INTERMEDIATE COMPUTER SERVICING - DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE
Develop your ability to independently undertake routine maintenance and to analyse faults in personal computers.
This course covers more into the hardware diagnostics, fault analysis. It also covers software trouble shooting etc. This course expands on and continues from the basics covered in Computer Servicing 1.
Is this course right for me?
If you are looking into expanding your skills more into troubleshooting and hardware diagnostics this course is suitable for you.
- Develop procedures for routine hardware maintenance of a computer system
- Develop procedures for routine software maintenance of a computer system
- Evaluate the appropriateness of different computer systems for different applications.
- Determine different sources of faulty hardware operation in a PC computer system
- Determine different sources of faulty software operation in a PC computer system
Pre-requisites: Computer Servicing I (or equivalent).
Lesson Structure
There are 10 lessons in this course:
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Introduction to hardware components
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Introduction
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Random Access Memory (RAM)
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Types of RAM
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Dynamic RAM
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Tips for buying RAM
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How to add memory to a computer
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Problems when installing memory
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Central Processing Unit (CPU)
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Considerations when buying a new CPU
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Graphic card
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How to install a graphics card
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Installing a CD or DVD burner
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Jumper switch settings
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Hard disk upgrade
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Installing a back up drive
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Basic Diagnostic Equipment
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Introduction
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Software diagnosis
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Temperature monitor
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Registry cleaner, virus scanner and spyware detector
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USB port tester
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Power supply tester
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CPU meter
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Hard disk tester
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Electric Circuits and Components
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Understanding electricity
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Circuits
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Measuring electricity
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Ohm's law
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Power
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Problem Solving and Fault Analysis
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Introduction
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Problem solving
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Request response, result strategy
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The circle back model
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Pitfalls in problem solving
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How to troubleshoot and isolate computer problems
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Hardware failures
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Software failures
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Recreating a problem; reproducing the error
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Diagnostic Testing [A] (Self Tests and Diagnostic Cards)
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Power up
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Boot drive
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Errant keyboard
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Mouse problems
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Slow computer performance
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Computer freezes and displays BSOD (Blue screen of death)
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No display on monitor
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No sound
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Computer rebooting or turning itself off
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How to troubleshoot a computer that does not boot
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Diagnostic Testing [B] (System Board and Memory Tests)
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Components overview
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Operating system diagnostics
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Software maintenance and troubleshooting
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Software and hardware
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Operating systems
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Command prompts
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SOS, DIR command
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Formatting
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File types
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Back up (all types)
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Copy
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Print
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Erasing files
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Autoexec.bat and Config.sys
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History of windows
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Viruses
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Data corruption
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Disk drives and CD-ROM
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Servicing CD Rom drive
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RAM servicing
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Video and Audio Systems
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Video cards
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Troubleshooting a graphics card
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Sound cards and troubleshooting
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Developing a Maintenance Program
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Work scheduling
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Project component estimate form
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Performing routine computer maintenance
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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Identify a variety of basic computer system components and, describe how they can be interchanged and upgraded in a personal computer.
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Explain equipment used for monitoring the condition of electrical equipment and software
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Develop a better understanding of basic electronics, as a background to understanding some parts of a computer system
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Develop a systematic approach to solving problems with computers.
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Develop a basic understanding of diagnostic testing with self tests and diagnostic cards.
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Further develop your understanding and skills in diagnostic testing.
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Develop a basic understanding of system software maintenance procedures to be used in computer servicing
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Develop a better understanding of memory storage devices and their servicing.
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Develop a better understanding of video and audio equipment and their servicing.
What You Will Do
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Explain how to dismantle a Personal Computer
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Explain how to reassemble a dismantled personal computer
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Analyse potential hardware faults that may occur in different computer systems.
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Determine likely causes of potential hardware faults, including faulty equipment, damage to equipment
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Analyse potential software faults that may occur in different computer systems.
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Determine likely causes of potential software faults, including faulty equipment, power surges
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Describe causes of data corruption
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Describe ways of addressing software problems including data corruption.
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Develop a procedure for routine maintenance of a specific computer system.
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Demonstrate a basic understanding of three different operating systems
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Outline the role of ROM BIOS.
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Explain a range of common computer hardware faults which are easily repaired by a technician.
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Test cables for faulty operation
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Explain faults which can occur with a VDU
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Explain how to use several different hardware diagnostic tools
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Determine procedures to minimise risk of computer problems including equipment breakdowns and data loss.
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Explain a range of common computer software faults which are easily repaired by a technician.
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Test different software for faulty operation
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Explain how to use several different software diagnostic tools
Computer Servicing Involves Solving Problems
Technical knowledge alone does not solve computer problems. You do need a certain level of technical competence; but in today's world, anyone can find factual information readily, with an internet search; if they know how to look, and can comprehend what they find.
The other key component is solving problems is to have a proper and organised approach to finding out what has gone wrong; and then to decide how to respond.
There are many different ways of making decisions. Effective decision making however is always well considered. Supervision textbooks and courses often outline a formal problem solving technique. This can take time to work through, and there is not always the time available to apply such a technique to every decision. This problem solving technique should be applied when faced with difficult or complex decisions. It may take time, but if the implications of a bad decision are significant; a good decision may eventually save a great deal of time.
For any decision making we must first take time to consider all the facts......Whom, what, when, where, how and why. Once you have the facts it can be useful to write them down in two columns, positive and negative; or advantages and disadvantages. Usually one outweighs the other which can determine your choice. If positive and negative factors are equal then a flip of the coin is not a bad idea.
The quick decision making supervisor generally does not weigh up the facts! Their main concern is making a quick decision which they often have to do repeatedly because many of the decisions are wrong. At the other end of the scale is the supervisor who takes weeks to make a decision which should take a couple of hours. Between these two extremes is the middle of the road supervisor who is out to please everyone. They can be coerced into making a particular decision, for sometimes misplaced political reasons. A good supervisor should have an open mind and be willing to learn new approaches in making decisions. Of course some problems can be solved based upon past experience.
Remember when making a decision: Plan, Communicate, Follow-Up and Evaluate.
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