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Free PC Hardware Training Lesson Topics from Tamingthebeast.net

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Everything you wanted to know about computer hardware... and then some! Covering topics from system casing specifications to Hard Drive geometry to Bios configurations! 

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• Introduction to the PC
  
  • How the PC Works
    • The Computer's Primary Jobs
    • How the Computer Computes
    • Example: What Happens When You Press A Key
      
  • Overview of Systems and Components
    
  • PC Fundamentals
    • Binary vs. Decimal Measurements
    • Basic Electrical Components
    • Jumpers
    • Signaling, Clocks and Synchronous Data Transfer
      

• Systems and Components Reference Guide
  
• System Case
• Parts of the System Case
• Styles and Sizes
• Form Factors
• Case Switches
• Case LEDs
• Drive Bays

• Power
  • External Power
    • Electrical Power Basics
    • External Power Problems
    • Protection Against Power Problems
    • Uninterruptible Power Supplies
      • Uninterruptible Power Supply Overview
      • Uninterruptible Power Supply Types
      • Parts of the Uninterruptible Power Supply
      • Uninterruptible Power Supply Functions and Features
    • Comparison of Power Protection Methods
  • The Power Supply
    • Power Supply Functions and Signals
    • Parts of the Power Supply
    • Power Supply Form Factors
    • Power Supply Output and Ratings
    • Power Supply Specifications and Certifications
      
• Motherboard and System Devices
  • The Motherboard
    • Motherboard Form Factors
    • Parts of the Motherboard
    • Motherboard Integrated Components
  • System Chipset and Controllers
    • Chipset Functions and Features
      • Chipset Processor Support
      • Chipset Cache Support
      • Chipset Memory Support
      • Chipset Timing and Flow Control
      • Chipset Peripheral and I/O Bus Control
      • Chipset Power Management Support
    • Popular Chipsets
      • Fourth Generation (486 Class) Chipsets
      • Fifth Generation (Pentium Class) Intel Chipsets
      • Fifth Generation (Pentium Class) Non-Intel Chipsets
      • Sixth Generation (Pentium Pro / Pentium II Class) Chipsets
    • Keyboard Controller Functions
    • Super I/O Controller Functions
    • Additional Integrated Motherboard Functions
      
  • System Buses
    • System Bus Functions and Features
    • System Bus Types
      • Older Bus Types
      • Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Local Bus
      • Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)
        
  • System BIOS
    • System BIOS Functions and Operation
    • BIOS System Boot Operations
    • BIOS Components and Features
    • BIOS Setup Program
    • BIOS Settings
      • Standard Settings
      • Advanced Features
      • Advanced Chipset Features
      • PCI / PnP Configuration
      • Power Management
      • Integrated Peripherals
      • IDE Device Setup / Autodetection
      • Security / Password Settings
      • Hardware Device Settings / ("CPU Soft Menu")
      • Auto Configuration and Defaults
      • Exit Setup
        
  • System Cache
    • Role of Cache in the PC
    • "Layers" of Cache
    • Function and Operation of the System Cache
    • Cache Characteristics
    • Cache Transfer Technologies and Timing
    • Cache Structure and Packaging
      
  • System Resources
    • Interrupts (IRQs)
      • Interrupt Function and Operation
      • IRQ Details By Number
    • Direct Memory Access (DMA) Channels
      • DMA Channel Function and Operation
      • DMA Channel Details By Number
    • Input / Output (I/O) Addresses
    • Logical Devices
    • Memory Addresses and Device BIOSes
    • System Configuration
    • Resource Conflicts and Conflict Resolution
    • Plug and Play
      
• The Processor
  • Roots of the Processor: Digital Logic and the Semiconductor
  • Processor Physical Characteristics
    • Processor Manufacturing
    • Physical Chip Characteristics
    • Processor Power and Voltage
    • Processor Cooling
    • Processor Packaging
    • Processor Sockets and Slots
  • Processor Architecture and Operation
    • External Processor Interfaces and Operation
    • Internal Processor Architecture and Operation
      • Processor Instruction Sets
      • Processor Modes
      • Internal Architectural Components
      • Instruction Execution Process
      • Performance Enhancing Architectural Features
    • Processor Performance
  • Processor Families
    • Explanation of Processor Summary Tables
    • First Generation Processors
    • Second Generation Processors
    • Third Generation Processors
    • Fourth Generation Processors
    • Fifth Generation Processors
    • Sixth Generation Processors
      
• System Memory
  • Memory Technology Types
  • Memory Speed, Access and Timing
  • DRAM Technologies
  • Memory Size
  • Memory Packaging
  • Memory Errors, Detection and Correction
  • Logical Memory Layout
    
