After completing this course, students will know how to:

• Describe the relationship between hardware and software; understand the binary and hexadecimal number systems; describe the various peripheral devices attached to a computer; examine the hardware components inside the computer; distinguish between the types of storage devices; describe the working of the CPU and how it communicates with other devices; understand the electrical system; and describe how instructions and data are stored on the motherboard. And understand how a CPU works and communicates with other devices.
• Describe hardware and software interaction; identify system resources; relate an operating system to other software; establish communication between BIOS and device drivers; and outline the steps in booting up your computer.
• Identify the properties of electricity; safeguard a computer system against electrical damage; identify computer cases and form factors; determine power requirements; troubleshoot power supply problems; and describe Energy Star systems.
• Identify types of motherboards; identify components on the motherboard; assemble a computer; and install and troubleshoot the motherboard.
• Install peripheral I/O devices; use ports and expansion slots for add-on devices; install legacy hardware; install and troubleshoot keyboards; install and troubleshoot pointing devices; and install and troubleshoot video cards and monitors.
• Describe the various types of memory and how each works; upgrade and troubleshoot memory; Discuss how floppy drives work; manage floppy drives; and replace a defective floppy drive or add a second drive.
• Explain hard drive technologies; describe how the hard drive BIOS communicates; explain how a hard disk is logically organized to hold data; and install a hard drive and resolve hard disk installation problems. Support hard drives and manage backups; detect computer infestations and implement proper safeguards; and resolve hard drive problems
• Discuss the basics of SCSI technology and its components; compare SCSI hard drives to IDE drives; install a SCSI device and set device Ids; and troubleshoot SCSI.
• Install various multimedia devices; describe optical storage technologies; discuss tape drives; evaluate and install removable drives; identify hardware used for fault tolerance; and troubleshoot multimedia and mass storage devices.
• Explain how a modem works and how to install it; use the AT command set to control a modem; and troubleshoot problems related to modems.
• Identify the various architectures, topologies, and components that make up a network; identify the networking protocols supported in Windows; install a network card and connect to the network; troubleshoot network connections; and interconnect networks using routers.
• Support, upgrade, and add peripheral devices to notebooks; and discuss technologies related to Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). And explain how printers work; install printers; and troubleshoot printer problems.
• Discuss the role of a PC technician in troubleshooting and maintenance and the tools used; approach a troubleshooting problem; and develop a preventive maintenance plan.
• Use guidelines when purchasing a PC; prepare for assembling a PC; and assemble a PC from separately purchased parts.

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