CompTIA

CompTIA A 220-901 Cert Guide

(PS-220-901-Cert) / ISBN : 978-1-61691-819-4
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CompTIA A+ certification is globally recognized, vendor-neutral exam designed for IT professionals. CompTIA A+ certification is comprised of two exams: 220-901 and 220-902. The 220-901 exam covers PC hardware and peripherals; network and hardware troubleshooting; network connectivity issues, mobile devices, PC configurations, BIOS, and many more.
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1

Introduction

  • Goals and Methods
  • What's New?
  • Who Should Read This Book?
  • Strategies for Exam Preparation
2

Technician Essentials and Computer/Device Anatomy

  • The Essential Parts of Any Computer or Mobile Device
  • Hardware, Software, and Firmware
  • The CompTIA Six-Step Troubleshooting Theory
  • Technician Tools and Equipment
  • Important Websites
  • Lesson Summary
3

Configure and Use BIOS/UEFI Tools

  • BIOS/UEFI Configuration
  • Flash Upgrade BIOS
  • Using BIOS/UEFI Diagnostics
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Labs
  • Answers and Explanations to Hands-On Labs
4

Motherboard Components

  • ATX, ITX, and Smaller Sizes
  • Expansion Slot Types
  • RAM Sockets
  • CPU Sockets
  • Chipsets
  • CMOS Battery
  • Power Connectors
  • Fan Connectors
  • Front and Top Panel Connectors
  • Bus Speeds
  • Installing Motherboards
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Labs
  • Answers and Explanations to Hands-On Labs
5

RAM Types and Features

  • Memory Upgrade Considerations
  • RAM Types
  • SO-DIMM vs DIMM
  • RAM Configurations
  • Single-Sided vs Double-Sided
  • RAM Compatibility
  • Installing Memory
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Lab
  • Answers and Explanations to Hands-On Labs
6

PC Expansion Cards

  • Expansion Card and Slot Overview
  • Installing Sound Cards
  • Installing Video Cards
  • Installing Network Cards
  • Installing USB Cards
  • Installing FireWire Cards
  • Installing Thunderbolt Cards
  • Installing Storage Cards
  • Installing Modem Cards
  • Installing Wireless/Cellular Cards
  • Installing TV Tuner Cards
  • Installing Video Capture Cards
  • Installing Riser Cards
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Labs
  • Answers and Explanations to Hands-On Labs
7

Storage Devices

  • Optical Drive Features and Capacities
  • Magnetic Hard Disk Drives
  • Flash Drives
  • Solid State Drives
  • Hot-Swappable Drives
  • RAID Types
  • Tape Drive
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Labs
  • Answers and Explanations to Hands-On Labs
8

CPUs

  • Processor Characteristics
  • Socket Types
  • Cooling
  • CPU Installation
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Labs
  • Answers and Explanations for Hands-On Labs
9

Ports and Interfaces

  • Rear Panel Port Clusters
  • USB
  • FireWire (IEEE 1394)
  • SATA and eSATA
  • Thunderbolt
  • Video
  • Audio
  • PS/2
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Labs
  • Answers and Explanations for Hands-On Labs
10

Designing and Building Custom PC Configurations

  • Custom PC Configurations
  • Evaluating Onboard Components
  • Installing Power Supplies
  • Installing and Configuring Input, Output, and I/O Devices
  • Display Types
  • Video Display Settings and Features
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Labs
  • Answers and Explanations for Hands-On Labs
11

Using, Maintaining, and Installing Printers and Multifunction Devices

  • Laser Printers
  • Inkjet Printers
  • Thermal Printers
  • Impact Printers
  • Virtual Printers
  • Installing Your Printer or Multifunction Device
  • Configuring Your Printer or Multifunction Device
  • Device Sharing Options
  • Wireless Device Sharing Options
  • Cloud and Remote Printing
  • Configuring Your Operating System to Share a Printer or Device
  • Maintaining Data Privacy
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Labs
  • Answers and Explanations for Hands-On Labs
12

