Complete A+ Guide to IT Hardware and Software (1101/1102)

Introduction

• What’s New in the Ninth Edition?
• Organization of the Text
• Features of This course
• CompTIA A+ Exam Objectives

Introduction to the World of IT

• Who Needs This Course?
• Technician Qualities
• Breaking into IT with the CompTIA A+ Certification
• Basic Skills for This Course
• Types of Computers
• Basic Computer Hardware
• Mice and Keyboards
• Common Peripherals
• 1s and 0s
• Safety Notes
• Lesson Summary
• Activities 

Connectivity

• Introduction to Connectivity
• External Connectivity
• Mouse and Keyboard Ports
• Video Ports
• Audio Ports
• eSATA Ports
• Modem and Serial Ports
• Network Ports
• Network Cabling
• Integrated Motherboard Ports
• Getting to Know Ports
• Wireless Connectivity for Input Devices
• Soft Skills: Using Appropriate Titles
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

On the Motherboard

• Introduction to the Motherboard
• Processor Overview
• Processor Basics
• Speeding Up Processor Operations Overview
• Clocking
• Cache
• Threading Technology
• Connecting to the Processor
• Multicore Processors
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Introduction to Virtualization
• Intel Processors
• AMD Processors
• CPU Sockets
• Processor Cooling
• Installing a Processor
• Upgrading Processors
• Overclocking Processors
• Installing CPU Thermal Solutions
• Troubleshooting Processor Issues
• Expansion Slots
• PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)
• AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
• PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)
• Motherboard Security Options
• Types of Motherboards
• Upgrading and Replacing Motherboards
• Motherboard Troubleshooting
• Soft Skills: Active Listening
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Introduction to Configuration

• Configuration Overview
• BIOS Overview
• The Setup Program
• Flash BIOS
• BIOS/UEFI Configuration Settings
• CMOS Memory
• Motherboard Battery
• Firmware Updates: Flashing/Clearing the BIOS/UEFI
• Other Configuration Parameters
• Hardware Configuration Overview
• Installing a USB Device
• Installing an eSATA Card
• Installing a Network Interface Card
• Troubleshooting Configurations
• Soft Skills: A Good Technician Practice: Change Only One Thing At A Time And Document
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Disassembly and Power

• Disassembly Overview
• Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
• Tools
• Disassembly
• Reassembly
• Preventive Maintenance
• Basic Electronics Overview
• Power Supply Overview
• Replacing or Upgrading a Power Supply
• Power Protection
• Symptoms of Power Supply Problems
• Soft Skills: Written Communications Skills
• Lesson Summary
• Activities 

Memory

• Memory Overview
• Memory Physical Packaging
• Planning a Memory Installation
• Installing Memory Overview
• Virtual RAM
• Monitoring Memory Usage in Windows
• Older Applications in Windows
• Troubleshooting Memory Problems
• Removable Storage
• Soft Skills: Teamwork
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Storage Devices

• Storage Devices Overview
• Hard Drive Overview
• Solid-State Drive (SSD) Overview
• Mechanical Drive Interfaces Overview
• M.2 and NVMe
• PATA, SATA, and SAS Connectivity
• Storage Device Configuration Overview
• System BIOS/UEFI Configuration for Storage Devices
• Hard Drive Preparation Overview
• Windows Disk Management
• Fault Tolerance
• Windows Storage Spaces
• Disk Caching/Virtual Memory
• Troubleshooting Storage Devices Overview
• Data Loss and Corruption
• Troubleshooting New Storage Device Installation
• Troubleshooting Previously Installed Storage Devices
• RAID Issues
• SSD Issues
• Soft Skills: Phone Skills
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Video and Multimedia Devices

• Multimedia Devices Overview
• Video Overview
• Video Cards
• Projectors
• Introduction to Audio
• Installing Sound Cards
• Sound Cards Using Windows
• Speakers
• Troubleshooting Sound Problems
• Optical Drive Overview
• Optical Drive Installation
• Troubleshooting Optical Drive Issues
• Scanners
• Other Multimedia Devices
• Soft Skills: Attitude
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Printers and Multifunction Devices

