Course Syllabus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PC-101

A+ Maintaining

PC Hardware

 

 

PC-101    A+ Maintaining PC Hardware

 

Course Description

In this course students will learn the process ad procedures needed to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain PCs. Students will have the opportunity to apply and enhance their skills through hands-on projects that simulate real-life scenarios. This course aids in preparation for the CompTIA A+ Hardware certification exam.

Learning Objectives

1.0 Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading

     1.1 Identify basic terms, concepts, and functions of system modules. Including how each

           module should work during normal operation and during the boot process.

 

     1.2 Identify the basic procedures for adding and removing field replaceable modules for

           both desktop and portable systems.

 

     1.3 Identify available IRQ’s DMA’s and I/O addresses and procedures for device installation

           and configuration.

 

     1.4 Identify common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors.

 

     1.5 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring IDE/EIDE devices.

 

     1.6 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring SCSI devices.

 

     1.7 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring peripheral devices.

 

     1.8 Identify hardware methods of upgrading system performance, procedures for replacing

           basic subsystem components, unique components, and when to use them.

 

2.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting

     2.1 Identify the common symptoms associated with each module and how to troubleshoot

           and isolate the problems.

 

     2.2 Identify basic troubleshooting procedures and how to elicit problem symptoms from

           customers.

 

3.0 Preventative Maintenance

     3.1 Identify the purpose and various types of preventative maintenance products and

           procedures and when to use them.

 

     3.2 Identify issues, procedures and devices for protection within the computing

           environment, including people, hardware, and the surrounding workspace.

 

4.0 Motherboard/Processors/Memory

     4.1 Distinguish the popular CPU chips in terms of their basic characteristics.  

 

     4.2 Identify the categories of RAM (Random Access Memory) terminology, their locations,

           and physical characteristics.

 

     4.3 Identify the popular types of motherboards, their components, and their architecture

           (bus structures and power supplies). 

          

     4.4 Identify the purpose of CMOS ( Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), what it

           contains and how to change it’s basic parameters.

         

5.0 Printers

     5.1 Identify basic concepts, printer operations and printer components.  

 

     5.2 Identify care and service techniques and common problems with primary printer types.

            

6.0 Basic Networking

     6.1 Identify basic networking concepts, including how a network works and the

           ramifications of repairs on the network.  

Prerequisite

None

Contact Hours

90 Contact Hours (Lecture 45 Hours/Lab 45 Hours)

Semester Credit Hours

4.5 semester credit hours

Text/Lab Books

1.    “ A+ Guide to Hardware”  2002 Text Book    

      Course Technology    Jean Andrews

      ISBN 0-619-12002-9

2.    “ A+ Guide to Hardware”  2002 Lab Book   

      Course Technology    Jean Andrews

      ISBN 0-619-13022-9

Teaching Strategies

A variety of teaching strategies may be utilized in this course including but not limited to:  lecture, discussion, written classroom exercises, written lab exercises, performance based lab exercises, demonstrations, quizzes, and examinations. Some of the quizzes may be entirely or contain lab based components. A mid course and end course examination will be given.

Method of Evaluating Students

Grade Distribution

Class Attendance

15%

Employment Competencies

 5%

Written / Lab Assignments

30%

Written / Lab  Quizzes

20%

Mid-Course Written Exam

15%

End-Course Written Exam

15%

Total

100%

 

Grading Policy

 

 

 

 

At the end of each course, each student is assigned a final grade as follows:

Point Range

Interpretation

Grade

Quality Points

90 – 100

Excellent

A

4.0

80-89

Very Good

B

3.0 – 3.9

70 – 79

Average

C

2.0 – 2.9

60 – 69

Poor

D

1.0 – 1.9

Below 60

Failure

F

0

N/A

Withdrawal

W

0

N/A

Pass

P

0

N/A

Incomplete

I

0

A student earning a grade of D or above is considered to have passed the course and is eligible to pursue further studies.  A student receiving a grade of F has failed a course.  A failed course must be repeated and passed to meet LTI graduation requirements, in addition to an overall program GPA of 2.0

Requirements for Successful Completion of the Course

At a minimum, students must achieve the following: a passing grade of D or above, completion of all required examinations, submission of all required lab exercises and projects, and adherence to the school attendance policy.

 

 

Topical Outline

PC-101

·         How Computers Work

·         How Hardware & Software Work Together

·         Electricity & Power Supplies

·         The Motherboard

·         Supporting I/O Devices

·         Memory and Floppy Drives

·         Understanding / Supporting Hard Drives

·         All About SCSI

·          Multimedia Devices & Mass Storage

·         Supporting Modems

·         PCs on a Network

·         Notebooks / PDAs / Printers

·         Troubleshooting & Maintenance Fundamentals

·         Purchasing a PC or Building Your Own

     

 

 

Equipment Needed

Industry standard desktop computers for the Lab exercises. ***