Computer Servicing II BIT204

This course covers more indepth into the hardware diagnostics, faulth analysis. It also covers software trouble shooting etc. This course expands on and continues from the basics covered in Computer Servicing I. If you are looking into expanding your skills more into troubleshooting and hardware diagnostics this course is suitable for you.

Course Aim: To develop your ability to independently undertake routine maintenance and to analyse faults in personal computers.

Pre-requisite: (or equivalent).

COURSE CONTENT

The emphasis is on personal computers (ie. PCs) and while the course is relevant to all types of PCs it is particularly relevant to IBM and IBM compatible systems. This is because these are the most popular systems used in business today.

There are ten (10) lessons in total, as outlined below:

1. Introduction to hardware components.
2. Basic Diagnostic Equipment
3. Electric Circuits & Components
4. Problem Solving & Fault Analysis
5. Diagnostic Testing A (Self Tests & Diagnostic Cards).
6. Diagnostic Testing B (System Board & Memory Tests).
7. Software maintenance and troubleshooting.
8. Disk drives and CD-ROM.
9. Video and Audio Systems
10. Developing a Maintenance Program

AIMS

• 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

Some of what you will do in this course:

• Explain how to dismantle a Personal Computer
• Explain how to reassemble a dismantled personal computer
• Analyse potential hardware faults that may occur in different computer systems.
• Determine likely causes of potential hardware faults, including faulty equipment, damage to equipment
• Analyse potential software faults that may occur in different computer systems.
• Determine likely causes of potential software faults, including faulty equipment, power surges
• Describe causes of data corruption
• Describe ways of addressing software problems including data corruption.
• Develop a procedure for routine maintenance of a specific computer system.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of three different operating systems
• Outline the role of ROM BIOS.
• Explain a range of common computer hardware faults which are easily repaired by a technician.
• Test cables for faulty operation
• Explain faults which can occur with a VDU
• Explain how to use several different hardware diagnostic tools
• Determine procedures to minimise risk of computer problems including equipment breakdowns and data loss.
• Explain a range of common computer software faults which are easily repaired by a technician.
• Test different software for faulty operation
• Explain how to use several different software diagnostic tools

Extract from Course Notes:

The urge to upgrade, repair or just tinker with the insides of a computer system can be quite strong in some people. A comparison can be made between working on the family car and working on the family computer. Initially both tasks might seem daunting however, with experience and a little guidance most repairs can be undertaken, hardware components installed or clock speeds souped up or adjusted for optimal performance.

For the first timer, the process can seem to be fraught with danger, and in terms of doing more damage than good it can be. If you fol