1 Topic:

Date: ______________________

SPOT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WORKBOOK

GRADE 9
Term 1

D Watkis
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Information Technology Work booklet – Grade 9 – Term1

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Unit 1: HEALTH AND SAFETY

Objectives:
Students will:
● Investigate and resolve basic computer hardware problems

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Health and Safety

What is troubleshooting?
Troubleshooting is the process of identifying, planning and resolving a
problem, error or fault within a software or computer system. It enables
the repair and restoration of a computer or software when it becomes
faulty, unresponsive or acts in an abnormal way.

What is Computer hardware?

Computer hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer and
related devices. Internal hardware devices include motherboards, hard
drives, and RAM.

What is a checklist?
a list of items required, things to be done, or points to be
considered, used as a reminder.

Preventative maintenance
This is maintenance that is regularly performed on a piece of equipment
to lessen the likelihood of it failing. It is performed while the equipment is
still working

Troubleshooting common computer

hardware devices
Printer issue
• The printer is not responding after you have sent a document to it
for printing.

Basic Printer Troubleshooting Checklist

If you run into a printer issue that can’t be fixed with this checklist, it is something that will need
serious attention.

1. Turn off the printer, turn it back on

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2. Turn off the computer, turn it back on

3. Check the connections

4. Check the status

In some instances, the printer will tell you exactly what is wrong with it. Go to the Control
Panel and select Devices and Printers. Click on the printer that is having problems. It will
usually tell you what is wrong.

5. Check the print queue

Make sure someone else hasn’t clogged the queue with a bunch of print jobs. If you have
permissions, clearing problematic print jobs can get the printer back up and running.

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6. Invest in a new printer

Mouse Issue
• The mouse pointer isn’t responding when the mouse is moved
• There is no light being emitted from the bottom of the device
(where you are using a laser based device)

Basic Mouse Troubleshooting Checklist

Try the following:

a. The USB connection may be loose. Try unplugging the mouse and plugging it
back in.
b. Plug the mouse into a different USB port.

c. If your mouse is plugged into a USB hub or USB switch box, try removing it and
plugging it directly into the computer.
d. Unplug other USB devices that are not in use.

e. Try the mouse on another computer to verify it is not defective.

f. If you are using a wireless mouse:
Reset the power to the device
i. If your device has a power switch, turn the device off.
ii. If your device has removable batteries, remove the batteries and
reinstall them. Make sure that they are positioned correctly.
iii. If your device has a power switch, turn the device on.

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Check the batteries (rechargeable)

i. Try charging the device. It may take an hour or more to fully charge your
device. See the documentation that is included with the device.
Check the batteries (non-rechargeable)

ii. Make sure that you have installed the correct type of batteries in the
device. For information about the batteries, see the documentation
that was included with the device.
iii. Replace all the batteries with new batteries

Activity
1. You went into the office, typed a document then sent it to the printer, however
the printer is not responding. What is the first thing you should check to see?
________________________________________________________________________ (1 Mark)

2. You have turned on a computer in the lab, however after moving the mouse the
pointer on the screen does not respond. What is one of the first thing you should
check? ________________________________________________________________________
(1 Mark)
3. You work in a big office containing 70 persons who often print large documents,
the office print is small and breaks down regularly. What is the best action to take
to resolve this matter?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ (1 Mark)

4. What is the function of the status lights on the printer?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ (1 Mark)

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5. You are using a wireless mouse. However, after turning it on you have observed
that the lights on the mouse does not turn on nor does the pointer on the screen
move. What 2 things would you check?
__________________________________________________________________________
(2 Marks).
6. Your teacher gave your classmate a mouse and keyboard then told her to
connect it to the computer. What can you observe from the picture below?

.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
.(2 Marks).

7. You have turned on a computer and observed that the wired mouse is not
responding even though it has been correct inserted into one of the 6 USB ports
on the computer, what would you do?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ (2 Marks)
8. You have two computers, the wired mouse does not work on any port it is
plugged into the first computer. How can you determine if the problem is the
mouse or the computer?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________ (2 Marks)

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Troubleshoot wired keyboards that don't respond or

that type wrong characters
Problems:
• The keyboard is not detected.
• The keys on the keyboard do not work.
• Wrong characters are typed.
• The keyboard shortcuts do not work.

