Learn about computer repair and maintenance - improve your job prospects.

• Understand computer servicing – installation, maintenance and repair.
• Work in a growth industry.
• A foundation course - developing essential knowledge.
• Study this course in your own home and at your own pace.
• Course duration: 100 hours.

The hardware in a computer system is in some ways, like the engine of a car. The software is like the driver. Just like a car cannot be run without the engine and a driver a computer needs perfectly functioning hardware components to be working properly.

The first time you open a computer case, it can be quite daunting looking at all of the components, wires, etc.

As a computer technician, it is essential to immediately identify all (or most) of the components in different computer systems. Not all computers are the same as there are many different layouts and components used.

Computers are complex pieces of equipment - you need to have essential knowledge to attempt proper maintenance. More and more of us rely on computers in our lives - for both work and leisure. Our reliance on such equipment means there will always be work opportunities in computer servicing.

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

There are 9 lessons in total, as outlined below:

Lesson 1. The Computer Workshop

• Basic Hand Tools
• Cleaning Equipment and Materials
• Hardware and Software for Solving Errors
• Workshop Electrical Safety
• Computer Workshop and Sales Areas
• Components of Workshop
• Workshop Layout
• Managing a Growing Workshop
• Record Keeping
• Work Scheduling
• Customer Quotations and Servicing

Lesson 2. Computer and Workshop Safety

• Understanding Electricity
• Circuits
• Conductors and Non conductors
• Voltage
• Resistance
• Ohm's Law
• Power
• Safety for Computer Workers
• Safety for your Computer
• Legislation, Duty of Care
• Employer and Employee Duties
• Manufacturer Duties
• Computer Ergonomics
• Workstation Layout
• Computer Equipment
• Work Environment Factors - light, glare, radiation, etc.
• Accidents
• Safety Hazards - ESD, electricity, electromagnetic fields, conductive surfaces, monitors
• Electricity Safety Guidelines
• Lifting and Manual Handling
• First Aid
• Shock
• Fainting
• Sprains and Strains

Lesson 3. Hardware Components

• Motherboards
• Cases
• Cables
• CPU's
• Cooling Systems - air, fan, liquid, fittings, maintenance
• RAM (Memory)
• Internal Drives
• Graphics Processing Unit
• Power Supply
• Lap Tops
• Common Lap Top Issues

Lesson 4. Different Systems And Basic Disassembly

• Disassembly Procedures
• How to Disassemble and Reassemble a Computer
• Documentation
• Dismantling and Reassembling a Laptop

Lesson 5. Peripherals

• Common Peripherals
• Mouse
• Keyboards
• Monitors
• Monitor Specifications
• Webcam
• Microphone
• Hard Disk Interfaces
• Configuring CMOS
• Low Level Formatting
• Interleaving
• Partitioning
• Disk Part
• Partitions
• High Level Formatting
• File Systems, Clustering
• FAT32
• NTFS, NTFS5, exFAT

Lesson 6. System Assembly

• Assembling a Desktop
• Case and Power Supply
• Motherboard, CPU, RAM
• I/O Ports
• HDD
• SSD
• Video Card/Monitors
• Keyboard and Mouse
• Preparation for Assembly
• Basic Motherboard Configuration
• Processor Settings
• SATA Drives
• Identifying Parts

Lesson 7. Installation Of Software

• Understanding a Boot Disk
• Installing Drivers and Using Manuals
• Importance of Manuals
• 32 and 64 bit Software
• Upgrading the OS
• New Installation
• Basic Disk Partition

Lesson 8. Computer Maintenance: An Introduction

• Software Preventative Maintenance
• Static Electricity Awareness
• Power On/Off Procedures
• Maintenance Procedure
• Installing Updates
• Security Patch
• Service Pack
• Hotfix
• Update Rollback
• Update Rollup Package
• Disk Cleanup and Defragmenter
• Disk fragmentation and Drive Optimisation
• Computer Servicing Report
• Hardware Preventative Maintenance

Lesson 9. Troubleshooting: An Introduction

• Determining what caused an error
• Hardware Errors
• Software Errors
• Power On/Off Self Test
• Hard Disk Problems
• Bugs
• Viruses
• Motherboard Battery
• Logical Approach to Troubleshooting

COURSE AIMS

• To establish a computer repair workshop.
• Develop safety guidelines for the use of computer equipment, both for the technician in the workshop and for the operator/client.
• Identify different hardware components of a computer system.
• Identify and remove specific parts from a computer; and to distinguish between different types of personal computers.
• Assemble peripherals for a computer system.
• Assemble a computer system. Install different software programs into computer systems, in accordance with manuals.
• Recommend significant maintenance requirements for a Personal Computer.
• Determine the cause of common problems which occur with computer systems.

