CIS 493 - PC Hardware Installation and Maintenance is a course intended to develop an understanding of computer hardware and software through hands-on projects installing and maintaining computer hardware and software.

Topics Covered:

• Driver Download and Installing.
• BIOS upgrade and download.
• Breakdown of Motherboards and how they function.
• Installing multiple hard drives and operating systems
• Finding the best brands of hardware and checking reviews.
• Successfully connect, install, configure, and use a multimedia computer system, related peripheral devices and a variety of software packages.
• Design and recommend procedures for the organization, management, and security of hardware and software.
• Research, evaluate, and develop recommendations for purchasing computer systems.
• Installation of operating systems (partitioning, formatting, installation of hardware devices, user management.
• Learn basic hardware vocabulary and the functionality of basic PC hardware components.
• Learn the major tasks of DOS and Windows operating systems with respect to the hardware.
• Learn how to install basic internal hardware components such as mother boards, sound cards, etc.
• Learn how to connect basic external components of a computer system such as the monitor, printer, keyboard, etc.
• Learn how to detect common failures in the system, and identify them as being in the hardware or the software.
• Learn how to fix common errors.
• Learn where to research hardware problems.
• Functions of System Modules: system board, power supply, processor/CPU, memory, storage devices, monitor, modem, input devices, output devices, BIOS, CMOS.
• Adding and Removing Field Replaceable Modules such as IRQ's, DMAs, cables, connectors, IDE/EIDE devices, SCSI devices, BIOS.
• Diagnosing symptoms and problems with memory, input devices, storage devices, external devices, and other system components.
• Safety and preventative maintenance such as cleaning, determining wear and tear, power issues, disposal procedures.
• Learning more about motherboards, processors, and memory: CPU chips, RAM, types of motherboards.
• Learning about printers: operation, types, care and service, connections.