Syllabus A+ Computer Maintenance

Syllabus – A+ Computer Maintenance

Mr. Schuermeyer

3rd

Block – 9:37 to 11:07 on Red Days, Room 2516

Course Objective: This course is designed to teach students the basics of computer hardware and software as used in business/industry today. Students will learn the inner workings of computers and have hands on experiences working on computers. When completed, students should have the background necessary to take the four A+ Certification Exams (given independently) that is recognized worldwide as a standard of knowledge and expertise in the computer industry.

Grading Scale: We follow the district standard.

90% and Up = A, 80% - 89.9% = B, 70%-79.9% = C, 60% - 69.9% = D, and Below 60% = F

Attendance and Make-Up Policies:

When you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for missed work.

You only have 2 weeks to catch up the work or it goes into the grade book as a ZERO

If there are special circumstances, you must talk to me and make arrangements for the work missed.

The lab is open during Ac Lab and you are expected to make use of it if you are behind.

Your Responsibilities:

Ask questions – THERE IS NO STUPID QUESTION except the one you do not ask.

Be on time, ready to work every class!!! This means no tardies. I am expected to be here ready to work and I expect the same of you. The first tardy will be excused but additional tardiness will lead to after school detentions.

Do all of the work assigned.

BE POSITIVE even in the face of adversity, bad attitudes have no place here and we are here to learn.

Two-semester (18 weeks each) Essentials and Practical Applications Courses:

Textbooks and Lab Manuals:

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, 7th

Edition

Lab Manual, A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, 7th

Edition

Notes:

These two course outlines are designed to comprise a PC Repair Essentials course followed by a PC

Repair Practical Applications course. Both courses include a balanced content on hardware and

software.

The first semester is designed to cover the full range of content appropriate for a PC Repair Essentials

course. However, know that all the content covered on the A+ 220-701 Essentials 2009 exam is not

completed until the fourth week of the second semester.

Students are encouraged to take the A+ 220-701 Essentials exam near the middle of the second

semester. After reviewing questions missed on the Essentials exam and completing both semesters,

students are then prepared to take the A+ 220-702 Practical Applications exam.

Figure 1 shows a high-level view of how the chapters are organized for Essentials and Practical

Application content

Figure 1: Essentials and Practical Application chapter organization

The table below summarizes how chapters are used in the two courses. Note that some chapters include

both Essentials and Practical Applications content. In these chapters, the break from Essentials to

Practical Applications content is clearly marked.

Week Textbook

Essentials Week 1 Chapter 1



Essentials Week 4 Chapter 4, Essentials Content











Essentials Week 15 Finish up and testing

Advanced Week 1 Chapter 15



Advanced Week 4 Chapter 21, Essentials Content

Advanced Week 5 Chapter 22, Essentials Content

Essentials Content Completed

Advanced Week 6 Chapter 4, Practical Applications


Chapter 6, Practical Applications












Practical Application content

completed

Advanced Week 15 Finish up and testing

PC Repair Essentials Course

Week Class Objectives Class and Lab Content References/Homework for

Student

1

August

17 - 23

Chapter 1, entire chapter

Upon completion of this chapter,

the student will be able to:

Explain how a computer

requires both hardware

and software to work

Identify many hardware

components

Upon completion of these labs,


Use available tools to

gather system

information

Identify computer parts

inside and outside the

case

Welcome

Class Introductions

Review Goals &

Objectives of Class,

Syllabus, Lecture/Lab

Format

Point out the A+

Essentials 2009 grid and

the A+ 2009 Practical

Application grids at the

beginning of the book

Chapter 1: Introducing

Hardware

Lab 1.1: Gather and

Record System

Information

Lab 1.2: Identify

Computer Parts

Textbook, Chapter 1. Introducing Hardware

Homework: Read the

chapter and answer

Reviewing the Basics and

Thinking Critically

questions. Answer Hands-on

Projects 1-1 through 1-4

questions.

