University of Cape Coast

Computer Science Department

Course: Computer Hardware (CSC 110)
Instructor: Abdul-Lateef Yussif
Email: ayussif@ucc.edu.gh
Office Hour: To be announced in class.

Text
The primary textbooks for this course will be
• Clarke, G. E., Tetz, E., & Warner, T. (2016). CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-one for Dummies. John
Wiley & Sons.
• Docter, Q., Dulaney, E., Lammle, T., Skandier, T., & Easttom, C. (2015). CompTIA Complete Study
Guide 3 Book Set: A+ Exams220-801 and 220-802 2e; Network+ Exam N10-006 3e; Security+ Exam
SY0-401 6e. SYBEX Inc..
• Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs, Exams 220-901 & 220-902,
(5th Edition) by Mike Meyers
• Upgrading and Repairing PCs (22nd Edition) by Scott Mueller

Course Description
This course covers the fundamentals of computer hardware and software as well as advanced concepts. Students
who complete this course will be able to describe the internal components of a computer, assemble a computer
system, install an operating system, and troubleshoot using system tools and diagnostic software. It is a study
of the computer—its hardware and software—from its earliest beginnings, through the advent of mainframe and
personal computers, up to present-day Pentium processor–driven machines.

Course Objective
Upon successful completion of this course, you will have learned to
• Identify basic terms, concepts, and functions of system modules, including how each module should
work during normal operation and during the boot process
• Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for both desktop and
portable systems
• Identify common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors
• Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring Integrated Device Electronics (IDE)/Enhanced
IDE (EIDE) devices
• Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring peripheral devices
• Identify hardware methods of upgrading system performance; learn procedures for replacing basic
subsystem components and unique components; and learn when to use these procedures
• Identify common symptoms and problems associated with each module and how to troubleshoot and
isolate the problems
• Identify the purposes of various types of preventive maintenance products and procedures, and learn
when to perform them.
• Identify issues, procedures, and devices for protection within the computing environment, including
people, hardware, and the surrounding workspace
• Distinguish between the popular central processing unit (CPU) chips in terms of their basic
characteristics
• Identify the categories of random access memory (RAM) terminology and their locations and physical
characteristics
• Identify the most popular types of motherboards, their components, and their architecture (for example,
bus structure and power supplies)
• Identify the basic printer concepts, printer operations, and printer components
• Identify care and service techniques and common problems with primary printer types
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 • Identify the operating system’s functions, structure, and major system files in order to navigate the
operating system and obtain needed technical information

Projects / Research Assignments

Students will be required to take project assignments aimed at implementing the theories and/or concepts taught
in class. All project assignments should be submitted on the required date. A student shall loose 10% of the
score for each day after the required date of submission of the said assignment unless the late submission is
substantiated with tangible reason(s). Students will need to have access to Computers to be able to follow most
of the concept that will be discussed

Evaluation
The final grade will be evaluated on the following basis:

Points
Quiz-1 20
Quiz-2 20
End-of-Semester Exams 60

The date for the midterm exam is not known yet but will be communicated to you

Grading Scale
The University grading scale will be used to grade students in the course. Students should consult the UCC
Handbook for the grading policy.

Course Policies:
 Each student is expected to be in attendance in every class-period.
 The Assignment due dates must be adhered to.
 In case of illness, emergencies, etc., students are required to inform the instructor personally or through e-
mail. You are responsible for all material covered in lectures.

Academic Dishonesty/Cheating:
Any student who is found, or reported, cheating or exercising any form of dishonesty will receive an automatic
F grade in the course. Such student(s) will also be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the
University and faculty policies.

Lesson 1: Data Representations

Lesson 3: The Motherboard and CPU Cases
 Binary Number system
 Decimal Number System
 Hexadecimal number system  System board defined
 System board evolution
 Motherboard removal and Replacement
Lesson 2 - Introduction  Troubleshooting the motherboard
• Common PC errors
• Types of Personal computers
Lesson 4: The CPU
• Identifying key parts of a Personal Computer
• Basic Software components
• Overview of PC Operations  What is a CPU?
 Physical CPU Types
 Types of CPU x86, Celeron, Pentium I-IV,
Itanium, Duron, Sempron, Athlon

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  Processor Levels  How A Graphics Accelerator Works?
 CPU Sockets and slots  Graphics Card Memory Choices
 CPU speed  The Graphics Bus
 Comparing different types of CPU  Limitations on Graphics Card Output
 How to identify CPUs physically?  Resolution versus Colour
 CPU Benchmarking  Multimedia Features
 CPU Overclocking
 Upgrading CPU
 CPU maintenance Lesson 10: The Sound Card
 CPU cleaning procedures
 Troubleshooting & testing CPU using processor
diagnostic test  The Sound Card History
 Sound Card Concepts and Terminology
 Sound Card Optional Extras
Lesson 5: Memory

Lesson 11: The Monitor

 Random Access Memory Defined
 Physical Memory Packaging
 Types of Memory  The Monitor
 Read-only Memory  Types of Displays
 Managing memory  Health and Safety Concerns
 Common Memory Problems  Monitor Connections
 Breaking Down the Memory

Lesson 12: BIOS

Lesson 6: Power Supplies and UPS

 basic Input/ Output System

 Power supplies  Screen Error messages and solutions
 Power Problems  Advanced BIOS Features
 The Power-Good Signal and ATX Power Supplies  Interrupt Request (IRQ) Lines
 Power Management  I/O Settings
 Batteries  DMA Channel
 Troubleshooting the Power Supply

Lesson 7: The Hard Drive

 Hard Disks
 Hard Disk Interfaces
 Evaluating Hard Disk Performance
 Troubleshooting the Hard Drive

Lesson 8: The CD-ROM Drive

 The CD-ROM Background

 CD-ROM Disc and Drive Formats
 The CD-ROM Drive
 CD-ROM Drive Specifications
 Other CD-ROM Factors
 The CD and the Future
 The CD-ROM Interface

Lesson 9: The Video Card

 The Video Controller

 The Graphics Card or Graphics Controller
 Video Graphics Adapter
 A Graphics Card Processor
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