Wired keyboard Troubleshooting checklist

Step 1: Verify the connection
To connect or to disconnect the keyboard to a PS/2 port, follow these steps:

i. Shut down the computer.

ii. Plug your device into the correct port. Make sure that the plug is pushed
securely into the connector on the computer.
iii. Restart the computer. Microsoft Windows detects the change, and then
installs the drivers on the new port automatically.
Step 2: Download and install the latest keyboard software
Step 3: Manually reinstall the drivers

The keys do not strike correctly

• If the keys do not strike correctly, make sure that the keyboard is free of dust, dirt,
and foreign matter.
• Turn the keyboard upside down to allow for any foreign debris, such as hair, food
particles, or dust, to fall out.
• periodically use compressed air to blow dust out of the hard-to-clean crevices in
the keyboard.

Troubleshooting wireless and Bluetooth keyboard issues

Keyboard issue
• The keyboard isn’t responding

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Basic wireless keyboard Troubleshooting Checklist

Check the batteries (non-rechargeable)
1. Make sure that you have installed the correct type of batteries in the device. For
information about the batteries, see the documentation that was included with
the device.
2. Replace all the batteries with new batteries.

Note
If you still receive warnings after replacing the batteries, continue with the other
solutions provided in this article.
Reset the power to the device

1. If your device has a power switch, turn the device off.

2. If your device has removable batteries, remove the batteries and reinstall them.
Make sure that they are positioned correctly.
3. If your device has a power switch, turn the device on.

Check for software updates

Check for updates

1. On Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, press the Windows logo +R, type Control
Panel, select OK, select System and Security, and then select Windows Update.
2. Download and install any high-priority updates, and custom updates, especially
those related to hardware.

Note
For Windows 10, the system will install important updates automatically.
Check the USB connection between the computer and the transceiver

Unplug and re-plug the transceiver

1. Unplug the wireless transceiver and then plug it in again.

2. If the wireless transceiver is plugged into a USB hub, unplug the hub and then
plug it in again.
Connect the wireless transceiver to another port on the same computer

• If you have multiple USB ports, plug the wireless transceiver into a different USB
port on the same computer.

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• If the wireless transceiver is plugged into a USB hub:

1. Plug the hub into a different USB port on the same computer.
2. Make sure that you are using a powered hub that is appropriate for high-
powered USB devices.
3. Try plugging the wireless transceiver directly into a USB port on the
computer.
Refresh the wireless connection
Connect all other Microsoft wireless devices

1. Press the button on the wireless transceiver.

2. Press the Connect button on the underside of the device.
Optimize the signal
Check the placement of the wireless device
The wireless transceiver and device must be situated correctly. Try the following
solutions:
• Place the wireless device closer to the wireless transceiver.
• If you have a mouse and keyboard and they are both wireless, place them at an
equal distance from the transceiver.
• Turn the transceiver on its side or upside down.
Some wireless and non-wireless objects can cause interference with your wireless device.
To prevent transceiver interference, avoid using your device near objects such as:
• Wireless networking devices
• Cordless and cellular telephones
• Remote control toys
• Microwave ovens
• Cables running parallel to the wireless transceiver cables
• Metallic surfaces in contact with the device
• Other wireless pointing devices and transceivers
Setting up a Bluetooth device
You can use the following information to help troubleshoot a problem with your
Bluetooth wireless device (keyboard or mouse).
Check the connection between your computer and the Bluetooth transceiver

• Make sure Bluetooth is on.

If you are connecting your device by using an internal Bluetooth connection,

make sure wireless connections are active. Many portable computers have a
switch, a key, or a keyboard shortcut that activates the wireless connections.

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• Turn on Bluetooth on your computer if your mouse or keyboard does not have its
own transceiver.

If your mouse or keyboard does not include its own transceiver, your desktop,
notebook, or portable computer must have a transceiver built into the computer
or you must use a non-Microsoft external transceiver. How the mouse or
keyboard will connect to the computer by Bluetooth, and how to turn on
Bluetooth, varies depending on how it is implemented on the computer. You may
have to contact the computer manufacturer or the manufacturer of the Bluetooth
transceiver to find out how to turn on Bluetooth on the computer and how to add
a device to it.
Refresh the wireless connection to your Bluetooth device
• Pair your Bluetooth device to your computer.
• Re-establish a wireless link if your computer does not detect a Bluetooth-enabled
Microsoft device.

