Hands-On PC Configuration and Troubleshooting

Taking Apart the PC

Identifying key hardware components

• The motherboard and power supply
• Microprocessor and chipset
• Display adapters and memory cards
• Hard disc and DVD drives

Seeing how the PC is designed

• Structuring memory
• Bus types: ISA, PCI, AGP and PCIe
• Distinguishing among x86, Pentium I-IV and Core Duosystems

Basic software components

• Basic input/output system (BIOS)
• Configuring BIOS settings
• Managing device drivers with Device Manager

Troubleshooting Strategy for PCs

Designing a troubleshooting methodology

• Avoiding trouble: preventive maintenance
• Ascertaining where to begin testing
• Pinpointing common failure causes
• Finding the board with the problem

Running the power-on self-test (POST)

• Troubleshooting system faults with POST
• Using POST audio and video error codes
• Determining what POST doesn't test

Employing advanced diagnostic programs

• Testing for motherboard failures
• Isolating keyboard and display problems
• Solving interrupt (IRQ) and I/O conflicts

Working with Basic PC Components

Exploring the motherboard

• CPU types: x86, Pentium, Itanium, Dual-Core, Quad-Core
• Configuring jumper and CMOS settings
• Upgrading motherboards
• Adding plug-and-play components

Troubleshooting the power supply

• ATX power supply standby behaviour
• Solving common power supply problems
• Uninterruptible power supplies and UPS monitoring software

Configuring I/O Devices and Displays

Making use of input/output devices

• Setting I/O device configurations
• Configuring and testing network interface cards
• Testing network card operation

Improving computer I/O capabilities

• Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0, 3.0)
• Firewire (IEEE 1394)

Monitors and display adapters

• AGP and PCI Express-video adapters
• Refresh, dot pitch and native resolution
• 2-D, 3-D graphics accelerator cards

The Memory

Upgrading memory

• Choosing and installing memory
• Determining memory speed
• Memory types: SDRAM, DDR-2, DDR-3

Troubleshooting memory problems

• Locating failed memory devices using memory diagnostic tests
• Detecting problems in lower memory with POST

Installing Disc Drives

Selecting disc drives

• Parallel ATA, Serial ATA, SCSI and Ultra-SCSI
• Configuring drive setting and cable connections

Using hard disc drives

• Partitioning and formatting drives
• Upgrading to larger hard discs
• Optimising hard disc performance

Mastering advanced-drive technologies

• SCSI drive configuration
• Exploring optical drive technology (CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives)

Printers and Portable Computers

Managing printers and ports

• Configuring serial and parallel ports
• Solving common printer problems
• Identifying laser printer components

Networking fundamentals

• Connecting a PC to a network
• Establishing TCP/IP settings
• Wireless network fundamentals