CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide A+ Essentials (220-601) Exam Objectives OBJECTIVE CHAPTER Domain 1.0 Personal Computer Components 1.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using personal computers 1 1.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade personal computer components 2 1.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components 2 1.4 Perform preventative maintenance on personal computer components 2 Domain 2.0 Laptops and Portable Devices 2.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using laptops and portable devices 3 2.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade laptops and portable devices 3 2.3 Identify tools, basic diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for laptops and portable devices 3 2.4 Perform preventative maintenance on laptops and portable devices 3 Domain 3.0 Operating Systems 3.1 Identify the fundamentals of using operating systems 4 3.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade operating systems 5 3.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for operating systems 6 3.4 Perform preventative maintenance on operating systems 6 Domain 4.0 Printers and Scanners 4.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using printers and scanners 7 4.2 Identify basic concepts of installing, configuring, optimizing and upgrading printers and scanners 7 4.3 Identify tools, basic diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for printers and scanners 7 Domain 5.0 Networks 5.1 Identify the fundamental principles of networks 8 5.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade networks 8 5.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for networks 8 Domain 6.0 Security 6.1 Identify the fundamental principles of security 9 6.2 Install, configure, upgrade and optimize security 9 6.3 Identify tool, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for security 9 6.4 Perform preventative maintenance for computer security 9 Domain 7.0 Safety and Environmental Issues 7.1 Describe the aspects and importance of safety and environmental issues 10 4830bperf.fm Page 1 Thursday, March 8, 2007 10:03 AM Exam objectives are subject to change at any time without prior notice and at CompTIA’s sole discretion. Please visit CompTIA’s web site ( www.comptia.org ) for the most current listing of exam objectives. 7.2 Identify potential hazards and implement proper safety procedures including ESD precautions and procedures, safe work environment and equipment handling 10 7.3 Identify proper disposal procedures for batteries, display devices and chemical solvents and cans 10 Domain 8.0 Professionalism and Communication 8.1 Use good communication skills including listening and tact / discretion, when communicating with customers and colleagues 11 8.2 Use job-related professional behavior including notation of privacy, confidentiality and respect for the customer and customers’ property 11 OBJECTIVE CHAPTER A+ IT Technician (220-602) Exam Objectives OBJECTIVE CHAPTER Domain 1.0 Personal Computer Components 1.1 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade personal computer components 12 1.2 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components 12 1.3 Perform preventative maintenance of personal computer components 12 Domain 2.0 Laptops and Portable Devices 2.1 Identify fundamental principles of using laptops and portable devices 13 2.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade laptops and portable devices 13 2.3 Use tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for laptops and portable devices 13 Domain 3.0 Operating Systems 3.1 Identify the fundamental principles of operating systems 14 3.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade operating systems 14 3.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for operating systems 14 3.4 Perform preventative maintenance for operating systems 14 Domain 4.0 Printers and Scanners 4.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using printers and scanners 15 4.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade printers and scanners 15 4.3 Identify tools and diagnostic procedures to troubleshooting printers and scanners 15 4.4 Perform preventative maintenance of printers and scanners 15 Domain 5.0 Networks 5.1 Identify the fundamental principles or networks 16 5.