Course description
This course provides the IT skills needed to become a PC service specialist. The ‘CompTIA A+’ qualification was established by the Computing Technology Industry Association in the United States but has become a worldwide standard that assures people of your competence. We explain what is required to maintain safety for you and the computer components you work with. We also examine the system components and establish their roles.
We then cover types of memory and delve into BIOS, CMOS and storage devices like hard drives. We discuss power supplies and voltage before moving on to ports, cables, connectors and input and output devices. The course wraps up with an overview of other types of hardware you will encounter: printers, mobile devices, multimedia and laptop computers.
We use practical demonstrations of real-world applications of these skills to train you to handle a range of problems on the job. This course covers the core skills required to begin a career servicing computers and other hardware. Sign up to become a valued specialist and gain a qualification that won’t lose value as computers drive the Information Age and we will always need people who can service and repair them.
Upcoming start dates
Training content
IT Professional Soft Skills
Description: In this module, IT Professional Soft Skills, students will learn about the soft skills needed to become an IT professional. This module will cover problem-solving steps, including identification of the problem, establishing a probable cause, testing to determine the cause, establishing a plan to resolve the problem, implementing your solution, verifying functionality, implementing preventative measures, and documenting your results.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - IT Professional Soft Skills - Part 1
- Topic A - Demo 2 - IT Professional Soft Skills - Part 2
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Safety for You and Computer Components
Description: In this module, Safety for You and Computer Components, students will learn proper techniques for handling computer components for the safety of you and the longevity of the hardware. This module will cover personal protective equipment, chemicals, cables, trip hazards, environmental risks, electrical safety, fire safety, jewelry removal, and lifting techniques.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - Safety for You and Computer Components - Part 1
- Topic A - Demo 2 - Safety for You and Computer Components - Part 2
- Topic A - Demo 3 - Safety for You and Computer Components - Part 3
- Topic A - Demo 4 - Safety for You and Computer Components - Part 4
- Topic A - Demo 5 - Safety for You and Computer Components - Part 5
- Assessment: Review Quiz
System Component Overview
Description: In this module, System Component Overview, students will get an overview of system components. This module will cover storage devices such as hard drives, magnetic tapes, flash drives, and solid-state drives, such as IDE, SATA, and SCSI. Students will also learn about processors and CPUs, processing speeds, operating systems, and controls.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - System Component - Part 1
- Topic A - Demo 2 - System Component - Part 2
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Understanding Motherboards
Description: In this module, Understanding Motherboards, students will learn about understanding motherboards. This module will cover the function of motherboards and the location of primary components. Students will also learn about motherboard chipsets, audio connections, drive activity light, the power light, on/off buttons, and USB connections.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - Understanding Motherboards
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Understanding Processors
Description: In this module, Understanding Processors, students will learn to understand processors. It is important to be familiar with processors and related terminology. This module will cover processor speeds in megahertz and gigahertz, as well as architecture, including registers, cache memory, virtualization, graphics processing units, throttling, and overclocking.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - Performing Installation of a Processor - Part 1
- Topic A - Demo 2 - Performing Installation of a Processor - Part 2
- Topic A - Demo 3 - Performing Installation of a Processor - Part 3
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Understanding Types of Memory
Description: In this module, Understanding Types of Memory, students will learn about types of memory. This module will cover the purpose of memory, as well as RAM and ROM with several types, including DRAM, SRAM, CMOS RAM, and VRAM. Students will also learn about the purpose of memory and how it relates to computer components.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - Understanding Types of Memory - Part 1
- Topic A - Demo 2 - Understanding Types of Memory - Part 2
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Understanding BIOS and CMOS
Description: In this module, Understanding BIOS and CMOS, students will learn about BIOS and CMOS. Bios is the Basic Input-Output System that runs a computer. This module will cover how to upgrade BIOS as well as potential issues you may have. The CMOS or Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor is a piece of hardware on the motherboard. This module will discuss CMOS setup, settings, and how to get there.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - BIOS and CMOS - Part 1
- Topic A - Demo 2 - BIOS and CMOS - Part 2
- Topic A - Demo 3 - BIOS and CMOS - Part 3
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Hard Drives and Storage Devices
Description: In this module, Hard Drives and Storage Devices, students will learn about hard drives and storage devices. This module will cover installing discs, formatting discs, partitioning discs, troubleshooting disks, as well as IDE, SCSI, and SATA. Students will learn about parts of a hard disk, such as platters, tracks, sectors, clusters, and cylinders.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - Installing IDE Devices
- Topic B
- Topic B - Demo 1 - Hard Drives and Storage Devices - Part 1
- Topic B - Demo 2 - Hard Drives and Storage Devices - Part 2
- Topic B - Demo 3 - Hard Drives and Storage Devices - Part 3
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Power Supplies and Voltage
Description: In this module, Power Supplies and Voltage, students will learn about computer power supplies and voltage. This module will cover power supply units, uninterruptible power supplies, and identifying power supplies. Students will also learn about amps, ohms, volts, and watts and how they each affect system hardware and components.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - Power Supplies and Voltage
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Ports, Cables, and Connectors
Description: In this module, Ports, Cables, and Connectors, students will learn about ports, cables, and connectors. Students will learn about power supply units, uninterruptible power supplies, and identifying power supplies. This module will also cover the conversion of voltage, overcurrent protection, input supply voltage, DC voltage regulation, input under-voltage, and Energy Star designation.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - Ports, Cables, and Connectors Hardware
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Input and Output Devices
Description: In this module, Input and Output Devices, students will learn about input and output devices. Output devices take data from the computer and produce an output where input devices communicate or intake information for a computer to process. Students will learn about devices such as keyboards, mouses, and touchscreens.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - Input and Output Devices - Part 1
- Topic A - Demo 2 - Input and Output Devices - Part 2
- Topic A - Demo 3 - Input and Output Devices - Part 3
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Managing Printers
Description: In this module, Managing Printers, students will learn about managing printers. In the IT arena, one of the most time-consuming details of managing a network is managing printers. Between, drivers, paper feed, networking, and user error, printer management can be difficult. This module will teach students about the types of printers they will work with and how to most effectively manage them.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - Printer Instsall
- Topic A - Demo 2 - Managing Printers - Part 1
- Topic A - Demo 3 - Managing Printers - Part 2
- Topic A - Demo 4 - Managing Printers - Part 3
- Topic A - Demo 5 - Managing Printers - Part 4
- Topic A - Demo 6 - Managing Printers - Part 5
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Mobile Devices, Multimedia, and Laptop Computers
Description: In this module, Mobile Devices, Multimedia, and Laptop Computers, students will learn about mobile devices, multimedia, and laptop computers. This module will cover troubleshooting common problems, such as battery or power supply issues, verifying connections, checking the wireless switch, and verifying software configuration.
- Topic A
- Topic A - Demo 1 - Five Laptops
- Topic B
- Topic B - Demo 1 - Mobile Devices, Multimedia, and Laptop Computers
- Topic B - Demo 2 - Mobile Device Maintenance
- Assessment: Review Quiz
Course assessment
- Assessment: CompTIA A+ 1000 - Part 1 - Course assessment
Certification / Credits
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Compare types of memory
- Distinguish hard drives and other storage devices
- Identify power supplies and voltage
- Discuss types of input and output devices
- Compare the maintenance of mobile devices and laptop computers
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