I. General Information
1. Course Title:
Computer Repair I - A+ Hardware
2. Course Prefix & Number:
COMP 1204
3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:
Credits: 4
Lecture Hours: 4
Lab Hours: 0
4. Course Description:
This course addresses many of the objectives of the CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-601) and A+ PC Technician (220-602, 220-603, and 220-604) Certification Exams, and introduces students to the operation, diagnosis, troubleshooting, and simple maintenance of microcomputer components. Topics include hardware compatibility, system architecture, memory, storage, expansion devices, peripherals, customer service, safety, and preventative maintenance. Career Preparation: The studies in this course will help students prepare for careers such as Computer Support Specialist, PC Repair Technician, Network Administrator, Network Engineer, Systems Analyst, and Systems Engineer. Certification Preparation: Optional. CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-601) and A+ PC Technician (220-602, 220-603, and 220-604).
5. Placement Tests Required:
6. Prerequisite Courses:
COMP 1204 - Computer Repair I - A+ Hardware
There are no prerequisites for this course.
8. Prerequisite (Entry) Skills:
Students are expected to know how to use a current Windows operating system including navigation, saving files, file management/hierarchy structure, compression, extraction, installation of programs, setting up user accounts and administrative operating system tasks. Students without this experience should take COMP 1109 Introduction to Operating Systems either before they take this course or concurrently while they are taking this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
COMP 1204 - Computer Repair I - A+ Hardware
All Credit(s) from the following...
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| COMP 1109 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 cr. |
II. Transfer and Articulation
1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:
|
Name of Institution
|
Course Number and Title
|
Credits
|
|
Moorhead State
|
CPTR 1122 Microcomputer Maintenance
|
3
|
|
Anoka Technical College
|
ITEC 2200 A+ Core Technologies
|
6
|
|
Hennepin Technical College
|
CCIS 2601 A+ Hardware/Software Support
|
4
|
2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:
3. Prior Learning - the following prior learning methods are acceptable for this course:
- Written
- Demonstration
- Portfolio
III. Course Purpose
Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):
- Computer Information Technology, AAS
- Computer Network Administration, AAS
- Computer Support Specialist, Diploma
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
| College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
| Analyze and follow a sequence of operations |
Follow troubleshooting and repair procedures, and identify iterative paths to resolving specific hardware-related computer repair problems. |
| Utilize appropriate technology |
Use computers, current OSs and diagnostic utilities and hardware to diagnose, troubleshoot, upgrade and install current microcomputer components and OSs. |
2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of
the course:
- Explain the characteristics and summarize the function of each PC component, and how it contributes to the functionality of the entire system.
- Install and configure computer hardware components and peripherals.
- Diagnose and resolve problems related to computer hardware components.
- Diagnose and resolve problems related to peripherals.
- Identify the most efficient methods and tools to use for troubleshooting and repairing malfunctioning computers.
- Outline the purpose of appropriate safety and environmental procedures, and given a specific scenario, apply them.
- Demonstrate the appropriate use of communication skills and professionalism in the workplace
- Demonstrate a defined troubleshooting process.
- Appropriately recommend upgrades/repairs/purchases based on the client's need and budget.
- Demonstrate appropriate data privacy and safety practices.
- Diagnose and resolve problems related to mobile devices.
- Efficiently locate, select and utilize troubleshooting utilities and knowledgebases.
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
- Introduction to hardware
- Internal components
- External ports and devices
- Nomenclature for ports and connectors
- I/O devices
- Storage devices
- Expansion cards
- Working as a technician
- Certification and professional organizations
- Record-keeping and system tracking
- Listening to the customer
- Speaking to the customer
- Dealing with difficult customers
- Customer service
- PC Maintenance and troubleshooting strategies
- Safety
- Disposing of used equipment
- Preventative maintenance
- Troubleshooting procedures
- Form factors and power supplies
- Types of form factors and cases
- Measuring and testing electricity
- Types and characteristics of power supplies
- Protecting yourself from electrical accidents
- ESD
- Surge protection and battery backup
- Troubleshooting the electrical system
- Motherboards
- Processor sockets
- Chipsets
- Buses and expansion slots
- On-board ports and connectors
- Selecting a motherboard
- BIOS and CMOS
- POST
- Installing and configuring motherboards
- Troubleshooting motherboards
- Processors
- Types and characteristics of processors
- How processors work
- Cooling systems
- Selecting a CPU
- Installing a CPU
- Troubleshooting processors
- Memory
- Memory technologies
- Upgrading and installing memory
- Selecting memory
- Troubleshooting memory
- Hard drives
- Hard drive interface standards
- Inner components of a hard drive
- Selecting the appropriate hard drive
- Installing and configuring hard drives
- Floppy drive
- Troubleshooting floppy and hard drive
- I/O devices
- Types and features of I/O devices
- System resources
- Installing and configuring I/O devices
- Troubleshooting devices
- Video
- Selecting and installing video adapters
- Troubleshooting video cards
- Display types and technologies
- Troubleshooting monitors and displays
- Multimedia
- Sound cards and onboard sound
- Installing and configuring multimedia devices
- Multimedia peripherals
- Troubleshooting multimedia
- Optical devices
- Optical storage technology
- Optical solutions
- Standards supported
- Removable storage
- Printers
- Printer types and features
- Installing printers
- Sharing printers on a network
- Supporting and maintaining printers
- Troubleshooting printers
2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions
I. General Information
1. Course Title:
Computer Repair I - A+ Hardware
2. Course Prefix & Number:
COMP 1204
3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:
Credits: 4
Lecture Hours: 4
Lab Hours: 0
4. Course Description:
This course addresses many of the objectives of the CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-601) and A+ PC Technician (220-602, 220-603, and 220-604) Certification Exams, and introduces students to the operation, diagnosis, troubleshooting, and simple maintenance of microcomputer components. Topics include hardware compatibility, system architecture, memory, storage, expansion devices, peripherals, customer service, safety, and preventative maintenance. Career Preparation: The studies in this course will help students prepare for careers such as Computer Support Specialist, PC Repair Technician, Network Administrator, Network Engineer, Systems Analyst, and Systems Engineer. Certification Preparation: Optional. CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-601) and A+ PC Technician (220-602, 220-603, and 220-604).