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade networks 16 5.3 Use tools and diagnostic procedures to troubleshoot network problems 16 5.4 Perform preventative maintenance of networks including securing and protecting network cabling 16 4830bperf.fm Page 2 Thursday, March 8, 2007 10:03 AM Domain 6.0 Security 6.1 Identify the fundamentals and principles of security 17 6.2 Install, configure, upgrade and optimize security 17 6.3 Identify tool, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for security 17 6.4 Perform preventative maintenance for security 17 Domain 7.0 Safety and Environmental Issues 7.1 Identify potential hazards and proper safety procedures including power supply, display devices and environment (e.g. trip, liquid, situational, atmospheric hazards and high-voltage and moving equipment) 10 Domain 8.0 Professionalism and Communication 8.1 Use good communication skills including listening and tact / discretion, when communicating with customers and colleagues 11 8.2 Use job-related professional behavior including notation of privacy, confidentiality and respect for the customer and customers’ property 11 OBJECTIVE CHAPTER A+ Remote Support Technician (220-603) Exam Objectives OBJECTIVE CHAPTER Domain 1.0 Personal Computer Components 1.1 Install, configure, optimize, and upgrade personal computer components 12 1.2 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures, and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components 12 1.3 Perform preventative maintenance on personal computer components 12 Domain 2.0 Operating Systems 2.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using operating systems 14 2.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade operating systems 14 2.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for operating systems. 14 2.4 Perform preventative maintenance for operating systems 14 Domain 3.0 Printers and Scanners 3.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using printers and scanners 15 3.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade printers and scanners 15 3.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for printers and scanners 15 Domain 4.0 Networks 4.1 Identify the fundamental principles of networks 16 4.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade networks 16 4.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for networks 16 4830bperf.fm Page 3 Thursday, March 8, 2007 10:03 AM Exam objectives are subject to change at any time without prior notice and at CompTIA’s sole discretion. Please visit CompTIA’s web site ( www.comptia.org ) for the most current listing of exam objectives. Domain 5.0 Security 5.1 Identify the fundamental principles of security 17 5.2 Install, configure, optimizing and upgrade security 17 5.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for security issues 17 5.4 Perform preventative maintenance for security 17 Domain 6.0 Professionalism and Communication 6.1 Use good communication skills, including listening and tact / discretion, when communicating with customers and colleagues 11 6.2 Use job-related professional behavior including notation of privacy, confidentiality and respect for the customer and customers’ property 11 OBJECTIVE CHAPTER A+ Depot Technician (220-604) Exam Objectives OBJECTIVE CHAPTER Domain 1.0 Personal Computer Components 1.1 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade personal computer components 12 1.2 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components 12 1.3 Perform preventative maintenance of personal computer components 12 Domain 2.0 Laptop and Portable Devices 2.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using laptops and portable devices 13 2.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade laptops and portable devices 13 2.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for laptops and portable devices 13 Domain 3.0 Printers and Scanners 3.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using printers and scanners 15 3.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade printers and scanners 15 3.3 Identify tools, diagnostic methods and troubleshooting procedures for printers and scanners 15 3.4 Perform preventative maintenance of printer and scanner problems 15 Domain 4.0 Security 4.1 Identify the names, purposes and characteristics of physical security devices and processes 17 4.2 Install hardware security 17 Domain 5.0 Safety and Environmental Issues 5.1 Identify potential hazards & proper safety procedures including power supply, display devices and environment (e.g. trip, liquid, situational, atmospheric hazards, high-voltage and moving equipment) 10 4830bperf.fm Page 4 Thursday, March 8, 2007 10:03 AM CompTIA A+ ® Complete Study Guide 4830ffirs.fm Page i Thursday, August 23, 2007 5:28 PM 4830ffirs.fm Page ii Thursday, August 23, 2007 5:28 PM Wiley Publishing, Inc. CompTIA A+ ® Complete Study Guide Quentin Docter Emmett Dulaney Toby Skandier 4830ffirs.fm Page iii Thursday, August 23, 2007 5:28 PM Acquisitions and Development Editor: Jeff Kellum Technical Editors: Neil Hester and Mike Harwood Production Editor: Daria Meoli Copy Editor: Linda Recktenwald Production Manager: Tim Tate Vice President and Executive Group Publisher: Richard Swadley Vice President and Executive Publisher: Joseph B. 