CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide

Book description

Gain the Sybex advantage with this complete guide to A+ certification

The CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide is your complete solution for A+ exam preparation. Covering 100% of Exam 220-901 and Exam 220-902 objectives, this book gives you everything you need to ensure that you not only understand the basics of IT, but that you can demonstrate your understanding effectively. Now in its third edition, this guide has been updated to reflect the exam's new focus. Coverage includes the latest best practices, Windows 8/8.1 and mobile OSes, and an emphasis on the practical skills required on the job. Clear and concise, this book helps you solidify your understanding of crucial hardware and operating system maintenance and troubleshooting topics covered on the exam. You also gain access to the Sybex exclusive online interactive learning environment and test bank, featuring bonus practice exams, electronic flashcards, and a searchable PDF glossary of the most important terms you need to understand.

The CompTIA A+ certification is the essential computer technician credential, and is required by over 100 leading employers. This book helps you prepare and practice so you can approach the exam with confidence, and pass with flying colors.

  • Review the components of personal computers, laptops, and portable devices
  • Understand operating systems, networks, and security
  • Get up to speed on safety and environmental issues
  • Practice effective communication and the "soft skills" of professionalism

More than just a review of computer parts, this book covers everything you'll see on the exam. Why go in unprepared when you can have the Sybex advantage?

