CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ courses are intended for students wishing to qualify for CompTIA A+ certification. The A+ certification is designed to help students become entry-level IT technicians. A+ Certification is internationally endorsed and recognized as the only benchmark vendor-neutral qualification for PC support and troubleshooting.

Course Prerequisites

It is recommended that students have the following skills and knowledge before starting this course:

• Use a keyboard and mouse.

• Recognize the main components of a PC and different data media, such as USB drives and DVDs.

• Start the computer and navigate the desktop.

• Use Windows Explorer to create directories and subdirectories and manage files.

• Use Internet Explorer to view websites

Outline

CompTIA A+ (220-1001)

Motherboards, Processors, and Memory

• Identifying Components of Motherboards

• System Board Form Factors and Components

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Processors

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Memory

• Important Memory Terms

• Types of Memory and Memory Packaging

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Cooling Systems

• Fans memory cooling, hard drive cooling, chipset cooling, and CPU cooling

Storage Devices and Power Supplies

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Storage Devices

• Hard Disk Drive Systems and Solid-State Drives

• Optical Storage Drives, Drive Interfaces and RAID

• Removable Storage and Media

• Installing, Removing, and Configuring Storage Devices

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Power Supplies

• Dual-Rail Architecture

• Power and Voltage Ratings and Connectors

• Replacing Power Supplies and AC Adapters as Power Supplies

Peripherals and Expansion

• Installing and Configuring Expansion Cards

• Video multimedia, or I/O

• Communications

• Adapter Configuration

• Identifying Characteristics of Connectors and Cables

• Device Connector Types

• Common Peripheral Cables and Their Interfaces

• Video Display Cables and Connectors

• Input Devices: Mouse Touchpad, Keyboard, Scanner, and Barcode Reader

• Digitizers and Biometric Devices

• Gamepads and Joysticks

• Motion Sensor/Smart Card Reader

• Multimedia Input Devices

• Output Devices: Printers, Speakers, and Display Devices

• Input and Output Devices/Touchscreens/KVM Switch/Smart TV/Set-Top Box

Display Devices

• Understanding Display Types and Settings

• Video Display Types/Adjusting Display Settings

• Understanding Video Standards and Technologies

• Advanced Video Resolutions and Concepts

Custom Configurations

• Standard Thick Clients

• Graphic and CAD/CAM Design Workstations

• CPU Enhancements

• Video Enhancements

• Maximized RAM

• Audio/Video Editing Workstations

• Video Enhancements

• Specialized Audio/Specialized Hard Drives

• Virtualization Workstations

• CPU Enhancements/Maximized RAM

• Gaming PCs

• CPU Enhancements/Video Enhancements

• Specialized Audio/Enhanced Cooling

• Home Theater PCs/Video Enhancements

• Specialized Audio Special Chassis and TV Tuner

• Thin Clients/Home Server PCs

• Media Streaming Capabilities

• File and Print Sharing Services

• Gigabit NIC/RAID Array

Networking Fundamentals

• Understanding Networking Principles

• Understanding Networking Fundamentals

• Identifying Common Network Hardware

• Network Interface Cards (NICs)

• Cables and Connectors

• Networking Components

Introduction to TCP/IP

• Understanding TCP/IP

• TCP/IP Structure

• Understanding IP Addressing

Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks

• Understanding Wireless Networking

• 802.11 Networking Standards and Devices

• Wireless Encryption Methods

• Installing and Configuring SOHO Networks

• Choosing Connection Types

• Installing the Network

• Configuring a Wireless Router

Understanding Laptops

• Understanding Laptop Architecture

• Laptops vs. Desktops

• Laptop Cases,s, Motherboards, and Processors

• Memory /Storage

• Input Devices, Expansion Buses and Ports

• Docking Stations and Power Systems

• Laptop Displays/Cable Locks

• Disassembling and Reassembling Laptops

• Using the Right Tools

• Replacing Laptop Components

Understanding Mobile Devices

• Understanding Mobile Devices

• Characteristics of Mobile Devices

• Tablets/Smartphones/Phablets/e-Readers

• GPS/Smart Cameras

• Wearable Technology Devices

• Connection Types

• Mobile Device Accessories

Installing and Configuring Printers

• Understanding Print Technologies and Imaging Processes

• Impact Printers Inkjet Printers Laser Printers, and Thermal Printers

• Virtual Printers/Installing and Configuring Printers

• Installing and Sharing Local Printers

• Installing and Sharing Networked Printers

• Performing Printer Maintenance and Upgrades

• Performing Printer Maintenance

• Installing Printer Upgrades

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

• Troubleshooting Core Hardware Issues

• Troubleshooting Motherboards, CPUs, RAM, and Power Problems

• Troubleshooting Storage Device Problems

• Troubleshooting Video Issues/Mobile Devices, Printers, and Networking

• Troubleshooting Common Mobile Device Issues

• Troubleshooting Printer Problems and Networking Problems

CompTIA A+ (220-1002)

Outline

Operating System Basics

• Understanding Operating Systems

• Operating System Terms and Concepts

• Minimum System Requirements

• The Windows Interface

• Updating Windows

• Creating Restore Points

• File Management

• Going Virtual

Operating System Administration

• Interacting with Operating Systems

• Control Panel

• The Command Prompt

• Virtual Memory

• Administrative Tools

• Task Manager/MMC

• Computer Management Services

• Performance Monitor/Task Scheduler

• Windows System Configuration Tools

• Power Management/Disk Management

• Getting Disks Ready to Store Files and Programs

• Backing Up the Data on Your Drives

• Checking the Health of Hard Disks and Optimizing Their Performance

• User Authentication

Working with Windows 8/8.1

• Windows Editions/Installing Windows 8

• Unattended Installation/Image Deployment

• Remote Network Installation/Multiboot Installation

• Repair Installation/Refresh/Restore

• Recovery Partition/Windows 8 Boot Methods

• Internal Hard Drive (Partition)

