CompTIA A+ (220-901)

by Dave Prowse

Released January 2016

Publisher(s): Pearson IT Certification

ISBN: 0134392388

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Video description

Overview

More than 21 hours of video training covering all of the objectives in the CompTIA A+ 220-901 exam.

Description

CompTIA A+ 220-901 Complete Video Course is a unique video product that provides a solid understanding of A+ skills. The purpose of these videos is to act as quick, concise, hands-on training that is easily absorbed. The modules in this course cover every objective in the CompTIA A+ 220-901 exam and can be used as your sole resource for learning the material needed to study for and pass the test. You can also use this as a supplement to other A+ training.

There are a total 4 modules that map to the main objectives of the CompTIA A+ 220-901 exam. These modules contain 34 lessons with video totaling over 21 hours of hands-on demonstrations, audio instruction, animations, whiteboard training, and video screencasting. The videos also include the author building a computer live on camera so you can see first-hand how to accomplish this key task. He also includes hands-on configuration labs; laptop, smartphone and device hardware labs; and live-action troubleshooting labs.

The 34 video lessons are broken down into four modules, and cover the following topics:

Hardware
Networking
Mobile Devices
Troubleshooting

Skill Level

Beginner

What You Will Learn

All of the objectives in the CompTIA A+ 220-901 exam
How to build a computer, perform networking tasks, configure laptops and mobile devices, and perform troubleshooting tasks
Real-world skills

Who Should Take This Course

The target audience for CompTIA A+ 220-901 Complete Video Course are people looking to pass the CompTIA exam as well as those interested in entering the IT field, current Computer Technicians, Help Desk Technicians, and LAN Support Specialists. The product focuses heavily building a computer, hands-on configurations, mobile and device labs, and real-world troubleshooting.

Course Requirements

Users should have a basic working knowledge of computers.

Module 1: Hardware

Lesson 1: Motherboard Components

This video covers computer form factors, motherboard components, the computer case and connections, and finally shows how to properly install a motherboard. This installation is part of a custom PC build that continues throughout the course.

Lesson 2: The CPU

This video goes into more depth about the CPU, including socket types, speeds, and other characteristics, cooling methods, and how to install a CPU.

Lesson 3: RAM

This video explains the types of RAM that are used commonly in today's computers and shows how to calculate DDR data transfer rates, RAM compatibility, and how to install RAM.

Lesson 4: PC Expansion Cards

This shorter lesson shows how to install expansion cards, and defines the various types of cards (PCIe, PCI, PCI-X) that are in use today.

Lesson 5: Power Supplies

This video shows how to install a power supply into a computer case, make all of the required connections, and defines the various power supply specifications.

Lesson 6: Storage Devices

This video describes magnetic drives, solid-state drives, optical drives, and various flash-based media. It also demonstrates how to configure RAID, and how to install basic SSD and optical drives.

Lesson 7: The BIOS

This video explains how the BIOS works and how it interacts with the CMOS and lithium battery. It also shows how to configure the BIOS, use the BIOS to monitor the system, and how to flash the BIOS in order to update it.

Lesson 8: PC Connections

This video focuses on audio and video connections, wireless connections, adapters and converters, and demonstrates in a hands-on fashion how to connect equipment to a PC.

Lesson 9: Custom PC Configurations

This video explains the types of custom PCs common today, including audio/video workstations, gaming PCs, home theater PCs, home servers, and virtualization workstations. It also uses the custom build and shows typical power-user software, such as Adobe Premiere and ProTools.

Lesson 10: Displays

This video defines the different display types, such as LCD, LED, and OLED and describes video concepts such as refresh rate, aspect ratio, color depth, as well as demonstrating how to connect multiple displays to a single system.

Lesson 11: Peripherals

This video discusses input and output devices and shows how some basic devices such as keyboards, mice, and displays are connected to a computer.

Lesson 12: Printers

This video deals with the four main types of printers laser, inkjet, impact, and thermal but focuses on the laser printer. It demonstrates how to configure printers and share them with other computers.

Module 2: Networking

Lesson 13: Computer Networking Introduction

This lesson delves into the core concepts of computer networking, including a basic definition and purpose for the computer network, as well as topologies, media used, and data transfer rates.

Lesson 14: Network Architecture Devices

Here we define the most common network devices in use today, including switches, routers, wireless access points, firewalls, and network adapters.

