CompTIA® A+ 220-901 and 220-902 Exam Cram

Book description

This is the eBook version of the print title. The eBook edition does not provide access to the test engine and practice test that accompanies the print book.

This is the perfect study guide to help you pass CompTIA®’s new A+® 220-901 and 220-902 exams. It provides coverage and practice questions for every exam topic, including substantial new coverage of Windows 8/8.1, new PC hardware, tablets, smartphones, OS X, Linux, cloud computing, and professional-level networking and security. Extensive prep tools include quizzes, Exam Alerts, our great last-minute Cram Sheet, and two full practice exams in the ebook. You’ll also find ten exclusive Real World Scenario case studies, all linked to simulations or video posted to the book website!

Covers the critical information you’ll need to know to score higher on your A+ 220-901 and 220-902 exams!

  • Deploy and manage desktops and notebooks running Windows 8.1/8, 7, Vista, OS X, or Linux

  • Master and practice the six-step A+ troubleshooting process

  • Understand, install, configure, and troubleshoot motherboards, CPUs, and memory

  • Test and troubleshoot power-related problems

  • Use all forms of storage, including SSDs, Blu-ray devices, and RAID systems

  • Work effectively with mobile devices, including iOS, Android, and Windows tablets and smartphones

  • Install, configure, and troubleshoot both visible and internal laptop components

  • Configure Windows components and applications, use Windows administrative tools, and optimize Windows systems

  • Repair damaged Windows environments and boot errors

  • Work with audio and video subsystems, I/O devices, and new peripherals

  • Install and manage both local and network printers

  • Understand and work with networks, network hardware, wireless protocols, and cloud technologies

  • Install and configure SOHO wired/wireless networks and troubleshoot connectivity

  • Secure desktops and mobile devices, implement authentication methods, prevent malware attacks, and protect data



