Study Guide: Comprehensive Computer Maintenance &
Troubleshooting
Target: IT Level 1 VETA Students
Focus: Concepts from the Comprehensive Assessment
1. Safety and Preparation (The Technician's Foundation)
Before touching any hardware, you must ensure the safety of both the
technician and the equipment.
1.1 ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)
● Definition: The sudden flow of electricity between two charged objects.
Static electricity that you cannot feel can easily destroy sensitive
microchips.
● Prevention:
○ ESD Wrist Strap: Connects your body to a grounded surface to
discharge static safely.
○ Anti-static Mat: Provides a safe surface for placing components.
○ Proper Handling: Always hold RAM and expansion cards by the
edges of the PCB; avoid touching the gold "teeth" or pins to prevent
oil and static damage.
1.2 Physical Tools
● Multimeter: Used to test electrical values. For a PC, you test the DC
voltage of the PSU wires (Yellow = 12V, Red = 5V, Orange = 3.3V).
● Magnetic Screwdrivers: Help manage small screws but must be used
carefully near magnetic storage (HDDs).
2. Core Internal Components
2.1 Power Supply Unit (PSU)
● Function: Converts high-voltage AC (Alternating Current) from the
wall outlet into low-voltage DC (Direct Current) required by computer
parts.
● Cooling: Contains its own internal fan. If this fan stops, the PSU will
overheat and potentially catch fire.
2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
● Function: The "Brain" of the computer. It performs all calculations and
logical operations.
● Thermal Management: The CPU generates extreme heat.
○ Thermal Paste: Fills microscopic gaps between the CPU surface
and the heatsink to improve heat conductivity.
○ Heatsink/Fan: Dissipates the heat away from the chip.
2.3 Memory (RAM vs. ROM)
● RAM (Random Access Memory): * Volatile: Data is lost when power
is turned off.
○ Function: Temporary workspace for the OS and active programs.
○ Troubleshooting: Failing RAM causes BSOD (Blue Screen of
Death) or random restarts. Reseating (removing and re-inserting)
often fixes poor connections caused by oxidation.
● ROM/BIOS Chip: * Non-Volatile: Stores the firmware (BIOS/UEFI)
that starts the computer.
3. Storage Technologies
3.1 HDD vs. SSD vs. NVMe
● HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Uses spinning magnetic platters. Slow, loud,
and fragile.
● SSD (Solid State Drive): Uses flash memory (no moving parts).
Faster, more durable, and silent.
● NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory express): The modern standard for
SSDs that plugs into the M.2 PCIe slot. It is significantly faster than
SATA SSDs.
3.2 Storage Management
● Initialization: Preparing a new disk so the OS can see it.
● Disk Management: The Windows utility used to create partitions (C:
drive, D: drive) and format disks.
4. Firmware and the Boot Process
4.1 POST (Power-On Self-Test)
● The first thing the computer does when turned on. It checks if the CPU,
RAM, and Video Card are working.
● Beep Codes: If the POST fails, the motherboard speaker emits beeps
to tell you which part is broken (e.g., 3 beeps often means RAM error).
4.2 BIOS vs. UEFI
● BIOS (Legacy): Older, text-only interface, supports drives up to 2TB.
● UEFI (Modern): Graphical interface, mouse support, faster boot, and
required for modern security like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 (needed
for Windows 11).
● CMOS Battery: A small CR2032 battery that keeps the BIOS/UEFI
settings and the system clock accurate when the PC is unplugged.
5. Peripherals and Connectivity
5.1 Display Ports
● VGA: Blue connector, analog signal (older).
● HDMI/DisplayPort: Digital signals carry both high-definition video and
audio.
5.2 Device Drivers
● Software that acts as a "bridge" or "translator" between the Hardware
and the Operating System.
● Device Manager: The Windows tool used to update, disable, or
troubleshoot drivers.
6. Maintenance and Security
6.1 Printer Maintenance
● Inkjet: Uses liquid ink. Common issues include clogged print heads
(fixed by "Head Cleaning" utility).
● Laser: Uses dry powder (Toner) and heat. Common issues include
"Paper Jams" caused by worn pickup rollers.
6.2 Security Tools
● Firewall: Monitors and filters network traffic (Inbound/Outbound). It
stops hackers but does not necessarily remove viruses.
● Antivirus: Scans the hard drive and memory to find and remove
malicious software (Malware/Viruses).
● Safe Mode: A diagnostic mode that starts Windows with only the bare
minimum drivers. Use this to remove stubborn viruses or fix driver
crashes.
7. Advanced Troubleshooting Logic
● The "Rule of Three": If a device isn't working:
1. Check the Physical (Cables, power).
2. Check the Logic (BIOS settings, drivers).
3. Check the Software (OS settings, virus interference).
● Hot-swapping: Only certain devices like USB and HDMI can be
unplugged while the PC is on. Never "hot-swap" RAM or internal power
cables.