Maintaining Microcomputer Systems I

Introduction

Intro to the World of IT

• Who Needs This Book?
• Technician Qualities
• Breaking into IT with the CompTIA A+ Certification
• Basic Skills for This Course
• Types of Computers
• Basic Computer Parts
• Mice and Keyboards
• 1s and 0s
• Safety Notes
• Lesson Summary
• Activities
• Labs

Connectivity

• Introduction to Connectivity
• External Connectivity
• Mouse and Keyboard Ports
• Video Ports
• USB Ports
• Installing Extra USB Ports
• Audio Ports
• IEEE 1394 (FireWire) Ports
• eSATA Ports
• Network Ports
• Modem Ports
• Integrated Motherboard Ports
• Getting to Know Ports
• Wireless Connectivity for Input Devices
• Soft Skills—Use Appropriate Titles
• Lesson Summary
• Activities
• Labs

On the Motherboard

• On the Motherboard Overview
• Processor Overview
• Processor Basics
• Speeding Up Processor Operations Overview
• Cache
• Clocking
• Threading Technology
• Connecting to the Processor
• Multi-Core Processors
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Virtualization
• Intel Processors
• CPU Sockets
• AMD Processors
• Processor Cooling
• Installing a Processor
• Upgrading Processors
• Overclocking Processors
• Installing CPU Thermal Solutions
• Troubleshooting Processor Issues
• Expansion Slots
• PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)
• AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
• PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)
• Chipsets
• Types of Motherboards
• Upgrading and Replacing Motherboards
• Motherboard Troubleshooting
• Soft Skills—Active Listening
• Lesson Summary
• Activities
• Labs

Introduction to Configuration

• Configuration Overview
• BIOS Overview
• The Setup Program
• Flash BIOS
• UEFI/BIOS Configuration Settings
• CMOS Memory
• Motherboard Battery
• Flashing the BIOS
• Clearing CMOS
• Other Configuration Parameters
• IRQ
• PCI/PCIe Interrupts
• I/O (Input/Output) Addresses
• Memory Addresses
• Hardware Configuration Overview
• Installing a USB Device
• Installing/Configuring FireWire Cards
• Troubleshooting Configurations
• Soft Skills—A Good Technician Quality: One Thing at a Time
• Lesson Summary
• Activities
• Labs

Disassembly and Power

• Disassembly Overview
• Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
• Tools
• Disassembly
• Reassembly
• Preventive Maintenance
• Basic Electronics Overview
• Electronics: Terminology
• Power Supply Overview
• Power Supply Form Factors
• Purposes of a Power Supply
• Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
• Replacing or Upgrading a Power Supply
• Choosing a Power Supply
• Adverse Power Conditions
• Adverse Power Protection
• Surge Protectors
• Line Conditioners
• Battery Backup
• Phone Line Isolator
• Symptoms of Power Supply Problems
• Power Supply Voltages
• Solving Power Supply Problems
• Soft Skills—Written Communications Skills
• Lesson Summary
• Activities
• Labs

Memory

• Memory Overview
• Memory Physical Packaging
• Planning the Memory Installation
• Installing Memory Overview
• Removing/Installing Memory
• Adding More Cache/RAM
• Windows Disk Caching
• Monitoring Memory Usage under Windows
• Older Applications under Windows
• Troubleshooting Memory Problems
• Flash Memory
• Soft Skills—Teamwork
• Lesson Summary
• Activities
• Labs

Storage Devices

• Storage Devices Overview
• Hard Drive Overview
• Magnetic Hard Drive Geometry
• Solid State Drive (SSD) Overview
• Hard Drive Interfaces Overview
• Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)
• Storage Device Configuration Overview
• PATA Physical Installation
• SATA Physical Installation
• SSD Physical Installation
• System BIOS/UEFI Configuration for Hard Drives
• Hard Drive Preparation Overview
• Partitioning
• How Drive Letters Are Assigned
• High-Level Formatting
• Windows Disk Management
• Fault Tolerance
• Removable Drive Storage
• Windows Storage Spaces
• Disk Caching/Virtual Memory
• Troubleshooting Storage Devices Overview
• Slow Performance
• Troubleshooting New Storage Device Installation
• Troubleshooting Previously Installed Storage Devices
• RAID Issues
• SSD Issues
• Soft Skills—Phone Skills
• Lesson Summary
• Activities
• Labs

Printers

• Printers Overview
• Printer Ports
• Categories of Printers
• Impact Printers
• Inkjet Printers
• Laser Printers
• Thermal Printers
• 3-D Printers
• Paper
• Virtual Printing
• Refilling Cartridges, Re-inking Ribbons, and Recycling Cartridges
• Upgrading Printers
• Printer Maintenance
• USB Printer Installation
• Installing a Local Printer
• Printers in the Windows Environment
• Printing Device Sharing
• Cloud Printing
• General Printer Troubleshooting
• USB-Attached Printer Troubleshooting
• Windows Printer Troubleshooting
• Impact Printer Troubleshooting
• Inkjet Printer Troubleshooting
• Laser Printer Troubleshooting
• Soft Skills—Work Ethics
• Lesson Summary
• Activities
• Labs

Introduction to Networking

• Networking Overview
• Attaching to Different Types of Networks
• Network Topologies
• Network Media Overview
• Copper Media
• Fiber Media
• Protecting Your Network and Cable Investment
• Ethernet Concepts
• Ethernet over Power
• The OSI Model
• The TCP/IP Model
• Network Addressing
• IP Addressing
• Wireless Networks Overview
• Bluetooth
• Wireless Network Components
• Wireless Network Design
• Antenna Basics
• Wireless Network Standards
• Wired or Wireless NIC Installation
• NIC Configuration When Using Virtualization
• Wireless AP/Router Basic Configuration
• WWAN Cellular Configuration
• Network Troubleshooting
• Network Printers
• Network Printer Troubleshooting
• Network Servers
• Embedded and Legacy Systems
• Network Terminology
• The TCP/IP Model in Action
• Using the Network and Sharing Center Control Panel
• Introduction to Shared Folders
• Network Connectivity
• Cloud Technologies
• Soft Skills—Being Proactive
• Lesson Summary
• Activities
• Labs

Operational Procedures

• Operational Procedures Overview
• Communication Skills
• Lesson Summary
• Activities