  • Table of contents

    1. About This E-Book
    2. Title Page
    3. Copyright Page
    4. Contents at a Glance
    5. Table of Contents
    6. About the Author
    7. Acknowledgments
    8. About the Technical Reviewer
    9. We Want to Hear from You!
    10. Reader Services
    11. CompTIA®
      1. Becoming a CompTIA Certified IT Professional is Easy
        1. Why Get CompTIA Certified?
      2. Learn more: Certification.CompTIA.org/aplus
    12. Introduction
      1. Target Audience
      2. About the CompTIA A+ 220-901 and 220-902 Exams
      3. About This Book
        1. Chapter Format and Conventions
        2. Additional Elements
        3. The Hands-On Approach
        4. Goals for This Book
      4. Exam Topics
    13. Chapter 1. Introduction to Troubleshooting
      1. The Six-Step A+ Troubleshooting Process
        1. Step 1: Identify the Problem
        2. Step 2: Establish a Theory of Probable Cause (Question the Obvious)
        3. Step 3: Test the Theory to Determine Cause
        4. Step 4: Establish a Plan of Action to Resolve the Problem and Implement the Solution
        5. Step 5: Verify Full System Functionality and, If Applicable, Implement Preventative Measures
        6. Step 6: Document Findings, Actions, and Outcomes
        7. Cram Quiz
        8. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Troubleshooting Examples and PC Tools
        1. Troubleshooting Example 1—Basic: Display Issue
        2. Troubleshooting Example 2—Intermediate: Power Issue
        3. Troubleshooting Example 3—Advanced: Wireless Issue
        4. PC Tools
        5. More Troubleshooting Tidbits
        6. Cram Quiz
        7. Cram Quiz Answers
    14. Chapter 2. Motherboards
      1. Motherboard Components and Form Factors
        1. Motherboard Components
        2. Form Factors
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. The BIOS/UEFI
        1. BIOS, CMOS, and the Lithium Battery
        2. The POST
        3. Accessing and Configuring the BIOS
        4. Flashing the BIOS
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
      3. Installing and Troubleshooting Motherboards
        1. Installing Motherboards
        2. Troubleshooting Motherboards
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
    15. Chapter 3. The CPU
      1. CPU 101
        1. CPU Technology
        2. Cooling
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Installing and Troubleshooting CPUs
        1. Installing CPUs
        2. Troubleshooting CPUs
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
    16. Chapter 4. RAM
      1. RAM Basics and Types of RAM
        1. RAM Basics
        2. Types of RAM
        3. RAM Technologies
        4. Cram Quiz
        5. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Installing and Troubleshooting DRAM
        1. Installing DRAM
        2. Troubleshooting DRAM
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
    17. Chapter 5. Power
      1. Understanding and Testing Power
        1. Testing an AC Outlet with a Receptacle Tester
        2. Testing an AC Outlet with a Multimeter
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Power Devices
        1. Power Strips
        2. Surge Protectors
        3. Uninterruptible Power Supplies
        4. Cram Quiz
        5. Cram Quiz Answers
      3. Power Supplies
        1. Planning Which Power Supply to Use
        2. Installing the Power Supply
        3. Troubleshooting Power Supply Issues
        4. Heating and Cooling
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
    18. Chapter 6. Storage
      1. Hard Drives
        1. Hard Disk Drives
        2. Solid-State Drives
        3. SATA
        4. Hard Drive Specifications
        5. Installing Hard Drives
        6. Preventative Maintenance and Troubleshooting Hard Drives
        7. Network Attached Storage
        8. Cram Quiz
        9. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. RAID
        1. Cram Quiz
        2. Cram Quiz Answers
      3. Optical Storage Media
        1. Compact Disc (CD)
        2. Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)
        3. Blu-ray
        4. Cram Quiz
        5. Cram Quiz Answers
      4. Solid-State Storage Media
        1. USB Flash Drives
        2. Secure Digital Cards
        3. CompactFlash Cards
        4. Cram Quiz
        5. Cram Quiz Answers
    19. Chapter 7. Mobile Device Hardware
      1. Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Visible Laptop Components
        1. Laptop 101
        2. Input Devices
        3. Video
        4. Audio
        5. Optical Drives
        6. Fans
        7. Power
        8. Expansion Devices
        9. Communications
        10. Cram Quiz
        11. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Internal Laptop Components
        1. Hard Drives
        2. Memory
        3. System Board and CPU
        4. Cram Quiz
        5. Cram Exam Answers
      3. Understanding Tablet and Smartphone Hardware
        1. Mobile Hardware Examples
        2. Hardware Differences Between Tablets/Smartphones and Laptops
        3. Tablet/Smartphone Ports and Accessories
        4. Other Types of Mobile Devices and Wearable Technology
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
    20. Chapter 8. Installing and Upgrading Windows
      1. Installing and Upgrading to Windows 8
        1. Windows 8 Editions
        2. Windows 8 Minimum Requirements and Compatibility
        3. Windows 8 Installation Methods
