computer basics
This self-paced book is divided
into the following chapters:
This "About This
Book" section contains a self-paced training overview and introduces the
components of this training. Read this section thoroughly to draw the greatest
educational value from the self-paced training and to plan which lessons you
will complete.
Chapter 1, "Introduction
to Computers," sets the background for the rest of the lessons. It
provides a historic view of computers from their humble beginnings to today's
high-speed marvels. This section also explores the role of today's computer
technician.
Chapter 2, "Understanding
Electronic Communication," discusses how computers
communicate. It
explains the differences between the language we use and the language of
machines.
Chapter 3, "An Overview of
the Personal Computer," defines the basic elements of a computer's hardware
and how they interact.
Chapter 4, "The Central
Processing Unit," explains the development of the microprocessor, focusing
on what differentiates each type of processor and how to identify each.
Chapter 5, "Power
Supplies," covers power supplies, including how they work and how to
troubleshoot problems.
Chapter 6, "Motherboard
and ROM BIOS," discusses the design and function of primary foundation
components: the motherboard and the BIOS (basic input/output system).
Chapter 7, "Memory,"
covers the various types of memory found in a computer, what memory is used
for, and how to upgrade or replace it.
Chapter 8, "Expansion
Buses, Cables, and Connectors," covers the computer's I/O (input/output)
components and expansion buses that allow the PC to adapt and support new
technology.
Chapter 9, "Basic Disk
Drives," discusses floppy disk drives and hard disk drives. It explores
mass-storage devices, how they work, and their limitations.
Chapter 10, "Advanced Disk
Drive Technology," covers CD-ROM, digital video disc (DVD), and SCSI
(Small Computer System Interface) drives and related technologies.
Chapter 11, "The Display
System," covers monitors, flat screen panels, display adapters, how they
work, and how to troubleshoot them.
Chapter 12,
"Printers," covers the different types of printers, how they interact
with the PC, and how to install and care for them.
Chapter 13, "Portable
Computers," explores the features of portable (laptop and notebook)
computers.
Chapter 14, "Connectivity
and Networking," discusses the basics of how a computer network functions
and technology that links a PC to the network.
Chapter 15,
"Telecommunications and the Internet," covers the installation and
use of modems and other telecommunications devices, as well as the growing
importance of the Internet to both technicians and their clients.
Chapter 16, "Operating
System Fundamentals," is an introduction to operating systems and
applications software. It focuses on the early operating system MS-DOS, and how
to use the DOS-mode command prompt and programs that are still critical to
performing many upgrade and maintenance functions.
Chapter 17, "Introducing
and Installing Microsoft Windows," discusses the development of this now
dominant operating system from Microsoft. It presents the differences between
the different versions and gives you a foundation for the advanced skills
presented in the following chapters. Both Windows 9x and Windows 2000
installations are covered.
Chapter 18, "Running
Microsoft Windows," covers the various tools provided by the Windows 9x
and Windows 2000 Professional operating systems that a computer technician uses
to manage and maintain both the operating system and the hardware components of
the computer.
Chapter 19, "Maintaining
the Modern Computer," focuses on the tools and techniques used to keep a
computer operating properly, the use of system software, and how to safeguard
critical system files and user data.
Chapter 20, "Upgrading a
Computer," covers the basic tools and techniques used to perform common
upgrades to a computer, including upgrading memory, expansion card operations,
and computer disassembly and reassembly.
Chapter 21,
"Troubleshooting Techniques and Client Relations," covers the
techniques and procedures used to resolve problems related to both hardware and
software. It also discusses how to recover from a complete hard drive failure
and corruption of core system files and how to deal with clients.
Chapter 22, "The Basics of
Electrical Energy," covers electricity and how it relates to the computer.
A computer technician does not need to be an electrical engineer, but does need
to be able to perform basic tests and to work safely. This chapter provides the
reader with background in these issues.
Appendix A, "Questions and
Answers," lists all the review questions from each chapter of the book,
including the page number where the question appears, and provides suggested
answers.
Appendix B, "Table of
Acronyms," lists a number of acronyms relevant to the A+ Certification
Exam.
The Glossary provides concise
definitions of terms used throughout this book that are relevant to the A+
Certification Exam.