• Printer/Multifunction Device Overview
• Categories of Printers
• Impact Printers
• Inkjet Printers
• Laser Printers
• Thermal Printers
• 3-D Printers
• Paper
• Virtual Printing
• Refilling Cartridges, Re-inking Ribbons, and Recycling Cartridges
• Upgrading Printers
• Printer Maintenance
• Printer Installation Overview
• Installing Multifunction Devices
• USB Printer Installation
• Printers in the Windows Environment
• Printer Sharing
• Cloud Printing/Scanning
• General Printer Troubleshooting
• USB-Attached Printer Troubleshooting
• Windows Printer Troubleshooting
• Impact Printer Troubleshooting
• Inkjet Printer Troubleshooting
• Laser Printer Troubleshooting
• Soft Skills: Work Ethics
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Mobile Devices

• Mobile Device Overview
• Using Mobile Devices
• Cell Phones
• Mobile Apps
• Mobile Device Wired Connectivity
• Mobile Device Wireless Connectivity
• Mobile Device Email Configuration
• Mobile Device Synchronization and Backup
• Other Mobile Software Tools
• Laptops Overview
• Laptop Hardware
• Laptop Power
• Laptop Repairs Overview
• Laptop Display
• Mobile Device Security
• Mobile Device Travel and Storage
• Mobile Device Troubleshooting Overview
• Soft Skills: A Word about Appearance
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Computer Design and Troubleshooting Review

• Design Overview
• Computer System Design
• Motherboard and Associated Component Design
• Power Supply and Case Design
• Storage Subsystem Design
• Audio Subsystem Design
• Display Subsystem Design
• Troubleshooting Overview
• Step 1. Identify the Problem
• Step 2. Establish a Theory of Probable Cause (Question the Obvious)
• Step 3. Test the Theory to Determine the Cause
• Step 4. Establish a Plan of Action to Resolve the Problem and Implement the Solution
• Step 5. Verify Full System Functionality and, If Applicable, Implement Preventive Measures
• Step 6. Document the Findings, Actions, and Outcomes
• Sample Troubleshooting Flowcharts
• Soft Skills: Dealing with Difficult Customers
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Internet Connectivity, Virtualization, and Cloud Technologies

• Internet Connectivity Overview
• Dial-up Connectivity
• Cable Modems
• xDSL Modems
• VoIP
• Fiber Networks
• Satellite Modems
• Mobile Connectivity Overview
• Web Browsers
• Basic Web Browser Issues
• Introduction to Virtualization
• Desktop Virtualization Basics
• Cloud Computing
• Soft Skills: Mentoring
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Networking

• Networking Overview
• Network Media Overview
• Ethernet Over Power
• Protecting Your Network and Cable Investment
• The OSI Model
• The TCP/IP Model
• Network Addressing
• More IPv4 Addressing
• Wireless Networks Overview
• Wireless Network Standards
• Wireless Network Components
• Wireless Network Design
• Antenna Basics
• Wireless and Wired Client Device Configuration Overview
• Configuring an End Device: IP Addressing
• Adding a Computer to a Windows Domain
• Wireless NIC–Specific Settings
• Advanced NIC Properties
• NIC Configuration When Using Virtualization
• Thin or Thick Client Installation Overview
• Wireless AP/Router Configuration
• WWAN Cellular Configuration
• IoT and Smart Devices
• Network Troubleshooting
• Troubleshooting Cable and DSL Modems
• Networking Multifunction Devices
• Network Servers
• Embedded, SCADA, and Legacy Systems
• Software-Defined Networking
• Network Terminology
• The TCP/IP Model in Action
• More Windows Network Settings
• Introduction to Shared Folders
• Soft Skills: Being Proactive
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Introduction to Operating Systems

