SECONDARY

JHS

LEARNING STRAND 6
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
MODULE 1: LET’S FIX COMPUTERS

ALS Accreditation and Equivalency Program: Junior High School

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 LEARNING STRAND 6

LET’S FIX
COMPUTERS

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
MODULE 1
ALS Accreditation and Equivalency Program: Junior High School
Learning Strand 6: Digital Citizenship
Module 1: Let’s Fix Computers

Published in 2020 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNESCO Office, Jakarta
Jalan Galuh II No. 5, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia

and

Department of Education
DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines

Copyright © UNESCO and DepEd 2020

This publication is available in Open Access under the Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 IGO (CC-BY-SA) 3.0 IGO)
license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/). By using the content of this publication, the
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org/open-access/terms-use-ccbysa-en).

The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the
expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country,
territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

The selection and presentation of the material contained in this publication, as well as the opinions expressed
herein are the sole responsibility of the authors and not necessarily those of UNESCO, nor do they commit
the organization in any way.

This educational resource material was developed and printed through the project “Better Life for Out-of-
School Girls to Fight Against Poverty and Injustice in the Philippines” with financial support from Korea
International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Printed by APC Printers Corporation

Printed in Makati City, Philippines

ISBN 888-888-8888-88-8
 DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Jenelyn Marasigan Baylon Master Teacher I, ALS Task Force (On-detail)

Kristine Lee S. Lumanog Education Program Specialist II, ALS Task Force (On-detail)
Judy R. Mendoza Project Development Officer III, Bureau of Learning Resources
Reyangie V. Sandoval Education Program Specialist II, Bureau of Learning Resources
Josephine C. Intino Senior Education Program Specialist, Bureau of Curriculum Development
Eric U. Labre Senior Education Program Specialist, Bureau of Learning Resources
Roderick P. Corpuz Supervising Education Program Specialist, ALS Task Force
Daisy Asuncion O. Santos Chief Education Program Specialist, Bureau of Learning Resources
Marilette R. Almayda Director III/Head, ALS Task Force
Ariz Delson Acay D. Cawilan Officer-In-Charge, Office of the Director IV, Bureau of Learning Resources
G. H. S. Ambat Assistant Secretary for Alternative Learning System Program
and Task Force
Tonisito M. C. Umali Undersecretary for Legislative Liaison Office, External Partnership Service
and Project Management Service
Leonor Magtolis Briones Secretary

Heiden Chan Author

Adelina Calub Content Expert
Bernadette Sison Admin and Finance Staff
Mildred Parbo Project Lead
Ma. Teresita Medado President

Content and Language Evaluators and Instructional Design Reviewer

Edward C. Jimenez Schools Division Office of Meycauayan City, Department of Education
Melvin Lazaro Regional Office III – Central Luzon, Department of Education
Ma. Jessamine Anne R. Verzosa Freelance Language Editor

Ade Sandra Admin and Finance Assistant

Rusyda Djamhur Project Assistant
Marmon Abutas Pagunsan National Project Consultant
Remegio Alquitran National Project Officer
Maria Karisma Bea Agarao National Programme Coordinator
Mee Young Choi Head of Education Unit
Shahbaz Khan Director and Representative
User’s Guide
For the ALS Learner:

Welcome to this Module entitled Let’s Fix Computers under Learning Strand 6 Digital Citizenship of the ALS
K to 12 Basic Education (BEC).

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for guided and independent
learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while
being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

This will give you an idea of the skills or competencies you are expected to
Let’s Get to Know
learn in the module.

This part includes an activity that aims to check what you already know
Pre-assessment about the lesson. If you get all the answers correct (100%), you may decide
to skip this module.

This section provides a brief discussion of the lesson. This aims to help you
Setting the Path
discover and understand new concepts and skills.

This comprises activities for independent practice to solidify your

Trying This Out understanding and skills of the topic. You may check the answers to the
exercises using the Answer Key at the end of the module.

Understanding
This includes questions that process what you learned from the lesson.
What You Did

Sharpening This section provides an activity that will help you transfer your new
Your Skills knowledge or skill in real-life situations or concerns.

Treading the This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of mastery in achieving the
Road to Mastery given learning competency.

Don’t Forget This part serves as a summary of the lessons in the module.

