LearnKey Training

A+® Certification Training

A CompTIA Certification

A+ Certification

11 Sessions –
33 Hours of Interactive Training
CompTIA’s A+ certification has established itself as the standard credential for anyone beginning an information technology career. In the A+ certification course from LearnKey, you’ll delve into the inner workings of the personal computer with Mike Meyers, the world’s foremost A+ authority. Meyers shows you how hardware components and operating systems work together for optimum functionality. LearnKey courses meet or exceed all the latest CompTIA certification objectives. At the conclusion of this course, you’ll be confident building and troubleshooting PCs, and be prepared to pass the most recent A+ certification exam.
Also Available:
· Study Guide
· Test Prep
· eSupport
About The Author
Mike Meyers is a dynamic lecturer and leading authority on IT certifications. His A+ Certification Guide (McGraw-Hill) is the world's #1 selling A+ certification text. Meyers, known as the Alphageek to friends and fans, exudes an incredible enthusiasm for high tech. His flair for conceptualizing technical information and providing explanations that make sense is unmatched in the industry. Meyers is president of Total Seminars in Houston.
Session 1

Section A: Introduction
· A+ Certification
· What is the A+ like?
· Testing Locations
· Testing Costs

Section B: Visible PC
· Basic PC
· Monitors
· Keyboard
· Wireless Keyboard
· Mouse
· Printers
· Speakers

Section C: System Unit
· Overview
· Common Features
· Connectors
· ESD
· Anti-Static Mat
· Basic Components

Section D: Connectors
· Power
· PS2 Connectors
· RJ45
· USB Connectors
· Serial Ports
· Parallel Ports
· Video/Audio
· Firewire

Section E: CPU Concepts
· External Data Bus
· Clock
· Address Bus
· Memory Controller Chip
· Cache
· Buses
· CPU Considerations
· Packaging

Section F: CPU
· Manufacturers
· CPU Types
· XEON Processors
· 64-Bit Processing


Session 2

Section A: Installing/Upgrading CPUs
· Slotted CPU
· Motherboard Specs/Jumpers
· Socketed CPU
· Cooling
· Fans
· Upgrading
· Liquid Cooling

Section B: RAM
· RAM Concept
· Bits and Bytes
· Quantities
· Units
· Visualizing RAM
· RAM Packages

Section C: RAM Types
· DRAM
· FPM/EDO
· SDRAM
· Banking
· DDR
· RDRAM
· DDR - SDRAM

Section D: Installing RAM
· Compatibility
· Cache Chips
· SIMMS
· DIMM
· Speed
· RAM Data
· Double-sided
· Adding RAM

Section E: BIOS-FirmWare
· Mother
· BIOS
· BIOS Software
· Flash ROM
· CMOS
· CMOS Settings

Section F: BIOS Troubleshooting
· Post Check
· Error Codes
· Text Codes
· Battery
· BIOS
· Flash BIOS


Session 3

Section A: Expansion Bus
· Expansion Slots
· Crystals/Clocking
· IBM PC Bus
· ISA

Section B: I/O Addressing
· Device Manager
· I/O Address
· Hexadecimal
· Hex to Binary
· Address Range
· Interrupts
· IRQs

Section C: COM & LPT Ports
· COM Ports
· LPT Ports
· Set Serial Port
· Set Parallel Port

Section D: DMA/Memory Addressing
· Functions
· Direct Memory Access
· DRQs/DMA/Ultra DMA
· Using DMA/Ultra DMA
· Alternative Memory
· Memory Addressing

Section E: EISA/ISA/VESA
· ISA
· Micro Channel
· EISA
· VESA Local Bus
· Bus Speeds
· VESA VL Bus

Section F: PCI
· PCI Model
· Characteristics
· Interrupt Channels
· IRQ Steering
· Extended IRQs
· AGP
· Modern Chipsets

Section G: Speciality Bus
· CNR/AMR
· USB
· USB Connections
· USB Hub
· Mini-B
· Versions/Installation
· FireWire
· FireWire Connections


Session 4

Section A: Adapter Cards - Legacy
· Installing/Removing
· Handling Card
· Legacy Cards
· PnP Environment
· Using Device Drives
· Set Resources
·  Modify Resources

