Monday, September 9, 2019

Computer Hardware & Networking

This course provides foundation-level knowledge and skills necessary for a career in PC repair and support.


Syllabus


Page 1

  • Configure and apply BIOS settings.
  • Install firmware upgrades – flash BIOS 

    BIOS component information
  • RAM ,Hard drive ,Optical drive ,CPU
  • BIOS configurations
  • Boot sequence
  • Enabling and disabling devices
  • Date/time
  • Clock speeds
  • Virtualization support
  • BIOS security (passwords, drive encryption: TPM, lo-jack)
  • Monitoring
  • Temperature monitoring
  • Fan speeds
  • Voltage
  • Clock
  • Bus speed
  • Differentiate between motherboard components, their purposes, and properties.
  • Sizes
  • ATX,ITX
  • Micro-ATX
  • Expansion slots
  • PCI,PCI-X
  • PCIe,CNR
  • miniPCI
  • AGP2x, 4x, 8x
  • RAM slots, CPU sockets

    Chipsets
  • North Bridge
  • South Bridge
  • CMOS battery
  • Jumpers, Power connections and types, Fan connectors

    Front panel connectors
  • USB,Audio
  • Power button
  • Power light
  • Drive activity lights
  • Reset button
  • Bus speeds
  • Compare and contrast RAM types and features.
  • Types
  • DDR,DDR2,DDR3
  • SDRAM,SODIMM
  • RAMBUS,DIMM
  • Parity vs. non-parity
  • ECC vs. non-ECC
  • RAM configurations-Single channel vs. dual channel vs. triple channel
  • Single sided vs. double sided
  • RAM compatibility and speed
  • Install and configure expansion cards.
  • Sound cards,Video cards
  • Network cards,Riser cards
  • Serial and parallel cards
  • USB cards
  • Firewire cards
  • Storage cards
  • Modem cards
  • Wireless/cellular cards
  • TV tuner cards
  • Video capture cards
  • Install and configure storage devices and use appropriate media.
  • Optical drives
  • CD-ROM,DVD-ROM
  • Blu-Ray
  • Combo drives and burners
  • CD-RW,DVD-RW
  • Dual Layer DVD-RW
  • BD-R,BD-RE
  • Connection types
  • USB,Firewire
  • eSATA,Ethernet
  • IDE configuration and setup (Master, Slave, Cable Select)
  • SCSI IDs (0 – 15)
  • Hot swappable drives
  • Hard drives
  • Magnetic
  • 5400 rpm,7200 rpm
  • 10,000 rpm,15,000 rpm
  • Solid state/flash drives
  • Compact flash,SD
  • Micro-SD,Mini-SD
  • SSD
  • RAID types
  • 0,1,5,10
  • Differentiate among various CPU types and features and select the appropriate cooling method.
  • Socket types
  • Intel: LGA, 775, 1155, 1156, 1366
  • AMD: 940, AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+, FM1, F
  • Characteristics
  • Speeds,Cores,Cache size/type
  • Hyperthreading,Virtualization support
  • Architecture (32-bit vs. 64-bit),Integrated GPU
  • Cooling
  • Heat sink , Fans
  • Thermal paste,Liquid-based
  • Compare and contrast various connection interfaces and explain their purpose.
  • Physical connections
  • USB 1.1 vs. 2.0 vs. 3.0 speed and distance characteristics (Connector types: A, B, mini, micro)
  • Firewire 400 vs. Firewire 800 speed and distance characteristics
  • SATA1 vs. SATA2 vs. SATA3, eSATA, IDE speeds
  • Other connector types
  • Serial,Parallel,VGA,HDMI, DVI, Audio, RJ-45,RJ-11
  • Analog vs. digital transmission
  • VGA vs. HDMI
  • Speeds, distances and frequencies of wireless device connections
  • Bluetooth,IR,RF
  • Install an appropriate power supply based on agiven scenario.
  • Connector types and their voltages
  • SATA,Molex,4/8-pin 12v,
  • PCIe 6/8-pin,20-pin,24-pin
  • Specifications
  • Wattage,Size,ATX
  • Number of connectors,Micro-ATX
  • Dual voltage options
  • Identify connector types and associated cables.
  • Display connector types
  • DVI-D,DVI-I,DVI-A,DisplayPort
  • RCA,BNC,miniHDMI,RJ-45,miniDin-6
  • HD15 (i.e. DE15 or DB15)
  • Display cable types
  • HDMI ,DVI,VGA,Component
  • Composite,S-video,
  • RGB,Coaxial,Ethernet
  • Device connectors and pin arrangements
  • SATA,eSATA ,USB,Audio,RJ-45
  • PATA(IDE,EIDE),IEEE1394
  • SCSI,PS/2,Parallel,Serial (DB-9)
  • Install and configure various peripheral devices.
  • Input devices
  • Mouse,Keyboard,
  • Touch screen,KVM
  • Scanner,Barcode reader
  • Microphone,Biometric device
  • Game pads,Joysticks,Digitizer
  • Multimedia devices
  • Digital cameras,Microphone
  • Webcam,Camcorder
  • MIDI enabled devices,
  • Output devices
  • Printers,Speakers
  • Display devices
  • NETWORKING

