CompTIA A+ exams A+ essentials (220-601), 220-602, 220-603, 220-604
Brooks is currently co-owner and vice president of Educational Technologies Group Inc., as well as co-owner of eITPrep LLP, an online training company. He is in charge of research and product development at both organizations. A former electronics instructor and technical writer with the National Ed...
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Indianapolis, Ind.?]
Que Pub.
2008
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| Series: | Exam prep
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | |
| Collection: | O'Reilly - Collection details see MPG.ReNa |
Table of Contents:
- 25: Safety And Environmental Issues
- Introduction
- Work area and safety issues
- Work area
- Personal safety
- Avoiding laser and burn hazards
- System protection
- Power line protection
- Electrostatic discharge
- Hardware disposal procedures
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 26: Professionalism And Communication
- Introduction
- Customer service skills
- Prepare
- Establish rapport
- Establish your presence
- Be proactive
- Listen and communicate
- Follow up
- Be responsive
- Accountability
- Be flexible
- Be professional
- Establish integrity
- Handle conflicts appropriately
- Telephone techniques
- Handle paperwork and finish up
- Maintain an orderly work area
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 27: Advanced PC Component Installations And Upgrades
- Introduction
- System board compatibility issues
- Replacing system boards
- Replacing system board FRU devices
- Installing memory modules
- Replacing power supplies
- Installing power supplies
- Power supply upgrade considerations
- System upgrading and optimizing
- System board upgrading
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 28: Essentials Practice Exam
- Questions
- Answers and explanations
- 29: IT Tech Practice Exam
- Questions
- Answers and explanations
- 30: Depot Practice Exam
- Questions
- Answers and explanations
- 31: Remote Support Practice Exam
- Questions
- Answers and explanations
- Using remote desktop/assistance
- Configuring the remote desktop function
- Conducting remote desktop sessions
- Using remote assistance
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 18: Printers And Scanners
- Introduction
- Printer types
- Fonts
- Basic printer components
- Dot-matrix printers
- Dot-matrix printer mechanics
- Thermal printers
- Inkjet printers
- Laser printers
- Dye sublimation printers
- Printer installation
- USB printers
- Networked printers
- Wireless printer interfaces
- Infrared printer ports
- Legacy printer interfaces
- Printer drivers
- Printer control panel configuration
- Printer calibration
- Printer options and upgrades
- Printing in windows
- Establishing printers in windows
- Printer properties
- Network printing with windows
- Scanners
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 19: Printer And Scanner Servicing
- Introduction
- Servicing printers
- 5: Data Storage Systems
- Introduction
- Hard-disk drives (HDD)
- Personal video recorders
- RAID systems
- Floppy-disk drives
- Magnetic tape drives
- Optical storage
- CD-ROM drives
- DVDs
- Disk drive interfaces
- Internal disk-drive interfaces
- IDE/ATA interface
- Serial ATA (SATA) interface
- Floppy-drive interface
- Small computer system interface (SCSI)
- Removable storage
- Flash memory
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- 6: Ports And Peripherals
- Introduction
- Input/output interfaces
- Initiating I/O transfers
- System resource allocations
- Ports, cables, and connectors
- PS/2 connectors
- Universal serial bus (USB)
- IEEE-1394 FireWire bus
- Multimedia connections
- Legacy ports
- Parallel ports
- RS-232 serial ports
- Game ports
- Typical peripheral systems
- Keyboards
- Pointing devices
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- General printer troubleshooting
- Troubleshooting Dot-matrix printers
- Dot-matrix printer power supply problems
- Dot-matrix consumables
- Printhead not printing
- Printhead not moving
- Paper not advancing
- Troubleshooting inkjet printers
- Inkjet printer configuration checks
- Inkjet consumables
- Printhead not printing
- Printhead not moving
- Paper not advancing
- Troubleshooting Laser Printers
- Laser printer consumables
- Printer is dead or partially disabled
- Print on page is missing or bad
- Paper does not feed or is jammed
- Troubleshooting scanners
- Image quality problems
- Checking the host system
- Interface cables
- Preventive maintenance and safety issues
- Dot-matrix/inkjet printers
- Laser printers
- Laser safety issues
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 20: Basic Networking Concepts
- Introduction
- Local area networks (LANs)
- LAN topologies
- Network control strategies
- Installing PC card support
- Mini PCI/PCI express mini cards
- Networking portables
- Wireless networking with portables
- Portable power sources
- Power consumption
- Power management
- Docking stations
- Port replicators
- Portable system upgrading
- Upgrading batteries
- Upgrading PC cards
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- Windows XP interface variations
- Windows XP media center interfaces
- Command prompt procedures
- Working from the command line