Section B: Adapter Cards - ACPI
· ACPI Compliant
· Device Resources
· Add Device/Driver
· Signed Drivers
· Installation Programs
· Autorun

Section C: Form Factors
· Standardization
· AT Power Supply
· Connections
· ATX
· Standard Options
· ATX Power Supply
· AUX Power
· Soft Power

Section D: Motherboards/Cases
· Motherboard
· Assemble Components
· I/O Shield
· Power Supply
· Mount Board
· Connect Power
· Connect Aux Wires
· Troubleshooting

Section E: Floppy Drives
· Storage vs. RAM
· 3 1/2 Floppy Drive
· Floppy Drive Connection
· Ribbon Cable
· Motherboard Connection
· Power Connector
· Floppy Configuration
· Verify/Troubleshoot

 



A+ Certification Training continued

Section F: ATA Hard Drives
· Storage Device
· Drive Geometry
· Terminology
· Controller
· ATA-1 Standard
· ATA-2 (EIDE) Standard
· ATA-4, ATA-5 Standard
· ATA-6 Standard

Section G: Basic ATA Installation
· Drive Components
· Master vs. Slave
· Configure Drive
· Connecting Drive
· Connectors
· Verify
· Hard Drive Setting

Section H: Advanced ATA Installation
· Mounting Hardware
· Adding Second Drive
· High Speed ATA Cable
· Serial ATA
· Serial ATA Connector
· Serial ATA Characteristics
· Serial ATA Adapters/Cards
· Verify/Test


Session 5

Section A: CD Media
· Compact Disc
· CD-ROM
· CD-ROM Drives
· CDR/CD-R
· CD-RW
· Burning Software
· DVD
· DVD Formats

Section B: CD Media Installation
· Connections
· Basic Install
· Guide Rails
· DVD Install
· Hardware Decoder
· Troubleshooting

Section C: SCSI
· Concepts
· Host Adapter
· SCSI Chains
· Termination
· LUN
· SCSI Types
· Termination Types
· Cable Lengths

Section D: SCSI Installation
· SCSI-1 Connector
· Narrow SCSI
· Wide SCSI
· Hot Swappable Drives
· External Connectors
· Setup SCSI
· Install SCSI
· Verify/Troubleshoot

Section E: RAID
· RAID 0 (Striping)
· RAID 1 (Mirroring)
· Parity
· RAID 5
· Hardware RAID
· Software RAID

Section F: Video & Graphics Cards
· CRT Monitors
· Function
· Refresh Rate
· Resolution

Section G: Install Video Card
· AGP Slots
· AGP Speeds
· AGP Slot
· Upgrade
· CMOS Setting
· Dual Monitors
· Advanced Setting
· Troubleshooting


Session 6

Section A: Sound
· Sound Cards
· Midi Connection
· Sound Standards
· Sound Connections
· Optical Connector
· Installation
· AC Adapters
· Cable Connections

Section B: Other Peripheral Devices
· Graphics Tablets
· Touch Screens
· Digital Cameras
· Removable Media
· External Storage

Section C: Laptops
· Portable Desktop
· Batteries/Fuel Cells
· Components
· Storage Devices
· PCMCIA
· DC Power
· Power Management
· Docking/Sync

Section D: Understanding Printers
· Types of Printers
· Laser Printer
· Transfer Process
· Internal Components
· Other Print Technologies
· Dye Sublimation
· Printer Connectors
· Printer Options

Section E: Printer Installation
· Print Drivers
· View Installed Printer
· Maintaining Printers
· Inkjet Problems
· Laser Problems
· Cleaning Printers
· Troubleshooting
· Toner Cartridge

Section F: Networking Hardware
· NIC
· Topologies
· Cables
· CAT Levels
· Fiber Optics
· Fire Ratings

Section G: Networking Technologies
· Ethernet
· AVI
· IO Base 2
· IO Base T
· Duplex/Half-Duplex
· SC/ST
· Wireless
· Configure Wireless


Session 7

Section A: Connecting to a Network
· Network Basics
· Sharing Resources
· Hardware Connection
· Hubs
· Protocols
· MS Protocols
· Modems
· Internet Connections

Section B: Maintenance
· Cleaning
· Components
· Keyboards
· Monitors
· Printers
· Drive Maintenance
· Disposal

