Basic Skills: Evaluating Computers

Requires a basic understanding of computer hardware in order to:

• Hook up the cables for a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, & printer
• Find out the CPU speed of a computer
• Find out how much memory a computer has
• Find out how big the hard drive is
• Recognize what kind of mouse and keyboard connections are supported
• Recognize whether a computer has a modem or ethernet card installed
• Find out what operating system is installed on a computer
• Identify what major software packages are installed on a computer

Advanced Skills: Refurbishing Computers

Requires all the skills of "Evaluating Computers" (above) PLUS the ability to:

• Install an ethernet card in a computer
• Install or re-install a fresh copy of Windows 98 or XP from a CD
• Install or re-install Microsoft Word
• Uninstall unnecessary software packages
• Connect a Windows computer to the internet via a modem
• Find (on the web), download, install, & test a printer driver