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 13: Major Windows Structures
- Introduction
- PC hardware startup process
- Windows 2000/XP structures
- System memory management
- Windows 2000/XP registries
- Windows 2000/XP file systems
- Managing partitions
- High-level formatting
- FAT disk organization
- NTFS disk organization
- Files and filenames
- File types
- Windows 2000/XP files
- File encryption and compression
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 14: Installing And Upgrading Operating Systems
- Introduction
- Installing Windows 2000/XP
- Installation methods
- Hard disk drive preparation
- Managing patches and service packs
- Troubleshooting general setup problems
- Installing Windows 2000 professional
- Windows 2000/XP setup problems
- LAN Access to the internet
- Dial-up access
- ISDN connections
- Digital subscriber lines
- Cable modems
- Installing digital modems
- Satellite internet access
- Wireless internet access
- Voice over IP
- TCP/IP
- TCP/IP suite
- Internet resources
- World wide web
- File transfer protocol (FTP)
- Secure sockets layer protocol
- Telnet
- Web browsers
- Establishing internet browser security options
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 23: Network Troubleshooting
- Introduction
- Basic network troubleshooting
- Network troubleshooting tools
- Troubleshooting LANS
- Service access problems
- Checking the NIC
- Checking cabling
- Checking connectivity devices
- Windows-related LAN problems
- Troubleshooting wireless networks
- Troubleshooting network printing problems
- Troubleshooting WAN problems
- Troubleshooting broadband problems
- Troubleshooting dial-up problems
- Windows modem checks
- HDD defragmentation
- Backups
- Removable storage utility
- Windows 2000/XP system management tools
- Event viewer
- Windows 2000/XP system information
- Windows XP system restore
- Task manager
- Device manager
- MSCONFIG. EXE
- Remote desktop and remote assistance features
- File management tools
- System editors
- Dr Watson
- Command-line utilities
- Windows troubleshooting help files
- Internet help
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 17: Basic Operating System Troubleshooting And Maintenance
- Introduction
- General OS troubleshooting process
- Troubleshooting startup problems
- General bootup/startup problems
- Windows 2000/XP startup tools
- Using Windows XP system restore
- Windows 2000/XP startup problems
- Common OS operational problems
- Optional devices do not operate
- Troubleshooting stop errors
- Windows 2000/XP application problems
- Windows-related printing problems
- Diagnostic and repair tools
- Gathering information
- Initial troubleshooting steps
- Systems/error codes
- Determining hardware/software/configuration problems
- Using a multimeter
- Field-replaceable unit troubleshooting
- Basic preventive maintenance
- Cleaning
- Preventive maintenance procedures
- Protecting display systems
- Protecting hard disk drives
- Protecting removable media drives
- Protecting input devices
- Preventive maintenance scheduling
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 9: Advanced PC Troubleshooting
- Introduction
- Isolating power supply problems
- Checking a dead system
- Troubleshooting the system board
- System board systems
- Configuration checks
- Hardware checks
- Troubleshooting keyboard problems
- Troubleshooting mouse problems
- Troubleshooting video systems
- Troubleshooting HDDs
- Troubleshooting CD-ROMs and DVD drives
- Troubleshooting FDDs
- Trouble shooting Tape drives
- Troubleshooting browser problems
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 24: Security
- Introduction
- Computer security
- Access control
- PC hardware security
- Environmental security issues
- Software security
- Windows network security
- Administering windows networks
- Establishing wireless security
- Firewalls
- Malicious program security
- Viruses
- Establishing and implementing malicious software protection
- Social engineering
- Spoofing and phishing
- Pharming
- Session hijacking
- Identity theft
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solution
- 11: Maintaining And Repairing Portable Computers
- Introduction
- Troubleshooting portable systems
- Common LCD display problems
- Replacing the LCD panel
- Troubleshooting portable keyboards
- Troubleshooting touch pads
- Troubleshooting portable unique storage
- Troubleshooting infrared ports
- Troubleshooting PCMCIA
- Troubleshooting portable power issues
- Troubleshooting docking stations/port replicators
- Portable preventative maintenance
- Rough handling
- Thermal issues
- Cleaning
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 12: Windows Operating Systems
- Introduction
- Operating systems
- Graphical user interfaces (GUI)
- Windows NT product line
- Window active directory
- Windows 2000
- Windows XP
- Windows 2003 server
- Windows Vista operating systems
- Navigating windows 2000/XP
- Windows 2000/XP desktops
- Drop-down menus
- Taskbar
- Start menu
- Windows 2000 control panel
- Windows Explorer
- Troubleshooting other removable storage systems
- Troubleshooting port problems
- IEEE-1394 adapters and ports
- Troubleshooting sound cards
- Troubleshooting front panel connections
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 10: Portable Computer Fundamentals
