Check out our Aquarium Computer. You will be able to read
the daily diary which will include the running temperatures, modifications
done each day, any upgrades done, etc. We will also be adding pictures for
you to see the progress.
Aquarium Computer
Web Design Course
Curriculum
Student Sites
Linux Curriculum
Chapter 1
Exam
This course is split into two separate sections.
Hardware:
Covers all aspects of the hardware in a PC including case,
motherboard, RAM, CPU, Hard Disk, CD-Rom, Power Supply, etc.
Software:
The software portion of the class covers all Microsoft
Operating Systems from MS-Dos 6.22 through Windows Vista
Hardware:
Overview
Glossary
Week 1:
CompTIA
What is CompTIA
What is the A+ certification
Information Technology Basics
Getting Started in IT
Computer Types
Connecting Computer Systems
Birth of the Internet
The Cost of
Technology
Laboratory Safety and Tools
Basic Lab
Safety Principles
Workspace
Practices That Help Reduce ESD (Electro-Static Discharge) Potential
Tools of the
Trade
Workspace
Cleaning Supplies
Workplace
Testing Equipment
Lab Safety
Agreement
Getting to Know the
Computer Hardware
How Computers Work
Computer Operations
Input, Processing, Output, and Storage
The Boot Process
Initializing the Hardware
Loading the Operating System
Running the Boot Sequence
Hardware Components
Week 2
Computer Cases
(Notes)
Cases Worksheet #1
Cases Worksheet #2
Power Supplies
(Notes)
Electricity (Notes)
Power Supplies Worksheet #1
Week 3
BIOS ROM (Notes)
BIOS Worksheet #1
BIOS Lab #1
Motherboards
(Notes)
Motherboard Worksheet #1
Motherboard
Lab #1
Week 4
Expansion Slots
(Notes)
MCA (Micro
Channel Achitecture)
ISA (Industry Standard Architecture
EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture)
VLB (VESA Local Bus)
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect )
AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
PCI-X (Peripheral Component
Interconnect Extended)
PCI-E (Peripheral Component
Interconnect-Express)
Expansion Slots
Worksheet #1
PCI Slots
Worksheet #1
Memory Components
(Notes)
Byte
ECC (Error
Correction Code)
DIP (Dual In-Line
Pin)
SIPP (Single In-Line Pin Package)
SIMM (Single In-Line Memory Module)
DIMM (Dual In-Line Memory Module)
RIMM (Rambus In-Line Memory Module)
Memory
Worksheet #1
Memory
Worksheet #2
CPU/Processor
(Notes)
How Processors
Work
Socket Types
Chipsets and System Bus
(Notes)
Chipset
Worksheet
Cooling Systems
(Notes)
Week 5
Display Adapters
Video Adapters
Worksheet
Audio Cards
Audio Devices
Worksheet
Network Cards
Modems
Modem and
Broadband
Worksheet
Serial and
Parallel Ports
Serial and
Parallel Ports
Worksheet
PS/2
(6-Pin Mini-DIN) and 5-Pin DIN Ports
Universal Serial Bus Ports and
FireWire Buses
USB and
Firewire Ports
Worksheet
Infrared Devices
Week 6
SCSI
SCSI
Disk Types
Controllers
Storage
Components Calc
Hard Drive
(howstuffworks)
IDE or
IDE,
EIDE
Hard Drive
(IDE)
Worksheet
CD-Rom
Drive or PIO
Floppy
Drive
(howstuffworks)
DVD Formats
and Drives
Floppy-CD
Worksheet
Backup
Hardware
Network
Components
Week 7
System Resources
What Are System Resources
Interrupt Requests
Direct Memory Access
Input/Output Addresses
Memory Address
Week 8
Portable Devices
Notebook
Computers
Upgrading and
Troubleshooting
PCMCIA Cards
Docking Stations
Printers
Week 9
Preparation for
A+ Certification Exam
Software
Week 1
Operating System Fundamentals
Microsoft Windows
Operating Systems
Components
of an Operating System
Operating
System Functions
Operating
System Types: Basic Terminology
Week 2
Disk Operating
System
What is DOS,
and Why Learn About It?