• Operating Systems Overview
• User Interaction with Operating Systems
• Overview of Popular Operating Systems
• 32-Bit vs. 64-Bit Operating Systems
• Windows 10 and Windows 11 Versions
• Workstation Operating Systems
• Operating Systems for Mobile Devices
• End-of-Life (EOL) Concerns
• Update Limitations
• Compatibility Concerns
• Corporate Operating System Needs
• Basic Windows Usage Overview
• Windows 10 and Windows 11 Desktop Components
• Shortcuts and Tiles
• Recycle Bin
• Interactions Within a Window
• Managing Windows Files and Folders
• Searches and Indexing
• Attributes, Compression, and Encryption
• Introduction to Windows Control Panel Utilities
• Determining the Windows Version
• Windows Registry
• Editing the Windows Registry
• Backing Up Data
• WinRE
• Recovering the Windows OS
• Soft Skills: Staying Current
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Introduction to Scripting

• Scripting Overview
• Command Prompt Overview
• Command Prompt Basics
• Moving Around from a Command Prompt
• The md and rd Commands
• Two Useful Commands: del and type
• Copying Files
• The attrib Command
• Why Learn Commands?
• PowerShell
• Other Commands You Should Look Over
• Command Format
• Introduction to Scripting
• Script File Types
• Use Cases for Scripting
• Mitigating Consequences of Scripting
• Environment Variables
• Script Syntax
• Introduction to Script Programming
• Variables
• Data Types
• Examples of Using Variables
• Comments Within Scripts
• Basic Script Constructs
• Decisions: The Selection Structure
• Compound Conditions and Logical Operators
• Loops: The Repetition Structure
• A Brief Look at VBScript and PowerShell
• Soft Skills: Changing Perspective When Troubleshooting
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Advanced Windows

• Advanced Windows Overview
• Preinstallation of Windows
• Installation/Upgrade of Windows
• Corporate Windows Deployment
• Verifying the Installation
• Troubleshooting a Windows Installation
• Reloading Windows
• Windows Updates
• Backing Up the Windows Registry and Data
• Configuring Windows Overview
• Configuring Windows
• Adding Devices
• Installing/Removing Software
• Computer Management Console
• System Tools
• User Account Management
• Managing Storage
• Managing Services and Applications
• Data Sources (ODBC)
• Print Management Console
• Overview of the Windows Boot Process
• System Restore
• Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
• Startup Settings Menu
• System Configuration Utility
• Task Manager
• Speeding Up the Windows Boot Process
• Troubleshooting the Windows Boot Process
• Black Screen/Video Issues
• Troubleshooting a Service That Does Not Start
• Slow Boot
• Troubleshooting Windows Network Settings
• Windows Reboots/System Instability
• Shutdown Problems
• Summary of Troubleshooting Steps
• Power Options
• Monitoring System Performance
• Supporting Windows Computers Remotely
• Preventive Maintenance for Your Operating System
• Soft Skills: Avoiding Burnout
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

macOS and Linux Operating Systems

• Introduction to macOS
• Navigating the User Interface
• Basic System Usage, Updates, and Backups
• Management and Troubleshooting Tools
• Utilities
• Introduction to Linux
• Navigating the GNOME User Interface
• Basic System Usage, Updates, and Backups
• Command-Line Interface
• macOS and Linux Best Practices
• Soft Skills: Be Humble
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Computer and Network Security

• Security Overview
• Security Policy
• Physical Security
• Logical Security
• Considering the End User
• Licensing
• Security Threats and Vulnerabilities
• Protecting Access to Local and Network Resources
• Permissions
• Folder Options
• Protecting the Operating System and Data
• Internet Security
• Remote Access to Network Devices
• Internet Appliances
• Wireless Network Security Overview
• Security Incident Response
• A Final Word About Security
• Soft Skills: Building Customer Trust
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Operational Procedures

• Operational Procedures Overview
• Proper Power Handling and Adverse Power Conditions
• IT Documentation
• Change Management
• Soft Skills: Skills TO SUCCEED
• Lesson Summary
• Activities

Appendix A: Subnetting Basics