- Introduction
- Inside portables
- Portable system boards
- Microprocessors in portables
- Pentium IIIM and 4M processors
- Pentium M processors
- Centrino
- Pentium M Celerons
- Core duo processors
- AMD mobile processors
- Portable memory
- Upgrading portable memory
- Portable drives
- Upgrading/replacing portable drives
- Portable display types
- Liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
- Portable keyboards
- Trackballs
- Touch pads
- Pointing sticks
- External portable I/O
- Peripheral storage devices
- External floppy disk drives
- External CD-ROM/DVDdrives
- Removable storage
- PC cards
- Cardbus
- Adding PC card memory
- Installing PC cards
- 7: Installing, Upgrading, Configuring And Optimizing PC Components
- Introduction
- Installing storage devices
- Installing internal storage devices
- HDD installation
- Installing SCSI adapter cards
- Installing CD-ROM/DVD drives
- Installing CD-RW and DVD-RW drives
- Installing a floppy disk drive
- Installing external storage devices in Desktop PCs
- Upgrading and optimizing disk drives
- HDD upgrading
- Disk drive subsystem enhancements
- Installing video/monitor systems
- Installing standard PC input devices
- Installing scanners
- Installing bar code scanners
- Installing sound cards
- Installing digital cameras
- Installing adapter card-based peripherals
- Installing devices using USB, IEEE-1394, PCMCIA, and IrDA
- Upgrading peripheral devices
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 8: Basic Troubleshooting And Preventative Maintenance Techniques
- Introduction
- Basic PC troubleshooting
- 1: Basic PC Terms And Concepts
- Introduction
- PC system
- System unit cases
- Form factors
- Power supplies
- System boards (motherboards)
- Microprocessor
- Chipsets
- Memory units (RAM and ROM)
- Basic input/output systems (BIOS)
- System configuration settings
- Expansion slots
- Adapter cards
- Data storage devices
- Removable storage
- Peripherals and ports
- Video displays
- Printers
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solution
- 2: PC System Boards
- Introduction
- System board form factors
- ATX system boards
- BTX system boards
- Low-profile form factors
- Pentium chipsets
- System bus speeds
- Expansion slots
- PCI local bus
- PCI-X
- PCI express
- AGP slots
- Audio modem risers (AMR) and communication networking risers (CNR)
- Audio modem riser (AMR) components
- I/O ports
- Onboard disk drive connections
- SCSI connections
- Processor socket specifications
- AMD slots and sockets
- DRAM sockets
- CMOS RAM
- CMOS setup utilities
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 3: Microprocessors
- Introduction
- Intel microprocessors
- Pentium processor
- Advanced Pentium architectures
- Intel Dual-core processors
- Advanced Intel microprocessor technologies
- AMD processors
- Athlon 64 processors
- Duron processors
- Athlon dual-core processors
- Opteron processors
- Microprocessor clock speeds
- Processor power supply levels
- Configuring microprocessors and buses
- Fans, heat sinks, and cooling systems
- BTX thermal module
- Advanced cooling systems
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solution
- 4: Random Access Memory (RAM)
- Introduction
- SRAM and DRAM
- SRAM types
- Advanced DRAM types
- Memory overhead
- Error checking and correcting
- Cache memory operations
- RAM packaging
- RIMM
- RAM speed ratings
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solution
- Network connectivity devices
- Network transmission media
- Copper cabling
- Fiber-optic cable
- Plenum cable
- Wireless infrared links
- Wireless RF links
- Network architectures
- Ethernet
- Networking protocols
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions.; 21: Installing Local Area Networks (LANs)
- Introduction
- Installing and configuring LAN components
- LAN adapter cards
- Installing LAN cards
- Optimizing network adapters
- Installing wireless LANs
- Installing network components in windows 2000/XP control panels
- Configuring clients in Windows 2000/XP
- Configuring protocols in Windows 2000/XP
- Networking with Novell netware
- Sharing network resources
- Network shares
- Mapping a drive
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 22: Wide Area Networking
- Introduction
- Internet connectivity
- Internet service providers
- IP addresses
- Internet domains
- Internet access methods
- Installing Windows XP professional
- Windows XP MCE hardware requirements
- Windows XP setup problems
- Operating system upgrading
- Upgrading to Windows 2000
- Upgrading to Windows XP
- Performing local upgrades
- Upgrade problems
- Dual booting
- Loading and adding device drivers
- 2000/XP device drivers
- SATA drivers
- Finding drivers
- Driver signing
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 15: Optimizing Operating Systems
- Introduction
- Optimizing Windows 2000/XP performance
- Optimizing virtual memory
- Optimizing the disk drive system
- Managing temporary files
- Optimizing System Services
- Modifying the startup process
- Monitoring system performance
- Monitoring application performance with system monitor
- Software maintenance
- Exam prep questions
- Answers and explanations
- Challenge solutions
- 16: Operating System Utilities
- Introduction
- Windows disk management tools
- Disk cleanup
- CHKDSK