Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 11

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify common causes of system performance issues.
• Apply basic troubleshooting techniques to resolve them.
• Monitor system resources using built-in tools.
• Explain the importance of regular system maintenance.
• Describe the impact of software and hardware upgrades.

Lesson summary

In today’s digital age, understanding how computer systems work and how to fix them when they malfunction is a crucial skill. From mobile banking to online learning and even booking transport like a Bolt or Uber, our lives are increasingly dependent on technology. When systems run slowly or break down, it affects everyone, and knowing how to troubleshoot performance issues and identify potential problems can save time, money, and frustration. In South Africa, where access to technical support can be limited, these skills are especially valuable, empowering you to resolve issues independently and contribute to a more efficient digital society.

Lesson notes

This section will delve into the concepts of system performance and troubleshooting, covering the common causes of performance issues and the tools and techniques used to resolve them. What is System Performance? System performance refers to how efficiently a computer system performs its intended functions. A high-performing system operates quickly, smoothly, and reliably. Several factors can influence system performance, including: Hardware Resources: The CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), hard drive, and graphics card all contribute to system performance.

Software Optimization: How efficiently the operating system and applications are written and configured affects performance.

Operating System Configuration: Settings within the operating system can impact how resources are allocated and managed.

Network Connectivity: For systems that rely on network access, network speed and stability are crucial. Common Causes of System Performance Issues: Insufficient RAM: RAM is used for storing data and instructions that the CPU needs to access quickly. When RAM is full, the system starts using the hard drive as virtual memory, which is much slower.

Example: Running multiple applications simultaneously, like Chrome with many tabs open, a video editing program, and a database application, can quickly exhaust RA

M. This will lead to the system slowing down significantly.

Full or Fragmented Hard Drive: When a hard drive is nearly full, the operating system has less space to store temporary files and swap data, slowing down performance. Fragmentation occurs when files are stored in non-contiguous blocks on the hard drive, making it take longer to access them.

Example: Continuously creating, deleting, and modifying files, especially large files like videos, leads to fragmentation. This means the hard drive's read/write head has to move around a lot more to piece together a single file.

Malware Infections: Viruses, spyware, and other malware can consume system resources, steal data, and disrupt normal operations.

Example: A student downloads a pirated game which is infected with a keylogger. This program slows down their computer and steals their login credentials.

Outdated Drivers: Drivers are software programs that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices. Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues and performance problems.

Example: An outdated graphics card driver can lead to flickering, crashes, and poor performance in graphically intensive games.

Too Many Startup Programs: Programs that launch automatically when the computer starts can consume resources and slow down the boot process.

Example: Many applications add themselves to the startup list without your knowledge, which can noticeably increase boot time, especially on older hardware.

Operating System Issues: Corruption of core OS files or incorrect configuration can also lead to performance issues.

Example: A failed operating system update can lead to system instability and slowness.

Troubleshooting Techniques: Task Manager/Activity Monitor: These tools show which processes are using the most CPU, RAM, and disk I/

O. This helps to identify resource-intensive applications.

How to: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc (Windows) or use Spotlight Search (macOS) to open the Task Manager/Activity Monitor. Observe the CPU, Memory, and Disk columns to identify resource hogs.

Disk Defragmentation: This process rearranges files on the hard drive to improve access times.

How to: Search for "defragment and optimize drives" in Windows and select the appropriate drive to analyze and defragment.

Note: Solid State Drives (SSDs) should not be defragmented as it shortens their lifespan.

Malware Scan: Use a reputable antivirus program to scan for and remove malware.

How to: Ensure your antivirus software is up-to-date and run a full system scan.

Driver Updates: Update drivers for hardware devices to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.

How to: Use Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (macOS) to check for outdated drivers and update them through Windows Update or by downloading the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website.

Startup Program Management: Disable unnecessary startup programs to improve boot time.

How to: Use Task Manager (Startup tab) or System Configuration (msconfig) to disable unwanted startup programs.

Disk Cleanup: Remove temporary files and other unnecessary data from the hard drive to free up space.

How to: Search for "disk cleanup" in Windows and select the appropriate drive to clean.

System Restore: If a recent software installation or configuration change has caused performance issues, use System Restore to revert the system to a previous state.

How to: Search for "create a restore point" in Windows. Select System Restore and follow the prompts to choose a restore point.

Monitoring System Resources: Operating systems provide built-in tools for monitoring system resources.