Speaking

7. Work in pairs, A and B. Advise your partner on his/her computing problem. Ask for advice on your computing problem. Complete this form for your partner's problem.

Student A Your problems and advice.

Problem A

Monitor power light flashing but display screen is completely blank.

SYSTEM	SOLUTION
Make and model Dell, GS205X Service Number X3457 Processor Pentium IV Memory 256MB O.S. Windows XP Configuration standalone	INSTRUCTIONS Check to see if the computer system unit power light comes on when the computer is switched on. Check that the monitor data cable is connected correctly to the VGA port at the rear of the computer. Check that the graphics expansion card is installed properly by: Switching off the computer. Disconnecting the power cable. Opening the computer case by removing the four securing screws. Inspecting the graphics card to see if it is seated properly in the expansion slot. Correct the fault and check the system by: Pushing the graphics card fully into the expansion slot. Replacing the casing. Reconnecting the power supply. Switching on the computer and checking that the monitor is functioning correctly.	RESULT Computer power seems to be O.K. Data cable is plugged in O.K. Graphics card is loose. Monitor functioning O.K.

Student В Your problems and advice.

Problem B

The monitor display screen is flickering.

SYSTEM	SOLUTION
Make and model Compaq, CV602 Service Number 8JD3 Processor Pentium III Memory 128MB O.S. Windows 2000 Configuration Windows 2000 network	INSTRUCTIONS Change the monitor refresh rate setting by: Right clicking with the mouse on the desktop. Selecting “Properties-Settings”. Clicking on the Advanced button. Choosing the “Monitor” tab. Making sure that the “Hide modes that this monitor cannot display” checkbox is ticked. Selecting a higher refresh rate (i.e. 75 Hz or more). Rebooting the computer. Checking that the monitor is functioning properly.	RESULT Monitor no longer flickering.

Specialist reading

A. Find the answers to these questions in the text and table below.

1. Give two reasons why server computers often have connected hard drives.

2. Why is RAID 0 particularly suited to imaging and scientific work?

3. What is the advantage of using drive mirroring?

4. To store data, RAID levels higher than 1 require:

a At least double the disk space

b Up to about a third more disk space

с Less than half the disk space

5. Where is the backup data stored in a RAID 5 system?

6. Which levels of RAID can reconstruct data lost in failed drives from the backup data spread across the remaining drives in the array?

7. Which level of RAID is the fastest?