In this portion, another activity will be given to you to enrich your knowledge
Explore More
or skill of the lesson learned. This also tends retention of learned concepts.

This part will assess your level of mastery in achieving the learning
Reach the Top
competencies in each lesson in the module.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the module.

This portion gives information about the meanings of the specialized words
Glossary
used in the module.
At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the module.
Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer the Pre-assessment before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your ALS Teacher/Instructional Manager/Learning Facilitator
once you are through with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your ALS
Teacher/Instructional Manager/Learning Facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of
the relevant competencies. You can do it!
 Let’s Get to Know 1
Pre-Assessment 2
LESSON 1: Troubleshooting Basic Computer 3
Software Problems

Setting the Path 3

Trying This Out 4
Understanding What You Did 5
Sharpening Your Skills 8
Treading the Road to Mastery 9
LESSON 2: Troubleshooting Basic Computer 10
Hardware Problems

Setting the Path 10

contents

Trying This Out 11

Understanding What You Did 12
Sharpening Your Skills 17
Treading the Road to Mastery 18
Don’t Forget 19
Explore More 20
Reach the Top 21
Answer Key 22
Glossary 26
 References 28
contents
 MODULE 1
Let’s get to know
W e use computers for
many reasons such as
accomplishing tasks at work,
completing our assignments
and reports in school, watching
movies, playing games, and
even reading books online.
Many of us find this machine
useful, as it makes our tasks
easier to accomplish.

Computers have evolved

based on users’ needs. They have become more powerful, performing more
complex operations despite its small size. New features have also been added.
New applications were installed to solve more complex problems and improve
business processes.

This module will identify the different potential software and hardware
issues in a desktop computer and discuss how to fix or troubleshoot them.
The two lessons in this module are the following:

Lesson 1 – Troubleshooting Basic Computer Software Problems

Lesson 2 – Troubleshooting Basic Computer Hardware Problems

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 1

 MODULE 1
PRE-ASSESSMENT
Directions: Below is a photo of a computer system. Identify each component
and describe its function. Write your answer on the piece of paper provided.

2
4

1 3

5 6 7

Were you able to identify the different parts of a desktop computer?

You should know those parts so that you will know which needs repair or
replacement.

2 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

 lesson 1
Setting the Path

TROUBLESHOOTING BASIC
COMPUTER SOFTWARE
PROBLEMS
After this lesson, you should be able to

identify the different potential software problems

of a desktop computer; and

describe the procedures in troubleshooting basic

software problems of a desktop computer.

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 3

 Lesson 1
TRYING THIS OUT
Directions: Explain your answer to the following on a separate sheet of paper.

What do you think about computer viruses?

Do you know what will happen if your computer
gets infected with a virus?

Common computer errors are usually simple problems that most users
encounter, and these could be solved without spending money. It will
be an advantage if you get to know what causes computer errors and
how to fix them.

4 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

 lesson 1
Understanding What You Did

Just like any other machine, computers also tend to encounter

problems. In this module, you will learn about the most common computer
problems, what causes them, and how to fix these problems.

Computer software plays an important role in a computer; without it,

a computer will be useless. Sometimes software malfunction occurs, which
requires a specific troubleshooting skill or software repair. In this lesson, we
will discuss some of the most common software related problems and how
to fix them.

MOST COMMON SOFTWARE PROBLEMS

1. Computer System is hanging

OR NOT RESPONDING.
Solution 1. If the operating system or other software is
unresponsive, try to look for the task manager in your
operating system to end the task or the process.

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 5

Lesson 1

Solution 2. If the computer does not respond at all, restart

your computer by pressing the power button for a few
seconds and then run a virus scan once the computer has
been restarted. Make sure you have a reliable antivirus
software; it can be licensed or free, which is available
online.

2. Operating System will not boot properly.

Solution. The operating system might have encountered
a system boot failure or was improperly shut down. If this
is the case, the operating system needs to be restarted or
reformatted. Make sure to save your files on a separate
storage device, such as flash drives or external hard
drives before restarting or reformatting the system.

3. Computer is becoming slow.

Solution. If your computer is slower than usual, you can
often fix the problem by cleaning and removing unwanted
files from the hard disk. It can also be a sign of insufficient
memory. External hard drives are great storage solutions
for overloaded central processing unit and will help your
computer run faster.