Networking

  • Network Cable and Connector Types and Characteristics
  • TCP/IP
  • TCP and UDP Ports, Protocols, and Purposes
  • WiFi (Wi-Fi) Network and Encryption Standards
  • Configure SOHO Wired or Wireless Router
  • Internet Connection Types
  • Network Types
  • Network Architecture Devices
  • Using Networking Tools
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Labs
  • Answers and Explanations for Hands-On Labs
13

Mobile Devices

  • Install and Configure Laptop Hardware and Components
  • Replace Laptop Components
  • Laptop Display Components
  • Using Laptop Features
  • Characteristics of Other Mobile Devices
  • Accessories and Ports Used by Other Mobile Devices
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-On Labs
  • Answers and Explanations to Hands-On Labs
14

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

  • Troubleshooting Motherboard, RAM, CPU, and Power Issues
  • Recommended Tools
  • Troubleshooting Hard Drives and RAID Arrays
  • Troubleshooting Video, Projector, and Display Issues
  • Network Troubleshooting
  • Overview of Network Command-Line Tools
  • Mobile Device Troubleshooting
  • Mobile Device Disassembly Process
  • Printer Troubleshooting
  • Lesson Summary
  • Review All the Key Topics
  • Complete Hands-on Labs
  • Answers and Explanations to Hands-On Labs
A

Appendix A: CompTIA A+ Objectives

  • 220-901 Domain 1.0 Hardware
  • 220-901 Domain 2.0 Networking
  • 220-901 Domain 3.0 Mobile Devices
  • 220-901 Domain 4.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
  • 220-902 Domain 1.0 Windows Operating Systems
  • 220-902 Domain 2.0 Other Operating Systems and Technologies
  • 220-902 Domain 3.0 Security
  • 220-902 Domain 4.0 Software Troubleshooting
  • 220-902 Domain 5.0 Operational Procedures

1

Technician Essentials and Computer/Device Anatomy

  • Identifying smartphone features
  • Identifying features of a laptop and tablet
  • Replacing the Battery of a Smartphone and Inserting a Memory Card
  • Identifying computer parts
  • Identifying steps for troubleshooting theory
  • Identifying computer troubleshooting steps
  • Identifying network cabling tools
2

Configure and Use BIOS/UEFI Tools

  • Accessing the BIOS Setup Program
  • Enabling Hardware Virtualization
  • Understanding the BIOS security options
  • Setting up a boot device priority
  • Examining the hard drive
3

Motherboard Components

  • Identifying computer components
  • Installing Motherboard Components
  • Providing Cooling and Ventilation to a Motherboard
  • Identifying motherboard slots
  • Identifying a PCI-Bus Slot
  • Identifying a CPU Socket
  • Installing a PCI Sound Card
  • Removing a damaged network card
  • Identifying components of a motherboard chipset
4

RAM Types and Features

  • Identifying Types of RAM
  • Identifying RAM configuration
  • Installing Memory Modules
5

PC Expansion Cards

  • Installing Expansion Cards on a Motherboard
  • Installing a USB 3.0 PCI Express Card (2.0 x4)
  • Installing Firewire Cards
  • Changing the CMOS battery
  • Clearing the CMOS settings
  • Installing an Optical Drive and a PCI Sound Card
  • Configuring sound card with Windows
  • Inserting components of a computer
  • Adding hardware to a Windows PC
6

Storage Devices

  • Identifying blu-ray types
  • Copying Files to a Disc Using File Explorer
  • Inserting a CD on a Laptop
  • Enabling external USB ports
  • Removing a Pen Drive from a Computer
  • Identifying RAID level characteristics
  • Identifying RAID BIOS configuration settings
7

CPUs

  • Identifying the CPU package types
  • Identifying processor socket
  • Identifying processor families
  • Identifying computer cooling systems
  • Installing a processor
  • Understanding CPU removal procedure
8