Lab Manual: Labs 1.1, 1.2

Answer all lab questions in

class

2

August

25 - 31




Explain differences

between the various

operating systems

Describe the components

of a Windows OS

Know how an OS

interfaces with users,

files, folders,

applications, and

hardware



Use the command line

and other Windows tools

to examine a system

Understand the

relationships among

operating systems

Use Windows keyboard

shortcuts

Chapter 2: Introducing

Operating Systems

Lab 2.1: Examine Files

and Directories

Lab 2.5: Compare

Operating Systems

Lab 2.6: Use Windows

Keyboard Shortcuts

Textbook, Chapter 2.

Introducing Operating

Systems

Homework: Read the

chapter and answer


Thinking Critically


Projects 2-1, 2-3, 2-4, and 2-

5 questions and Real

Problems, Real Solutions 2-

1 and 2-2.

Lab Manual: Labs 2.1, 2.5,

2.6


class

3


Chapter 3: Working with

People in a Technical

Textbook, Chapter 3. Working with People in a

Sept. 2-9



Describe job roles and

responsibilities of those

who sell, fix, or support

personal computers

Understand what

customers expect of a PC

support technician that

goes beyond technical

knowledge

Interact with customers

when selling, servicing,

and supporting personal

computers



Describe the code of

ethics for IT

professionals and make

an ethical decision

Evaluate and respond to

the needs of customers

Use help desk skills in a

chat session or on the

phone to solve customer

problems

Listen well and respond

with integrity when a

customer is angry

Apply help desk

procedures to decide how

to handle a problem,

including when to

escalate the problem

World

Lab 3.1: Understand IT

Codes of Ethics

Lab 3.2: Provide

Customer Service

Lab 3.3: Practice Help

Desk Skills

Lab 3.4: Practice Good

Communication Skills

Lab 3.5: Understand the

Help Desk Procedures

for a Company

Technical World

Homework: Read the

chapter and answer


Thinking Critically


Projects 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4,

and 3-5 questions and Real


2 questions.


3.3, 3.4, and 3.5


class

4

Sept. 13

to 17

Chapter 4, Essentials sections

Upon completion of the

Essentials sections of this

chapter, the student will be able

to:

Describe the different

form factors used by

motherboards, computer

cases, and power supplies

and select appropriate

form factors to match a

system

Describe how electricity

is measured and about

A+ Essentials sections of

Chapter 4: Form Factors,

Power Supplies, and

Working Inside a

Computer, Pages 111-

143.

Lab 4.1: Identify Form

Factors

Lab 4.4: Find

Documentation on the

Internet

Lab 4.5: Choose the

Right Power Supply

Textbook, Chapter 4,

Essentials sections. Form

Factors, Power Supplies,

and Working Inside a

Computer, Essentials

sections, Pages 111-143.

Homework: Read Pages

111-143 of the chapter and

answer Reviewing the

Basics, Questions 1- 30 and

Thinking Critically


Projects 4-2, 4-3, 4-5, 4-6,

4-7, and 4-8.

electrical components

Select an appropriate

power supply for a

system

Protect self and others

against the dangers of

electricity



Identify and match form

factors of motherboards,

cases, and power supplies

Find documentation on

the Internet for computer

components

Select a replacement

power supply


and 4.5


class

5

Sept. 21

to 27





to:


types of features of

motherboards

Understand how

motherboard firmware

controls the beginning of

the boot



Examine and change

BIOS settings

Identify a CPU and

motherboard connectors

and features

Chapter 5: All About

Motherboards, Essentials


Lab 5.1: Examine and

Adjust CMOS Settings

Lab 5.3: Identify

Motherboard

Components


Essentials sections. All

About Motherboards

Homework: Read the

Essentials sections of the

chapter, Page 175-210, and

answer Reviewing the Basics

Questions 1-23 and Thinking

Critically Questions 1-4.

Answer Hands-on Projects

5-2, 5-4, 5-5 and 5-7, and

Real Problems, Real

Solutions 5-2 questions.

Lab Manual: Labs 5.1, and

5.3


class

6

Sept 29

to Oct 4.





to:

Describe features of

current Intel and AMD

processors uses for

personal computers

Chapter 6: Supporting

Processors, Essentials


Lab 6.4: Choose a CPU

Cooling Solution

Lab 6.5: Critical

Thinking: Restoring an

Overclocked PC


Supporting Processors,

Essentials sections

Homework: Read the

Essentials sections of the

chapter, Pages 239-256, and


Questions 1-18, and

Thinking Critically

Know how to keep a

system cool



Select a cooling unit for a

particular CPU

Overclock and restore a

CPU

Questions 1-2. Answer

Hands-on Projects 6-1, 6-2,

6-3, 6-4, and 6-6questions.