  • Identify types of network cables and connectors
  • Fiber
  • Connectors: SC, ST and LC
  • Twisted Pair
  • Connectors: RJ-11, RJ-45
  • Wiring standards: T568A, T568B
  • Coaxial
  • Connectors: BNC, F-connector
  • Categorize characteristics of connectors and cabling.
  • Fiber
  • Types (single-mode vs. multi-mode)
  • Speed and transmission limitations
  • Twisted pair
  • Types: STP, UTP, CAT3, CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, plenum, PVC
  • Speed and transmission limitations
  • Coaxial
  • Types: RG-6, RG-59
  • Speed and transmission limitations
  • Page 2

  • Explain properties and characteristics of TCP/IP.
  • IP class
  • Class A, Class B , Class C
  • IPv4 vs. IPv6
  • Public vs. private vs. APIPA
  • Static vs. dynamic
  • Client-side DNS
  • DHCP
  • Subnet mask
  • Gateway
  • Explain common TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purpose.
  • Ports
  • 21 – FTP
  • 23 – TELNET
  • 25 – SMTP
  • 53 – DNS
  • 80 – HTTP
  • 110 – POP3
  • 143 – IMAP
  • 443 – HTTPS
  • 3389 – RDP
  • Protocols
  • DHCP
  • DNS
  • LDAP
  • SNMP
  • SMB
  • CIFS
  • SSH
  • SFTP
  • 3389 – RDP
  • TCP vs. UDP
  • Compare and contrast wireless networking standards and encryption types.
  • Standards
  • 802.11 a/b/g/n
  • Speeds, distances and frequencies
  • Encryption types
  • WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, AES
  • Install, configure, and deploy a SOHO wireless/wired router using appropriate settings.
  • MAC filtering
  • Channels (1 – 11)
  • Port forwarding, port triggering
  • SSID broadcast (on/off)
  • Wireless encryption
  • Firewall
  • DHCP (on/off)
  • DMZ
  • NAT
  • WPS
  • Basic QoS
  • Compare and contrast Internet connection types and features.
  • Cable
  • DSL
  • Dial-up
  • Fiber
  • Satellite
  • ISDN
  • Cellular (mobile hotspot)
  • Line of sight wireless internet service
  • WiMAX
  • Identify various types of networks.
  • LAN, WAN
  • PAN, MAN
  • Topologies
  • Mesh, Ring, Bus, /li>
  • Star, Hybrid
  • Compare and contrast network devices, their functions, and features.
  • Hub, Switch, Router
  • Access point, Bridge, Modem
  • NAS,Firewall
  • networking tools
  • Crimper, Cable tester
  • Loopback plug,Multimeter
  • Laptops

