs
• Security Center: Applet used to configure security settings for:
✓ Internet options
✓ Automatic updates
✓ Windows firewall

I. MS Configuration Command Classification

Directions: There are five functional tabs in MS Configuration utility, namely General,
Boot, Services, Startup and Tools. Classify the following items according to the tabs
they belong to. Write your answer on a separate paper.

1. Event Viewer
2. Safe Boot
3. List of services that 6. No GUI Boot
start when computer 7. OS Boot information
boots 8. Hide All Microsoft
4. Make all boot settings Services
permanent 9. Convenient List of
5. Normal startup Diagnostic Tools
10. Base Video
II. Applet Grouping

60
Directions: Complete the diagram of various Control Panel Applets with the
components included in their category.

61
Research and Explore
Directions: Conduct a research that identifies other available tools used for computer
system and network configuration. Use some other resources like the World Wide
Web and interview a practitioner (preferably an IT specialist or a computer technician)
to find out the different tools they use for configuration. Your research will be rated
according to the following criteria:

Rubrics for Term or Research Paper

Very Good Excellent (90-

Qualities & Criteria Poor (70-74) Good (75-79)
(80-89) 100)
Format/Layout Followed Some format Most format All the
(15%) poorly the and layout and layout requirements
requirements related related related to
• Presentation of the related to requirements requirements format and
text format and were met. were met. layout were
• Structuring of text layout. strictly
• Requirements of
followed.
length, font and
style followed

62
Content/Information The research The research The research The research
(50%) was not was objective was objective was objective
objective and and for some and for the and
• All elements of the poorly part most part addresses
topics are addresses the addresses an addresses an with an
addressed issues in-depth in-depth indepth
• The information is
referred in the analysis The analysis of analysis all
technically sound
• Information based proposed provided most issues the issues
on careful research topic. information referred in the referred in the
Coherence of The provided was, for some proposed proposed
information information part, topic. topic.
was not necessary The provided The provided
necessary or and sufficient information information
not sufficient to discuss was, for the was
to discuss these issues. most part, necessary
these issues. necessary and sufficient
and sufficient to discuss
to discuss these issues.
these issues.
Quality of Writing The essay The essay The essay The essay
(25%) was not well was well was well was well
written, and written for written for the written from
• Clarity and contains some part, most part, start to finish,
cohesiveness of many spelling without without without
sentences and errors, and/or spelling, spelling, spelling,
paragraphs No
grammar grammar or grammar or grammar or
errors in spelling,
grammar and use errors and/or use of use of use of
of English use of English English English
• Organization and English errors. errors. errors.
coherence of errors. The essay is The essay is The essay
ideas It lacks clarity for some part for the most was well
and/or does well part well organized,
not present organized, organized, clear and
ideas in a clear and clear and presents
coherent presents presents ideas in a
way. ideas in a ideas in a coherent
coherent coherent way.
way. way.

63
References (10%) References Some of the Most of the All of the
Soundness of were not references references references
references appropriately were were were
used and appropriately appropriately appropriately
cited. used and used and used and
cited. cited. cited.

64
Oral Presentation
Directions: After the thorough research and exploration, you have to present your work
individually in an oral presentation. Your performance will be rated based on the rubrics
provided in this section.

Rubrics for Oral Presentation

B D (75- AP P (85- A (90-

CRITERIA
(70- 74) 79) (80-84) 89) 100)

1. Gave an interesting
introduction
2. Presented clear
explanation of topic
3. Presented information in
a logical manner
4. Used complete sentence
5. Offered a concluding
statement
6. Spoke clearly, correctly,
distinctly, and confidently
7. Maintained eye contact
8. Maintained good and
proper posture
9. Utilized audio-visual
materials
10. Answered questions
sufficiently and received
comments openly
Total
Grand Total

Legend:
B- Beginner P- Proficient
D- Developing A- Advance

65
AP- Approaching Proficiency

Procedures in Using Computer System Configuration Tools

As a future computer technician you must be diligent and eager to know the
different procedures in using the tools for computer system configuration. This will help
and guide you to carry out a particular job in a proper manner. Once you already identify
them, you must also acquire the necessary and appropriate skills to apply them in actual
situations.

This part of the module present some of the required procedures in computer
system configuration. Take note that you need to exert extra effort in finding out some
procedures which are not in this module. This is your chance to explore and learn through
your own experience.

