Government of Karnataka

DEPARTMENT OF COLLEGIATE AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Programme Computer Science and Engineering Semester III

Type of
Course Code 20CS32P Programme Core
Course
8 hours/week
Computer Hardware, Maintenance and Contact
Course Name 104
Administration Hours
hours/semester
Teaching
L:T:P :: 3:1:4 Credits 6
Scheme
CIE Marks 60 SEE Marks 40

1. Rationale
Professional computer maintenance ensures computer hardware and software systems run efficiently to
increase productivity while lowering the chances of downtime. This course aims to help understand the
internal working of computers/laptops and prepare the student for a role as an entry-level IT support
technician. This course sets a basis for different facets of information technology like computer hardware,
software, trouble shooting and customer service.

2. Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
CO-01 Assemble a computer as per given technical specifications following all necessary safety protocols
and install, configure and setup an administrator for a Windows Operating System.
CO-02 Diagnose a computer using the right diagnostic tools, identify the hardware problem and
troubleshoot to resolve the problem following all safety protocols.
CO-03 Diagnose an installed software using the right diagnostic tools, identify the bug/issue,
troubleshoot to resolve bugs/issues and ensure all data and applications are backed up before
troubleshooting.
CO-04 Explain e-waste protocols to be followed while disposing computer hardware, to ensure
compliance with all required state pollution control board regulations.

3. Course Content
Tutorial
Lecture Practice
(Activity
Week CO PO (Knowledge Criteria) (Performance Criteria)
Criteria)
1 4 hours/week (2 hours/batch twice in
3 hours/week
hour/week a week)
I/O devices and Interfaces 1. Hardware Identification:
Types of I/O devices and ports on • Computer Case- Types,
astandard PC for connecting I/O Features- Front panel, back
devices. panel; A look inside the
Function of serial port, parallel computer case.
port, and brief principle of • Identify the front and rear
communication through these panel controls andports on a
1,
1 01 ports,types of devices that can PC cabinet.
4
be connected and interface • Identify and understand
Refer Table 1

standards. Explain basic cable different cables and

types, features and their connectors:Video cables- VGA,
purposes. HDMI, Mini-HDMI, Display port,
Importance of USB and HDMI DVI;
interfaces- Types and Features. Peripheral cables- Serial; Hard
Working of Common drive cables- SATA, PATA, IDE,

Department of Collegiate and Technical Education , Government of Karnataka 11

 Input/Outputdevices- Keyboard, SCSI; Adapters-DVI to HDMI,
Mouse, display monitor, printer USB to ethernet, DVI to VGA.
and speaker. • Installation of a localprinter.
• Shared printer.
• Installing wireless andcloud
printers.
Power supplies
Safety Basics: safety protocols;
anti- static basic hand tools,
Know the danger of static
electricity, power variation;
Precautions to be taken while
mounting and unmounting 1. Unmount the power supply
power supply into/ from the from PC cabinet.Identify the
cabinet;DC power source to PC - types of output connectors.
Need for SMPS, Specifications, 2. Identify output voltagesusing
Ratingof SMPS based on type of color coding.
motherboard and devices used 3. Measure voltage levelsusing
(AT/ATX, Micro ATX, mini ATX, multi meter.
2 01 1,4 higher watts PSU for gaming PC), 4. Mount the power supply into
color coding adopted, Types of the PC cabinet, connect
connectors used- ATX, ATX12V, different componentsand test
Molex, SATA, PCIe; PC.
Output voltage levels, 5. Trouble shoot Power supply
measuring technique; choosing through SMPS fan.
power supply based on 6. Diagnose power supply faults
wattage rating; Heat sink; 80 using PSU Tester.
plus rating system; Modular
power supply.
Symptoms of SMPS failure;
Commonproblems from a faulty
SMPS.
Trouble shooting Power supplies.
1. Identify the electrical and
electronic components used in
Basic Electronics –Electricity,
a computer and tabulatethem
Electrical quantities- Voltage,
as active and passive
current and resistance; Active
components.
components: Diodes- PN junction
2. Identify the working and non-
diodes, biasing conditions-
working stateof basic
forwardbias and reverse bias,
components and
3 1 1,4 transistors- BJT, MOSFET; Passive
semiconductor devices.
components-Resistors, capacitors,
3. Using multi meter- Check
inductors, transformers, sensors,
Output voltage ofbasic
and transducers; Integrated
components and
Circuits Digital Electronics- PWM,
semiconductor devices.
opto- coupler; checking AC to DC
4. Check different voltage levels
converter.
of opto-coupler, PWM and
rectifier.
Mother board – Example
Motherboards; Functional 1. Precautions to be takenbefore
description of mother board; removing the mother board
specification and variation. from PC cabinet.
01,03 01, 2. Using the CPUID CPU-Ztool,
4 Form factor- what is
04 find different features of CPU.
Motherboard Form factor?
Types and features of 3. Check the Electric flowpath
Motherboard formfactors- and data flow path
ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, 4. Windows resourcemonitor

