The Case

• Full Tower
• Mid Tower
• Mini Tower
• Desktop Slim Line
• Proprietary Case Designs
• Comparison of Case Designs

The Power Supply

• Power Supply Connectors

The Motherboard

• Types of System Boards
• System Board Components

The Processor/CPU

Memory

Storage Devices

• Hard Disk System
• Floppy Drivers
• CD-ROM Drivers
• CD-R and CD- RW Drivers
• DVD Burners
• Other Storage Media

Adapter Cards

• Video card
• Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Modem
• Sound Card

Display Devices

• Display Concepts

Ports and Cables

• Peripheral Port Connector Types
• Common Peripheral Interfaces and Cables

Motherboards, CPUs, and RAM

Motherboard Architecture

• Chipsets
• Memory
• Communication Ports
• Processor Sockets
• External Cache Memory (Level 2)
• Bus Architectures
• BIOS

CPUs

• Architecture Differences
• CPU Manufacturers

RAM

• Types
• Operational Characteristics

Disk Drive Storage

Storage Types

• Punch Cards and Tape
• Disk Drives
• Disk Theory

Floppy Disk Systems

• The Medium
• The Drives
• The Controller
• The Cable
• Floppy Drive Installation and Configuration

IDE/ATA Disk Systems

• IDE/ATA Technologies
• IDE/EIDE Installation and Configuration

Small Computer System Interface (SCSI)

• Types of SCSI
• SCSI Device Installation and Configuration

Disk System Fault Tolerance

• Disk Mirroring
• Disk Duplexing
• Disk Striping
• Redundant Array of Inexpensive (or Independent) Disks (RAID)

Printers

Impact Printers

• Daisy-Wheel Printers
• Dot-Matrix Printers

Bubble-Jet Printers

• Parts of a Typical Bubble-Jet Printer
• The Bubble-Jet Printing Process

Laser Printers (Page Printers)

• Electro photographic (EP) Laser Printers
• LED Page Printers

Other Printers

Printer Interfaces and Supplies

• Interface Components
• Printer Supplies

Printer Troubleshooting

• Dot-Matrix Printer Problems
• Bubble-Jet Printer Problems
• Laser and Page Printer Problems

Networking Fundamentals

What Is a Network?

• LANs vs. WANs
• Primary Network Components
• Network Resource Access
• Network Topologies
• Network Communications
• Network Architectures

Network Media

• Cabling
• The Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Media Access Methods

Connectivity Devices

• Repeaters
• Hubs/Switches
• Bridges
• Routers
• Brouters
• Gateways

Networking and the Internet

• Types of Connections

Building a PC

Before You Begin

• Background Information
• Clearing a Workspace
• Gathering Tools

Gathering Parts

Preparing the Motherboard

• Removing the Motherboard from Its Box
• Installing the CPU/Processor and Its Cooling Mechanism
• Installing Memory

Installing the Motherboard

• Removing the Case Cover
• Installing Mounting Standoffs
• Removing the Back-Panel Punch outs
• Connecting the Front-Panel Connectors
• Installing and Securing Motherboard

Installing the Power Supply

Installing Storage Devices

• Installing Floppy Disk Drives
• Installing Hard Disk(s)
• Installing a CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD/DVDRW

Installing Expansion Cards

• Installing a Video Card
• Installing Other Expansion Cards or Devices

Connecting External Peripherals

Double-Checking Everything

Connecting the Power, and Testing

• Configuring CMOS

Finishing Up

• Installing Network/Modem Connections
• Installing Speakers/Headphones
• Installing the Operating System

Removal and Replacement Procedures

Portable Systems

Laptop Architecture

• Comparing Laptops to Desktops
• Laptop Case
• Motherboard and Supporting Circuitry
• Memory
• Storage
• Displays
• Input Devices
• Expansion Bus and Ports
• Networking
• Docking Stations
• Power Systems

Laptop Component Installation

• Installing Storage Devices
• Installing Power Systems
• Replacing or Adding Memory
• Adding Input Devices
• Installing Expansion Devices
• Replacing Displays
• Enabling Wireless Networking

Upgrading PC Components

PC Upgrade Background

• Why Upgrade?
• Is an Upgrade Possible?
• What can be upgraded?

Upgrading PC Components

• Upgrading the Motherboard
• Upgrading the CPU
• Upgrading Memory
• Upgrading Hard Drives/Storage
• Upgrading the BIOS
• Upgrading Expansion Cards
• Laptop Upgrades

Installing PC Peripherals

• Installing Modems and Transceivers
• Adding External Storage
• Connecting Scanner and Cameras
• PDAs
• Installing Wireless Access Points
• Using Infrared Devices
• Connecting Printers
• UPSs (Uninterrupted Power Supplies) and Suppressor
• Upgrading Monitors

Optimizing PC Performance, Preventative Maintenance, and Safety

Optimizing PC Performance

• Cooling System Optimization
• Disk Subsystem Enhancement
• NIC Performance
• Specialized Video Cards
• Memory Performance
• Additional Performance Enhancement

Preventing Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

• Antistatic Wrist Strap
• Antistatic Bags for Parts
• ESD Antistatic Mats
• Other Protection Method

Maintaining Safety

• The Computer
• The Power Supply
• The Printer
• The Monitor
• The Keyboard and Mouse