The subsequent sections below present the various procedures in using

Computer System Configuration Tools:

1. Accessing and using Microsoft System Configuration

Click on Start Button
• In the Search Box, type Run
• In the Run window, type msconfig, and press Enter.

66
 Figure 10. General Tab of Microsoft system configuration

2. Accessing and using Regedit:

Click on Start Button
In the search box, or Run window, type the following:
regedit and then press Enter.

Figure11. Registry Editor Window

Using the Registry Editor

The Registry Editor (regedit.exe) is included in Windows to enable you to view
and edit the contents of the Registry. When you open the Registry Editor, you will
see a window divided into two panes. The left side shows a tree with folders (see
Structure of the Registry above), and the right side shows the contents (values) of
the currently selected folder (key).
✓ To expand a certain branch, click on the little plus sign [+] on the left of any folder,
or just double-click on the folder.
✓ To display the contents of a key (folder), just click the desired key, and look at the
values listed on the right side.
✓ You can add a new key or value by selecting New from the Edit menu.
✓ You can rename any value and almost any key with the same method used to
rename files; right-click on an object and click rename, or click on it twice (slowly),
or just press F2 on the keyboard.

67
 ✓ Lastly, you can delete a key or value by clicking on it, and pressing Delete on the
keyboard, or by right-clicking on it, and choosing Delete.

Caution: Using regedt32.exe or regedit.exe incorrectly might cause configuration

problems that may require you to reinstall the operating system.

3. Accessing and Using Direct X Diagnostic

You can test Microsoft DirectDraw and Direct3D on each monitor attached to
your system. You can also test DirectSound on each wave output device, and
DirectMusic on each music port.

To run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DX Diagnostic Tools Window of Windows XP
differs from Windows 7 but it does the same function):
• Click on Start Button, type Run on the search box.
• On the Run window, Type in dxdiag and click Ok or press Enter, as shown
in Figure 9, Run Dialog Box.

Figure12. Run
Dialog Box

• Next you will see a new window with various tabs.

68
 Figure13. System Tab of DX Diagnostic Tool

❖ The System tab shows information about your computer and displays the version of
DirectX installed on your computer.
❖ The DirectX Files tab shows the file name and the version number for each DirectX
file installed on your computer. It also shows the file names and the version numbers
of other files that are used by games that are running under DirectX.
❖ The Display tab lists your current display settings, and allows you to disable
DirectDraw, Direct3D, and AGP Texture Acceleration. You can also test DirectDraw
and Direct3D from the Display tab which will indicate that the DirectX Graphics
runtime files are installed and operating correctly. It will also display your device's
available memory and can tell you if your video driver has passed Microsoft's
Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing standard. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool,
however, cannot report memory that is in use at the time that it starts and you may
see less memory reported than your video card actually has.

69
 Figure14. Display Tab of DX Diagnostic Tool

❖ The Sound tab displays your current audio settings and allows you to test
DirectSound. It will tell you if the audio driver are signed, meaning that it has passed
Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing standard. The Hardware Sound
Acceleration Level slider is used to correct audio glitches that might be caused by
some audio drivers. You can adjust the slider settings and see if it provides better
results in your application. Be sure not to lower it too much or you may disable some
audio features of your system. If the tool detects a problem with your sound settings,
a warning message is displayed in the Notes box.

❖ The Music tab displays your current MIDI settings, and allows you to test the
DirectMusic component of DirectX. Click on the Test DirectMusic button to perform
the test. If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with DirectMusic, a warning
message is displayed in the Notes box.

70
 Figure15. Sound Tab of DX Diagnostic Tool

❖ The Input tab lists the input devices connected to your computer such as USB and
PS2 devices. It also displays the input drivers installed on your computer. If the
DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with an input device or an input device
driver, a warning message is displayed in the Notes box.

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 Figure16. Input Tab of DX Diagnostic Tool

❖ The Network tab lists the registered DirectPlay Service Providers. These are the
connection methods that DirectPlay will operate across. A registry problem here can
normally be resolved by reinstalling DirectX. A registry error here can normally be
resolved by removing and reinstalling that application. If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool
detects a problem with a DirectPlay Service Provider or Application, a warning
message is displayed in the Notes box.
❖ The More Help tab allows you to further troubleshoot problems that the other tabs
could not resolve. Features include the DirectX troubleshooter, sound
troubleshooter, system information tool and the override tool which will override
DirectDraw’s refresh rate.

