PC Construction & Repair
Tutorials:
Building:
- Cheap Computers Guide
- Build Your Own PC (UK site)
- Faster Computers
- Thoughts from Microsoft
- Build it!
Repairing:
- Repair Flow Charts
- The Original Hand-Me-Down PC
- Dux Computer Digest
- Waaaay too much info on monitors
- Lots of little articles - look at the bottom of the page!
The above links are not moderated and are all external. A closer look at the sites that seem best may reveal they are more fluff than they're worth. Then again, the less exciting sites may have more usable information. There may also be useful links on the Computer Architecture & Systems page. There is also a lengthy but highly informative Troubleshooting Guide.
Sample Exam 2005
There is a sample exam here. (PDF, 2.13MB)
Assessment 2004/5:
- 1. Written Exam (30%) available here.
- 2. Assignments: (70%)
- Assignment #1: Design and assembly of PC (30%) (PDF, 0.11MB)
- Assignment #2: Diagnosis & repair of system fault (10%) (see below)
- Assignment #3: Diagnosis & repair of system fault (10%) (see below)
- Assignment #4: 4 or more routine system maintenance tasks (5%*4=20%) (see below)
The Repair Assignments form is here. You will need 1 each for Assignments 2 & 3, and 4 for Assignment 4 (total: 6) Assignment 1 should be written up in greater detail with cover page etc.
Assessment 1998/9
- 1999 Exam (2.43MB) (30%)
- 1999 Worked Solution (3.25MB)
- Worked solutions as separate files are here:
- Section A (40%)
- Section B (30%)
- Section C, part 1 (10%)
- Section C, part 2
- Marking Scheme
Related:
Possible diagnosis & repair tasks:
Task Number Description 10.3.1 identify standard components* 10.3.2 list system components based on POST - CPU, RAM, FDD, HDD, serial/parallel ports 10.3.3 access firmware set-up programs 10.3.4 operate firmware set-up programs 10.3.5 perform un-installation and re-installation of software elements - operating system components, device drivers, applications software 10.3.6 diagnose functional status of system components 10.3.7 replace faulty components 10.3.8 bypass operating system start-up files 10.3.9 remove misfed paper from printers 10.3.10 remove stuck floppy disks 10.3.11 account for parts used in repairs* More than one individual task from the list above will tend to be required per diagnosis/repair task. In particular, items marked * will tend to be used in conjunction with other elements. List all element/task numbers you cover on your repair sheet.
| Task Number | Description |
| 10.3.1 | identify standard components* |
| 10.3.2 | list system components based on POST - CPU, RAM, FDD, HDD, serial/parallel ports |
| 10.3.3 | access firmware set-up programs |
| 10.3.4 | operate firmware set-up programs |
| 10.3.5 | perform un-installation and re-installation of software elements - operating system components, device drivers, applications software |
| 10.3.6 | diagnose functional status of system components |
| 10.3.7 | replace faulty components |
| 10.3.8 | bypass operating system start-up files |
| 10.3.9 | remove misfed paper from printers |
| 10.3.10 | remove stuck floppy disks |
| 10.3.11 | account for parts used in repairs* |
| More than one individual task from the list above will tend to be required per diagnosis/repair task. In particular, items marked * will tend to be used in conjunction with other elements. List all element/task numbers you cover on your repair sheet. | |
Possible routine maintenance tasks:
Task Number Description 10.2.1 identify substances and materials suitable for cleaning external computer surfaces 10.2.2 clean the inside of a mouse 10.2.3 clean keyboard keys 10.2.4 clean external surfaces 10.2.5 clean vents and similar case openings 10.2.6 backup configuration files 10.2.7 use disk defragmentation tools 10.2.8 use disk diagnosis tools 10.2.9 reclaim disk space lost due to file system errors 10.2.10 remove unused operating software components 10.2.11 use tape and CD drive cleaning devices 10.2.12 perform print-head cleaning operations on printers 10.2.13 change ink cartridges and ribbons 10.2.14 perform standard upgrades 10.2.15 analyse upgrade options for a given system 10.2.16 summarise costs for upgrade options
| Task Number | Description |
| 10.2.1 | identify substances and materials suitable for cleaning external computer surfaces |
| 10.2.2 | clean the inside of a mouse |
| 10.2.3 | clean keyboard keys |
| 10.2.4 | clean external surfaces |
| 10.2.5 | clean vents and similar case openings |
| 10.2.6 | backup configuration files |
| 10.2.7 | use disk defragmentation tools |
| 10.2.8 | use disk diagnosis tools |
| 10.2.9 | reclaim disk space lost due to file system errors |
| 10.2.10 | remove unused operating software components |
| 10.2.11 | use tape and CD drive cleaning devices |
| 10.2.12 | perform print-head cleaning operations on printers |
| 10.2.13 | change ink cartridges and ribbons |
| 10.2.14 | perform standard upgrades |
| 10.2.15 | analyse upgrade options for a given system |
| 10.2.16 | summarise costs for upgrade options |