A+ Certification Course Description

PC Architecture
Motherboard, Storage device, FDD, HDD, CD/CDRW, DVD/DVDRW,
Tape drive, Removable storage, Power supply, AC adapter, AT/ATX,
Cooling systems, Fans, Heat sinks, Liquid cooling, Processor /CPU, Memory,

Using Tools and Diagnostic Procedure for Personal
Computer Components
Understanding Computer Resources
Determining Available Resources
Manually Specifying a Resource Assignment
Performing Preventative Maintenance for personal Computer Components
Working with laptops and Portable Devices
Identifying Applications for Laptop-Specific Communication Connections, Identifying Laptop-specific Power Requirement
Understanding LCD Technology
Removing Laptop-Specific Hardware
Understanding Video Memory Sharing
Troubleshooting Laptops
Identifying Specific Safety
Diagnosing Laptop Problems
Installing, Configuring, Optimizing, and Upgrading operating Systems
Using Operating Systems
Using the Command Prompt, Managing Disks, Directories, and Files Using windows Utilities, Optimizing Operating Systems, Managing virtual Memory, Defragmenting Disks, Managing Temporary Files, Managing Services, Startup, and Applications, Troubleshooting Windows, Recovering Windows, Updating windows, scheduling Backups, Creating Restore Points

Storage devices
FDD, HDD, CD/CDRW, DVD/DVDRW

Power sources
AC adapter, DC adapter, Battery

Fundamentals
PCs Defined
PC Components and Technologies
System Resources
Building or Buying a PC
Upgrading a PC

Working on PCs
Rules to Upgrade By
Tools
General Procedures

Motherboards
Motherboard Characteristics
Choosing a Motherboard
Installing a Motherboard
Upgrading the System BIOS

Processors
Processor Components
Processor Speed
Processor Architecture
Intel Processors
Intel-Compatible Processors
Choosing a Processor
Installing a Socketed Processor
Installing a Slotted Processor
A Word About Overclocking

Memory
Understanding Memory
Memory Access Methods
Memory Packaging
How Much Memory Is Enough?
Memory Selection Guidelines
Installing Memory
Troubleshooting Memory Installation and Operation

Floppy Disk Drives
Diskette Types and Formats
Drive Types
FDD Interface and Cabling
Working with FDDs
Working with Obsolete Diskette Formats
Salvaging Diskette Data

Installing, Configuring, and Optimizing PC Components
Upgrading Storage Devices, Display Devices, Input/Multimedia Devices
Identifying Tools and Diagnostics for PC Components
Basic Aspects of Troubleshooting Techniques
Understanding Laptop Architecture
Laptop Case, Motherboards and Processors, Memory, Storage, Displays, Input Devices, Expansion Bus and Ports, Docking Stations, Power Systems
Managing Power and Removing Devices
Understanding Laptop Power Management, Managing Power in windows, Removing Laptop-specific Hardware
Troubleshooting and Performing Preventative Maintenances on Laptops
Diagnosing Laptop Problems, Performing Preventative Maintenance

Tape Drives
Choosing a Tape Drive
Installing and Configuring a Tape Drive
Care and Feeding of a Tape Drive
Troubleshooting Tape Drive Problems

CD-ROM Drives
Compact Disc Fundamentals
CD-ROM Drive Performance
Choosing a CD-ROM Drive
Installing and Configuring a CD-ROM Drive
Cleaning a CD-ROM Drive

CD-R and CD-RW Drives
Choosing a CD Writer
CD Writer Software
Installing and Configuring a CD Writer
Burning CDs
Media Issues
Additional CD-RW Source Material

DVD Drives
DVD-ROM
DVD Writable and Rewritable
Installing and Configuring a DVD Drive