Windows Registry Backup and Recovery

Directions: In this activity you will back up a computer registry. You will also perform a
recovery of a computer registry. The registry is also called System State data. You will
be given 1 hour to accomplish this activity.

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Recommended Equipment:
A computer system running Windows XP is required for this exercise.

Procedures:
Step 1
✓ Log on to the computer as yourself. ✓ Click Start > Run.
✓ Type ntbackup and then click OK. The “Backup or Restore Wizard” window
appears.

Figure 17. Backup or Restore Wizard

Step 2
✓ Click Advanced Mode.
✓ The Backup Utility window appears.

Figure 18. Backup Utility Window

Step 3
✓ Click Backup Wizard.
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 ✓ The “Welcome to the Backup Wizard” window appears.

Figure 19. Backup Restore Wizard Window

Step 4
✓ Click Next.
✓ Click the Only back up the System State data radio button.

Figure 20. Choose “Only backup system state data”

Step 5
✓ Click Next.

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 ✓ The “Backup Type, Destination, and Name” window appears.

Figure 21. Backup Type Destination, and Name” Window

Step 6
✓ Click Browse.
✓ If you are asked to insert a disk into the floppy disk drive, click Cancel.
✓ The “Save As” dialog box appears.

Figure 22. Save As Dialog Box

Step 7
✓ Click the My Documents icon on the left side
of the “Save As” dialog box.

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 ✓ Click Save. ✓ The “Backup Type, Destination, and Name” window re-appears.

Step 8
✓ Click Next.
✓ The “Completing the Backup Wizard” appears.

Figure 23. Completing the Backup Wizard Window

Step 9
✓ Click Advanced. ✓ The “Type of Backup” window appears.

Figure 24. Type of Backup Window

✓ The default backup type is “Normal”. If available, make sure that
“Backup Migrated Remote Storage Data” is not checked.

Step 10

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 ✓ Click Next.
✓ The “How to Backup” window appears.

Figure 25. How to Backup Window

Step 11
✓ Click the Verify Data After Backup check box, and then click Next.
✓ The “Backup Options” window appears.

Figure 26. Backup Options Window

Step 12
✓ Click Replace the existing backups, and then click Next.
✓ The “When to Back Up” window appears.

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 Figure 27. When to Backup Window
Step 13
✓ At the “When To Back Up” window, click Now and then click Next. ✓ The
“Completing the Backup Wizard” window appears.

Figure 28. Completing the Backup Window

Step 14
✓ Click Finish.
✓ The “Backup Progress” window appears.

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 Figure 29. Backup Progress Window

✓ The “Backup Progress” window indicates that the backup is complete.

Step 15
✓ Click Report.
✓ The Notepad application window appears containing the report.

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 Figure30. Notepad Application Window

✓ Close Notepad.
✓ In the Backup Progress dialog box, click Close.
✓ Close the Backup Utility.

Step 16
✓ Click Start >Run.
✓ Type regedit in the “open” field. The Registry Editor window appears.

Figure 31. RegEdit Window

Step 17
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 ✓ Expand the HKEY_CURRENT_USER Registry Key.
✓ Expand the Control Panel Registry Key.
✓ Expand the PowerCfg Registry Key.
✓ Right-Click the Screen Saver. Stars Registry Key.
✓ Click Delete.
✓ Click File > Exit in the Registry Editor window.
✓ Browse to the “My Documents” folder and locate the “backup.bkf” file.
✓ Double-click the backup file to bring up the Backup Utility Wizard. ✓ Click
Next.

Step 18
✓ Click the Restore files and settings radio button and then click Next.
✓ The “What to Restore” window appears.

Figure 32. What to Restore Window

Step 19
✓ Expand the file.
✓ Expand the backup.bkf file.
✓ Click the System State check box.

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 Figure 33. Click System State Check box

Step 20
✓ Click Next.
✓ The “Completing the Backup or Restore Wizard” window appears.

Figure 34. Completing the Backup or Restore Wizard Window Step 21

✓ Click Advanced.
✓ The “Where to Restore” window appears.

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 Figure 35. Where to Restore Window
Step 22
✓ The default restoration location is “Original location”. ✓ Click Next.
✓ The “Restoring System State will always overwrite current System State
unless restoring to an alternate location.” Warning window appears.
✓ Click OK.

