Hardware & Operating Systems

A Practical Guide for Getting Job-ready Skills in Information Technology

This is not just another hardware and operating systems book. It is an intensive and practical guide that is updated regularly to stay abreast of the latest technology of hardware and software tools. It is a self-paced book that is excellent for beginners and accomplished experts alike.

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About the Book

This guide will help you launch a rewarding new career in technology. It will prepare you with job-ready skills valued by employers in as little as two months, if not sooner. You don’t need a degree or prior experience to understand the contents of this book.

Whether you’re skilling up to become a Help Desk Support Specialist, IT Support Specialist, Virtual Customer Service Agent, Technical Support Representative, or if you just want to learn the basics of working with and managing the latest IT systems, you need a strong foundation in IT skillsets.

As you go through this book, you’re also going to get tested on the materials we are covering by following best practices. Although this is a self-paced course, I strongly recommend that you complete it in not more than 6 weeks. For example, if you can complete one module every week, you can finish the course in 6 weeks.

Practice quizzes and answers are included at the end of most chapters to help you test yourself and see how much you have improved. In Chapter 4, you will find the link to the course resources folder. Once you open the link, you will be able to download assessment tests and their solutions, and all the screenshots used in this book (for your quick revision).

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About the Author

Bolakale Aremu

Bolakale Aremu is a self publisher dedicated to transforming the landscape of Artificial Intelligence communication and content creation. With over 17 years of experience in computer hardware architecture and software development, he possesses a deep understanding of the transformative power of AI models.

As an author and also the CEO of AB Publisher LLC, Bolakale has pioneered innovative ways to utilize AI, helping businesses and individuals unlock its vast potential. His mission is to empower users by demystifying software engineering concepts and equipping them with the tools needed to leverage AI for productivity, creativity, and profitability. In addition to his work in AI, Bolakale is a dedicated educator who enjoys helping others discover the possibilities of AI technology. Through his writing, teaching, and leadership, he continues to inspire others to embrace the future of AI and its limitless potential.

For any inquiry, you can contact us any time. If you want to contribute your knowledge to this website, or if you have a request, just send us your message. We promise to do our best to help.

Bolakale Aremu (CEO), AB Publisher LLC.