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 Nano-ITX, andPico-ITX. 5. Using the CPUID CPU-Ztool,
Functional components of identify the CPU cache features
Motherboard; CPU and CPU of your working system.
socket-Types of sockets;
Overview of microarchitecture of
INTEL and AMD CPU.
1. Identify system faults using
Chipsets- Function, POST diagnosticscard.
Types andFeatures. 2. Understand basic onboard
Buses- System bus architecture configurationsthrough UEFI.
Importance of POST; UEFI – 3. Test different motherboards to
why is itrequired, possible determine support forUEFI
01, 01,
5 configurations through UEFI. 4. Replace the CMOS battery in a
03 04
IDE ports; Methods of adding computer following the
SCSIdrives. procedures.
CMOS battery: Why? Its 5. Understand and modifyBIOS
specifications. Impact of settings and observe the
removingthe battery from mother consequences of CMOS
board. failure.
1. Identify RAM chips and
Memory– Memory Units (B,
HDD/SSD, study their features
KB, MB,GB, TB), memory
and note their technical
locations and address space,
specifications.
01, Access methods, Memory
01, 2. Identify SIMM and DIMM
6 03 Classification.
04 memory modules, their
Main memory Types and
number of pins, specs and type.
Features.Auxiliary memory –
3. Identify the interface type of a
Types and features. Memory
hard drive andconnect it to a
modules.
PC for data recovery.

RAM Technology- SDRAM, DDR,

DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 – Clock 1. Use CPUID-CPUZ tool toidentify
speed, Bandwidth, Memory capacity, speed,technology, and
speed rating, PCspeed rating; related features of RAM.
RAM capacity- single- sided and
double-sided RAM, Channels; 2. Check for RAM and
RAM features- Parity/ECC RAM, Motherboard compatibility and
SODIMM, SPDR chip. install additional RAMstick.
01, Mass storage media- Hard
7 01,03
04 drive, Principle of working, 3. Find on Windows system
reliability, performance, SSD, properties tocheck the RAM for
optical drive; Logical Block correct installation.
Addressing (LBA); Memory
capacity- physical and logical 4. Query the SPD RAM chip to
addressing; M.2 drives, SATA, identify all
NVMe. 5. possible informationusing
Causes of Hard drive failure; CPUID CPUZ.
Signs offailure; Backup and
recovery of data;
Windows Installation –
Overview windows 10; 1. Windows Installation Inspect
general features; Versions; prerequisites for
architecture;prerequisites windows 10 installationon a given
02, computer.
8 for windows 10
03 2. Perform cleaninstallation.
installation: hardware
compatibility,BIOS 3. Upgrade to windows10.
compatibility, driver 4. Create dual boot for a given
requirements. Clean install of system, learn andrectify errors

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 windows 10; upgrade to in dual boot.
windows 10; disk partitioning; 5. Practice on recoverypartition.
troubleshooting installation 6. Practice 10 registrytweaks.
problems; Multiple boot 7. Practice disk management
options; windows service utilities.
packs.
Imaging: create a Windows
system image; How to
Backup/Restore your Windows
partition with the bootable
image.
File system overview, types,
properties, conversion from
one filesystem to another,
configuration.
Configuring system and data
1. Practice data recoverymethods
recovery: Recover files,
2. Working with task manager to
recover apps and the
troubleshoot configuration and
01, registry; recover windows
otherperformance related
02, 10.
9 issues.
03 Configure and manage
3. Working with taskscheduler.
windows updates:
4. Customizing windows
auto/manually; testing and
desktop.
troubleshooting updates.
Monitor and manage:
Performance monitoring;
optimizewindows services;
tune scheduled tasks.
Customizing windows desktop.
1. Execute basic commands in
Windows using command
prompt and PowerShell like
Windows Command line; listing the drives in a system,
01, PowerShell; basic commands;
01, creating a new file, removing a
10 04, writing simple PowerShell
03 file or directory, retrieving the
07 scripts. list of processes and services,
File security. etc.,
2. Use command line to encrypt
and decrypt files and folders.
1. Observe the layout of a laptop
and compare it with a desktop.
2. Follow/review manufacturer
Portable computing- maintenance guide forrepair
Troubleshooting and maintenance.
Laptops- I 3. Power Issues: Battery not
Difference between laptop and charging, No power.
desktop Motherboards; Checking 4. Trouble shoot computer
02, Power connector and adaptor hardware issues in the following
01,
11 03, pins, AC adapter of Laptop circuit scenarios-
04
04 diagram, Fault finding; trouble- -Unexpected shutdowns.
shooting voltage transfer section, -Lockups
AC-DC conversion, Generation of -POST & Boot
stand by voltage, fault finding- No -Continuous reboot
power ON, power switch, Battery -No Power
charging circuit; -Loud Noises.
-Intermittent devicefailure
-Smoke and burning smell
5. -Indicator lights.