        4. Upgrading to Windows 8
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Installing and Upgrading to Windows 7
        1. Windows 7 Editions
        2. Windows 7 Minimum Requirements and Compatibility
        3. Windows 7 Installation Methods
        4. Upgrading to Windows 7
        5. Verifying and Troubleshooting Windows 7 Installations
        6. Cram Quiz
        7. Cram Quiz Answers
      3. Installing Windows Vista
        1. Windows Vista Editions
        2. Windows Vista Minimum Requirements and Compatibility
        3. Windows Vista Installation Methods
        4. Verifying and Troubleshooting Windows Vista Installations
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
    21. Chapter 9. Configuring Windows
      1. Windows User Interfaces
        1. Windows Components
        2. Windows Applications
        3. Administrative Tools and the MMC
        4. Cram Quiz
        5. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. System Tools and Utilities
        1. Managing Devices
        2. Operating System Optimization
        3. User Migrations and Customizations
        4. Advanced System Tools
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
      3. Files, File Systems, and Drives
        1. Working with Files and File Systems
        2. Managing Drives
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
    22. Chapter 10. Maintaining Windows
      1. Updating Windows
        1. Windows Update
        2. Service Packs
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Maintaining Hard Drives
        1. Hard Drive Utilities
        2. Backups
        3. Creating Restore Points
        4. Shadow Copy
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
    23. Chapter 11. Troubleshooting Windows
      1. Repair Environments and Boot Errors
        1. Windows Recovery Environments
        2. Boot Errors
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Windows Tools and Errors
        1. Troubleshooting Within Windows
        2. Stop Errors
        3. Improper and Spontaneous Shutdowns
        4. Additional Windows Errors and Error Reporting
        5. Restoring Windows
        6. Cram Quiz
        7. Cram Quiz Answers
      3. Command-Line Tools
        1. Windows Command Prompt
        2. Recovery Command Prompt
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
    24. Chapter 12. Video and Audio
      1. The Video Subsystem
        1. Video Cards
        2. Video Displays
        3. Video Settings and Software
        4. Cram Quiz
        5. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. The Audio Subsystem
        1. Sound Cards
        2. Installing a Sound Card and Speakers
        3. Troubleshooting Audio Problems
        4. Cram Quiz
        5. Cram Quiz Answers
    25. Chapter 13. Peripherals and Custom Computing
      1. Input/Output, Input Devices, and Peripherals
        1. I/O Ports
        2. Input, Output, and Hybrid Devices
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Custom PC Configurations
        1. Audio/Video Editing Workstation
        2. CAD/CAM Workstation
        3. Virtualization Workstation
        4. Thin Client
        5. Standard Thick Client
        6. Home Server PC
        7. Home Theater PC (HTPC)
        8. Gaming PC
        9. Cram Quiz
        10. Cram Quiz Answers
    26. Chapter 14. Printers
      1. Printer Types and Technologies
        1. Types of Printers
        2. Local Versus Network Printers
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Printers
        1. Printer Installation and Drivers
        2. Configuring Printers
        3. Virtual Printing
        4. Troubleshooting Printers
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
    27. Chapter 15. Computer Networking Part I
      1. Types of Networks, Network Devices, and Cloud Technology
        1. Network Types
        2. Network Devices
        3. Cloud Technology and Server Roles
        4. Cram Quiz
        5. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Cables, Connectors, and Tools
        1. Cable Types and Connectors
        2. Cabling Tools
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
      3. TCP/IP
        1. Configuring IPv4
        2. IPv4 Classes and CIDR
        3. Configuring IPv6
        4. TCP/IP Protocols and Their Ports
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
    28. Chapter 16. Computer Networking Part II
      1. SOHO and Windows Networking
        1. Internet Services
        2. Router Setup and Wireless
        3. Windows Configurations
        4. Cram Quiz
        5. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Troubleshooting Networks
        1. Command-Line Interface Tools
        2. Troubleshooting Common Symptoms
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
    29. Chapter 17. Security
      1. Security Threats and Prevention
        1. Malicious Software
        2. Preventing and Troubleshooting Malicious Software
        3. Unauthorized Access
        4. Social Engineering
        5. Hard Drive Recycling and Disposal
        6. Additional Attacks and Security Vulnerabilities
        7. Cram Quiz
        8. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Desktop Operating System Security
        1. User Accounts
        2. File Security
        3. Encryption
        4. Windows Firewall
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
      3. SOHO Security
        1. Changing Default Passwords
