Duration: 60 hours
Target Student: The target student is anyone with basic computer user skills who is interested in:
• obtaining a job as an IT professional or PC technician. Possible job environments
• include mobile or corporate settings with a high level of face-to-face client interaction,
• remote-based work environments where client interaction, client training, operating
• systems, and connectivity issues are emphasized, or settings with limited customer
• interaction where hardware activities are emphasized. In addition, this course will help prepare students to achieve a CompTIA A+ Certification.
Course Prerequisites: Students taking this course should have the following skills:
• End-user skills with Windows-based personal computers, including the ability to:
• Browse and search for information on the Internet.
• Start up, shut down, and log on to a computer and network.
• Run programs.
• Move, copy, delete, and rename files in Windows Explorer.
• Basic knowledge of computing concepts, including the difference between hardware and software; the functions of software components, such as the operating system, applications, and file systems; and the function of a computer network.
Course Outline: Lesson 1: Personal Computer Components A. Personal Computer Components
Categories of Personal Computer Components
The System Unit
Display Devices
Input Devices
External Devices
B. System Unit Components
The System Board
The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Memory
The System Bus
Storage Devices
Power Supplies
Cooling Systems
Adapter Cards
Riser Cards
System Board Form Factors
C. Storage Devices
Floppy Disk Drives (FDD)
Hard Disk Drives (HDD)
Optical Disks
Types of Optical Disks and Drives
Tape Drives
Solid State Storage
D. Personal Computer Connection Methods
Ports
Personal Computer Connections
Serial Connections
Parallel Connections
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connections
IEEE 1394 and FireWire Connections
Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) Connections
ParallelATA(PATA) Connections
SerialATA(SATA) Connections Lesson 2: Operating System Fundamentals A. Personal Computer Operating Systems
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows Versions
UNIX
Linux
Apple Macintosh Operating Systems
B.Windows User Interface Components
The Windows Desktop
The Taskbar
The Start Menu
Windows Explorer
My Computer
The My Documents Folder
The Control Panel
The Command Prompt
My Network Places
C.Windows File System Management
Directories and Folders
File Extensions
File Attributes
Windows File System Types
Permissions
NTFS File Permissions
NTFS Folder Permissions
Shares
Windows Shared Folder Permissions
D.Windows System Management Tools
The Computer Management Console
The Registry
Lesson 3: PC Technician Professional Best Practices A. Tools of the Trade
Multimeters
Loopback Plugs
Types of Hardware Toolkits
Software Diagnostic Tools
Firmware
The System BIOS
CMOS RAM
The Power-On Self Test (POST)
Hard Drive Self Tests
Software Diagnostics Tests
B. Electrical Safety
Static Electricity
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
ESD Prevention Techniques
An ESD Toolkit
Electrical Hazards
C. Environmental Safety and Materials Handling
Atmospheric Considerations
Situational Hazards
Physical Hazards
Safety Precautions for Physical Hazards
Equipment Moving Safety Recommendations
Chemical Hazards
Liquid Hazards
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Incident Reports
Hazardous Material Disposal Procedures
D. Perform Preventative Maintenance
Preventative Maintenance Theory
Computer Component Maintenance Techniques
Cleaning Compounds and Materials
E. Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Theory
The Troubleshooting Process
F. Professionalism and Communication
Communication Skills
Professional Conduct
Lesson 4: Installing and Configuring Peripheral Components A. Install and Configure Display Devices
Display Device Types
Display Settings
LCD Characteristics
Connector Types
Device Drivers
Display Device Selection Tips
Display Device Installation Considerations
B. Install and Configure Input Devices
Standard Input Device Types
Biometric Input Device Types
Specialized Input Device Types
Input Device Selection Tips
Input Device Installation Considerations
C. Install and Configure Adapter Cards
Internal Bus Architectures
Adapter Card Types
Adapter Card Selection Tips
Adapter Card Installation Considerations
Adapter Card Configuration and Optimization Requirements
Hardware Resources
D. Install and Configure Multimedia Devices
Multimedia Devices
Common Multimedia Devices
Multimedia Connectors
Multimedia Device Selection Tips
Multimedia Device Installation Considerations
Multimedia Device Configuration and Optimization Requirements
Lesson 5: Installing and Configuring System Components A. Install and Configure Storage Devices
Hard Disk Drive Types
Floppy Disk Drives
Tape Drive Types
Optical Drive Types
Solid State Storage Types
Storage Device Power Connectors
Hot Swapping
Drive Images
Disk Partition Types
The Windows Disk Management Utility
Internal Storage Device Installation Considerations
Storage Device Configuration and Optimization
B. Install and Configure Power Supplies
Power Supply Form Factors
Power Requirements
Power Supply Safety Recommendations
Power Supply Selection Tips
C. Install and Configure Memory
Memory Modules
Memory Form Factors and Slot Types
Memory Types
Memory Selection Tips.
