This chapter of the IT Essentials PC Hardware and Software 4.1 instructional resource provides an overview of advanced personal computer technician jobs and safe lab procedures. It describes situations requiring computer component replacement and teaches how to upgrade, configure, troubleshoot and perform preventative maintenance on personal computer components and peripherals. The chapter objectives and activities, new terms, and changes from the previous version are outlined.

1. IT Essentials PC Hardware
and Software 4.1
Instructional Resource
Chapter 11: Advanced
Personal Computers
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2. Chapter 11: Objectives
 Give an overview of field, remote, and bench technician jobs.
 Explain safe lab procedures and tool use.
 Describe situations requiring replacement of computer components.
 Upgrade and configure personal computer components and peripherals.
 Identify and apply common preventive maintenance techniques for personal
computer components.
 Troubleshoot computer components and peripherals.
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3. Chapter 11: Critical Concepts
 What is this chapter about and why is it important?
 Replacing computer parts is commonplace in a technician’s job. Learning how to
safely replace parts and find suitable replacement parts is essential. Various
computers may have different locations for hard drives or where specific adapters
are installed, but the concepts are the same. Practicing on outdated parts is not a
problem because the key to success is practice. With practice comes a sense of
capability and confidence.
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4. Chapter 11: Activities
 What activities are associated with this chapter?
11.1 Worksheet: Job Opportunities
11.2.2 Lab: Using a Multimeter and a Power Supply Tester
11.2.2 Lab: Testing UTP Cables Using a Loopback Plug and a Cable Meter
11.3.7 Worksheet: Research Computer Components
11.4.1 Lab: Install a NIC in Windows XP
11.4.1 Optional Lab: Install a NIC in Windows Vista
11.4.3 Lab: Install Additional RAM in Windows XP
11.4.3 Optional Lab: Install Additional RAM in Windows Vista
11.4.4 Lab: BIOS File Search
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5. Chapter 11: Activities (continued)
 What activities are associated with this chapter?
11.4.5 Lab: Install, Configure, and Partition a Second Hard Drive in Windows XP
11.4.5 Optional Lab: Install, Configure, and Partition a Second Hard Drive in
Windows Vista
11.6.3 Lab: Repair Boot Problem
11.6.3 Lab: Remote Technician: Repair Boot Problem
11.6.3 Lab: Troubleshooting Hardware Problems in Windows XP
11.6.3 Optional Lab: Troubleshooting Hardware Problems in Windows Vista
Chapter 11 Quiz
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6. Chapter 11: New Terms
 What terms are introduced in this chapter?
antistatic bag 11.2.2
antistatic mat 11.4.3
antistatic wrist strap 11.4.3
cable 11.5.3
chip 11.3.3
Complementary Metal Oxide semiconductor (CMOS) 11.4.1
compressed air 11.2.2
drive bay 11.4.5
driver 11.4.6
fault tolerance 11.4.5
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7. Chapter 11: New Terms (continued)
 What terms are introduced in this chapter?
flash memory 11.4.4
jumper 11.4.1
loopback plug 11.2.3
needle-nose pliers 11.2.2
Phillips-head screwdriver 11.2.2
power button 11.6.2
power cable 11.6.2
Power-On Self-Test (POST) 11.4.4
preventive maintenance 11.5
removable drive 11.3.6
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8. Chapter 11: New Terms (continued)
 What terms are introduced in this chapter?
socket 11.3.2
torx screwdriver 11.2.2
troubleshooting 11.6
tweezers 11.2.2
video adapter 11.3.2
voltage (V) 11.3.3
wire cutters 11.2.2
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9. Chapter 11: Changes
 What has changed from the previous version (4.0) of ITEPC?
Page 11.2.2 Review names, purposes, characteristics, and safe and appropriate
use of tools
• Multimeter
• Power supply tester
• Specialty hardware/tools
• Cable tester
• Loopback plug
• Extension magnet
Page 11.3.1 Select a case and power supply
• Wattages and capacity
• Connector types and quantity
• Output voltages
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10. Chapter 11: Changes (continued)
 What has changed from the previous version (4.0) of ITEPC?
Page 11.3.2 Select a motherboard
• Bus speeds
• Chipsets
• Socket types
• Expansion slots
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11. Chapter 11: Changes (continued)
 What has changed from the previous version (4.0) of ITEPC?
Page 11.3.3 Select the CPU and heat sink/fan assembly
• Socket type
• 32-bit vs. 64-bit
• Speed
• Number of cores
• Cache
• Front side bus
• Power consumption
• CPU fans
• Case fans
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12. Chapter 11: Changes (continued)
 What has changed from the previous version (4.0) of ITEPC?
