CompTIA Aplus Certification All in One Exam Guide 8th Edition by Meyers, Mike ISBN 007179512X 9780071795128

Chapter 1 The Path of the PC Tech

The Importance of Skill in Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

The Importance of CompTIA A+ Certification

What is CompTIA A+ Certification?

Who is CompTIA?

The Path to Other Certifications

How Do I Become CompTIA A+ Certified?

What’s the Deal with “No More Lifetime Certification”?

The Basic Exam Structure

How Do I Take the Exams?

How Much Does the Exam Cost?

How to Pass the CompTIA A+ Exams

Historical/Conceptual

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 2 Operational Procedures

The Professional Tech

Appearance

The Traits of a Tech

Communication

Assertive Communication

Respectful Communication

Eliciting Answers

Expectations and Follow-up

Safety and Tools

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Anti-static Tools

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)

Physical Safety

Tools of the Trade

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 3 The Visible PC

Historical/Conceptual

How the PC Works

Input

Processing

Output

Storage

The Art of the PC Technician

The Complete PC

External Connections

Devices and Their Connectors

Inside the System Unit

Case

CPU

RAM

Motherboard

Power Supply

Floppy Drive

Hard Drive

Optical Drives

Know Your Parts

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 4 Visible Windows

Historical/Conceptual

A Brief History of Microsoft Windows

Early Windows

Modern Windows

Windows XP

Windows Vista

Windows 7

Enter 64-bit Windows

The Windows Interface

User Interface

Hot Keys

Operating System Folders

System Folder

Program and Personal Document Folders

Tech Utilities

Right-Click

Control Panel

Device Manager

System Tools

Command Line

Microsoft Management Console

Administrative Tools

Action Center (Unique to Windows 7)

Beyond A+

Windows 8

Windows Embedded

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 5 Visible Networks

Historical/Conceptual

Networking Technologies

Topology

Frames and NICs

Introducing Ethernet

Network Protocols, LANs, and WANs

A Short History of the War of the Network Protocols and Why TCP/IP Won

LANs, Routing, and WANs

Network Organization

Workgroups

Domains

Homegroups

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 6 Microprocessors

Historical/Conceptual

CPU Core Components

The Man in the Box

Clock

Back to the External Data Bus

Memory

Memory and RAM

Address Bus

801

Modern CPUs

Manufacturers

Technology

Selecting, Installing, and Troubleshooting CPUs

Selecting a CPU

Installation Issues

Troubleshooting CPUs

Beyond A+

Intel Atom

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 7 RAM

Historical/Conceptual

Understanding DRAM

Organizing DRAM

Practical DRAM

DRAM Sticks

Consumer RAM

801

Types of RAM

SDRAM

RDRAM

DDR SDRAM

DDR2

DDR3

RAM Variations

Working with RAM

Do You Need More RAM?

Getting the Right RAM

Installing DIMMs and RIMMs

Installing SO-DIMMs in Laptops

802

Troubleshooting RAM

Testing RAM

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 8 BIOS

Historical/Conceptual

We Need to Talk

Talking to the Keyboard

801

BIOS

CMOS

Modify CMOS: The Setup Program

A Quick Tour Through a Typical CMOS Setup Program

Option ROM and Device Drivers

Option ROM

Device Drivers

BIOS, BIOS, Everywhere!

802

Power-On Self Test (POST)

Before and During the Video Test: The Beep Codes

Text Errors

Post Cards

The Boot Process

Care and Feeding of BIOS and CMOS

Losing CMOS Settings

Flashing ROM

Beyond A+

UEFI

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 9 Motherboards

Historical/Conceptual

How Motherboards Work

Form Factors

801

Chipset

Motherboard Components

Expansion Bus

Structure and Function of the Expansion Bus

PCI

AGP

PCI-X

Mini-PCI

PCI Express

Installing Expansion Cards

Troubleshooting Expansion Cards

Upgrading and Installing Motherboards

Choosing the Motherboard and Case

Installing the Motherboard

802

Troubleshooting Motherboards

Symptoms

Techniques

Options

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 10 Power Supplies

Historical/Conceptual

Understanding Electricity

801

Powering the PC

Supplying AC

Supplying DC

Installing and Maintaining Power Supplies

Installing

Cooling

802

Troubleshooting Power Supplies

No Motherboard

Switches

When Power Supplies Die Slowly

Fuses and Fire

Beyond A+

It Glows!

