Essential Questions
- How can I configure Windows PCs for different users? How do I optimize each computer for their use and not just using the “out of the box” configurations?
Big Ideas
Just like you have learned that you can manage files and folders, you can also manage how data is stored and used on your disk drives. You do this through the process of partitioning a drive. This week you will explore adding and formatting drives in Windows. You will consider and implement options for how a drive may be partitioned, how it is formatted, whether it is configured in a disk array or dynamic volume, and other decision points. The proficient Help Desk professional can manage disks using both GUI apps built into Windows as well as command-line tools.
You’ll also practice adding and configuring different hardware devices to a PC. There is often a convenient wizard that supports “plug-and-play” installation, but many hardware devices have options that you can adjust to maximize their use. You can also use tools built into Windows to troubleshoot issues with hardware devices you have connected.
Connection to Student Lives
You don’t have to accept the default configuration of Windows. If you rely on your phone or you are an avid gamer, it’s likely you didn’t just accept the basic configuration of either device. Very often, you can just purchase and use a computing device without changing it, but once you learn how to change the features and functions that are most important to you, your computing device becomes more powerful. The same goes with Windows. You can accept the basic configuration of your hard drives and the hardware you connect to it, or you can learn how to adjust those configurations to better meet your needs, or as with the Help Desk, to meet the needs of others.
Framing Problem
Make decisions to configure a PC for different types of uses. Using scenarios you and your peers generate or those given by your teacher, consider how the users in those scenarios might need their PC customized for memory use and added hardware.
Cornerstone Assessment
Partition (or at least be able to explain how a drive is partitioned) and use the Disk Management GUI console to initialize and format the drive, considering whether you want to split the drive, or create a disk array. Explore the use of the diskpart command to understand how to manage disks using command-line tools. Add common hardware, reviewing and adjusting the configurations, as necessary, and run the troubleshooting app to verify all is well.
DPI Standards
- NCCTE.2020.II22.01.03 - Summarize general OS installation considerations and upgrade methods.
- NCCTE.2020.II22.01.04 - Use appropriate Microsoft command line tools.
- NCCTE.2020.II22.01.05 - Use Microsoft operating system features and tools.
- NCCTE.2020.II22.01.06 - Use Microsoft Windows control panel utilities.
A+ Standards
TOPIC 1E: Manage Disks in Windows
Knowledge
- What partitioning a disk means, why one would do it, and how to do it
- The features of the GPT-style partition format
- Features of the New Technology File System (NTFS)
- Configurations for dynamic volume types
- Drive status indicators in the Disk Management program
- ACPI and different power option states
Skills
- Format disks and manage partitions using the Disk Management console, including initializing disks, adding drives, assigning drive letters, and formatting the drive
- How to use the Storage Spaces feature in Windows 8/10 to configure storage arrays across devices
- Use the diskpart command to inspect disks and partitions
- Use the format command to format or reformat a drive
- Configure Power Options
- Review and adjust display resolutions and settings
- Use the Sound applet in Control Panel/Settings to configure or test microphone, headset, or speaker hardware
- Manually install a device, verify it has been installed correctly, disable or remove a device, or update a device’s driver
- Use the Troubleshoot app, the System Information (msinfo32) app, or the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag) to troubleshoot hardware issues
Vocabulary
Manage Disks in Windows
Partitioning
- Multiboot system
- Partition Boot Record (PBR)/Volume Boot Record (VBR)
- System partition
- Boot partition
- GPT-style partition
Sectors and Clusters
New Technology File System (NTFS)
FAT file system (FAT16, FAT32, exFAT)
Disk Management Console
Disk Array
Mount Point
Manage Devices in Windows
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
Plug-and-Play
Weekly Map
Monday
Introduction to problem: Managing disks and devices, including with command-line tools
Online Pre-assessment (available for student practice, as well)
Tuesday
Review content resources with whole group: Topic 1-E: Manage Disks in Windows
Small group and independent exploration of resources
Activity 1-6: Windows Disk Management
Wednesday
Hands-on exploration with IT professionals: Activity 1-7 Managing Files, Folders, and Disks in Windows
Review content resources with whole group: Topic 1-F: Manage Devices in Windows
Small group and independent exploration of resources
Thursday
Hands-on exploration with IT professionals: Activity 1-7 Managing Files, Folders, and Disks in Windows
Activity 1-8: Discussing Windows Device Management
Friday
Progress check with individuals or whole whole group, especially on the use of command-line tools
Online post-assessment
Lesson Ideas
This week continues the exploration of Windows features through hands-on activities related to configuring hard disks and adding hardware. Either develop user scenarios to share with your students or have them brainstorm different types of people who might use a PC and how they could best configure the drives and added hardware.
Students can work in pairs or small teams if enough devices are not available. Like activities in previous topics, Activity 1-7 relies on the use of Virtual Machines for giving students the opportunity to learn about and practice managing files, folders, and disks in Windows. If available, VMs can allow each student to work independently, if desired.
Potential Resources
The Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 & Core 2 Instructor Guide for Exams 220-1001 and 220-1002
- Topic 1E: Manage Disks in Windows (pp. 67-80)
- Activity 1-6: Discussing Windows Disk Management (pp. 81-82)
- Activity 1-7: Managing Files, Folders, and Disks in Windows (pp. 83-89)
- Topic 1F: Manage Devices in Windows (pp. 90-99)
- Activity 1-8: Discussing Windows Device Management (100-102)
ITProTV
- Windows: How To (Playlist with 73 videos)
Professor Messer at ProfessorMesser.com and YouTube offers numerous free videos of various lengths for many of the topics for the CompTIA 220-1001 A+ Exam. They are easy to understand, narrated videos with visuals. If you are teaching a CompTIA course, the site notes “You’re welcome to use them as much as you’d like, provided you embed the videos with the associated YouTube link or link directly to my site. Please click the “Contact Us” link at the top of our web page and let me know how you’re using them.”
- Professor Messer’s 220-1001 Core 2 CompTIA A+ Training Course videos on ProfessorMesser.com. Search or scroll to find the topics you’re interested in.
Entry Level I.T. Training from Technology Gee
Microsoft Support