Computer Servicing III

DISTANCE LEARNING COUSRE COMPUTER SERVICING

 

If you have previous IT experience and do not want to go through the basics this course is the one to choose. This follows on from Computer Servicing 11 dealing further with more advanced computer repairs

This is the ideal course for people who are experienced in IT and are looking to improve on their knowledge. This course covers; removable storage; electronics; aaudio systems ; video systems; laptops and other portable devices; diagnosis and regular maintenance; networking - an introduction; connectivity and much more.

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Removable storage
   • Introduction; overview
   • Volatile memory
   • Non volatile memory
   • Magnetic disk media
   • Magnetic tape media
   • Magneto optical drives
   • Flash memory media
   • Pen drives
   • External hard drives
2. Electronics
   • Silicon and computers
   • Linear electronics
   • Simple semiconductor devices
   • pn junction diode
   • Other diodes' zener, vericap, light emitting, etc
   • Bipolar transistors
   • Field effect transistors
   • Optoelectronics
   • Digital electronics
   • AND gate
   • OR gateNOT gate
   • NOR gate
   • NAND gate
   • XOR gate
   • XNOR gate
3. Audio systems
   • Different audio files
   • MIDI sound files
   • Types of sound cards
   • How to install a sound card
   • How to configure software for a sound card
   • How does a sound card work
   • MP3
   • ASIO
   • Common problems with sound cards and how to solve them
4. Video systems
   • Overview and Video system interfaces
   • Video card functions
   • PCI local Bus
   • Types of graphic cards
   • Types of monitors: CRT, LCD, LRD, Gas plasma
   • Multiple displays
   • Troubleshooting tips
5. Laptops and other portable devices
   • PDA's -brief overview
   • Common problems
   • Blackberries and common problems
   • Rechargeable battery technology: NiCad, NiMh, Lithium ion
   • Dead cells
   • Digital cameras
   • Digital advantages
   • Chips and flash
   • Portable printers
   • Common printer problems and causes
   • Portable DVD
6. Diagnosis and regular maintenance
   • Software types
   • System software
   • Utility software
   • Application software
   • Regular computer servicing: maintenance procedure
   • Disk cleanup
   • Disk defragmenter
   • The BIOS
   • Upgrading the BIOS
   • Troubleshooting BIOS Beep codes
   • Troubleshooting hardware
7. Networking: an introduction
   • LAN
   • Types of LAN
   • LAN Topology
   • Hardware for a basic network
   • Network cards
   • Network cable
   • Networking devices
   • Types of networks
   • Wireless networks
   • Software lisencing
   • Network security and information security
   • Proxy server
   • Intrusion detection systems
8. The Internet
   • Security on the internet
   • Types of threats: viruses, trojan horses, adware and malware, Denial of service attacks,Spamming, Phising, Hoaxes, etc.
   • Page not found
   • Web traffic
   • Stuck in page
   • Broadband connections need firewalls
9. Printers
   • Troubleshooting
   • Test parallel port driver and hardware
   • Test printer driver
   • Check the program
   • Check printing stack
   • Solving common printer problems
   • Printer cables
   • Power lead
   • Paper jams
   • Printer picking up multiple sheets
   • Paper won't feed
   • Toner smearing
   • Ghosting
   • Not printing from expected tray
   • Printer error messages

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

• Describe as many of the different forms of removable storage used by computer systems, digital cameras, PDA’s, MP3 players and other computer peripherals
• Explain electronics as a basis for undertaking repairs to computers and peripherals.
• Discuss the audio systems primarily on IBM compatible Pc’s but is also relevant to other systems such as the Apple Mac.
• Discuss the video systems primarily on IBM compatible Pc’s but is also relevant to other systems such as the Apple Mac.
• Suggest troubleshooting solutions for laptops, PDA’s, MP3 players, Digital cameras and other portable devices.
• Discuss diagnosis and maintenance procedures to help identify and prevent common hardware and software problems.
• Describe the connectivity of computer systems.
• Discuss the Internet and common problems relating to its use.
• Explain printers, their applications, and how to deal with printer related problems.

What You Will Do

• Explain how to repair a range of hardware faults determined to be common.
• Repair an inoperable printer cable for a computer
• Delete unwanted files from an operating system (eg. DOS)
• Explain how to repair a range of software faults determined to be common.
• Delete unwanted files from an operating system (eg. DOS)
• Recommend appropriate hardware for different applications
• Explain how to replace a faulty power supply.
• Explain how to replace a mother board.
• Describe the installation of extra ram
• Install an extra HDD to work in conjunction with the existing HDD

---

Extract from Course Notes:

A computer is useless without software. Software is a program (or series of commands) that allows you to interact with a computer, such as a game or word processor.

A major problem in the past has been incompatibility between programs. All software data files are written in special code that may only be read by its creator, thus eliminating the ability to upgrade your system to a different software package. The situation has changed in recent years with the popularity of Windows and similar operating systems. These operating systems handle many of the functions such as printing, saving data, help and even how an interface is laid out. Unfortunately these changes make some software redundant if it is not upgraded as new operating systems are released.

SOFTWARE TYPES

There are three main types of software:

· System Software

System software is software specifically written to communicate with computer components on a low level. The best example of system software is an Operating System.

There are many different types of operating systems and each has their own advantages and disadvantages. The main two are GUI (graphical user interface) and CLI (command line interface). The original operating system for IBM computers (known as DOS) is an example of a CLI. You are able to execute, copy and modify programs by typing one line commands. This is more powerful that a GUI but harder to learn how to use. The 'user friendly' operating system is the GUI (eg.Windows, OS/2, etc.). All programs are represented as icons in their own specific window. GUIs' are easy to operate, to run a program you simply move the pointer, using a mouse or trackball, to the desired icon and click the button.

The most popular G.U.I. for the IBM is "Microsoft Windows". This is a multi tasking environment (ie. program). This means you can run several programs at once, and flick between them in a flash. Also, devices such as scanners, modems, printers etc. are able to be set up for the operating system rather than for each individual program. This means that once windows is set up properly for your peripherals, any software you buy to run in windows, will work properly. G.U.I.s are very easy to use, and highly favoured by both small and big business.

Most modern GUI operating systems have a built in CLI for people who like to get ‘down and dirty’ with the operating system. MSDOS is the most popular CLI for PC’s and is included as the CLI for all versions of Windows.

· Utility Software

These are software 'tools' that help the user manage, repair and generally look after the computer. These may be programs such as hard disk repairers, file backup programs or virus scanners. Utilities are made to make your computer run more efficiently and can also help diagnose hardware and software problems.

· Application Software ('Programs')

This is the software the user operates mostly. It consists of programs such as word processors, databases, spreadsheets, desktop publishers and games. These are the programs most work will be done on, whether it be writing a letter, generating financial business reports, creating a presentation animation or keeping track of stock or playing games. Application software utilises the power and convenience of computers.

 

What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

 

This is an individual module course.  The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study. 

If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it. 

If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you.  If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course. 

If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments. 

There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.

Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.

You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.

You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

 

More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses

 

Who are our tutors?

Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study.  We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives.  We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “About Us” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

 

Sample Course Notes

Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well.  We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis.  If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

 

What learning method should I choose?

We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Learning” box above, then “Learning Methods.”

 

How Long will it take to complete the course?

This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing.  We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

Longer courses will obviously take longer.  You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”

 

What Do Our Students think of us?

If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “About Us” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.

 

I don’t think this is the right course for me.

If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.

You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.

If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk

 

Recognition and Accreditation

For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.

 

Who is ACS Distance Education?

If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”