Syllabus

COMPUTER BASICS

Provides an overview of the basic concepts of personal computers.

• Basic electronics
• Number systems
• The motherboard
• Form factors and chipsets
• Cache memory
• Upgrading the motherboard
• BIOS
• Booting the system
• Boot processes
• BIOS setup
• Updating the BIOS

BUS STRUCTURES AND MICROPROCESSORS

Teaches learners about the system resources and microprocessor chips most commonly found in today's computers.

• Bus structures
• More bus structures
• Interrupt requests
• Input/Output addresses
• Microprocessors
• Cooling and powering the processor
• Sockets and slots
• Types of processors

MEMORY AND DATA STORAGE

Teaches learners about memory systems and data storage devices found in personal computers.

• Memory basics
• Installing memory
• Memory considerations
• Storing data
• Moving data
• Disk drives
• SCSI and RAID
• Disk storage
• Installing floppy disk drives
• Installing hard and optical drives
• Installing SCSI drives

POWERING AND DISASSEMBLING THE PC

Teaches learners how to protect a PC from irregular electrical events, and how to disassemble and reassemble a PC.

• Powering the PC
• Handling power problems
• The power supply
• Cooling the PC
• Converting power
• Connecting the power
• Using a multimeter
• Preparing to disassemble a PC
• Removing the major components
• Removing other components
• Removing the final pieces
• Reassembling the PC
• Testing the PC

INPUT AND OUTPUT

Teaches learners about the types of connectors associated with different types of peripheral devices.

• Serial ports
• Serial port connections
• Parallel ports
• Specialized connections
• Keyboards
• The mouse
• Cleaning input devices
• The monitor
• Video display
• Interfacing with the video system
• Monitor power and safety
• PC sound

PRINTERS AND PORTABLE SYSTEMS

Teaches learners about the different types of printers and how each type functions, as well as how to troubleshoot and upgrade printers and portable systems.

• Connecting printers
• Identifying printers
• Laser printers
• Printer upkeep
• Working with printers
• Powering portable systems
• Portable system upkeep
• Portable system features

KEEPING THE PC RUNNING

Provides learners with information on protecting, cleaning, and caring for the PC, as well as troubleshooting common PC problems.

• Preventive maintenance
• Keyboard and mouse maintenance
• Monitor, case, and drive maintenance
• Virus detection and protection
• Data backup
• Troubleshooting preparation
• Troubleshooting the BIOS
• Troubleshooting CPU problems
• Troubleshooting disk drives
• Troubleshooting memory
• Troubleshooting other devices

OS BASICS AND WINDOWS 95, 98 AND ME

Teaches learners about the features of the different versions of Windows 9x and Windows Me.

• Operating system basics
• Identifying operating systems
• DOS commands and the desktop
• Starting the operating system
• Working with file attributes
• Windows basics
• Installing Windows 9x and Me
• Application software and system files
• Starting Windows 9x
• Booting Windows
• Troubleshooting Windows
• Installing hardware and the Windows Registry

WINDOWS 2000/XP AND OS TROUBLESHOOTING

Shows learners the process for installing and starting Windows 2000 and XP Professional as well as how to troubleshoot software and hardware problems learners may encounter with an operating system.

• Windows 2000 basics
• Installing Windows 2000
• Windows 2000 setup and startup
• Handling startup problems
• Managing Windows 2000
• Windows 2000 ERD and startup disks
• Windows XP basics
• Installing Windows XP
• Troubleshooting Windows XP
• Determining system problems
• Handling PC and printer problems

NETWORKING

Provides learners with an introduction to basic networking terminology, network hardware, and the most common networking tasks performed in Windows operating systems.

• Networking basics
• Network devices
• Network interface card
• Connecting a network
• Modems
• Configuring a network
• Dial-up connection process
• Networking technologies
• Browser and security configuration
• Configuring DUN

WORKING ON THE NETWORK AND INTERNET

Shows learners how to configure Windows PCs for access to the network and Internet.

• Using the network
• Creating a network share
• Mapping drives
• TCP/IP
• Troubleshooting a network connection
• Browser caching
• Internet Connection Sharing
• Internet Connection Firewall

PRACTICE EXAM

Provides learners with practice exam questions for the A+ Core Hardware and OS Technologies exams.