Understanding the DOS File Structure
Learning the
Basic DOS Commands
Creating a
DOS Boot Disk
Booting the
System with a DOS Disk
Understanding DOS Configuration Files
Editing
System Configuration Files: SYSEDIT.EXE
Memory
Management
Memory Types
Memory-Management Tools: Adjusting and Optimizing System Memory
Other Types
of Memory
Memory
Conflicts: General Protection Faults
Real-Versus
Protected-Mode Memory Addressing
Summary
Key Terms
Check Your
Understanding
Week 3
Windows 9x Operating Systems
Windows 9x
File Structure and File-Management System
Naming Files
in Windows
Understanding Directories and Folders
Using a
Text-Editing Application to Create a File (Document)
Copying,
Moving, and Creating Shortcuts
Viewing
Document Details
Recognizing
File Types in Windows
Selecting,
Copying, and Moving Files
Searching
for a File, Folder, or Directory
Making
Backup Copies of Files on a Floppy Disk
Using the
Recycle Bin
Windows
Management with the Control Panel
Using the
System Properties Applet
Using a
Printer
Adding and
Removing Programs
Adding
Hardware
Adjusting
the Display and Sounds
System Tools
Understanding the Registry
Using
REGEDIT and SCANREG
Understanding MSCONFIG, the Startup Menu, and Safe Mode
Using
WSCRIPT.EXE, HWINFO.EXE, and ASD.EXE
Preparing the
Hard Drive for Operating System Installation
Partitioning
a Hard Drive
Formatting a
hard Drive
Installing
Windows 9x
Windows 9x
Versions Overview
Requirements
for Installing Windows 98
Steps of
Windows 98 Installation
Windows 98
Setup Options
Upgrade
Installation
Troubleshooting the Installation Process
Using
Systematic Troubleshooting Techniques and Finding Help
Understanding Windows 98 Setup Errors
Using the
System Properties Window
Adding
Software Drivers
Making a
Windows Startup Disk
Uninstalling
Windows 98
Summary
Key Terms
Check Your
Understanding
Week 4
Windows NT/2000 Operating System
NTFS Versus
FAT
Security and
Permissions
Windows 2000
Boot Process
Plug and
Play Drivers
System Tools
Administrative Tools
Windows 2000
Registry
Startup Menu
and Safe Mode
The ERD and
Recovery Console for Windows 2000
Overview of
the Installation Process
Differences
Between Windows 2000 and 9x Installations
Hardware
Requirements
Windows 2000
Features
Installing
Windows 2000
Requirements
for Installing Windows 2000
Steps of
Windows 2000 Installation
Windows 2000
Setup Options
Special
Installation
Upgrading
from Windows NT Workstation to Windows 2000
Replacing
Windows 9x with Windows 2000
Dual-Booting
Windows 9x/Windows NT 4 and Windows 2000
Summary
Key Terms
Check Your
Understanding
Week 5
Windows XP Operating System
Windows XP
Versions
Windows XP
Home Edition
Windows XP
Professional Edition
Windows XP
Professional 64-Bit Edition
Windows XP
Media Center Edition
Overview of
the Installation process
Differences
Between the Installation of Windows 2000/9x and Windows XP
Windows XP
Hardware Requirements
Windows XP
Features
Installing the
Windows XP Operating System
Requirements
for Installing Windows XP
Understanding the Steps of a Windows XP Installation
Windows XP
Setup Options
Special
Installations
Upgrading
Windows NT Workstation 4/2000 to Windows XP
Upgrading
Windows 98 to Windows XP
Dual-Booting
Windows 9x, NT 4/2000, and XP
Keeping User
Files Private
Simple File
Sharing Versus Windows 2000 Sharing
Internet
Enhancements
System
Properties
Graphical
User Interface
Summary
Key Terms
Check Your
Understanding
Week 6
Multimedia Capabilities
Introduction
to Multimedia
Basic
Hardware Required for Multimedia Upgrades
The Video
Adapter
Computer
Displays
Sound Cards
and Speaker Systems
Common Media
File Formats Used in Media Applications
MPEG
Hardware Versus Software
Upgrading
Video with a Video Acceleration Board
Reviewing
PCI and AGP Types
Understanding All-In-One Cards
Installing
and Configuring the Video Card Driver and Software
Understanding RAMDAC and Video Memory
Flashing the
Video Board with BIOS Updates
Adding Audio
Capabilities with a Sound Card
Understanding Sound Card Operations
Working with
USB, PCI, and Built-in Sound
Removing or
Disabling Outdated Sound Cards
Installing
Sound Cards
Connecting a
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive to the Sound Card
Installing
the Sound Card Driver and Software
Connecting
MIDI and External Audio Sources
Overview of
CDs and DVDs
Compact
Discs
CD-R and
CD-RW Media
Digital
Audio Extraction
DVD-Drives
DVD-Recording
CD Recording
Formats
DVD Layering
and Formats
Digitizing
Video
Digital
Cameras and Video Cameras
Hardware and
Software Video Capture
Installing
and Configuring a Video Capture Board
Summary
Key Terms
Check Your
Understanding
Week 7
Advanced Hardware Fundamentals for Servers
Networking Fundamentals
Printers and File Sharing
Week 8
Preventative Maintenance
Troubleshooting PC Hardware
Troubleshooting Software
Summary
Week 9
Preparation for A+ Software Certification Exam