Description:

This course is a continuation of the study of personal computers and will further the student's ability to maintain and repair them. In addition, this course will assist the student in preparing for computer-maintenance certification. Topics will include interaction of hardware and operating systems, resource conflicts, networking capabilities, common hardware and software problems, hardware differences of portable computers, and upgrading computers. The course topics will be supported by laboratory projects. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab/wk.

Associated Costs: These are additional (out-of-pocket) expense considerations that students should expect in addition to the course tuition, fees, and textbooks. $5 to $10.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify operating system's functions and file system.
2. Explain PC memory and memory conflicts.
3. Install, configure and upgrade operating software.
4. Diagnose and troubleshoot common computer software problems.
5. Identify the networking and internetworking capabilities of various operating systems.
6. Install, configure and upgrade a computer's hardware.
7. Diagnose and troubleshoot common computer hardware problems.
8. Identify safety and maintenance procedures.
9. Identify and distinguish between various main boards, processors and memory.
10. Identify and distinguish between various types of printers.
11. Identify the unique components of portable computers.
12. Review basic network concepts and terminology.
13. Identify behaviors that contribute to satisfying customers.
14. Differentiate between types of memory, identify memory conflicts and optimize memory use.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Operating System Software
   A. Identify the operating system's functions, structure and major
system files.
   B. Navigate in the operating system and show how to get needed
configuration information.
   C. Identify basic concepts and procedures for creating, viewing and
managing files and directories.
   D. Identify the procedures for basic disk management.

II. PC Memory
   A. Differentiate between types of memory.
   B. Identify typical memory conflict problems.
   C. Explain how to optimize memory use.

III. Operating Systems
   A. Identify the procedures for installing operating systems.      
   B. Install an operation system.
   C. Identify the steps to upgrade an operating system.
   D. Identify the basic system boot sequences and alternative ways to
boot the system.
   E. Identify the steps to create an emergency boot diskette.
   F. Identify procedures for loading and /or adding device drivers.
   G. Install a device driver.
   H. Identify the procedures for installing and starting applications.
   I. Install and configure an application.

IV. Diagnosing and Troubleshooting
   A. Recognize and interpret the meaning of common error codes and
startup messages.
   B. Recognize common printing problems and identify the procedures for
correcting them.
   C. Recognize common operating system problems and determine how to
resolve them.
   D. Identify concepts relation to viruses.
   E. Perform a scan for viruses.

V. Networks
   A. Identify the networking capabilities of various operating systems.
   B. Identify concepts and basic procedures for setting up a system for
Internet access.

VI. Peripheral Devices
   A. Identify basic terms, concepts and functions of system hardware
modules.
   B. Identify available system resources and configuring for device
installation.
   C. Identify common ports and their cabling and connectors.
   D. Identify procedures installing mass storage devices.
   E. Install a mass storage device.
   F. Identify procedures for installing common peripheral devices.
   G. Install a peripheral device.
   H. Identify concepts' and procedures' relation to BIOS.

VII. Diagnosing and Troubleshooting Hardware
   A. Identify common symptoms and problems associated with each module
and how to isolate the problem.
   B. Identify basic troubleshooting procedures.
   C. Troubleshoot computer problems.
   D. Identify good practices for eliciting problem symptoms from
customers.

VIII. Safety and Preventive Maintenance
   A. Identify the purpose of various types of preventive maintenance
products and procedures and when to perform them.
   B. Identify procedures and devices for protecting against environmental
hazards.
   C. Identify the potential hazards and proper safety procedures relating
to lasers and high-voltage equipment.
   D. Identify items that require special disposal procedures to comply
with environmental guidelines.
   E. Demonstrate knowledge of electrostatic discharge precautions and
procedures.

IX. Motherboards, Processors and Memory
   A. Distinguish between popular CPUs in terms of their basic
characteristics.
   B. Identify the categories of RAM terminology and physical
characteristics.
   C. Identify the most popular types of motherboards, their components
and their architecture.
   D. Identify the purpose of CMOS and how to change its basic
parameters.
   E. Change CMOS parameters.

X. Printers
   A. Identify basic printer concepts.
   B. Identify printer operations and components.
   C. Identify care and service techniques for the most common printer
types.
   D. Identify common problems with common printer types.
   E. Identify types of printer connections and configurations.
   F. Identify the procedures for changing options, configuring and using
printing subsystems.
   G. Install printer software (local and networked).

XI. Portable Systems
   A. Identify unique components of portable systems.
   B. Identify unique problems with portable systems.

XII. Networking
   A. Identify basic networking concepts.
   B. Identify procedures for configuring a NIC (Network Interface Card).
   C. Install and configure a NIC.
   D. Identify the ramifications of repairs on the network.

XIII. Customer Satisfaction
   A. Identify behaviors that lead to customer satisfaction.
   B. Differentiate effective from ineffective behaviors that contribute
to the maintenance or achievement of customer satisfaction.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Method one: Class and lab evaluations as listed below.

All Percentages Not to Exceed

A minimum of two written tests      25% - 50% of grade
In-class exercises and quizzes       0% - 40% of grade
Homework                             0% - 25% of grade
A comprehensive final               30% - 50% of grade
Lab experiments                     20% - 40% of grade
Special projects                     0% - 20% of grade
Total                                    100%

Method two: Third-party certification.

Students who receive the approved computer-maintenance certificate during
the course will receive a grade of A.  Students who receive the approved
computer maintenance certificate within two months of the end of the
course may apply for a grade change to a grade of A.

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.