• About the 2003 A+ Certification exams
• Core Hardware practice exam
• OS Technologies practice exam

Qualifications

Qualification: Printable Transcript

On completion of this course you may print a transcript off as evidence of your progression throughout the course.

Requirements for Entry

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

Fees

 

Professional Membership

On completion of this course you will be eligible to join the following Professional Associations(s):

On successful completion of your course your qualification is awarded. You will receive an attractively presented Diploma or Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, this will also allow you to use the letters SAC. Dip. or SAC. Cert. after your name.

Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the leading (and biggest) distance education colleges in the U.K and internationally. We have many thousands of students studying with us at any one time from locations all over the world. Our diplomas will always count towards your future, and will improve your prospects of future employment or higher level study etc. by proving that you have studied to a certain level, that you have proficiency in your chosen subjects and that you are interested in your field of choice. Education is always an investment in your future and you will find this to be the case with our qualifications in your jurisdiction.

Tutor Support

With this course you will have unlimited access to your own personal tutor who specialises in their field of study. It is your personal tutor's role to ensure that you receive constructive feedback and to deal with any queries you may have. You are more than welcome to telephone, fax or email your personal tutor.

You will also have access to a dedicated and friendly team of administrators and course advisors who offer sound and professional guidance and advice when you need it. This ensures that you will never feel neglected and that you will always succeed!

Assessment Method

After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.

Student Community

We understand that studying from home may be a new experience for you. You could even be excused for feeling a little dauntedsince you will not be studying in a traditional "classroom environment". To help our students overcome these concernswe have developed the Student Zone. The Student Zone encourages a high level ofinteraction with your tutor and other like-minded students.

All of our students receive access to the Student Zone,within this area you can:

• Access the student forum which allows you to share ideas and chat with other students.
• View your tutor's feedback on your marked assignments.
• View optional reading lists for your course (where available).
• Access free online games, for when you need a break from studying.
• View the study guide with plenty of useful hints and tips on how to get the most out of your course.
• Access free courses such as: Improving Learning Skills, Job Interview Skills, The Effective Learner, Goal Setting and Time Management, Ten Tips to Complete a Good Test Paper.
• Find details on our generous Referral Programme.

Study Options

If you do not have Internet access, or would prefer to study this course via the traditional paper/postal based study method, you can find more information on the course by clicking on the link below.

Stonebridge Prices

Studying by Post. If you would like to pay by instalments, we do offer an affordable interest free payment plan scheme which allows you to spread the cost of your course over a number of months. However, to use this option you will need to study for your course using the traditional paper-based method. For more information on our payment plans please visit our website at www.stonebridge.uk.com

The reason why the course fee is less if you choose to study online, is because with online study there are no costs associated with postage and printing etc. and thus we are able to offer the course at a reduced rate.

The total amount payable over the term's period, is no more than the total cash price of the course.
(APR = 0%). Written quotations are available on request.

Study Hours

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 40 hrs.

Benefits

Additional Benefits

Related Courses

Below you will find a list of courses that previous students have taken to complement their course. We hope that this list will give you some idea of the types of progression courses we offer, or alternative course options that may be of interest to you.

• Information Resources Management - This course explains how organisations can lever the power of information to deliver value to customers through improved products or services and by innovative use of information technology. The course has three purposes. The first is that you understand... Read More »
• Information Technology - This course is designed for students wishing to work towards the Diploma in IT or for a variety of vocational IT exams. It will also suit anyone interested in extending their knowledge of computers and their use in society.... Read More »
• Microsoft Excel 2000 - This course will be of practical benefit to anyone who has to use (or indeed any good spreadsheet program) on a regular basis but it is also designed to prepare students for Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) examinations. The Microsoft Excel ... Read More »
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 - This course will be of practical benefit to anyone who has to use PowerPoint (or indeed any good presentation program) on a regular basis but it is also designed to prepare students for Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) examinations. The Microsoft... Read More »
• Microsoft Word 2000 - This course will be of practical benefit to anyone who has to use Word (or indeed any good word-processing program) on a regular basis but it is also designed to prepare students for Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) examinations. The Microsoft... Read More »

Further Information

If you would like any further information regarding this course, please call an advisor today on 01288 356 300 (International: 00 44 1288 356 300) or email enquiries@stonebridge.uk.com

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