IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide

640 Pages·2008·28.52 MB·English

by  David Anfinson

IT Essentials: PC Hardware and
Software Companion Guide
Third Edition
David Anfinson
Ken Quamme
Cisco Press
800 East 96th Street
Indianapolis,Indiana 46240 USA
ii IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Publisher
Paul Boger
Companion Guide
Associate Publisher
Third Edition Dave Dusthimer
Cisco Representative
Anthony Wolfenden
David Anfinson • Ken Quamme
Copyright©2008 Cisco Systems,Inc. Cisco Press Program
Manager
Cisco Press logo is a trademark of Cisco Systems,Inc. Jeff Brady
Published by: Executive Editor
Mary Beth Ray
Cisco Press
800 East 96th Street Managing Editor
Indianapolis,IN 46240 USA Patrick Kanouse
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any Development Editor
Andrew Cupp
form or by any means,electronic or mechanical,including photocopying,recording,
or by any information storage and retrieval system,without written permission from Copy Editor
the publisher,except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. Gayle Johnson
Written Elegance, Inc.
Printed in the United States of America
Technical Editors
First Printing January 2008 David E. Johnson
Scott Stephenson
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Editorial Assistant
ISBN-13:978-1-58713-199-8 Vanessa Evans
ISBN-10:1-58713-199-4 Designer
Louisa Adair
Warning and Disclaimer Indexer
Tim Wright
This book is designed to provide information about PC hardware and software from
Proofreader
the Cisco Networking Academy IT Essentials:PC Hardware and Software course.
[PE to insert]
Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possi-
ble,but no warranty or fitness is implied.
The information is provided on an “as is”basis. The authors,Cisco Press,and Cisco
Systems,Inc.,shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity
with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained in this
book or from the use of the discs or programs that may accompany it.
The opinions expressed in this book belong to the authors and are not necessarily
those of Cisco Systems,Inc.
iii
Trademark Acknowledgments
All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately cap-
italized. Cisco Press or Cisco Systems,Inc.,cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in
this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
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iv IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide
About the Authors
David Anfinson,MCSE,MCSA,CCNA,CCDA,A+,Net+,HTI+,is a former instructor
and CIO for Williston State College. David resides in Williston,North Dakota,with his
wife,Teresa,and their children,Rachel and Shawn.
Ken Quamme,CCNA,CCAI,A+,is an assistant professor at Williston State College,
Williston,North Dakota,where he teaches the CCNA curricula,IT Essentials I and II,
Cisco wireless,and IP telephony. Ken has served as vocational director and chief informa-
tion officer for Williston State College. Ken resides in Williston,North Dakota,with his
wife,Julie,and their children,Christopher,Jaci,and Logan.
v
About the Technical Reviewers
David E. Johnsonis a professor of information systems technology at New Hampshire
Community Technical College,Pease Campus in Portsmouth,New Hampshire. Among his
certifications are A+,Net+,and CCNA. He received his B.A. and M.Ed. degrees from the
University of Maine in Orono,Maine.
Scott Stephensonis in his sixth year as the Cisco Networking Academy instructor at
Burleson High School. His teaching duties include Cisco Networking Academy CCNA 1–4,
Cisco Networking Academy IT Essentials,business computer programming,web design,
and business computer information systems. He also teaches networking at Tarrant County
College,and technology applications for Burleson Continuing Education. He holds A+ IT
Technician,A+ Depot Technician,Server +,Network +,CCNA,Cisco Certified Academy
Instructor Trainer,Microsoft Office Specialist,WebYoda Associate Webmaster,WebYoda
Certified Webmaster,and WebYoda Academy Instructor technology certifications. He was
the band director at Ballinger High School in Ballinger,Texas,for 16 years before entering
the technology field. He graduated from Angelo State University,with a bachelor’s degree
in music education. In 2006,he earned a Master of Science:Management Information
Systems degree from Kenney-Western University.
vi IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide
Dedications
This book is dedicated to Julie,Teresa,Christopher,Rachael,Jaci,Shawn,and Logan,our
family. Thank you for your support.
