Computer Service & Repair: Hardware
Program Outline

Your comprehensive Computer Service and Repair: Hardware course has been carefully prepared by the very best professional educators and curriculum developers who have “been there, done that.” That means you’ll learn the latest real-world procedures and techniques that can’t be learned in books alone.

When you enroll in this course, you will receive a CD ROM that contains:

• CertBlaster Preparation Exam
• PC Repair FAQ’s
• eGlossary
• Troubleshooting flowcharts
• Sample reports
• A+ mapping grids
• Video clips

Enroll online or call 1-800-535-1613 to speak with an Admission Advisor!

Meet Your Instructor

David T. Ronan is the course author and technical advisor of The Professional PC Service & Repair Program. Dave has been involved with PC's since their introduction in 1980, including many years on IBM’s technical staff. He has also created and taught many technical training courses for home study.

He, along with our staff of caring, courteous career educators, will give you careful guidance through your studies. If you have questions or need help along the way, just write, call, fax, or E-mail us 24 hours a day. We'll give you prompt, personal assistance.

What You’ll Learn Lesson By Lesson

Here are the courses you will take while pursuing your Computer Service and Repair: Hardware program:

Lesson 1: Introducing Hardware. Introduction to major hardware components of a computer; Input and output devices; Importance of the motherboard; Creating style sheets and implement CSS code into html websites.

Lesson 2: Discovering The Power Behind Computers. Make-up of the ATX motherboard; Types of computer cases; Basic electricity concepts; Common electrical components; Troubleshooting tools.

Lesson 3: The Mother of All Boards. The boot process; Role of processor socket; Chip sets; PCI buses; Resetting jumpers and dip switches; Configuration settings in CMOS RAM; the POST process; Replacing a motherboard.

Lesson 4: Getting Behind the Mind of a Computer. Main features of a processor; Overclocking a processor; Types of processors; Ways to cool a processor; Processor related computer issues; Diagnosing booting problems.

Lesson 5: Strategy to Remember. Types of memory; Installing, upgrading, and troubleshooting memory; Copyright and software license issues.

Lesson 6: Understanding Computer Storage. Solid state vs. magnetic hard drives; Types of partitions used in Windows operating systems; ATA standards; Hard drive installation; Creating workable partitions; Hard drive jumpers; Standard hard drive errors.

Lesson 7: The Ins and Outs of Computers. Input/Output devices; USB interface technologies; Serial and parallel ports; Monitor types and settings; Video cards; Windows Device Manager.

Lesson 8: Computers and the Media. Sound card interface; TV tuners vs. video capture cards; Optical drive technologies and installation; Utilizing tape technology; Digital camera integration; MIDI technology.

Lesson 9: Networking. Bandwidth characteristics; Types of wireless standards; The role of the network/wireless card; Functionality of hubs and switches; Routers; Firewalls; Common ports; Troubleshooting IP networks.

Lesson 10: Cutting the Cord. Notebook computers; Notebooks vs. netbooks; Recovering a notebook’s operating system; Upgrading the OS of a portable computer; Port replicators; Docking stations; Card slots; Power-saving options; Types of memory modules on portable computers; Troubleshooting video problems.

Lesson 11: Putting it on Paper. Laser, inkjet, impact, thermal, and solid ink printers; Installing local printers and network printers; Sharing printers; Printer maintenance; Troubleshooting printer problems.