Lab Manual: Labs 6-4 and

6.5


class

7

Oct. 6 –

11

Chapter 7, Essentials section


Essentials section of this chapter,



kinds of physical memory

and how they work



Identify the type memory

required for a system and

use the Internet to

research price and

availability

Use the Kingston Web

site to research memory

types appropriate for a

system

Enable and configure

Vista ReadyBoost for

optimal performance

Chapter 7: Upgrading

Memory, Essentials

sections, Pages 297- 307.

Lab 7.1: Research RAM

on the Internet

Lab 7.2: Explore the

Kingston Web Site

Lab 7.4: Use Vista’s

ReadyBoost

Textbook, Chapter 7:

Upgrading Memory,

Essentials sections, Pages

297- 307.



answer Reviewing the

Basics, Questions 1- 30, and

Thinking Critically



and 7-5 questions.


7.4


class

8

Oct. 13

to 18





to:

Describe technologies

used for hard drives and

how data is organized on

a drive

Describe how a computer

communicates with a

hard drive

How RAID works

Describe how floppy

drives work



Hard Drives, Essentials


Lab 8.2: Use Disk

Management

Lab 8.4: Use Hard Drive

Utilities

Textbook, Chapter 8. Supporting Hard Drives,


329- 347.





Hands-on Projects 8-1 and

8-2 questions.

Lab Manual: Labs 8.2 and

8.4


class


Use Disk Management to

create, format, and delete

a partition

Evaluate hard drive

utilities offered by

manufacturers and test a

hard drive for problems

Oct 20 Midterm over Chapters 1-8 Last day to turn in any

work from the first 8

chapters

9

Oct. 22

to 28





to:

Describe the concepts of

supporting I/O devices

Describe characteristics

of I/O devices

Install peripheral I/O

devices including the

mouse, keyboard,

barcode reader,

fingerprint reader, and

touch screen



Gather information about

hardware components in

a system

Research and select a

high-end video card

Install and test a scanner

Chapter 9: Installing and

Supporting I/O Devices,


393- 435.

Lab 9.1: Gather

Information on I/O

Devices

Lab 9.3: Research High-

End Video Cards

Lab 9.4: Install and Test

a Scanner


Installing and Supporting

I/O Devices, Essentials



329-435 and answer

Reviewing the Basics

questions 1-19. Answer

Thinking Critically



9-4, 9-5, and 9-6 and Real


1 and 9-2 questions.


and 9.4


class

10

Nov. 1

to 8





to:

Describe the features of

multimedia cards, optical

storage devices, and

removable storage.

Install multimedia

peripherals and input

devices

Chapter 10: Multimedia

Devices and Mass

Storage, Essentials


Lab 10.2: Install a PC

Video Camera

Lab 10.3: Compare CD,

DVD, and Blu-ray

Technologies

Lab 10.5: Research

Digital Cameras

Lab 10.6: Explore

Windows Audio Features


Multimedia Devices and

Mass Storage, Essentials





Questions 1- 18 Answer

Hands-on Projects 10-2, 10-

3, 10-4, and 10-5 questions.

Lab Manual: Labs 10.2,

10.3, 10.5, and 10.6



Install a video camera

and use Windows Movie

Maker to test the camera

Recognize CD, DVD,

and Blu-ray

specifications

Research the features of a

digital camera

Customize Windows

sounds and use third-

party audio software


class

11

Nov. 10

to 16




Apply operational

procedures to keep self,

others, the equipment,

and the environment safe

Develop a preventive

maintenance plan for a

PC

Describe troubleshooting

theories used to solve any

computer problem



Describe how to protect

self, others and the

equipment when

repairing a computer

Clean a computer without

damaging self or the

computer

Introduce a computer

software or hardware

problem, diagnose a

problem introduced by

others, and document the

troubleshooting process.

