What is this course about?

This course covers the software and disk-related aspects of PC configuration and troubleshooting. You learn not only the logical architecture of a disk, but also how to recover data from corrupted disks. For example, you use a disk editor to examine and modify the logical structures on a hard disk, including the boot record, the partition table and the FATs (File Allocation Tables). You then learn how to recover "crashed" hard disks using techniques that repair these structures and how to use special tools for NTFS disks.

Two other disk-related topics are also covered in the course-using advanced partitioning utilities to resize disk partitions and creating binary ("Ghost") disk images.

The Windows Registry section of the course covers the structure and basic functioning of this critical Windows component. You learn how to safely back up, edit and restore the Registry as well as the solutions to some common Registry-related problems.

What background do I need?

Although this course does not require a technical background, if you do not have any previous experience with PC maintenance, we highly recommend that you first take Course 145, Hands-On PC Configuration and Troubleshooting.

If you have some previous experience with PC maintenance (installing adapter cards, configuring CMOS setup memory, etc.), then you have the necessary background knowledge for this course. In addition, because a bootable DOS diskette is a common tool used to begin the repair process on a crashed hard disk, some familiarity with basic DOS commands, such as DIR, DEL and COPY is helpful.

Who will benefit from this course?

The practical skills taught in this course benefit PC support/maintenance specialists, PC LAN managers, PC systems integrators, PC users who need to learn how to recover damaged disk files, and anyone who needs to squeeze the maximum amount of DOS memory from his or her PC.

Will PC users as well as PC support specialists benefit from this course?

Definitely. There are three major benefits of teaching basic data recovery skills to PC users. You can:

• Save money by reducing the number of service calls to already overloaded PC support units.
• Increase productivity by reducing system down time.
• Prevent disastrous virus infections by teaching users how to scan new software for potential virus contamination. (This is especially important for PC users connected to LANs!)

How does this course relate to Course 145?

This course concentrates on the software and disk side of PC configuration while Course 145, Hands-On PC Configuration and Troubleshooting, provides a comprehensive introduction to PC configuration and troubleshooting, with an emphasis on PC hardware.

Which disk management and data recovery programs does the course cover?

In the hands-on exercises the course uses: Norton Utilities, Norton Ghost, McAffee ViruScan, Partition Magic, Disk Explorer for NTFS and GetDataBack for NTFS.

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

Yes. This course taken in combination with Course 145, Hands-On PC Configuration and Troubleshooting 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 provide excellent preparation for the A+ Certification.

I'm preparing for the CompTIA A+ Certification exam. Should I take this course with Course 145, Hands-On PC Configuration and Troubleshooting, 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 much time is spent on each topic?

What kinds of hands-on exercises will I perform during the course?

Hands-on exercises represent 40 percent of the course and include:

• Recovering deleted files
• Exploring the logical structures (Root Directory, FATs) of a disk with a disk editor
• Repairing "lost" and "cross-linked" clusters
• Creating an emergency rescue disk
• Restoring a damaged partition table
• Repartitioning the hard disk with Partition Magic
• Exploring NTFS disks
• Cloning partitions with Ghost
• Recovering an accidentally formatted hard disk
• Detecting and eliminating viruses
• Detecting and preventing macro viruses
• Building a customised Bart PE emergency repair disk
• Editing the Windows Registry
• Examining PC hardware configuration
• Installing and configuring a TCP/IP network

I have some experience restoring accidentally deleted files and configuring memory. Will this course be too elementary for me?

Many of the advanced techniques covered in this course will probably be new to you-for example, using a sector editor to repair a damaged boot record or partition table. More experienced participants are encouraged to carefully review the brochure page to ensure that the topics covered meet their needs.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Other courses that might be of interest include:

• 551, Windows® XP Professional: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction provides the knowledge and skills to successfully install, configure, and manage Windows XP Professional in your organisation
• 595, Windows Server® 2003: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction offers the essential foundation for managing your Windows Server 2003 system
• 950, Windows Vista®: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction offers the knowledge and skills to install, maintain and secure a Windows Vista environment