Computer Repair Course

A+ :

This course is designed to provide PC "super users" with the fastest route to A+ Certification. Full practical sessions will prepare students for the A+ exams. The reduced duration means that some material will be covered in less detail and some self-study will be required by the student. Students will receive a copy of  Pc Check and exam preparation tests) . On course completion, students will be able to:

Who should attend?

This course has been designed for experienced PC support professionals wishing to achieve certification or for those people wishing to install, maintain and troubleshoot PC installations. This course will provide the information for students wishing to take and pass both hardware and operating systems technologies exams.

What are the course prerequisites?

The course is intended for students who already have extensive knowledge of PC components and applications or experience of supporting PCs. Prior to attending the course, students should have taken and passed the self-assessment test for A+ Certification - Accelerated with a score of at least 80%.

Sections marked in blue italics are "homework" components, to be studied outside the classroom in accordance with the trainer's instructions.

Operating systems

Objectives • Introduction to the operating system

Microsoft Operating Systems

DOS versions • Windows versions • Comparing Windows 3.x and Windows 9x

Configuring DOS

Configuration files

Navigating DOS

The directory structure • The default drive • Directories and the DOS prompt • Getting system information • Getting memory and program information

DOS file management

Configuring DOS drivers

Introduction to Windows 98

Introduction • Changes to the Desktop

Installing Windows 98

Preparing the PC • Using the FDISK command • Partitioning a disk

Disk formatting

Using the FORMAT command

Pre-installation checks

Hardware requirements and recommendations • Essential Setup Information

Setup methods

The Setup process • Selecting Setup type • Copying Windows 98 files • Re-starting the computer and finishing the installation

Setup failure and recovery

Setup failure • Setup recovery • Windows 98 Setup files • Windows 98 installation walk-through

Windows 98 boot process

Hardware • Real Mode • Protected Mode • Operating system and desktop initialization

Windows 98 Startup disk

Creating a Startup disk • EBD.CAB file • Other files on the Startup disk • Start Menu • Accessing the CD-ROM from the startup disk • Startup Menu • Safe Mode • Step-by-step confirmation • Startup function keys • MSCONFIG

Real mode components

IO.SYS • MSDOS.SYS • COMMAND.COM • CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT • SYSTEM.INI and WIN.INI

Protected Mode Components

Navigating Windows 98

Differences between Windows 3.1x and 98

Desktop • Windows Explorer • My Computer • Folders • The Printers folder • Telephony services • Plug and Play • Using Shortcuts • Object Properties • Hidden file extensions • Searching for files • User profiles • The MS-DOS prompt window • Adding and removing programs

The Desktop

The Windows Explorer • Getting system information

The Control Panel

Add New Hardware • Add/Remove Programs • Date/Time • Display • Internet • Mouse • Modems • Keyboard • Printers • System • Power Management • Regional Settings • Multimedia

Working with Folders

Working with files • Undoing file operations

Architecture and file systems

Full 32-bit operation • Standardized 32-bit device drivers • File system support • The CD-ROM file system • Performance settings • Disk utilities

Running applications in Windows 98

Multi-tasking • Virtual Machines • Windows 98 memory model • Support for DOS-based applications • Configuring DOS applications • Long file names • Windows 98 file naming rules • Running Windows applications • 32-bit Windows applications • 16-bit Windows applications • The Task Manager • System management utilities

Configuring Windows 98

The Registry

Functions of the Registry • Structure of the Registry • Editing the Registry • Exporting the Registry • Importing the Registry • Backing up the Registry • REGEDIT command syntax

Plug and Play

Adding devices with Plug and Play • Requirements for Plug and Play • Windows 98 Plug and Play components • The Plug and Play process

The Device Manager

Troubleshooting device problems

Support for additional hardware

Support for multiple displays • Enhanced PC Card support • Virtual memory • System Monitor

Windows 98 printing

Managing printing • Viewing the print queue • Managing the print queue • Adding a local printer • Changing printer settings • Troubleshooting printing • Notes on EMF and RAW

Peer-to-Peer networking

Advantages of Peer-to-Peer networking • Disadvantages of Peer-to-Peer networking

Configuring network information

Network adapter cards • Network clients • Network protocols • Identifying the computer

Windows 98 login

Windows 98 as a server

Adding File and Print Services

Sharing resources

Access privileges • Sharing a directory • Sharing a printer • Connecting to shared resources

The Network Neighborhood

Mapping drives • Connecting to network printers • Storage and automatic re-entry of passwords

Features of Windows NT

Features • Multiple platforms • Multi-tasking and Multi-threading • Security • Support for other operating systems • Built-in networking • High capacity • Multiple protocol support • Windows NT file systems

Windows NT or Windows 9x?