Chapter 11: PC

Maintenance and

Troubleshooting

Strategies

Lab 11.2: Learn about

Safety Issues

Lab 11.3: Safely Clean

Computer Equipment

Lab 11.4: Diagnose

Simple Hardware

Problems

Lab 11.5: Troubleshoot a

Hardware Problem

Lab 11.8: Critical

Thinking: Troubleshoot a

Startup Problem

Lab 11.9: Critical

Thinking: Sabotage and

Repair a System

Textbook, Chapter 11: PC

Maintenance and

Troubleshooting Strategies

Homework: Read the

chapter and answer


Thinking Critically


Projects 11-1, 11-2, 11-3,

and 11-4 and Real Problems,

Real Solutions 11-1

questions.


11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.8, and

11.9


class

12

Nov 18

to 29




Plan a Windows

installation

Install Windows Vista,

Windows XP, and

Chapter 12: Installing

Windows

Lab 12.1: Install or

Upgrade to Windows

2000

Lab 12-2: Determine

Hardware Compatibility

with Windows XP

Textbook, Chapter 12.

Installing Windows

Homework: Read the

chapter and answer


Thinking Critically


Windows 2000, and

configure the OS



Decide between the

advantages of an upgrade

or new installation for a

system

Plan the installation and

install Windows 2000,

Windows XP, or

Windows Vista as an

upgrade or clean install.

Use the Hardware

Compatibility List for

Windows XP

Explain the benefits of an

unattended installation,

use nLite to create an

answer file for the

installation, and perform

the unattended

installation.


Upgrade to Windows XP


Upgrade to Windows

Vista

Lab 12.6: Critical

Thinking: Unattended

Installation

Projects 12-1, 12-2, 12-3,

12-5, 12-6, and 12-7

questions. Answer Real

Problems, Real Solutions

12-1 and 12-2 questions


12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.6


class

13

Dec. 1 to

7





to:

Set up and perform a

routine preventive

maintenance plan for

Windows

Prepare for disaster by

keeping timely backups

of user data and Windows

system files



Clean up and defragment

a hard drive and scan the

drive for errors

Use Task Scheduler to

schedule routine

maintenance tasks

Back up data and restore

data from backups

Add users, reset

passwords, and control

Chapter 13: Maintaining

Windows, Essentials

sections, Pages 603-642

Lab 13.1: Perform Hard

Drive Routine

Maintenance

Lab 13.2: Schedule

Maintenance Tasks

Lab 13.3: Back Up and

Restore Files in Windows

XP

Lab 13.4: Manage User

Accounts in Windows

Vista/XP

Lab 13.5: Set Disk

Quotas

Lab 13.6: Manage Virtual

Memory


Maintaining Windows,


603-642

Homework: Read pages

603-642 in the chapter and


Questions 1 – 22, and

Thinking Critically


Hands-on Project 13-1, 13-

2, 13-3, 13-4, and 13-5

questions.

Lab Manual: Labs 13.1

through 13.6


class

password policies

Convert a drive from

FAT to NTFS, set and

monitor disk quotas, and

identify when quotas

have been exceeded

Adjust virtual memory

settings

14

Dec. 9 to

15





to:

Use Windows tools and

utilities to solve problems

with Windows

performance



Customize Windows

Vista taskbar, Start menu,

and desktop

Use the Microsoft

Management Console to

create a console and then

use the console

Use Event Viewer to

view, save, and compare

events

Use Task Manager to

research process

information

Backup, modify, corrupt,

and restore the registry

Chapter 14: Optimizing

Windows, Essentials


Lab 14.1: Customize

Windows Vista

Lab 14.2: Use the

Microsoft Management

Console

Lab 14.3: Analyze a

System with Event Viewer

Lab 14.4: Use Task

Manager

Lab 14.5: Edit the

Registry with Regedit


Optimizing Windows,


677-710


1061-1093 in the chapter

and answer Reviewing the

Basics questions 1-19.

Answer Thinking Critically

Questions 1 and 2. Answer

Hands-on Project 14-5, 14-

6, and 14-7 questions.


