CompTIA A+

Overview

This section gives the complete CompTIA A+ 900 series certification information. The certification is designed for entry level IT professionals with about a year of experience. It covers information on hardware, networking, mobile devices, operating systems, security, and troubleshooting.

Configure BIOS and UEFI Settings

This sections covers BIOS/UEFI tools on a PC, a history of BIOS UEFI, overview of BIOS component information, BIOS configurations, how to set date time, how to re-configure settings in BIOS, virtualization support, BIOS security and built in diagnostics.

Motherboard Components

This section shows various components typically found on a motherboard and explains about integrated versus non-integrated components, buses, the CMOS battery, expansion slots, and the Northbridge and Southbridge chipsets.

RAM Types and Features

This section compares various RAM types and their features. It explains RAM, ROM, ECC, non-ECC, Parity, non-Parity, buffered, non-buffered, single channel and RAM configurations.

PC Expansion Cards

This section gives the information about:

1. what Expansion Cards are, where to install cards
2. integrated vs. non-integrated cards and how to choose the correct cards for your device.
3. Sound video cards, Network cards, Firewire cards, Storage cards, USB ports, USB-Type-A USB-Type-C, TV Tuner cards, Modem cards
4. Drivers, Motherboard considerations and power supply considerations.

Install and Configure Storage Devices

This section shows how to install and configure storage devices, how to use appropriate media, optical drives, CD-ROM/CD-RW, DVD-ROM/DVD-RW/DVD-RW DL, DVDDL, Blu-Ray, BD-R, BD-RE, and file system for CDFS UDF.

CPUs and Appropriate Cooling

This section explores installing various types of CPUs and applies the appropriate cooling methods. It also covers CPU socket types and CPU characteristics like speeds, cores, cache, hyper threading, virtualization support, and architecture.

PC Connections and Characteristics

This section covers PC connections and its characteristics. It explains about Universal Serial Bus(USB), Firewire 1394, Serial ATA(SATA), VGA, Digital Video Interface(DVI) and High Definition Multi-Media Interface(HDMI).

Power Supplies

This section covers installing a power supply based on given specifications, Connector types and their voltages, etc…

Custom PCs

This section covers the information on building custom PCs. It explains how to choose correct CPU, Memory, Network adapter(s), storage cards and other components.

Display Devices

This section covers types of display devices and their features which includes: Cathode Ray Tube(CRT) monitors, Liquid Crystal Display(LCD), Refresh/Frame rates, screen resolutions, multi-monitor support, aspect ratios, and analog vs. digital.

Common Peripheral Devices

This section shows how to install and configure common peripheral devices like Scanners, keyboards, mouse, barcode scanners, biometric scanners, gamepads, motion scanners, touchpads, smartcard readers, digital cameras, web cam, printers, display devices, touchscreens, etc.

SOHO

This section explains the details about SOHO Multi-Function Devices(MFD) and Printers such as printer drivers (PPD/PCL/UPD), configuration settings, device sharing using wired media, wireless (802.11x), ethernet, bluetooth, NFC, and Integrated Print Servers.

Printer Technologies

This section covers printer types such as Inkjet printers, Thermal printers, Impact printers, and Virtual printers. It aso explains its components and printing processes.

Printer Maintenance

This section explores some of the common printer maintenance techniques and the tools, utilities used for various printer technologies.

Network Cables and Connectors

This section covers various types of network cables and connectors such as Fiber Optic media and connectors , SC/ST/LC as well as Copper media and connectors , CAT3/5/6/7, RJ-45, and Coax.

TCP/IP Characteristics

This section covers the properties and characteristics of TCP/IP.

Common Ports and Protocols

This section explains common TCP and UDP ports. It also covers protocols and their purpose such as FTP, SSH, TELNET, SMTP, DNS, HTTP(S), POP3, IMAP, RDP, NetBIOS, SMB/CIFS, SLP, AFP, DHCP, and LDAP.

WiFi Standards and Encryption

This section covers various WiFi networking standards and encryption types such as 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Speeds, distances, and frequencies, WEP, WPA, WPA2, TKIP, and AES.

