EC602 - COMPUTER SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS AND MAINTENANCE

1.0 PERSONAL COMPUTER COMPONENTS

1.1 Define fundamental principles of using PC
1.1.1 Define the names, purpose and characteristics of storage devices.
1.1.2 Define the names, purpose and characteristics of motherboards.(Form factor,
components)
1.1.3 Define the names, purpose and characteristics of power supplies, for example: AC
adapter, ATX, proprietary, voltage).
1.1.4 Define the names, purpose and characteristics of processor/CPUs.
1.1.5 Define the names, purpose and characteristics of memory.
1.1.6 Define the names, purpose and characteristics of display device.
1.1.7 Determine the difference between a TFT and CRT monitors.
1.1.8 Define the names, purpose and characteristics of input device.
1.1.9 Define the names, purpose and characteristics of adapter cards.
1.1.10 Define the names, purpose and characteristics of ports and cable.
1.1.11 Define the names, purpose and characteristics of cooling system.
1.1.12 Select a suitable motherboard based on the following factors:
a. Type of processor
b. Type of memory
c. Type of graphic card slot

1.2 Do installation, configuration, optimization and upgrade of PC components
1.2.1 Define internal and external storage devices
1.2.2 Configure internal and external storage devices
1.2.3 Install display devices
1.2.4 Identify basic input and multimedia devices
1.2.5 Configure basic input and multimedia devices
1.2.6 Assemble all the components to build PC

1.3 Learn tools, diagnostic procedure and troubleshooting techniques for PC component
1.3.1 Recognize the basic aspects of troubleshooting theory.
1.3.2 Identify basic diagnostic procedure and troubleshooting techniques.
1.3.3 Recognize an issues with display, power, basic input devices, storage, memory,
thermal, POST errors (e.g. BIOS, hardware).
1.3.4 Isolate an issues with display, power, basic input devices, storage, memory,
thermal, POST errors (e.g. BIOS, hardware).
1.3.5 Determine the troubleshooting to check for problem (e.g. thermal issues, error
codes, power, connection including cable and/or pins, compatibility, functionality,
software/drivers) with component for the following:
a. Motherboard
b. Power supply
c. Processors/CPUs
d. Memory
e. Display devices
f. Input Devices
g. Adapter cards
1.3.6 Recognize the names, purposes, characteristics and appropriate application of
tools for example:
a. BIOS and self-test
b. Hard Drive self-test
c. Software diagnostics test


1.4 Do preventive maintenance on PC component
1.4.1 Identify basic aspects of preventive maintenance theory for the following:
a. Visual/audio inspection
b. Driver/firmware updates
c. Scheduling preventive maintenance
d. Use of appropriate repair tools and cleaning materials
e. Ensuring proper environment
1.4.2 Apply basic aspects of preventive maintenance theory.
1.4.3 Identify the common preventive maintenance techniques.
1.4.4 Recommend the easiest technique for common preventive maintenance.



Storage Devices
http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/certification/aplus/9780470486498/storage-devices-
power-supplies-and-adapters/identifying_purposes_and_characteris-
011#X2ludGVybmFsX0h0bWxWaWV3P3htbGlkPTk3ODA0NzA0ODY0OTglMkZzdG9yYWdlX2Rld
mljZXNfY29tbWFfcG93ZXJfc3VwcGxpZXNfY29tJnF1ZXJ5PQ==

http://www.simulationexams.com/tutorials/aplus/essentials/personal-computer-
components1.101.htm

Motherboard
http://infotechnology.hubpages.com/hub/Motherboard-of-a-Computer

http://www.simulationexams.com/tutorials/aplus/essentials/personal-computer-
components1.102.htm

http://etutorials.org/Misc/pc+hardware/Chapter+3.+Motherboards/3.1+Motherboard+Charact
eristics/

Power Supply
http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/certification/aplus/9780470486481/storage-devices-
power-supplies-and-adapters/identifying_purposes_and_characteris-013


Memory
http://www.studynotes.net/1-
6_Compare_and_contrast_memory_types_characteristics_and_their_purpose

Display
http://www.simulationexams.com/tutorials/aplus/essentials/personal-computer-
components1.106.htm

TFT vs CRT
http://www.zyxware.com/articles/2008/02/02/tft-vs-crt-monitor-comparison

http://www.ehow.com/list_7423807_differences-between-crt-tft-monitors.html

Input Devices
http://ecomputernotes.com/fundamental/input-output-and-memory/list-various-input-and-
output-devices
Adapter Card
http://www.simulationexams.com/tutorials/aplus/essentials/personal-computer-
components1.108.htm

Port and Cable
http://www.simulationexams.com/tutorials/aplus/essentials/personal-computer-
components1.109.htm

Cooling System
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_cooling

Choosing Motherboard
http://www.directron.com/howtochoosmo.html
http://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Choosing_a_Motherboard
http://processormatch.intel.com/

1.2
http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Computer
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Assemble_A_Desktop_PC/Choosing_the_parts

1.3 troubleshooting
http://www.careerstep.com/blog/technology-news/troubleshooting-a-problem-a-how-to-
approach
http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/certification/aplus/9780470486498/troubleshooting-
theory-and-preventive-maintenance/troubleshooting_theory_and_preventive_ma
http://compcamp.blogspot.com/2011/10/comptia-six-step-troubleshooting.html

Diagnos
http://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-a-Computer-Problem
http://www.tfsnetworks.com/services/residential-services/hardware-diagnosis/
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/15
http://www.ifitjams.com/manual.htm


1.4 Preventive
http://www.pcworld.com/article/116583/article.html
http://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Preventative_Computer_Maintenance
http://www.dansdata.com/sbs16.htm
http://neil1210.hubpages.com/hub/Computer-Troubleshooting-and-Prevenitive-Maintenance-
Techniques
http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/certification/aplus/9780768681444/basic-
troubleshooting-and-preventive-maintenance-techniques/ch08
http://www.wiscocomputing.com/articles/maintenance.htm
http://cuip.uchicago.edu/~jwoods/A+Book/Book/Chapter%203%20safety%20and%20Preventat
ive%20Maintenance/A+03cd.htm