14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5


class

15

Dec. 17

and 19

Final Exam over chapters 9-14 Dec. 17 is the last day to

turn in any work for chapters

9 to 14

PC Repair Practical Application Course

Week Content References

1

Jan. 5

to 11




Use Windows tools to

solve problems caused by

hardware, applications,

Chapter 15: Tools for

Solving Windows

Problems

Lab 15.1: Use Windows

Help and Troubleshooters

Lab 15.2: Restore the

System State


Tools for Solving Windows

Problems

Homework: Read the chapter


Basics and Thinking

and failed Windows

components

Use Vista tools to solve

problems when starting

Vista

Use Windows 2000/XP

tools to solve problems

when starting Windows

2000/XP



Search Windows Help

and use Windows

Troubleshooter

Use System Restore to

return the system to a

previous restore point

Update drivers using

Device Manager

Copy files to a removable

media while using the

Recovery Console

Repair a Vista installation

using Windows RE

Lab 15.3: Update Drivers

with Device Manager

Lab 15.5: Use the XP

Recovery Console to Copy

Files

Lab 15.6: Use the Vista

Recovery Environment

(Windows RE) to Repair

Windows

Critically questions. Answer


2, 15-3, 15-4, 15-5, and 15-6



1 questions


15.2, 15.3, 15.5, 15.6


class

2

Jan 13

to 20




Describe hardware

devices used for

networking


types of networks

Explain the networking

protocols and standards

used by Windows

Connect a PC to an

existing network

Troubleshoot a network

connection



Install a network card and

drivers and perform a

loopback test

Test a patch cable and

crossover cable and

identify pinouts

Research wired and

Welcome

Class Introductions

Review Goals &

Objectives of Class,

Syllabus, Lecture/Lab

Format

Point out the A+ 2009

Essentials 2009 grid and

the A+ Practical

Application 2009 grid at

the beginning of the book.

Also point out the green

Essentials and blue

Practical Application A+

mapping within the

chapters.

Point out in the front of

the book the diagram that

explains chapter

organization to cover the

A+ Essentials and A+

Practical Application

objectives.

Chapter 17: Networking

Essentials


Networking Essentials



Basics and Thinking



2, 17-3, and 17-4 questions.

Answer Real Problems, Real

Solutions 17-1 questions


17.2, 17.3, and 17.5


class

wireless standards and

identify best options for a

home LAN

Share resources on a

network and connect to

these resources

Lab 17.1: Connect Two

Computers

Lab 17.2: Inspect Cables

Lab 17.3: Compare

Options for a Home LAN

Lab 17.5: Share Resources

on a Network

3

Jan 24

to 28




Understand the

importance of complying

with established security

policies

Identify ways to

authenticate and classify

users and data

Describe additional

methods to protect

resources

Describe methods used to

monitor and maintain

security measures that

have been implemented



Use Windows tools and

BIOS setup to log and

monitor events

Use Vista Event Viewer

to track filed login

attempts and changes to

files and folders

Configure and use

Windows Firewall and

Windows Defender and

unhide file extensions

Share a folder on the

network and control

which users and read and

modify the folder

Chapter 19, Security

Essentials

Lab 19.1: Audit Computer

and Network Activity in

XP

Lab 19.2: Monitor

Security Events in Vista

Lab 19.3: Research PC

Security

Lab 19.4: Secure a Private

Folder


Security Essentials



Basics and Thinking



3, 19-4 and 19-5 questions,

and answer Real Problems,

Real Solutions 19-1 and 19-2

questions


19.2, 19.3, and 19.4


class

4

Feb. 1

to 7

Chapter 21, Essentials content


Essentials content of this chapter,


Explain the special

considerations when

supporting notebooks and


Notebooks, Essentials


Lab 21.1: Examine

Notebook Documentation

Lab 21.2: Compare

Notebooks and Desktops

Lab 21.3: Manage Power


Supporting Notebooks,


1093-1128


1093 - 1128 of the chapter


different from supporting

desktop computers

Install, configure,

optimize and troubleshoot

peripheral devices used

with notebooks



Locate and download

notebook documentation

and use it to find critical

information about the

notebook

Research and compare

prices of a desktop and

notebook computer with

similar specifications

Manage power saving

options and troubleshoot

power problems

Change display settings

on a notebook, use an

external monitor, and

communicate with

difficult customers

Research and use

diagnostic software on a

notebook and research

replacing a notebook part

Saving Options

Lab 21.4: Use Notebook

Display Options

Lab 21.5: Use Notebook

Diagnostic Software




Hands-on Project 21-1 and

21-2 questions.