• Video Cards
  • Video Card Overview
  • Video System Interfaces
  • Video Modes, Resolution and Color
  • Video Memory Function and Speed
  • Video Memory Technologies
  • Video Display Standards
  • 3D Video Acceleration
  • Full-Motion Video
  • Video Card Performance
    
• Monitors
  • Monitor Construction and Operation
  • Monitor Resolution, Color and Refresh
  • Monitor Size
  • CRT Characteristics
  • Monitor Power and Safety
    
• Hard Disk Drives
  • A Brief History of the Hard Disk Drive
  • Construction and Operation of the Hard Disk Drive
    • Hard Disk Operational Overview
    • Hard Disk Platters and Media
    • Hard Disk Read/Write Heads
      • Read/Write Head Operation
      • Read/Write Head Technologies
    • Hard Disk Head Sliders, Arms and Actuator
    • Hard Disk Spindle Motor
    • Hard Disk Connectors and Jumpers
    • Hard Disk Logic Board
    • Hard Disk Cache and Cache Circuitry
    • Hard Disk Form Factors
    • Hard Disk Packaging and Mounting
  • Hard Disk Geometry and Low-Level Data Structures
    • Data Encoding and Decoding
    • Tracks, Cylinders and Sectors
    • Formatting and Capacity
    • Geometry Specifications and Translation
    • Error Management and Recovery
  • Hard Disk Performance, Quality and Reliability
    • Hard Disk Performance
      • Hard Disk General Performance Issues
      • Hard Disk Performance Measurement
      • Hard Disk Performance Specifications
        • General Notes On Performance Specifications
        • Positioning Plus Transfer Performance Specifications
        • Positioning Performance Specifications
        • Transfer Performance Specifications
        • Other Performance Specifications
      • Hard Disk Internal Performance Factors
        • Mechanical Design Factors
        • Data Recording and Encoding Factors
        • Controller and Cache Factors
      • Hard Disk External Performance Factors
        • Disk Interface Factors
        • PC System Factors
        • File System Factors
    • Hard Disk Quality and Reliability
      • Hard Disk Quality and Reliability Specifications
      • Hard Disk Quality and Reliability Issues
      • Hard Disk Quality and Reliability Features
      • Hard Disk Warranty and Disaster Recovery Issues
    • Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID)
      • Why Use RAID? Benefits and Costs, Tradeoffs and Limitations
      • RAID Concepts and Issues
        • General RAID Concepts
        • RAID Performance Issues
        • RAID Reliability Issues
      • RAID Levels
        • Technical Factors Differentiating RAID Levels
        • Single RAID Levels
        • Multiple (Nested) RAID Levels
        • "Just A Bunch Of Disks"
        • Summary Comparison of RAID Levels
      • RAID Configuration and Implementation
        • RAID Controllers and Controller Features
        • RAID Hard Disk Drive Requirements
        • RAID Management
        • Advanced RAID Features
          
  • Hard Disk BIOS and Capacity Factors
    • BIOS and the Hard Disk
    • Hard Disk Size Barriers
    • BIOS Translation Modes
    • Overcoming BIOS Disk Size Barriers
      
  • Hard Disk Interfaces and Configuration
    • Hard Disk General Interface Factors
    • Obsolete Hard Disk Interfaces
    • Specialty and Future Hard Disk Interfaces
    • Integrated Drive Electronics / AT Attachment (IDE/ATA) Interface
      • Overview and History of the IDE/ATA Interface
      • Official IDE/ATA Standards and Feature Sets
      • Unofficial IDE/ATA Standards and Marketing Programs
      • IDE/ATA Transfer Modes and Protocols
      • IDE/ATA Configuration and Cabling
    • Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI)
      • Overview and History of the SCSI Interface
      • SCSI Standards
        • SCSI-1
        • SCSI-2
        • SCSI-3
      • SCSI Data Transfer Modes and Feature Sets
      • SCSI Protocols and Interface Features
      • Summary of SCSI Protocols and Transfer Modes
      • SCSI Host Adapters
      • SCSI Cables and Connectors
      • SCSI Configuration and Cabling
    • IDE/ATA vs. SCSI: Interface Comparison
      
  • Hard Disk Logical Structures and File Systems
    • Operating Systems and File Systems
    • PC File Systems
    • Major Disk Structures and the Boot Process
    • FAT File System Disk Volume Structures
    • Clusters and File Allocation
    • Partitioning, Partition Sizes and Drive Lettering
    • Disk Partitioning and Formatting Programs
    • Disk Compression
      
• Floppy Disk Drives
  • Floppy Disk Drive Construction and Operation
  • Floppy Disk Media and Low-Level Data Structures
  • Floppy Disk Formats and Logical Structures
  • Floppy Disk Interfacing and Configuration
    
