CompTIA A+ Exam Cram
Fourth Edition
800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240 USA
CompTIA A+ Exam Cram, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
ISBN-13: 9-0-7897-4242-1
ISBN-10: 0-7897-4242-X
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Prowse, David L.
CompTIA A+ exam cram / David L. Prowse. -- 4th ed.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-0-7897-4242-1 (pbk. w/cd)
1. Electronic data processing personnel--Certification. 2. Computer
technicians--Certification--Study guides. 3.
Microcomputers--Maintenance and repair--Examinations--Study guides. 4.
Computing Technology Industry Association--Examinations--Study guides.
I. Title.
QA76.3.P785 2010
004.165--dc22
2009034318
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing: October 2009
Associate Publisher
David Dusthimer
Acquisitions Editor
Betsy Brown
Development Editor
Andrew Cupp
Managing Editor
Patrick Kanouse
Project Editor
Jennifer Gallant
Copy Editor
Apostrophe Editing Services
Indexer
Ken Johnson
Proofreader
Matthew Purcell
Technical Editors
Pawan Bhardwaj,
Rob Shimonski
Publishing Coordinator
Vanessa Evans
Multimedia Developer
Dan Scherf
Designer
Gary Adair
Composition
Bronkella Publishing LLC
Trademarks
All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Pearson Education cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
CompTIA and A+ are registered trademarks of the Computing Technology Industry Association.
Warning and Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided is on an “as is” basis. The author and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained in this book.
Bulk Sales
Que Publishing offers excellent discounts on this book when ordered in quantity for bulk purchases or special sales. For more information, please contact
U.S. Corporate and Government Sales
1-800-382-3419
[email protected]
For sales outside of the U.S., please contact
International Sales
[email protected]
Contents at a Glance
CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Troubleshooting
CHAPTER 7 Installing and Upgrading Windows
CHAPTER 10 Troubleshooting Windows
CHAPTER 12 Video, Audio, and Peripherals
CHAPTER 16 Safety and Professionalism
CHAPTER 17 Taking the Real Exams
Practice Exam 1: CompTIA A+ 220-701
Practice Exam 2: CompTIA A+ 220-702
Table of Contents
About the Latest CompTIA A+ Exams
Chapter Format and Conventions
CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Troubleshooting
The Six-Step A+ Troubleshooting Process
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 Preventative Measures
Step 6: Document Findings, Actions, and Outcomes
Troubleshooting Examples and Concepts
Troubleshooting Example 1: Display Issue
Troubleshooting Example 2: Power Issue
Some More Troubleshooting Tidbits
Additional Reading and Resources
Motherboard Components and Form Factors
BIOS, CMOS, and the Lithium Battery
Accessing and Configuring the BIOS
Installing and Troubleshooting Motherboards
Additional Reading and Resources
Installing and Troubleshooting CPUs
Additional Reading and Resources
Installing and Troubleshooting DRAM
Additional Reading and Resources
Understanding and Testing Power
Testing an AC Outlet with a Receptacle Tester
Testing an AC Outlet with a Multimeter
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
Planning Which Power Supply to Use
Troubleshooting Power Supply Issues
Additional Reading and Resources
Additional Reading and Resources
CHAPTER 7: Installing and Upgrading Windows
Installing and Upgrading to Windows Vista
Windows Vista Minimum Requirements and Compatibility
Windows Vista Installation Methods
Verifying and Troubleshooting Windows Vista Installations
Installing and Upgrading to Windows XP
Windows XP Minimum Requirements and Compatibility
Windows XP Installation Methods
Verifying and Troubleshooting Windows XP Installations
Additional Reading and Resources
CHAPTER 8: Configuring Windows
Administrative Tools and the MMC
User Migrations and Customizations
Files, File Systems, and Disks
Working with Files and File Systems
Additional Reading and Resources
CHAPTER 9: Maintaining Windows
CHAPTER 10: Troubleshooting Windows
Repair Environments and Boot Errors
Troubleshooting Within Windows
Additional Windows Errors and Error Reporting
The Six-Step Troubleshooting Process Revisited
Additional Reading and Resources
Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Visible Laptop Components
Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Internal Laptop Components
Additional Reading and Resources
CHAPTER 12: Video, Audio, and Peripherals
Installing a Sound Card and Speakers
Input/Output, Input Devices, and Peripherals
