About the Book
CompTIA A+ 220-901 and 220-902 exams retired in 2019. Search the store to find CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002) books, eBooks, and video courses.
This is the perfect study guide to help you pass CompTIA®’s new A+® 220-901 and 220-902 exams. It provides coverage and practice questions for every exam topic, including substantial new coverage of Windows 8/8.1, new PC hardware, tablets, smartphones, OS X, Linux, cloud computing, and professional-level networking and security. Extensive prep tools include quizzes, Exam Alerts, our great last-minute Cram Sheet, and two full practice exams in the ebook. You’ll also find ten exclusive Real World Scenario case studies, all linked to simulations or video posted to the book website!
Covers the critical information you’ll need to know to score higher on your A+ 220-901 and 220-902 exams!
Deploy and manage desktops and notebooks running Windows 8.1/8, 7, Vista, OS X, or Linux
Master and practice the six-step A+ troubleshooting process
Understand, install, configure, and troubleshoot motherboards, CPUs, and memory
Test and troubleshoot power-related problems
Use all forms of storage, including SSDs, Blu-ray devices, and RAID systems
Work effectively with mobile devices, including iOS, Android, and Windows tablets and smartphones
Install, configure, and troubleshoot both visible and internal laptop components
Configure Windows components and applications, use Windows administrative tools, and optimize Windows systems
Repair damaged Windows environments and boot errors
Work with audio and video subsystems, I/O devices, and new peripherals
Install and manage both local and network printers
Understand and work with networks, network hardware, wireless protocols, and cloud technologies
Install and configure SOHO wired/wireless networks and troubleshoot connectivity
Secure desktops and mobile devices, implement authentication methods, prevent malware attacks, and protect data
The eBook edition does not provide access to the test engine and practice test that accompanies the print book.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1 Introduction to Troubleshooting
The Six-Step A+ Troubleshooting Process
Step 1: Identify the Problem
Step 2: Establish a Theory of Probable Cause (Question the Obvious)
Step 3: Test the Theory to Determine Cause
Step 4: Establish a Plan of Action to Resolve the Problem and Implement the Solution
Step 5: Verify Full System Functionality and, If Applicable, Implement Preventative Measures
Step 6: Document Findings, Actions, and Outcomes
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Troubleshooting Examples and PC Tools
Troubleshooting Example 1–Basic: Display Issue
Troubleshooting Example 2–Intermediate: Power Issue
Troubleshooting Example 3–Advanced: Wireless Issue
PC Tools
More Troubleshooting Tidbits
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 2 Motherboards
Motherboard Components and Form Factors
Motherboard Components
Form Factors
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
The BIOS/UEFI
BIOS, CMOS, and the Lithium Battery
The POST
Accessing and Configuring the BIOS
Flashing the BIOS
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Installing and Troubleshooting Motherboards
Installing Motherboards
Troubleshooting Motherboards
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 3 The CPU
CPU 101
CPU Technology
Cooling
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Installing and Troubleshooting CPUs
Installing CPUs
Troubleshooting CPUs
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 4 RAM
RAM Basics and Types of RAM
RAM Basics
Types of RAM
RAM Technologies
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Installing and Troubleshooting DRAM
Installing DRAM
Troubleshooting DRAM
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 5 Power
Understanding and Testing Power
Testing an AC Outlet with a Receptacle Tester
Testing an AC Outlet with a Multimeter
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Power Devices
Power Strips
Surge Protectors
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Power Supplies
Planning Which Power Supply to Use
Installing the Power Supply
Troubleshooting Power Supply Issues
Heating and Cooling
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 6 Storage
Hard Drives
Hard Disk Drives
Solid-State Drives
SATA
Hard Drive Specifications
Installing Hard Drives
Preventative Maintenance and Troubleshooting Hard Drives
Network Attached Storage
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
RAID
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Optical Storage Media
Compact Disc (CD)
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)
Blu-ray
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Solid-State Storage Media
USB Flash Drives
Secure Digital Cards
CompactFlash Cards
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 7 Mobile Device Hardware
Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Visible Laptop Components
Laptop 101
Input Devices
Video
Audio
Optical Drives
Fans
Power
Expansion Devices
Communications
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Internal Laptop Components
Hard Drives
Memory
System Board and CPU
Cram Quiz
Cram Exam Answers
Understanding Tablet and Smartphone Hardware
Mobile Hardware Examples
Hardware Differences Between Tablets/Smartphones and Laptops
Tablet/Smartphone Ports and Accessories
Other Types of Mobile Devices and Wearable Technology
Cram Quiz
Cram Exam Answers
Chapter 8 Installing and Upgrading Windows
Installing and Upgrading to Windows 8
Windows 8 Editions
Windows 8 Minimum Requirements and Compatibility
Windows 8 Installation Methods
Upgrading to Windows 8
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Installing and Upgrading to Windows 7
Windows 7 Editions
Windows 7 Minimum Requirements and Compatibility
Windows 7 Installation Methods
Upgrading to Windows 7
Verifying and Troubleshooting Windows 7 Installations
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Installing Windows Vista
Windows Vista Editions
Windows Vista Minimum Requirements and Compatibility
Windows Vista Installation Methods
Verifying and Troubleshooting Windows Vista Installations
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 9 Configuring Windows
Windows User Interfaces
Windows Components
Windows Applications
Administrative Tools and the MMC
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