Modular Power Supplies

Temperature and Efficiency

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 11 Hard Drive Technologies

Historical/Conceptual

How Hard Drives Work

Platter-Based Hard Drives

801

Solid-State Drives

Parallel and Serial ATA

ATA-1

ATA-2

ATA-3

ATA-4

INT13 Extensions

ATA-5

ATA-6

ATA-7

SCSI: Still Around

SCSI Chains

SCSI IDs

Termination

Protecting Data with RAID

RAID

Implementing RAID

Hardware Versus Software

Personal RAID

The Future Is RAID

Installing Drives

Choosing Your Drive

Jumpers and Cabling on PATA Drives

Cabling SATA Drives

Connecting Solid-State Drives

Connecting SCSI Drives

BIOS Support: Configuring CMOS and Installing Drivers

Configuring Controllers

Autodetection

Boot Order

Enabling AHCI

802

Troubleshooting Hard Drive Installation

Beyond A+

Hybrid Hard Drives

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 12 Implementing Hard Drives

Historical/Conceptual

Hard Drive Partitions

802

Master Boot Record

Dynamic Disks

GUID Partition Table

Other Partition Types

When to Partition

Partition Naming Problems

Hard Drive Formatting

File Systems in Windows

FAT

FAT32

NTFS

FAT64

The Partitioning and Formatting Process

Bootable Media

Partitioning and Formatting with the Installation Disc

Disk Management

Formatting a Partition

Maintaining and Troubleshooting Hard Drives

Maintenance

Troubleshooting Hard Drive Implementation

Beyond A+

Third-Party Partition Tools

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 13 Removable Media

Historical/Conceptual

Floppy Drives

Floppy Drive Basics

801

Installing Floppy Drives

Flash Memory

USB Thumb Drives

Flash Cards

Optical Drives

CD-Media

DVD-Media

Blu-ray Disc-Media

Installing Optical Drives

Troubleshooting Removable Media

Floppy Drive Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Optical Drives and Discs

Beyond A+

Color Books

BDXL

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 14 Installing and Upgrading Windows

802

Preparing for Installation or Upgrade

Identify Hardware Requirements

Verify Hardware and Software Compatibility

Decide What Type of Installation to Perform

Determine How to Back Up and Restore Existing Data, If Necessary

Select an Installation Method

Determine How to Partition the Hard Drive and What File System to Use

Determine Your Computer’s Network Role

Decide on Your Computer’s Language and Locale Settings

Plan for Post-Installation Tasks

The Installation and Upgrade Process

Installing or Upgrading to Windows XP Professional

Installing or Upgrading to Windows Vista

Installing or Upgrading to Windows 7

Upgrading Issues

The Windows XP Clean Installation Process

The Windows Vista/7 Clean Installation Process

Automating the Installation

Installing Windows over a Network

Troubleshooting Installation Problems

Text Mode Errors

Graphical Mode Errors

Lockups During Installation

Post-Installation Tasks

Patches, Service Packs, and Updates

Upgrading Drivers

Restoring User Data Files (If Applicable)

Migrating and Retiring

No Installation Is Perfect

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 15 Windows Under the Hood

802

Registry

Accessing the Registry

Registry Components

Talkin’ Registry

Manual Registry Edits

Command-Line Registry Editing Tools

The Boot Process

The Windows XP Boot Process

The Windows Vista/7 Boot Process

Processes and Services and Threads, Oh My!

