Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to hardware components
2. Basic Diagnostic Equipment
3. Electric Circuits and Components
4. Problem Solving and Fault Analysis
5. Diagnostic Testing [A] (Self Tests and Diagnostic Cards)
6. Diagnostic Testing [B] (System Board and Memory Tests)
7. Software maintenance and troubleshooting
8. Disk drives and CD-ROM
9. Video and Audio Systems
10. Developing a Maintenance Program

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Identify a variety of basic computer system components and, describe how they can be interchanged and upgraded in a personal computer.
• Explain equipment used for monitoring the condition of electrical equipment and software
• Develop a better understanding of basic electronics, as a background to understanding some parts of a computer system
• Develop a systematic approach to solving problems with computers.
• Develop a basic understanding of diagnostic testing with self-tests and diagnostic cards.
• Further develop your understanding and skills in diagnostic testing.
• Develop a basic understanding of system software maintenance procedures to be used in computer servicing
• Develop a better understanding of memory storage devices and their servicing.
• Develop a better understanding of video and audio equipment and their servicing.

What You Will Do

• 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.

What Are the Advantages of Studying with ACS Distance Education?

• You can start at any time to suit you.
• The courses are self-paced.
• You can study when and where suits you. They are flexible to fit in around you and your lifestyle.
• Keep up to date on your learning.
• Update your CV.
• It is not just a course, it is a package of learning that includes – course notes, tutor feedback, self-assessment tests, research tasks and assignments.
• Our tutors are all experts in their field, with years of experience in their field.
• They are also keen and enthusiastic about their subject and enjoy working with students to improve their knowledge and skills.
• Courses are also updated regularly to meet the demands of the changing needs for knowledge and to keep our courses up to date.

What Next?

Expand your knowledge of computer servicing with this more advanced computer servicing course. Learn to diagnose faults and troubleshoot solutions.  This is a great course for anyone wanting to expand and improve their career in computer servicing.

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