Hard Disk Interfaces
IDE
SCSI
ATA Versus SCSI

Hard Disk Drives
How Hard Disks Work
Choosing a Hard Disk
Installing a Hard Disk

Video Adapters
Video Adapter Characteristics
Choosing a Graphics Processor
Choosing a Video Adapter
Installing a Video Adapter
Configuring Video Under Windows 98/2000
Configuring Video Under Windows NT 4
Troubleshooting Video Adapter Problems

Monitors
Monitor Characteristics
Choosing a Monitor
Installing and Configuring a Monitor
Troubleshooting Monitor Problems

Sound Cards
PC Audio Types
MIDI Synthesis Methods
Downloadable Sounds
Sound Card Components
Sound Card Characteristics
Choosing a Sound Card
Installing a Sound Card
Configuring a Sound Card Under Windows 95/98/2000
Configuring a Sound Card Under Windows NT 4
Troubleshooting Sound Card Problems
MP3

Speakers and Headphones
Speaker and Headphone Characteristics
Choosing Speakers and Headphones

Keyboards
Keyboard Switch Types
Keyboard Styles
Keyboard Interfaces
Choosing a Keyboard
Configuring a Keyboard
Cleaning a Keyboard
Troubleshooting and Repairing Keyboards

Mice and Trackballs
Mice Versus Trackballs
Mouse Characteristics
Choosing a Mouse
Configuring a Mouse or Trackball
Cleaning a Mouse
Troubleshooting a Mouse

Game Controllers
Game Controller Characteristics
Gameport Interface
Choosing a Game Controller
Installing a Game Controller
Troubleshooting Game Controllers

Cases
Case Characteristics
Choosing a Case

Power Supplies
Power Supply Characteristics
Volts, Amps, Watts, and Regulation
Power Connectors
Choosing a Power Supply
Installing a Power Supply
Troubleshooting Power Supplies

Backup Power Supplies
What BPSes Protect Against
BPS Types
BPS Characteristics
Choosing a BPS

Designing a PC
Low-End System
Mainstream System
High-Performance System
Workstation System
Purchasing Components

Building a PC step by step
Step 1: Prepare the Case
Step 2: Configure the Motherboard
Step 3: Install the Processor
Step 4: Install the Memory
Step 5: Prepare Drives for Installation
Step 6: Install the Floppy Disk Drive
Step 7: Install Other Drives
Step 8: Install the Motherboard
Step 9: Connect Cables to the Motherboard
Step 10: Install Expansion Cards
Step 11: Perform the "Smoke Test"
Step 12: Install Software
Step 13: Finishing Touches

Working with Personal Computer Components
Removing, Installing, and Configuring Components
Selecting components, Motherboards, CPUs, Memory, and Adapter Cards, Storage Devices, Power Supplies, Display Devices, Input Devices, Cooling Systems
Using Tools and Diagnostic Procedure for Personal
Computer Components
Understanding Computer Resources
Determining Available Resources
Manually Specifying a Resource Assignment
Performing Preventative Maintenance for personal Computer Components

Identify the procedures for installing operating system
Verify hardware compatibility and minimum requirements
Determine OS installation options
Installation type (typical, custom, other)
Network configuration
File system type
Dual Boot Support
Disk preparation order (conceptual disk preparation)
Start the installation
Partition
Format drive
Run appropriate set up utility
Setup
Winnt
Installation methods
Bootable CD
Boot floppy
Network installation
Drive Imaging
Device Driver Configuration
Load default drivers
Find updated drivers
Restore user data files (if applicable)
Identify common symptoms and problems

Printer and Scanner Fundamentals
Impact Printers, Bubble-Jet Printers, Laser Printers,
Printer Interfaces and Supplies.
Installing, Configuring, and Upgrading Printers and Scanners
Optimizing Printer and Scanner Performance
Troubleshooting Printers and Scanners
Dot-Matrix Printer Problems, Bubble-Jet Printer Problems, Laser and Page Printer Problems, Scanner Troubleshooting.