  • Install and configure laptop hardware and components.
  • Expansion options
  • Express card /34
  • Express card /54
  • PCMCIA
  • SODIMM
  • Flash
  • Hardware/device replacement
  • Keyboard
  • Hard Drive (2.5 vs. 3.5)
  • Memory
  • Optical drive
  • Wireless card
  • Mini-PCIe
  • screen
  • DC jack
  • Battery
  • Touchpad
  • CPU
  • Speaker
  • System board
  • Compare and contrast the components within the display of a laptop.
  • Types
  • LCD
  • LED
  • OLED
  • Plasma
  • Compare and contrast laptop features.
  • Special function keys
  • Dual displays
  • Wireless (on/off)
  • Volume settings
  • Screen brightness
  • Bluetooth (on/off)
  • Keyboard backlight
  • Printer

  • Explain the differences between the various printer types and summarize the associated imaging process
  • Laser
  • Imaging drum, fuser assembly, transfer belt, transfer roller, pickup rollers, separate pads, duplexing assembly
  • Imaging process: processing, charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fusing and cleaning
  • Inkjet
  • Ink cartridge, print head, roller, feeder, duplexing assembly, carriage and belt
  • Calibration
  • Thermal
  • Feed assembly, heating element
  • Special thermal paper
  • Impact
  • Print head, ribbon, tractor feed
  • Impact paper
  • install, and configure printers.
  • Use appropriate printer drivers for a given operating system
  • Print device sharing
  • Wired
  • USB, Parallel
  • Serial, Ethernet
  • Wireless
  • Bluetooth, 802.11x
  • Infrared (IR)
  • Printer hardware print server
    Printer sharing
  • Sharing local/networked printer via Operating System settings
  • perform printer maintenance.
  • Laser
  • Replacing toner, applying maintenance kit, calibration, cleaning
  • Thermal
  • Replace paper, clean heating element, remove debris
  • Impact
  • Replace ribbon, replace print head, replace paper
  • Operating Systems

  • perform printer maintenance.
  • Compare and contrast the features and requirements of various Microsoft Operating Systems
  • Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center, Windows XP 64-bit Professional
  • Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 10
  • Upgrade paths – differences between in place upgrades, compatibility tools, Windows upgrade OS advisor
  • Features:
  • 32-bit vs. 64-bit
  • Aero, gadgets, user account control, bit-locker, shadow copy, system restore, ready boost, sidebar, compatibility mode, XP mode, easy transfer, administrative tools, defender, Windows firewall, security center,event viewer, file structure and paths, category view vs. classic view
  • Page 3

  • install, and configure the operating system using the most appropriate method.
  • Boot methods
  • USB
  • CD-ROM
  • DVD
  • PXE
  • Type of installations
  • Creating image
  • Unattended installation
  • Upgrade
  • Clean install
  • Repair installation
  • Multiboot
  • Remote network installation
  • Image deployment
  • Partitioning
  • Dynamic
  • Primary
  • Extended
  • Logical
  • File system types/formatting
  • FAT
  • FAT32
  • NTFS
  • CDFS
  • Quick format vs. full format

  • Load alternate third party drivers when necessary
  • Workgroup vs. Domain setup
  • Time/date/region/language settings
  • Driver installation, software and windows updates
  • Factory recovery partition
  • command line tools
  • Networking
  • PING
  • TRACERT
  • NETSTAT
  • IPCONFIG
  • NET
  • NSLOOKUP
  • NBTSTAT
  • OS
  • TASKKILL
  • BOOTREC
  • SHUTDOWN
  • TASKLIST
  • MD,RD,CD,DEL
  • FORMAT
  • COPY
  • XCOPY
  • ROBOCOPY
  • DISKPART
  • SFC
  • CHKDSK
  • Recovery console
  • Fixboot
  • Fixmbr
  • use appropriate operating system features and tools.
  • Administrative
  • Computer management
  • Device manager
  • Users and groups
  • Local security policy
  • Performance monitor
  • Services
  • System configuration
  • Task scheduler
  • Component services
  • Data sources
  • Print management
  • Windows memory diagnostics
  • Windows firewall
  • Advanced security
  • MSCONFIG
  • General
  • Boot
  • Services
  • Startup
  • Tools
  • Task Manager
  • Applications
  • Processes
  • Performance
  • Networking
  • Users
  • Task Manager
  • Disk management
  • Drive status
  • Mounting
  • Extending partitions
  • Splitting partitions
  • Assigning drive letters
  • Adding drives
  • Adding arrays
  • Others
  • User State Migration tool (USMT), File and SettingsTransfer Wizard, Windows Easy Transfer
  • Command line utilities
  • MSCONFIG
  • REGEDIT
  • CMD
  • SERVICES.MSC
  • MMC
  • MSTSC
  • NOTEPAD
  • EXPLORER
  • MSINFO32
  • DXDIAG
  • Control Panel utilities
  • Internet options
  • Connections
  • Security
  • General
  • Privacy
  • Programs
  • Advanced
  • Display/Display Settings
  • Resolution
  • Folder options
  • View hidden files
  • Hide extensions
  • General options
  • View options
  • System
  • Performance (virtual memory)
  • Remote settings
  • System protection
  • Power options
  • Hibernate
  • Power plans
  • Sleep/suspend
  • Standby