Page 11.3.5 Select adapter cards
• Graphics cards
• Sound cards
• Storage controllers
•RAID cards (RAID array – levels 0,1,5)
•eSATA cards
• I/O cards
•FireWire
•USB
•Parallel
•Serial
• NICs
•Wired
•Wireless
• Capture cards
•TV
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13. Chapter 11: Changes (continued)
 What has changed from the previous version (4.0) of ITEPC?
Page 11.3.6 Select storage devices and hard drives
• Floppy Disk Drive
• Media Readers
• Hard Drives
•PATA
•SATA
•SCSI
• Solid State Drives
• Optical drives
•CD
•DVD
•Blu-ray
• External
• eSATA
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14. Chapter 11: Changes (continued)
 What has changed from the previous version (4.0) of ITEPC?
Page 11.4.1 Upgrade and configure a motherboard
• CPU Installation
• Jumper Settings
• CMOS Battery Installation
• Advanced BIOS Settings
• Expansion Slots
• Front Panel Connectors
• BIOS Updates
• I/O Shield
Page 11.4.2 Upgrade and configure a CPU and a heat sink/fan assembly
• Socket Types
• CPU Fans
• Case Fans
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15. Chapter 11: Changes (continued)
 What has changed from the previous version (4.0) of ITEPC?
Page 11.4.3 Upgrade and configure RAM
• Adding RAM in Windows Vista
Page 11.4.5 Upgrade and configure storage devices and hard drives
• HDD
•SATA
•RAID
• Media reader
Page 11.6.1 Review the troubleshooting process
• Identify the Problem
• Establish a Theory of Probable Causes
• Determine an Exact Cause
• Implement a Solution
• Verify Solution and Full System Functionality
• Document Findings
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16. Chapter 11: Changes (continued)
 What has changed from the previous version (4.0) of ITEPC?
Page 11.6.2 Identify common problems and solutions
• Storage Device Problems
•The computer does not recognize a storage device
•The FDD will not read media
•The computer will not eject an optical disc
•The media reader cannot read an SD card
• Motherboard and Internal Component Problems
•The computer clock no longer keeps the correct time
•The USB flash drive connection is slow
•Following BIOS firmware update, the computer will not start
•Following boot up, the computer displays incorrect CPU information
•The HDD LED does not display
•The integrated NIC does not work
•There is no display after installation of a PCIe video card
•There is no sound after installation of a sound card
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17. Chapter 11: Changes (continued)
 What has changed from the previous version (4.0) of ITEPC?
Page 11.6.2 Identify common problems and solutions
• Power Supply Problems
–The computer will not turn on
–The computer reboots, shuts down unexpectedly, or has a burning
smell
• CPU Problems
–The computer will not boot , locks up, or displays error messages or
the BSOD
–CPU fan makes an unusual noise
–Upgrading the CPU or OS causes the computer to run slower
–32-bit devices do not work on a 64-bit computer
–The computer does not recognize new RAM or CPU
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18. Chapter 11: Classroom Management
 Have the students research a replacement power supply of equal wattage and with
the appropriate power connectors.
 Provide copies of motherboard documentation to the students. Have the students
research the type of memory and the maximum amount of memory that can be
supported by that motherboard.
 Most of the time spent on memory upgrade is in the planning, selection, and
purchasing of memory. Have the students determine what to purchase if a
computer with 256K of memory needs to be upgraded to 2GB.
 Provide extra hard drives to the students. Have the students install a second hard
drive and then partition both drives with different sizes and types of partitions.
 Demonstrate flashing the BIOS of lab computers, even if the BIOS is up to date, so
the students see the process.
 Use an older motherboard to demonstrate the removal and installation of a CPU.
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19. Chapter 11: Teaching Analogies
 Upgrading a computer is like replacing a part on your car. You must obtain a part
that is compatible with your system. Compatibility is very important for the memory,
CPU, and power supply of a computer.
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20. Chapter 11: Suggested Class Discussions
 What are the different types of certification?
 How do you prepare and register for a certification exam?
 How can you determine if a processor is compatible with a motherboard?
 How can you determine if a particular type and amount of memory is
compatible with a motherboard?
 What are some reasons to implement different levels of RAID?
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21. Chapter 11: Best Practices
 Obtain old hard drives from technicians or computer stores. Even if they are low
capacity, they can be used to demonstrate the concepts of partitioning and
formatting.
 Install two video adapters and configure dual monitors. This is a common
implementation in many work environments.
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22. Chapter 11: Outside Reading
CompTIA Certification Website
http://www.comptia.org/certifications
Cisco Networking Academy Website
NetAcad ITE Forum
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