|
CompTIA A+ Certification CBT Training Interactive CD-ROM
Training Tutorial 2003 - 2004 covers the following material:
Certification A+ Training Core Module: Aplus
 Domain 1.0 Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading
This domain requires the knowledge and skills to identify, install, configure, and upgrade microcomputer modules and peripherals, following established basic procedures for system assembly and disassembly of
field replaceable modules. Elements include ability to identify and configure IRQ's, DMA's, I/O addresses, and set switches and jumpers.
1.1 - Identify the names, purpose and characteristics of system modules. Recognize these modules by sight and definition
Motherboard-Firmware-Power Supply-Processor/CPU- Memory - Storage Devices- Display Devices-Adapter Cards- Ports- Cases and Riser Cards
1.2 - Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field replaceable modules:
System board - Power supply - Processor/CPU - Memory - Storage devices - Monitor -
Modem - Input devices - Output devices- Cooling Systems- Adapters (USB, Firewire,NIC, Wireless) .
1.3 - Identify basic procedures for adding and removing filed-replacement modules for portable systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequences
Storage Devices- Power Sources- Memory- Input Devices- PCMCIA/Mini PCI Adapters- Docking Station/Port Replicators- LCD Panels- Wireless
1.4 - Identify typical IRQs, DMAs and I/O addresses and procedures for altering these setting when installing and configuring devices. Choose the appropriate installation
or configuration steps in a given scenario
Legacy Devices- Specialized Devices-Internal Modems- Floppy Drive Controller- Hard Drive Controller- Multimedia Devices- NICs- I/O Ports
1.5 - Identify the names, purposes and performance characteristics of standardized/common peripheral ports, associated cabling and their connectors.
Recognize ports, cabling and connectors by sight
Port Types- Cable Types- Connector Types
1.6 - Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common IDE Devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequence in given scenarios.
Recognize the associated cables
IDE Interface Types- RAID- Master/Slave/Cable Select- Devices per Channel- Primary/Secondary- Cable Orientation requirements
1.7 - Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common SCSI devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequence in given scenarios
SCSI Interface Types, Internal vs. External, SCSI IDs, RAID, Cabling
1.8 - Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common peripheral devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequence in given scenarios
Modems and transceivers (dial-up, cable, DSL, ISDN, External Storage, Digital Cameras, PDA, Wireless Access Points, Infrared Devices, Printers, UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and Suppressors, Monitors
1.9 - Identifying procedures to optimize PC operations in specific situations. Predict the effects of specific procedures under given scenarios:
Cooling Systems, Disk Subsystem enhancements, NICs, Specialized video cards, Memory, Additional processors.
1.10 - Determine the issues that must be considered when upgrading a PC. In a given scenario, determine when and how to upgrade system components.:
Motherboards, memory hard drives, CUP, BIOS, adapter cards, laptop power sources, PCMCIA type l, ll, lll cards.
Domain 2.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting
This domain requires the ability to apply knowledge relating to diagnosing and troubleshooting common module problems and system malfunctions. This includes
knowledge of the symptoms relating to common problems.
2.1 - Recognize common problems associated with each module and their symptoms, and identify steps to isolate and troubleshoot the problems. Given a
problem situation, interpret the symptoms and infer the most likely cause
I/O Ports and cables, Motherboards, Peripherals, Computer Case, Storage devices and
cables, Cooling systems, Processor/CPU, Memory, Display devices, Adapters, Portable Systems, Docking stations, Portable unique storage
2.2 - Identify basic troubleshooting procedures and tools, and how to elicit problem symptoms from customers. Justify asking particular questions in a given scenario.
Troubleshooting/isolation/problem determination procedures, Determine whether a hardware or software problem, Gather information from user regarding, e.g., Customer Environment -
Symptoms/Error Codes - Situation when the problem occurred.
Domain 3.0 PC Preventive Maintenance, Safety and Environmental Issues
This domain requires the knowledge of safety and preventive maintenance. With regard to safety, it includes the potential hazards to personnel and equipment when working with
lasers, high voltage equipment, ESD and items that require special disposal procedures that comply with environmental guidelines. With regard to preventive maintenance, this includes
knowledge of preventive maintenance products, procedures, environmental hazards, and precautions when working on microcomputer systems.