• CD-ROM Drives
  • CD-ROM Drive Construction and Operation
  • Compact Disk Media
  • Compact Disk Formats
  • Recordable CD (CD-R)
  • Rewriteable CD (CD-RW)
  • CD-ROM Performance and Reliability
  • CD-ROM Interfaces and Configuration
    
• Keyboards
  • Keyboard Construction and Operation
    • Keycaps
    • Keyswitches
    • Other Regular Keyboard Components
    • Keyboard Operation
  • Keyboard Key Groupings
  • Keyboard Layouts
    • General Layout Issues
    • Alphanumeric Key Layouts
    • Standard Keyboard Layouts
    • Non-Standard Keyboard Layouts
  • Special Keyboard Features and Accessories
  • Keyboard Software Issues
    
• The PC Buyer's Guide
  
  • Introduction To The PC Buyer's Guide
    
  • Step-By-Step Summary Guide To Buying A PC
    
  • Requirements Analysis
    • General Requirements Analysis Issues
    • Determining Your PC Requirements
    • Buying, Building and Upgrading
    • Budget Considerations
    • PC Use Profiles
      
  • Designing and Specifying PC Systems and Components
    • PC Types
    • Designing PCs: Structure and Subsystems
      • PC Structural Design
      • PC Subsystem Design
    • Key Performance Issues In PC System Design
    • Key Non-Performance Issues In PC System Design
    • Component Specification Issues
    • System-Based Key Component Selection
    • Detailed Considerations and Tips for Specifying Particular Components
    • Notebook PC Specification Issues
    • Software Issues in PC Specification
      
  • Understanding PC Sources, Vendors and Prices
    • The PC Industry, Vendors and The Market
    • Sources For PC Systems and Components
      • Retail Sources
      • Online, Catalog and Mail Order Sources
      • Other Sources
      • Summary Comparison of PC Sources
      • Cross-Reference Between PC Sources and PC Types
    • Researching Vendors and Prices
    • Vendor Evaluation Factors
      • Reputation and History
      • Pricing, Selection and Stock
      • Factors Affecting Pricing
      • Customer Service
      • Guarantees and Return Policies
      • Warranty Service and Warranty Policies
      • Support
      • Vendor "Danger Signals"
        
  • Purchasing PCs and Components
    • Purchase Timing
    • Delivery Methods and Issues
    • Payment Methods
      • Immediate Payment Options
      • Delayed Payment Options
      • Comparison of Payment Methods
    • Making The Purchase
    • Vendor and Order Problems and Solutions
      • Common Vendor and Order Problems
      • Dealing With Difficult Vendors and Order Problems
      • Dealing With Vendor Abuses and Deceptive Practices
        
  • After The Purchase
    • Upon System Receipt
    • Problems With Your System
    • Final Matters
      
• System Care Guide
  
  • Preventive Maintenance
    
  • System Care: Protecting Your PC
    • General System Care Factors
      • Environmental Care Factors
      • Cooling and Ventilation Care Factors
      • Power Care Factors
    • Care of Specific Components
    • Care of Media
      
  • Data Loss and Virus Prevention
    • Data Problem Prevention
    • Data Problem Detection
    • Virus Detection and Protection
      • Background on Viruses
      • Virus Infection Mechanisms and Prevention
      • Virus Scanning and Antivirus Software
        
  • Backups and Disaster Recovery
    • A Mental Exercise To Underscore the Importance of Backups
    • The Risks To Your Data
    • Backup Methods, Devices and Media
    • Backup Scheduling and Media Rotation Systems
    • What To Back Up
    • How To Back Up
    • Boot Disks
    • Disaster Recovery
      
• Troubleshooting and Repair Guide
  
  • General Troubleshooting Techniques
    • Troubleshooting and Your Mental State
    • Steps To Take First When Troubleshooting
    • General Diagnostic Techniques
      
  • Diagnostic, Troubleshooting and Repair Tools
    
  • The Troubleshooting Expert
    
    • Using the Troubleshooting Expert
      
    • Troubleshooting Boot Problems
      • Boot Problem Troubleshooting Walkthrough
      • Quick Access to Boot Process Troubleshooting
        
    • Troubleshooting The System Overall
      • Troubleshooting BIOS Beep Codes
        • American Megatrends Inc. (AMI BIOS)
        • Award BIOS
        • Phoenix BIOS
          • Older BIOS Family (Phoenix BIOS Plus, PhoenixBIOS 1.x)
          • Newer BIOS Family (PhoenixBIOS 4.x)
        • Other Brand
      • Troubleshooting Boot-Time Error Messages
      • Troubleshooting Run-Time Error Messages
      • Troubleshooting System Instablity, Reboots and Crashes
      • Troubleshooting System Slowdowns
        
