Candidates preparing for CompTIA A+ Certification
(both Core module and Operating system module)
Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading
* Identify basic terms, concepts, and functions
of system modules, including how each module should work during
normal operation and during the boot process.
* Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field
replaceable modules for both desktop and portable systems.
* Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field
replaceable modules for both desktop and portable systems.
* Identify common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and
their connectors.
* Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring
IDE/EIDE devices.
* Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring
SCSI devices.
* Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring
peripheral devices.
* Identify hardware methods of upgrading system performance,
procedures for replacing basic subsystem components, unique
components and when to use them.
Diagnosing and Troubleshooting
* Identify common symptoms and problems associated
with each module and how to troubleshoot and isolate the problems.
* Identify basic troubleshooting procedures and how to elicit
problem symptoms from customers.
Preventive Maintenance
* Identify the purpose of various types of preventive
maintenance products and procedures and when to use them.
* Identify issues, procedures and devices for protection within
the computing environment, including people, hardware and
the surrounding workspace.
Motherboard/Processors/Memory
* Distinguish between the popular CPU chips
in terms of their basic characteristics.
* Identify the categories of RAM (Random Access Memory) terminology,
their locations, and physical characteristics.
* Identify the most popular type of motherboards, their components,
and their architecture (bus structures and power supplies).
* Identify the most popular type of motherboards, their components,
and their architecture (bus structures and power supplies).
* Identify the purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide
Semiconductor), what it contains and how to change its basic
parameters.
Printers
* Identify basic concepts, printer operations
and printer components.
* Identify care and service techniques and common problems
with primary printer types.
Basic Networking
* Identify basic networking concepts, including
how a network works and the ramifications of repairs on the
network.
Operating System Fundamentals
* Identify the operating system's functions,
structure, and major system files to navigate the operating
system and how to get to needed technical information.
* Identify basic concepts and procedures for creating, viewing
and managing files, directories and disks. This includes procedures
for changing file attributes and the ramifications of those
changes (for example, security issues).
Installation, Configuration and Upgrading
* Identify the procedures for installing Windows
9x, and Windows 2000 for bringing the software to a basic
operational level.
* Identify steps to perform an operating system upgrade.
* Identify the basic system boot sequences and boot methods,
including the steps to create an emergency boot disk with
utilities installed for Windows 9x, Windows NT, and Windows
2000.
* Identify procedures for loading/adding and configuring application
device drivers, and the necessary software for certain devices.
Diagnosing and Troubleshooting
* Recognize and interpret the meaning of common
error codes and startup messages from the boot sequence, and
identify steps to correct the problems.
* Recognize common problems and determine how to resolve them.
Networks
* Identify the networking capabilities of Windows
including procedures for connecting to the network.
* Identify concepts and capabilities relating to the Internet
and basic procedures for setting up a system for Internet
access.