Computer Maintenance Course

Lesson 1 • Ergonomics and Workspace Setup

Covers workbench organisation, lighting, and posture to reduce injury during extended repair sessions. A well-organised workspace also reduces error rates.

Lesson 2 • Hand Tools and Fasteners

Covers screwdrivers, pliers, spudgers, and specialty PC tools along with common fastener types. Correct tool selection prevents stripped screws and broken clips.

Lesson 3 • Chemical and Environmental Safety

Addresses safe handling of cleaning solvents, thermal compounds, and battery chemicals. Ensures compliance with workplace hazardous material standards.

Lesson 4 • Electrostatic Discharge Prevention

Explains how ESD damages components and how to eliminate the risk using grounding equipment. Directly protects hardware handled in all practical labs.

Lesson 1 • Processors and Memory

Covers CPU architecture, clock speeds, cores, and cache levels alongside RAM specifications. Provides the basis for performance diagnosis in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • PC Component Overview

Introduces the major internal and external components of a desktop and laptop PC. Establishes the vocabulary needed for all subsequent hardware work.

Lesson 3 • Storage Technologies

Surveys HDD, SSD, NVMe, and optical storage technologies and their interfaces. Prepares learners to select and install appropriate storage solutions.

Lesson 4 • Power and Cooling Systems

Explains PSU wattage ratings, connectors, and efficiency standards alongside active and passive cooling methods. Grounds learners in thermal management fundamentals.

Lesson 1 • Desktop Disassembly Procedures

Walks through a step-by-step desktop teardown from case opening to component removal. Establishes the methodical approach applied to all hardware work.

Lesson 2 • Reassembly and Verification

Covers the reverse process of reassembly with emphasis on seating components fully and securing all fasteners. POST verification confirms a successful rebuild.

Lesson 3 • Component Handling and Documentation

Teaches labelling, photographing, and organising components during disassembly to ensure accurate reassembly. Documentation habits prevent costly reassembly errors.

Lesson 1 • Diagnostic Methodology

Introduces the six-step troubleshooting model: identify, theorise, test, plan, implement, and verify. This framework governs all diagnostic work in the course.

Lesson 2 • CPU and RAM Fault Diagnosis

Covers symptoms of CPU overheating, RAM errors, and memory slot failures using software and hardware tests. Accurate diagnosis prevents unnecessary component replacement.

Lesson 3 • Storage and PSU Fault Diagnosis

Teaches SMART data analysis, drive health tools, and PSU voltage testing to identify storage and power failures. These faults cause the majority of data-loss incidents.

Lesson 4 • Display and Peripheral Fault Diagnosis

Addresses GPU failures, monitor signal issues, and USB or port malfunctions using substitution and software tools. Peripheral faults are often misdiagnosed as OS issues.

Lesson 1 • Storage Device Replacement

Guides learners through replacing HDDs and SSDs, including cloning and fresh-install options. Data continuity decisions are made before any drive is removed.

Lesson 2 • PSU Replacement Procedures

Teaches wattage calculation, modular vs. non-modular PSU differences, and safe swap procedures. An undersized or failing PSU can damage all connected components.

Lesson 3 • GPU and Expansion Card Installation

Covers PCIe slot selection, power connector requirements, and driver installation for GPUs and other expansion cards. Slot and power mismatches are the most common installation errors.

Lesson 4 • CPU Replacement and Thermal Management

Covers socket compatibility, CPU installation steps, and thermal paste application for replacement and upgrade scenarios. Correct thermal interface prevents premature CPU failure.

Lesson 1 • OS Updates and Security Baseline

Covers applying OS updates, enabling firewalls, and configuring basic security settings before handoff. A patched, secured system protects both the customer and the technician.

Lesson 2 • Driver Installation and Management

Explains the correct order for installing chipset, GPU, audio, and network drivers after OS setup. Missing or outdated drivers are a leading cause of post-repair complaints.

Lesson 3 • OS Installation Walkthrough

Steps through partition setup, format options, and installation completion for common desktop operating systems. Partition decisions affect long-term system manageability.

Lesson 1 • Storage Maintenance and Health Monitoring

Teaches drive health checks, file system maintenance, and backup verification as routine tasks. Proactive storage maintenance prevents unexpected data loss.

Lesson 2 • Physical Cleaning Procedures

Covers dust removal from fans, heatsinks, and vents using compressed air and brushes. Regular cleaning is the single most effective way to prevent thermal failures.

Lesson 3 • Thermal Compound Maintenance

Explains when and how to replace dried thermal paste on CPUs and GPUs to restore thermal performance. Degraded thermal compound is a hidden cause of chronic overheating.

Lesson 4 • Creating a Maintenance Schedule

Guides learners in building a documented, recurring maintenance plan tailored to the use environment. A written schedule ensures consistency and supports service contract compliance.

Lesson 1 • Repair vs. Replace Decision Framework

Provides a cost-benefit model for deciding whether to repair or replace a component or entire system. Transparent decision-making builds customer trust and repeat business.

Lesson 2 • Intermittent and Environmental Faults

Addresses faults triggered by heat, vibration, humidity, or power fluctuations that do not appear consistently. Intermittent faults require extended monitoring and environmental controls.

Lesson 3 • Data Recovery Fundamentals

Introduces file system recovery, deleted file retrieval, and when to escalate to professional recovery services. Technicians must protect customer data throughout every repair.

Lesson 4 • Quality Assurance and Final Verification

Covers post-repair burn-in testing, checklist-based verification, and customer sign-off procedures. Structured QA reduces callback rates and protects the technician's reputation.