Figure 36. “Restoring System State will always overwrite current

System State unless restoring to an alternate location” Warning
Window

Step 23
✓ Click the Replace existing files if they are older than the backup files radio
button.

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 Figure 37. How to Restore Window

Step 24
✓ Click Next.
✓ The “Advanced Restore Options” window appears

Figure 38. Advanced Restore Options Window

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 ✓ Be sure that all three check boxes are selected, and then click Next.
✓ Click Finish.
✓ The system recovery begins by copying the files back to the computer.
✓ When prompted to restart the computer, click Yes. The computer will restart.

Step 25
✓ Click start > Run.
✓ Type regedit in the “Open” field.
✓ Click OK.
✓ You should see the “Screen Saver Stars” Registry key in the Registry Editor
application window.
✓ Click File > Exit.
Finish

Performance Rubrics for Windows Registry Backup and Recovery

CRITERIA Excellent Good Fair Poor 1

4 3 2
Safety Procedures
(15%)
-Applied / manifested
safety precautions while
working
Adherence to the
Procedures (30%) -
Followed the procedures
systematically

Workmanship (15%)
-Utilized organized
materials and tools
while accomplishing the
task and exhibited time
management
Quality of work (40%) -
the windows registry was
fully backed up

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 After dealing with the preparations for configuration , you
can now proceed with the next section of this module which is
Configuring Computer System and Network.
This lesson is designed to give you the proper procedures
used in configuring computer systems and networks. At the end of
this lesson you should be able to:
✓ Inspect networking devices and connectors;
✓ Create a cross -over an d straight -through Ethernet
cables;
✓ Assign and configure IP address to clients and
servers;
✓ Create a peer-to-peer network;
✓ Enable network security; and
✓ Configure file and printer sharing.

Lesson 2. Configure Computer System and Network

System Configuration is the way a system is set up, it is the collection of

components that make up the system. Configuration can refer to either hardware or
software, or the combination of both. For instance, a typical configuration for a PC
consists of 32MB (megabytes) main memory, a floppy drive, a hard disk, a modem, a
CD-ROM drive, a VGA monitor, and the Windows Operating System.
Many software products require that the computer has a certain minimum
configuration. For example, the software might require a graphics display monitor and a
video adapter, a particular microprocessor, and a minimum amount of main memory
capacity.
When you install a new device or program, you sometimes need to configure it,
which means that you need to set various switches and jumpers (for hardware) and to
define values of parameters (for software). For example, the device or program may
need to know what type of video adapter you have and what type of printer is connected
to the computer. Thanks to technological advancements, such as plug-and-play, much
of this configuration is now performed automatically.

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Safety Precautions Related to Networks

Installing network cables, whether copper or fiber-optic, can be dangerous. Often,

cables must be pulled through ceilings and walls where there are obstacles or toxic
materials. You should wear clothing such as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy
shoes that cover your feet, and gloves to protect you from those toxic materials. Most
importantly, wear safety glasses. If possible, ask building management, or someone
responsible for the building, if there are any dangerous materials or obstacles that you
need to be aware of before entering the ceiling area.

Safety precautions when using a ladder:

• Read the labels on the ladder, and follow any safety instructions written on it.
• Never stand on the top rung of the ladder. You could easily lose your balance and
fall.
• Make sure that people in the area know you will be working there.
• Cordon off the area with caution tape or safety cones.
• When you are using a ladder that leans up against a wall, follow the instructions
written on the ladder, and have someone hold the ladder to help keep it steady.

Safety rules when working with cables:

The tools required to install copper and fiber-optic cable may cause danger
through improper use. When working with cables, strictly follow these safety rules:
• Make sure that the tools you are using are in good working condition.
• Watch what you are doing, and take your time. Make sure that you do not cut
yourself or place anyone in danger.
• Always wear safety glasses when cutting, stripping, or splicing cables of any kind.
Tiny fragments can injure your eyes.
• Wear gloves whenever possible, and dispose any waste properly.
Use common sense when installing cables and fixing network problems. Call for
assistance for tasks that you cannot do on your own.

Fiber-Optic Safety
Fiber-optic cables are useful for communications, but they have certain hazards:
• Dangerous chemicals
• Tools with sharp edges
• Light which you cannot see that can burn your eyes

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 • Glass shards produced by cutting fiber-optic cable that can cause bodily harm
Specific types of tools and chemicals are used when working with fiber-optic cable.
These materials must be handled with care.

