Learn more about computer servicing, hardware diagnostics, fault analysis and software.

• Build on existing knowledge and experience
• Work in the IT industry. 
• Study in your own home and at your own pace.
• Course Duration: 100 hours of self paced study - start at any time.
• This course will develop your ability to independently undertake routine maintenance and to analyse faults in personal computers.

Pre-requisites:
We expect anyone attempting this course will have either studied our Computer Servicing I course first, or have been "tinkering" with the insides of computers for some time. If you are an amateur who has learnt to open up your computer, and do things like adding RAM, you may not need to do Computer Servicing I first. Look at the content of Computer Servicing I, and if it all seems very familiar to you: start with this course. If it doesn't, you may be best undertaking Computer Servicing I first.

Contact our specialist tutors for advice on choosing the right course for you - use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE.

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

Computer Servicing II comprises 10 lessons, as outlined below.

Lesson 1. Introduction To Hardware Components

• Introduction.
• Random Access Memory (RAM).
• Types of RAM.
• Dynamic RAM.
• Tips for buying TAM.
• How to add memory to a computer.
• Problems when installing memory.
• Central Processing Unit (CPU).
• Considerations when buying a new CPU.
• Graphic card.
• How to install a graphics card.
• Installing a CD or DVD burner.
• Jumper switch settings.
• Hard disk upgrade.
• Installing a back up drive.

Lesson 2. Basic Diagnostic Equipment

• Introduction.
• Software diagnosis.
• Temperature monitor.
• Registry cleaner, virus scanner and spyware detector.
• USB port tester.
• Power supply tester.
• CPU meter.
• Hard disk tester.

Lesson 3. Electric Circuits And Components

• Understanding electricity.
• Circuits.
• Measuring electricity.
• Ohm's law.
• Power.

Lesson 4. Problem Solving and Fault Analysis

• Introduction.
• Problem solving.
• Request response, result strategy.
• The circle back model.
• Pitfalls in problem solving.
• How to troubleshoot and isolate computer problems.
• Hardware failures.
• Software failures.
• Recreating a problem; reproducing the error.

Lesson 5. Diagnostic Testing [A] (Self Tests and Diagnostic Cards)

• Power up.
• Boot drive.
• Errant keyboard.
• Mouse problems.
• Slow computer performance.
• Computer freezes and displays BSOD (Blue screen of death).
• No display on monitor.
• No sound.
• Computer rebooting or turning itself off.
• How to troubleshoot a computer that does not boot.

Lesson 6.  Diagnostic Testing [B] (System Board and Memory Tests)

• Components overview.
• Operating system diagnostics.

Lesson 7. Software Maintenance And Troubleshooting

• Software and hardware.
• Operating systems.
• Command prompts.
• SOS, DIR command.
• Formatting.
• File types.
• Back up (all types).
• Copy.
• Print.
• Erasing files.
• Autoexec.bat and Config.sys.
• History of windows.
• Viruses.
• Data corruption.

Lesson 8. Disk drives and CD-ROM

• Servicing CD ROM drive.
• RAM servicing.

Lesson 9. Video And Audio Systems

• Video cards.
• Troubleshooting a graphics card.
• Sound cards and troubleshooting.

Lesson 10. Developing a Maintenance Program

• Work scheduling.
• Project component estimate form.
• Performing routine computer maintenance.

COURSE AIMS

Lesson aims for the course include:

• Develop procedures for routine hardware maintenance of a computer system.
• Develop procedures for routine software maintenance of a computer system.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of different computer systems for different applications.
• Determine different sources of faulty hardware operation in a PC computer system.

WHAT WILL I DO?

Some of the things you will do in this course include:

• Explain how to dismantle a Personal Computer.
• Explain how to reassemble a dismantled personal computer.
• Analyse potential hardware faults that may occur in different computer systems.
• Determine likely causes of potential hardware faults, including faulty equipment, damage to equipment.
• Analyse potential software faults that may occur in different computer systems.
• Determine likely causes of potential software faults, including faulty equipment, power surges.
• Describe causes of data corruption.
• Describe ways of addressing software problems including data corruption.
• Develop a procedure for routine maintenance of a specific computer system.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of three different operating systems.
• Outline the role of ROM BIOS.
• Explain a range of common computer hardware faults which are easily repaired by a technician.
• Test cables for faulty operation.
• Explain faults which can occur with a VDU.
• Explain how to use several different hardware diagnostic tools.
• Determine procedures to minimise risk of computer problems including equipment breakdowns and data loss.
• Explain a range of common computer software faults which are easily repaired by a technician.
• Test different software for faulty operation.
• Explain how to use several different software diagnostic tools.

UPGRADING COMPUTERS

The urge to upgrade, repair or just tinker with the insides of a computer system can be quite strong in some people. A comparison can be made between working on the family car and working on the family computer. Initially both tasks might seem daunting however, with experience and a little guidance most repairs can be undertaken, hardware components installed or clock speeds souped up or adjusted for optimal performance.

For the first timer, the process can seem to be fraught with danger, and in terms of doing more damage than good it can be. If you follow a few basic steps though you should be able to work quite safely, both from your own and the computers point of view.

Before you begin to handle and work with any computer components it is strongly recommended that you wear an anti-static wrist-strap. This should be clipped onto the bare metal of the computer base. Better still; use an anti-static bench mat as well (for placing your components on). In this case, you connect the wrist-strap cable to the mat and then connect the mat to the computer’s case/chassis. The reason for such protection is that Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can do serious damage to the PC’s motherboard and expansion cards, with the potential of rendering them non- functional.

Select a clearly defined work area, free of clutter and with plenty of room for laying out components. You will find that a computer has many parts that are quite small and quite similar in design and purpose, but will need to be replaced in an identical manner from which they came in order for the system to work correctly.

Label everything and group the various related components and screws together. The use of Plastic cups to contain smaller pieces is a very good idea.

Plan your disassembly well. Look for all attaching screws or cables. Never force the issue; if something does not want to budge or won't simply slide out, it is probably caught or still attached by something you have missed. Often, when exasperation sets in, the best ploy is to get up take a deep breath and attack the problem from a different angle.

HOW THE COURSE WORKS

• You can start the course at any time.

Computer Servicing II is studied by distance learning, so you can study in the comfort of your own home. But this doesn't mean you are all alone in your studies.  Our highly qualified and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way.  If you have any questions at all, they are always happy to help.

Each lesson includes set tasks, and is completed with an assignment which the student submits to their course tutor.  The tutor will mark the assignment and return this to the student with comments and suggestions for further reading.

QUALITY COURSES, QUALITY DELIVERY

At ACS we provide you with more than just a set of course notes.

Your 'learning package' includes:

• Course notes.
• Self-assessment quizzes.
• Assignment feedback.
• You can interact one on one with a professional tutor with decades of experience - just email, phone or log on to chat to connect with them.

WHAT NEXT?

Register to Study - Go to “It’s Easy to Enrol” box at the top of the page and you can enrol now.

or

Get Advice –  Email us at info@acsedu.co.uk  OR

Use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE to contact a tutor.