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
    1. What Does This Book Cover?
    2. The CompTIA A+ Exam Objectives
    3. A+ Certification Exam Objectives: 220-901
    4. A+ Certification Exam Objectives: 220-902
  2. Assessment Test
    1. Answers to Assessment Test
  3. Part I: 220-901
    1. Chapter 1: Motherboards, Processors, and Memory
      1. Identifying Components of Motherboards
      2. Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Processors
      3. Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Memory
      4. Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Cooling Systems
      5. Summary
      6. Exam Essentials
      7. Review Questions
      8. Performance-Based Question 1
      9. Performance-Based Question 2
    2. Chapter 2: Storage Devices and Power Supplies
      1. Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Storage Devices
      2. Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Power Supplies
      3. Summary
      4. Exam Essentials
      5. Review Questions
      6. Performance-Based Question
    3. Chapter 3: Peripherals and Expansion
      1. Installing and Configuring Expansion Cards
      2. Identifying Characteristics of Connectors and Cables
      3. Input Devices
      4. Output Devices
      5. Input and Output Devices
      6. Summary
      7. Exam Essentials
      8. Review Questions
      9. Performance-Based Questions
    4. Chapter 4: Display Devices
      1. Understanding Display Types and Settings
      2. Understanding Video Standards and Technologies
      3. Summary
      4. Exam Essentials
      5. Review Questions
      6. Performance-Based Question
    5. Chapter 5: Custom Configurations
      1. Standard Thick Clients
      2. Graphic and CAD/CAM Design Workstations
      3. Audio/Video Editing Workstations
      4. Virtualization Workstations
      5. Gaming PCs
      6. Home Theater PCs
      7. Thin Clients
      8. Home Server PCs
      9. Summary
      10. Exam Essentials
      11. Review Questions
      12. Performance-Based Question
    6. Chapter 6: Networking Fundamentals
      1. Understanding Networking Principles
      2. Identifying Common Network Hardware
      3. Summary
      4. Exam Essentials
      5. Review Questions
      6. Performance-Based Question
    7. Chapter 7: Introduction to TCP/IP
      1. Understanding TCP/IP
      2. Summary
      3. Exam Essentials
      4. Review Questions
      5. Performance-Based Question
    8. Chapter 8: Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks
      1. Understanding Wireless Networking
      2. Installing and Configuring SOHO Networks
      3. Summary
      4. Exam Essentials
      5. Review Questions
      6. Performance-Based Question
    9. Chapter 9: Understanding Laptops
      1. Understanding Laptop Architecture
      2. Disassembling and Reassembling Laptops
      3. Summary
      4. Exam Essentials
      5. Review Questions
      6. Performance-Based Question
    10. Chapter 10: Understanding Mobile Devices
      1. Understanding Mobile Devices
      2. Summary
      3. Exam Essentials
      4. Review Questions
      5. Performance-Based Question
    11. Chapter 11: Installing and Configuring Printers
      1. Understanding Print Technologies and Imaging Processes
      2. Installing and Configuring Printers
      3. Performing Printer Maintenance and Upgrades
      4. Summary
      5. Exam Essentials
      6. Review Questions
      7. Performance-Based Question
    12. Chapter 12: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
      1. Troubleshooting Core Hardware Issues
      2. Troubleshooting Mobile Devices, Printers, and Networking
      3. Summary
      4. Exam Essentials
      5. Review Questions
      6. Performance-Based Question
  4. Part II: 220-902
    1. Chapter 13: Operating System Basics
      1. Understanding Operating Systems
      2. Going Virtual
      3. Preparing for the Exam
      4. Summary
      5. Exam Essentials
      6. Review Questions
      7. Performance-Based Question
    2. Chapter 14: Operating System Administration
      1. Interacting with Operating Systems
      2. Administrative Tools
      3. Disk Management
      4. Summary
      5. Exam Essentials
      6. Review Questions
      7. Performance-Based Question
    3. Chapter 15: Working with Windows 8/8.1
      1. Windows Editions
      2. Installing Windows 8
      3. Windows 8 Boot Methods
      4. Summary
      5. Exam Essentials
      6. Review Questions
      7. Performance-Based Question
    4. Chapter 16: Working with Windows 7
      1. Windows 7 Editions
      2. Installing Windows 7
      3. The Windows 7 Boot Sequences
      4. Windows 7 Features
      5. Windows 7 Administrative Tools
      6. Unique Control Panel Utilities
      7. Networking and Windows 7
      8. Windows 7 System Performance and Optimization
      9. Summary
      10. Exam Essentials
      11. Review Questions
      12. Performance-Based Question
    5. Chapter 17: Working with Windows Vista
      1. Windows Vista Editions
      2. Installing Windows Vista
      3. The Windows Vista Boot Sequences
      4. Windows Vista Features
      5. Windows Vista Administrative Tools
      6. Distinctive Utilities
      7. Networking and Windows Vista
      8. Vista System Performance and Optimization
      9. Summary
      10. Exam Essentials
      11. Review Questions
      12. Performance-Based Question
    6. Chapter 18: Working with Mac OS and Linux
      1. Best Practices
      2. Tools
      3. Features
      4. Basic Linux Commands
      5. Summary
      6. Exam Essentials
      7. Review Questions
      8. Performance-Based Question
    7. Chapter 19: Security
      1. Common Prevention Methods
      2. Common Security Threats
      3. Workstation Security Best Practices
      4. Working with Windows OS Security Settings
      5. Mobile Device Security
      6. Destruction and Disposal Methods
      7. Securing a SOHO Network (Wireless)
      8. Securing a SOHO Network (Wired)
      9. Summary
      10. Exam Essentials
      11. Review Questions
      12. Performance-Based Question
    8. Chapter 20: Network Services, Cloud Computing, and Virtualization
      1. Understanding Network Services
      2. Understanding Cloud Computing and Virtualization
      3. Summary
      4. Exam Essentials
      5. Review Questions
      6. Performance-Based Question
    9. Chapter 21: Mobile Operating Systems and Connectivity
      1. Understanding Mobile Operating Systems
      2. Network Connectivity and Email
      3. Mobile Device Synchronization
      4. Summary
      5. Exam Essentials
      6. Review Questions
      7. Performance-Based Question
    10. Chapter 22: Troubleshooting Theory, OSs, and Security
      1. Understanding Troubleshooting Theory
      2. Troubleshooting Operating Systems
      3. Troubleshooting Security Issues
      4. Troubleshooting Mobile Issues
      5. Troubleshooting Mobile Security Issues
      6. Summary
      7. Exam Essentials
      8. Review Questions
      9. Performance-Based Question
    11. Chapter 23: Understanding Operational Procedures
      1. Understanding Safety Procedures
      2. Understanding Environmental Controls
      3. Understanding Policies, Licensing, and Privacy
      4. Demonstrating Professionalism
      5. Summary
      6. Exam Essentials
      7. Review Questions
      8. Performance-Based Question
  5. Appendix A: Answers to Review Questions
    1. Chapter 1: Motherboards, Processors, and Memory
    2. Chapter 2: Storage Devices and Power Supplies
    3. Chapter 3: Peripherals and Expansion
    4. Chapter 4: Display Devices
    5. Chapter 5: Custom Configurations
    6. Chapter 6: Network Fundamentals
    7. Chapter 7: Introduction to TCP/IP
    8. Chapter 8: Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks
    9. Chapter 9: Understanding Laptops
    10. Chapter 10: Understanding Mobile Devices
    11. Chapter 11: Installing and Configuring Printers
    12. Chapter 12: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
    13. Chapter 13: Operating System Basics
    14. Chapter 14: Operating System Administration
    15. Chapter 15: Working with Windows 8/8.1
    16. Chapter 16: Working with Windows 7
    17. Chapter 17: Working with Windows Vista
    18. Chapter 18: Working with Mac OS and Linux
    19. Chapter 19: Security
    20. Chapter 20: Network Services, Cloud Computing, and Virtualization
    21. Chapter 21: Mobile Operating Systems and Connectivity
    22. Chapter 22: Troubleshooting Theory, OSs, and Security
    23. Chapter 23: Understanding Operational Procedures
  6. Appendix B: Answers to Performance-Based Questions
    1. Chapter 1: Motherboards, Processors, and Memory
    2. Chapter 2: Storage Devices and Power Supplies
    3. Chapter 3: Peripherals and Expansion
    4. Chapter 4: Display Devices
    5. Chapter 5: Custom Configurations
    6. Chapter 6: Network Fundamentals
    7. Chapter 7: Introduction to TCP/IP
    8. Chapter 8: Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks
    9. Chapter 9: Understanding Laptops
    10. Chapter 10: Understanding Mobile Devices
    11. Chapter 11: Installing and Configuring Printers
    12. Chapter 12: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
    13. Chapter 13: Operating System Basics
    14. Chapter 14: Operating System Administration
    15. Chapter 15: Working with Windows 8/8.1
    16. Chapter 16: Working with Windows 7
    17. Chapter 17: Working with Windows Vista
    18. Chapter 18: Working with Mac OS and Linux
    19. Chapter 19: Security
    20. Chapter 20: Network Services, Cloud Computing, and Virtualization
    21. Chapter 21: Mobile Operating Systems and Connectivity
    22. Chapter 22: Troubleshooting Theory, OSs, and Security
    23. Chapter 23: Understanding Operational Procedures
  7. Advert
  8. EULA

Product information

  • Title: CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide
  • Author(s): Quentin Docter, Emmett Dulaney, Toby Skandier
  • Release date: December 2015
  • Publisher(s): Sybex
  • ISBN: 9781119137856