Chapter 1

PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Introduction

Nowadays computer has become part of our daily lines. Coming from technology

where it is faster, better and more instigated into our daily lives every day. Researchers

can’t resist how valuable it is for everything researchers do. Basically computers are

made to make our work become easy and fast. Most of the people see our future being

based on technology and it is even influential in today’s life.

A computer consists of parts, first is the housing or the box that we commonly

called the CPU, the motherboard, is a printed circuit board in a computer. Motherboard is

the computer’s central communication or the backbone connectivity of a computer that

connects all the devices that to be in-touched with the motherboard. The PSU or the

power supply unit, is where the main source of power of the computer, this will convert

the 220 volts of electricity to the precise voltage to be needed by other components inside

the computer. The CPU or the central processing unit also called the brain of the

computer, a computer component that is responsible for interpreting and executing most

of the commands from the computer’s other hardware and software. The CPU fan or the

heat-sink, is critically necessary to ventilate the heat generated from the components and

actively cools the processor. The RAM or the random access memory, is a physical

hardware inside a computer that temporarily stores data, serving as the computer’s

working memory. There are more components of the computer that are not necessarily to

be discussed.
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Computers are machines and machines will soon to come up with malfunctions,

such as hardware interruptions. These are the common problems for those owners who

don’t have any knowledge of computer troubleshooting. Some of them gets irritated

when something happens on their computers, commonly are those program crashes and

end up with a hang-up computer. There are also problems from starting up the computer;

it will come up with a blue screen, no display and other varieties of system failure.

When having all these problems it will require experience and knowledge about

what’s inside that box, or the CPU case. Opening that case without any familiarity will

just lead the user to congestion of wires and misplacement of desired object that to be

placed on those specific slots, and if that happens that will damage some parts of the

motherboard or system unit.

To have understanding on computer troubleshooting it requires the familiarity

and the training from professionals or own experience or self-taught but may take

some time and dealt a higher risk of damage. There are organized trainings for those

who wanted to have expertise on even some knowledge and skills in computer

configuration.

A simulator is a system that do simulation, it is the imitation of the operation in

actual and to the real-world process. The act of simulating something will require a

developed model of the precise field. The model represents the key characteristics,

behaviour and functions of the selected physical or abstract.

This study aimed to produce a comprehensible computer configuration simulator

that simulates the features of NCII Computer System Services test package.

This study aided the user to understand the concept of computer configuration.
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This will give convenience to the users in configuring the computer. So the researchers

have undergone research in order to have the right solution and to make this study

possible.

Conceptual Framework

This study is based on the concept of “The Conduct of an effective Simulation”

conducted by (Conway et.al, 2003) that provides warnings and a suggestion to improve

simulation. Although the software tools to develop simulation models have improved

intensely, relatively little has been written about how to make effective exercise those

models. This study delivered warnings and suggestions to improve simulation studies.

Although based primarily on the author’s experience with discrete-event models in

conducting simulations. It simulated different components of a computer system. It

describes the procedures of PC building in a quick, simple and compact fashion using a

simulator. It also understands how to take a problem and develop a simulation based

model for it, analyzed the result and presented the results convincingly. This allowed

user to have a complete graphical components of a computer and will be able to drag and

drop those components into the workspace. Computer components and its connecting

wires can be configured using context-sensitive menus.

The environment of the project will open a window sized application. The

application have has buttons where the user can choose what to launch but first it needs to

register user account so the user can log in with the application. After the user log in an

account it’s either the user will choose a complete process from the beginning up to the

end or choose a specific course of the simulation.

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If the user is going to select menus the user will go to a window that will simulate

the process from the beginning such as PC building up to the end of the installation of the

operating system. It will let the user to choose a selection of stages; user can select what

part of the simulation process will be launched.

Log inUser Account

Register User Account

User
Course Menu

Generate Result Simulation

Figure 1.Computer Aided Application for Computer System Servicing

The figure above depicts the diagram of the study. It is a representation that

describes a pattern of thought that organizes categories of information. The start of the

process shows that the user must sign up first the account in completing account details,

after completed in creating new account the user can now log in the account. When the

user can log in the account the user can select what part of the course to be launched.

Once the user chooses an option or menu this will redirect to a new environment which
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the simulation is to be done. After the simulation is being processed it will conduct an

output which will give the user the result of the simulation.

