DOMAIN 1.0: Installation, Configuration and Upgrading
This domain requires the knowledge and skills to identify, install, configure, and upgrade desktop computer modules and peripherals, following established basic procedures for system assembly and disassembly of field replaceable modules. Elements included are listed below with each test objective.

Content Limits

1.1 Identify basic terms, concepts, and functions of system modules, including how each module should work during normal operation and during the boot process. Examples of concepts and modules are:
  • System board
  • Power supply
  • Processor /CPU
  • Memory
  • Storage devices
  • Monitor
  • Modem
  • Firmware
  • BIOS
  • CMOS
  • LCD (portable systems)
  • Ports
  • PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)

1.2 Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field replaceable modules for both desktop and portable systems.
Examples of modules:
 
  • System board
 
  • Storage device
 
  • Power supply
 
  • Processor/CPU
 
  • Memory
 
  • Input devices
 
  • Hard drive
 
  • Keyboard
 
  • Video board
 
  • Mouse
 
  • Network Interface Card (NIC)
Portable system components
 
  • AC adapter
 
  • Digital camera
 
  • DC controller
 
  • LCD panel
 
  • PC card
 
  • Pointing devices

1.3 Identify available IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses and procedures for device installation and configuration. Content may include the following:
  • Standard IRQ settings
  • Modems
  • Floppy drive controllers
  • Hard drive controllers
  • USB ports
  • Infrared ports
  • Hexidecimal/Addresses

1.4 Identify common peripheral ports, associated cabling and their connectors.
Content may include the following:
 
  • Cable types
 
  • Cable orientation
 
  • Serial versus parallel
 
  • Pin connections
Examples of types of connectors:
 
  • B-9
 
  • DB-25
 
  • RJ-11
 
  • RJ-45
 
  • BNC
 
  • PS2/MINI-DIN
 
  • USB
 
  • IEEE 1394

1.5 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring IDE/EIDE devices. Content may include the following:
 
  • Master/Slave
 
  • Devices per channel
 
  • Primary/Secondary

1.6 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring SCSI devices. Content may include the following:
 
  • Address/Termination conflicts
 
  • Cabling
 
  • Types (example: regular, wide, ultra-wide)
 
  • Internal vs external
 
  • Expansion slots, EISA, ISA, PCI
 
  • Jumper block settings (binary equivalents)

1.7 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring peripheral devices.
Content may include the following:
 
  • Monitor/Video Card
 
  • Modem
 
  • USB peripherals and hubs
 
  • IEEE 1284
 
  • IEEE 1394
 
  • External storage
Portables
 
  • Docking stations
 
  • PC cards
 
  • Port replicators
 
  • Infrared devices

1.8 Identify hardware methods of upgrading system performance, procedures for replacing basic subsystem components, unique components and when to use them.
Content may include the following:
 
  • Memory
 
  • Hard drives
 
  • CPU
 
  • Upgrading BIOS
 
  • When to upgrade BIOS
Portable systems
 
  • Battery
 
  • Hard drive
 
  • Types I, II, III cards
 
  • Memory