Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+ Certification Passport, Fifth Edition (Exams 220-801 & 220-802), 5th Edition

Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+ Certification Passport, Fifth Edition (Exams 220-801 & 220-802), 5th Edition

by Mike Meyers
Released December 2012
Publisher(s): McGraw-Hill
ISBN: 9780071795630

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Book description

From the #1 Name in Professional Certification

Get on the fast track to becoming CompTIA A+ certified with this affordable, portable study tool. Inside, certification training expert Mike Meyers guides you on your career path, providing expert tips and sound advice along the way. With an intensive focus only on what you need to know to pass CompTIA A+ Exams 220-801 & 220-802, this certification passport is your ticket to success on exam day.

Featuring:

  • Itineraries—List of official exam objectives covered
  • ETAs—Amount of time needed to complete each lesson
  • Travel Advisories—Expert advice on critical topics
  • Local Lingo—Concise definitions of key terms and concepts
  • Travel Assistance—Recommended resources for more information
  • Exam Tips—Common exam pitfalls and solutions
  • Checkpoints—End-of-chapter questions, answers, and explanations
  • Career Flight Path—Career options mapped out to maximize the return from your IT journey

Electronic content includes:

  • Practice exams for 220-801 & 220-802
  • More than one hour of video training featuring Mike Meyers
  • Mike’s favorite PC tools and utilities
  • CompTIA A+ Glossary

