What is this course about?

This course covers the whole range of PC configuration, troubleshooting and upgrade techniques. It concentrates on the physical aspects of identifying and preventing hardware problems and introduces PC memory and system file configuration issues.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course has been designed for those whose responsibilities include:

• Maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing PC systems
• Upgrading PC systems (installing additional memory, disk drives, displays, cards, etc.)
• Installing and configuring new software applications

What background do I need?

This course does not require a technical background or previous experience with PC maintenance. However, some familiarity with basic user-level PC skills (using a text editor, basic Windows XP navigation, etc.) is assumed.

Does the course help PC users as well as PC support people?

Definitely. Teaching basic troubleshooting skills to PC users saves money by:

• Reducing the number of service calls to already overloaded PC support units
• Eliminating the cost of time wasted waiting for the system to be repaired

At least 50% of all PC problems have simple solutions easily fixed by knowledgeable PC users. Common faults include loose cables, improper switch settings, incorrect CMOS setup parameters, etc.

I've been maintaining PCs for the last 2 years. Is this course too elementary?

Not at all. Here is a short list of the course topics that may be of interest to the more experienced participant:

• Troubleshooting the PC using Power-On Self-Test (POST) video and audio codes
• CPU types and socket differences
• PC bus systems: ISA, EISA, PCI, AGP, USB and FireWire
• Memory hardware and packaging: DRAM, EDO, ECC, DDR-SDRAM, DDR-2, DDR-3, RAMBUS, SIMMS, DIMMS, RIMMS
• Understanding PC memory areas and configuring memory management statements
• Using dedicated hardware diagnostic programs to resolve IRQ and DMA conflicts
• Installing E-IDE and SCSI hard drives (hardware configuration, disk partitioning and formatting)
• Causes and solutions to hard drive size barriers
• Configuring CD-ROM/DVD-ROM real-mode drivers to allow installation of Windows XP from CD-ROM (when hard drive does not contain an operating system)
• Using device management tools under Windows XP

Do we work on "live" systems in class?

Yes. In contrast to other PC troubleshooting courses, the exercises in this course are all performed on "live" systems. After learning about a particular PC component, you actually configure, install and test the component in your PC system. The basic strategy of this course is to learn by doing. You completely disassemble a Pentium IV-based PC and reconstruct and reconfigure the system piece-by-piece. Along the way, you learn how to troubleshoot all the common PC hardware and software problems.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much time in this course is devoted to hands-on exercises?

Approximately 35 percent of course time is spent performing hands-on exercises on Core 2 Duo systems with Serial ATA hard disks, PCIe video cards and DVD-ROM drives. Exercises include:

• Disassembling the PC safely
• Installing a DVD-ROM drive and PCIe video card
• Identifying faults with POST and advanced diagnostics
• Installing and configuring PC memory
• Testing a network interface card
• Installing and configuring hard disks
• Troubleshooting device drivers

What types of PCs are covered?

The configuration, troubleshooting and upgrading techniques covered in this course are applicable to all PCs and clones. The course uses custom-built workstations based on Intel Pentium motherboards.

This course does not cover maintenance of Apple computers.

Will this course help me prepare for the CompTIA A+ Certification exam?

Yes. This course taken in combination with Course 150, Advanced PC Configuration, Troubleshooting and Data Recovery: Hands-On along with an A+ Certification Exam study guide (provided with Course 150) will prepare you for the CompTIA 2009 A+ Essentials Exam (220-701) and the A+ Practical Application Exam (220-702), the two exams required to achieve CompTIA 2009 A+ Certification. These two courses are approved by CompTIA as CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum (CAQC). This means that the content of these courses meets high quality standards and aligns to the CompTIA A+ Certification exam topics. These courses are excellent preparation for A+ Certification.

I'm preparing for the CompTIA A+ Certification exam. Should I take this course with Course 150, Advanced PC Configuration, Troubleshooting and Data Recovery: Hands-On, or should I take Course 445, Preparing for the CompTIA A+^® Certification Exam: Hands-On?

It depends on your background. If you have at least six months of on-the-job experience in PC configuration and troubleshooting, then Course 445, Preparing for the CompTIA A+^® Certification Exam: Hands-On would be appropriate. Course 445 is a five-day course that prepares you for the CompTIA A+ Essentials and IT Technician exams. Although the course does feature selected hands-on exercises, the main emphasis is on reviewing topics covered in the exam and testing your knowledge with the review questions at the end of each chapter.

By contrast, if you have minimal on-the-job PC configuration and troubleshooting experience, you should take both Course 145 and Course 150 to prepare for the A+ Certification exam. Course 145 features extensive hands-on exercises and explains in depth the "why" behind PC configuration and maintenance procedures. Course 150 teaches practical, hands-on techniques for software and disk-related PC configuration and troubleshooting, including recovering lost data and crashed PC systems.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Other courses that might be of interest include:

• 150, Advanced PC Configuration, Troubleshooting and Data Recovery: Hands-On offers the advanced skills required to maximise the performance of PC systems, troubleshoot problems, and recover lost data and files
• 2400, Windows® 7: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction , provides the knowledge and skills to successfully install, manage and support Windows 7