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Pay Nothing for up to 6 months and spread your payments over up to 4 years*

*Subject to Approval

This course covers the following domains outlined in the A+ syllabus:

1.0 – Personal Computer Components
2.0 – Laptop and Portable Devices
4.0 – Printers and Scanners
7.0 – Safety and Environmental Issues

Contents

Module 1 PC Fundamentals
  • What is a PC?
  • Types of PC
  • PC Devices
  • Motherboard Devices
  • Input Devices
  • Output Devices
  • Secondary Storage Devices
  • Connectivity Devices
  • Power Supply Unit
  • Safety and Environmental Issues
  • PC Tools
  • Practical – Examining the Computer
Module 2 System Cases and PSUs
  • System Cases
  • Case assembly
  • Power Supply Unit (PSU)
  • PSU Form Factors
  • PSU Troubleshooting
  • PSU Preventative Maintenance
  • Electricity Supply Problems
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
  • Electrical Testing
  • Practical Module 2 – The Power Supply

 

Module 3 Motherboards
  • Motherboard Components
  • Chipsets
  • BIOS
  • Motherboard Form Factors
  • Case Studies
  • Practical Module 3 –Motherboards
  • BIOS Beep Code Reference Tables

 

Module 4 Buses
  • Introduction to Buses
  • System Buses
  • Data Buses
  • Peripheral Component Interconnect - PCI
  • PCI-X
  • PCIe
  • Accelerated Graphic Port - AGP
  • USB
  • IEEE 1394 – FireWire
  • Specialised Cards
  • Old Buses
Module 5 CPUs
  • Introduction
  • The Role of the CPU
  • CPU Components
  • CPU Packaging
  • CPU Cooling
  • Early Intel CPUs
  • Intel 32-bit Pentiums
  • Intel 32-bit Pentium Variants
  • Intel 64-bit CPUs
  • AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)
  • AMD CPUs for Intel Sockets
  • AMD CPUs for AMD Sockets
  • CPU Sockets and Slots
  • CPU/Socket Reference Tables
  • Practical Module 5 - Identifying your CPU
  • Practical Module 5 - Replacing a CPU
Module 6 Memory
  • Introduction to Memory
  • Optical, Magnetic and Solid State Memory
  • RAM
  • System RAM Memory Modules
  • System RAM Technologies
  • Memory Module Characteristics
  • Troubleshooting RAM
  • Installing RAM
  • ROM
  • ROM Technologies

 

Module 7 Data Storage Devices
  • Introduction to Data Storage Devices
  • Removable Storage
  • Other Removable Storage
  • Fixed Storage
  • Installing an IDE Drive
  • External Hard Disk Drives
  • Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID)
Module 8 SCSI
  • Introduction
  • Host Adapters
  • Configuring SCSI Devices
  • Connecting SCSI Devices
  • SCSI Types
  • SE, LVD and HVD
  • SCSI Compatibility
  • SCSI in Use
Module 9 The Display
  • Introduction to Display Technologies
  • Video Cards
  • Cathode Ray Tubes – Operation
  • Liquid Crystal Displays
  • Video Resolution
  • Colour Depth
  • Video Memory
  • Projectors
  • Troubleshooting and Safety
Module 10 Input and Output Devices
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Stylus
  • Digitizer Tablets
  • Printers
  • Printer Connections
  • Impact Printers
  • Inkjet Printers
  • Laser Printers
  • Printer Firmware
  • Printer Drivers
  • Printer Memory and Storage
  • General Printer Troubleshooting and Maintenance
  • Printer Output
  • Other Printer Technologies
  • Printer Options and Finishing
  • Scanners
  • Combination Printers
  • Digital Cameras
  • Webcams
Module 11 Portable Computing
  • Laptops
  • Laptop Hard Drives
  • Laptop Optical Drives
  • Laptop Memory
  • Laptop Pointing Devices
  • Laptop Keyboards
  • LCD Displays
  • Interface Cards
  • Laptop Power
  • Power Management
  • Docking Stations
  • Port Replicators
  • Laptop Care
Module 12 Troubleshooting
  • Basic Troubleshooting Theory
  • AC and DC Power
  • Electrical Components
  • Mains Power Supply
  • Power Supply Voltages