Table of contents

  1. Cover 
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication
  5. About the Authors
  6. Contents at a Glance
  7. Contents 
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. CompTIA Approved Quality Curriculum
  10. Check-In
  11. 1. The Art of the Tech
    1. Objective 1.01: How Computers Work
    2. Objective 1.02: Dealing with Customers
      1. Eliciting Answers
      2. Integrity
      3. Respect
      4. Assertiveness
    3. Objective 1.03: Troubleshooting Methodology
      1. Tech Toolkit
      2. Backup
      3. Steps
        1. Analyze
        2. Test
        3. Complete
      4. CHECKPOINT
      5. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      6. REVIEW ANSWERS
  12. 2. Ports and Connectors
    1. Objective 2.01: Legacy Multifunction Ports
      1. Serial Ports
      2. Parallel Ports
    2. Objective 2.02: Standard Single-Function Ports
      1. The Keyboard Port
      2. The Mouse Port
      3. Video Ports
      4. Audio Ports
      5. Multimedia Ports
      6. MIDI/Joystick Ports
      7. Modem Ports
      8. Network Interface Ports
      9. eSATA Ports
    3. Objective 2.03: Modern Multifunction Ports
      1. USB
      2. IEEE 1394
      3. SCSI
      4. Thunderbolt
      5. CHECKPOINT
      6. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      7. REVIEW ANSWERS
  13. 3. Maintenance and Safety Precautions
    1. Objective 3.01: Cleaning and Maintenance Procedures
      1. Liquid Cleaning Compounds
        1. Clean or Soapy Water
        2. Denatured Alcohol
        3. Glass Cleaner
        4. Vinegar and Water Solution
        5. Commercial Computer Cleaning Solutions
      2. Cleaning Tools
        1. Canned Air
        2. Lint-Free Cloths
        3. Brushes and Swabs
        4. Non-static Vacuums
      3. Cleaning the Outside of the PC, Monitor, and Peripherals
        1. Mice
        2. Keyboards
        3. Monitor Screens
      4. Cleaning Contacts, Connectors, Motherboard, and Components
        1. Contacts and Connectors
        2. Motherboards and Components
    2. Objective 3.02: Component Protection and Storage
      1. Power Problems
      2. Saving Your PC from Electrical Problems
        1. Uninterruptible Power Supplies
        2. Standby Power Systems
        3. Online UPS
        4. Line-Interactive UPS
        5. Surge Suppressors
        6. Unplug Your PC
        7. EMI Noise Filters
      3. Storing Components for Future Use
        1. Storage Environment
        2. Electrical Precautions
        3. Moisture
    3. Objective 3.03: Electrostatic Discharge Precautions and Procedures
      1. Types of ESD
        1. Catastrophic ESD Damage
        2. Hidden ESD Damage
        3. ESD Degradation
      2. Common ESD Protection Devices
        1. Antistatic Wrist and Ankle Straps
        2. Antistatic Mats
        3. Antistatic Floor Mats
        4. Antistatic Bags
    4. Objective 3.04: Safety and Environmental Issues
      1. Tech-Controlled Factors
        1. What to Wear
        2. Control Those Cords!
        3. Use the Right Tool for the Job
        4. Heavy Devices
        5. Incident Reports
      2. Environmental Factors
      3. High-Voltage Equipment
        1. Power Supplies
        2. Monitors
        3. Fires
    5. Objective 3.05: Special Disposal Procedures and Environmental Protection Guidelines
      1. Batteries
      2. CRTs
      3. Toner and Inkjet Cartridges
      4. Chemical Solvents and Cans
      5. Material Safety Data Sheet
      6. CHECKPOINT
      7. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      8. REVIEW ANSWERS
  14. 4. Motherboards, Power Supplies, and Cases
    1. Objective 4.01: Motherboards
      1. Chipsets
        1. Traditional Chipsets
        2. Modern Chipsets
        3. Post-Modern Chipsets
      2. Motherboard Form Factors
        1. ATX
        2. ITX
        3. NLX
        4. Proprietary Form Factors
      3. Motherboard Connections
      4. Installing a Motherboard
        1. Motherboard Fan Connections
        2. Front Panel Connections
      5. Troubleshooting Motherboards
    2. Objective 4.02: Power Supplies
      1. Power Supply Form Factors
      2. Power Supply Connectors
        1. Output: Wattage and Harmonics
        2. Installation Notes
      3. Troubleshooting Power Supplies
    3. Objective 4.03: Cases
      1. CHECKPOINT
      2. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      3. REVIEW ANSWERS
  15. 5. CPUs
    1. Objective 5.01: CPU Technology
      1. Inside the CPU
        1. Arithmetic Logic Unit
        2. Registers
        3. Floating-Point Unit
        4. Cache Memory
        5. Address Space
      2. Concepts
        1. Pipeline
        2. Clock Speed
        3. Multipliers
        4. Performance Ratings
        5. CPU Packages
        6. Voltage Regulator Modules
      3. Variations
        1. Enhanced Registers
        2. Hyper-Threading
        3. 64-Bit Processors
        4. Multicore CPUs
        5. Mobile CPUs
        6. Throttling
        7. Virtualization Support
        8. Integrated Memory Controller
        9. Integrated Graphics Processing Unit
      4. Recommending a CPU
    2. Objective 5.02: Installing CPUs
      1. Compatibility Issues
      2. CPU Physical Installation
      3. Installing the Cooling System
      4. Installing a Liquid Cooling System
      5. Overclocking
    3. Objective 5.03: Troubleshooting CPUs
      1. Installation Problems
      2. Heat Issues
      3. CHECKPOINT
      4. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      5. REVIEW ANSWERS
  16. 6. RAM
    1. Objective 6.01: RAM Overview
      1. RAM Form Factors
        1. SIMM
        2. DIMM
        3. RIMM
      2. RAM Packaging
      3. Memory Banks
      4. Memory Channels
      5. RAM Types
        1. Asynchronous RAM
        2. SDRAM
      6. RDRAM
      7. DDR SDRAM
      8. DDR2
      9. DDR3
        1. Error-Checking RAM: Parity and ECC
    2. Objective 6.02: Handling and Installing RAM
      1. Handling RAM
      2. Installing RAM Modules
      3. Confirm RAM Installation
    3. Objective 6.03: Troubleshooting RAM Errors
      1. False Memory Errors
      2. Common Symptoms of RAM Errors
      3. Common Causes of RAM Errors
      4. CHECKPOINT
      5. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      6. REVIEW ANSWERS
  17. 7. BIOS and CMOS
    1. Objective 7.01: Boot Process and POST
      1. Power-on/CPU Wakes
      2. POST
      3. POST Error Codes
        1. Beep Codes
        2. Numeric and Text Codes
        3. POST Cards
      4. OS Loads
    2. Objective 7.02: System ROM
    3. Objective 7.03: System BIOS and CMOS Setup Utility
      1. System BIOS
        1. Updating the System BIOS
      2. CMOS Setup Utility
        1. Entering the CMOS Setup Utility
        2. Replacing the CMOS Battery
      3. CHECKPOINT
      4. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      5. REVIEW ANSWERS
  18. 8. Hard Drives
    1. Objective 8.01: Hard Drive Technologies
      1. ATA
        1. PATA
        2. SATA
        3. eSATA
      2. SCSI
        1. SCSI Chains
        2. SCSI IDs
        3. Termination
    2. Objective 8.02: Installing Hard Drives
      1. Choosing Your Drive
      2. Jumpers and Cabling on PATA Drives
      3. Cabling SATA Drives
      4. Connecting SCSI Drives
    3. Objective 8.03: Partitioning and Formatting
      1. Partitioning
        1. Basic Disks
        2. Dynamic Disks
        3. How to Partition Using Disk Management
      2. Formatting
        1. FAT
        2. FAT32
        3. NTFS
        4. Disk Quotas
      3. FAT64
        1. How to Format a Partition
      4. Partitioning and Formatting During Installation
    4. Objective 8.04: Protecting Data with RAID
      1. Implementing RAID
    5. Objective 8.05: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Hard Drives
      1. Maintenance
        1. Error-Checking
        2. Defragmentation
        3. Disk Cleanup
        4. Disk Management
      2. Troubleshooting
        1. Installation Errors
        2. Data Corruption
        3. Dying Hard Drive
        4. Troubleshooting RAID
      3. CHECKPOINT
      4. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      5. REVIEW ANSWERS
  19. 9. Removable Media
    1. Objective 9.01: Floppy Drives
      1. Installing Floppy Drives
        1. Inserting Ribbon Cables
        2. Power
        3. CMOS
    2. Objective 9.02: Flash Memory
      1. USB Thumb Drives
      2. Flash Cards
      3. Card Readers
      4. Maintaining and Troubleshooting Flash Media
    3. Objective 9.03: Optical Drives
      1. Capacity
      2. Speed
      3. Installing Optical Drives
        1. Blu-ray Disc Drive Considerations
      4. ISO Files
      5. Troubleshooting Optical Drives and Discs
    4. Objective 9.04: Tape Drives
    5. Objective 9.05: External Drives
      1. Connection Types
      2. Uses for External Drives
      3. CHECKPOINT
      4. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      5. REVIEW ANSWERS
  20. 10. Peripherals and Specialty PCs
    1. Objective 10.01: Input Devices
      1. Keyboards
      2. Pointing Devices
      3. Imaging Tools
        1. Scanners
        2. Digital Cameras
        3. Camcorders
        4. Web Cameras
      4. Multimedia Devices
      5. Game Controllers
      6. Specialty Input Devices
        1. Biometric Devices
        2. Bar Code Readers
        3. Touch Screens
        4. Graphics Tablets
        5. KVM Switches
    2. Objective 10.02: Adapter Cards
      1. PCI
        1. AGP
        2. PCI-X
        3. Mini-PCI
        4. PCI Express
      2. Installing Expansion Cards
        1. Step 1: Knowledge
        2. Step 2: Physical Installation
        3. Step 3: Device Drivers and Other Software
        4. Step 4: Verification
      3. Troubleshooting Expansion Cards
        1. Device Manager
    3. Objective 10.03: Output Devices
      1. Sound
      2. Video
        1. Video Cards
        2. Monitors
      3. CRT Monitors
        1. Resolution
      4. LCD Monitors
        1. LCD Resolution
        2. LCD Technologies
        3. LCD Components
        4. Contrast Ratio
        5. Add-on Filters
      5. Projectors
      6. Common Features
        1. Adjustments
        2. Power Conservation
      7. Display Settings
      8. Troubleshooting Video
        1. Troubleshooting Video Cards/Drivers
        2. Troubleshooting Monitors
    4. Objective 10.04: Specialty PCs
      1. CHECKPOINT
      2. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      3. REVIEW ANSWERS
  21. 11. Printers
    1. Objective 11.01: Types of Printers
      1. Impact Printers
      2. Inkjet Printers
      3. Dye-Sublimation Printers
      4. Thermal Printers
      5. Laser and LED Printers
        1. Laser Printer Parts
        2. The Laser Printing Process
        3. Other Laser Printer Components
    2. Objective 11.02: Installing Printers
      1. Printer Languages
      2. Physical Connection
      3. Setting Up Printers
      4. Optimizing Print Performance
        1. Calibration
    3. Objective 11.03: Troubleshooting Printers
      1. Feed and Output
        1. Problems with Friction-Feed Mechanisms
        2. Problems with Tractor-Feed Mechanisms
      2. Printer Errors
        1. Out-of-Paper Errors
        2. Input/Output Errors
        3. Incorrect Port Mode Errors
        4. No Default Printer Errors
        5. Toner Low and Ink Low Errors
        6. Access Denied
      3. Print Quality
        1. Impact Print Quality Issues
        2. Inkjet Print Quality Issues
        3. Laser Print Quality Issues
        4. General Print Quality Issues
    4. Objective 11.04: Maintenance
      1. Cleaning Impact Printers
      2. Cleaning Inkjet Printers
      3. Cleaning Thermal and Dye-Sublimation Printers
      4. Cleaning Laser Printers
      5. Periodic Maintenance of Laser Printers
      6. CHECKPOINT
      7. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      8. REVIEW ANSWERS
  22. 12. Portable Computers
    1. Objective 12.01: Upgrading and Repairing Laptop Computers
      1. Disassembly Process
      2. Repairing Without the Manual
      3. Standard Upgrades
        1. RAM
        2. How to Add or Replace RAM
        3. HDD/SSD
      4. Hardware Replacement
        1. Components
        2. Integral Parts
    2. Objective 12.02: Portable PC Features
      1. Keyboard Quirks
      2. Pointing Devices
      3. Display Options
      4. Portable-Specific Expansion Slots
        1. PCMCIA
        2. Parallel PC Cards
        3. ExpressCard
      5. Storage Card Slots
      6. General-Purpose Ports
        1. USB, FireWire, and eSATA
        2. Port Replicators
        3. Docking Stations
      7. Batteries
        1. The Care and Feeding of Batteries
      8. Power Management
        1. Manual Control over Power Use
      9. AC Adapters
    3. Objective 12.03: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Portables
      1. Cleaning
      2. Heat
      3. Protect the Machine
        1. Travel
        2. Shipping
        3. Security
      4. Troubleshooting Portable Computers
      5. Laptop Won’t Power On
      6. Battery Won’t Charge
      7. Screen Doesn’t Come On Properly
      8. Wireless Doesn’t Work or Works Intermittently
      9. Input Problems
      10. CHECKPOINT
