CompTIA A+ Complete Lab Manual

CompTIA A+ Complete Lab Manual

by James Pyles
Released October 2012
Publisher(s): Sybex
ISBN: 9781118324073

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Book description

Boost your understanding of CompTIA A+ exam principles with practical, real-world exercises

Designed to complement CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, this hands-on companion book takes you step by step through the tasks a PC technician is likely to face on any given day. It supports the theory explained in the test-prep guide with additional practical application, increasing a new PC technician's confidence and marketability. Various scenarios incorporate roadblocks that may occur on the job and explain ways to successfully complete the task at hand. In addition, each task is mapped to a specific A+ exam objective for exams 220-801 and 220-802.

Tasks are divided into categories: hardware and software installation, hardware and software maintenance, and installing and upgrading operating systems, networks, and security systems.

  • Designed to enhance factual study with practical application

  • Explains step by step how to perform a variety of tasks that PC technicians commonly face on the job

  • Tasks include installing or replacing a power supply or a laptop hard drive, installing or upgrading to Windows 7, scanning for and removing viruses, installing printer drivers, and troubleshooting a network

CompTIA A+ Complete Lab Manual gives you the hands-on experience you need to succeed in the real world.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Comp TIA Discount Coupon
  3. Acknowledgments
  4. About the Author
  5. Introduction
  6. Phase 1: Installing Hardware and Software
    1. Task 1.1: Preventing ESD Damage
    2. Task 1.2: Installing RAM
    3. Task 1.3: Installing a PCI Card
    4. Task 1.4: Installing a PCI Express Card
    5. Task 1.5: Installing a Power Supply
    6. Task 1.6: Installing an IDE Hard Drive
    7. Task 1.7: Installing a SATA Hard Drive
    8. Task 1.8: Moving an Operating System to a New SATA Drive with Acronis True Image
    9. Task 1.9: Installing a SCSI Drive
    10. Task 1.10: Installing a DVD Drive
    11. Task 1.11: Installing a Video Card
    12. Task 1.12: Installing a Laptop Keyboard
    13. Task 1.13: Installing SO-DIMM in a Laptop
    14. Task 1.14: Installing a Laptop Hard Drive
    15. Task 1.15: Installing a Laptop Optical Drive
    16. Task 1.16: Installing a KVM Switch
    17. Task 1.17: Installing Drivers from a Disc
    18. Task 1.18: Installing Drivers from the Internet
    19. Task 1.19: Reformatting a Hard Drive Using Windows XP
    20. Task 1.20: Installing Windows XP Professional as a Fresh Install
    21. Task 1.21: Installing Windows Vista as a Fresh Install
    22. Task 1.22: Installing Microsoft Applications in Windows XP
    23. Task 1.23: Uninstalling Software in Windows XP
    24. Task 1.24: Uninstalling an Application Using Windows 7 Programs and Features
    25. Task 1.25: Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7
    26. Task 1.26: Shutting Down Background Processes in Windows 7
    27. Task 1.27: Installing a Local Printer
    28. Task 1.28: Installing Printer Drivers
    29. Task 1.29: Installing a Bluetooth Printer on Windows 7
    30. Task 1.30: Installing a Bluetooth Device for Pairing with Windows 7
    31. Task 1.31: Syncing a Mobile Device with Media Player in Windows 7
  7. Phase 2: Maintaining and Documenting Computer Systems
    1. Task 2.1: Identifying a Motherboard
    2. Task 2.2: Identifying a Power Supply
    3. Task 2.3: Performing a Quick Test and Replacing a Power Supply
    4. Task 2.4: Searching for Windows Vista Drivers
    5. Task 2.5: Listing All of the Drivers Installed on a Windows 7 PC
    6. Task 2.6: Cleaning Fans
    7. Task 2.7: Oiling Fans
    8. Task 2.8: Defragging a Hard Drive
    9. Task 2.9: Scheduling Automatic Defragging in Windows 7
    10. Task 2.10: Defragmenting a Single File
    11. Task 2.11: Updating Security Patches
    12. Task 2.12: Checking Internal Connectors
    13. Task 2.13: Backing Up with Acronis True Image Home