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Personal Computers Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Answers to Review Questions Chapter 3 99 99 10 6 10 7 10 7 10 8 11 5 11 5 11 8 11 9 12 9 13 1 13 1 13 2 13 6 Laptops and Portable Devices 13 9 Understanding Laptop Architecture Laptops vs Desktops Laptop Case 14 2 14 2 14 3 4831xftoc.fm Page xiii Wednesday, September 13 , 2006 9:07 AM Contents Motherboards and Processors Memory Storage Displays Input Devices Expansion... Diagnosing Laptop Problems Performing Preventative Maintenance Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Answers to Review Questions Chapter 4 xiii 14 4 14 5 14 7 14 9 15 4 15 6 16 2 16 2 16 3 16 3 16 5 16 8 17 0 17 0 17 2 17 4 17 4 17 5 17 9 Understanding Operating Systems 18 1 Understanding Operating Systems Operating System Terms and Concepts Microsoft Windows Alternative Operating Systems Using Operating Systems The... Disks or an Emergency Repair Disk Identifying Windows File-Related Problems System Files Not Found 249 2 51 2 51 258 264 269 270 2 71 273 279 280 280 2 81 282 283 286 286 290 293 295 296 297 299 303 305 308 308 309 309 310 310 310 310 312 313 314 315 317 319 320 4831xftoc.fm Page xv Wednesday, September 13 , 2006 9:07 AM Contents Configuration File Issues Swap File Issues Windows Boot Issues Troubleshooting... Questions Chapter 10 Identifying Safety and Environmental Issues Understanding Safety and Environmental Issues Identifying Potential Safety Hazards Identifying Environmental Concerns Using Safety Documentation Using Appropriate Repair Tools Handling Accidents 417 4 21 423 425 426 449 460 463 463 464 475 475 476 477 4 81 483 485 486 4 91 498 5 01 507 507 508 508 512 512 513 513 513 513 515 516 517 5 21 523 525 526... Registry Virtual Memory Windows System Files Disk Management File Management Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Answers to Review Questions 18 4 18 5 18 6 19 1 19 4 19 4 209 212 220 2 21 223 224 227 2 31 240 2 41 242 246 4831xftoc.fm Page xiv Wednesday, September 13 , 2006 9:07 AM xiv Contents Chapter 5 Understanding Basics of Installing, Configuring, Optimizing, and Upgrading Operating Systems Installing... Questions Answers to Review Questions Glossary Index 812 813 814 818 820 8 21 827 828 828 828 829 829 8 31 8 31 8 31 832 832 833 833 835 837 840 840 8 41 845 847 873 4830flast.fm Page xxi Thursday, August 23, 2007 5:30 PM Table of Exercises Exercise 4 .1 Changing a Screensaver 19 8 Exercise 4.2 Auto-Hiding the Taskbar 19 9 Exercise 4.3 Starting a Program from the Run Window... Exercise 14 .5 Creating a New Folder 686 Exercise 14 .6 Running CHKDSK in Windows XP 689 Exercise 14 .7 Stopping and Restarting a Service 6 91 Exercise 14 .8 Creating a Restore Point 699 Exercise 14 .9 Optimizing Virtual Memory 706 Exercise 14 .10 Rolling Back a Device Driver 719 Exercise 14 .11 Configuring... according to CompTIA) in which you must be proficient in order to pass the A+ Essentials: Domain 1: Personal Computer Components 21% Domain 2: Laptop and Portable Devices 11 % Domain 3: Operating Systems 21% Domain 4: Printers and Scanners 9% Domain 5: Networks 12 % Domain 6: Security 11 % Domain 7: Safety and Environmental Issues 10 % Domain 8: Communication and Professionalism 5% Domain 1: Installation,... Exercise 14 .12 Scheduling Backups in Windows XP 728 Exercise 15 .1 Installing a USB Printer 757 Exercise 15 .2 Installing Memory into a Laser Printer 760 Exercise 15 .3 Using an Inkjet Cleaning Solution 766 Exercise 16 .1 Renew an IP Address on a Windows XP System 798 Exercise 16 .2 Renew an IP Address from the Command Line Exercise 17 .1. .. Questions Chapter 16 Installing, Configuring, Optimizing, and Upgrading Network Systems Understanding Networking Identifying Network Protocols and Technologies Identifying Network Connectivity Technologies xix 726 726 727 7 31 7 31 7 31 733 737 739 743 744 746 748 749 750 750 7 51 758 7 61 764 765 765 766 767 767 768 768 768 769 769 770 7 71 775 777 7 81 7 81 787 4831xftoc.fm Page xx Wednesday, September 13 , 2006 9:07 . CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide A+ Essentials (220-6 01) Exam Objectives OBJECTIVE CHAPTER Domain 1. 0 Personal Computer Components 1. 1 Identify the fundamental. Isolating Issues 11 8 Applying Basic Troubleshooting Techniques 11 9 Performing Preventative Maintenance on Personal Computers 12 9 Summary 13 1 Exam Essentials 13 1 Review Questions 13 2 Answers to. and Processors 14 4 Memory 14 5 Storage 14 7 Displays 14 9 Input Devices 15 4 Expansion Bus and Ports 15 6 Docking Stations 16 2 Power Systems 16 2 Managing Power and Removing Devices 16 3 Understanding