5. Placement Tests Required:
6. Prerequisite Courses:
COMP 1204 - Computer Repair I - A+ Hardware
There are no prerequisites for this course.
8. Prerequisite (Entry) Skills:
Students are expected to know how to use a current Windows operating system including navigation, saving files, file management/hierarchy structure, compression, extraction, installation of programs, setting up user accounts and administrative operating system tasks. Students without this experience should take COMP 1109 Introduction to Operating Systems either before they take this course or concurrently while they are taking this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
COMP 1204 - Computer Repair I - A+ Hardware
All Credit(s) from the following...
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| COMP 1109 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 cr. |
II. Transfer and Articulation
1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:
|
Name of Institution
|
Course Number and Title
|
Credits
|
|
Moorhead State
|
CPTR 1122 Microcomputer Maintenance
|
3
|
|
Anoka Technical College
|
ITEC 2200 A+ Core Technologies
|
6
|
|
Hennepin Technical College
|
CCIS 2601 A+ Hardware/Software Support
|
4
|
2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:
3. Prior Learning - the following prior learning methods are acceptable for this course:
- Written
- Demonstration
- Portfolio
III. Course Purpose
1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):
- Computer Information Technology, AAS
- Computer Network Administration, AAS
- Computer Support Specialist, Diploma
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
| College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
| Analyze and follow a sequence of operations |
Follow troubleshooting and repair procedures, and identify iterative paths to resolving specific hardware-related computer repair problems. |
| Utilize appropriate technology |
Use computers, current OSs and diagnostic utilities and hardware to diagnose, troubleshoot, upgrade and install current microcomputer components and OSs. |
2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of
the course:
- Explain the characteristics and summarize the function of each PC component, and how it contributes to the functionality of the entire system.
- Install and configure computer hardware components and peripherals.
- Diagnose and resolve problems related to computer hardware components.
- Diagnose and resolve problems related to peripherals.
- Identify the most efficient methods and tools to use for troubleshooting and repairing malfunctioning computers.
- Outline the purpose of appropriate safety and environmental procedures, and given a specific scenario, apply them.
- Demonstrate the appropriate use of communication skills and professionalism in the workplace
- Demonstrate a defined troubleshooting process.
- Appropriately recommend upgrades/repairs/purchases based on the client's need and budget.
- Demonstrate appropriate data privacy and safety practices.
- Diagnose and resolve problems related to mobile devices.
- Efficiently locate, select and utilize troubleshooting utilities and knowledgebases.
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
- Introduction to hardware
- Internal components
- External ports and devices
- Nomenclature for ports and connectors
- I/O devices
- Storage devices
- Expansion cards
- Working as a technician
- Certification and professional organizations
- Record-keeping and system tracking
- Listening to the customer
- Speaking to the customer
- Dealing with difficult customers
- Customer service
- PC Maintenance and troubleshooting strategies
- Safety
- Disposing of used equipment
- Preventative maintenance
- Troubleshooting procedures
- Form factors and power supplies
- Types of form factors and cases
- Measuring and testing electricity
- Types and characteristics of power supplies
- Protecting yourself from electrical accidents
- ESD
- Surge protection and battery backup
- Troubleshooting the electrical system
- Motherboards
- Processor sockets
- Chipsets
- Buses and expansion slots
- On-board ports and connectors
- Selecting a motherboard
- BIOS and CMOS
- POST
- Installing and configuring motherboards
- Troubleshooting motherboards
- Processors
- Types and characteristics of processors
- How processors work
- Cooling systems
- Selecting a CPU
- Installing a CPU
- Troubleshooting processors
- Memory
- Memory technologies
- Upgrading and installing memory
- Selecting memory
- Troubleshooting memory
- Hard drives
- Hard drive interface standards
- Inner components of a hard drive
- Selecting the appropriate hard drive
- Installing and configuring hard drives
- Floppy drive
- Troubleshooting floppy and hard drive
- I/O devices
- Types and features of I/O devices
- System resources
- Installing and configuring I/O devices
- Troubleshooting devices
- Video
- Selecting and installing video adapters
- Troubleshooting video cards
- Display types and technologies
- Troubleshooting monitors and displays
- Multimedia
- Sound cards and onboard sound
- Installing and configuring multimedia devices
- Multimedia peripherals
- Troubleshooting multimedia
- Optical devices
- Optical storage technology
- Optical solutions
- Standards supported
- Removable storage
- Printers
- Printer types and features
- Installing printers
- Sharing printers on a network
- Supporting and maintaining printers
- Troubleshooting printers
2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions