Chapter 10
Installing End-user
Computer Systems
Learning Objectives
• Site preparation steps for computer installations
• Tasks to prepare an installation site
• Purpose and contents of a site management notebook
• Tools needed to install hardware
• Steps to install and configure hardware
• Steps to install and configure an operating system
• Steps to install and configure software software
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packages
Wrap-up tasks that installers often perform
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System Installation Overview
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Site Preparation
• Pre-installation inspection
• Checklist of issues
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Space requirements
Space constraints
Storage requirements
Ergonomic issues
ADA or OSHA accommodations or issues
Adequate power supply accessible
Power conditioning required
Telephone and/or network access
Air conditioning required
Lighting problems
Fire suppression
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Locating System Components
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Locate computer system and devise strategies to conserve space
System Components
• System unit
• The footprint of a desktop case is its length times its width
(measured in square inches)
• Keyboard and Mouse
• Optimal desk height is 26-28 inches from the floor
• Monitor
• Optimal user view is straight ahead or slightly down
• Printer
• Optimal access for loading paper, retrieving print-outs, and
clearing jams
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Locating System Components
(continued)
• Supplies (manuals, ink/toner cartridges, media, printer paper)
• Convenient access
• Tip: avoid storing paper in damp area
• Tip: avoid storing magnetic media near generators, motors,
electric and phone equipment
• Furniture considerations
• Importance of adjustable chair
• Adjustable: seat height, seat swivel, tilt, backrest, arm rest
• Waterfall seat edge
• 5-leg base
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Space Constraint Solutions
• Separate computer worktable
• Flat panel display screen
• Monitor arm for CRT display
• Keyboard shelf
• Locate system unit and peripherals under or close
to, but not on, user’s desk
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Ergonomic Concerns
• Ergonomics is the study of how to design
computer systems and workspaces to
• Minimize health problems
• Maximize worker
• Safety
• Productivity
• Comfort
• Job satisfaction
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Health Concerns Related to
Ergonomic Problems (Overview)
• Back or Neck Muscle Pain
• Leg Pain
• Eyestrain and Headaches
• Wrist and Finger Pain
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) result from
continuous use of joints in a limited range of motion
• Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common form of
repetitive strain injuries that affects wrists and fingers
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Back or Neck Muscle Pain or
Numbness
Sources
Monitor too high
Chair too low
Poorly designed chair
Keyboard too high
Inadequate breaks
Infrequent change in
body position
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Solutions
Replace office chair
with adjustable one
Adjust keyboard height
Install adjustable
keyboard shelves
Recommend frequent
breaks and exercises
to reduce stress
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Leg Pain or Numbness
Sources
Chair too high for feet
to touch floor
Chair design that
impairs leg circulation
Too little knee room
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Solutions
Replace office chair
Place footrest on floor
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Eyestrain and Headaches
Sources
Screen glare
Glasses or contact
lenses inappropriate for
distance from display
screen
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Solutions
Reorient computer to
reduce screen glare
Adjust office lighting
Install display screen
antiglare filter
Check for proper
glasses & prescription
Recommend frequent
breaks and exercises
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Wrist and Finger Pain
Sources
Keyboard too high or
too low
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Solutions
Adjust keyboard height
Install adjustable
keyboard shelf
Supply keyboard wrist
rest
Recommend frequent
breaks and exercises
to reduce stress
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Workstation Ergonomics
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Devices to Address
Ergonomic Problems
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Adjustable tables and work surfaces
Adjustable chairs
Footrests
Keyboard shelves
Alternative (natural/ergonomic)
keyboards
Alternative pointing devices
(trackballs and touchpads)
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Wrist rests
Mouse support rests
Document holders
Monitor arms
Task lighting
Antiglare screens
Assistive devices
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Impacts of Ergonomic Problems
• Ergonomics are important concerns
• Injuries
• Permanent disabilities
• Legal rules and regulations
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• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Tip: Ergonomics is an area where a user support specialist can
develop special expertise to add value to their employment or
résumé
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Power Requirements Overview
• Many small computer systems do not require
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special electrical power
Special situations:
• Outlets
• Outlet wiring
• Circuit amperage
• Shared circuits
• Power stability
• Multiple computers
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Special Power Requirements
1. Outlets
• Old buildings may have two-pronged outlets
• Avoid “cheater” plug adapters
2. Outlet wiring
• Use LED tester
• Test three-prong outlets to make sure the hot, neutral,
and ground prongs are wired correctly
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continued
Special Power Requirements
(continued)
3. Circuit amperage
• Determine total amperage to see whether circuit can
handle the load of devices
4. Shared circuits
• Do not install computer system on a circuit that
services devices with heavy motors or generators
• A dedicated circuit is preferable
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continued
Special Power Requirements
(continued)
5. Power stability
• Get advice from local electric company
• Use metering device to measure quality of power
• Power conditioner is a device placed between
computer and power source that regulates electrical
power to keep it within acceptable limits
6. Multiple computers
• Consult electrical contractor to verify that power is
adequate and well-conditioned
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Tips on Power
• Use an electrical power strip for convenience, but not as
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an extension cord
Best power strips include surge suppression features
• Certification: UL 1449 (second edition)
• Peak protection: at least 40,000 amps
• Clamping voltage: 330 volts or less
• Clamping response time: 1 nanosecond or less
• Energy rating (dissipation): 750 joules or more
• Status indicator: LED lamps
• Warranty against damage to protected equipment