  • Windows firewall
  • User accounts
  • Unique to Windows XP
  • Add/remove programs
  • Network connections
  • Printers and faxes
  • Automatic updates
  • Network setup wizard
  • Unique to Vista
  • Tablet PC settings
  • Pen and input devices
  • Offline files
  • Problem reports and solutions
  • Printers/li> Unique to Windows 7
  • HomeGroup
  • Action Cente
  • Security Center
  • Remote Applications and Desktop Connections
  • Troubleshooting
  • Setup and configure Windows networking on a client/desktop.
  • HomeGroup, file/print sharing
  • WorkGroup vs. domain setup
  • Network shares/mapping drives
  • Establish networking connections
  • (VPN,Dialups,Wireless
  • Wired,WWAN (Cellular))
  • Proxy settings
  • Remote desktop
  • Home vs. Work vs. Public network settings
  • Firewall settings
  • Exceptions
  • Configuration
  • Enabling/disabling Windows firewall
  • Configuring an alternative IP address in Windows
  • IP addressing
  • Subnet mask
  • DNS
  • Gateway
  • Network card properties
  • Half duplex/full duplex/auto
  • Speed
  • Wake-on-LAN
  • QoS
  • Perform preventive maintenance procedures using appropriate tools.
  • Best practices
  • Schedules backups
  • Scheduled check disks
  • Scheduled defragmentation
  • Windows updates
  • Patch management
  • Driver/firmware updates
  • Antivirus updates
  • Tools
  • Backup
  • System restore
  • Check disk
  • Recovery image
  • Defrag
  • Explain the differences among basic OS security settings.
  • User and groups
  • Administrator
  • Power user
  • Guest
  • Standard user
  • NTFS vs. Share permissions
  • Allow vs. deny
  • Moving vs. copying folders and files
  • File attributes
  • Shared files and folders
  • Administrative shares vs. local shares
  • Permission propagation
  • Inheritance

  • System files and folders
  • User authentication
  • Explain the basics of client-side virtualization.
  • Purpose of virtual machines
  • Resource requirements
  • Emulator requirements
  • Security requirements
  • Network requirements
  • Hypervisor
  • Page 4

    Security

  • Apply and use common prevention methods..
  • Digital security
  • Antivirus
  • Firewalls
  • Antispyware
  • User authentication/strong passwords
  • Directory permissions

  • User education
  • Principle of least privilege
  • Compare and contrast common security threats
  • Malware
  • Rootkits
  • Phishing
  • Spyware
  • Viruses
  • Worms Trojans
  • Implement security best practices to secure a workstation.
  • Setting strong passwords
  • Requiring passwords
  • Restricting user permissions
  • Changing default user names
  • Disabling guest account
  • Disable autorun
  • secure a SOHO wireless network.
  • Change default user-names and passwords
  • Changing SSID
  • Setting encryption
  • Disabling SSID broadcast
  • Enable MAC filtering
  • Antenna and access point placement
  • Assign static IP addresses
  • secure a SOHO wired network.
  • Change default usernames and passwords
  • Enable MAC filtering
  • Assign static IP addresses
  • Disabling ports
  • Physical security
  • Troubleshooting