Table of Contents

How this Book can Help You

1.0. Introduction

1.1. Organization of this Guide

2.0. Operating System Fundamentals

2.1. Learning Objectives

2.2. Introduction to Computing Fundamentals

2.3. Tasks Computers Perform

2.4. Benefits of Computing

2.5. Introduction to Operating System

2.6. Features and Functions of an Operating System, Part 1

2.6.1. How to Configure the Operating System

2.6.2. Policy Management

2.6.3. Interface/Computer Management: The Device Manager

2.6.4. Memory Management

2.6.5. Service Management

2.6.6. Driver Configuration

2.6.7. Utilities

2.7. Features and Functions of an Operating System, Part 2

2.7.1. Disk Configurations

2.7.2. Disk Management

2.7.3. Storage Management

2.7.4. Folder and File Management

2.7.5. Security

2.7.6. Communication Protocols

2.7.7. Network Access

2.8. Common Computing Devices and their Platforms

2.8.1. Stationary Computing Devices

2.8.2. Mobile Computing Devices

2.9. Understanding How Computers Talk

2.9.1. Notational Systems Defined

2.9.2. Comparison of Decimal, Hexadecimal and Binary

2.9.3. Data Types

2.9.4. Character Types

2.10. Evaluating Computer Performance and Storage

2.10.1. Processor Speed

2.10.2. Cores

2.10.3. Bus Locations

2.10.4. Bus Types

2.10.5. Bus Alternatives

2.10.6. Cache

2.10.7. Storage

2.10.8. Random Access Memory (RAM)

2.10.9. How to Measure Network Speed

2.11. Practice Quiz 1

2.11.1. Answers to Practice Quiz 1

3.0. Hardware Components and Peripherals

3.1. Identifying Hardware Components and Peripherals

3.1.1. Computer Component

3.2. Printers and Scanners

3.2.1. Output Devices

3.3. Input and Pointing Devices

3.3.1. Input Devices

3.4. Hard Drives

3.4.1. Characteristics of Hard Drives

3.5. Optical Drives and External Storage

3.5.1. Optical Drives

3.6. Display Devices

V3.6.1. Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Monitors

3.6.2. Flat-Screen Monitors

3.6.3. Touchscreens

3.6.4. Projectors

3.6.5. How to Adjust Display Properties of a Monitor

3.6.7. How to Install Display Devices

3.6.8. How to Configure Multiple Monitors

3.6.9. How to Uninstall Display Devices

3.7. Audio and Visual Devices

3.7.1. Audio Devices

3.7.2. Visual Devices

3.7.3. Speakers

3.7.4. Microphones

3.7.5. Headphones

3.7.6. Webcams

3.8. Practice Quiz 2

3.8.1. Answers to Practice Quiz 2

4.0. Introduction to Interfaces, Peripherals and Connectors

4.1. Identifying Ports and Connectors

4.1.1. Ports and Connectors

4.2. Interfaces

4.2.1. Universal Serial Bus

4.2.2. USB Connectors

4.2.3. Thunderbolt

4.2.4. FireWire

4.2.5. PS/2

4.2.6. eSATA & eSATAp

4.3. Identifying Graphic Devices

4.3.1. Display Unit

4.3.2. VGA Display System

4.3.3. LED Display System

4.3.4. Display Connectors

4.3.5. DisplayPort

4.3.6. Thunderbolt

4.3.7. Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

4.3.8. Video Graphics Array (VGA)

4.3.9. Other Common Connectors

4.4. Identifying Audio Connectors

4.4.1. The Audio Connection

4.4.2. Audio Connectors

4.4.3. Bluetooth Connectors

4.4.4. Game Ports/USB Connectors

4.4.5. External Audio Interfaces

4.5. Wired and Wireless Network Connections

4.5.1. Data Packets

4.5.2. Network Types

4.5.3. Wireless Connections

4.6. Peripheral and Printer Connections

4.6.1. Common Installation Steps

4.6.2. Common Connection Methods

4.6.3. Serial Port Cable Connections

4.6.3. Parallel Port Cable Connections

4.6.4. Network Connections

4.6.5. How to Connect Local Printers

4.6.6. How to Connect to Printers Using Windows

4.7. Types of Installation

4.7.1. What is Installation?

4.7.2. Device Manager

4.7.3. Updating Drivers in Windows

4.7.4. IP Based Peripheral

4.7.5. Web-based Configuration

4.8. Practice Quiz 3

4.8.1. Answers to Practice Quiz 3

5. Internal Computer Components

5.1. The Motherboard & Integrated Components

5.1.2. Chipset

5.1.3. The Bus

5.1.4. Sockets

5.1.5. Power Connectors

5.2. Controlling Information

5.2.1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

5.2.2. Memory (RAM)

5.2.3. Memory Slots

5.2.4. Expansion Slots

5.2.5. Disk Controllers

5.2.6. BIOS

5.2.7. CMOS

5.3. Internal Storage

5.3.1. Hard Drive Characteristics

5.3.2. Traditional Hard Drive Technology

5.3.3. IDE and PATA Drives

5.3.4. SATA Drives

5.3.5. SCSI Drives

5.3.6. Solid State Drives (SSDs)

5.3.7. Optical Drives

5.3.8. Blu-ray Discs

5.3.9. Expansion slots

5.4. Display Card and Sound Card

5.4.1. Video Card

5.4.2. GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

5.4.3. Differences Between Graphics Card and Video Card

5.4.4. Audio Card

5.4.5. MIDI Controller

5.5. Network Interface Card (NIC)

5.5.1. Wired & Wireless Network Cards

5.5.2. Modems

5.6. Cooling and Fans

5.6.1. System Cooling

5.6.2. Cooling Methods

5.7. Practice Quiz 4

5.7.1. Answers to Practice Quiz 4

6. Workstation Evaluation and Setup

6.1. How to Identify User Needs

6.1.1. Environment

6.1.2. Network Access

6.1.3. Data Storage & Application Requirements

6.1.4. How to Evaluate Peripheral Needs

6.1.5. How to Evaluate Computing Options

6.1.6. Purchasing Decisions

6.1.7. How to Facilitate Workstation Setup

6.1.8. Workstation Setup

6.2. Windows Operating System Configuration, Part 1

6.2.1. User Types

6.2.2. Setting up Windows 10

6.2.3. Accessing Settings

6.2.4. Sign in to Windows

6.2.5. Settings Options

6.3. Windows Operating System Configuration, Part 2

6.3.1. Uninstalling Programs

6.3.2. Installing Additional Software

6.3.3. Installing Security Software

6.3.4. Monitoring System Performance

6.3.5. Managing Data & Storage

6.3.6. Managing Software Updates

6.3.7. System Maintenance

6.3.8. Using the Start Menu

6.3.9. Customizing the Productivity Pane

6.3.10. Using the Taskbar

6.3.11. Using Keyboard Shortcuts

6.3.12. Searching Files and Folders

6.4. Managing Files and Folders

6.4.1. How Files Are Written & Saved

6.4.2. Binary Files vs Text Files

6.4.3. Rules for Naming Files & Folders

6.4.4. Understanding Folders

6.4.5. Understanding File Path

6.4.6. File & Folder Basics

6.5. Screen Captures and Tools

6.5.1. Screen Captures on MacOS

6.5.2. Screen Captures on Windows

6.5.2. Screen Captures on a Chrome

6.6. Introduction to Troubleshooting

6.6.1. Three Basic Computer Support Concepts

6.6.2. Common PC Issues

6.6.3. CompTIA Troubleshooting Model

6.7. Introduction to Business Continuity Principles

6.7.1. Business Continuity: Fault Tolerance, Redundancy, Backup & Recovery

6.8. Practice Quiz 5

6.8.1. Answers to Practice Quiz 5

7. Congrats and Next Steps

8. Assessment Tests & Solutions

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