The A+ Certification & PC Repair Handbook (Charles River Media Networking/Security)

Welcome to the very best available tool to help you prepare for and pass the current A+ Certification exams! In the next several pages you will learn the importance of A+ certification and how it can affect your career goals. You will learn why you should use this particular book to prepare for the current A+ exams and future certification exams. You will gain insight into the process of scheduling an exam and what to expect when you get to the test site.

If you are interested in gainful employment in the technology industry, you should be certified. The majority of businesses today require applicants to provide proof of certification. If you are applying for a position as a PC technician, network administrator, systems engineer, software engineer, developer or programmer, A+ certification is normally a minimum requirement. If you are already employed and wish to enhance your technical job opportunities, as well as your income, A+ certification is for you. Many businesses today require their entire IT staff to be A+ certified.

THE COMPTIA A+ CERTIFICATION 2003 EXAM OBJECTIVES

There are two tests you must pass to become A+ certified: the A+ Core Hardware Service Technician test (220-301) and the A+ Operating System Technologies test (220-302). Both A+ tests are currently in conventional format, which is addressed later in detail in this chapter. These new tests are offered in English, Japanese, French, Spanish, and German.

The A+ Core Hardware Service Technician test focuses on computer hardware, including motherboards, processors, peripherals, memory, cables and connectors, electronics, and basic networking. The A+ Operating System Technologies test focuses primarily on the most popular operating systems in use, including Windows 95 operating system, Windows 98 operating system, Windows NT operating system, Windows 2000 operating system, Windows Me operating system, and Windows XP operating system. It also includes test questions focusing on memory utilization, printing, hard drive partitioning, and basic networking. For those wondering about Linux, there are no Linux-based questions on this test. CompTIA has a separate certification called Linux+.

It is important to note that CompTIA recommends at least 500 hours of hands-on lab or field experience before taking these tests. The author of this book recommends an A+ based training class, six months of hands-on (real world) experience, and the mastering of all questions included in this book and its accompanying CD-ROM.

The CompTIA domains, concepts, and modules are public knowledge, and are provided in PDF (Portable Document Format) for download at the following CompTIA Web site: http://www.comptia.org/certification/A/upgrade.asp.

A Brief History and Exam Upgrade

In the fourth quarter of 2003, CompTIA changed both the A+ Hardware Core Service Technician test and the A+ Operating System Technologies test from adaptive-based testing to conventional-based testing. Although the current tests are both given in conventional format, it is important for your future certification goals that you also have a basic understanding of how adaptive testing works. Both of these testing formats will be described in detail shortly.

The current A+ tests contain questions that draw upon knowledge based on CompTIA’s 2003 domain objectives. In a nutshell, CompTIA has recently changed the format of their A+ exams from adaptive to conventional testing and created new test questions based on their 2003 A+ exam objectives.

CompTIA states the following information on their A+ Web site regarding the 2003 A+ tests; “Changes incorporated in the 2003 Upgrade are not major. The certification content continues to validate that the successful candidate has important knowledge and skills necessary to competently install, build, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot and repair personal computer compatible hardware and PC operating systems, including troubleshooting basic network and Internet connectivity, dial-up, DSL, and cable. In addition, the 2003 Upgrade covers the latest memory, bus, peripherals, operating systems (Me and XP), and wireless.”

The A+ Core Hardware (2003) Examination Objectives

The specific questions on the A+ Core Hardware Service Technician exam will be drawn from subject matter related to the following six domains, concepts, and modules created and publicly posted by CompTIA. For your convenience and easy reference, a complete list of both (2003) examination objectives is provided in Table 14.1. You will find that all of the CompTIA domains are covered in detail in this book.

Table 14.1

Domain

Percent of Examination

1. Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading

35%

2. Diagnosing and Troubleshooting

21%

3. PC Preventive Maintenance, Safety, and Environmental Issues

5%

4. Motherboards/Processors/Memory

11%

5. Printers

9%

6. Basic Networking

19%

Total 100%

Domain 1: Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading

1.1 Identify the names, purpose, and characteristics of system modules. Recognize these modules by sight or definition.

Examples of concepts and modules are:

1.2 Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for desktop systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequence.

Desktop components:

1.3 Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for portable systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequences.

Portable components:

1.4 Identify typical IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses, and procedures for altering these settings when installing and configuring devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration steps in a given scenario.

Content may include the following:

1.5 Identify the names, purposes, and performance characteristics of standardized/common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors. Recognize ports, cabling, and connectors by sight.

Content may include the following:

1.6 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common IDE devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios. Recognize the associated cables.

Content may include the following:

  1. IDE interface types

    • EIDE

    • ATA/ATAPI

    • Serial ATA

    • PIO

  2. RAID (0, 1, and 5)

  3. Master/Slave/Cable select

  4. Devices per channel

  5. Primary/Secondary

  6. Cable orientation/requirements

1.7 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common SCSI devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios. Recognize the associated cables.

Content may include the following:

1.8 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common peripheral devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios.

Content may include the following:

1.9 Identify procedures to optimize PC operations in specific situations. Predict the effects of specific procedures under given scenarios.

Topics may include:

1.10 Determine the issues that must be considered when upgrading a PC. In a given scenario, determine when and how to upgrade system components.

Issues may include:

Components may include the following:

Domain 2: Diagnosing and Troubleshooting

2.1 Recognize common problems associated with each module and their symptoms, and identify steps to isolate and troubleshoot the problems. Given a problem situation, interpret the symptoms and infer the most likely cause.