Install SOHO Wireless/Wired Router

This section gives information with regards to installing and configuring a SOHO wireless/wired router and applying appropriate settings such as Channels, Frequencies, Port Forwarding, Port Triggering, DCHP, DMZ, NAT/DNAT, QoS, Firmware, and UPnP.

Internet Connections and Network Types

This section covers different internet connection types, network types, and their features such as Cable, DSL, Dial-up, Fiber, Satellite, ISDN, Cellular, Tethering, Mobile Hotspots, Line-of-Sight, LANs, WANs, PANs, and MANs.

Network Architecture Devices

This section covers network architecture devices as well as their functions and features such as Hubs, Switches, Routers, Access Points(APs), Bridges, Modems, Firewalls, Patch Panels, Repeaters/Extenders, Ethernet over Power(EoP), and Power over Ethernet(PoE).

Laptop Hardware and Components

This section shows how to install and configure the common hardware in laptop computers.

Mobile Devices

This section covers the common features found in mobile devices like tablets, smartphones and laptops. It explains about CPU Characteristics, smart watches, fitness monitors, glasses, headsets, phablets, e-readers, smart cameras, GPS, and different connection types.

Common Mobo

This section covers troubleshooting common problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPU and power with appropriate tools. It also gives information on motherboard malfunction symptoms like burning smells, smoke, unexpected shutdowns, system lockups, and POST beeps.

Motherboard

This section covers troubleshooting common problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPU and power with appropriate tools. It also gives information on POST beeps, BIOS settings and/or time resets, trying to boot to incorrect device, no power to system or devices, noises, indicator lights, and proprietary screen crashes (e.g. BSOD).

Troubleshooting Hard Drives and RAID Arrays

This sections covers troubleshooting hard drives and RAID arrays with appropriate tools. It also explains Read/Write failures, slow performance, CHKDSK, Disk Defrag, loud clicking noises, fail to boot, OS not found, FixMBR, FixBoot, BootRec utility, bcdedit, Drive not recognized, and SMART errors.

Common Video

This section covers troubleshooting common video, projector, and display issues such as VGA mode, no image, overheat shutdown, dead pixels, artifacts, incorrect color patterns, dim images, flickering image, distorted image, burn-in, and oversized images/icons.

Common Wired/Wireless Network Issues

This section covers trouble shooting both wired and wireless networks with appropriate tools. It covers topics like connectivity issues, disconnected cables, dead ports, dead devices, power loss, misconfiguration, incorrect cable standards, and device drivers.

Common Mobile Device Issues

This section covers trouble shooting and repairing common mobile device issues while adhering to appropriate procedures.

Common Mobile Device Issues

This section covers trouble shooting and repairing common mobile device issues while adhering to appropriate procedures.

Troubleshooting Printers

This section covers troubleshooting printers with appropriate tools.

Overview

This section gives the infomation about the CompTIA A+ 900 Series certification.

Features of Windows

This section covers various features of Microsoft Operating Systems (Vista/7/8/8.1) together with Architecture (32/64 bit), Windows Aero, and Gadgets.

Installing Windows

This section demonstrates how to install the Windows operating system using the appropriate methods. It gives the information on boot methods like usb, cd-rom, dvd, and PXE, unattended installations, clean installations, upgrade installations, Windows post-installation walkthrough, recovery partitions, and device drivers.

Microsoft Command Prompt

This section covers Microsoft command-line based tools. It shows how to navigate your way around Microsoft Windows using the Command Prompt and manipulate the directory structure using MD, RD, copy/xcopy/robocopy commands.

Windows Tools

This section covers how to use Microsoft operating system features and tools such as Computer Management, Device Manager, Local Users and Groups, Task Scheduler, Local Security Policy, Performance Monitor and Services.

Control Panel Utilities

This section covers commonly used Windows Control Panel utilities such as Internet Options (Connections, Security Zones, Security Levels, Protected Mode, General, Privacy, Programs, etc),Display settings, User Accounts, Folder Options, System, Windows Firewall.