Department of Collegiate and Technical Education , Government of Karnataka 14

 Troubleshooting Laptops- II
Dual MOSFET pin details, Two
N- channel MOSFET in place of 1. Perform the same operations in
dual MOSFET, one p-channel week#7on a laptop.
and one N- channel MOSFET, 2. LCD display trouble-shoot: No
problems and faultfinding; CPU display/dim video/flickering
voltage generation circuits, video.
01, keyboard interface, problem 3. Wireless troubleshooting:
12 03,
04 and fault finding. Touch pad Multiple antennae, check
04,
connector, BIOS details, SATA presence of wireless cards.
HDD 4. Scan and remove malwares in
details, Audio section, internal eachcomputer or mobiledevice.
display, LED screen pin details. 5. Perform Antivirus and anti-
Malware mitigation: introduction, malware updates.
types, symptoms, malware
removal;
E-waste management:
What is EEE and E-waste?
Different scenarios of E-waste
management, StEP initiatives
to solve e-waste problems,
impact of e-waste on health of • Visit https://greene.gov.in and
children and workers. https://kspcb.karnataka.gov.in/
E-waste management in to find the latest regulations
India: and policies taken up by the
01,
13 EPR and e-waste, the informal Government of India.
04, 04
sector in e-waste • Visit a nearby e-waste
management, Technologies management plant and
for e-waste management, understand the management
Financing e-waste process.
management systems- Key
steps, milestones to achieve a
robust
E-waste system.
Case studies.
Total in hours 39 13 52
*PO = Program outcome as listed and defined in year 1 curriculum

Table 1: Suggestive activities for tutorials (the list is only shared as an example and not inclusive of all
possible activities for that course. Student and faculty are encouraged to choose activities that are relevant to
the topic and the availability of such resources at their institution)
SL
Activity
NO
1. Study multipurpose cables used with different models of computers and their
applications.
2. Identify the cables and list the devices that can be connected to computer using these
1
cables.
3. Identify commercially available brands of keyboard, mouse and monitor and their
distinguishable features.
1. Identify preventive measures that help to eliminate or reduce electrostatic discharge.
2. Describe effective ways to reduce the risk of injury or damage while working with respect to
powersupply in computer systems.
3. Make your observations on why a technician may choose to use a UPS instead of a surge
2
suppress or to protect a computer.
4. Identify the components that are powered by the PSU.
5. Identify the common causes of PSU/SMPS failure and explainhow it can be maintained in a
healthy state.

Department of Collegiate and Technical Education , Government of Karnataka 15

 6. Explain the factors on which the PSU wattage is decided.
7. Describe the features of different Power supplies available commercially that support a gaming
PC.
1. Calculate the value of resistors onboard using the color code.
3
2. Identify the terminals of a BJT and MOSFET.
1. Identify the units MHz and GHz with respect to CPU.
2. Compare and contrast the characteristics of different motherboard formfactors.
3. Identify and present the factors to select an appropriate Motherboard based on the purpose-
Basic applications, Gaming, Workstations/servers.
4
4. Study the features and specifications of the processors (Intel: Pentium family, dualcore,
quad core, core 2 duo, i3, i5, i7, i9 and AMD processors).
5. Study the CPU benchmarks of the trending processors.
6. Compare features of CPU and GPU.
1. Explain bus standards with respect to evolution, speed, and recent trends (ISA, PCI, AGP).
2. Explain how to clear CMOS password.
3. Explain the importance of UEFI and configuration settings for –
5
a. Overclocking of CPU frequencies
b. Set RAM timings
4. Setting BIOS passwords Specify boot options.
1. Describe the classification of memories.
6
2. Study different types of memory devices and features that are commercially available.
1. Study the characteristics of different types of SSDs.
7 2. Compare DDR4 and DDR5 memory.
3. Study and identify what happens when the hard drive fails.
1. Identify system requirements for Windows 10 installation.
8 2. Study and list the features of different versions of windows 10.
3. Explore file backup in Windows file history feature.
1. Study best practices followed in scheduled backups and scheduled disk maintenance.
9
2. Study the necessity of TPM in Windows 11.
10 1. Compare relative merits and demerits of the two command shells.
1. Relate the components of a laptop to a desktop and compare their features.
11
2. Identify the upgradable and non- upgradable components in laptops.
12 1. Document the common faults that may occur on the motherboard.
1. Study the e-waste rules 2016 and their amendments there-off as prescribed by the Karnataka
state pollution control board and explain the process for the polytechnic to follow safe disposal
of e-waste.
13
2. Study the global e-waste key statistics.
3. Sketch the e-waste policies and regulations, you think, must be regulated at each stakeholder’s
level.

