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Introduction to PC Hardware and Troubleshooting
A 2-day Hands-On Course
This course is aimed at the newcomer to PCs and PC hardware. A basic understanding of PC hardware and how it interacts with the software is needed as more and more PCs are used. This introductory level course gives participants the opportunity to work with PC hardware, configure the PC and carry out basic troubleshooting tasks, in a controlled and structured environment. The course also looks at how software utilities can be used to help with troubleshooting.

Who Should attend
Those who have recently come in contact with PCs and who need an appreciation of PC hardware and configuration. No hardware experience is required.

Hands-on content
Remove the PCs cover and identify the main components
Understand what each does
Test the printer and mouse ports.
Configure the PC
Understand how memory is used 
Recover lost files
Troubleshoot the most common PC problems.
Install a CD-ROM or Sound card
 Hardware Overview
Types of Personal Computer
IBM, Compatibles and Clones
The Processor
The Memory
Input/Output

Making Sure Everything is OK
The BIOS and CMOS
The Power On Self Test
Starting up sequence
CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT
Making a rescue disk

Using DOS and utilities to help
Using DOS efficiently
Some DOS shortcuts
DOS tools
DOSKEY
Scan Disk
Defrag
Using Compression

 PC Hardware
Safety considerations
Inside the PC
Identifying and handling the components 

Dr Watson’s Friends
MSD and Checkit
Finding out what’s in a PC
Is it working ?

Input/Output
Serial Ports
Parallel Ports
Printers and Mice
CD-ROMs
Sound Cards
Video and Keyboards

Memory
Types of memory
Configuring the memory
Memory Managers

 Networks
How networks work
Network Servers
Network Interface Cards
The Network Drivers

The Power Supply Unit
Converting from AC to DC
Potential problems

Troubleshooting
The most common problems
‘Dead’ PCs
Beep and Post Codes
Using software to help
Data loss and how to prevent it

Disks
Floppy Disks
Hard Disks
System Disks
Installing a disk drive
Testing the Disk system