• External/Hot Swappable Drives/Flash Drives

• Solid-State Drives/Netboot

Working with Windows 7

• Windows 7 Editions/Installing/Upgrading Editions

• Installation/Upgrade Boot Options

• The Windows 7 Boot Sequences

• Key Boot Files and Windows 7 Features

• Tools in Windows 7

• Windows 7 Administrative Tools

• Local Users and Groups

• Local Security Policy and System Configuration

• Component Services and Data Sources

• Print Management/Windows Memory Diagnostics

• Unique Control Panel Utilities/HomeGroup

• RemoteApp and Desktop Connections

• Troubleshooting/Networking and Windows 7

• Configuring an Alternative IP Address in Windows

• Network Card Properties/Configuring Windows Networking

• Windows 7 System Performance and Optimization

Working with Windows Vista

• Windows Vista Editions/Installing Windows Vista

• Clean Install/Upgrading to Windows Vista

• Transferring to Windows Vista

• The Windows Vista Boot Sequences

• Key Boot Files/Windows Vista Features

• Tools in Windows Vista/Windows Vista Administrative Tools

• Users and Groups/Local Security Policy

• System Configuration/Component Services

• Data Sources/Print Management

• Windows Memory Diagnostics/Distinctive Utilities

• Tablet PC Settings Pen, and Input Devices

• Offline Files Problem Reports and Solutions

• Printers networking, and Windows Vista

• Vista System Performance and Optimization

• Aero/User Account Control/Indexing/Sidebar

Working with Mac OS and Linux

• Best Practices/Scheduled Backups

• Scheduled Disk Maintenance/System Updates/App Store

• Patch Management/Driver/Firmware Updates

• Antivirus/Antimalware Updates

• Tools /Features

• Basic Linux Commands

• Understanding the Syntax of Shell Commands

• Discovering and Using Linux Commands

• Becoming root (Superuser)

• Managing Processes/Directory Navigation/Directory Listings

• Changing Permissions and Ownership/Working with Files

• Working with Directories and Networking Utilities

Security

• Common Prevention Methods

• Physical Security and digital security

• User Education/AUP/Principle of Least Privilege

• Email Filtering and Virtual Private Networks

• Common Security Threats and Social Engineering

• Password Attacks Malware, and Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

• Rootkits/Phishing/Shoulder Surfing/Spyware/Viruses

• Worms/Trojans/Ransomware/Spoofing/Zero-Day Attack

• Zombie/Botnet/Non-Complaint Systems

• Workstation Security Best Practices

• Setting Strong Passwords/Requiring Passwords and Expiration

• Account Management/Restricting User Permissions

• Add Login Time Restrictions or Act on Failed Login Attempts

• Changing Default Usernames or Disabling the Guest Account

• Screensaver Required Password/Disable Autorun

• Data Loss Prevention/Working with Windows OS Security Settings

• Users and Groups/NTFS vs. Share Permissions

• Shared Files and Folders/System Files and Folders

• User Authentication BitLocker, and BitLocker To Go

• EFS/Mobile Device Security

• Screen Locks Remote Wipes and Locator Applications

• Remote Backup/Operating System Update

• Destruction and Disposal Methods

• Recycling or Repurposing Best Practices

• Low-Level Format vs. Standard Format

• Hard Drive Sanitation and Sanitation Methods

• Physical Destruction/Securing a SOHO Network (Wireless)

• Change Default Usernames and Passwords

• Changing the SSID or setting encryption

• Disabling SSID Broadcast/Enabling MAC Filtering

• Antenna and Access Point Placement/Radio Power Levels

• Assign Static IP Addresses WPS, or secure a SOHO Network (Wired)

• Change Default Usernames and Passwords/Assign Static IP Addresses

• Disabling Ports/Physical Security

Network Services, Cloud Computing, and Virtualization

• Understanding Network Services and Server Roles

• Internet Appliances Legacy, and Embedded Systems

• Understanding Cloud Computing and Virtualization

• Concepts of Cloud Computing/Understanding Virtualization

Mobile Operating Systems and Connectivity

• Understanding Mobile Operating Systems

• Comparing Mobile Operating Systems

• Understanding Sensors and Calibration

• Using Additional Mobile Operating System Features

• Network Connectivity and Email

• Understanding Cellular Data Connections

• Establishing Wi-Fi Connectivity

• Establishing Bluetooth Connectivity

• Configuring Email Accounts

• Mobile Device Synchronization

• Syncing Apple iOS Devices

• Syncing Android Devices

• Software Installation Requirements

Troubleshooting Theory, OSs, and Security

• Understanding Troubleshooting Theory

• Identifying the Problem

• Establishing a Theory

• Testing Solutions

• Establishing a Plan of Action

• Verifying Functionality

• Documenting the Work

• Troubleshooting Operating Systems

• Common Symptoms

• Operating System Tools

• Troubleshooting Security Issues

• Common Symptoms

• Security Tools

• Best Practices for Malware Removal

• Troubleshooting Mobile Issues

• Troubleshooting Mobile Security Issues

Understanding Operational Procedures

• Understanding Safety Procedures

• Identifying Potential Safety Hazards

• Creating a Safe Workplace

• Understanding Environmental Controls

• Managing the Physical Environment

• Handling and Disposing of Computer Equipment

• Understanding Policies, Licensing, and Privacy

• Managing Software Licenses

• Managing Sensitive Information

• Demonstrating Professionalism

• Communicating with Customers

• Using Appropriate Behavior

• Putting It All in Perspective