A+ -PC Hardware

This course covers the essential principles of installing, building, upgrading, repairing, configuring, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing, and preventive maintenance.

Objectives

• Prepare for the 2009 edition A+ certification
• Personal computer components
• Preventative maintenance
• Operating system technologies
• Communicate with customers in a professional manner
• Computer hardware and peripherals
• Network connections
• Laptop and portable computing device components
• Support printers and scanners
• Secure personal computers

Who can take this course

Prerequisites

• End-user skills with Windows-based personal computers
• Basic knowledge of computing concepts

Follow-On Courses

There are no follow-ons for this course.

Certification Programs

This course is part of the following programs

• CompTIA A+ Certification

Course Content

1. Troubleshooting Methodology

• Troubleshooting stages
• Professionalism

2. Operating Systems

• Operating system fundamentals
• Directory management
• File management
• File and folder permissions

3. Electricity and Power Supplies

• Electrical safety
• Power supplies
• Power supply troubleshooting

4. CPUs and Motherboards

• Central processing units
• Cooling techniques
• Motherboards
• Motherboard and CPU troubleshooting

5. The Basic Input/Output System

• The BIOS and CMOS
• The POST and boot processes

6. Memory Systems

• Memory
• Memory packaging
• Memory installation
• Memory monitoring
• Memory troubleshooting

7. Bus Structures

• Buses
• The PCI bus

8. Expansion Cards

• Video cards
• Sound cards
• Internal modems
• Expansion card troubleshooting

9. Peripheral Connection Types

• Serial and parallel connections
• PS/2 connections
• USB connections
• FireWire connections
• Multimedia connections
• Port, cable, and connector troubleshooting

10. Data Storage Devices

• Drive adapters
• Hard drives
• Optical drives
• Removable storage devices
• Drive maintenance
• Storage device troubleshooting

11. Video Output and Image Input Devices

• Monitors
• Cameras

12. Printers

• Printing technologies
• Printer installation
• Printer optimization and maintenance
• Printer troubleshooting

13. Connecting Computers

• Networking concepts
• Wired network connections
• Basic internetworking devices

14. Networking Computers

• Addressing
• Client configuration

15. Network Troubleshooting

• Troubleshooting basics
• Troubleshooting the network

16. Portable Computers

• Notebook computers
• Configuration
• Component replacement
• Notebook issues

17. Windows Management

• System management
• Task Scheduler
• Resource management
• Remote management

18. Windows Monitoring

• System monitoring
• System performance
• Backup and restore

19. Operating System Troubleshooting

• Windows startup
• System troubleshooting

20. Security

• Operating system security
• Windows Encrypting File System
• Security hardware
• Common security threats
• The human aspects of security

21. Windows Installation and Upgrades

• Windows installation
• Upgrades

22. Safety and Maintenance

• Safety and hazards
• Computer maintenance
• Safe work practices
• Disposing of computer equipment

23. Practices, Quizzes, and Examination Preparation

• CompTIA A+ exam objectives
• Exam structure
• Daily practice and quizzes