Advanced PC Configuration, Troubleshooting and Data Recovery: Hands-On

You Will Learn How To

Recover lost files/directories and revive nonbootable floppies and hard discs
Create emergency rescue discs to recover crashed Windows systems
Detect and remove virus and spyware programs
Remove unwanted start-up programs from the Registry
Examine system status with Windows Computer Management tools
Install and configure a basic TCP/IP network and firewall

Course Benefits

Organisations can lose valuable time and resources when PC systems fail or are poorly maintained. In this advanced course, you gain the tools and techniques you need to maximise the performance of PC systems, troubleshoot the problems, and recover lost data and files. You are also introduced to Windows Registry editing and hardware configuration and troubleshooting techniques.

Who Should Attend

All personnel involved in the daily operation, maintenance, and support of PC hardware and software. Knowledge at the level of Course 145, "PC Configuration and Troubleshooting", is helpful.

Hands-On Training

Extensive hands-on exercises provide the skills to recover lost data, manage memory and improve PC performance. Exercises include:

Recovering erased files and directories
Reviving nonbootable discs
Repartitioning and "cloning" a disc partition
Detecting and preventing virus infections
Troubleshooting with the Windows Recovery Console
Building a customised Bart PE emergency repair disc
Editing the Windows Registry
Installing and configuring a TCP/IP network
Implementing firewall programs

Course Content

Basic Data Recovery Concepts

An organised troubleshooting strategy

Interpreting disc error messages
Creating emergency rescue discettes
Disc repair tools

How disc drives work

Tracks, cylinders, sectors, clusters
Master boot record
Partition table
File systems (FAT16/32, NTFS0, NTFS5)

Recovering Files and Directories

Useful data-recovery techniques

Recovering erased files
Editing disc sectors
Rescuing data from USB flash drives
Transferring recovered files to back up media

Surviving disc disasters

Reviving nonbootable discs
Repairing the master boot record
Fixing a damaged partition table

Solving common disc problems

Recovering from accidental reformatting
"Invalid drive specification"
When Windows won't start

Fighting Malware: Viruses, Spyware and Rootkits

The malware epidemic

Preventing infection
Diagnosing virus
Treating spyware infections
Detecting and removing rootkits

Macro viruses

Protecting key system files
Checking for macro viruses missed by scanning programs
Protecting against script-based viruses

"Turbo-Charging" the Hard Drive

Optimising disc organisation

Repartitioning discs on the fly
Reducing wasted cluster space
Eliminating disc fragmentation

Implementing Windows recovery strategies

Creating complete disc images with GHOST
Repairing damaged systems

The Windows Registry and Other OS Configuration Files

Overview of OS configuration files

NTLDR
NTDETECT.COM
NTOSKRNL.EXE
BOOT.INI

Troubleshooting Registry problems

Repairing corrupted Registry files
Removing unwanted Registry entries
Solving .INI/Registry conflicts

Configuring and Troubleshooting Windows

Windows emergency repair tools

Booting a "blue-screened" system with the Windows Recovery Console
Performing emergency repairs with ERD Commander
Repairing environments using advanced tools: Windows PE and Bart PE

Troubleshooting start-up problems

Windows Plug-and-Play architecture
Windows boot files
Creating Windows ASR backups

Windows administrative tools

Computer Management Console
System tools, storage, services and applications
Viewing event logs

Networking fundamentals

Connecting a PC to a network
Configuring a LAN client
Establishing TCP/IP settings
TCP/IP troubleshooting tools: ipconfig, winipcfg, ping

Securing your computer

Physical security and hardware authentication devices
Authentication technologies: CHAP, digital certificates, Kerberos
Controlling access with User Accounts and Group Policies
Installing and configuring Windows firewall programs for maximum protection

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