Instructor:  Chris Fee

E-mail: [email protected]

Course Description

Teaches procedures for isolating and correcting problems in computers and computer-related hardware. Emphasizes operational concepts, use of diagnostic software and troubleshooting equipment.

Studies in the fundamentals of microcumputer design. Reviews of computer circuitry, test devices, and dignostic software. Course consists of testbook study compined with hands-on lab work and reference.

Goals/ Specific Objectives

Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student should be able to demonstrate skills in the following areas, as indicated by practical and theoretical methodology.

• The basic computer terms
• The evolution of the computer
• The major components on a mother board including the microprocessor, chipset, math co-processor, and expansion slots
• The basic operation of a microprocessor and what must be considered when upgrading a microprocessor.
• To recognize the mictoprocessor
• The differences between the various architectures and local buses
• The different ways to configure a microcomputer
• System resources such as interrupts, DMA channels, and I/O addresses
• How different architectures and local bus adapters configure.
• The effects Plug and Play and Windows 95 have on configuring adapters
• How static electricity and damage a computer
• What type of equipment causes RFI and EMI
• The importance of diagramming when disassemgling a computer
• The purpose of a power supply
• The basic procedure for troubleshooting a microcomputer
• The POST error codes help troubleshooting a computer
• The importance of good communication with the computer user
• Memory-related terminology
• How memory works with different operating systems
• The purpose of a disk cache
• Basic terms associated with floppy drives
• The different parts of the floppy drive
• Hard drive terminology
• The different hard drive types
• The importance of hard drive preventive maintenance
• The various CD technologies
• The meaning of CD-ROM's X factor
• How CD-ROM drive works
• The basic operation of a sound card
• The software associated with CD-ROM installation
• The difference between serial and parallel data transfers
• Basic handshaking between DTE and DCE
• Basic modem concepts
• The between internal and external modems
• The different types of mice
• The different types of keyboards
• The components of the video subsystem
• The different types of monitors
• Basic monitor theory and terminology
• The basic monitor theory and terminology
• The basic printing concepts
• How printers require software and use it
• The DOS file structure and its limitations
• The purpose of the AUTOEXE.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files
• The basic of Windows operating system
• The basic function of the registry