THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

OPEN CAMPUS

I.T. ACADEMY
(CCMS Building) Telephone: (868) 662-2002 Ext. 82554/6 or Telephone/Fax: (868) 645-4764 e-mail:
gregory.jennings@open.uwi.edu

Basic Computer Repairs and Maintenance

Cost: $1,980.00 Contact Hours: 33

Learn the basics of building your own personal computer and prepare yourself for a career in the growing
field of computer service. Learn the skills required to work as a Customer Service Representative,
Technical Support/Help Desk Technician, Computer Technician, Field Technician and Many more!

This course is an overview of all the elements that make up a personal computer. With readily available and
inexpensive parts, more and more PC users are opting to build their own systems from scratch. By the end
of this course, students learn how to create an IBM-compatible personal computer running the Windows
operating system.

Students explore important considerations when choosing different parts and assemblies, as well as go over
a step-by-step procedure for building and checking the system.

Course Objectives

 Select cases, power supplies, drives, drive controllers, video boards, monitors, memory, and
motherboards. Prepare the system hard drive and install Windows 2000.
 Assemble the components into a case and connect them properly
 Choose and implement cost-effective upgrades

Course Syllabus

Choosing Parts
 Power supplies, cases, and CPU
 Motherboards and memory
 Floppy drives and hard drives
 CD-ROM drives and drive controllers
 Sound and video boards
 Monitors
 Miscellaneous peripherals
Starting the Assembly
 Case and power supply
 Motherboard and jumper settings
 Installing the motherboard in the case
 Installing the CPU
 Installing RAM and cache
 Installing the video board and keyboard
 Installing the drive controller and floppy drive
 Initial troubleshooting

Finishing the Assembly

 Installing the hard drive
 Installing the sound board
 Installing the CD-ROM drive
 Installing the mouse and multimedia speakers
 Examine the CMOS setup
 Troubleshooting

Configuring the System

 Install Windows
 Building, configuration, or troubleshooting issues

Prerequisites Applicants should be computer literate or have experience repairing electronic equipment.
Session 1 • Basic Computing Concepts (Input, Processing, Output & Storage)
• Hardware Concepts (Peripheral Devices, System Unit)
• Software Concepts (Application & System)

Session 2 • Storage Size

• Form Factors
• Hardware Handling & Care
• The System Unit
•Identification of Components (Motherboards, Hard Disks, RAM, CPU, Chips etc.)
• Cables & Connectors
• Internal Connectors & Cables (Power, Drive, Ribbons etc,)
• External Connectors (Serial, Parallel, DIN, PS/2, USB, DVI etc.)

Session 3 • Technician Safety

• The Power Supply
• Power Supply Form Factor
• Power Protection
• Power Testing

Session 4 • The BIOS

• Examining POST
• Examining CMOS / CMOS Setup
• CMOS Configuration

Session 5 • The Mainboard

• Mainboard Form Factor
• Ports / Connectors
• Component Layout
• Expansion Capabilities
• Connectors and Cables
• In Class Assessment 1

Computer System Repairs Copyright © Adrian Dukhie & Maintenance 1401

Session 6 • The Bus
• The System bus
• Data / Control / Address
• Expansion bus Capabilities
• The Chipset
• Northbridge / Southbridge

Session 7 • Storage Types - Primary Storage

• RAM Form Factor
• RAM Characteristics
• ROM & Firmware
• In Class Assessment 2

Session 8 • Storage Types - Secondary Storage

• Magnetic Storage (FDD / HDD / Tape)
• Optical Storage (CD / DVD / BD)
• Electronic Storage (Flash / SSD / Cloud)

Session 9 • Software Setup

• Partitioning
• File Systems Types & Characteristics
• Formatting
• In Class Assessment 3

Session 10 • Software Setup

• Loading Operating Systems
• Operating System Configuration
• Additional Software (Anti-Virus, Productivity Tools etc.)

Session 11 • Where to From Here

• Advanced Studies
• Final Examination

Computer System Repairs Copyright © Adrian Dukhie & Maintenance 1401