Windows Client Networking

This section shows:

1. how to install and configure Windows networking on a client desktop.
2. how to setup printer sharing and mapping a networked printer
3. Remote Desktop Connections

Preventive Maintenance Procedures

This section covers preventive maintenance procedures such as scheduling backups in Windows 7 and 8.1, chkdsk, Disk Defrag, drive optimization etc.

Mac OS and Linux Features

This section covers common features and functionality of the Mac OS and Linux operating systems.

Client-side Virtualization

This section shows setup and use of Client-Side Virtualization.

Basic Cloud Concepts

This section covers basic cloud concepts like cloud types, Software as a Service(SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service(IaaS), and Platform as a Service(PaaS), Private/Public/Hybrid/Community cloud types, Elasticity, and Resource Pooling.

Networked Hosts Services

This section covers properties and purposes of services provided by networked hosts such as Mail, Web, and Print servers, etc.

Mobile Operating System Features

This section covers information on mobile device data and syncing of data.

Mobile Device Connectivity

This section covers installing and configuring basic mobile device network connectivity. It gives information on Wireless and Cellular data networks, Bluetooth, Corporate and ISP email, Commercial email configuration, PRI/PRL/Baseband updates, IMEI vs IMSI, VPNs, and Synchronizable data.

Threats and Vulnerabilities

This section explains common security threats and vulnerabilities such as Malware, Social Engineering, Zero-day Attacks, Spoofing, Man-in-the-Middle Attacks, Zombies/Botnets, Password Attacks and Non-Compliant systems.

Common Prevention Methods

This section covers common prevention methods with regards to digital and physical security.

Windows Security Settings

This section covers Windows security settings such as Users and Groups, NTFS permissions, Encrypted File System(EFS) and User Authentication.

Workstation Security

This section shows how to deploy and enforce security best practices to secure a workstation.

Securing Mobile Devices

This section covers various methods for securing mobile devices.

Data Destruction and Disposal

This section covers common/appropriate data destruction and disposal methods.

Securing SOHO Networks

This section covers best practices for securing a SOHO network.

Troubleshoot PC Operating Systems

This section covers troubleshooting operating system problems with appropriate tools.

Troubleshoot PC Security Issues

This section covers how to troubleshoot common PC security issues with appropriate tools, common symptoms, pop-ups, browser redirection, security alerts, antivirus software, anti-malware software, disabling Windows Firewall service, pre-installation environments, and disabling Windows Defender.

Common Mobile OS Issues

This section covers how to troubleshoot common mobile OS and application issues with appropriate tools.

Common Mobile OS Security Issues

This section covers how to troubleshoot common mobile OS and application security issues with appropriate tools such as common security breech symptoms like signal drop/weak signal, power drain, slow data speeds, unintended wireless/Bluetooth connection, leaked personal data, data transmission overlimit, and security tools.

Safety Procedures

This section shows appropriate safety procedures, equipment grounding, proper component handling/storage, antistatic bags, ESD straps/mats, toxic waste handling, personal safety and compliance with local government regulations.

Environmental Impact and Controls

This section explains potential environmental impacts, applying appropriate controls, MSDS documentation, temperature/humidity levels, ventilation, power issues, airborne particles, dust debris, and local government regulations.

Privacy

This section covers content-prohibited activity, privacy, licensing, policy concepts, incident response, first response, identification, reporting through channels, data preservation, device preservation, use of documentation, chain of custody, tracking of evidence, documenting process, licensing, DRM, EULA, license, and Personally Identifiable Information.

Communication and Professionalism

This section demonstrate proper communication techniques and professionalism such as proper language, attitude, active listening, cultural sensitivity, punctuality, avoiding distractions, meeting timeline expectations, and dealing with private material.

CompTIA’s Troubleshooting Theory

This section covers consideration of corporate policies/procedures/Impacts before implementing changes, identify the problem, identify symptoms of problem, determine frequency of problem, determine scope of problem, run backups, and establish theory of probable cause.