🛠️ Hardware Workshop: Computer Hardware & Networking BCA Elective / Core Workshop | I/I
⚙️ Credit Hours: 3
🔌 Theory + Lab Intensive
🖧 Networking & PC Assembly
📡 Practical Assessment Only
📖 Course Description
This course provides a hands-on foundation in computer hardware, electronics, and networking through practical exploration of system components and real-world troubleshooting. Students will learn to identify and test electronic components, assemble and disassemble desktops and laptops, and configure both wired and wireless networks. The training emphasizes diagnostic methods using tools like Multimeters, POST cards, and cable testers to resolve hardware and connectivity issues. Additionally, learners gain experience in preventive maintenance and system upgrades, including RAM, storage, PSU, and BIOS configurations. The course concludes with a comprehensive practical assessment, equipping students with skills for IT support and hardware technician roles.
🎯 Course Objectives
- Understand basic components of computer hardware and networking
- Learn to assemble, disassemble, and troubleshoot hardware & network setups
- Gain hands-on experience in configuring and testing basic networks
- Develop diagnostic and maintenance skills for common IT issues
- Build foundational skills for IT support, system administration, and network troubleshooting
📌 Course Outcomes
- Identify and describe functions of key hardware and network components
- Assemble and configure basic PCs and networks
- Diagnose and troubleshoot common hardware and network problems
- Perform maintenance and apply preventive measures for IT systems
| 📚 Module | Core Topics & Skills |
|---|---|
| 🔧 Electronics Components | Passive/active components, diodes, transistors, ICs, multimeter testing, ESR meter, datasheets |
| 🌐 Networking Components | Modem, NIC, router, switch, crimping RJ45, CAT5/6, fiber, cable tester, fault simulation |
| 🖥️ PC Hardware Identification | Motherboard, CPU, RAM, PSU, BIOS, storage (HDD/SSD/NVMe), I/O ports, ESD safety |
| 🔩 PC & Laptop Assembly | Step-by-step assembly, thermal paste, PSU testing, BIOS/UEFI, POST diagnostics, OS installation basics |
| 📡 Network Deployment | Topologies, IP addressing, subnetting, router/switch config, wireless AP, ping/traceroute, ipconfig |
| 🧹 Maintenance & Upgrade | RAM/SSD/GPU upgrades, preventive cleaning, thermal paste replacement, firmware update, cable management |
📚 Detailed Workshop Syllabus
1. Electronics & Passive/Active Components~6 hrs
- Introduction to Electronics & Lab safety, basic electronics kit
- Passive Components: Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors
- Active Components: Diodes, LEDs, Transistors, ICs (pinouts, forward/reverse bias)
- Connectors, Switches, Relays, Buzzers, Crystals – identification & testing
- Reading Datasheets & Packaging Types: DIP, SMD, TO-92, TO-220
- Testing & Troubleshooting: faulty vs working, ESR meter, multimeter
🛠️ Tools: Digital Multimeter, Component Tester, Breadboards, jumper wires, electronic component kits
2. Networking Components & Cabling~4 hrs
- Overview of Network Devices: Modem, NIC, Router, Switch, Hub, Access Point
- Cabling & Connectors: crimp RJ45, CAT5/6, Coaxial, Fiber-optic, Rollover, Crossover, Straight-through
- Testing & troubleshooting physical issues – cable tester, replace cables/devices
- Simulate network faults and validate connectivity
📡 Equipment: Wireless Router, Ethernet Switch, Crimping tools, LAN Tester, Access Points
3. Desktop/Laptop Hardware Identification6 hrs
- PC Components: Case, motherboard, CPU, RAM, ROM, PSU – form factors (DDR1-4, SATA, NVMe)
- Workbench Safety & ESD precautions
- System Unit: Motherboard, Southbridge/Northbridge, BIOS/UEFI, internal buses
- Storage Devices: HDD vs SSD vs NVMe, PATA/SATA interfaces, real vs fake SSD
- Input/Output Devices: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Printer, Scanner – port types (USB, HDMI)
- Power Supply Unit (PSU): ATX, modular, SMPS; voltage rails (3.3V, 5V, 12V), testing with multimeter, common failures
4. PC & Laptop Assembly / Disassembly~8 hrs
- Safety precautions, step-by-step assembly (group hands-on)
- Installing Motherboard, CPU, RAM – applying thermal paste, mounting cooler
- Connecting PSU, Storage, and front panel cables
- BIOS/UEFI Configuration: boot order, passwords, POST checks, beep codes
- Troubleshooting basics: no boot, no power, display error, overheating
- Optional OS installation (Windows/Linux), driver updates, disk cleanup
- Cross-platform useful commands (cmd, PowerShell, Linux terminal basics)
🧰 Diagnostic tools: POST card, multimeter, BIOS reset jumpers, ESD wrist straps
5. Basic Network Deployment & Configuration4 hrs
- Identification & role of Modem, NIC, Hub, Switch, Router, Access Point
- Configure topology with crossover/straight-through cables
- Sharing: Printer technologies, install & configure printers, file/folder sharing
- IP Addressing & Subnetting basics (IPv4 classes, subnet mask, gateway, DNS)
- Router & Switch basic configuration, console setup, test connectivity
- Wireless AP & Extenders: SSID, password, MAC filtering, signal test
6. Network Diagnostics & Problem Solving4 hrs
- Testing & Diagnostics: ping, traceroute, ipconfig/ifconfig, netstat, arp, nslookup, route, netsh
- Use of cable testers, simulate network faults, replace faulty devices
- Visual inspection, elimination method, beep code analysis
- Maintain troubleshooting log, systematic approach: Identify → Test → Isolate → Fix → Verify
7. Maintenance, Upgrades & Preventive Care5 hrs
- Upgrade Planning: compatibility (CPU, RAM, GPU, PSU wattage), use CPU-Z / Crucial Scanner
- RAM Upgrades: matching speed, dual-channel, SO-DIMM vs DIMM
- Storage Upgrades: SSD vs HDD vs NVMe, cloning OS, partition alignment
- GPU Upgrade (desktop): PCIe slots, cooling, driver installation
- CPU Upgrade (desktop): socket compatibility, thermal paste application, stress testing
- Preventive Maintenance: cleaning internal components (compressed air), thermal paste replacement, battery care for laptops
- BIOS/UEFI & firmware updates, cable management & airflow optimization, SMART monitoring, MemTest86+
📋 Final Practical Assessment (2 hrs)
- Hardware Identification & Handling: label parts, anti-static measures
- PC Assembly/Disassembly: guided demo, boot to BIOS
- Network Setup: configure wired LAN, assign IPs, test with ping
- Troubleshooting Simulations: use POST card, interpret beep codes, fix connectivity issues
- Maintenance Tasks: clean internals, apply thermal paste, verify PSU voltages
📊 Internal Assessment Breakdown (40 marks)
- Attendance & Participation: 10%
- Daily Lab Performance: 20%
- Practical Test: 50%
- Viva/Oral Exam: 20%
📌 No final theory exam – 100% practical + viva evaluation
📚 Recommended References
- Gookin, D. (2017) – Troubleshooting & Maintaining Your PC All-in-One For Dummies (3rd ed.)
- Halsey, M. (2022) – Troubleshooting and Supporting Windows, Apress
- Andrews, J. – A+ Guide to IT Technical Support (latest ed.)
🔧 Additional resources: manufacturer datasheets, video tutorials on PC build, Packet Tracer for network simulation, and hardware lab manuals.