Additional Reading and Resources
Printer Types and Technologies
Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Printers
Printer Installation and Drivers
Additional Reading and Resources
Analyzing and Configuring the Network Adapter
Common TCP/IP Protocols and Their Ports
Network Cabling and Connectors
Troubleshooting Network Connectivity
Troubleshooting with Applications
Installing and Configuring a SOHO Network
Internet and Wireless Connectivity Options
Setting Up a SOHO Router and Wireless Network Adapters
Additional Reading and Resources
Data Sensitivity and Security Compliance
Preventing and Troubleshooting Malware
Working with Files and Folders
Additional Reading and Resources
CHAPTER 16: Safety and Professionalism
Safety and Environmental Procedures
Professionalism and Communication Skills
Additional Reading and Resources
CHAPTER 17: Taking the Real Exams
Getting Ready and the Exam Preparation Checklist
Beyond the CompTIA A+ Certification
About the Author
David L. Prowse is a computer network specialist, author, and technical trainer. As a consultant, he installs and secures the latest in computer and networking technology. For the past several years, he has authored and co-authored a number of networking and computer titles for Pearson Education. In addition, for the past decade he has taught CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ certification courses to more than 2,000 students, both in the classroom, and via the Internet. He offers additional support and training materials for his titles through his website: www.DavidLProwse.com.
Acknowledgments
First, I’d like to thank David Dusthimer who put his faith in me and turned me loose on this project.
A person who had a profound effect on me during the year or so leading up to this project is my old boss Russ Maynard. It’s hard to put into words what I learned from Russ, but I’ll give it a whirl. Thanks Russ for sharing not only your advanced ability of getting right to the technical heart of the matter, but also your uncanny talent for sifting through real information and misinformation.
Special thanks to Andrew Cupp, my development editor. Drew, your direction and guidance during this project, and your organization of my disoriented words and ideas really helped build what I think is a valuable text. Of course, thanks to everyone else at Pearson who was involved in this project as well!
I’d also like to acknowledge my previous and current readers, students, and visitors to my website. You’ve enabled me to bring this new book to you.
Thanks to my good friend Chris P. for the conversations about our respective technical arenas; at times you kept me well grounded (pun intended). Thanks to my neighbor Ray for the timely breaks (apparently I don’t know how to take them), and for letting me borrow rare pieces of equipment.
Lastly, let’s not forget my wife Georgia. This time around was by far the most insalubrious. Late nights, all-nighters, laziness in the form of skipping the making of the coffee and going straight for the coffee bean, the ever-increasing need for more equipment, and the technological manifest destiny I enacted within our home—she put up with it all and took care of me to boot. They say that behind every great man there’s a great woman. Well, I don’t know about the former, but I’m positive about her greatness.
We Want to Hear from You!
As the reader of this book, you are our most important critic and commentator. We value your opinion and want to know what we’re doing right, what we could do better, what areas you’d like to see us publish in, and any other words of wisdom you’re willing to pass our way.
As an associate publisher for Que Publishing, I welcome your comments. You can email or write me directly to let me know what you did or didn’t like about this book—and what we can do to make our books better.
Please note that I cannot help you with technical problems related to the topic of this book. We do have a User Services group, however, to which I will forward specific technical questions related to the book.
When you write, please be sure to include this book’s title and author and your name, email address, and phone number. I will carefully review your comments and share them with the author and editors who worked on the book.
Email: [email protected]
Mail: David Dusthimer
Associate Publisher
800 East 96th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46240 USA
Reader Services
Visit our website and register this book at informit.com/register for convenient access to any updates, downloads, or errata that might be available for this book.