Content may include the following:

  1. I/O ports and cables

    • Serial

    • Parallel

    • USB ports

    • IEEE 1394/FireWire

    • Infrared

    • SCSI

  2. Motherboards

    • CMOS/ BIOS settings

    • POST audible/visual error codes

  3. Peripherals

  4. Computer case

    • Power supply

    • Slot covers

    • Front cover alignment

  5. Storage devices and cables

    • FDD

    • HDD

    • CD/CDRW

    • DVD/DVDRW

    • Tape drive

    • Removable storage

  6. Cooling systems

    • Fans

    • Heating sinks

    • Liquid cooling

    • Temperature sensors

  7. Processor/CPU

  8. Memory

  9. Display device

  10. Input devices

    • Keyboard

    • Mouse/Pointer devices

    • Touch screen

  11. Adapters

    • Network Interface Card (NIC)

    • Sound card

    • Video card

    • Modem

    • SCSI

    • IEEE 1394/FireWire

    • USB

  12. Portable Systems

    • PCMCIA

    • Batteries

    • Docking stations/Port replicators

    • Portable unique storage

2.2 Identify basic troubleshooting procedures and tools, and how to elicit problem symptoms from customers. Justify asking particular questions in a given scenario.

Content may include the following:

Domain 3: PC Preventive Maintenance, Safety, and Environmental Issues

3.1 Identify the various types of preventive maintenance measures, products, and procedures, and when/how to use them.

Content may include the following:

3.2 Identify various safety measures and procedures, and when/how to use them.

Content may include the following:

3.3 Identify environmental protection measures and procedures, and when/how to use them.

Content may include the following:

Domain 4: Motherboard/Processors/Memory

4.1 Distinguish between the popular CPU chips in terms of their basic characteristics.

Content may include the following:

4.2 Identify the types of RAM (Random Access Memory), form factors, and operational characteristics. Determine banking and speed requirements under given scenarios.

Content may include the following:

4.3 Identify the most popular types of motherboards, their components, and their architectures (bus structures).

Content may include the following:

4.4 Identify the purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) memory, what it contains, and how and when to change its parameters. Given a scenario involving CMOS, choose the appropriate course of action.

CMOS settings:

Domain 5: Printers

5.1 Identify printer technologies, interfaces, and options/upgrades.

Technologies include:

Interfaces include:

Options/Upgrades include:

5.2 Recognize common printer problems and techniques used to resolve them.

Content may include the following:

Domain 6: Basic Networking

6.1 Identify the common types of network cables, their characteristics, and connectors.

Cable types include:

Connector types include:

6.2 Identify basic networking concepts, including how a network works.

Concepts include:

6.3 Identify common technologies available for establishing Internet connectivity and their characteristics.

Technologies include:

Characteristics include:

The A+ Operating System Technologies (2003) Examination Objectives

The specific questions on the A+ Operating Systems Technologies exam will be drawn from subject matter related to the following four domains, concepts, and modules that are listed in Table 14.2.

Table 14.2

Domain

Percent of Examination

1. Operating System Fundamentals

28%

2. Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading

31%

3. Diagnosing and Troubleshooting

25%

4. Networks

16%

Total 100%

Domain 1: Operating System Fundamentals

1.1 Identify the major desktop components and interfaces, and their functions. Differentiate the characteristics of Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP.

Content may include the following:

1.2 Identify the names, locations, purposes, and contents of major system files.

Content may include the following:

1.3 Demonstrates the ability to use command-line functions and utilities to manage the operating system, including the proper syntax and switches.

Command-line functions and utilities include:

1.4 Identify basic concepts and procedures for creating, viewing, and managing disks, directories, and files. This includes procedures for changing file attributes and the ramifications of those changes (e.g., security issues).

Content may include the following:

1.5 Identify the major operating system utilities, their purposes, location, and available switches.

Domain 2: Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading

2.1 Identify the procedures for installing Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP, and bringing the operating system to a basic operational level.

Content may include the following:

2.2 Identify steps to perform an operating system upgrade from Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, or Windows XP. Given an upgrade scenario, choose the appropriate next steps.

Content may include the following:

2.3 Identify the basic system boot sequences and boot methods, including the steps to create an emergency boot disk with utilities installed for Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, or Windows XP.

Content may include the following:

2.4 Identify procedures for installing/adding a device, including loading, adding, and configuring device drivers and required software.

Content may include the following:

2.5 Identify the procedures necessary to optimize the operating system and major operating system subsystems.

Content may include the following:

Domain 3: Diagnosing and Troubleshooting

3.1 Recognize and interpret the meaning of common error codes and start-up messages from the boot sequence, and identify steps to correct the problems.

Content may include the following:

3.2 Recognize when to use common diagnostic utilities and tools. Given a diagnostic scenario involving one of these utilities or tools, select the appropriate steps needed to resolve the problem.

Utilities and tools may include the following:

3.3 Recognize common operational and usability problems, and determine how to resolve them.

Content may include the following:

Domain 4: Networks

4.1 Identify the networking capabilities of Windows. Given configuration parameters, configure the operating system to connect to a network.

Content may include the following:

4.2 Identify the basic Internet protocols and terminologies. Identify procedures for establishing Internet connectivity. In a given scenario, configure the operating system to connect to, and use Internet resources.

Content may include the following:

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