A+, Network+, Security+ Exams in a Nutshell

Personal Computer Components

This part of the A+ exam deals mainly with installing, upgrading, and basic troubleshooting of different parts of personal computers. As a hardware technician, you are expected to have good knowledge of installation and upgrading procedures for different components of personal computers, including storage devices, motherboards, processors, memory, power supplies, adapter cards, ports, and cable types used both inside the computer and for connecting external peripherals. This section provides an overview of installation, optimization, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance procedures for these components.

Tip

Chapter 2 includes a detailed discussion of various components of personal computers, their identification, characteristics, and basic installation and troubleshooting procedures. I encourage you to review the fundamentals one more time before you take Exams 220–602, 220–603, or 220–604.

Adding, Removing, and Upgrading Computer Components

Every component inside and outside a computer needs to be installed or upgraded using certain standard procedures. Most of these procedures come in the form of instructions from the vendor. In some situations, when no predefined procedure or instructions are available, you might have to use your common sense, knowledge, skills, and experience to complete the given task. The installation and upgrade process starts right from selecting an appropriate component, installing it, and testing it to verify that it works ...