training

These components contain the following units:

Information Technology - Technical Support

• Tactics for Winning
• Troubleshooting methodology
• Operating systems
• Electricity and power supplies
• CPUs and motherboards
• The basic input/output system
• Memory systems
• Bus structures
• Expansion cards
• Peripheral connection types
• Data storage devices
• Video output and image input devices
• Printers
• Connecting computers
• Networking computers
• Portable computers
• Monitoring and management
• Operating system troubleshooting
• Security
• Windows installation and upgrades
• Safety and maintenance
• Troubleshooting hardware

CompTIA A+ Practical Application

• Power systems
• CPUs and motherboards
• Memory systems
• Expansion cards
• Data storage devices
• Printers and scanners
• Mobile computing
• Windows management
• Windows maintenance
• SOHO networking
• Network troubleshooting
• Security

Detailed Outcomes: A+: Windows Vista Essentials

1 Tactics for Winning

This is the first module that all students have to complete once they have registered with College SA. This module is designed to introduce students to the College. In this module, you will learn more about how Distance Learning works and what the best ways are to study and to prepare for assessments.

2 Troubleshooting methodology

In this topic you will learn about the various methods you can use to troubleshoot problems, and you will look at four models: the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, Novell, and ASID models. You will also look at the importance of professional behaviour, which includes communicating effectively in a professional manner.

3 Operating systems

The differences between the operating systems of Windows, Mac and Linux will be covered, as well as the differences between the various versions of Windows and how to select the appropriate operating system for a client. You will also identify the components that make up the Windows graphical user interface (GUI), and learn how to manage directories and change file attributes in Windows.

4 Electricity and power supplies

This topic covers terminology such as voltage, current, resistance etc. You will learn how to safely work on the inside of a computer, and will focus on the power supplies and demands of various computer components.

5 CPUs and motherboards

You will learn about CPUs – the chips that process instructions, manipulate data and control the interaction of other PC components. Next you will continue onto examining various CPU packages, before having a closer look at a computer’s motherboard.

6 The basic input/output system

This topic focuses on BIOS and CMOS programs: what they are and how to change configuration data, update it and recover it from a failed BIOS update attempt. You will also cover various beep and numeric error codes that might be reported during hardware failures.

7 Memory systems

You will be learning about RAM – the hardware component that stores data and applications. You will cover various units such as MB and GB, as well as the various characteristics of memory. Modules, memory module types and errors in memory will be discussed, and by the end of this unit you will be able to monitor memory usage.

8 Bus structures

A ‘bus’ is a communication pathway, and you will look at the four categories of buses: address, data, expansion and video. These categories will then be discussed in depth, giving you more insight into the most popular buses.

9 Expansion cards

This topic covers drive controllers, and explains what the interface is, including the various interface standards. You will focus on video adapters, resolution settings and pixel depth, before learning about the various video display standards along with their connector types. Sound cards and modems are also covered in such a way that you will be familiar with the features of SoundBlaster Pro and WinModems.

10 Peripheral connection types

You will be learning about the differences between serial and parallel transmissions, as well as their specific ports and connectors. This includes the connection of keyboards, mice and USB devices. The functions of specific devices will be discussed, and high-speed peripheral interconnection buses will be covered. Multimedia device connection is discussed, and you will learn about TV tuner cards and video capture cards.

11 Data storage devices

There are two types of hard disks: magnetic and solid-state. You will look at the components of these, before identifying the features of CD, DVD and Blu-Ray discs. Removable storage media will be covered, and you will perform basic disk maintenance tasks such as checking the hard disk for errors and defragmenting disks.

12 Video output and image input devices

In this topic you will learn about CRT monitors, and how they produce images. Next you will critically compare them to LCD monitors, before briefly looking at multiple monitors, display projectors and touch screens. To complete this unit, you will learn about Network video hardware and software.

13 Printers

Here you will look at various types of printers, for example dot-matrix, inkjet and laser printers. You will investigate how each of these work, the paper they use, how ink is applied in each case as well as the components of each type of printer. You will also look at the Windows printing process, how to install a printer as well as how to upgrade printer drivers, before performing maintenance tasks which includes troubleshooting printer problems.

14 Connecting computers

The basic components of a network will be described, and you will learn to identify the components required for a local area network. Peer-to-peer and client/server networks are covered, with explanations about how each model works. The various types of cables – fibre optic, UTP, coaxial etc – are explained, before looking at Ethernet, the most common network architecture. Ethernet hubs, routers and switches will be explained in more detail. Wireless connections are covered, and you’ll learn about WAN technologies.

Each wired network connection’s features, the data speed ratings and connectors they use are explained, and you’ll learn about plenum wiring as well as the differences between desktop and notebook computers.

15 Networking computers

In this topic you will learn about various types of addresses: MAC, IP, character-based names and port addresses. You will be creating wired and wireless network connections, including dial-up networking (DUN) with a modem.

