CompTIA A+ Certification: Accelerated - Essentials & Electives
Five days - Instructor Led
Introduction
This course will prepare students for the 220-601 CompTIA A+ Certification Essentials exam for the objectives released in September 2006 and for the students' chosen CompTIA A+ Certification Elective exam:
- 220-602 CompTIA A+ Certification IT Technician
- 220-603 CompTIA A+ Certification Remote Support Technician
- 220-604 CompTIA A+ Certification Depot Technician
The course is pending approval under the CompTIA Authorised Quality Curriculum program.
Audience
This course is intended for students wishing to qualify with CompTIA A+ Certification for PC Support professionals. It is also suitable for students wanting to improve their skills in PC support and administration.
At Course Completion
This bundle package includes the 5-day courses CompTIA A+ Certification Essentials Support Skills and CompTIA A+ Certification Electives Support Skills. The course will teach support newcomers the fundamental principles of supporting desktop and portable computers and operating systems. On course completion, students will be able to:
- Identify types and characteristics of PC components, including motherboard, CPU, memory, and storage, input, and output devices.
- Install and configure peripheral devices.
- Identify types and characteristics of portable computers.
- Install and configure Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows XP.
- Perform basic PC maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Understand fundamental principles of securing IT systems and working safely.
- Communicate effectively with customers.
- Install and configure print and imaging devices.
- Understand fundamental principles of implementing LANs and internet access.
- Describe PC support industry job roles.
- Manage Windows using command line tools and edit the Registry.
- Use Remote Tools to deploy, maintain, optimise, and troubleshoot systems.
- Use tools to recover or restore a damaged installation.
- Configure and troubleshoot local network and wireless connections.
- Configure and manage users, groups, and shared resources.
- Configure and secure internet connections and web browser software.
- Perform preventative maintenance using approved tools and products.
- Assemble, disassemble, and upgrade PC and notebook components.
- Configure and update BIOS/CMOS.
- Troubleshoot, optimise, and upgrade hardware.
- Troubleshoot and maintain printers and scanners.
The course consists of four volumes, with a study volume, containing indexed notes and review questions, and a companion volume, containing exam objectives mapping, exam information, practical labs, answers to review questions, and a comprehensive glossary.
Prerequisites
Students should have successfully completed PC Fundamentals or have basic experience of using a PC, Windows and browsing the Web. The following key skills are recommended:
- Use a keyboard and mouse.
- Recognise the main components of a PC (such as case, monitor, mouse, and keyboard) and different data media such as floppy disks or CD-ROMs.
- Start the computer and navigate the Desktop.
- Use Windows Explorer to create directories and subdirectories; and move, copy, or rename files and directories.
- Use Internet Explorer to view websites.
Course Outline
Accelerated course timings
An "Accelerated" course timetable is available to deliver a complete A+ Certification course over 5 days, providing PC "super users" or new support professionals with the fastest route to A+ Certification. Full practical sessions will prepare students for the CompTIA A+ Certification Essentials exam and the student's chosen Elective exam. The reduced duration means that some material will be covered in less detail and some self-study will be required by the student.
Course Outline - Combination of A+ Essentials & A+ Electives
A+ Essentials
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
Basic and Dynamic Storage . 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 Startup 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
A+ Electives
Module 1: PC Support Industry
PC Support Industry
IT Technicians . Remote Support . Depot Technicians . Problem Management . Quality Assurance
Module 2: 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 3: 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 . URLs . Internet Email Addresses
Configuring Internet Access
Accessing the Internet . Web Browser Security
Network Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Networks . Testing TCP/IP
Module 4: 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