Course

10154104 A+ Hardware Essentials
Course Information
Description
This course presents a comprehensive overview of computer system fundamentals. Through hands-on activities and labs, students gain skills in assembling, configuring and maintaining PCs and operating system software. Participants learn to apply troubleshooting skills to properly diagnose and resolve common hardware and software problems. This course can help prepare students for CompTIA’s A+ 220-1101 exam. CompTIA’s A+ certification is a widely accepted IT industry standard certification for an entry-level IT PC support professional.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies (Course Outcomes)
  1. Summarize the IT industry certifications and communication skills required by technicians
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Criteria
    Identify IT industry certifications
    Describe the A+ Certification
    Explain the relationship between communication and troubleshooting
    Describe good communication skills and professional behavior
    Explain ethics and legal aspects of working with computer technology
    Describe level-one and level-two technician responsibilities
    Describe professional behavior with a customer
    Describe the call center environment

  2. Summarize safe lab procedures and the basics of preventative maintenance
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Criteria
    Explain the purpose of safe working conditions and procedures
    Identify safety procedures and potential hazards for users and technicians
    Identify safety procedures to protect the environment from contamination
    Identify hardware tools and their purpose
    Identify organizational tools and their purpose
    Explain the purpose of preventive maintenance
    Identify the steps of the troubleshooting process
    Describe the process of gathering data from the customer and computer
    Evaluate a problem and implement the solution

  3. Identify the main components of a PC
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Identify the main components of a computer
    Convert a binary number to a decimal number
    Distinguish between bits and bytes
    Differentiate hexadecimal from decimal numbers
    Evaluate computer case styles
    Create a computer workspace using effective tools
    Identify environmental and safety concerns involved in working with computers
    Formulate a troubleshooting plan
    Describe situations requiring replacement of computer components
    Describe hardware configurations for task-specific computers

  4. Summarize the basic electrical concepts and safety issues as they apply to the PC
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Evaluate an appropriate power supply for your system and motherboard
    Install or replace a power supply
    Troubleshoot power supply problems and determine whether the problem lies with the power supply, its connections to the system, or whether the problem is external
    Test resistance and voltage using a multimeter
    Identify the form factor of a power supply
    Identify the different devices available for protecting power supply from over or under voltage.
    Calculate the amount of power needed for a system

  5. Install the various motherboard types, form factors, and processor installations
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Choose a motherboard for an upgrade
    Identify, remove, and install a motherboard
    Upgrade a computer's BIOS to support a new functions
    Interpret BIOS error signals and messages
    Identify a failing processor
    you are able to determine and analyze processor specifications
    Remove and install a processor
    Install a cooling system for a processor
    Differentiate among the socket types for Intel and AMD processors

  6. Troubleshoot memory problems
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Identify different memory form factors
    Compare DRAM technologies
    Select the most effective memory modules for upgrading a PC
    Install memory modules

  7. Analyze Bus types and system resources
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Identify the two main bus structures found in the computer
    Describe architectures in terms of their performance and use
    Identify the types of system resources and how they are used
    Compare motherboards in terms of their supported bus structures and expansion slots
    Select an expansion card compatible with a motherboard's expansion buses and slots
    Install an expansion card
    Troubleshoot expansion card problems

  8. Analyze the components and characteristics of hard drives and storage devices
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Compare hard drives in terms of industry standard ratings
    Identify recent hard drive standards
    Distinguish unique installation considerations for different hard drive technologies
    Choose an effective hard drive and interface for an existing computer
    Install, partition, and format a hard drive
    Use system utilities to review the status of a hard drive
    Troubleshoot a faulty hard drive
    Describe the different types of RAID systems
    Explore different types of removable drives
    Troubleshoot a failing storage device

  9. Compare current I/O interface technologies
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Identify I/O ports and connectors
    Identify different types of I/O devices
    Compare technologies used by popular devices
    Install and configure common I/O devices
    Troubleshoot problems with I/O devices

  10. Explain the purpose and functions of an operating system
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Describe characteristics of modern operating systems
    Explain operating system concepts
    Determine minimum hardware requirements and compatibility with the operating system
    Install the operating system using default settings
    Identify the boot sequence files and registry files
    Manipulate operating system files
    Compare a default installation and a custom installation
    Create, view, and manage disks, directories, and files
    Identify procedures and utilities used to optimize the performance of operating systems
    Describe preventive maintenance procedures for operating systems
    Troubleshoot operating systems
    Explain client-side virtualization
    Explore common tools and applets of the Windows GUI

  11. Evaluate and compare different types of portable systems
    Criteria
    you will be to identify and describe laptop components
    you will be able to evaluate and compare different types of portable systems
    you will be a able to maintain and manage a laptop
    you will be able to upgrade a laptop's hard drive or memory
    you will be able to describe laptop display components
    you can describe how to configure laptop power settings
    you can identify common preventive maintenance techniques for laptops and portable devices
    you can describe wireless communication methods for laptops and portable devices
    you can describe how to troubleshoot a laptop

  12. Analyze different printers and their key components and functions
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Install and configure a printer
    Clean and maintain a printer
    Share a printer in the operating system
    Connect to a network printer
    Install and update the device driver
    Describe printer to computer interfaces
    Apply common preventive maintenance techniques for printers and scanners
    Troubleshoot printers

  13. Compare types of networks, protocols, network transmission media, and hardware
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Compare types of network protocols, topologies, and architectures
    Identify different types of transmission media
    Configure a computer for a connection to a network or the internet
    Evaluate network connectivity devices
    Explain the principles of networking
    Explain peer-to-peer networks
    Explain client/server networks
    Describe basic networking concepts and technologies
    Explain bandwidth and data transmission
    Describe IP addressing
    Describe DHCP
    Describe the physical components of a network
    Identify Ethernet standards
    Define the OSI and TCP/IP models
    Define VoIP, and power line technologies
    Define current broadband technologies
    Perform basic troubleshooting of a network
    Connect a computer to a wired network and a wireless network

  14. Apply security procedures to security threats
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Defend the use of security
    Describe security threats
    Define viruses, worms, and Trojans
    Define adware, spyware, and grayware
    Explain what is required in a local security policy
    Explain web security, denial of service, social engineering, TCP/IP attacks
    Explain data wiping, hard drive destruction, and recycling
    Outline security requirements based on customer needs
    Compare firewall types
    Describe protection against malicious software
    Explain data backup procedures, access to backups, and secure physical backup media

  15. Disassemble and assemble a computer
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Criteria
    Follow safe lab procedures and tool use
    Remove all the components from inside a computer case
    Install all the components into a computer
    Install and attach external components of the computer
    Boot the computer and verify a successful boot

  16. Explore features and characteristics of mobile operating systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Explain mobile device hardware
    Establish basic network connectivity and configure email
    Compare methods for securing mobile devices
    Troubleshoot mobile devices

  17. Apply advanced troubleshooting techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Test
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Troubleshoot computer components and peripherals
    Troubleshoot operating systems, networks, laptops, printers, and security
    Apply common industry approaches and techniques to troubleshooting problems

This Outline is under development.