3.1 - Identify the various types of preventive maintenance measures, products and procedures, and when and how to use them:
Liquid cleaning compounds, Types of materials to clean contacts and connections, Non static vacuums, cleaning monitors, cleaning removable media devices, ventilation, dust and
moisture control on the PC hardware interior, Hard disk maintenance, Verifying UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and suppressors.
3.2 - Identify various safety measures and procedures and when/how to use them:
ESD ( Electrostatic Discharge) precautions and procedures, Potential hazards and proper
safety procedures relating to High Voltage equipment, power supply, CRTs
3.3 - Identify environmental protection measures and procedures and when/how to use them:
Special disposal procedures that comply with environmental guidelines, batteries, CRTs,
chemical solvents and cans, MSDS (material safety data sheet)
Domain 4.0 Motherboard/Processors/Memory Aplus Certification
This domain requires knowledge of specific terminology, facts, ways and means of dealing with classifications categories and principles of motherboards, processors, and memory in microcomputer systems.
4.1 - Distinguish between the popular CPU chips in terms of their basic characteristics:
Popular CPU chips (Pentium class compatible), Voltage, Speeds (actual vs advertised),
Cache level l. ll. lll. Sockets/slots, VRMs
4.2 - Identify the types of RAM (Random Access Memory), form factors, and operational characteristics. Determine banking and speed requirements under given scenarios:
EDO RAM (Extended Data Output RAM), DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static RAM , VRAM (Video RAM), SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM), DDR
(Double Data RAM), RAMBUS, Form Factors, including pin count, Operational characteristics.
4.3 - Identify the most popular types of motherboards, their components, and their architecture (bus structures):
Types of motherboards: AT, ATX, Components: Communication ports, Memory, Processor Sockets, External Cache memory (level 2), Bus Architecture, ISA, PCI, AGP, USB, AMR,
CNR, Basic compatibility guidelines, IDE, SCSI, Chipsets.
4.4 - Identify the purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), memory, what it contains, and how much and when to change it's parameters.
Given a scenario involving CMOS, choose the appropriate course of action.
CMOS Settings: Default, CPU, Printer Parallel port, COM/serial port, Floppy drive, Hard
drive, Memory, Boot sequence, Date/Time, Passwords, Plug and Play BIOS, Disabling on-board devices, Power management, Infrared.
Domain 5.0 Printers A+
This domain requires knowledge of basic types of printers, basic concepts, printer components, how they work, how they print onto a page, paper path, care and service techniques, and common problems.
5.1 - Identify printer technologies, interfaces, and options/upgrades.
Types of Printers: Laser, Ink dispersion, Dot Matrix, Solid Ink, Thermal, Dye Sublimation
Interfaces include Parallel, Network, SCSI, USB, Infrared, Serial, IEEE 1394/Firewire, Wireless. Options and upgrades include memory, hard drives, NICs, trays and feeders, finishers, scanners/fax/copiers.
5.2 - Recognize common printer problems and techniques used to resolve them:
Printer drivers, Firmware updates, Paper feed and output, calibrations, Printing test pages,
errors, memory, configuration, network connections, paper jam and print quality
5.3 - Identify the types of printer connections and configurations:
Parallel - Serial - Network
Domain 6.0 Basic Networking Training
This domain requires knowledge of basic network concepts and terminology, ability to determine whether a computer is networked, knowledge of procedures for swapping and
configuring network interface cards, and knowledge of the ramifications of repairs when a computer is networked.
6.1 - Identify the common types of network cables, their characteristics and connectors:
Cable types: Coaxial, Plenum/PVC, UTP, STP, Fiber. Connector types include: BNC, RJ-45,
AUI, ST/SC, IDC/UDC
6.2 - Identify basic networking concepts including how a network works
Installing and configuring network cards, Addressing, Bandwidth, Status Indicators,
Protocols, Full-duplex, half duplex, Cabling, Networking Models, Infrared, Wireless.,
6.3 - Identify common technologies available for establishing internet connectivity and their characteristics:
LAN. DSL, Cable, ISDN, Dial-up, Satellite, Wireless, definition, speed, connections
A+ Tutorial Windows Module:
Domain 1.0 Function, Structure, Operation and File Management Training
This domain requires knowledge of DOS, Windows 3.x, and Windows 95 operating systems in terms of its functions and structure, for managing files and directories, and running
programs. It also includes navigating through the operating system from DOS command line prompts and Windows procedures for accessing and retrieving Information.