Ports and Interfaces

  • Identifying Video Ports and Connectors
  • Identifying additional ports and connectors
  • Identifying video card ports
  • Identifying desktop PC ports
  • Identifying I/O ports of a motherboard
  • Identifying input and output devices
  • Troubleshooting a USB printer
  • Connecting a USB Printer to a Computer
  • Understanding USB versions
  • Connecting a keyboard and mouse to a computer
  • Connecting the Motherboard to the Internal Hard Drive
  • Supplying Power to a SATA Drive
  • Comparing desktop and laptop components
  • Identifying printer connectors
  • Identifying adapters
  • Identifying DisplayPort versions
  • Modifying touchpad settings
  • Connecting a computer to monitor
  • Identifying sound card ports
  • Identifying PS/2 port
  • Identifying sound ports
  • Connecting a headset to a computer
9

Designing and Building Custom PC Configurations

  • Configuring Windows 7 for media streaming
  • Replacing the Power Supply
  • Installing SMPS and Connecting it to the Motherboard
  • Identifying computer power supply connectors
  • Assembling Computer Components
  • Connecting Speakers to a Computer
  • Connecting a digital camera to a computer
  • Adding hardware to a Windows PC
  • Preparing for a video conference on Skype
  • Disabling a touchpad
  • Identifying video features
10

Using, Maintaining, and Installing Printers and Multifunction Devices

  • Understanding the electrophotographic print process
  • Inserting Ink Cartridges into a Printer
  • Identifying the steps for using an inkjet cleaning solution
  • Configuring printer memory
  • Calibrating the printing device
  • Installing a printer
11

Networking

  • Identifying network connectors
  • Identifying types of a cable
  • Identifying components of a coaxial cable
  • Connecting a workstation to the LAN and configuring IPv4 properties
  • Identifying IP address class values
  • Describing 802.11 networking standards
  • Describing 802.11 modulation techniques
  • Configuring Internet settings on a router
  • Understanding QoS levels
  • Configuring the TCP/IP values
  • Connecting to a wireless network
  • Connecting a router to the laptop
  • Connecting Systems to the Internet Through a Firewall Router
  • Connecting the Cable Modem to Access Internet
  • Identifying network types
  • Identifying key steps to plan a network
12

Mobile Devices

  • Installing Laptop Components
  • Identifying a port
  • Identifying mobile power/sync cables
13

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

  • Identifying USB cables
  • Retrieving and emptying the recycle bin
  • Using the check disk utility
  • Running Disk Defragmenter in Windows 7
  • Troubleshooting the Wi-Fi connection issues
  • Installing a NIC
  • Troubleshooting limited network
  • Analyzing network paths with tracert
  • Analyzing domain names with nslookup
  • Renewing an IP address
  • Viewing information related to the network adapter
  • Analyzing the TCP/IP configuration with netstat
  • Running different parameters of the net share command
  • Adding and removing an IPv6 address
  • Identifying symptoms of problems with the mobile OS
  • Describing error codes

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CompTIA recommends the following:

  • 9 to 12 months hands-on experience in the lab or field

USD 211

Pearson VUE

Multiple choice questions (single and multiple response), drag and drops, and performance-based questions.

The exam contains 90 questions.

90 minutes

675

In the event that you fail your first attempt at passing the A+ examination, CompTIA's retake policies are:

  1. CompTIA does not require a waiting period between the first and second attempt to pass such examination. However, if you need a third or subsequent attempt to pass the examination, you shall be required to wait for a period of at least 14 calendar days from the date of your last attempt before you can retake the exam.
  2. If a candidate has passed an exam, he/she cannot take it again without prior consent from CompTIA.
  3. A test result found to be in violation of the retake policy will not be processed, which will result in no credit awarded for the test taken. Repeat violators will be banned from participation in the CompTIA Certification Program.
  4. Candidates must pay the exam price each time they attempt the exam. CompTIA does not offer free re-tests or discounts on retakes.

CompTIA A+ certification expires after three years from the date of issue, after which the certification holder will need to renew their certification via CompTIA's Continuing Education Program.

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