Environmental Concerns

Cleaning Systems

Hardware Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Resources

• Intellectual Resources
• Hardware and Software Resources

Top 10 Troubleshooting Steps

• Step 1: Define the Problem
• Step 2: Check the Simple Stuff First
• Step 3: Check to See If It’s User Error
• Step 4: Reboot the Computer
• Step 5: Determine If the Problem Is Hardware Related or Software Related
• Step 6: If the Problem Is Hardware Related, Determine Which Component Is Failing
• Step 7: If the Problem Is Software Related, Boot Clean
• Step 8: Check Service Information Sources
• Step 9: If It Ain’t Broke……
• Step 10: Ask for Help

Software Troubleshooting

• DOS Troubleshooting
• Windows Troubleshooting

Hardware Troubleshooting

• POST Routines
• Motherboard Problems
• Hard Disk System Problems
• Peripheral Problems
• Keyboard and Mouse Problem
• Display System Problem
• Floppy Drive Problems
• Sound Card Problems
• BIOS Issues
• Power Supply Problems
• Miscellaneous Problems
• FRUs

Introduction to Operating Systems

Types of Software

Operating System Terms and Concepts

Types of PC Operating Systems

• Classics Operating Systems OS/2
• Alternative PC Operating Systems
• Microsoft Windows

Choosing an Operating System

Using the Microsoft Operating System GUI

The Windows Interface

• The Desktop
• The Taskbar
• The Start Menu
• Icons

What’s in a Window?

• Elements of a Window
• States of a Window

Using the Command Prompt

• Running a Utility or Program from The Command Prompt Issuing Text Command

Windows Configuration

• File Management
• System Tools
• Control Panel
• Task Manager
• Managing Hardware in Windows
• Computer Management Console
• Virtual Memory
• Disk Management
• The Registry Editor

Major OS Architecture

Listing the Important Files

• Important Files in Windows 9x
• Important Files in Windows NT/2000/XP

Boot Sequence

• The Windows 9x Boot Process
• The Windows NT/2000/XP Boot Process
• Advance Startup Options

Creating a Startup Disk or Emergency Repair Disk

• Windows 98/Me Startup Disk
• Windows NT Workstation Boot Disks
And Emergency Repair Disk (ERD)
• Windows 2000 Boot Disks and ERD
• Automated System Recovery in Windows XP

Installing and Upgrading Your OS

Installing the Operating System

• Installation Prerequisites
• Windows 9x Installation
• Windows NT Workstation Installation
• Windows 2000 Professional Installation
• Windows XP Installation
• Post-Installation Routines

Upgrading the Operating System

• Upgrade Prerequisites
• Upgrading to 98/Me
• Upgrading to NT Workstation 4.0
• Upgrading to Windows 2000
• Upgrading to Windows XP

Hardware Installation

Windows Device Installation

• Rights and Security Issues
• Basic Procedure for Device Installation
• Windows Version-Specific Installation Items

Peripheral Connection Methods

• Serial
• Parallel
• SCSI
• USB
• FireWire (IEEE 1394)

Windows Printing Configuration

• Local Printing Configuration
• Network Printing

Windows Networking

Windows Networking Basics

• Windows 95 and Beyond

Installing Networking Hardware and Software

• Configuring Windows 9x as a Network Client
• Configuring Windows NT Workstation as a Network Client
• Configuring Windows 2000 and Windows XP Professional as a Network Client
• Configuring Clients for NetWare Network Access

Configuring Windows to Share Files and Printers

• Enabling File and Printer Sharing on Windows 9x
• Enabling Sharing in Windows NT
• Sharing in Windows 2000
• Sharing in Windows XP

Using Shared Resources

• Sharing Options with Windows 2000
• Sharing Options with Windows XP
• Using a Shared Printer

Network Protocol

• TCP/IP IPX/SPX (NWLink)

Configuring Internet Access Software

• Creating a Windows 9x DUN Connection
• Installing DUN on Windows 2000
• Making a Dial-Up Connection in Windows XP
• Installing and Configuring Firewall Protection under Windows XP
• Other Internet Software

Windows Optimization

Managing Virtual Memory

• Virtual Memory in Windows 9x
• Virtual Memory in Windows NT
• Virtual Memory in Windows 2000
• Virtual Memory in Windows XP

Defragmenting Disks

• Defragmenting in Windows 9x
• Defragmenting in Windows NT Workstation
• Defragmenting in Windows 2000Professional
• Defragmenting in Windows XP Professional

Using FILES= and BUFFERS=

• FILES= and BUFFERS= in Windows 9x
• FILES= and BUFFERS= in Windows NT/2000/XP

Using Disk Caches

• Disk Caching in Windows 9x
• Disk Caching in Windows NT/2000/XP
• Cached Internet Explorer Files

Managing Temporary Files

Windows Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Steps

• Step 1: Talk to the Customer
• Step 2: Gather Information
• Step 3: Eliminate Possibilities
• Step 4: Document Your Work

Windows File-Related Problems

• System Files Not Found
• Configuration File Issues
• Swap File Issues
• Windows Boot Issues

Troubleshooting Windows Printing Problems

Troubleshooting Other Common Problems

Preemptive “Troubleshooting”: Guarding against Virus Attacks

Troubleshooting Tools: Windows-Based Utilities

• SCANDISK
• Device Manager
• Computer Management
• Event Viewer
• MSCONFIG.EXE
• REGEDIT.EXE
• ATTRIB.EXE
• EXTRACT.EXE
• EDIT.COM
• FDISK.EXE
• SYSEDIT.EXE
• SCANREG.EXE
• WSCRIPT.EXE
• HWINFO.EXE
• ASD.EXE (Automatic Skip Driver)
• CVT1.EXE
• MSD.EXE
• WinMSD
• Safe Modes
• Recovery CD
• ConfigSafe

Diagnostic Resources

• User/Installation Manuals
• Internet/Web Resources
• Training Materials