D. Install and Configure CPUs
CPU Chip Types
Instruction Sets
Cache Memory
CPU Operational Characteristics
Processor Connections
CPU Selection Tips
CPU Installation Considerations
CPU Configuration and Optimization Requirements
E. Install and Configure System Boards
Integrated I/O Port Types .
Chipsets .
BIOS Types Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) Memory
Settings
System Board Selection Tips
System Board Installation
System Board Configuration and Optimization Requirements
System Board Power Connectors
Lesson 6: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Peripheral Components
A. Troubleshoot Display Devices
Common Display Device Issues
B. Maintain and Troubleshoot Input Devices
Common Input Device Issues
Input Device Maintenance Techniques
C. Troubleshoot Adapter Cards
CommonAdapter Card Issues
D. Troubleshoot Multimedia Devices
Common Multimedia Device Issues
Lesson 7: Troubleshooting System Components
A. Troubleshoot Storage Devices
Common Storage Device Issues
ATADrive Troubleshooting Tips
SCSI Drive Troubleshooting Tips
B. Troubleshoot Power Supplies
Common Power Problems
Common Power Supply Issues
C. Troubleshoot Memory
Error Checking
Common Memory Issues
D. Troubleshoot CPUs
Common CPU Issues
E. Troubleshoot System Boards
Common System Board Issues
Lesson 8: Installing and Configuring Operating Systems A. Install MicrosoftWindows
Windows System Requirements
Hardware Compatibility
Installation Methods
Installation Options.
Windows Update .
Microsoft Product Activation.
B. UpgradeWindows
Supported Upgrade Paths
Hardware Upgrade Compatibility
Software Upgrade Compatibility
C. Add Devices to Windows
Driver Signing
Unsigned Driver Installation Options
Installation Permissions
D. OptimizeWindows
Virtual Memory
The Virtual Memory Process
Windows Services
The Windows XP Boot Process
Temporary Files
Windows Optimization Software Tools
Lesson 9: Maintaining and Troubleshooting MicrosoftWindows A. Operating System Utilities
File Management Tools
Disk Management Tools
System Management Tools
B. Maintain Microsoft Windows
Backup and Restore
The Windows Backup Utility
System State Data
C. Troubleshoot Microsoft Windows
System Stop Errors
System Lockup Errors
Input/Output Device Issues
Application Errors
Boot Errors
Error andWarning Messages in Event Viewer
Registry Error Messages
Remote Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Tools
D. Recover MicrosoftWindows
System Restore
Safe Mode
Last Known Good
Recovery Console
Windows Boot Disk
Automated System Recovery (ASR)
Repair Installations
Windows System Issues
Lesson 10: Network Technologies A. Network Concepts
Networks
Network Models
Network Interface Card Characteristics
Twisted Pair Cables
RJ-45 Twisted Pair Connectors
Coaxial Cables
Coaxial Cable and Connector Types
Fiber Optic Cables
Fiber Optic Connectors
Other Network Connection Types
B. Network Communications
Network Protocols
Network Addresses
The TCP/IP Protocol
IPAddresses
Subnet Masks
IPAddress Classes
The IPX/SPX and NWLink Protocols
NetBIOS
NetBEUI
Network Bandwidth
Full and Half Duplex Communications
C. Network Connectivity
Local Area Networks (LANs)
Wide Area Networks (WANs)
Ethernet
Dial-up Connections
Wireless Connections
802.11 Wireless Standards
Wireless Access Points (WAPs)
Bluetooth Communications
Infrared Connections
CellularWAN Communications
Broadband Communications
Types of Broadband Communications
D. Internet Technologies
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
SMTP
POP3
IMAP4
HTML
HTTP
SSL
HTTPS
Telnet
FTP
Voice Over IP (VoIP)
Lesson 11: Installing and Managing Network Connections A. Create Network Connections
