Course: CompTIA A+ Essentials & Electives Accelerated

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.

An "Accelerated" course timetable delivers 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.

This course will prepare students for the 220-601 CompTIA A+ Certification Essentials exam 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

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.
 
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.

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