Overview
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.
Who should attend?
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.
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
Please note:
The Comptia examinations are not part of this course. The examinations can be booked directly via Thompson Prometric here
Prerequisites:
Students should have successfully completed PC Fundamentals or have equivalent experience. Please be aware that this is an intensive five day course rolling 10 days of training into five. Delegates are expected to already have working knowledge of and practical experience with the technologies covered during this course. In addition, it should be noted that because of the accelerated nature of the course there are fewer practical exercises then are found in the standard Comptia A+ Essentials and Comptia A + electives courses.
Delegates without the aforementioned practical experience should consider sitting the separate Comptia A + Essentials and Comptia A + Electives courses instead
Specific prerequisites include the ability to:
- 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
A+ Essentials Support Skills course contents
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 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 Support Skills course contents
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 ,Uniform Resource Indicator ,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