IPAddress Configuration Methods
Name Resolution with the Domain Name System (DNS)
WINS
Workgroups
Directory Services
Active Directory Domains
Novell eDirectory
Network Client Options
B. Install and ConfigureWeb Browsers
Web Browsers
Web Browser Settings
C. Maintain and Troubleshoot Network Connections
Preventative Maintenance Techniques
Networking Tools and Utilities
Cable Testers
Common Network Issues
Lesson 12: Supporting Laptops and Portable Computing Devices A. Laptop and Portable Computing Device Components
Laptop Computers
Portable Computing Devices
Mobile System Boards
Mobile Processors
Mobile Hard Drive Form Factors
Mobile Memory Form Factors
Mobile Adapter Card Form Factors and Expansion Slots
Mobile Device Ports
Mobile Device Peripheral Components
Power Supplies and Batteries
Mobile Input Devices
Video Sharing
B. Install and Configure Laptops and Portable Computing Devices
Power Management Technologies
Power Management Modes
Communication Connection Selection Tips
C. Maintain and Troubleshoot Laptops and Portable Computing
Devices
Maintenance and Handling Techniques
Operating Environment Best Practices
General Mobile Computing Device Issues
Common Stylus Issues
Common Laptop Keypad Issues
Common Wireless Connectivity Issues
Lesson 13: Supporting Printers and Scanners A. Printer and Scanner Technologies
Printers
Scanners
Multi-function Devices
Laser Printers
Inkjet Printers
Thermal Printers
Types of Thermal Printers
Solid Ink Printers
Impact Printers
B. Printer and Scanner Components
Printer and Scanner Memory
Printer and Scanner Drivers
Printer and Scanner Firmware
Printer and Scanner Interfaces
Consumable Printer Components
Flatbed Scanner Components
C. Printer and Scanner Processes
The Laser Printing Process
The Inkjet Print Process
Thermal Print Processes
The Solid Ink Print Process
The Dot-Matrix Impact Print Process
The Scanning Process
D. Install and Configure Printers and Scanners
Local and Network-based Printers
Network-Connected Printers
The Print Spooler
The Windows Print Process
Windows Print Permissions
Printer Configuration Options
Scanner Performance Factors
E. Maintain and Troubleshoot Printers and Scanners
Preventative Maintenance Techniques
Common Printer Issues
Common Scanner Issues
Printer and Scanner Troubleshooting Resources
Lesson 14: Personal Computer Security Concepts A. Security Fundamentals.
Corporate Security Policies
Security Incident Reports
Authentication
Authentication Methods
Biometric Authentication Methods
Password Management
Access Control
User Account Types
Groups
Access Control Measures
Rights
Auditing
B. Security Protection Measures
Encryption
Data Encryption Methods
Malicious Software
Types of Malicious Software
Malicious Software Protection Techniques
Firewalls
File System Security Measures
C. Data and Physical Security
Physical Access Controls
Data Access Policies
Workstation Protection
Backup Security
Data Migration
Data Removal
Media and Hardware Disposal
D.Wireless Security
Wireless Encryption Methods
Security Methods for Wireless Access Points
Wireless Client Configuration Options
E. Social Engineering
Social Engineering Attacks
Social Engineering Prevention
Lesson 15: Supporting Personal Computer Security A. Install and Configure Security Measures
Windows Security Policies
Windows Firewall
Software Firewall Configuration Settings
Computer Security Measures
B. Maintain and Troubleshoot Security Measures
Common Computer Security Issues
Common Software Firewall Issues
Common Wireless Client Configuration Issues
Common Encryption Issues
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