Section C: Power
· Electrical Consideration
· Surge Suppressors
· UPS

Section D: Troubleshooting
· Planning
· Consider Possibilities
· Documents the Problem


Session 8

Section A: Primitive O/S
· DOS
· Windows
· Windows 3X
· Memory Management
· Virtual Window
· Icons/Desktop/INI

Section B: Modern O/S
· Windows 95
· Windows NT
· Windows 9X
· NT Versions
· Windows 2000/2003

Section C: Interfaces
· 9X Desktop
· 9X Controls/Tools
· XP Desktop
· Customize Workspace
· XP Controls/Tools
· Task Manager

Section D: 9X System Files
· File Views
· Critical Files
· Configuration Files
· Memory Management
· Customizing Files
· Sysedit
· Registry
· Registry Keys

Section E: XP System Files
· Access System Files
· Boot
· Registry Data
· Regedit/Regedit 32

Section F: Prompt Navigation
· Access Prompt
· DIR
· File Control
· Navigation
· Working with Directories
· Wildcards

Section G: Manipulating Files
· Add
· Rename/Delete
· Copy File
· Move
· Attributes
· XCopy
· Launch Programs
· Server

Section H: Batch Files
· Overview
· Edit
· Path
· Set
· Sample Batch File


Session 9

Section A: Partitioning with FDISK
· Partition
· Partition Types
· Partition Options
· Run FDISK
· Primary Partition
· Delete Partition
· Extended Partition
· Active Partition

Section B: Formatting
· Boot Sector
· Graphical Format
· Command Line Format

Section C: Drive Maintenance - Windows 98
· Scandisk
· Defrag
· Disk Cleanup
· Backup
· Chkdsk

Section D: NT Family Drives
· Advanced Attributes
· Disk Quotas
· Disk Management
· Dynamic Disks

Section E: Security
· Resource Board
· Server Board
· Directory Based
· NTFS Permissions
· File Permissions
· Folder Permissions
· Apply Permissions
· Inheritance

Section F: Boot Disks
· Bootable Floppy
· Win98 Startup Disk
· Startup Disk Contents
· NT Family Startup Disks

 


A+ Certification Training continued

Section G: Installation Preparation
· Hardware Requirements
· Installation Decisions
· Partition
· Copy Install Files
· Setup Options

Section H: Installing Windows 9X
· Hardware Setup
· Network Setup
· Windows Update
· Windows Setup
· Backup/System Restore


Session 10

Section A: Installing NT Family
· Hardware Requirements
· Installation Methods
· Dual Booting
· Boot.ini

Section B: Boot Issues
· Startup Files
· Boot Menu
· Boot Menu Options
· Windows 2000 Boot
· Boot Order
· System Recovery

Section C: Maintaining Windows
· 98 Performance Settings
· Virtual Memory
· XP Performance Setting
· Environment Variables

Section D: Boot Errors
· Recovery Console
· Error Rules
· User Errors
· Viruses
· Virus Paths/Symptoms
· Virus Protection
· Boot Failure
· Win 9X Errors

Section E: Recovery Tools
· Recovery Console
· Event ViewerService Failure
· Task Manager
· Extract.exe
· Extract/Options
· 
· Recovery CD

Section F: GUI & App Errors
· 9X GUI Errors
· MS Config/Sfc
· 2000/XP GUI Errors
· Protection Failures
· Application Failures
· MSD vs. Win MSD
· Third Party Tools
· Printer

Section G: Networking
· Network Setup
· Adding Protocols
· Setup Client
· View Network Computers
· Add NetWare Protocol
· NetWare Client
· Sharing Resources
· Access Shared Resources

Session 11

Section A: TCP/IP
· Advantages
· TCP/IP Properties
· TCP/IP Addressing
· DNS
· DNS Servers
· WINS
· NetBios Settings
· DHCP

Section B: Working with TCP/IP
· TCP/IP Utilities
· IP Config
· WINIpccfg
· Release/Renew
· PING
· DNS Resolution
· TRACERT
· NSLookup

Section C: Internet Connection
· Overview
· Modem
· Modem Setup
· Internet Connect Sharing
· Internet Connection Firewall
· Internet Services
· Using Internet Service
· Internet Options