Earn a CompTIA A+ PC service and repair

This course is the first part of an industry-recognized credential that certifies the competency of PC service specialists. It is backed by over fifty major computer hardware and software manufacturers, vendors, distributors, resellers and publications and tells people that you know how to service and repair computers. We explain how to handle various components to provide the skills needed to become an Information Technology (IT) professional.

What You Will Learn In This Free Course

IT Professional Soft Skills

In this module, IT Professional Soft Skills, students will learn about the soft skills needed to become an IT professional. This module will cover problem-solving steps, including identification of the problem, establishing a probable cause, testing to determine the cause, establishing a plan to resolve the problem, implementing your solution, verifying functionality, implementing preventative measures, and documenting your results.

Safety for You and Computer Components

In this module, Safety for You and Computer Components, students will learn proper techniques for handling computer components for the safety of you and the longevity of the hardware. This module will cover personal protective equipment, chemicals, cables, trip hazards, environmental risks, electrical safety, fire safety, jewelry removal, and lifting techniques.

System Component Overview

In this module, System Component Overview, students will get an overview of system components. This module will cover storage devices such as hard drives, magnetic tapes, flash drives, and solid-state drives, such as IDE, SATA, and SCSI. Students will also learn about processors and CPUs, processing speeds, operating systems, and controls.

Understanding Motherboards

In this module, Understanding Motherboards, students will learn about understanding motherboards. This module will cover the function of motherboards and the location of primary components. Students will also learn about motherboard chipsets, audio connections, drive activity light, the power light, on/off buttons, and USB connections.

Understanding Processors

In this module, Understanding Processors, students will learn to understand processors. It is important to be familiar with processors and related terminology. This module will cover processor speeds in megahertz and gigahertz, as well as architecture, including registers, cache memory, virtualization, graphics processing units, throttling, and overclocking.

Understanding Types of Memory

In this module, Understanding Types of Memory, students will learn about types of memory. This module will cover the purpose of memory, as well as RAM and ROM with several types, including DRAM, SRAM, CMOS RAM, and VRAM. Students will also learn about the purpose of memory and how it relates to computer components.

Understanding BIOS and CMOS

In this module, Understanding BIOS and CMOS, students will learn about BIOS and CMOS. Bios is the Basic Input-Output System that runs a computer. This module will cover how to upgrade BIOS as well as potential issues you may have. The CMOS or Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor is a piece of hardware on the motherboard. This module will discuss CMOS setup, settings, and how to get there.

Hard Drives and Storage Devices

In this module, Hard Drives and Storage Devices, students will learn about hard drives and storage devices. This module will cover installing discs, formatting discs, partitioning discs, troubleshooting disks, as well as IDE, SCSI, and SATA. Students will learn about parts of a hard disk, such as platters, tracks, sectors, clusters, and cylinders.

Power Supplies and Voltage

In this module, Power Supplies and Voltage, students will learn about computer power supplies and voltage. This module will cover power supply units, uninterruptible power supplies, and identifying power supplies. Students will also learn about amps, ohms, volts, and watts and how they each affect system hardware and components.

Ports, Cables, and Connectors

In this module, Ports, Cables, and Connectors, students will learn about ports, cables, and connectors. Students will learn about power supply units, uninterruptible power supplies, and identifying power supplies. This module will also cover the conversion of voltage, overcurrent protection, input supply voltage, DC voltage regulation, input under-voltage, and Energy Star designation.

Input and Output Devices

In this module, Input and Output Devices, students will learn about input and output devices. Output devices take data from the computer and produce an output where input devices communicate or intake information for a computer to process. Students will learn about devices such as keyboards, mouses, and touchscreens.

Managing Printers

In this module, Managing Printers, students will learn about managing printers. In the IT arena, one of the most time-consuming details of managing a network is managing printers. Between, drivers, paper feed, networking, and user error, printer management can be difficult. This module will teach students about the types of printers they will work with and how to most effectively manage them.

Mobile Devices, Multimedia, and Laptop Computers

In this module, Mobile Devices, Multimedia, and Laptop Computers, students will learn about mobile devices, multimedia, and laptop computers. This module will cover troubleshooting common problems, such as battery or power supply issues, verifying connections, checking the wireless switch, and verifying software configuration.

Course assessment