IT Support Technician Fundementals - Hardware and Software

Explore how the cpu powers computers as the brain, boosting performance with faster processors. Compare Intel and AMD offerings, core i3/i5/i7 and Ryzen lines, four cores, and cooling.

Understand memory, or RAM, and how the processor uses it to process data in real time. Varying speeds exist across the DDR generations—from DDR1 to DDR5—and compatible motherboard slots matter.

Compare hard disk drives and solid state drives, highlighting speed, reliability, and power use, and explain how upgrading to an SSD improves boot times and overall performance.

Learn how the GPU renders images and video, why a good graphics card matters for demanding programs and video editing, and how integrated and standalone GPUs connect to the system.

Learn how the motherboard links the processor, memory, and drives, and how BIOS firmware initializes hardware, controls the boot process, and lets technicians configure boot order and system settings.

Explain how a power supply unit converts ac to dc and powers all components in system, and how wattage rating, voltage regulation, and connectors like atx, Sata, Molex ensure compatibility.

Explore how LCD and OLED monitors differ in panel types, viewing angles, and color accuracy, from TN to VA, and match size and resolution to business needs and budget.

Explore essential computer hardware by mastering keyboard and mouse basics, including how they input data, control the cursor, and connect via USB or wireless.

Learn inkjet and laser printers, with laser favored for business due to low costs and high-volume reliability. Master installation, toner replacement, and basic MFP tasks with USB, wireless, or network.

Explore common cables and connection types, including HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, USB variants, Ethernet RJ-45, audio jacks, SATA, and Thunderbolt 3/4, with notes on usage, speeds, and obsolescence.

Explore a business desktop setup, including monitor, mouse, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, USB, LAN, power supply, and internals like CPU with cooler, RAM, PCIe slots, and a 500GB SATA drive.

Master basic hardware troubleshooting for IT support technicians, diagnosing hard drive or SSD failures, memory, CPU, motherboard, GPU, and power supply issues, and when to replace parts or systems.

Understand laptops as portable clamshell computers that run PC programs, ideal for office and work-from-home use, with common features like various ports and an Intel i5 processor.

Docking stations connect a laptop to a monitor, keyboard, and external drive through a single USB-C or USB connection, enabling desktop use. Reattach loose cables and check video output.

Identify laptop hardware problems, from overheating and fan failures to broken displays, hard drive and battery issues, and keyboard or graphics card faults, and learn how to disassemble a laptop.

Explore the most common business laptop brands, including Dell, Lenovo, HP, Apple, and ASIS, noting durability, battery life, and security features across business lines.

Explore basic operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Linux Lite, and Zorin OS, plus Chrome OS, focusing on updates, security, and cloud data.

Learn how programs extend an operating system by installing apps, with a focus on internet browsers Chrome and Edge. This video guides downloading and installing Google Chrome on Windows 10.

Install and activate the Microsoft Office package, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, from office.com, select language and 32- or 64-bit edition, and log in with a licensed account.

Adobe Reader is the primary PDF viewer. Learn to download, install, and set it as the default app, and compare its options with Edge for opening PDFs.

Explore VLC, a free open source media player that plays diverse audio and video formats, offers convert and subtitle features, and installs with a straightforward setup.

Install and run Microsoft Teams on Windows 10 to chat, call, and video conference with coworkers, share files, and access Word or PowerPoint across devices.

Learn how to compress files using seven zip, zip, or similar tools, create a single archive, and password-protect encrypted archives with step-by-step download, install, and usage guidance.

Learn to use the Snipping Tool in Windows to capture, edit, save, and share screenshots via Teams or email. Pin it to the taskbar for quick access.