  • troubleshoot common problemsrelated to motherboards, RAM, CPU and power with appropriate tools..
  • Common symptoms
  • Unexpected shutdowns
  • System lockups
  • POST code beeps
  • Blank screen on bootup
  • BIOS time and settings resets
  • Attempts to boot to incorrect device
  • Continuous reboots
  • No power
  • Overheating
  • Loud noise
  • Intermittent device failure
  • Fans spin – no power to other devices
  • Indicator lights
  • BSOD
  • Tools
  • Multimeter
  • Power supply tester
  • Loopback plugs
  • POST card
  • troubleshoot hard drives andRAID arrays with appropriate tools.
  • Common symptoms
  • Read/write failure
  • Slow performance
  • Loud clicking noise
  • Failure to boot
  • Drive not recognized
  • OS not found
  • RAID not found
  • RAID stops working
  • BSOD
  • Tools
  • CHKDSK
  • FORMAT
  • File recovery software
  • troubleshoot common video and display issues.
  • Common symptoms
  • VGA mode
  • No image on screen
  • Overheat shutdown
  • Dead pixels
  • Color patterns incorrect
  • Dim image
  • Flickering image
  • Distorted image
  • Discoloration (degaussing)
  • troubleshoot wired and wireless networks with appropriate tools.
  • Common symptoms
  • No connectivity
  • APIPA address
  • Limited connectivity
  • Local connectivity
  • Intermittent connectivity
  • IP conflict
  • Slow transfer speeds
  • Tools
  • PING
  • IPCONFIG
  • TRACERT
  • NETSTAT
  • NBTSTAT
  • NET
  • troubleshoot operating system problems with appropriate tools.
  • Common symptoms
  • BSOD
  • Failure to boot
  • Improper shutdown
  • Spontaneous shutdown/restart
  • RAID not detected during installation
  • Device fails to start
  • Missing dll message
  • Services fails to start
  • Compatibility error
  • Slow system performance
  • Boots to safe mode
  • File fails to open
  • Missing NTLDR
  • Missing Boot.ini
  • Missing operating system
  • Missing Graphical Interface
  • Graphical Interface fails to load
  • Invalid boot disk
  • Tools
  • Fixboot
  • Recovery console
  • Fixmbr
  • Sfc
  • Repair disks
  • Pre-installation environments
  • MSCONFIG
  • DEFRAG
  • REGSRV32
  • REGEDIT
  • Event viewer
  • Safe mode
  • Command prompt
  • Emergency repair disk
  • Automated system recovery
  • troubleshoot common securityissues with appropriate tools and best practices.
  • Common symptoms
  • Pop-ups
  • Browser redirection
  • Security alerts
  • Slow performance
  • Internet connectivity issues
  • PC locks up
  • Windows updates failures
  • Rogue antivirus
  • Spam
  • Renamed system files
  • Files disappearing
  • File permission changes
  • Hijacked email
  • Access denied
  • Tools
  • Anti-virus software
  • Anti-malware software
  • Anti-spyware software
  • Recovery console
  • System restore
  • Pre-installation environments
  • Event viewer
  • Best practices for malware removal
  • Identify malware symptoms
  • Quarantine infected system
  • Disable system restore
  • Update anti-virus software
  • Scan and removal techniques (safe mode, pre-installation environment)
  • Schedule scans and updates
  • Enable system restore and create restore point
  • Educate end user
  • troubleshoot printers with appropriate tools .
  • Common symptoms
  • Faded prints
  • Ghost images
  • Toner not fused to the paper
  • Creased paper
  • Paper not feeding
  • Paper jam
  • Garbled characters on paper
  • Vertical lines on page
  • Backed up print queue
  • Low memory errors
  • Access denied
  • Printer will not print
  • Color prints in wrong print color
  • Unable to install printer
  • Error codes
  • Tools
  • Maintenance kit
  • Toner vacuum
  • Compressed air
  • Printer spooler
  • Many More.....
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