Windows NT Server versus Windows NT Workstation

Installing Windows NT

System requirements • The Installation process • Required information • The Setup program (WINNT.EXE) • Upgrading from Windows 3.1x and 9x • The Windows NT 'Upgrade' program

Windows NT boot sequence

Pre-boot sequence • Intel-specific boot sequence • Windows NT load sequence

Core boot files

ARC naming conventions • Boot.ini switches

Windows NT Registry

Registry structure • Hives and files • Value entries • Registry editors

Control Panel

Changing system settings • Adding and removing SCSI devices

Configuring the DOS and Win16 Virtual Machine

User account management

Creating and managing account s • User account management • Understanding groups • Default group accounts • Setting security policies • Account policies • User rights policy • Audit policy

Windows NT file system comparison

File Allocation Table (FAT) • New Technology File System (NTFS)

Working with multiple disks

Stripe Sets • Volume Sets

Using Disk Administrator

The partition menu • The tools menu

Managing files

Windows NT Explorer • Permissions for shared directories • Local security • File permissions • Directory permissions • How user and group permissions interact • File compression

Troubleshooting Windows NT

Error categories • Event Viewer • Windows NT diagnostics • The emergency repair process • Creating a repair disk • The Emergency Repair Disk • Creating an NT boot disk

Overview of Windows 2000

Windows 2000 Professional • Windows 2000 Server • Windows 2000 Advanced Server • Windows 2000 Datacenter Server • Windows 2000 Workgroups and Domains • Key features

Installing Windows 2000

Hardware requirements • Disk partitions • File system choices • NTFS • FAT • Domain or Workgroup selection • Joining a Workgroup • Running the Setup program • Controlling the Setup program • Stages of Setup • Upgrading to Windows 2000

Windows 2000 boot files

Initial Startup process • Windows 2000 load sequence • Core boot files • Using the Last Known Good control set • Advanced Startup options • Recovery Console

Configuring Windows 2000

Microsoft Management Console • Console modes • Control Panel • Changing system settings • Installing new hardware • Plug and Play devices • Installing devices manually • Configuring network properties

Disk and storage management

Comparing basic and dynamic storage • Windows 2000 volumes • Managing disks and volumes • Converting from FAT/FAT32 to NTFS • Compressing files and folders • Quota Management • Encrypting files and folders

Managing users and groups

Local and domain user accounts • Built-in user accounts • Creating user accounts • The Local Users And Groups Snap-in • Planning and implementing groups • Built-in groups

Windows 2000 security

Security overview • NTFS folder and file permissions • Folder permissions • File permissions • Assigning permissions to users and groups • How multiple user and group permissions interact • Permissions inheritance • Setting permissions • Moving and copying files and folders • Auditing • Account and password policies • Logon options

Windows 2000 troubleshooting

Error categories • Event Viewer • Device Manager • Emergency repair process • Using a Windows 2000 boot disk • Using the Last Known Good control set • Recovery Console • Dr Watson

The Internet

Overview of the Internet • Development of the Internet

Internet Services

The World Wide Web • Electronic Mail (e-mail) • Newsgroups (Usenet) • File Transfer Protocol (FTP) • Gopher • Internet Relay Chat (IRC) • Internet Phone • Videoconferencing

TCP/IP

Configuring TCP/IP in Windows 98 • Automatic IP configuration • WINS configuration • DNS configuration • Testing TCP/IP

Accessing the Internet

Dial-up services • Service providers • Configuring the Internet connection • Configuring the browser

Domain Names

Domain Name Structure • URLs • Internet e-mail addresses

Internet Security

Windows Me

Windows Me • The TCP/IP protocol • Windows Media Player • Windows Movie Maker • Updated Help System • System Restore

PC Functions and Components

Introduction to the PC • Key functions of a PC

The system case

System case types • Parts of the case • System case designs

The motherboard

CPU/MCP • Clock • Memory • I/O expansion bus • Speaker

I/O ports and cables

External ports • Internal ports • Port gender • Cable orientation • PS/2 ports • Parallel ports • Serial ports • USB ports • SCSI ports • Network ports • Audio ports • IrDA ports • Joystick/MIDI ports • Interface cards

Storage Devices

Hard disk drives • Floppy disk drives • Optical disk storage • Tape drives

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

Motherboard power connectors

The Display Subsystem

Monitor • Video card

Modem types

Internal • External • PCMCIA • Modem functions • Asynchonous transmission • Asynchronous communication

Tools and equipment

Maintenance toolkit • Container

BIOS

The function of BIOS • Starting the system • Hardware independence • BIOS services • BIOS components • BIOS upgrades • BIOS CMOS memory and battery

BIOS/CMOS settings

BIOS/CMOS setup programs • Standard BIOS/CMOS settings • Advanced settings • Plug and Play BIOS specification

System resources

What are system resources? • Interrupt Request Line (IRQ) • Why interrupt the processor • Programmable interrupt controllers • Direct Memory Access (DMA) • I/O addresses (Ports) • Memory addresses • Determining resources in use • Using Device Manager • Using MSD • Resource Conflicts • Setting system resources • Plug and Play

Cleaning and preventative maintenance

General preventative maintenance issues • General cleaning issues • Computer case maintenance