21.2, 21.3, 21.4, and 21.5


class

5

Feb. 9

to 15

Chapter 22 Essentials


Essentials content of this chapter,


Describe printer types and

features

Install printers and share a

printer on the network

Manage Windows print

jobs and install printer

consumables



Install and share a local

printer and use that printer

from another computer on

the network

Install a network printer

and test the printer on the


Printers, Essentials


Lab 22.1: Install and

Share a Local Printer

Lab 22.2: Install a

Network Printer

Lab 22.3: Update Printer

Drivers




1161-1191


1161 - 1191 of the chapter





Hands-on Project 22-2 and

22-3 questions. Answer

questions for Real Problems,

Real Solutions 22-1.


22.2, and 22.3


class

network

Identify printer driver

information and

download, install, and test

newer drivers

Essentials content ends here and

Practical Application content

begins

Students are encouraged

to take the A+ 220-701

exam. There is an A+

testing center at Parkway

North High School

6

Feb.

17 to

25

Chapter 4, Practical Application

sections

Upon completion of the Practical

Application section of this


to:

Take a computer apart and

put it back together

Troubleshoot electrical

problems



Take a computer apart,

recognize components,

and put a system back

together

Use a multimeter to

measure voltage provided

by a power supply

Upgrade a power supply

A+ Practical Application

sections of Chapter 4:

Form Factors, Power

Supplies, and Working

Inside a Computer, Page

144 through end of

chapter.

Lab 4.2: Take a Computer

Apart and Put it

Back Together

Lab 4.3: Measure the

Output of Your

Power Supply

Lab 4.6: Upgrade a

Power Supply



sections. Form Factors,

Power Supplies, and Working

Inside a Computer, Practical

Application sections

beginning on Page 144

through end of chapter.


beginning with page 144 and


questions 31 – 33. Answer

Hands-on Projects 4-1

questions and Real Problems,

Real Solutions 4-1 questions.


and 4.6


class

7

Mar 1

to 7


sections


sections


Application sections of these

chapters, the student will be able

to:

Install, configure, and

maintain a motherboard

Install and upgrade a

processor

Troubleshoot problems

with processors,

motherboards, and

Chapter 5: All About

Motherboards, Practical

Application sections,

Pages 210 through end of

chapter.


Processors, Practical


Pages 256 through the end

of chapter.

Lab 5-4: Identify a

Motherboard and Find

Documentation and

Drivers on the Internet

Lab 5.5: Remove and

Replace a Motherboard



sections. All About

Motherboards, Page 210

through end of chapter.

Homework: Read Pages 210

through end of the chapter


Basics Questions 24-25, and

Thinking Critically Questions

5-6. Answer Hands-on

Projects 5-1, 5-3, and 5-6,

and Real Problems, Real


overheating



Open a case, identify a

motherboard brand and

model number, and search

the Internet for

motherboard

documentation for this

particular board

Remove, replace, and

configure a motherboard

Flash BIOS

Remove and replace a

CPU

Lab 5.6: Flash BIOS

Lab 6-1: Remove and

Replace a CPU



sections. Supporting

Processors, Page 256 through

end of chapter.


through end of the chapter


Basics Questions 19-20, and

Thinking Critically Question

3. Answer Hands-on Projects

6-5, and Real Problems, Real



5.6, and 6.1


class

8

Mar 9

to 15


sections


sections




to:

Upgrade memory


with memory

Select and install a hard

drive


with hard drives



Research memory needed

for an upgrade and

upgrade memory

Identify faulty memory

symptoms and test RAM

Install a second hard drive

in a system

Simulate hard drive

problems, diagnose and

repair problems, and

document the

Chapter 7: Upgrading

Memory, Practical


Pages 307 to end of

chapter.


Hard Drives, Practical


Pages 347 to end of

chapter.