        2. Changing and Disabling the SSID
        3. Configuring Wireless Encryption
        4. Enabling MAC Filtering
        5. Disabling WPS
        6. Assigning Static IP Addresses
        7. Disabling Physical Ports
        8. A Final Word on SOHO Routers
        9. Cram Quiz
        10. Cram Quiz Answers
    30. Chapter 18. Android, iOS, OS X, and Linux
      1. Android and iOS Basics
        1. Open-Source and Closed-Source Operating Systems
        2. Obtaining Applications
        3. Screen Configurations
        4. Virtual Assistants
        5. GPS and Geotracking
        6. Microsoft Mobile Operating Systems
        7. Cram Quiz
        8. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Android/iOS Networking and Synchronization
        1. Cellular Radio Technologies
        2. Wi-Fi Network Connectivity
        3. Wi-Fi Troubleshooting
        4. Bluetooth Configuration
        5. Bluetooth Troubleshooting
        6. E-Mail Configurations
        7. Troubleshooting E-mail Connections
        8. Synchronizing Android and iOS-based Devices to a PC
        9. Synchronizing Other Devices
        10. Cram Quiz
        11. Cram Quiz Answers
      3. Android/iOS Security and Additional Troubleshooting
        1. Stolen and Lost Devices
        2. Compromised and Damaged Devices
        3. Stopping Applications
        4. Initiating Resets
        5. Additional Mobile Device Troubleshooting
        6. Cram Quiz
        7. Cram Quiz Answers
      4. OS X and Linux
        1. OS X
        2. Linux
        3. Cram Quiz
        4. Cram Quiz Answers
    31. Chapter 19. Safety, Procedures, and Professionalism
      1. Safety
        1. Electrical Safety
        2. Electrical Fire Safety
        3. ESD
        4. Physical Safety
        5. Cram Quiz
        6. Cram Quiz Answers
      2. Procedures and Environmental Controls
        1. Temperature, Humidity, and Air
        2. EMI and RFI
        3. MSDS and Disposal
        4. Incident Response and Documentation
        5. CompTIA A+ Troubleshooting Theory
        6. Cram Quiz
        7. Cram Quiz Answers
      3. Professionalism and Communication Skills
        1. Cram Quiz
        2. Cram Quiz Answers
    32. Chapter 20. Taking the Real Exams
      1. Getting Ready and the Exam Preparation Checklist
      2. Tips for Taking the Real Exam
        1. General Practices for Taking Exams
        2. Smart Methods for Difficult Questions
        3. Wrapping Up the Exam
      3. Beyond the CompTIA A+ Certification
    33. Practice Exam 1. CompTIA A+ 220-901
      1. Exam Questions
      2. Answers at a Glance
    34. Practice Exam 2. CompTIA A+ 220-902
      1. Exam Questions
      2. Answers at a Glance
    35. Appendix A. Real-World Scenarios
      1. 220-901 Scenarios
        1. Scenario 1: Design a CAD Workstation Computer
        2. Scenario 2: Select the Best Components for Three Computers
        3. Scenario 3: Identify Video Ports
        4. Scenario 4: Configure Wi-Fi on a SOHO Router
        5. Scenario 5: Identify Various Wireless Ranges
        6. Scenario 6: Identify IP Addresses
      2. 220-902 Scenarios
        1. Scenario 7: Troubleshoot an IP Issue with Ipconfig
        2. Scenario 8: Sharing and Mapping in the Command Prompt
        3. Scenario 9: Troubleshooting a System with Msconfig
        4. Scenario 10: Fixing a Computer That Won’t Boot
    36. Index
    37. Appendix B. Additional Reading and Resources
    38. Practice Exam 1 Answers
      1. Answers to Exam Questions
    39. Practice Exam 2 Answers
      1. Answers to Exam Questions
    40. Exam Alerts
    41. 220-901 Cram Quizzes and Answers
      1. Chapter 2 Cram Quizzes
      2. Chapter 3 Cram Quizzes
      3. Chapter 4 Cram Quizzes
      4. Chapter 5 Cram Quizzes
      5. Chapter 6 Cram Quizzes
      6. Chapter 7 Cram Quizzes
      7. Chapter 12 Cram Quizzes
      8. Chapter 13 Cram Quizzes
      9. Chapter 14 Cram Quizzes
      10. Chapter 15 Cram Quizzes
      11. Chapter 16 Cram Quizzes
      12. Chapter 2 Cram Quiz Answers
      13. Chapter 3 Cram Quiz Answers
      14. Chapter 4 Cram Quiz Answers
      15. Chapter 5 Cram Quiz Answers
      16. Chapter 6 Cram Quiz Answers
      17. Chapter 7 Cram Quiz Answers
      18. Chapter 12 Cram Quiz Answers
      19. Chapter 13 Cram Quiz Answers
      20. Chapter 14 Cram Quiz Answers
      21. Chapter 15 Cram Quiz Answers
      22. Chapter 16 Cram Quiz Answers
    42. 220-902 Cram Quizzes and Answers
      1. Chapter 1 Cram Quizzes
      2. Chapter 5 Cram Quizzes
      3. Chapter 8 Cram Quizzes
      4. Chapter 9 Cram Quizzes
      5. Chapter 10 Cram Quizzes
      6. Chapter 11 Cram Quizzes
      7. Chapter 15 Cram Quizzes
      8. Chapter 17 Cram Quizzes
      9. Chapter 18 Cram Quizzes
      10. Chapter 19 Cram Quizzes
      11. Chapter 1 Cram Quiz Answers
      12. Chapter 5 Cram Quiz Answers
      13. Chapter 8 Cram Quiz Answers
      14. Chapter 9 Cram Quiz Answers
      15. Chapter 10 Cram Quiz Answers
      16. Chapter 11 Cram Quiz Answers
      17. Chapter 15 Cram Quiz Answers
      18. Chapter 17 Cram Quiz Answers
      19. Chapter 18 Cram Quiz Answers
      20. Chapter 19 Cram Quiz Answers
    43. Where are the Companion Content Files?
    44. Code Snippets

    Product information

    • Title: CompTIA® A+ 220-901 and 220-902 Exam Cram
    • Author(s): David L. Prowse
    • Release date: January 2016
    • Publisher(s): Pearson IT Certification
    • ISBN: 9780134391502