Task Manager

Performance Console

Performance Tools in Windows Vista and Windows 7

Tools for Programmers

Component Services

Data Sources

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 16 NTFS, Users, and Groups

Authentication with Users and Groups

Passwords

Groups

Simple Tools for Managing Users

Advanced User Management

Authorization Through NTFS

NTFS Permissions

Permission Propagation

Techs and Permissions

Sharing a Windows PC Securely

Sharing in Windows XP

Sharing in Windows Vista

Sharing in Windows 7

Locating Shared Folders

Administrative Shares

Protecting Data with Encryption

User Account Control

UAC in Windows Vista

UAC in Windows 7

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 17 Maintaining and Optimizing Windows

802

Maintaining Windows

Windows Patch Management

Managing Temporary Files with Disk Cleanup

Registry Maintenance

Error-Checking and Disk Defragmentation

Scheduling Maintenance

System Configuration

System Information

Optimizing Windows

Installing and Removing Software

Installing/Optimizing a Device

Performance Options

Hardware Profiles

Preparing Windows for Problems

Backing Up Personal Data

System Restore

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 18 Working with the Command-Line Interface

Historical/Conceptual

802

Deciphering the Command-Line Interface

Accessing the Command Line

The Command Prompt

Filenames and File Formats

Drives and Folders

Mastering Fundamental Commands

Structure: Syntax and Switches

Viewing Directory Contents: The dir Command

Changing Directory Focus: The cd Command

Moving Between Drives

Making Directories: The md Command

Removing Directories: The rd command

Working with Directories

Running a Program

Working with Files

Attributes

Wildcards

Renaming Files

Deleting Files

Copying and Moving Files

And Even More Tools, Utilities, and Commands

Beyond A+

Using Special Keys

The compact and cipher Commands

PowerShell

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 19 Troubleshooting Windows

802

Failure to Boot

Failure to Boot: Hardware or Configuration

Failure to Boot: Windows XP

Failure to Boot: Windows Vista and Windows 7

Failure to Load the GUI

Device Drivers

Registry

Advanced Startup Options

Troubleshooting Tools in the GUI

Troubleshooting Tools in Windows Vista and Windows 7

Application Problems

Application Installation Problems

Problems with Uninstalling

Compatibility

Missing File or Incorrect File Version

Crashing Programs

Volume Shadow Copy Service and System Protection

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 20 Input Devices

801

Supporting Common Ports

Serial Ports

USB Ports

FireWire Ports

General Port Issues

Standard Input Devices

Keyboards

Mice

Scanners

Biometric Devices

Bar Code Readers

Touch Screens

KVM Switches

Gamepads and Joysticks

Digitizers

Multimedia Devices

Digital Cameras and Camcorders

Web Cameras

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 21 Video

Video Displays

Historical/Conceptual

CRT Monitors

801

LCD Monitors

Projectors

Plasma Displays

Common Features

Power Conservation

Display Adapters

Modes

Motherboard Connection

Graphics Processor

Video Memory

Integrated GPUs

Connector Types and Associated Cables

Installing and Configuring Video

Software

802

Working with Drivers

3-D Graphics

Troubleshooting Video

Troubleshooting Video Cards/Drivers

Troubleshooting Monitors

Troubleshooting Playback

Beyond A+

DLP

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 22 Local Area Networking

801/802

Beyond Basic Ethernet Cabling

Alternative Connections

Network Devices

Structured Cabling

TCP/IP

Network Addressing

IPv6

Installing and Configuring a Wired Network

Installing a NIC

Configuring a Network Client

Sharing and Security

Troubleshooting Networks

Repairing Physical Cabling

Fixing Common Problems

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 23 Wireless Networking

Historical/Conceptual

Wireless Networking Components

801

Wireless Networking Software

Wireless Network Modes

Wireless Networking Security

Speed and Range Issues

Wireless Networking Standards

IEEE 802.11-Based Wireless Networking

Other Wireless Standards

802

Installing and Configuring Wireless Networking

Wi-Fi Configuration

Bluetooth Configuration

Cellular Configuration

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi

Hardware Troubleshooting

Software Troubleshooting

Connectivity Troubleshooting

Configuration Troubleshooting

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 24 The Internet

Historical/Conceptual

How the Internet Works

Internet Tiers

TCP/IP—The Common Language of the Internet

Internet Service Providers

Connection Concepts

Connection to the Internet

Windows Internet Connection Sharing

Internet Application Protocols

The World Wide Web

E-mail

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

Telnet and SSH

SFTP

Voice over IP

Remote Desktop

Virtual Private Networks

Support Applications (Internet Utilities)