6 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

Lesson 1

4. Installed devices are not working.

Solution. There are times that the installed devices are not
working after updating the computer operating system.
Check your other installed software that may need
updating to make the devices function well.

5. Computer files ARe infected WITH VIRUSES.

Solution 1. You may accidentally catch malware or adware,

especially when you browse the internet and automatically
install unknown apps to your computer. Avoid this by
installing firewall, antivirus, and antispyware tools and
scheduling regular registry scans.

Solution 2. Files that are already infected by a computer

virus can be saved by scanning the file itself. In any case
that the file cannot be opened, it needs to be deleted, as it
will infect other files. Scan external storage devices when
plugging them into the computer.

You can easily fix potential problems in a software; just remember

to maintain your computer by scanning for viruses and updating its
system. But if the problem becomes critical, call a professional technician
to fix it and avoid worsening the problem.

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 7

 lesson 1
Sharpening Your Skills
Directions: Give one solution to fix the given software problem of a computer.
Do this on a separate sheet of paper.

Files that are infected

with virus

Installed devices are not

functioning well

Weak Wireless Fidelity

(Wi-Fi) signal

8 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

 lesson 1
TREADING THE road to mastery
Directions: Read and answer the question on a separate sheet of paper.

What do you think is the importance of

knowing how to fix software issues or problems?
How can it help you in your daily life?

It is the user’s responsibility to troubleshoot problems whenever a

computer device fails.

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 9

 lesson 2
Setting the Path

Troubleshooting Basic
COMPUTER Hardware
Problems
After this lesson, learners should be able to

identify the different potential hardware

problems of a desktop computer; and

describe the procedures in troubleshooting

basic hardware problems of a desktop
computer.

10 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

 Lesson 2
TRYING THIS OUT
Directions: Identify which of the following are solutions for troubleshooting a
malfunctioning printer. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Make sure there

Reposition your device
are batteries

Check if the Check if the software is

power button is on installed or up-to-date

Check if it is Make sure the cable is

in sleep mode connected properly

Check if the See if it is out of paper or

ink is low has a paper jam

Run an Check the

antivirus program volume level

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 11

 lesson 2
Understanding What You Did
In the previous lesson,
you have encountered common
software-related problems and how
to fix such issues. In this lesson,
you will learn what causes basic
hardware problems and how to fix
them.

Problems in our computers

may happen unexpectedly.

Whenever these happen, do not panic because there are many basic
troubleshooting techniques you can apply to fix these issues.

MOST COMMON HARDWARE PROBLEMS

1. Mouse and keyboard have

stopped working.
Solution 1. If you are using a wired mouse or keyboard,
make sure it is correctly plugged into the desktop
computer and it is not broken. You may also remove the
plug and reconnect. Sometimes cables are just loose.

Solution 2. If you are using a wireless mouse or keyboard,

check if the wireless USB is plugged into the desktop
computer properly. See if the batteries for the wireless
mouse and keyboard have enough charge.

12 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

Lesson 2

2. Sound is NOt working.

Solution 1. Check the volume level. Look for the audio

button in your computer to make sure the sound is turned
on and the volume is up. The audio button is usually
located at the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Solution 2. Check the cables. Make sure external speakers

or headphones are plugged in, turned on, and connected
to the correct audio port or a Universal Serial Bus (USB)
port. If your computer has color-coded ports, the audio
output port will usually be green.

Solution 3. Check if the driver for the sound card is

installed or needs an update.

3. Screen is blank.

Solution 1. The computer may be in sleep mode. Click the

mouse or press any key on the keyboard to wake it.

Solution 2. Make sure the monitor is

plugged in and turned on.

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 13

 Lesson 2

4. Desktop computer wILL NOt turn on.

Solution 1. Make sure that the outlet or extension

cord is working before you plug the power cable.

Solution 2. Replace the power cable if you have one.

Solution 3. Check the power button if it’s not stuck.

5. THERE IS Noise coming from the CPU.

Solution. If you hear clicking or grinding sounds from

the hard drive, then it might be time to get a new one.
Hard drives have a limited life span, and loud sounds
are the main sign of a hard drive failure.

6. Printer wILL NOT print.

Solution 1. Try turning the printer on and then off.

Unplug the printer and plug it back in. Check the
print queue by looking for the printer icon in the
system tray and double-clicking it. The print queue
shows you the status of each job and the general status
of your printer.

