Exam # 220-301: A+ Core Service Technician

Exam # 220-302: A+ Operating Systems

Overview:

A+ is a certification sponsored by CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association. A+ Certification shows that you have a basic competence in supporting microcomputers. For A+ Certification, the examinee must pass both core module examination and DOS/Windows (Operating Systems) Examination. This examination measures essential competencies for a break/fix, hardware/software installation, configuration, and hardware/software trouble-shooting repair of microcomputer systems. This includes the basic knowledge of desktops, laptops, printers, networking concepts.

A+ Certification is an ideal point where it is considered to be the de-facto requirement for entrance into the PC industry or information technology (IT) field. A+ gives a broad background in computer technology. Many major companies are making A+ Certification a minimum requirement for computer technicians and DOS/Windows operating systems. It covers CompTIA A+ Upgrade (2003) exam objectives and much of what a computer hardware technician needs to know to successful.

Chapter 1: Introduction to A+ Certification Course

• Introduction to Computer
• The main Elements of Computer and Communication Systems
• Different types of Computers
• A+ Core Hardware (2003) Examination
• A+Operating System Technologies (2003) Examination

Chapter 2: All Kinds of Connectors

• DB Connectors
• DIN Connectors
• RJ Connectors
• Centronics Connectors
• BNC Connectors
• FireWire Connectors
• USB Connectors
• Audio Connectors

Chapter 3: Motherboards and CMOS/BIOS

• AT/ATX style Motherboards
• Motherboard Installation and Replacement
• CMOS/BIOS settings
• Power-On Self Test (POST) and audible/visual error codes
• The Boot Process and Sequence
• Plug & Play BIOS
• Virus Proctection & Power Management
• COM/serial port and Interrupt Request (IRQ)

Chapter 4: Introduction to Micro-processor/CPU

• Processor Slots - 1, 2, A
• Processor Sockets - A, 7, 8, 423, 478, 370
• Registers & Clock System
• External Data Bus & Address Bus
• CPU Packages - 8086, 80286, 80386, 386SX, 486
• Latest Pentium 4
• 64-Bit Processing system
• Cooling Systems - Fans, Heat Sinks, Liquid Cooling, Tempreture Sensors

Chapter 5: Random Access Memory (RAM)

• RAM Packaging
• Access Speed
• EDO RAM (Extended Data Output RAM)
• DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)
• SRAM (Static RAM)
• VRAM (Video RAM)
• SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
• DDR (Double Data Rate)
• RAMBUS
• SIMM (Single In-line Memory Module)
• DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module)
• SODIMM (Small Outline DIMM)
• MicroDIMM
• RIMM
• ECC vs. non-ECC
• Parity Chips vs. non-Parity Chips
• Memory Chips (8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit)

Chapter 6: Expansion Bus Structures

• Bus types and Characteristics
• History of PC Expansion Buses
• ISA - 8 bit, 16 bit
• AGP - 2X, 4X, 8X
• PCI - 32 bit, 64 bit
• USB (Universal Serial Bus)
• AMR (Audio Modem Riser) Slots
• CNR (Communication Network Riser) Slots
• Chipsets
• IDE (ATA, ATAPI, ULTRA-DMA, EIDE)
• SCSI (Narrow, Wide, Fast, Ultra, HVD, LVD-Low Voltage Differential)

Chapter 7: Power Supplies

• AC/DC Adapter & Battery
• AT/ATX Style
• Power Connections
• Motherboard Power
• Power Switch
• Connections to Peripherals
• The Power Supply Fan
• Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
• Surge Suppressors
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
• Common ESD Proctection Devices

Chapter 8: Storage Devices

• Why Floppies?
• Understanding Floppy Drive Types
• Care and Feeding of Floppy Drives
• Beyond A
• Other CMOS Options
• Fixing Floppy Drives
• Hard Drive Interface to the PC
• Partitioning and Formatting
• The Capacity Issue
• How to Fix Hard Drives
• Going Deeper into Drive Technology
• Zip and LS-120 Drives
• CD-ROM Speeds
• CD-R/RW/DVD
• Installing CD Media Drives

Chapter 9: Printers

• Impact Printers - Dot Matrixs
• Ink-Jet Printers
• Laser Printers
• Dealing with Consumables
• Parallel Communication
• Printer Drivers
• Printing in Windows
• Printer Problems
• Paper feed and Output

Chapter 10: DOS

• DOS Structure
• The DOS User Interface
• Running a Program
• Using Function Keys
• Communicating with Hardware
• Working with Drives
• The Computer Virus
• The DOS Memory Map
• Assigning Addresses
• Conventional and Reserved Memory
• Expanded & Extended Memory

Chapter 11: Windows 9x

• It All Started with Windows 3.x
• Enter Windows 9x
• Windows 9x Version History
• Windows Boot Process
• The Registry
• The Windows 9x GUI
• Windows 9x Power
• Long Filenames
• FAT-16/32
• Major Differences Between Windows 95 and 98
• The Windows 9x Directory Structure
• Control Panel
• Device Installation
• Installing and Upgrading Windows 9x
• Preparing to Upgrade/Install
• Installing vs. Upgrading
• The Install/Upgrade Process
• Install Problems
• Optimizing and Maintaining Windows 9x
• Troubleshooting Windows 9x
• The End of Windows 9x?

Chapter 12: Windows 2000/XP

• Windows NT
• Windows 2000/XP
• Installing Windows 2000/XP Professional
• Optimizing Windows 2000/XP
• Installing New Hardware
• Maintaining Windows 2000/XP
• Dealing with Drives -- Disk Management
• Troubleshooting Windows 2000/XP

Chapter 13: Sound System

• Types of Sound
• Sound Cards
• Troubleshooting Sound
• 3-D Sound
• 3-D Sound on the PC

Chapter 14: Video Monitor

• Video Monitor Components
• The Monitor & Video Card
• Resolution, Color Depth, and Memory Requirements
• When Video Cards Go Bad
• Troubleshooting Monitors
• Video and CMOS
• 3-D Graphics

Chapter 15: Modems

• What is Modem?
• Converting Serial Data to PC Data
• File Transfer Protocols
• Baud Rate
• Flow Control (Handshaking)
• Communication Standards
• Modem Commands
• Telephone Lines
• Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter Chips (UARTs)
• Installation and Troubleshooting
• When Modems Break

Chapter 16: Networks

• Coaxial - RG6, RG8, RG58, RG59
• Plenum/PVC
• UTP - CAT3, CAT5/e, CAT6
• Fiber - Single-mode, Multi-mode
• Connector types- BNC, RJ45, AUI, ST/SC, IDC/UDC
• Installing and Configuring Network Cards
• Network Protocols - TCP/IP, IPX/SPX (NWLINK), AppleTalk, NETBEUI/NETBIOS
• Full-duplex, Half-duplex
• Cabling - Twisted Pair, Coaxial, Fiber Optic, RS-232
• Networking Models - Peer-to-peer, Client/Server
• Domain-Based
• Sharing Resources
• Network Technologies - LAN, MAN, WAN, DSL, Cable, ISDN, Dial-up-PPP, Satellite, Wireless
• Internet Connection Sharing
• Tools - IPCONFIG.EXE, WINIPCFG.EXE, PING, TRACERT.EXE, NSLOOKUP.EXE
• Configure Client Options - Microsoft, Novell
• Firewall protection under Windows XP
• Installing and Configuring Browsers - Enable/Disable Script Support, Configure Proxy Settings, Configure Security Settings

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