The diagram on the page 7 shows the flow of the system, Computer Aided

Application for Computer System Servicing. It is represented by the three procedures

which are the Input, Process and Output.

The First box contains the input of the system. These are the core competencies

of Computer System Servicing which are the Install and Configure Computer Systems,

Set-up Computer Networks, Set-up Computer Servers, Maintain and Repair Computer

Systems and Networks. Install and Configure Computer Systems is a unit, that covers the

outcomes required in installing and configuring desktop and workstation computer

systems. It consists of competencies to assemble computer hardware, install operating

system and devices for peripherals/devices and install application software as well as to

conduct testing and documentation. Set-Up Computer Networks is another unit, that

covers the outcomes required in setting-up computers networks for LANs and small

office home office (SOHO) systems. It consists of competencies to install network cables,

set network configuration, set router/Wi-Fi/ wireless access point as well as to inspect

and test the configured computer networks. Set-Up Computer Servers is a unit, that

covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to set-up computer servers for LANs

and SOHO systems. It consists of competencies to set-up user access and configures

network services as well as to perform testing, documentation and pre-deployment

procedures. Maintain and Repair Computer Systems and Networks covers the knowledge,

skills and attitudes needed to maintain and service computer systems and networks.
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The Second box is the solution of the relevant problems the researchers

encountered. It represents the process of the system development cycle containing the

following process: Data Gathering, Requirement Analysis, Designing, Coding, Testing &

Evaluation, Implementation, and Documentation. Data Gathering is the first phase which

processes the gathering and measuring information on variables of interest that enables

one to answer stated research questions, an established systematic fashion, test

hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes. Requirement Analysis where it is critical to the

success or failure of a system or software project, also called requirements engineering, is

the process of determining user expectations for a new or modified product. These

features, called requirements, must be quantifiable, relevant and detailed. The

requirements should be documented, actionable, measurable, testable, traceable, and

defined to a level of detail sufficient for system design. Designing is a plan specifying

how the researcher intends to fulfill the goals of the study. Its complete design tends to

produce significant and correct conclusions, the process of creating a design can be brief

(a quick sketch) or lengthy and complicated, involving considerable research,

negotiation, reflection, modelling, interactive adjustment and re-design. In some cases,

the direct construction of an object without an explicit prior plan (such as in craftwork

and some engineering, coding, and graphic design) is also considered to be a design

activity. Coding is the transformation of the data into a form suitable for computer-aided

analysis. It is the process of assigning a code to something for the purposes of

classification or identification, while language is a set of syntax rules that define how a

code should be written and formatted. Testing and Evaluation involve collecting and
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analyzing information about the outcomes. Its purpose is to make judgements about a

program, to improve its effectiveness, and/or to inform programming decisions, the

process by which a system or components are compared against requirements and

specifications through testing. The results are evaluated to assess progress of design,

performance, supportability, etc. Implementation which is the final stage in which the

software is run on various systems by users. If it runs smoothly on this system without

any flaw, then it is considered ready to be launched. Documentation describes the use,

operation, maintenance, or design of software or hardware through the use of manuals,

listings, diagrams, and other hard- or soft-copy written and graphic materials. Provides

official information or evidence or that serves as a record.

The Third Box shows the output of the Computer Aided Application

for Computer System Servicing. Through this application system the trainees can directly

be able to interact on the core competencies in an animated way like on the actual

process, components will be animated and associates with other animated components

like the actual computer configuration without any error or damage and it will give

convenience to them. It will also help the trainers reduced their time spent in conducting

training with the trainees. The admin can view all the details of the students from the

database with which the students registered their account. This will also help the trainers

for an easiest and fastest way in taking the training and exam. Lastly, the system will

generate training report or the outcome of the simulation.

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INPUT PROCESS
Phases of Software
Install and Configure
Development Life Cycle
Computer Systems
*Data Gathering
Set-up Computer Networks
*Requirement Analysis
Set-up Computer Servers
*Designing
Maintain and Repair
*Coding
Computer Systems and
Networks *Testing & Evaluation

*Implementation

*Documentation

FEEDBACK

OUTPUT
*Computer Aided Application
for Computer System Servicing

*Training Report

Figure 2.Schema of the Study

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to develop Computer Aided Application for Computer

System/servicing for NC II Examinees, during the second semester school year 2017-

2018 at Jose Rizal Memorial State University.