1.1 - Identify the major desktop components and interfaces, and their functions. Differentiate the characteristics of Windows 9x/ME, Windows NT Workstation,
Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP
Contrasts between each Windows operating system- Registry- Virtual Memory- File Systems- the Windows Operating System Interface
1.2 - Identify the names, locations, purposes and contents of major system files
Windows 9X system files- Windows NT based system files
1.3 - Demonstrate the ability to use command-line functions and utilities to manage the operating system, including the proper syntax and switches.
Command/CMD, DIR, ATTRIB, VER, MEM, SCANDISK, DEFRAG, ECHO, PING
1.4 - Identify basic concepts and procedures for creating, viewing, and managing disks, directories and files. This includes procedures for changing file attributes and
the ramifications of those changes (i.e. Security Issues)
Disks, Partitions, File Systems, Directory Structures, Files
1.5 - Demonstrate the major operating system utilities, their purpose, location, and available switches.
Disk Management Tools, System Management Tools, File Management Tools
Domain 2.0 Installation, Configuration and Upgrading Training
This domain requires knowledge of installing, configuring and upgrading Windows 9x, ME, NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. This includes knowledge of system boot sequences.
2.1 - Identify the procedures for installing Windows 9x/ME, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP, and bringing the
operating system to a basic operational level:
Verify hardware compatibility and minimum requirements, Determine OS installation options,
Disk preparation order, Run appropriate set up utility, Installation methods, Device Driver Configurations, Identify symptoms and problems.
2.2 - Identify the steps to perform an operating system upgrade from Windows 9x/ME, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP.
Given an upgrade scenario, choose the appropriate next steps.
Upgrade paths available, Determine correct upgrade startup utility, Verify hardware
compatibility and minimum requirements, Apply OS service packs, patches, and updates, Install additional Windows components.
2.3 - Identify the basic system boot sequences and boot methods, including the steps to create an emergency boot disk with utilities installed for Windows 9x/ME,
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP.
Boot sequence, Alternative Boot Methods, Creating Emergency disks with OS Utilities, Creating emergency disk repair (ERD)
2.4 - Identify procedures for installing/adding a device, including loading, adding, and configuring device drivers, and required software
Device driver installation, Install additional Windows components, Determine if permissions are adequate or performing the task.
2.5 - Identify procedures necessary to optimize the operating system and major operating system subsystems
Virtual memory management, Disk defragmentation, Files and buffers, Caches, Temporary file management
Domain 3.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting A+
This domain requires the ability to apply knowledge to diagnose and troubleshoot common problems relating to Windows 9x/ME, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000
Professional, and Windows XP. This includes understanding normal operation and symptoms relating to common problems.
3.1 - Recognize and interpret the meaning of common error codes and startup messages from the boot sequence, and identify steps to correct the problems
Common error messages and codes, boot failure and errors, startup messages, A device referenced in SYSTEM.INI, WIN.INI, Registry not found, Using the correct utilities.
3.2 - Recognizing when to use common diagnostic utilities and tools. Given a diagnostic scenario involving one of these utilities or tools, select the appropriate
steps needed to resolve the problem..
Start up disk, start up modes, diagnostic tools, utilities and resources, eliciting problem
systems from customers, having a customer reproduce error as part of the diagnostic process, identifying recent changes to the computer environment from the user.
3.3 - Recognize common operational and usability problems and determine how to resolve them.
Trouble shooting Windows-specific printing problems, Common Problems, Viruses, and
Virus types
Domain 4.0 Networks Aplus
This A+ domain requires knowledge of network capabilities of Windows, and how to connect to network including what the Internet is about, its capabilities, basic concepts
relating to Internet access and generic procedures for system setup.
4.1 - Identify the networking capabilities of Windows. Given configuration parameters, configure the operating system to connect to a network.
Configure Protocols, TCP/IP, IPX/SPX (NWLink), AppleTalk, NetBEUI/NetBIOS, Configure Client Options, Verify the configuration, Share resources, Network type and Network Card
4.2 - Identify the basic internet protocols and terminologies. Identify procedures for establishing internet connectivity. In a given scenario, configure the operating
system to connect to and use internet resources.
Protocols and terminologies, Connectivity Technologies, Installing and Configuring Browsers, Firewall protection under Windows XP
|
|
