Log In
Or create an account ->
Imperial Library
Home
About
News
Upload
Forum
Help
Login/SignUp
Index
Cover
Title Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Pre-Assessment
Questions
Answers
Book 1: Setting the A+ Groundwork
Chapter 1: The 2015 A+ Exams
CompTIA A+ Certification and Why You Need It
Checking Out the Exams and Their Objectives
Using This Book to Prepare for the Exams
Making Arrangements to Take the Exams
The Day the Earth Stood Still: Exam Day
Chapter 2: A+ Soft Skills
Using Troubleshooting Procedures and Good Practices
Professionalism and Communication
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 3: Protecting Yourself and Your PC
Gathering Tools of the Trade
Avoiding the Dreaded ESD
Watching Out for EMI
Safety First!
Handling Toxic Waste
Exploring Ergonomics
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 4: An Overview of System Components
What Is a Computer?
Looking Inside the Box
Checking Outside the Box
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Book 2: Inside the Box
Chapter 1: Knowing Your Motherboard
What’s on the Front Panel
Finding Out What’s on a Motherboard
Identifying the Types of Motherboards
Understanding Bus Architectures
Performance Considerations
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 2: Picking Your Processor
Understanding Processor Terminology
Identifying Socket Types
Looking at Intel Processors
Don’t Forget Non-Intel Chips
Installing a Processor
Keeping a Processor Cool
Increasing Performance
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 3: What to Remember about Memory
Understanding the Types of Memory
Identifying the Types of DRAM
How Would You Like Your Chips Packaged?
Understanding Error-Checking Memory
Multichannel Memory Architecture
Single-Sided versus Double-Sided Memory
Buffered versus Unbuffered Memory
Working with Cache Memory
Installing or Upgrading Memory
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 4: Telling Your BIOS from Your CMOS
BIOS versus CMOS
Upgrading the System BIOS
Understanding CMOS
Viewing Basic CMOS Settings
Viewing Advanced CMOS Settings
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 5: Managing Storage Technology
Understanding Hard Drive Terminology
Discovering IDE Devices
Learning How SCSI Works
Understanding Serial ATA
A Quick Tour of RAID
Using Removable Storage
Troubleshooting Hard Drives and RAID Arrays
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 6: Working with Power
Knowing the Basics of Power Terminology
Identifying the Purpose of Power Supply Units
Identifying Power Supplies
Power Connectors
Power Supply Form Factors
Using AC Adapters
Working with UPS and Suppressors
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Book 3: Outside the Box
Chapter 1: Describing Ports, Cables, and Connectors
Identifying Common Computer Ports
Comparing Cable Types
Cable Orientation
Connector Types
Standard External Cables
Multimedia Connectors
Viewing Cable Adapters
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 2: Installing and Configuring Input Devices
Minding Your Keys and Qs
Catching the Mouse
Communicating with Network Adapters
Other Input Devices
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 3: Installing and Configuring Output Devices
Understanding Video Adapters
Using Your Monitor or Display
Troubleshooting Display Issues
The Sound of Computers
Other Output Devices
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 4: Managing Printers
Learning about Paper Feeder Mechanisms
Understanding Types of Printers
Viewing Types of Printer Connections and Configurations
Upgrading Printer Hardware
Installing a Printer in Windows
Troubleshooting Printer Problems
Understanding Safety and Preventive Maintenance
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 5: Working with Multimedia Devices
Understanding Scanners
Using Digital and Web Cameras
Looking at Other Multimedia Devices
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 6: Dealing with Laptops and Mobile Devices
Identifying Portable Computer Components
Looking at Laptop Batteries
Understanding AC Adapters
Learning about LCD Panels
Understanding Laptop Input Devices
Laptop Communication Components
Port Replicators and Docking Stations
Expanding on a Laptop
Upgrading Your Laptop
Troubleshooting Laptop Issues
Disassembling and Reassembling Laptops
Understanding Smartphones/Converged Devices
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Book 4: Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Chapter 1: Performing Preventive Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance 101
Using Preventive Maintenance Tools
Maintaining Environmental Controls
Completing Maintenance Tasks
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 2: Troubleshooting Procedures and Guidelines
Identifying Troubleshooting Tools
The Art of Troubleshooting
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Book 5: Operating System Basics
Chapter 1: Comparison of Major Operating Systems
What Is an Operating System?
