COMPUTER MECHANICS I

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER HARDWARE

COURSE BREAKDOWN:
SECTION 1: The History of Personal Computing
Part One: What is a Computer? - Role of Computers in Society
Part Two: Defining the Personal Computer
SECTION 2: Proper Hardware Maintenance
Part One: Basic Computer Maintenance
Part Two: Assembly and Cataloging
SECTION 3: Motherboards
Part One: Defining a Motherboard
Part Two: Common Motherboard Faults
SECTION 4: Power Supplies
Part One: The Importance of Power
Part Two: Diagnosing Power Faults
SECTION 5: RAM
Part One: RAM - What it Is and How it Works
Part Two: Diagnosing RAM Failure
SECTION 6: Hard Drives
Part One: Hard-Drive Types and Functions
Part Two: Diagnosing Hard-Drive Failure & Recovery
SECTION 7: Graphic Cards
Part One: Understanding Computer Output
Part Two: Diagnosing GPU Failure
SECTION 8: Computer Peripherals
Part One: Display and Sound - Diagnosing Speakers and Monitors
Part Two: Interacting with the Machine - Keyboard and Mouse Problems
Part Three: Cooling Solutions
SECTION 9: Building a Machine - Component Selection and Installation

NOTE:
Computer Mechanics I is an intensive hands-on course, and necessary computer components must be
made available for student usage.

Section I: The History of Personal Computing

Abacus
Macintosh Personal Computer
Microsoft

MAJOR CONCEPTS
ENIAC
IBM
Portable Computing
STUDENT OBJECTIVES

Explain the development of the personal computer.

Describe the stages of computer development, beginning with simple mathematical machines and
culminating with the modern portable computer.
Section Two: Proper Hardware Maintenance
MAJOR CONCEPTS
Regular Maintenance Procedures
Wear and Tear
Proper Tool Usage

Role of Heat in Computer Function

Power Cycling
Computer Storage
STUDENT OBJECTIVES

The student should be able to...

Explain the importance of basic computer hardware maintenance
Identify key hardware issues that plague most computers (power, overheating, etc.)
Formulate a basic maintenance checklist for a personal computer
Demonstrate the ability to handle and maintain computer hardware in a safe and effective manner

Section Three: Motherboards

MAJOR CONCEPTS
Motherboard
Expansion Capacity
Proprietary Systems
Intel

CPU
Chipset
Processor
AMD
STUDENT OBJECTIVES

The student should be able to...

Identify a computer's motherboard
Identify the basic parts of the motherboard
Explain the difference between major chipset manufacturers
Explain the difficulties of working with a proprietary system

Section Four: Power

MAJOR CONCEPTS
Power Supply
Wattage

Power Requirements

STUDENT OBJECTIVES
The student should be able to...
Identify a power supply
Understand the necessity of proper power in a computer
Pinpoint common points of failure in a power supply
Understand the process of upgrading a power supply

Section Five: RAM

MAJOR CONCEPTS
Random Access Memory
Seating

DDR2 v. DDR3
Upgrade Capacity

STUDENT OBJECTIVES
The student should be able to...
Identify RAM
Understand how having the proper amount of RAM available impacts a computer's functionality
Identify the difference in types of RAM (DDR v. DDR2, DDR2 v. DDR3, etc.
Demonstrate the ability to properly seat RAM
Identify common issues with RAM in a computer
Section Six: Hard Drives
MAJOR CONCEPTS
Hard Drive
Byte
Fragmentation
Solid-State

Memory
Recovery
Capacity

STUDENT OBJECTIVES
The student should be able to...

Identify a hard-drive
Understand how a hard-drive is connected to the functionality of a PC
Identify systems of storage
Identify common causes of hard drive failure
Demonstrate the ability to back up a hard drive
Section Seven: GPUs and Graphical Output
MAJOR CONCEPTS
GPU
Sound Card
Frames per Second
Rendering

Integrated GPU
Output
GPU Memory
STUDENT OBJECTIVES

The student should be able to...

Identify a graphics card
Understand the difference between a standard card and an integrated GPU
Describe the various functions related to a GPU
Demonstrate the ability to install and maintain a graphics card
Section Eight: Computer Peripherals and Cooling
MAJOR CONCEPTS
Monitor
Mouse
HDMI
Liquid Cooling

Keyboard
Audio-Out
Exhaust
Heat Sink
STUDENT OBJECTIVES

The student should be able to...

Identify major computer input peripherals
Identify major computer output peripherals
Understand how peripherals are used to interact with a PC
Understand how computers generate heat
Understand how computers eliminate heat

Section Nine: Computer Assembly

MAJOR CONCEPTS
Assembly

Troubleshooting
STUDENT OBJECTIVES

The student should be able to...

Assemble the components of a computer inside its housing

Check to make sure all relevant connections are intact
Be able to troubleshoot basic problems (fan failure, lack of power, hard drive failure, unseated RAM)