Acknowledgments
We would like to give special recognition to Mary Beth Ray,Drew Cupp,Chris Cleveland,
and Dayna Isley for providing their expertise in editing the book.
vii
Contents at a Glance
Introduction xxxi
Chapter 1 Introduction to the Personal Computer 1
Chapter 2 Safe Lab Procedures and Tool Use 47
Chapter 3 Computer Assembly—Step by Step 75
Chapter 4 Basics of Preventive Maintenance and Troubleshooting 99
Chapter 5 Fundamental Operating Systems 113
Chapter 6 Fundamental Laptops and Portable Devices 171
Chapter 7 Fundamental Printers and Scanners 213
Chapter 8 Fundamental Networks 251
Chapter 9 Fundamental Security 313
Chapter 10 Communication Skills 341
Chapter 11 Advanced Personal Computers 365
Chapter 12 Advanced Operating Systems 405
Chapter 13 Advanced Laptops and Portable Devices 439
Chapter 14 Advanced Printers and Scanners 467
Chapter 15 Advanced Networks 499
Chapter 16 Advanced Security 537
Appendix Answers to Check Your Understanding Questions 565
Glossary 573
Index 605
viii IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide
Contents
Introduction xxxi
Chapter 1 Introduction to the Personal Computer 1
Objectives 1
Key Terms 1
Explain IT Industry Certifications 3
Identify Education and Certifications 3
Describe the A+ Certification 4
Describe the EUCIP Certification 5
Module 1:Computer Hardware 5
Module 2:Operating Systems 5
Module 3:Local-Area Network and Network Services 5
Module 4:Expert Network Use 6
Module 5:IT Security 6
Describe a Computer System 6
Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics of Cases and
Power Supplies 6
Describe Cases 7
Describe Power Supplies 9
Connectors 9
Electricity and Ohm’s Law 11
Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics of Internal
Components 12
Identify the Names,Purposes,and Characteristics of Motherboards
13
Identify the Names,Purposes,and Characteristics of CPUs 15
Identify the Names,Purposes,and Characteristics of Cooling Systems
18
Identify the Names,Purposes,and Characteristics of ROM and RAM
19
ROM 20
RAM 20
Memory Modules 21
Cache Memory 21
Error Checking 22
Identify the Names,Purposes,and Characteristics of Adapter Cards
22
ix
Identify the Names,Purposes,and Characteristics of Storage Drives
23
Floppy Drives 24
Hard Drives 24
Optical Drives 25
Flash Drives 25
Network Drives 25
Types of Drive Interfaces 26
Identify the Names,Purposes,and Characteristics of Internal Cables
26
Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics of Ports and
Cables 28
Serial Ports and Cables 28
USB Ports and Cables 29
FireWire Ports and Cables 29
Parallel Ports and Cables 30
SCSI Ports and Cables 31
Network Ports and Cables 31
PS/2 Ports 32
Audio Ports 33
Video Ports and Connectors 33
Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics of Input Devices
34
Identify the Names, Purposes, and Characteristics of Output
Devices 36
Monitors and Projectors 36
Printers,Scanners,and Fax Machines 38
Speakers and Headphones 39
Explain System Resources and Their Purposes 40
Interrupt Requests 40
Input/Output (I/O) Port Addresses 41
Direct Memory Access 42
Summary 43
Summary of Exercises 43
Check Your Understanding 43
x IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide
Chapter 2 Safe Lab Procedures and Tool Use 47
Objectives 47
Key Terms 47
Identify Safe Working Conditions and Procedures 49
Identify Safety Procedures and Potential Hazards for Users and
Technicians 49
General Safety Guidelines 50
Fire Safety Guidelines 50
Identify Safety Procedures to Protect Equipment from Damage and
Data from Loss 52
ESD Protection Recommendations 52
Power Fluctuation Types 53
Power Protection Devices 53
Identify Safety Procedures to Protect the Environment from
Contamination 54
Material Safety Data Sheet 54
Proper Disposal of Batteries 56
Proper Disposal of Monitors or CRTs 56
Proper Disposal of Toner Kits,Cartridges,and Developers 56
Proper Disposal of Chemical Solvents and Aerosol Cans 57
Identify Tools and Software Used with Personal Computer
Components and Know Their Purpose 57
Identify Hardware Tools and Their Purpose 58
ESD Tools 58
Hand Tools 58
Cleaning Tools 59
Diagnostic Tools 59
Identify Software Tools and Their Purpose 59
Disk Management Tools 60
Protection Software Tools 60
Identify Organizational Tools and Their Purpose 61
Personal Reference Tools 61
Internet Reference Tools 62
Miscellaneous Tools 62
Implement Proper Tool Use 64
Demonstrate Proper Use of an Antistatic Wrist Strap 64
Demonstrate Proper Use of an Antistatic Mat 66
Antistatic Mat 66
Workbench 67
Demonstrate Proper Use of Various Hand Tools 67
Screws 67
Flat Head Screwdriver 67