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More power tips
• Avoid
• Stressed cables
• too tight
• hard bends
• Cables on floor or under carpet
• Use
• Wall-mounted cable conduits (runways)
• Protective rubber conduits
• Plastic ties to bundle cables
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Telephone and Network Access
• Determine location of access points before installation
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in case extension lines are necessary to reach installation
site
Identify type of network access
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Dial-up modem
DSL
Cable modem
ISDN
Satellite
T1 or T3
Wireless
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Air Conditioning
• May be required in locations where a large
number of computer systems will be installed
close together
• Small office
• Training room
• Computer lab facility
• Mainframe and minicomputer facilities
• Consult an HVAC specialist
• Determine BTUs of air conditioning capacity
required
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Lighting Problems
• Light intensity
• Reduce lighting in over-lit areas
• Light source
• Position display screen to avoid glare on screen
• Light type
• Florescent bulbs may flicker at same rate as CRT-type
monitor
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Fire Suppression
• Electromechanical equipment can cause fires,
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primarily due to power supply problems
If no fire extinguisher system exists:
• Use portable fire extinguishers rated for electrical
fires (Class C)
• Use Halon-substitute in gas extinguisher
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Site Management Notebook
• A site management notebook consolidates
important information about a computer system
• Useful to operate, diagnose, troubleshoot,
reconfigure, upgrade, and repair system and its
components
• Critical in multiple-computer situations where many
support staff are likely to work on various
components
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Contents of
Site Management Notebook
Hardware configuration
Operating system configuration
Network configuration
Software licenses
Application software configuration
Special operating procedures
Warranty and repair information
Problem log
Backup media log
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Basic
Hardware Installation Tools
• Screwdriver set
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• Slotted
• Phillips
Nut driver
Pliers
• Regular
• Needle-nose
IC chip extractor/inserter
Parts-picker
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Additional
Hardware Installation Tools
• Pocketknife
• Small parts container
• Mirror
• Small flashlight
• PC Pocket Reference
• Isopropyl alcohol
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• Lint-free cloth or foam
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tip brush
Antistatic wrist strap
Electrician’s tape
Compressed air
Circuit tester
Multi-meter
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Typical
Hardware Installation Toolkit
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Common
Hardware Installation Steps
• Following hardware installation safety
precautions:
• Unpack the system
• Connect power and signal cables, basic components
• Install upgrades
• Test the system
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Common Operating System and
Network Installation Steps
• Make backup copies of existing system and data
• Install operating system software
• Configure network connectivity
• Install client software
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Dial-up networking
LAN networking
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User accounts
Access rights
• Perform network administrative tasks
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Common Steps to
Install Application Software
• Determine whether software is compatible with
hardware and network
• Make backup copies of user data files
• Choose type of installation
• Install special devices drivers
• Configure application to meet user needs
• Install organization-specific utilities, templates, or style
sheets
• Reboot and test all applications
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Application Software Compatibility
Issues
• CPU types the software runs on
• Amount of memory the software requires
• Amount of hard drive space the software requires
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for full installation
Whether the software is compatible with
hardware peripherals
Whether the software is compatible with the
user’s network environment
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Installation Media
• Distribution media is the original vendor copies
of software
• CD-ROM
• Floppy disk
• Internet download
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Installation Types
• Express (typical or common)
• Most commonly used features
• Custom (special or expert)
• User selects specific features to install
• Minimal (laptop or space-saver)
• For users with little hard drive space available
• Smallest set of functions and features possible
• Full (maximum or complete)
• All program features
• Takes maximum amount of hard drive space
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Tips on Applications Software
Installation
• Close all open programs prior to installation as a
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precaution
Retain license information, installation key codes (in
Site Management Notebook), and distribution media
To reduce staff time to install and maintain application
software:
• Download or launch software upgrades from server
• Use an application service provider (ASP), which is a
vendor that sells or rents access to applications software
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Wrap-up Tasks
• Document system settings
• Back up critical files
• Create rescue disks
• Fill out warranty and registration cards
• Document problems
• Address ergonomic concerns
• Make sure user can use the system
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Chapter Summary
• Basic steps to install a computer system
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Site preparation
Hardware installation and configuration
Operating system and network installation and configuration
Application software installation and configuration
Wrap-up tasks
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Location
Ergonomic concerns
Power requirements
Network connectivity
Air conditioning
Lighting
Fire suppression precautions
• Site preparation steps for computer installations
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continued
Chapter Summary (continued)
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A Site Management Notebook organizes information about a
system in a convenient location
Hardware installers need a variety of mechanical tools to aid with
installation tasks
Hardware installers follow several safety precautions when
working inside the system unit
Installers develop check lists of installation procedures for
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Hardware
Operating system and network software
Application software
Wrap-up tasks
The ultimate measure of installation success: Is the user satisfied?
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