CompTIA A+ Certification

Course Introduction

The CompTIA A+ certification is aimed to assist you as a building block to your future in IT. The 5 day CompTIA A+ Training certification is structured specifically to improve your skills and experience of the maintenance of IT products, such as operating systems, printers, mobile devices and PCs. 

CompTIA A+ is considered as the industry standard for technicians when it comes to IT hardware and software.

Datrix has venues nationwide however we are also an industry leader in on-site training. Whichever option you choose you can expect the highest levels of quality and training. The course takes four days and candidates are asked to arrive at the venue for 8:45am.

Course Content

These are the units that will be covered during the course:

Module 1: PC Components

• The Visible PC

• Introduction to the PC

• Key Functions of a PC

• The System Case

• I/O Ports and Cables

• PS2 Ports

• Parallel Ports

• Serial Ports

• USB Ports

• SCSI

• IEEE 1394 (Firewire)

• Modem and Network Ports

• Audio Ports

• Joystick/MIDI Ports

• Adding and Removing Peripherals

• Motherboards

• Motherboard Layout

• System Clock

• Bus Architecture

• Motherboard Components

• Expansion Bus and Adapter Cards

• Motherboard Form Factors

• Power Supply Unit (PSU)

• Processors

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Processor Terminology

• Multitasking

• Multiprocessing and Multithreading

• Intel Processors

• AMD Processors

• Processor Sockets and Chipsets

• Memory

• Memory Types

• Memory Packaging

• Memory Characteristics

• Storage Devices

• Storage Devices

• Hard Drives

• Installing a Storage Device

• Preparing a Hard Disk

• Floppy Drives

• Optical Disk Storage

• Flash Memory

• Tape Drives

• Peripheral Devices

• PC Display Screens

• Graphics Adapter

• Installing a Graphics Adapter and Display

• TV Tuners

• Sound Cards

• I/O and Communications Adapters

Module 2: Portable Computers

• Portable Computers Portable and Desktop Computers

• Notebooks

• Tablet PC

• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)

Module 3: Operating Systems

• Features of Operating Systems

• Microsoft Operating Systems

• Overview of Windows 2000

• Overview of Windows XP

• Workgroups and Domains

• UNIX and Linux

• Apple Mac OS X

• Novell NetWare

• Installing and Upgrading Windows

• Overview of OS Installations

• Preparing the Hard Disk

• Domain or Workgroup Selection

• Installation Methods

• Setup Failure and Recovery

• Upgrading the OS

• Options for Deploying Windows

• The Windows Boot Process

• Windows Boot Files

• Initial Startup Process

• The BOOT.INI File

• Managing Windows Features of the Desktop

• Windows Administrative Tools

• Changing System Settings

• Configuring Hardware

• Optimising Windows Performance Options

• Screen Savers and Power Management

• Managing Software

• Managing Services

• Windows Storage Management

• Disk Management

• Navigating Windows

• Working with Folders

• Working with Files

• Searching For Files

• The Recycle Bin

• My Network Places

Module 4: PC Support

• Hardware Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Troubleshooting Techniques

• Troubleshooting Power Problems

• Troubleshooting POST

• Troubleshooting Internal Devices

• Troubleshooting Peripherals

• Notebook Troubleshooting

• Preventative Maintenance

• Troubleshooting the Operating System

• Error Categories

• Advanced Start up Options

• Diagnosing Problems

• Troubleshooting Applications

• Remote Features

• Security

• Security Fundamentals

• Windows Security Overview

• Internet Security

• Malware

• Data Security

• Safety and Environmental Issues

• Health and Safety

• Static Electricity and ESD

• Materials Handling

• Storage of Components for Future Use

• Disposal of Consumables and Computer Equipment

• Professionalism and Communication

• Customer Service Skills

• Basic Troubleshooting Approach

• Giving Feedback

• Communication with a Customer

• Professionalism

• Handling Customer Complaints

Module 5: Printers and Scanners

• Printers and Scanners

• The Print Process

• Installing and Configuring a Printer

• Operating and Troubleshooting Printers

• Scanners

• Installing and Using a Scanner

Module 6: Networking

• Network Concepts

• What is a Network?

• Network Components

• Network Topologies

• The OSI Model

• IEEE 802 Standards

• Network Devices

• Network Transport Protocols

• Implementing a LAN Server and Peer-to-Peer Networks

• Network Components

• Implementing a LAN

• Network Troubleshooting Basics

• WAN and Internet Connectivity

• Wide Area Networks and the Internet

• Accessing the Internet

• Cellular Devices

• Voice-over-IP

Module 7: PC Support Industry

• PC Support Industry

• IT Technicians

• Remote Support

• Depot Technicians

• Problem Management

• Quality Assurance

• Module 8: Configuring and Troubleshooting the OS

• Using the Command Prompt

• Command Prompt and Text Editors

• Navigating Directories at the Command Prompt

• File Management using a Command Prompt

• System Management Tools

• Options for Deploying Windows

• Microsoft Management Console

• Windows Optimisation Tools

• Remote Utilities

• Windows Registry

• System Recovery

• Windows Troubleshooting

• System Restore

• Emergency Repair

• Data Backup

Module 8: Configuring and Troubleshooting the OS

• Using the Command Prompt

• Command Prompt and Text Editors

• Navigating Directories at the Command Prompt

• File Management using a Command Prompt

• System Management Tools

• Options for Deploying Windows

• Microsoft Management Console

• Windows Optimisation Tools

• Remote Utilities

• Windows Registry

• System Recovery

• Windows Troubleshooting

• System Restore

• Emergency Repair

• Data Backup

Module 9: Network Support

• Connectivity and Client Options

• TCP/IP

• Configuring Network Properties

• Configuring Wireless Connections

• Configuring Client Options

• Sharing Resources

• Local and Domain User Accounts

• Creating User Accounts

• Planning and Implementing Groups

• Setting Share Permissions

• NTFS Folder and File Permissions

• Encrypting Files and Folders

• Auditing

• Internet Standards and Applications

• Overview of the Internet

• Development of the Internet

• Internet Services

• The World Wide Web

• Electronic Mail (Email)

• Newsgroups (Usenet)

• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

• Telnet

• Instant Messaging

• Virtual Private Networks

• Domain Names

• Uniform Resource Indicator

• Internet Email Addresses

• Configuring Internet Access

• Accessing the Internet

• Web Browser Security

• Network Maintenance and Troubleshooting Networks

• Testing TCP/IP

Module 10: PC Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• PC Maintenance

• Electrical Circuits

• Maintenance Toolkit

• Hazards

• Preventative Maintenance

• Maintaining Display Devices

• Maintaining Disk and Tape Drives

• Cleaning Inside the Case

• Power Problems

• Installing and Removing Hardware

• Disassembling a PC

• Removing Peripheral Devices

• Removing Storage Devices

• Reassembling the PC

• Adding and Removing Notebook Devices

• BIOS, CMOS, and System Resources

• BIOS and CMOS

• BIOS/CMOS Setup Programs

• System Resources

• Plug-and-Play

• Troubleshooting and Optimisation

• Diagnostic Hardware and Software

• Troubleshooting Upgrading, and Optimising Hardware

• Maintaining Printers and Scanners

• Dot Matrix Printers

• Inkjet Printers

• Laser Printers

• Other Printer Types

• Scanners

• Installing, Maintaining, and Upgrading Printers and Scanners

• Printer Troubleshooting

• Configuring and Troubleshooting Scanners