802

Internet Troubleshooting

No Connectivity

Limited Connectivity

Local Connectivity

Slow Transfer Speeds

Beyond A+

Online Gaming

Chat

File Sharing

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 25 Multimedia

Sound

Historical/Conceptual

How Sound Works in a PC

801

Getting the Right Sound Hardware

Speakers

Microphones

MIDI-enabled Devices

Installing Sound in a Windows System

Troubleshooting Sound

Video Capture

Hardware

Software

Troubleshooting Video Capture and Playback

TV Tuners

Tuner Hardware

Tuner Software

Tuner Troubleshooting

Beyond A+

Publishing Multimedia

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 26 Portable Computing

801/802

Portable Computing Devices

Input Devices

Display Types

Desktop Replacements

Netbooks

Ultrabooks

Tablet PCs

Expanding Portable Computers

Single-Function Ports

Network

Portable-Specific Expansion Slots

Storage Card Slots

General-Purpose Ports

Managing and Maintaining Portable Computers

Batteries

Power Management

Cleaning

Heat

Protecting the Machine

Upgrading and Repairing Laptop Computers

Disassembly Process

Standard Upgrades

Hardware Replacement

Troubleshooting Portable Computers

Laptop Won’t Power On

Screen Doesn’t Come On Properly

Wireless Doesn’t Work or Works Intermittently

Input Problems

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 27 Mobile Devices

802

Features and Capabilities

Mobile Experience

Adding Apps

Enhancing Hardware

Configuration

Network Connectivity

Data

Bluetooth

E-Mail

Synchronization

Security

Preventing Damage

Dealing with Loss

Recovering from Theft

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 28 Printers

801

Printer Technologies

Impact Printers

Inkjet Printers

Dye-Sublimation Printers

Thermal Printers

Laser Printers

Solid Ink

Printer Languages

Printer Connectivity

The Laser Printing Process

Processing

Charging

Exposing

Developing

Transferring

Fusing

Cleaning

Laser Printing in Color

Installing a Printer in Windows

Setting Up Printers

Optimizing Print Performance

802

Troubleshooting Printers

General Troubleshooting Issues

Troubleshooting Impact Printers

Troubleshooting Thermal Printers

Troubleshooting Inkjet Printers

Troubleshooting Laser Printers

Beyond A+

Multifunction Peripherals

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 29 Securing Computers

801/802

Analyzing Threats

Unauthorized Access

Social Engineering

Data Destruction

Administrative Access

System Crash/Hardware Failure

Physical Theft

Malware

Environmental Threats

Security Concepts and Technologies

Access Control

Data Classification and Compliance

Reporting

802

Network Security

Malicious Software

Malware Signs and Symptoms

Malware Prevention and Recovery

Firewalls

Authentication and Encryption

Wireless Issues

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 30 Virtualization

Historical/Conceptual

What Is Virtualization?

802

Meet the Hypervisor

Emulation Versus Virtualization

Sample Virtualization

Why Do We Virtualize?

Power Saving

Hardware Consolidation

System Recovery

System Duplication

Research

Virtualization in Modern Networks

Virtual Machine Managers

Hypervisors

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 31 The Right PC for You

801

Building Your First PC

Evaluating Parts

Thick Client

Workstation PCs

Thin Client

Virtualization Workstations

Media Workstations

Specialized Consumer PCs

Building a Home Server PC

Setting Up a Home Theater PC

Gaming PC

Chapter Review

Questions

Answers

Chapter 32 The Complete PC Tech

802

How Computers Work

Troubleshooting Theory

Identify the Problem

Establish a Theory of Probable Cause (Question the Obvious)

Test the Theory to Determine Cause

Verify and Prevent

Document Findings, Actions, and Outcomes

Tech Toolkit

Utilities

Field Replaceable Units (FRUs)

Chapter 32 Review

Questions

Answers

Appendix A: Mapping to the CompTIA A+ Objectives

Appendix B: About the Download

Media Center Downloads

Playing Mike Meyers’ Introduction Video

Viewing the CompTIA A+ Exam Objectives

Downloading the Total Tester

Installing and Running Total Tester

About Total Tester

Mike Meyers’ Video Training Download

Mike’s Cool Tools Download

Technical Support