Hands-On PC Configuration and Troubleshooting

You Will Learn How To

Safely disassemble and reassemble a complete PC system
Install and configure the motherboard and adapter cards
Fix PC hardware and software problems
Install and configure hard discs, DVD-ROMs and PC memory
Utilise power-on self-test (POST) and advanced diagnostics
Troubleshoot PC hardware and driver problems with Device Manager

Course Benefits

PCs are the lifeblood of an organisation, flowing with the constant traffic of information and data vital to daily operation. Maintaining these machines and responding quickly and effectively to trouble takes skilled professionals. In this course, hands-on exercises provide you with the knowledge and experience to take apart and reassemble computer components, and use specific techniques for identifying the source of hardware and software problems.

Who Should Attend

All personnel involved in the daily operation, maintenance and support of PC hardware and software.

Hands-On Training

You perform hands-on exercises on Core 2 Duo systems with Serial ATA hard discs, PCIe video cards and DVD-ROM drives. Exercises throughout this course reinforce the knowledge you gain in class, including:

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 discs
Troubleshooting device drivers

Course Content

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 Duo systems

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
Testing network interface cards

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 serial port operation

Improving computer I/O capabilities

Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0)
Firewire (IEEE 1394)

Monitors and display adapters

AGP and PCI Express-video adapters
Refresh, dot pitch and multisync capability
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 drives)

Printers and Portable Computers

Managing printers and ports

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

Maintaining portable computers

Upgrading portable computer memory
Installing portable drives
Troubleshooting common display and power problems

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