Chemicals
The solvents and glues used with fiber optics are dangerous. You should handle
them with extreme care. Read the instructions on the label, and follow them carefully.
Also, read the material safety data sheet (MSDS) that accompanies the chemicals to
know how to treat someone in case of emergency.

Tools
When working with any tool, safety should always be your first priority. Any
compromise in safety could result in serious injury or even death. The tools used for
working with fiber optics have sharp cutting surfaces that are used to scribe glass. Other
tools pinch cables with high pressure to fasten connectors to them. These tools can
produce shards of glass that can splinter and fly into the air. You must avoid getting them
on your skin and in your mouth or eyes.

Glass Shards
The process of cutting and trimming the strands of fiber-optic cables can produce
tiny fragments of glass or plastic that can penetrate your eyes or skin and cause severe
irritation. The fibers can be extremely difficult to see on your skin because they are clear
and small. When you work with fiber-optic cabling, the working surface should be a dark
mat so that you can see the tiny glass or plastic fragments. The mat should also be
resistant to chemical spills.
You should keep the work area clean and neat. Never pick up fiberoptic fragments
with your fingers. Use tape to pick up small fragments, and dispose them off properly.
Use a disposable container, such as a plastic bottle with a screw-on lid, to store fiber
fragments. Close the lid tightly before disposing the container.
Harmful Light
Protect your eyes from the harmful light that may be in the fiber-optic strands. The
light is a color that humans cannot see. It can damage your eyes before you can feel it.
When you use a magnifier to inspect fiber-optic cable and connectors, the light emitted
from the fiber could be directed into your eyes. When working with fiber, be sure to
disconnect the light source. Use special detectors to help you tell if a fiber is energized.

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 Caution:
Obtain proper training before you attempt to cut, strip, or splice
fiber-optic cable. An experienced technician should supervise you until
you become adequately skilled.

Networking Devices, Media and Connector

To make data transmission more extensible and efficient than a simple peer-to-
peer network, network designers use specialized network devices such as hubs,
switches, routers, and wireless access points to send data between devices. You have
already discussed in your Grade 9 CHS class the different devices used in networking
and which provides you the knowledge on the common networking cables that are
essential in putting up a network.

Common Network Cables

Until recently, cables were the only medium used to connect devices on networks.
A wide variety of networking cables are available. Coaxial and twisted-pair cables use
copper to transmit data. Fiber-optic cables use glass or plastic to transmit data. These
cables differ in bandwidth, size, and cost.
You need to know what type of cable to use based on the job requirements. You also
need to be able to troubleshoot and repair problems along the way.

Twisted Pair
Twisted pair is a type of copper cabling that is used for telephone
communications and most Ethernet networks. A pair of wires forms a circuit that transmits
data. The pair is twisted to provide protection against crosstalk, the noise generated by
adjacent pairs of wires in the cable. Pairs of copper wires are encased in color-coded
plastic insulation and are twisted together. An outer jacket protects the bundles of twisted
pairs.

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 Source: www.lanshack.com
Figure 39. UTP and STP Cable

When electricity flows through a copper wire, a magnetic field is created around
the wire. A circuit has two wires, and in a circuit, the two wires have oppositely-charged
magnetic fields. When the two wires of the circuit are next to each other, the magnetic
fields cancel each other out. This is called the cancellation effect. Without the cancellation
effect, your network communications become slow because of the interference caused
by the magnetic fields.

The two basic types of twisted-pair cables are as follows:

• Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) is the cable that has two or four pairs of wires.
This type of cable relies solely on the cancellation effect produced by the twisted-
wire pairs that limits signal degradation caused by electromagnetic interface (EMI)
and radio frequency interference (RFI). UTP is the most commonly used cabling
in networks. UTP cables have a range of 328 feet (100 m).
• With shielded twisted pair (STP), each pair of wire is wrapped in metallic foil to
better shield the wires from noise. Four pairs of wires are then wrapped in an
overall metallic braid or foil. STP reduces electrical noise from within the cable. It
also reduces EMI and RFI from outside the cable. Although STP prevents
interference better than UTP, STP is more expensive because of the extra
shielding. It is also more difficult to install because of the thickness. In addition,
the metallic shielding must be grounded at both ends. If it is improperly grounded,
the shield acts like an antenna, picking up unwanted signals.

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