Power problems

Surges • Sags • Brownouts • Blackouts • Dealing with power problems

Uninterruptible power supplies

On-line • Off-line • UPS considerations

Storage of components for future use

Motherboards, logic boards and add-in cards • Capacitors • Batteries • Static-sensitive components and FRUs • Other component and general storage issues

High Voltage Equipment

CRT servicing and handling • Lasers and high-power light sources • High voltage equipment

Disposal and Handling

Materials handling • Safety regulations and the law • Disposal of consumables and computer equipment

ESD

Static electricity and the human body • Static electricity and semiconductors • ESD Packaging • Anti-static shielding • Dissipative packaging • Personal anti-static methods • ESD wrist strap and grounding cord • Grounding plugs • Conductive mats • Other ways of controlling ESD

Disassembling the PC

Input devices • Monitor • Serial/parallel devices • Network cable • Power cable • System case lid • Storage devices • Interface cards • Power supply unit • CPU • Memory • Motherboard

Reassembling the PC

Motherboard • Memory • CPU • Power supply unit • Interface cards • Storage devices • System case lid • I/O devices

Installing an IDE device

Determining the configuration • Set jumpers for each device • Connecting the IDE device • Configuring CMOS

Preparing a hard disk

Low-level formatting • Interleaving • Partitioning • High-level formatting

File systems

FAT16 and clusters • FAT32 • NTFS

SCSI devices

The SCSI interface • SCSI-1 • SCSI-2 • SCSI-3 • Summary of SCSI types • IEEE1394

Setting up a SCSI bus

Installing the host adapter • Connecting the SCSI devices • Terminating the SCSI devices • Setting SCSI IDs • Installing the SCSI drivers

Peripheral devices

Installing a video card and monitor • Installing a modem • UART chips

Troubleshooting and optimization

Troubleshooting techniques

Troubleshooting the boot process

The power on process • Multimeters • Testing a PC power supply • POST • Operating system search

Troubleshooting internal devices

CPU • Memory • I/O ports • Serial ports • Parallel ports • Hard drives • Floppy drives • Sound cards

Troubleshooting peripherals

Monitor/video • Mouse • Modems

Optimization

CPU • Memory • Hard disks

Processors

Processor terminology • System clock speed • Processor cache • Data bus • Address bus • Register size • Multi-tasking • Multiprocessing • Processor modes

Intel processors

8088 • 8086 • 80286 • 80386 • 80486 • DX2 and DX4 processors • Overdrive processors

Intel Pentium processors

Generations of Pentium processors • Superscalar design • OverDrive chips • Intel Pentium Pro (P6) • Pentium with MMX technology • Pentium II • Celeron • Pentium II Xeon • Pentium III • Pentium III Xeon • Itanium • Pentium 4

Math Co-processors

Summary of Processor Specifications

Processor Sockets

Non-Intel Processors

AMD Processors • VIA Cyrix Processors

Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)

Memory

Memory types • Random Access Memory (RAM)

Memory packaging

DIPPs • SIPPs • SIMMs • DIMMs

Memory characteristics

Memory speed • Parity • ECC • Memory banks

Motherboard components

Chipset • Clock • I/O port • Memory slots • Level 2 cache

Motherboard form factors

AT and Baby AT • ATX and Mini ATX • LPX and Mini LPX • NLX • Summary table of motherboard types

Bus architecture

Processor Bus • Memory Bus • Cache Bus • Local I/O Bus • Expansion Bus • Bus standards

Dot matrix printers

Operation and components • Paper handling • Consumables

Inkjet printers

Operation and components • Consumables

Laser printers

Operation and components • Consumables

Printer technologies

Text mode • Graphics mode • Printers without character-generator ROMs

Printer connections

Parallel printers • Serial printers • Networked printers • USB printers • Infrared printing

Configuring printer drivers

General printer troubleshooting

All printers • Dot matrix • Inkjet • Laser

Laptop PCs

Differences between a laptop and a standard PC • Drives • Interface cards • Processors • Displays • Port replicators and docking stations • Power supplies for portable computers • Problems with laptops • Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) • Advantages and disadvantages

Network concepts

Uses and benefits of a LAN • Types of LAN • LAN topologies • LAN communications • Extending the LAN

Wide Area Networks

Accessing a WAN

Networked PCs

Network slowdown • Loss of bandwidth • Loss of data

Network cards and cables

Twisted-Pair cable • Cabling design for UTP • Coaxial cable • Fiber-Optic cable

Network connectors

British Naval Connector (BNC) • RJ-45/RJ-11 connector • Attachment Unit Interface connector (AUI) • Optical connectors

Network adapter cards

Configuring a network card • Combo cards • Troubleshooting basics

The OSI model

Concept behind the OSI model • Network communication and the OSI model

802 standards

802.2 • 802.3 (802.3u) • 802.5 - based on IBM's token ring implementation • 802.12 - 100VG-AnyLAN

Frame types

Customer service skills

Basic approach • Customer guidance and giving feedback • Communication with a customer • Putting it all together

Other customer service issues

Punctuality and accountability • Escalation • Flexibility and compromise

Handling customer complaints

PC repair course summery 

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Last modified: 14/04/ 2005