    • Troubleshooting Specific Components
      • System Case
        • Assembly or Physical Issues
        • LEDs or Case Buttons
        • Key Lock
      • Power Sources and Power Protection Devices
      • Motherboard and System Devices
        • General Failures
        • CMOS Memory or Real-Time Clock
        • System BIOS
        • Physical Issues
        • Secondary Cache
        • System Bus, Resources and Expansion Cards
      • The Processor
      • System Memory
        • Apparent Failure
        • Parity Errors
        • Memory Not Recognized
        • Out of Memory Problems
        • Performance Issues
      • Video Cards
        • Failure or Improper Operation
        • Image Quality Problems
        • Performance or Video Mode Issues
      • Monitors
        • Failure or Improper Operation
        • Image Quality Problems
      • Hard Disk Drives
        • Booting or Operation Problems
        • Missing Space Issues
        • Configuration Issues
        • Dynamic Drive Overlay Problems
        • Disk Compression Issues
        • Drive Letter Issues
        • Errors
        • Physical Problems
        • File System Problems
        • Performance Issues
        • Windows Issues
      • Floppy Disk Drives
        • Booting or Operation Problems
        • Disk Formatting Problems
        • Errors
        • Physical Problems
        • File System Problems
      • CD-ROM Drives
        • Drive Not Recognized
        • Configuration Problems
        • Physical Problems
        • Errors
        • Audio Issues
        • Performance Issues
      • Peripheral I/O Ports
      • Keyboards
      • Mice
      • Modems
        • Operation and Connection Problems
        • Speed Issues
        • Errors and Download Problems
        • Call Waiting Problems
        • Software Modem Issues
      • Operating Systems and Applications
        
  • Obtaining Technical Support
    • Using Automated Technical Support Systems
    • Calling For Technical Support
    • Other Alternatives for Technical Support
      
  • Repairs, Returns and Refunds
    • Determining the Feasibility of Repair
    • Deciding On A Course Of Action
    • Performing a Repair or Return
      
• System Optimization and Enhancement Guide
  
  • System Optimizations and Enhancements
    • Using the System Optimizations and Enhancements
    • Enhance and Streamline the Boot Process
    • Improve the PC's Physical and Environmental Characteristics
    • System Resource (IRQ, DMA, I/O, COM) Conservation and Optimization
    • General System Performance Optimization
    • Operating System Performance Optimization
    • Hard Disk Performance Optimization
    • Windows System Resource Optimization
    • Conventional and Upper Memory Optimization
    • Video and Image Optimization
    • File System Optimization and Freeing Disk Space
    • Improve the Reliability of the System
    • Miscellaneous Improvements
      
  • Overclocking: The Dissenting Opinion
    • Introduction to Overclocking
    • Overclocking Risks and Rewards
    • Should You Overclock?
      
• Procedure Guide
  • Explanation of Procedure Overviews
    
  • General Installation and Assembly Tips
    
  • New PC Assembly Procedure
    
  • Configuration Procedures
    • System Layout Planning Procedure
    • Case Floor Relocation Procedure
    • Floppy Disk Drive Connection Procedure
    • Hard Disk Drive Connection Procedure
    • CD-ROM Drive Connection Procedure
    • IDE/ATA Device Configuration Procedure
    • Motherboard Configuration Procedure
    • Motherboard and Case Connection Procedure
    • External Peripheral Connection Procedure
      
  • Physical Installation Procedures
    • System Case Preparation Procedure
    • Floppy Disk Drive Physical Installation Procedure
    • Hard Disk Drive Physical Installation Procedure
    • CD-ROM Drive Physical Installation Procedure
    • Processor Physical Installation Procedure
    • Heat Sink Physical Installation Procedure
    • Cache Module Physical Installation Procedure
    • Memory Module Physical Installation Procedure
    • Motherboard Physical Installation Procedure
    • I/O Port Connector Physical Installation Procedure
    • PS/2 Mouse Port Connector Physical Installation Procedure
    • Video Card Physical Installation Procedure
      
  • Uninstallation and Disassembly Procedures
    • System Case Cover Removal Procedure
      
  • Setup and Inspection Procedures
    • Post-Assembly Inspection Procedure
    • Post-Assembly Initial Boot Procedure
    • Safe BIOS Setup Procedure
    • Post-Assembly Initial Test Procedure
    • Hard Disk Partitioning and Formatting Procedure
    • CD-ROM Driver Installation Procedure
    • System Documentation Procedure
      
  • Identification Procedures
    • Video Card Identification Procedure
    • Windows 95 Version Identification Procedure
    • File System Identification Procedure
      
  • Software Procedures
    • Boot Disk Creation Procedure
    • Manual Windows 95 Recovery Procedure
    • Windows 95 Installation Procedure
      
• Technical Resource Guide (Including Links)
  
  • Reference Tables