Lab 7.3: Upgrade RAM

Lab 7.5: Troubleshoot

Memory Problems

Lab 8-3: Install a Second

Hard Drive

Lab 8-5: Troubleshoot

Hard Drives

Lab 8-7: Critical

Thinking: Troubleshoot

and Repair a Hard Drive


Upgrading Memory,


sections, Pages 307 to end of

chapter.


to end of chapter and answer


4-5. Answer Hands-on

Projects 7-3, 7-4, and 7-6 and

Real Problems, Real


Textbook, Chapter 8. Supporting Hard Drives,



chapter.


to the end of the chapter and


Questions 21-25, and

Thinking Critically questions.

Answer Hands-on Projects 8-

3, 8-4, and 8-6 and Real

Problems, Real Solutions 8-1

questions.


troubleshooting process

8-3, 8-5, and 8-7


class

Mar

17

MidTerm Exam over weeks 1 to

8

9

Mar

29 to

Apr. 4


sections


sections




to:

Install and configure I/O

devices including internal

components


with I/O devices

Install and configure

multimedia and mass

storage devices


with multimedia and mass

storage devices



Use Device Manager to

investigate and solve

problems with hardware

Troubleshoot and solve

problems with the video

subsystem

Install a sound card and

drivers and test the card

Install a second display

adapter and configure the

system for dual monitors

Chapter 9: Installing and

Supporting I/O Devices,


sections, Pages 435 to end

of chapter.

Chapter 10: Multimedia

Devices and Mass

Storage, Practical


Pages 502 to end of

chapter.

Lab 9.2: Identify

Hardware Conflicts using

Device Manager

Lab 9.5: Critical

Thinking: Troubleshoot

Video Problems

Lab 10.1: Install a Sound

Card

Lab10.4: Install Dual

Displays in Windows


Multimedia Devices and

Mass Storage, Practical

Application sections, Pages

502 to end of chapter.


through the end of the

chapter, and answer



all Thinking Critically


Projects 10-1 questions.


Installing and Supporting

I/O Devices, Practical

Application sections, Pages

435 to end of chapter.


through the end of the

chapter, and answer




4. Answer Hands-on Projects

10-1 questions and Real


1 questions.


10.1, and 10.4


class

10

Apr 6

to 12


sections


sections




to:

Identify the directory

Chapter 13: Maintaining

Windows, Practical


Pages 642 to end of

chapter

Chapter 14: Optimizing

Windows, Practical


Pages 710 to end of

chapter


Maintaining Windows,



chapter


beginning with page 642 to

the end of the chapter.

Answer Reviewing the Basics

structures used by

Windows for system files

and user data

Use Windows utilities to

manage a hard drive

Optimize Windows to

improve performance



Use various commands at

the command prompt to

manage files and folders

Use the Xcopy and

Robocopy commands

Use Windows tools to

identify processes slowing

down Windows, clean up

startup, and configure the

system to stay optimized

Lab 13.7: Learn to Work

from the Command Line

Lab 13.8: Use the Xcopy

and Robocopy Commands

Lab 14.6: Critical

Thinking: Use Windows

Utilities to Speed Up a

System

(Note the first heading, How

Printers and Scanners Work,

was covered in the Essentials

semester.)

Note: Students are

encouraged to take the

A+ Essentials 2009

exam during the next

two weeks.



1. Answer Real Problems,

Real Solutions 13-1, 13-2,

and 13-3 questions.


Optimizing Windows,



chapter


beginning with page 710 to

the end of the chapter.

Answer Reviewing the Basics



3-5. Answer questions for


2, 14-3, 14-4 questions.

Answer Real Problems, Real

Solutions 14-1 and 14-2

questions.


13.8, and 14.6


class

11

Apr

14 to

20




Know what to do when a

hardware device,

application, or Windows

component gives

problems

Know what to do when

Windows Vista won’t

boot or starts with errors

Know what to do when

Windows 2000/XP won’t

boot or starts with errors



Research problems with

Windows installations,

transfer user data and

preferences, modify an

Chapter 16, Fixing

Windows Problems


Failed Windows

Installations

Lab 16.2: Recover Data

from a Computer That

Will Not Boot

Lab 16.3: Finding a

Driver for an Unknown

Device

Lab 16.5: Critical


Repair Windows XP

Lab 16.6: Critical


Repair Windows Vista


Fixing Windows Problems



Basics and Thinking



2, 16-3, 16-4, and 16-5

questions, and answer Real


1 questions


16.2, 16.3, 16.5, and 16.6


class

answer file, and share an

external drive with a PC

and a MAC.

