This course covers basic concepts of computing hardware and addresses the impact of hardware design on applications and systems software. Students will learn how computers work and be able to replace parts and upgrade components. Students completing CS 104 and CS 105 will have the knowledge and skills necessary for CompTIA A+ Certification exam preparation.
Quarters Offered
Fall,
Winter
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:
- Discuss basic computer theory, terminology, history and operation.
- Identify the basic components of a computer.
- Replace or upgrade motherboards.
- Replace or upgrade memory modules.
- Replace or upgrade video boards.
- Replace or upgrade central processing units.
- Install and configure optical drives.
- Install or replace and configure hard drives.
- Install and configure expansion cards and peripherals.
- Install CD, DVD, or other drives.
- Cable hardware components together.
- Identify and describe commonly used computer ports.
- Assemble a computer from parts available.
- Create and use a boot utilities disk.
- Load and configure Windows and other operating systems.
- Safely clean and maintain a computer.
Course Content Outline
- The importance of skill in managing and troubleshooting computers
- Safety and tools
- How computers work
- Understanding Microsoft Windows and other operating systems
- Microprocessor CPU and memory
- RAM
- BIOS and CMOS
- Expansion bus structure and function
- Motherboards
- Power supplies
- Hard drive technologies
- Hard drive partitioning and formatting
- Removable media (drives, flash memory, and optical drives)
- Troubleshooting
Department Guidelines
CS 104 and CS 105 are linked courses. Students will be automatically enrolled in both courses. Course instruction in CS 104 and CS 105 prepares students for the CompTIA certification exam.