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Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What is the current status of Computer System Servicing Training?

2. What are the components involved in developing a Computer Aided

Application for Computer System Servicing?

3. What are the algorithms or processes that can be formulated on the proposed

study?

4. How does the Computer Aided Application for Computer System Servicing

assess in terms of;

4.1 functionality;

4.2 reliability;

4.3 usability; and

4.4 portability?

Significance of the Study

The study provided a technique to replace real experiences with guided ones for

practice and learning that can be applied to many different trainees to produce

comprehensible computer configuration simulator that simulates the features of NC II

assessment. This aided the user to understand the concept of computer configuration and

give convenience to the user in configuring the computer.

This study will beneficial to the following:

NC II CSS Trainees. This system helped the trainees to reduce expenses in doing

trainings, develop skills with the graphical representation in configuration and

troubleshooting of computer systems and helped lessen errors when it comes to actual.
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NC II Assessor. This system helped the assessor to reduce effort in observing and

conducting the competency assessment.

IT Education Faculty. By approaching a system at a higher level of abstraction,

the designer is better able to understand the behaviours and interactions of all the high

level components within the system and is therefore better equipped to counteract the

complexity of the overall system. This complexity may simply overwhelm the designer if

the problem had been approached from a lower level. As the designer better understands

the operation of the higher level components through the use of the simulator, the lower

level components may then be designed and subsequently simulated for verification and

performance evaluation.

Scope and Delimitation

This study focused on Computer System Servicing Training Simulator.

The coverage of the study is at Jose Rizal Memorial State University – Main Campus,

Dapitan City, Zamboanga Del Norte. It is limited on the concept of comprehensible

computer configuration simulator that simulates the features of NCII Computer

System Services test package of Install and Configure Computer Systems. This

unit consists of competencies to assemble computer hardware, install operating system

and devices for peripherals/devices. Set-up Computer Networks consists of competencies

to install network cables, set network configuration, set router/Wi-Fi/ wireless access

point as well as to inspect and test the configured computer networks. Set-up Computer

Servers consists of competencies to set-up user access and configures network services.
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Maintain and Repair Computer Systems and Networks. Networks covers the knowledge,

skills and attitudes needed to maintain and service computer systems and networks.

The compilation of the simulator varied on the accuracy of the illustrated

animations in the workspace. This study covered some steps with graphical

representation of computer peripherals only for computer hardware

assembly/disassembly but did not include the troubleshooting procedures; networking

installation, configuration and Operating System installation to be virtualized.

Definition of Terms

Terms here are conceptualized and operationally defined for better understanding

of the readers.

Computer Aided Application for Computer System Servicing. A simulator

that simulates the process of installing, configuring and maintaining computer systems

and networks in animated way and it will be able to interact an animated component like

on the actual process.

Computer Configuration. Often configuration pertains to the choice of

hardware, software and documentation, the configuration affects system function.

Computer System Servicing. Offers a full range of computer and networking

services to residential and business customers. The way of troubleshooting defects intact

with the computer. It refers to the arrangement of each of its functional units, according

to their nature, number and chief characteristics. It covers basic and common

competencies such as installing, maintaining, configuring, and diagnosing computer

systems and networks.

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Installation. Is a place that contains equipment and machinery which are being

used for a particular purpose.the action or process of installing someone or something or

of being installed.

NCII Simulator. Can generate graphical computer components correctly into

animation including OS installation.

OS (Operating System). The name for a group of programs, device, drivers,

kernel, and other things that let a user work with a computer.

Simulation. The imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over

time. The act of simulating something first requires that a model be developed; this

model represents the key characteristics.

System Configuration. Is a Microsoft software application used to change

configuration settings, such as which software opens with Windows. It contains several

useful tabs: General, Boot, Services, Startup, and Tools.

Troubleshooting. Is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed

products or processes in a machine or a system. Is a systematic approach to problem

solving that is often used to find and correct issues with complex machines, electronics,

computers and software systems. The first step in troubleshooting is gathering

information on the issue,

3D (Three Dimensional). A graphics that use a three-dimensional representation

of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purpose of performing

calculations and rendering 2D images. When 3-D images are made interactive so that

users feel involved with the scene, the experience is called virtual reality.