A+ Certification:Comprehensive (2009 Edition)

Troubleshooting methodology
Troubleshooting models
Professionalism

Operating systems
Operating system fundamentals
Directory management
File management
File and folder permissions

Electricity and power supplies
Electrical safety
Power supplies
Power supply troubleshooting

CPUs and motherboards
Central processing units
Cooling techniques
Motherboards
Motherboard and CPU troubleshooting

The Basic Input/Output System
The BIOS and CMOS
The POST and boot processes

Memory systems
Memory
Memory packaging
Memory installation
Memory monitoring
Memory troubleshooting

Bus structures
Buses
The PCI bus
Video buses

Expansion cards
Video cards
Sound cards
Internal modems
Expansion card troubleshooting

Peripheral connection types
Serial and parallel connections
PS/2 connections
USB connections
FireWire connections
Multimedia connections
Troubleshooting peripheral connections

Data storage devices
Drive adapters
Hard drives
Optical drives
Removable storage devices
Drive maintenance
Storage device troubleshooting

Video output and image input devices
Monitors
Scanners and cameras

Printers
Printing technologies
Printer installation
Printer optimization and maintenance
Printer troubleshooting

Connecting computers
Networking concepts
Wired network connections
Basic internetworking devices

Networking computers
Addressing
Client configuration

Network troubleshooting
Troubleshooting basics
Troubleshooting the network

Portable computers
Notebook computers
Configuration
Component replacement
Notebook issues

Windows management
System management
Task Scheduler
Resource management
Remote management

Windows monitoring
Monitoring
System performance
Backup and restore

Operating system troubleshooting
Windows startup
System troubleshooting

Security
Operating system security
Windows Encrypted File System
Security hardware
Common security threats
The human aspects of security

Windows installation and upgrades
Windows installation
Upgrades

Safety and maintenance
Safety and hazards
Computer maintenance
Safe work practices
Disposing of computer equipment

Appendices
Appendix A: System cases
Appendix B: Binary, octal, and hexadecimal numbering
Appendix C: CompTIA A+ acronyms
Appendix D: Certification exam objectives map

After completing this course, students will know how to:

Describe various troubleshooting methodologies.
Use basic Windows interface tools.
Examine power supplies and connectors, install and troubleshoot power supplies while following procedures for working safely with electrical components.
Identify, install and troubleshoot various motherboards and CPUs.
Configure the PC?s BIOS and boot the computer.
Identify, install and troubleshoot various types of memory, and monitor memory usage in Windows.
Examine the settings for buses.
Identify, install and troubleshoot various types of expansion cards.
Attach peripheral devices.
Install, use and troubleshoot data storage devices.
Connect video output and image input devices.
Install, configure, maintain and troubleshoot printers.
Identify various network connection types, and implement a SOHO network.
Configure a TCP/IP client.
Troubleshoot client-side connectivity.
Provide IT support for portable computers.
Manage the Windows operating system.
Monitor the Windows operating system.
Troubleshoot system startup problems and the Windows operating system.
Apply various measures to keep computer systems secure and prevent unauthorized access.
Install and upgrade Windows operating systems.
Maintain a safe computing environment.

Prerequisites

This comprehensive course is taught at an accelerated pace. In order to have a
successful learning experience, students should have existing knowledge of, and
support experience with, networked desktop and notebook computers, as well as
advanced user-level skills in Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows 2000
Professional. Many of these skills and knowledge can be obtained by completing
the following courses: Windows Vista: Basic and Window Vista: Advanced, or
Windows XP SP2: Basic and Windows XP SP2: Advanced.