Return to Technology Inventory
Maintain and Troubleshoot Technology
Developed by Russell Fox
Objective
1
– Student must show ability to correctly
operate the computer. Upon
completion, the student will be able to perform the following:
* Connect peripheral
components (monitor, keyboard etc.) to the main PC unit.
* Name the typical PC
components
* Identify major internal PC
components and connections
* Document the configuration
of a functioning PC
* Boot a system to Windows
Operating system (Windows 95, 98, NT or 2000).
Student may use the Control Panel, System icon utility to gather
information about the PC configuration.
Task
#1 - Examine a computer and peripheral components both front and back.
What are the manufacturer and model number of this computer?
Task
#2 – Remove a PC system unit cover. Out of the following list, identify the components. Give
the name of the component, who the manufacturer is (if available), and what the
characteristics are (what the component does).
*
Power supply
*
Motherboard
*
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
*
RAM (random access memory)
*
Modem
*
Floppy drive
*
CD rom
*
Expansion slot
*
Network, Video, and Sound cards
*
Parallel port, serial port, mouse port
Component Name Manufacturer/ Characteristics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Task
#3 – What are the major external components of the PC including the
peripherals?
Component Name Manufacturer / Characteristics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Task
# 4 - Observe the boot process.
* Did the Windows operating
system boot ok?
* Could you see how much
memory there was when the system was booting?
Task
#5 – Click the Start button and select Settings and Control Panel.
Click the System icon and the General tab.
Answer the following questions:
* What is Central Processing Unit?
* How much RAM is installed?
Objective
2 - Student must be able to
identify a technological device problem and do one of the following:
a. Recognize the problem in a lab exercise, or
b. Explain the problem in a given situation.
Objective
3
– Student must be able to solve the technological device problem and do one of
the following:
a. Correct the problem in a lab exercise, or
b. List possible solutions to a problem, choose one and provide a
rationale.
Objective
4
– Student must be able to identify and recommend preventative measures in a
given situation.
Activity:
Use each step below to create a “trouble-shooting flow chart.”
Use
a model from the following web site to guide you: http://www.rcc.ryerson.ca/rta/flowchart
Step 1 - Define the problem.
Your computer will not boot up.
Step 2 -Gather information
·
Observe the symptoms and attempt to identify the
problem.
·
Ask a fellow student if he/she has encountered a
similar problem.
· Check web sites and troubleshooting knowledge databases. Suggested sites:
http://www.intel.com/education;
http: //www.ptedu.com/courses/computer/fundamental
Step 3
Consider possibilities based on the facts
* Is it hardware (check for
lights and noises) or software- related?
* Check to see that computer
and monitor are plugged in.
* Check to see that monitor
is connected to computer.
* Check the power source
(power strip). Is it on?
* Is it local (this
workstation only) or remote (possible network-wide problems)?
Step 4 - Select one or more
possible causes and identify possible solutions.
* Rank them in order of most likely to least likely cause.
* Check the simplest possible causes first (is the power turned on?)
* Check the easiest to check problems first
(try a system reboot).
Step 5.
Create an action plan.
Step 6.
Implement the action plan.
Step 7. Observe the
results.
Step 8. If
problem persists…. repeat the
process.
If symptoms
stop….. terminate the process; problem resolved.