    14. Task 2.14: Flashing the BIOS
    15. Task 2.15: Changing the CMOS Battery to Correct a Slow PC Clock
    16. Task 2.16: Resetting Passwords
    17. Task 2.17: Creating a New Local User in Windows Vista
    18. Task 2.18: Testing Ports with an Online Scanner
    19. Task 2.19: Changing Printer Toner
    20. Task 2.20: Scanning a Document Using Windows 7
    21. Task 2.21: Managing Windows Startup and Recovery Behavior in Windows XP
    22. Task 2.22: Turning Windows 7 Features On or Off
    23. Task 2.23: Controlling AutoPlay Settings in Windows 7
    24. Task 2.24: Setting Up Advanced File Sharing in Windows 7
    25. Task 2.25: Installing Windows Live Mail
    26. Task 2.26: Configuring Mail Accounts in Windows Live
    27. Task 2.27: Rolling Back Device Drivers
    28. Task 2.28: Disabling and Removing Hardware Devices
  8. Phase 3: Networking Computer Systems
    1. Task 3.1: Mapping Drives
    2. Task 3.2: Creating File Shares
    3. Task 3.3: Configuring PCs to Use Dynamic Addressing
    4. Task 3.4: Releasing and Renewing a Dynamic Address Assignment
    5. Task 3.5: Installing a Network Printer
    6. Task 3.6: Making a Straight-Through Cable
    7. Task 3.7: Making a Crossover Cable
    8. Task 3.8: Testing Network Cables
    9. Task 3.9: Joining a Computer to a Domain
    10. Task 3.10: Creating a User in Active Directory
    11. Task 3.11: Setting Up a Local User ID
    12. Task 3.12: Adding a Multi-Port Card to a PC
    13. Task 3.13: Setting Up VPN on a PC
    14. Task 3.14: Connecting a PC to a Network Printer
    15. Task 3.15: Managing Windows Vista Outbound Firewall Settings
    16. Task 3.16: Monitoring Network Activity with Windows Vista Firewall
    17. Task 3.17: Configuring MAC Filtering on a Wireless Router
    18. Task 3.18: Turning Off SSID Broadcasts on a Wireless Router
    19. Task 3.19: Changing the Default Username and Password on a Wireless Router
    20. Task 3.20: Setting Up a Mobile Phone to Use Email
    21. Task 3.21: Setting Up Windows Live Mobile
  9. Phase 4: Troubleshooting and Restoring Computer Systems
    1. Task 4.1: Scanning for and Removing Viruses
    2. Task 4.2: Using Restore Point in Windows 7
    3. Task 4.3: Troubleshooting in Windows 7 Using the Action Center
    4. Task 4.4: Scanning for and Removing Malware
    5. Task 4.5: Scanning for Rootkits
    6. Task 4.6: Backing Up Outlook
    7. Task 4.7: Quickly Diagnosing Windows Vista Problems
    8. Task 4.8: Troubleshooting a Randomly Rebooting PC
    9. Task 4.9: Troubleshooting an Intermittent Boot Failure of a PC
    10. Task 4.10: Troubleshooting a Failed RAM Upgrade
    11. Task 4.11: Troubleshooting a PC That Can’t Print to a Local Printer
    12. Task 4.12: Troubleshooting a PC That Can’t Print to a Network Printer
    13. Task 4.13: Troubleshooting the Error Message “The Specified Domain Either Does Not Exist or Could Not Be Contacted”
    14. Task 4.14: Troubleshooting the Error Message “Print Processor Unknown”
    15. Task 4.15: Troubleshooting a System Conflict with a Hidden Device
    16. Task 4.16: Troubleshooting a Word Template Error Message
    17. Task 4.17: Troubleshooting a Serious System Error in Windows 7
    18. Task 4.18: Troubleshooting No Monitor Image When the PC Is Powered Up
    19. Task 4.19: Troubleshooting the Inability to Connect to a Mapped Drive
    20. Task 4.20: Troubleshooting the Inability to Access a Shared Folder on a Remote Computer
    21. Task 4.21: Troubleshooting the Inability to Connect to the Network
    22. Task 4.22: Troubleshooting Connection Problems with an External USB Hard Drive
    23. Task 4.23: Troubleshooting a Scanner Problem
    24. Task 4.24: Troubleshooting a Laptop Wi-Fi Connection Failure
    25. Task 4.25: Troubleshooting the Failure of a Hard-Disk Drive
    26. Task 4.26: Troubleshooting a Persistent “Align Print Cartridges” Message after Cartridges Have Been Replaced and Aligned
  10. Index

Product information

  • Title: CompTIA A+ Complete Lab Manual
  • Author(s): James Pyles
  • Release date: October 2012
  • Publisher(s): Sybex
  • ISBN: 9781118324073