Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Archived Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Archived Catalog

COMC-115 A+ Core Hardware Components

Credits 3 / 3 Contact Hours
Pre-requisite: Placement into ACRD-080.  Pre- or Co-requisite: COMG 153 .
This course provides students with practical hands-on experience in installing configuring and upgrading hardware components. Topics include motherboards processors memory printers basic networking as well as troubleshooting and preventive maintenance. This course is intended to assist students who are preparing for the Comp TIA A+ Core Hardware exam which is one of two courses required to become A+ certified.

Course Outcomes
1. Identify the names, purpose, and characteristics of system modules 2. Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for desktop and portable systems 3. Identify typical IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses, and procedures for altering these settings when installing and configuring devices 4. Identify the names, purposes, and performance characteristics of standardized/common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors 5. Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common IDE, SCSI, and peripheral devices 6. Identify procedures to optimize PC operations in specific situations 7. Determine the issues that must be considered when upgrading a PC 8. Recognize common problems associated with each module and their symptoms and identify steps to isolate and troubleshoot the problems 9. Identify basic troubleshooting procedures and tools and how to elicit problem symptoms from customers 10. Identify the various types of preventive maintenance measures, safety measures, and environmental protections measures and when/how to use them 11. Distinguish between the popular CPU chips in terms of their basic characteristics 12. Identify the types of RAM (Random Access Memory), form factors, and operational characteristics 13. Identify the most popular types of motherboards, their components, and their architecture (bus structures) 14. Identify the purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) memory, what it contains, and how and when to change its parameters 15. Identify printer technologies, interfaces, and options/upgrades 16. Recognize printer problems and techniques used to resolve them 17. Identify the common types of network cables, their characteristics, and connectors 18. Identify basic networking concepts including how a network works 19. Identify common technologies available for establishing Internet connectivity and their characteristics