16 Portable computers

This unit will teach you how to identify, install and configure notebook components. You will learn how to troubleshoot and maintain these components, so that you will be able to provide up-to-date support to businesses.

17 Monitoring and management

This unit will teach you how to monitor your computer by using the Windows Diagnostics, DirectX Diagnostic, Task Manager and Event Viewer utilities. In addition, you’ll learn how to use Reliability and Performance Monitor to monitor the performance of a computer’s components, before looking at the purpose of the Windows Registry and its management tools.

18 Operating system troubleshooting

You will learn how to identify the stages of the Windows start-up process in order to be able to effectively troubleshoot problems and use the appropriate tools to resolve these problems. This will include troubleshooting problems with Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

19 Security

In this unit you will learn how users and groups are authenticated to control access to resources. This includes how to use local security policies such as password length and expiration. Windows file encryption, hardware security devices and the human aspects of computer security are also covered.

20 Windows installation and upgrades

Pre-installation tasks as well as how to perform a clean installation forms part of this unit. You will do practical work by installing Windows Vista Business, before learning about what to do after installations, including troubleshooting possible problems. The upgrading from one Windows version to another is covered, and you’ll be trained in how to verify software and hardware compatibility.

21 Safety and maintenance

Safety issues and hazards in the computer environment will be covered, before looking at high-voltage interference sources. Preventative maintenance tasks will then be discussed, as well as ways to avoid injury and strain – often called repetitive stress injury (RSI). Lastly you’ll identify the proper methods for disposing and/or recycling of computer equipment.

22 Troubleshooting hardware

In this unit you will learn how to back up files by using Windows Backup, as well as how to restore files from Backup. Finally you’ll identify common symptoms of hardware-related problems, and look at their probable causes and possible solutions.

Practical Application Programme Detailed Outcomes

1 Power systems

In this topic you will learn how to select, replace and install a power supply while following proper ESD precautions. You will also cover some common symptoms related to power supply failures, with probable causes and suggested solutions.

2 CPUs and motherboards

Next you will learn how to install a CPU on a motherboard, and how to install a motherboard into a PC’s case. You will learn how to configure BIOS settings as well as replace a cooling unit on a CPU. Reasons why CPUs fail will be discussed, and by the end of this unit you’ll be able to recognise common symptoms of such failures, and have knowledge of their probable causes as well as suggested solutions.

3 Memory systems

This topic will teach you how to install RAM and handle modules, among other applications such as BIOS configuration. The failure of RAM and troubleshooting common symptoms, causes and solutions will also be covered.

4 Expansion cards

You will be taught how to use Device Manager to identify the system resources that are assigned to a particular device. You will also learn how to install expansion devices such as video and sound cards. Failure of these cards, as well as of ports, connectors and cables, will be troubleshooted alongside suggested solutions.

5 Data storage devices

In this unit you will learn how to physically install a hard drive after preparing the hard drive for use. You will learn how to install optical drives, and will examine and use a USB flash drive. You will be performing basic disk maintenance tasks such as defragging and checking a disk, as well as looking at common problems and their recommended solutions.

6 Printers and scanners

You will be learning how to maintain printers and scanners. This includes routine maintenance as well as troubleshooting possible problems and how to solve them.

7 Mobile computing

This unit will require that you configure a mobile computer. You will examine the Windows Mobility Center, and learn how to configure power settings. You will be taught how to replace the internal components of a notebook computer, as well as how to connect peripheral devices to a notebook computer to add functionality. Troubleshooting components of a portable computer concludes the topic.

8 Windows management

You will be taught how to manage directories and files, how to navigate the directory structure and how to create, copy and delete files and directories. By the end of this topic you will be able to manage and configure Windows services, identify start-up items and manage them by using the Start-up program group. Lastly you will be taught how to manage and troubleshoot problems remotely by using the Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance features.

9 Windows maintenance

This unit will focus on monitoring operating systems, and you’ll experience using Task Manager to aid you in this process. You will learn how to perform operating system maintenance tasks, including backing up and restoring data. After using Task Scheduler to create and configure scheduled tasks, you’ll complete the unit by troubleshooting operating system problems.

10 SOHO networking

You will be looking at the technologies used to create wired and wireless connections between devices in a SOHO network. You will be taught how to secure the communication between a client and an access point by using four critical components: access control, encryption, authentication and isolation.

11 Network troubleshooting

In this topic you will learn how to build hardware and software toolkits to help you in your troubleshooting practice. Getting some experience in troubleshooting the physical network, as well as the logical network will follow this.

12 Security

This unit covers common security threats and areas that could cause these threats, as well as how to combat these problems by means of antivirus software. You will manage user authentication by creating user accounts and assigning passwords, and finally you will be troubleshooting various issues.