32-bit (x86) versus 64-bit (x64)
Looking at the Windows OS
Welcome to the Linux World
Understanding the Mac OS
Choosing an Optimal System
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 2: Windows Operating System Functions
Identifying Major Operating System Functions
Understanding Major Operating System Components
Navigating Your Computer
Using Tools and Configuration Utilities
Locating Major Files
Examining Windows Vista and Windows 7 Features
Going to the Cloud
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 3: Installing and Upgrading Windows
Understanding Installation Methods
Preparing for Installation
Performing Attended Installations of Windows
Performing Unattended Installations of Windows
Verifying and Troubleshooting the Installation
Upgrading Windows
Installing or Removing Additional Windows Components in Windows 8.1
Understanding How to Dual-Boot Windows
Restoring User Data Files
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 4: Managing Files and Directories
Identifying File-Naming Conventions
Understanding File Attributes
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 5: Command Prompt Procedures
Using command.com and cmd.exe
Executing Your Privileges
Managing Directories
Copying and Moving Files
Performing Diagnostics and Tuning Performance
Getting Active with Group Policy
Working with Other Useful Commands
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 6: Working with System Files and the Boot Process
Power-on Self-Test (POST) Process
Standard Boot Process for Windows
Managing Memory and Virtual Memory
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Book 6: Managing the Operating System
Chapter 1: Loading and Configuring Device Drivers
Loading Device Drivers
Changing Device Settings
Updating Drivers
Removing Device Drivers
Signed and Unsigned Drivers
Working with Plug and Play
Permissions to Install Drivers
Verifying Driver Installation
Device Driver Failure
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 2: Working with Applications
Installing, Removing, and Repairing Applications
Getting the Most out of Multitasking
Running 32-Bit and 64-Bit Windows Applications
Running 16-Bit Windows Applications
Running MS-DOS–Based Applications
Windows Compatibility Modes
Windows XP Mode
Application Install, Start, and Load Errors
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 3: Optimizing the Windows Environment
Identifying Areas of System Bottlenecks
Using Monitoring Tools
Optimization Best Practices
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 4: Using Windows-Based Troubleshooting Utilities
Understanding Operating System Utilities for Disk Maintenance
Configuration Utilities
Getting a Handle on Diagnostic Utilities
Miscellaneous Utilities
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Book 7: Recovering Systems
Chapter 1: Managing Error Codes and Startup Messages
Windows Boot Files and Failure-to-Boot Errors
Solving Linux Boot Issues
Device-Related Errors
Other Errors
Error Diagnostic Tools
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 2: Managing Common Problems
Solving Windows-Specific Service Problems
Solving Boot Errors and Errors Requiring Restarting
Resolving Device Driver and Service Errors
Application Install, Start, and Load Failures
Solving Linux File-Related Problems
Solving Other Problems
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 3: Preparing for Disasters with Disaster Recovery
Using F8 Options During Boot-up
Emergency Repair
Understanding Backup and Restore
Recovery and Rescue Methods
Scheduling Preventive Maintenance
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Book 8: Networking
Chapter 1: Down to the Networking Basics
Identifying the Types of Networks
Understanding Network Topologies
Connecting with Network Cabling
Troubleshooting Networking Cables
Examining Network Access Methods
Piecing Together the Network Architectures
Understanding Network Protocols
Working with Network Devices
Understanding Communication Methods
Ways to Network a Computer
Installing a Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) Network
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 2: Understanding Common Wireless Communications
Understanding Infrared Devices
Working with Wireless Networks
Installing and Configuring a SOHO Network
Other Wireless Connections
Increasing Wireless Network Performance
Troubleshooting Issues
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 3: Networking the Operating System
Understanding Networking Components
The TCP/IP Protocol
Understanding Name Resolution
Looking at Protocols and Ports
Troubleshooting with TCP/IP Utilities
Sharing File System Resources
Sharing Printer Resources
Networking with Windows
Understanding Windows Services
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 4: Configuring Internet Access
Understanding the Internet
Using an ISP
Working with an ASP
Understanding Internet Protocols
Installing and Configuring Browsers
Using the Internet
Ways to Access the Internet
Firewalls and Home Routers
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Book 9: Securing Systems
Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Security
Identifying Types of Attacks
Understanding Physical Security
Understanding Authentication and Authorization
Methods of Securing Transmissions
Do Not Forget about Data Protection
Prevention Methods and Best Practices
Introduction to Incident Response
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 2: Implementing Security
Securing Systems through BIOS/UEFI
Implementing Users and Groups
Implementing Permissions and Rights
Implementing Auditing
Implementing Firewalls
Implementing Security Best Practices
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Chapter 3: Viruses and Malicious Software
My Computer Has a Virus!
Understanding Malicious Software
Identifying Hoaxes
Preventing Problems by Staying Up to Date
Recovering an Infected System
Getting an A+
Prep Test
Answers
Appendix: CompTIA A+ Exam Reference Matrix
2015 Examination Objectives — 220-901 Essentials
2015 Examination Objectives — 220-902 Practical Application
About the Authors
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
← Prev
Back
Next →
← Prev
Back
Next →