System Tools and Utilities
Managing Devices
Operating System Optimization
User Migrations and Customizations
Advanced System Tools
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Files, File Systems, and Drives
Working with Files and File Systems
Managing Drives
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 10 Maintaining Windows
Updating Windows
Windows Update
Service Packs
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Maintaining Hard Drives
Hard Drive Utilities
Backups
Creating Restore Points
Shadow Copy
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 11 Troubleshooting Windows
Repair Environments and Boot Errors
Windows Recovery Environments
Boot Errors
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Windows Tools and Errors
Troubleshooting Within Windows
Stop Errors
Improper and Spontaneous Shutdowns
Additional Windows Errors and Error Reporting
Restoring Windows
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Command-Line Tools
Windows Command Prompt
Recovery Command Prompt
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 12 Video and Audio
The Video Subsystem
Video Cards
Video Displays
Video Settings and Software
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
The Audio Subsystem
Sound Cards
Installing a Sound Card and Speakers
Troubleshooting Audio Problems
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 13 Peripherals and Custom Computing
Input/Output, Input Devices, and Peripherals
I/O Ports
Input, Output, and Hybrid Devices
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Custom PC Configurations
Audio/Video Editing Workstation
CAD/CAM Workstation
Virtualization Workstation
Thin Client
Standard Thick Client
Home Server PC
Home Theater PC (HTPC)
Gaming PC
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 14 Printers
Printer Types and Technologies
Types of Printers
Local Versus Network Printers
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Printers
Printer Installation and Drivers
Configuring Printers
Virtual Printing
Troubleshooting Printers
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 15 Computer Networking Part I
Types of Networks, Network Devices, and Cloud Technology
Network Types
Network Devices
Cloud Technology and Server Roles
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Cables, Connectors, and Tools
Cable Types and Connectors
Cabling Tools
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
TCP/IP
Configuring IPv4
IPv4 Classes and CIDR
Configuring IPv6
TCP/IP Protocols and Their Ports
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 16 Computer Networking Part II
SOHO and Windows Networking
Internet Services
Router Setup and Wireless
Windows Configurations
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Troubleshooting Networks
Command-Line Interface Tools
Troubleshooting Common Symptoms
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 17 Security
Security Threats and Prevention
Malicious Software
Preventing and Troubleshooting Malicious Software
Unauthorized Access
Social Engineering
Hard Drive Recycling and Disposal
Additional Attacks and Security Vulnerabilities
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Desktop Operating System Security
User Accounts
File Security
Encryption
Windows Firewall
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
SOHO Security
Changing Default Passwords
Changing and Disabling the SSID
Configuring Wireless Encryption
Enabling MAC Filtering
Disabling WPS
Assigning Static IP Addresses
Disabling Physical Ports
A Final Word on SOHO Routers
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 18 Android, iOS, OS X, and Linux
Android and iOS Basics
Open-Source and Closed-Source Operating Systems
Obtaining Applications
Screen Configurations
Virtual Assistants
GPS and Geotracking
Microsoft Mobile Operating Systems
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Android/iOS Networking and Synchronization
Cellular Radio Technologies
Wi-Fi Network Connectivity
Wi-Fi Troubleshooting
Bluetooth Configuration
Bluetooth Troubleshooting
E-Mail Configurations
Troubleshooting E-mail Connections
Synchronizing Android and iOS-based Devices to a PC
Synchronizing Other Devices
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Android/iOS Security and Additional Troubleshooting
Stolen and Lost Devices
Compromised and Damaged Devices
Stopping Applications
Initiating Resets
Additional Mobile Device Troubleshooting
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
OS X and Linux
OS X
Linux
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 19 Safety, Procedures, and Professionalism
Safety
Electrical Safety
Electrical Fire Safety
ESD
Physical Safety
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Procedures and Environmental Controls
Temperature, Humidity, and Air
EMI and RFI
MSDS and Disposal
Incident Response and Documentation
CompTIA A+ Troubleshooting Theory
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Professionalism and Communication Skills
Cram Quiz
Cram Quiz Answers
Chapter 20 Taking the Real Exams
Getting Ready and the Exam Preparation Checklist
Tips for Taking the Real Exam
General Practices for Taking Exams
Smart Methods for Difficult Questions
Wrapping Up the Exam
Beyond the CompTIA A+ Certification
Practice Exam 1 CompTIA A+ 220-901
Exam Questions
Answers at a Glance
Practice Exam 2 CompTIA A+ 220-902
Exam Questions
Answers at a Glance
Appendix A Real-World Scenarios
220-901 Scenarios
Scenario 1: Design a CAD Workstation Computer
Scenario 2: Select the Best Components for Three Computers
Scenario 3: Identify Video Ports
Scenario 4: Configure Wi-Fi on a SOHO Router
Scenario 5: Identify Various Wireless Ranges
Scenario 6: Identify IP Addresses
220-902 Scenarios
Scenario 7: Troubleshoot an IP Issue with Ipconfig
Scenario 8: Sharing and Mapping in the Command Prompt
Scenario 9: Troubleshooting a System with Msconfig
Scenario 10: Fixing a Computer That Won't Boot
DVD Only:
Appendix B: Additional Reading and Resources
Practice Exam 1 Answers
Practice Exam 2 Answers
Practice Exam 3
Practice Exam 4
Exam Alerts
Cram Quizzes
9780789756312 TOC 12/18/2015
About the Author :
David L. Prowse is the author of more than a dozen computer training books and video products. He has worked in the computer field for 20 years and loves to share his experience through teaching and writing. He runs the website www.davidlprowse.com, where he gladly answers questions from readers and students.