Identify procedures for installing/adding a device, including
loading, adding, and configuring device drivers, and required software.
Device Driver Installation
Plug and Play (PNP) and non-PNP devices
Install and configure device drivers
Install different device drivers
Manually install a device driver
Search the Internet for updated device drivers
Using unsigned drivers (driver signing)
Install Additional Windows components
Determine if permissions are adequate for performing the task

Identify procedures necessary to optimize the operating system
and major operating system subsystems.
Virtual Memory Management
Disk Defragmentation
Files and Buffers
Caches
Temporary file management

Recognize common operational and usability problems and
determine how to resolve them.
Troubleshooting Windows-specific printing problems
Print spool is stalled
Incorrect/incompatible driver for print
Incorrect parameter
Other Common problems
General Protection Faults
Bluescreen error (BSOD)
Illegal operation
Invalid working directory
System lock up
Option (Sound card, modem, input device) or will not function
Application will not start or load
Cannot log on to network (option – NIC not functioning)
Applications don't install
Network connection
Viruses and virus types
What they are
TSR (Terminate Stay Resident) programs and virus
Sources (floppy, emails, etc.)
How to determine presence

Networking Fundamentals
Understanding Networking Principles
Understanding Networking Components, Identifying Common Network Media
Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Networks
Installing and Configuring Network Interface Cards, Obtaining Wired and Wireless Internet Connections, Troubleshooting Network Interface Cards

Identify the networking capabilities of Windows. Given
configuration parameters, configure the operating system to
connect to a network.
Configure protocols
TCP/IP
Gateway
Subnet mask
DNS (and domain suffix)
WINS
Static address assignment
Automatic address assignment (APIPA, DHCP)
IPX/SPX (NWLink)
Appletalk
NetBEUI/ NetBIOS
Configure Client options

Configuration
Verify the configuration
Understand the use of the following tools
IPCONFIG.EXE
WINIPCFG.EXE
PING
TRACERT.EXE
NSLOOKUP.EXE
Share resources (Understand the capabilities/limitations with each OS version)
Setting permissions to shared resources
Network type and network card

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:
Protocols and terminologies
ISP
TCP/IP
E-mail (POP, SMTP, IMAP)
HTML
HTTP
HTTPS
SSL
Telnet
FTP
DNS
Connectivity technologies
Dial-up networking
DSL networking
ISDN networking
Cable
Satellite
Wireless
LAN
Installing and Configuring browsers
Enable/disable script support
Configure Proxy Settings
Configure security settings
Firewall protection under Windows XP

Understanding Networking
Identifying Network Protocols and Technologies, Identifying Network Connectivity Technologies, Working with Browsers, Establishing Network Connectivity, Sharing Network Resources, Network Tools to Use, Troubleshooting Network Issues, Hardening the OS and NOS, Working with Access Control List, Working with Group Policies, Auditing and Logging, Hotfixes, Service Packs,
Recognizing Common Attacks: Back Door Attacks, Man-in-the-Middle Attacks, Password-Guessing Attacks, Denial of Service (DoS), and TCP Attacks.

Understanding Network Security Fundamentals
Authentication Technologies, Working with Hardware and Software Security, Understanding Wireless Security, Understanding data and physical security
Security solutions
BIOS Security, Malicious Software Protection, Data Access, Backup Procedure, Data Migration, Data Remnant Removal, Password Management, Locking Workstations, Identifying Security Problem Areas

Identifying Safety and Environmental Issues
Identifying Potential Safety Hazards, Identifying Environmental Concerns, Using Safety Documentation, Using Appropriate Repair Tools, Handling Accidents, Applying Proper Safety and Disposal Procedures, Preventing Electrostatic Discharge(ESD),
Working in a Safe Environment, Handling Equipment, Following Disposal Procedures.

Security
User Accounts and Groups
Active Directory
Active Directory Groups
Authentication
Protocols
File System Security
NTFS Advantages, Security, Permissions
Disabling Simple File Sharing
Encryption, Security Policies
Auditing, Physical Access Restrictions
Network Security