Lesson 15: Wired Networks

In this lesson, the focus is on twisted-pair networks, but some attention is also given to coaxial and fiber optic connections. Included in the presentation are cable types, standards, cabling tools, and testing tools.

Lesson 16: Wireless Networks & SOHO Networking

Describes wireless standards, shows how to make wireless connections, and demonstrates how to configure an access point for encryption, DHCP, NAT, DMZ, as well as how to upgrade a typical SOHO device.

Lesson 17: Internet Connection Types

This video describes common Internet connections such as cable, DSL, fiber optic-based connections, cellular, dial-up, ISDN, and WiMAX. It demonstrates cable Internet and cellular connections in a hands-on manner.

Lesson 18: TCP/IP

For this video, we cover the basics of TCP/IP. As this is not a networking course, the sub-lessons will be kept very brief. However, the foundational concepts of IPv4 and IPv6 are covered, as well as the types of IP addresses: private, public, static, and dynamic. Subnet masks and other client IP settings are covered as well and shown in a hands-on manner.

Lesson 19: Ports and Protocols

This video covers TCP/UDP, DHCP, DNS, SNMP, SSH, and other networking protocols that are common today. More importantly, the ports used by these protocols are presented in an easy-to-memorize manner. Once again, these topics are presented in a concise way to emphasize their meaning for the A+ exam.

Module 3: Mobile Devices

Lesson 20: Laptop Expansion Options

This video describes SO-DIMMs and how to install them in a laptop. It also covers the basics of ExpressCard devices and the ports and adapters you will find for a laptop.

Lesson 21: Laptop Hardware Replacement

Here we get more into the hands-on demonstrations concerning laptops including hard drive and optical drive installation, battery replacement, and keyboard and touchpad replacement. This video also shows other devices such as the CPU and system board, and discusses best practices when dealing with them.

Lesson 22: Laptop Displays

In this quick lesson, we talk about the different types of laptop displays and the components within them.

Lesson 23: Laptop Function Keys and Features

Here we demonstrate how to configure and manipulate a laptop's display, volume, media, and wireless. The lesson also discusses docking stations and laptop security, as well as rotating and removable screens.

Lesson 24: Characteristics of Smart Phones and Tablets

With the growth of mobile devices, CompTIA has increased its coverage of smart phones and tablets. This lesson delves into these devices, wearable technology, e-readers, smart cameras and GPS.

Lesson 25: Ports and Accessories of Smart Phones and Tablets

This lesson covers the ports of mobile devices but focuses more on wireless conenctions, mobile hot spots, tethering, and accessories such as headsets and memory upgrades.

Module 4: Troubleshooting

Lesson 26: PC Troubleshooting

This lesson introduces the A+ troubleshooting methodology and gives examples of troubleshooting scenarios, solved in a hands-on manner.

Lesson 27: PC Troubleshooting Tools

This lesson expands on the last one by demonstrating the use of various tools, including the PSU tester, multimeter, POST card tester, and loopback plugs.

Lesson 28: Troubleshooting Hard Drives and RAID Arrays

This video defines the common hard drive issues that can occur, plus the blue screen of death error, as well as the fundamentals of troubleshooting RAID errors.

Lesson 29: Hard Drive Troubleshooting Tools

This lesson expands on the last one by demonstrating some of the physical and software-based tools used to troubleshoot hard drives.

Lesson 30: Troubleshooting Video Issues

This short lesson covers basic video troubleshooting, including screen adjustments, driver issues, and configuration problems, and briefly discusses problems with physical displays and inverters.

Lesson 31: Troubleshooting Wired and Wireless Issues

This video covers connectivity issues, IP conflicts, slow transfer speeds, and wireless, RF, and SSID issues.

Lesson 32: Network Troubleshooting Tools

Here we give a concise demonstration of hardware and software-based networking troubleshooting tools and examples of how they are used.

Lesson 33: Troubleshooting Mobile Devices

This video discusses the most common issues that plague smart phones and tablets, and demonstrates how to troubleshoot them in a methodical manner. It also shows some basic disassembly procedures for mobile devices.

Lesson 34: Troubleshooting Printers

This video discusses the most common issues that hamper printers (especially laser printers), and demonstrates how to troubleshoot them in a logical manner. It also shows some of the troubleshooting tools used when dealing with printer issues.

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