14 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

Lesson 2

Solution 2. Check if the printer’s drivers

are up-to-date. It should also have enough
paper and ink or toner to print.

7. THE INTERNET IS Slow, OR YOU cannot

connect to the internet.
Solution 1. If you experience a slow or interrupted
internet connection, restart the modem. Switch it off,
wait for few a seconds, and turn it back on.

Solution 2. If the Wi-Fi signal is weak, reposition your

modem or place it in a location with a stronger signal. It
is also best not to go too far away from the modem.

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 15

 Lesson 2

MAINTENANCE TECHNIQUES
Here are some general maintenance techniques that will help you
avoid future hardware problems:

3 Always check the cables. Check all related cables to make sure they
are properly connected and not broken.

3 Free up some hard drive space. Giving your computer storage with
at least 15% to 20% free space will allow the operating system to write
temporary files, helping it to run more smoothly.

3 Install any available updates. If updates in hardware drivers are

available online, grab the opportunity to do so. It will help you save
time looking for updates when a problem occurs.

Now that you know how to troubleshoot potential computer hardware
problems, fixing these problems would be easier. However, hardware has a
life span too; thus you should always remember to use the hardware properly
to avoid breaking them early.

16 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

 lesson 2
Sharpening Your Skills
Directions: Match the hardware devices in column A to its potential problems
in column B. Write the letter of the correct answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Column A Column B

1. Modem A. in a sleep mode

2. Monitor B. not enough space

3. Printer C. not enough battery

4. Computer mouse D. interrupted connection

or weak signal
5. Keyboard
E. stuck power button
6. Hard drive
F. low ink or toner
7. Sound card
G. broken keys
8. Cables
H. not updated
9. Wireless mouse
I. uninstalled sound card
10. Computer desktop driver

J. broken wire skin

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 17

 lesson 2
TREADING THE road to mastery
Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, list down the step-by-step process
when troubleshooting the following:
PRINTER
WI-FI SIGNAL
MONITOR

Most of the time, problems can be fixed using simple troubleshooting

techniques, such as restarting the program or the computer. If the
problem is still not fixed, seek for other solutions. You may always try
these simple solutions before consulting technical experts that may
cost you money.

18 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

MODULE 1
Don’t Forget

“
• Different potential software problems of a desktop
computer include computer viruses, outdated programs,
corrupted files, and an unresponsive operating system
due to improper shutdown and insufficient computer
memory.

• Different potential hardware problems of a desktop

computer include broken or improperly plugged cables,
a hard drive that has reached its life span, wireless
mouse or keyboards with low batteries, connection
loss due to a weak Wi-Fi signal, and outdated drivers.

• These potential problems can be fixed without

spending money.
“

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 19

 MODULE 1
Explore more
Try the following links to look for other troubleshooting techniques:

• https://schooledbyscience.com/common-computer-problems-part-1/
• https://leapfrogservices.com/16-common-computer-problems-how-to-
tell-if-theyre-hardware-or-software/

20 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

 MODULE 1
Reach The Top
Directions: Fill in the blanks to complete the statement. Write your answer on
a separate sheet of paper.

1. If the operating system or other software is either unresponsive,

your computer and run a virus scan.

2. If your computer is slower than normal, the

hard disk of unwanted files.

3. When the screen is blank, check first if the computer is in

mode.

4. A noisy hard drive might be a sign to get a replacement because hard

drives have a limited .

5. Check all to make sure they are properly

connected.

6. Free up at least percent of hard drive spaces.

7. Make sure that you have enough paper and

to print.

8. Giving your computer storage with at least

will help the operating system run efficiently.

9. If the Wi-Fi signal is weak, your modem to a

location with a stronger signal.

10. When the desktop computer will not open, make sure that the power
button is not .

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 21

 answer key
PRE-ASSESSMENT PAGE 2

COMPONENTS OF A
FUNCTION
COMPUTER
Printer It allows digital data to be converted to print
format.
Scanner It is used to convert printed materials into
digital form.
Flash Drive It is a small, ultra-portable storage device.
Monitor It displays the video and graphics information
generated by the computer through the video
card.
Speakers This device allows users to hear audio stored in
the computer’s storage.
CPU It is responsible for interpreting and executing
most of the commands from the computer’s
other hardware and software.
Keyboard It is used to input text, characters, and other
commands into a computer or a similar device.
Mouse It is a hand-operated input device used to
manipulate objects on a computer screen.

