CompTIA A+ 2009
Duration
Eight Days
Course Objective
You will acquire the essential skills and information you will need to install, upgrade, repair, configure, troubleshoot, optimize, and perform preventative maintenance of basic personal computer hardware and operating systems.
Target Student
The target student is anyone with basic computer user skills who is interested in obtaining a job as an IT professional or PC technician. In addition, this course will help prepare students to achieve a CompTIA A+ Certification.
Prerequisites
Students taking this course should have the following skills: end-user skills with Windows®-based personal computers, including the ability to: browse and search for information on the Internet; start up, shut down, and log on to a computer and network; run programs; and move, copy, delete, and rename files in Windows Explorer. Students should also have basic knowledge of computing concepts, including the difference between hardware and software; the functions of software components, such as the operating system, applications, and file systems; and the function of a computer network.
An introductory course in a Windows operating system, or equivalent skills and knowledge, is required. Students can take any one of the following Element K courses: Introduction to Personal Computers: Using Windows XP, Windows XP: Introduction , Introduction to Personal Computers: Using Windows Vista™, or Microsoft® Windows Vista™: Level 1.
Course Outline
Part One: Essentials
Unit 1: Troubleshooting methodology
- Topic A: Troubleshooting models
- Topic B: Professionalism
Unit 2: Operating systems
- Topic A: Operating system fundamentals
- Topic B: Directory and file management
- Topic C: File and folder permissions
Unit 3: Electricity and power supplies
- Topic A: Electrical safety
- Topic B: Power supplies
Unit 4: CPUs and motherboards
- Topic A: Central processing units
- Topic B: Packaging, slots, and cooling techniques
- Topic C: Motherboards
Unit 5: The Basic Input/Output System
- Topic A: The BIOS and CMOS
- Topic B: The POST and boot processes
Unit 6: Memory systems
- Topic A: Memory
- Topic B: Memory packaging
- Topic C: Memory monitoring
Unit 7: Bus structures
- Topic A: Buses
- Topic B: The PCI bus
- Topic C: Video buses
Unit 8: Expansion cards
- Topic A: Drive adapters
- Topic B: Video cards
- Topic C: Sound cards
- Topic D: Internal modems
Unit 9: Peripheral connection types
- Topic A: Serial and parallel connections
- Topic B: PS/2 connections
- Topic C: USB connections
- Topic D: FireWire connections
- Topic E: Multimedia connections
Unit 10: Data storage devices
- Topic A: Hard drives
- Topic B: Optical drives
- Topic C: Removable storage devices
- Topic D: Drive maintenance
Unit 11: Video output and image input devices
- Topic A: Monitors
- Topic B: Scanners and cameras
Unit 12: Printers
- Topic A: Printing technologies
- Topic B: Printer installation and optimization
Unit 13: Connecting computers
- Topic A: Networking concepts
- Topic B: Wired network connections
- Topic C: Basic internetworking devices
Unit 14: Networking computers
- Topic A: Addressing
- Topic B: Client configuration
Unit 15: Portable computers
- Topic A: Notebook computers
- Topic B: Notebook issues
Unit 16: Monitoring and management
- Topic A: System monitoring
- Topic B: System performance
- Topic C: System management
Unit 17: Operating system troubleshooting
- Topic A: Windows startup
- Topic B: System troubleshooting
Unit 18: Security
- Topic A: Operating system security
- Topic B: Windows Encrypted File System
- Topic C: Security hardware
- Topic D: The human aspects of security
Unit 19: Windows installation and upgrades
- Topic A: Windows installation
- Topic B: Upgrades
Unit 20: Safety and maintenance
- Topic A: Safety and hazards
- Topic B: Computer maintenance
- Topic C: Safe work practices
- Topic D: Disposing of computer equipment
Unit 21: Troubleshooting hardware
- Topic A: Backups Topic B: Hardware problems
Part Two: Practical Application
Unit 1: Power systems
- Topic A: Power supplies
- Topic B: Power supply troubleshooting
Unit 2: CPUs and motherboards
- Topic A: CPU and motherboard installation
- Topic B: Motherboard troubleshooting
Unit 3: Memory systems
- Topic A: RAM installation
- Topic B: Memory troubleshooting
Unit 4: Expansion cards
- Topic A: Host system interaction
- Topic B: Expansion card installation
- Topic C: Expansion card troubleshooting
- Topic D: Port, cable, and connector troubleshooting
Unit 5: Data storage devices
- Topic A: Hard drives
- Topic B: Optical drives
- Topic C: Removable storage devices
- Topic D: Storage device troubleshooting
Unit 6: Printers and scanners
- Topic A: Maintenance
- Topic B: Troubleshooting
Unit 7: Mobile computing
- Topic A: Configuration
- Topic B: Component replacement and troubleshooting
Unit 8: Windows management
- Topic A: Directory and file management
- Topic B: Resource management
- Topic C: Remote management
Unit 9: Windows maintenance
- Topic A: Monitoring
- Topic B: Maintenance
- Topic C: Task Scheduler
- Topic D: Troubleshooting
Unit 10: SOHO networking
- Topic A: Networking basics
- Topic B: Installing a wireless network
Unit 11: Network troubleshooting
- Topic A: Troubleshooting basics
- Topic B: Troubleshooting the network
Unit 12: Security
- Topic A: Common security threats
- Topic B: Implementing and troubleshooting security