Copy data from a non-

booting computer and use

data recovery software

Use third-party software

to identify an unknown

device and use the

Internet to find and

download a driver

Sabotage a system and

troubleshoot and repair a

Windows XP or Vista

system that is not working

12

Apr

22 to

28




Connect a computer or

small network to the

Internet using a

broadband, satellite, or

dial-up connection

Set up a SOHO wired or

wireless network

Use tools and utilities to

solve networking

problems

Troubleshoot network

connections and problems

with client applications



Use FTP commands to

download a browser via

FTP

Configure and use

Remote Access Service

for a dial-up connection

Configure and use

Remote Desktop

Configure and use a

wireless router to connect

to the Internet

Troubleshoot a network

connection using the

Ipconfig, Ping, and

Tracert utilities

Chapter 18: Networking

Practices

Lab 18.2: Use FTP to

Download a Browser

Lab 18.3: Configure and

Use Remote Access

Service

Lab 18.4: Use Remote

Desktop

Lab 18.6: Set up a

Wireless Router


TCP/IP Utilities

Lab 18.8: Solve Network

Connectivity Problems


Networking Practices Homework: Read the chapter


Basics and Thinking


questions for Hands-on

Projects 18-1, 18-2, and 18-4





18.3, 18.4, 18.6, 18.7, and

18.8


class

Solve network

connectivity problems and

document the process

13

May 3

to 9




Protect against and

remove malware from a

system

Implement security using

Windows

Use BIOS security

features



Install AV software and

scan the system

Encrypt a folder and use a

different user account to

access a file in the folder

Use a router manual to

explain how to implement

security on a wireless

LAN

Identify all startup

processes on a computer

and use the Internet to

research these processes

Download, install and run

anti-rootkit software to

scan for rootkits

Chapter 20: Security

Practices

Lab 20.1: Protect Your

Computer from Viruses

and Adware

Lab 20.2: Use Encryption

Lab 20.3: Secure a

Wireless LAN

Lab 20.4: Investigate

Startup Processes

Lab 20.5: Deal with a

Rootkit


Security Practices Homework: Read the chapter


Basics and Thinking


questions for Hands-on

Projects 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, and

20-5 questions. Answer Real




20.2, 20.3, 20.4, and 20.5


class

14

May

11 to

17


sections


sections




to:

Troubleshoot, upgrade,

and replace internal

notebook components

Perform routine printer

maintenance tasks


with printers


Notebooks, Practical


Pages 1128 to end of

chapter


Printers, Practical


Pages 1191 to end of

chapter

Lab 21.6: Replace a

Notebook Hard Drive

Lab 21.7: Critical

Thinking: Replace a

Notebook LCD Panel





of chapter


1128 through the end of the

chapter and answer Reviewing

the Basics questions 17-20.


Question 3. Answer Hands-

on Project 21-3, 21-4, 21-5

questions. Answer questions

for Real Problems, Real

Solutions 21-1, 21-2, and 21-



Remove and replace a

notebook hard drive

Identify hardware

problems with LCD

components and replace

these components

Research printer

maintenance information

on the Internet and solve

common printer problems

Introduce a problem with

a printer, and solve printer

problems introduced by

others

Lab 22.4: Maintain and

Troubleshoot a Printer

Lab 22.5: Critical


Repair a Network Printer

Note: Students are

encouraged to take the

A+ Practical

Application exam

during the next two

weeks.

3.


Supporting Printers,



of chapter


1128 through the end of the

chapter and answer Reviewing

the Basics questions 14-20.


Question 3. Answer Hands-

on Project 22-1 and 22-4

questions.


21.7, 22.4, and 22.5


class

15

May

19 to

27

Finish up and testing May 23 is the last day to turn

in any work from Weeks 9 to

14. The final exam is on

either May 25 or May 27 and

will be comprehensive over

the entire course of study for

both semesters.

Documents

Syllabus A+ Computer Maintenance