CompTIA A+ Certification:
Practical
Application, 2009 Edition (Windows 7)
Topic-Level
Outline
Days: 5
Prerequisites: CompTIA®
A+® Certification: Essentials, 2009 Edition (Windows 7)
Unit 1: Power systems
Topic A: Power supplies
A-1: Examining the characteristics of electricity
A-2: Identifying your computer’s power supply
A-3: Installing a new power supply
A-4: Discussing power conditioning equipment
Topic B: Power supply troubleshooting
B-1: Measuring electrical values
B-2: Troubleshooting power supply problems
Unit 2: CPUs and motherboards
Topic A: CPU and motherboard installation
A-1: Changing your computer’s BIOS settings
A-2: Identifying the socket and package type of your CPU
A-3: Replacing a system fan
A-4: Replacing a CPU (optional)
A-5: Replacing a motherboard (optional)
Topic B: Motherboard troubleshooting
B-1: Replacing the CMOS battery
B-2: Troubleshooting BIOS and POST problems
B-3: Troubleshooting motherboard and CPU problems
Unit 3: Memory systems
Topic A: RAM installation
A-1: Adding memory to a desktop computer
A-2: Adding memory to a notebook computer
A-3: Adding memory to a handheld computer
A-4: Monitoring memory usage
A-5: Changing the size of the Windows page file
Topic B: Memory troubleshooting
B-1: Troubleshooting memory
Unit 4: Expansion cards
Topic A: Host system interaction
A-1: Examining running processes
A-2: Examining system resources
A-3: Identifying the typical usage of system resources
A-4: Identifying the system resources in use with Device Manager
Topic B: Expansion card installation
B-1: Installing a video adapter card
B-2: Installing a sound card
B-3: Installing an expansion card
Topic C: Expansion card troubleshooting
C-1: Searching for and installing updated drivers
C-2: Troubleshooting expansion card problems
Topic D: Port, cable, and connector troubleshooting
D-1: Troubleshooting port, cable, and connector problems
Unit 5: Data storage devices
Topic A: Hard drives
A-1: Physically installing a hard drive
A-2: Partitioning and formatting a hard drive
A-3: Exploring RAID
Topic B: Optical drives
B-1: Installing an optical drive
Topic C: Removable storage devices
C-1: Using a USB flash drive
C-2: Installing a floppy drive
Topic D: Storage device troubleshooting
D-1: Running defrag.exe
D-2: Running chkdsk.exe
D-3: Using Disk Cleanup
D-4: Troubleshooting data storage devices
Unit 6: Printers and scanners
Topic A: Maintenance
A-1: Performing inkjet and laser printer maintenance tasks
A-2: Performing scanner maintenance tasks
Topic B: Troubleshooting
B-1: Troubleshooting printer problems
B-2: Troubleshooting scanner and multifunction device problems
Unit 7: Mobile computing
Topic A: Configuration
A-1: Using the Windows Mobility Center
A-2: Configuring power settings
A-3: Putting a notebook into hibernate and sleep modes
Topic B: Component replacement and troubleshooting
B-1: Adding and removing hot-swappable components
B-2: Replacing an internal component in a notebook
B-3: Adding peripherals
B-4: Troubleshooting portable-computer problems
B-5: Identifying power problems
Unit 8: Windows management
Topic A: Directory and file management
A-1: Using the command prompt
A-2: Navigating a directory tree
A-3: Creating directories
A-4: Copying a directory and its contents
A-5: Removing directories
A-6: Creating a text file
A-7: Editing a text file
A-8: Mounting a volume
Topic B: Resource management
B-1: Configuring Windows services
B-2: Using the net command
B-3: Observing the Startup program group
B-4: Exploring regional and language settings
B-5: Modifying indexing settings
B-6: Personalizing the appearance of Windows
B-7: Troubleshooting Windows Aero settings
B-8: Configuring Windows Desktop Gadgets
Topic C: Remote management
C-1: Requesting Remote Assistance
C-2: Participating in a Remote Assistance session
C-3: Enabling Remote Desktop
C-4: Making a Remote Desktop connection
Unit 9: Windows maintenance
Topic A: Monitoring
A-1: Viewing real-time performance data in Resource Overview (optional Instructor demonstration)
A-2: Monitoring performance
A-3: Configuring Performance Monitor
A-4: Determining a system’s Stability Index
A-5: Monitoring applications
A-6: Ending a process
A-7: Monitoring network utilization and users
A-8: Viewing the event logs
A-9: Controlling the display of an event log
Topic B: Maintenance
B-1: Scheduling a backup
B-2: Restoring files from backup
B-3: Creating a restore point
B-4: Restoring a computer to a previous state
Topic C: Task Scheduler
C-1: Creating a basic task
C-2: Creating a task manually
Topic D: Troubleshooting
D-1: Troubleshooting Windows startup errors
D-2: Booting the computer using advanced startup options
D-3: Using the System Configuration utility
D-4: Running Windows Diagnostics
D-5: Using System File Checker
Unit 10: SOHO networking
Topic A: Networking basics
A-1: Selecting a connection technology
A-2: Describing Ethernet standards
A-3: Examining wireless devices
A-4: Comparing network protocols
A-5: Identifying the technology used to implement WLANs
Topic B: Installing a wireless network
B-1: Configuring a wireless access point (instructor demo)
B-2: Configuring a wireless client (instructor demo)
Unit 11: Network troubleshooting
Topic A: Troubleshooting basics
A-1: Identifying common toolkit components
Topic B: Troubleshooting the network
B-1: Testing the physical network
B-2: Troubleshooting wireless networking
B-3: Identifying TCP/IP utilities used for troubleshooting
B-4: Using IPCONFIG to display TCP/IP settings
B-5: Testing TCP/IP connectivity
B-6: Using NSLookup and Tracert
B-7: Using port numbers
B-8: Troubleshooting client-side connectivity issues
B-9: Troubleshooting with Windows Network Diagnostics
Unit 12: Security
Topic A: Common security threats
A-1: Identifying common security threats
A-2: Discussing social engineering
A-3: Installing antivirus software
A-4: Scanning your system for spyware
A-5: Working with software in Windows Defender
A-6: Determining whether you need to update your computer’s BIOS
Topic B: Implementing and troubleshooting security
B-1: Creating local user accounts
B-2: Creating a password
B-3: Requiring a new password
B-4: Disabling local user accounts
B-5: Configuring UAC
B-6: Determining effective permissions
B-7: Displaying the status of Windows Firewall
B-8: Enabling a firewall rule
B-9: Encrypting a folder
Appendix A: Binary, octal, and hexadecimal numbering
Topic A: Count like a computer
Appendix B: CompTIA acronyms
Topic A: Acronym list
Appendix C: Certification exam objectives map
Topic A: Comprehensive exam objectives