If you try to use a Bluetooth-enabled Microsoft wireless keyboard or mouse and

the input device does not work, it may be because your computer does not
detect the device. To resolve this issue on a Windows computer, re-establish the
wireless link with the computer
• Resolve a connection failure when the setup software cannot connect to a
Bluetooth-enabled Microsoft device
During the installation process, if the setup software fails to connect to the device
through a Bluetooth connection, you must change the transceiver to use a hardware-
managed Bluetooth mode.

Open the Bluetooth program

There are several versions of Bluetooth programs that help you connect your device to
your Bluetooth wireless transceiver. See the documentation that was included with your
computer or contact the computer manufacturer for information on how to use their
program.
Hardware Bluetooth software location

For some computers that

Select Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth.
have Windows 10

For some computers that Open Charm > Settings > Change PC settings > PC and
have Windows 8.1 devices > Bluetooth.

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For some computers that Select Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound >
have Windows 7 Bluetooth Devices.

For some Toshiba Click Start > All Programs > Toshiba > Bluetooth >
computers Bluetooth Settings.

See the documentation that was included with your

Other computers
computer or contact the computer manufacturer.

Note
If your computer cannot detect a Bluetooth transceiver, the Bluetooth software will not
be available in the Windows menus.
Establish a Bluetooth connection when a device is unresponsive
If the Bluetooth connection cannot be established, you may have to remove the
unresponsive device from the system and then add it back.
1. On your computer, open the Bluetooth program. The Bluetooth program is
usually found either in Control Panel or in the Settings app.
2. If the unresponsive Bluetooth device is listed, select it and then select Remove
device.
3. To reconnect the device to your computer, press and hold the Connect button on
the underside of the device for a few seconds. When the light on top of the
device blinks red and green, the device is discoverable to other Bluetooth devices
for 2 minutes.
4. In the Bluetooth program, wait until the Bluetooth device shows up in the list,
select the device, and then use the option to add a new device.
Why there is a delay before a Bluetooth mouse responds after it has been inactive
To extend battery life, Bluetooth devices go into hibernation after 8-10 minutes of
inactivity. It can take several seconds for the Bluetooth mouse to reconnect when you
resume using it after this period of hibernation. As a result, you may notice a delay
between the time that you use the mouse and the response on the screen.
Use other Bluetooth devices with the Microsoft Wireless Transceiver for Bluetooth

Bluetooth wireless technology lets you connect multiple compliant devices to your
computer. You may be able to use other Bluetooth devices with the Microsoft Wireless
Transceiver for Bluetooth, but this connectivity is not always supported by Microsoft.
For newer devices, download the latest version of the software from the Hardware
Download Software Web page.
Connecting the Wedge Mobile Keyboard to a tablet PC

By default, the Bluetooth Wedge Mobile Keyboard pairs with most tablet PCs through
secure simple pairing (SSP) with a passkey. Some tablets, however, may not support SSP
well with a passkey.

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In order to successfully pair your Wedge Mobile Keyboard to such a tablet, use the
following alternative pairing mode.
Pair your keyboard through SSP without a passkey

1. Press and hold the Fn key at the same time as you press and hold the Connect
button located under the keyboard. After 3 to 5 seconds, a small light on the top
of the keyboard will blink green and red alternately. This means that your
keyboard is discoverable to your tablet within 6 minutes.
2. On your tablet PC, in the search box on the taskbar, type Control Panel, select
Control Panel from the search results, and in Category view, locate Hardware
and Sound.
3. Select Add a device.
4. When the keyboard is listed, select it, and follow the instructions to successfully
pair your Wedge Keyboard with your tablet.

Note
If you want to pair your keyboard with a tablet or other computer that supports
SSP with a passkey, press and hold the Connect button only.

Bluetooth Disconnection issue

If Bluetooth disconnects:
1. Select the Start button > Device Manager.
2. In Device Manager, select the arrow next to Bluetooth, and then double-click the
Bluetooth device.
3. Select the Power Management tab and then clear the Allow the computer to
turn off this device to save power check box.
A Bluetooth mouse or keyboard fails to reconnect after being left idle
After not using your Bluetooth mouse or keyboard for some time, you may not be able
to use the device again without rebooting the system or turning your Bluetooth radio off
and back on.

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Activity
Examine the image below then answer the related questions that follow.

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