4. CIE and SEE Assessment Methodologies

Sl. Duration Max
Assessment Test Week Conversion
No In minutes marks
1. CIE-1 Written Test 5 80 30 Average of three
2. CIE-2 Written Test 9 80 30 tests
3 CIE-3 Written Test 13 80 30 30
4. CIE-4 Skill Test-Practice 6 180 100 Average of two skill
tests reduced to
5 CIE-5 Skill Test-Practice 12 180 100
20
CIE-6 Portfolio continuous
6 evaluation of Activity through 1-13 10 10
Rubrics
Total CIE Marks 60
Semester End Examination (Practice) 180 100 40
Total Marks 100

Department of Collegiate and Technical Education , Government of Karnataka 16

5. Format for CIE written Test
Computer Hardware, Maintenance
Course Name Test I/II/III Sem III/IV
and Administration
Course Code 20CS32P Duration 80 Min Marks 30
Note: Answer any one full question from each section. Each full question carries 10 marks.
Cognitive Course
Section Assessment Questions Marks
Levels Outcome
1
I
2
3
II
4
5
III
6
Note for the Course coordinator: Each question may have one, two or three subdivisions. Optional questions in each
section carry the same weightage of marks, Cognitive level and course outcomes.

6. Rubrics for Assessment of Activity (Qualitative Assessment)

Sl. Dimension Beginner Intermediate Good Advanced Expert Students
No. Score
2 4 6 8 10
1 Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor 8
2 Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor 6
3 Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor 2
4 Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor Descriptor 2
Average Marks= (8+6+2+2)/4=4.5 5
Note: Dimension and Descriptor shall be defined by the respective course coordinator as per the activities

7. Reference:
Sl. No. Description
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-in/000139662/what-does-the-msconfig-utitility-
1
do-in-windows-7-on-your-dell-pc#TOC
https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.ufsexplorer.com/amp/articles/how-to/connect-sata-
2
disks-instruction.php
3 http://www.qiguaninc.com/met/faq/faq35_en.html
4 https://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=2999386&seqNum=3
5 https://www.crucial.in/articles/pc-builders/what-is-computer-hardware
6 https://www.udemy.com
7 https://www.pluralsight.com

8. CIE Skill Test and SEE Scheme of Evaluation

SL.
Particulars/Dimension Marks
No.

Document technical specifications of the right hardware components to assemble a

1 computer to meet the given requirement and also necessary safety protocols to be 20
followed.

Demonstrate the configuration and setting up an administrator for a Windows

2 10
Operating System.

Department of Collegiate and Technical Education , Government of Karnataka 17

 Identify the hardware problem and trouble shoot using appropriate diagnostic
3 20
toolsin a given computer following all safety protocols.

Identify the software issues and trouble shoot using appropriate diagnostic tools in
4 20
a given computer ensuring that all data and applications are backed up.

Explain the issues identified and how they have been resolved:
In the event of student failing to diagnose and troubleshoot the issues either
5 20
softwareor hardware, the examiner shall use viva-voce to explain the protocols to
be followed in e-waste management.

6 Portfolio evaluation of practice sessions 10

Total Marks 100

9. Equipment/software list with Specification for a batch of 20 students

Sl.
Particulars Specification Quantity
No.

1 Computers 10

2 PSU Tester 10

3 Multimeter 10

4 Individual components- SMPS/PSU 400 watts 10

5 SMPS/PSU 800 watts 10

6 Motherboard – ATX 10

7 Motherboard – Micro ITX 10

8 RAM stick – DDR3 10

9 RAM stick – DDR4 10

10 CMOS battery 10

11 Windows 10/11 OS user license for multi users

12 POST diagnostic card 10

Department of Collegiate and Technical Education , Government of Karnataka 18