22 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

answer key
LESSON 1: TROUBLESHOOTING BASIC
COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROBLEMS
SHARPENING YOUR SKILLS PAGE 8

Files that are infected Install firewall, antivirus, and antispyware tools.
of virus Schedule regular registry scans.

Files that are already infected by virus can

be saved by scanning the file itself. If the file
cannot be opened, delete it before it infects
other files. Scan external storage devices when
plugging them into the computer.
Installed devices are Look for the installed software that needs
not functioning well updating.
Weak wi-fi signal Move your router to a location with a stronger
signal, reduce the number of devices using up
the bandwidth, adjust your router antenna, or
move near the router.

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 23

 answer key
LESSON 2: TROUBLESHOOTING BASIC
COMPUTER HARDWARE PROBLEMS
SHARPENING YOUR SKILLS PAGE 17

1. D 6. B
2. A 7. I
3. F 8. J
4. H 9. C
5. G 10. E

TREADING THE ROAD TO MASTERY PAGE 18

Printer
Try turning the printer on and off. Unplug the printer and plug it back
in. Check your printer’s print queue by looking for the printer icon in the
system tray and double-clicking it.
Check if the printer’s drivers are up-to-date. It should also have enough
paper and ink or toner to print.

Wi-Fi Signal
If you have a slow or interrupted connection, restart the modem. Switch
it off, wait for few a seconds, and turn it back on.
If the Wi-Fi signal is weak, reposition your modem to a location with a
a stronger signal. It is also best not to go too far away from the modem.

Monitor
The computer may be in sleep mode. Click the mouse or press any key
on the keyboard to wake it.
Make sure the monitor is plugged in and turned on.

24 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

answer key
REACH THE TOP PAGE 21
1. look for the task manager in
2. clean and remove unwanted files from
3. sleep
4. life span
5. cables
6. 15% to 20%
7. ink
8. 15% to 20%
9. reposition
10. stuck

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 25

 glossary

Boot The act of starting a computer.

Desktop A personal computer designed for regular use at

Computer a single location on or near a desk or table due to
its size and power requirements.

Computer The physical parts of the desktop computer. Also

Hardware called hardware, it includes the mouse, keyboard,
monitor, printer, scanner, and speakers. The
parts inside the computer such as the hard drive,
motherboard, processor, sound card, and video
card are also hardware.

Computer A program or app containing all the procedures

Software and instructions. Also called software, it tells the
hardware how a certain task should be performed.
It includes application software and operating
system.

Short for modulator-demodulator. It is a

Modem
hardware component that allows a computer
or another device, such as a router or switch, to
connect to the internet.

A complex program that keeps the hardware

Operating System
and software components of a computer system
coordinated and functioning.

Any computing hardware used for storing,

Storage Device
porting, and extracting data files and objects.

26 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

glossary
A systematic approach to problem solving that
Troubleshooting
is often used to find and correct issues with
complex machines, electronics, computers, and
software systems.

Short for Wireless Fidelity. It means you can

Wi-Fi
access or connect to a network using radio waves,
without needing to use wires.

LET'S FIX COMPUTERS 27

 References
“Basic Troubleshooting.” GCFGlobal. Accessed October 4,
2019. https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/basic-
troubleshooting-techniques/1/.

“Common Computer Problems & Solutions.” Smith Technical

Resources. Accessed October 4, 2019. http://www.
smithtechres.com/common-computer-problems.html.

Haider, Karrar. “15 Common PC Problems and How to

Troubleshoot Them.” Hongkiat. Accessed September 25,
2019. https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/pc-hardware-
problems-solutions/.

28 LET'S FIX COMPUTERS

The development and printing of this learning resource was made possible
with the cooperation of Asia Pacific College. This is a component of the project
“Better Life for Out-of-School Girls to Fight Against Poverty and Injustice in the
Philippines” implemented by UNESCO Office, Jakarta in partnership with the
Department of Education. This initiative received a generous financial support
from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

For inquiries, please contact:

Department of Education, Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd BLR)

Office Address : Ground Floor, Bonifacio Building, DepEd Complex,

Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines 1600
Telefax : +63-2-8631-1072; +63-2-8634-1054; +63-2-8631-4985
Email Address : [email protected]; [email protected]