e-Quals Systems Testing Level 2 (Optional) Unit 405 Systems Testing Level 2 (Optional)

Unit 405

Rationale This unit will enable the candidate to implement diagnostic routines and test procedures on ICT systems (stand-alone and peer to peer) and peripheral equipment. There are 3 outcomes to this unit. The candidate will be able to: 1. use typical diagnostic routines and test procedures 2. apply standard test procedures to PC systems and peripherals 3. interpret test results to identify faulty components. Guided learning hours The recommended guided learning hours for this unit are 30 hours. Connections with other awards NVQ links
Outcome 1,2 1,2 3 3 1,2,3 1 2 2,3 1 2 3 1 2 3 This award contributes to the knowledge and understanding of the following elements of NVQ(s) C&G 4300 Installing and Supporting IT Systems Level 2 213.3 Assist the setting up and testing of hardware products 217.1 Contribute to software testing 217.2 Assist with the analysis of software tests C&G 4348 IT Services (Customer Systems Support) Level 2 04.1 Assess information on technical problems with components 04.2 Verify technical problems with components 08.1 Select test procedures for hardware 08.2 Apply test procedures for hardware 08.3 Collect and record data from tests 09.1 Select test procedures for software components 09.2 Apply test procedures to software components 09.3 Collect and record data from tests 10.1 Obtain information on the performance of IT systems 10.2 Assess the performance of IT systems 13.1 Identify solutions for software components

Key Skills links Communication Application of number IT Working with others Improving own learning Problem solving C1.2, C1.3 IT 2.1 LP 2 PS 2

Assessment Assessment will be by means of a set assignment covering both practical activities and underpinning knowledge.

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e-Quals Systems Testing Level 2 (Optional)

Unit 405

Outcome 1: Use typical diagnostic routines and test procedures

Candidates signature Practical activities The candidate will be able to 1. use current commercially available diagnostic and testing software to investigate the operation of system hardware, e.g. CPU memory system buses disks and disk controllers system board chipsets I/O ports display devices and adaptors keyboard and mouse 2. use diagnostic, test and configuration utilities built into a current commercially available (non-network) operating system, e.g. disk scan for data errors disk scan for surface errors disk defragmentation system monitors display tests and resolution settings mouse and keyboard configuration audio tests and configuration interrupt requests (IRQ) and input/output (I/O) conflict resolution driver identification and configuration file error detection and repair registry checker 3. use diagnostic, test and configuration utilities built into typical ICT hardware, e.g. Power On Self Test (POST) S.M.A.R.T. (Self Monitoring and Reporting Technology) for hard disk drives BIOS set-up (all menus) BIOS error messages printer self test/print utility other peripheral self-test facilities 4. use anti-virus software to: scan for viruses configure to update (manually and automatically) virus scan engine and virus definitions Continued Date

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e-Quals Systems Testing Level 2 (Optional)

Unit 405

5. configure anti-virus software to automatically prevent infection from disks (CD/DVD) web sites e-mail configuration files 6. Use software to scan for spyware 7. use test equipment, e.g. digital and analogue multi-meters (e.g. voltage, current, resistance) loop-back connectors for parallel and serial ports.

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e-Quals Systems Testing Level 2 (Optional) Underpinning knowledge The candidate will be able to

Unit 405

1. briefly describe the function of typical diagnostics, tests and other utilities provided with operating systems e.g.: disk error and correction disk defragmentation system monitor display tests and resolution settings mouse and keyboard configuration audio tests and configuration IRQ and I/O conflict resolution driver identification and configuration file error detection and repair registry checker 2. describe typical features of diagnostic software for processor function tests memory tests system board function serial and parallel I/O tests display mode tests keyboard and mouse function test logging and reporting spyware detection 3. describe the typical features and operation of resident self tests, e.g. POST sequence devices tested during POST identification methods for audible POST error codes on-screen error codes POST differences between warm boot and cold boot SMART (Self Monitoring And Reporting Technology) 4. describe the features and operation of typical anti-virus utilities: boot sector protection protection during boot-up virus scan engines and definitions on-line updates to engine and definition files real-time scanning manual scanning methods of protection (clean, quarantine, delete etc.) preventing infection from CD/DVDs, web sites, e-mail 5. state the function of commonly used items of test equipment and describe their use, e.g. digital and analogue multi-meters serial and parallel loop-back connectors temperature probe.

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e-Quals Systems Testing Level 2 (Optional)

Unit 405

Outcome 2: Apply standard test procedures to PC systems and peripherals

Candidates signature Practical activities The candidate will be able to 1. follow standard procedures to test a PC system for correct operation 2. follow standard procedures to test peripheral devices for correct operation: printer (laser and inkjet) scanner monitor keyboard mouse speakers microphone web-cam 3. collect and record test results. Underpinning knowledge The candidate will be able to 1. identify a range of sources for product information, diagnostic and testing procedures, e.g. web sites, manufacturer, local/integral 2. describe typical methods of collecting and recording test data for standard test procedures and platforms 3. identify typical faults with systems and peripherals, e.g. electro mechanical, replaceable units, corrupt software, firmware. Date

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e-Quals Systems Testing Level 2 (Optional)

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Outcome 3: Interpret test results to identify faulty components

Candidates signature Practical activities The candidate will be able to 1. interpret test data from standard test procedures, comparing expected and actual results 2. identify erroneous test results and take action to correct test conditions 3. confirm from test results that a system is serviceable within manufacturers tolerances 4. Identify typical faults on main hardware (RAM, CPU, HDD, FDD), software (configuration, drivers, corruption) and peripheral equipment, e.g.: soft and hard memory errors disk drive failure (HDD, CD/DVD, FDD) BIOS errors power supply failure video card failure, configuration error audio card failure, configuration error monitor adjustment and configuration CMOS battery failure fragmented hard disk keyboard and mouse operating system crash software application crash registry errors general protection faults wrong or corrupted device driver basic modem and dial-up problems device conflicts I/O conflicts software version conflicts printer failures and common print quality issues scanner failure and common scan quality issues 5. recommend rectification actions for identified faulty equipment 6. record information using locally produced documentation: test results failed equipment details recommended rectification action details of serviceable equipment (service data etc). Version 3 6 Date