Taking Apart the PC
Identifying key hardware components
- The motherboard and power supply
- Microprocessor and chipset
- Display adapters and memory cards
- Hard disk and DVD drives
Seeing how the PC is designed
- Structuring memory
- Bus types: ISA, PCI, AGP and PCIe
- Distinguishing among x86, Pentium I-IV and Core Duo systems
Basic software components
- Basic Input Output System (BIOS)
- Configuring BIOS settings
- Managing device drivers with Device Manager
Troubleshooting Strategy for PCs
Designing a troubleshooting methodology
- Avoiding trouble: preventive maintenance
- Ascertaining where to begin testing
- Pinpointing common failure causes
- Finding the board with the problem
Running the power-on self-test (POST)
- Troubleshooting system faults with POST
- Using POST audio and video error codes
- Determining what POST doesn't test
Employing advanced diagnostic programs
- Testing for motherboard failures
- Isolating keyboard and display problems
- Solving interrupt (IRQ) and I/O conflicts
- Testing network interface cards
Working with Basic PC Components
Exploring the motherboard
- CPU types: x86, Pentium, Itanium, Dual-Core, Quad-Core
- Configuring jumper and CMOS settings
- Upgrading motherboards
- Adding plug-and-play components
Troubleshooting the power supply
- ATX power supply standby behavior
- Solving common power supply problems
- Uninterruptible power supplies and UPS monitoring software
| Configuring I/O Devices and Displays
Making use of input/output devices
- Setting I/O device configurations
- Configuring and testing network interface cards
- Testing serial port operation
Improving computer I/O capabilities
- Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0)
- Firewire (IEEE 1394)
Monitors and display adapters
- AGP and PCI Express-video adapters
- Refresh, dot pitch and multisync capability
- 2-D, 3-D graphics accelerator cards
The Memory
Upgrading memory
- Choosing and installing memory
- Determining memory speed
- Memory types: SDRAM, DDR-2, DDR-3
Troubleshooting memory problems
- Locating failed memory devices using memory diagnostic tests
- Detecting problems in lower memory with POST
Installing Disk Drives
Selecting disk drives
- Parallel ATA, Serial ATA, SCSI and Ultra-SCSI
- Configuring drive setting and cable connections
Using hard disk drives
- Partitioning and formatting drives
- Upgrading to larger hard disks
- Optimizing hard disk performance
Mastering advanced-drive technologies
- SCSI drive configuration
- Exploring optical drive technology (CD/DVD drives)
Printers and Portable Computers
Managing printers and ports
- Configuring serial and parallel ports
- Solving common printer problems
- Identifying laser printer components
Maintaining portable computers
- Upgrading portable computer memory
- Installing portable drives
- Troubleshooting common display and power problems
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