BEING A TECHNICIAN REQUIRES MORE THAN JUST KNOWING HOW TO DO THE REPAIR

You can know how to repair a computer, and still be ineffective at computer servicing.

If you really want to be an effective computer service technician, you need knowledge, good habits and experience. You need to understand not only the equipment, but also the tools you might use, and good workplace practices. A holistic outlook is important, and often it's that "extra" and "broader" appreciation for the job, that separates a successful technician from an unsuccessful one. Good technicians communicate well with clients, they understand the problems that are brought to them and give appropriate advice in a way that the client can understand. They appreciate everything that is important from health and safety to time management, record keeping and emerging changes in technology.

Consider Health and Safety

• Don't work in crammed or disorganised spaces. Never work on unstable surfaces. Be careful with sharp objects or dangerous chemicals (which may be found in some components).
• Understand ergonomics if you want to ensure you don't develop muscle or nerve damage. Attend to your long term eye health.
• Take the proper precautions to avoid any electrical shocks before opening your PC’s case. Besides turning off the computer, you need to ensure that the power cord is unplugged from the back of the computer’s case. Electrical shocks will not hurt you but the static can destroy the hardware components in the computer.

Electrical Safety

Voltages used for domestic power supplies vary between 110 and 240V, sufficient to give a serious electric shock. Display equipment such as computer monitors generate and store voltages of up to 15,000 volts (15KV) for black and white monitors, and 30,000 volts (30KV) for colour monitors. These voltages can be present even when the equipment has been switched off for some time.

It is vital that basic electrical safety guidelines are followed at all times when working on electrical equipment. In conjunction with any additional formal instructions the following should always be noted:

• Do not touch any electrical equipment or power points if your hands are wet, or if the equipment itself is wet.
• If any electrical equipment catches fire, ensure it is unplugged as soon as possible, and never use water to put out the flames.
• Do not pull out the plug of any electrical equipment before turning it off. 
• When you disconnect electrical equipment, do not hold the cord. Instead, you should only hold the plug.
• Do not work with electrical equipment unless you know what you are doing and are sure of the consequences.
• Remove all jewellery while working on electrical equipment.
• Beware of building up static electricity or electro-magnetic energy – insulate, be cautious etc.
• Use extreme care when applying any of the above tools. In general most adjustments will not have to be forced. 
• Use the right tool for the right job – don't bend or damage parts.
• Use chip extraction or insertion tools to handle chips and be cautious not to bend any pins on a chip.
• Always replace blown fuses with one of the correct rating and always check that the existing fuse was rated correctly.
• Never work alone – there should be always someone nearby to assist in an emergency.

HOW THE COURSE WORKS

• You can start the course at any time.

Computer Servicing I is studied by distance learning, so you can study in the comfort of your own home. But this doesn't mean you are all alone in your studies.  Our highly qualified and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way.  If you have any questions at all, they are always happy to help.

Each lesson includes set tasks, and is completed with an assignment which the student submits to their course tutor.  The tutor will mark the assignment and return this to the student with comments and suggestions for further reading.

WHY STUDY THIS COURSE

• Take this course to gain a very solid foundation in the fundamentals of servicing computers.

Learning is all about developing good habits and committing the most important knowledge to long term memory, and when you are doing a job like computer servicing, these things are especially important.

Mistakes cannot always be reversed. When you are electrocuted or components are burnt by a surge of electricity, you cannot "un-electrocute" something! 

If you commit to doing this course properly, and make good use of your tutor who guides you through these studies, you will learn the things that are most important and develop the habits that are critical to growing your knowledge, skills and capacity as a very good computer technician over the years that follow.

YOUR LEARNING PACKAGE - WHY STUDY WITH ACS

At ACS we provide you with more than just a set of course notes.

Your 'learning package' includes:

• Course notes.
• Self-assessment quizzes.
• Assignment feedback.
• You can interact one on one with a professional tutor with decades of experience - just email, phone or log on to chat to connect with them.

WHAT NEXT?

Register to Study - Go to “It’s Easy to Enrol” box at the top of the page and you can enrol now.

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