Computer Discovery Assessment

Background:

You have been hired as intern at Northern Nevada Green Coalition (NNGC), we are asking you to be our all-purpose “computer person.”  Please complete the tasks listed and submit ONE Microsoft Word document with screenshots and descriptions of the steps, in the Computer Discovery Submission box in Canvas.

This assessment is a research assignment that requires you to use the internet and to apply the knowledge and skills that you gained from working through Computer Essentials and Word lab simulations in TestOut. This assessment is not found in TestOut, you will need have to access to Microsoft Word on your computer or use the computer labs located on the TMCC campuses.

Please save the Word document as “LastName Computer Discovery.”  Please remember to label your screenshots and your answers!   Grading will be based on the organization of information, formatting and accuracy of completing the required tasks.

Part 1:

It is important for you to have a basic understanding of your computer.  You can use some of this information to think about because you will be buying a new computer for our office.

• First document the hardware specifications of your computer, the used and free space on the hard (This will be screenshot #1)
• Add the Windows (This will be screenshot #2).
• Some of the Internet sites only work in specific Web browsers, so please document both the name and version number of a browser that is installed on your computer. (This will be screenshot #3).
• I would also like you to take a screenshot of the tool where you would defragment, or optimize, the hard drive to insure the system is running (This will be screenshot #4). MAC USERS please lookup what defragmentation means and add a short paragraph. You will still need to label your answer as #4
• You want to make sure you are safe from hackers, so make sure that your operating system is up–to-date. (This will be screenshot #5)
• Also make sure your virus protection software is up to date and that your computer has recently been scanned for viruses. (This will be screenshot #6).
• Finally, we want to make sure our files are backed up to a flash drive or other removable media, or the Please use Windows Backup, do not just make a copy of your files. (This will be screenshot #7).

Part 2:

Use www.speedtest.net to test your Internet speed. Take a screenshot of the test and paste it in your Word document. Use the complete screen so the time and date shows. (This will be screenshot #8).

Part 3:

Use http://www.whatsmyip.org to find your “outside” IP address and take a screenshot of the webpage. (This will be screenshot #9).

Part 4:

Use the “ipconfig /all” command in the Command line to find the IP and MAC address of your computer.  Take a screenshot and add it to the Word document. (This will be screenshot #10

Part 5:

Your next task as an intern is to find the best option for purchasing a new computer for our office and employee workstations.  The computer will be used for basic office tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and Internet research.  We may also need to travel to sites around the state to give presentations. We have a limited budget, but we do not want to settle for a computer that does not have enough power to meet our needs as we grow over the next few years.   We need to you to research two different brands of computers that might meet our needs.

Review Computer Essentials in Test out for ideas. You will need to do research online to figure out what features are important when choosing a computer.

You will list the specifications of the two different computers of your choice that you have researched into a table that is inserted into your document for this project.   (How to insert a table in a word document)

A short list of specifications will result in fewer points, please be specific and detailed. Please provide a link (also called a hyperlink) to the web page where you researched each computer. There are many specifications to consider when buying a computer.  Please include the following (eight) items in your table:

• type of computer (desktop, laptop, all in one, tablet)
• price
• operating system
• type and speed of processor
• type and speed of memory
• hard drive type and size
• peripherals: mice, keyboards, monitors, printers: include a statement of what the computer comes with and you will need a printer for each workstation.
• hyperlink to computer web The link must work to get credit.

Next, write a brief summary indicating which computer you would recommend and why. You need to pitch your choice to the company (Submitting a two sentence summary will result in “zero” points for this item).

When finished, upload ONE Microsoft Word document to the Computer Discovery Submission Box in Canvas.