Computer Support and Maintenance – KASNEB DICT Syllabus

PAPER NO. 7 COMPUTER SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

This paper is intended to equip the candidate with knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable him/her support and maintain computers.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

A candidate who passes this paper should be able to:

• Maintains computer hardware components and software
• Identify and apply the tools and equipment associated with computer support and maintenance
• Install and uninstall operating systems and application programs
• Troubleshoot computer hardware and software
• Disassemble and reassemble computer systems
• Identify and replace faulty components
• Undertake effective selection and acquisition of computer systems
• Back-up data and information

CONTENT

Introduction to computer support and maintenance

• Computer electronic components
• The physics of electronics
• The use of maintenance tools and equipment
• Standard operating and maintenance procedures
• Safety precautions

Power supply

• Overview of power supply
• Power supply protection devices
• Power supply sources
• Power supply protection devices
• Using power supply devices
• Power supply problems and trouble shooting

Motherboards

• Computer cases
• Types of motherboards
• Motherboard components
• Installing motherboard
• Using expansion slots and connectors

Microprocessors

• Microprocessor overview
• Types of processors
• Processor modes
• Selecting and upgrading a processor

Memory

• Memory characteristics
• Memory types and packages
• Memory mapping
• BIOS set up
• Selecting and upgrading memory

Disks and drives

• Types of storage
• Disk types
• Disk drives
• Disk organisation
• Disk management
• Techniques and tools for disk management
• Selecting disk drives
• Maintenance of disks and disk drives

Display technology

• Display adapters
• Care and maintenance
• Overlay techniques
• Performance measures
• Troubleshooting

Computer system assembly and disassembly

• Selection and compatibility issues
• Assembly, disassembling and reassembling
• Personal computers
• Portable and mobile devices
• Printers
• Upgrading computers
• Electronic waste management

Hardware and software installation

• Installation concepts
• Installing hardware components
• Installing peripheral devices
• Installing operating systems
• Installing application programs
• Installing utility software
• Upgrading utility software

Fault finding and troubleshooting

• Fault finding principles
• Common equipment faults
• Physical inspection
• Hardware and software diagnostics
• Repairing and testing
• Uninstalling and reinstalling software

Computer support

• On-line support
• Help desk management
• Planning and providing staff training
• Health and

Computer System selection and acquisition

• Selection and procurement process
• Analysing requirements
• Evaluation and testing
• Cost benefit analysis
• Equipments costing
• Training costs
• Warranties
• Service level agreements
• Technical checklist
• Purchasing

Computer security

• Level of computer security
• Data protection
• Back up and restoration procedure
• Overview of data recovery

Emerging issues and trends