      11. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      12. REVIEW ANSWERS
  23. 13. Mobile Devices
    1. Objective 13.01: Features and Capabilities of Smartphones and Tablets
      1. Mobile Experience
        1. Touch Interface
        2. Mobile Operating Systems
        3. Apps
      2. Adding Apps
        1. Apple and Closed Source
        2. Android Experience
      3. Enhancing Hardware
        1. Apple Expansion Options
        2. Android Expansion Options
        3. Bluetooth
      4. The Other Tablet
    2. Objective 13.02: Configuring Mobile Devices
      1. Network Connectivity
      2. Data
      3. Bluetooth
      4. E-mail
      5. Synchronization
        1. iTunes and iCloud
        2. Android and Gmail
        3. Sync In, Sync Out
    3. Objective 13.03: Securing Mobile Devices
      1. Preventing Damage
      2. Dealing with Loss
      3. Recovering from Theft
      4. CHECKPOINT
      5. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      6. REVIEW ANSWERS
  24. 14. Operating System Fundamentals
    1. Objective 14.01: Characteristics of the Operating System
      1. CPU Specific
      2. Application Compatibility
      3. PC Control
    2. Objective 14.02: Common Operating System Functions
      1. Communicating with Hardware
      2. Creating a User Interface
      3. Accessing and Supporting Programs
      4. Organizing and Manipulating Programs and Data
    3. Objective 14.03: Operating System Interfaces
      1. Command Line Interface
        1. Accessing the Command Line Interface
        2. Issuing Instructions Using the Command Line
        3. Navigating Using a Command Line Interface
        4. Running Applications from the Command Prompt
      2. Graphical User Interface
    4. Objective 14.04: Common Microsoft Windows Features
      1. Welcome/Login Screen
      2. Desktop
        1. My Computer/Computer
        2. My Documents, My [Whatever]
        3. User’s Files
        4. My Network Places/Network
        5. Recycle Bin
        6. Windows Sidebar
        7. Taskbar and Start Menu
      3. OS Files and Folders
        1. System Folder
        2. Registry
        3. Virtual Memory/Page File
      4. Program Files
      5. Hot Keys
      6. CHECKPOINT
      7. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      8. REVIEW ANSWERS
  25. 15. Windows in Detail
    1. Objective 15.01: Essential Tech Utilities
      1. Right-Click
      2. Control Panel
      3. Device Manager
      4. System Tools
        1. Activate Windows (All)
        2. Backup (XP)
        3. Backup Status and Configuration (Vista)
        4. Character Map (All)
        5. Disk Cleanup (All)
        6. Disk Defragmenter (All)
        7. Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (XP)
        8. Windows Easy Transfer (Vista, 7)
        9. Scheduled Tasks/Task Scheduler (All)
        10. Security Center (XP, Vista)
        11. Resource Monitor (7)
        12. System Information (All)
        13. System Restore (All)
        14. BitLocker (Vista and 7 Enterprise and Ultimate)
      5. Microsoft Management Console
      6. Administrative Tools
        1. Computer Management
        2. Services
      7. Action Center (Unique to Windows 7)
    2. Objective 15.02: Windows Structure
      1. NT File System (NTFS)
        1. Long Filenames
        2. Redundancy
        3. Backward Compatibility
        4. Recoverability
        5. Security
    3. Objective 15.03: Booting Windows
      1. Booting Windows XP
        1. The Boot Process
        2. System Partition Files
      2. Booting Windows Vista/7
    4. Objective 15.04: Windows Versions and Editions
      1. Windows XP
        1. Windows XP Professional
        2. Windows XP Home
        3. Windows XP Media Center
      2. Windows Vista
        1. Windows Vista Home Basic
        2. Windows Vista Home Premium
        3. Windows Vista Business
        4. Windows Vista Ultimate
        5. Windows Vista Enterprise
      3. Windows 7
        1. Windows 7 Starter
        2. Windows 7 Home Premium
        3. Windows 7 Professional
        4. Windows 7 Ultimate
        5. Windows 7 Enterprise
      4. Windows 64-Bit Editions
        1. Transitioning to 64-bit Windows
      5. CHECKPOINT
      6. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      7. REVIEW ANSWERS
  26. 16. Installing and Upgrading Windows
    1. Objective 16.01: Preparing for Installation or Upgrade
      1. Identify Hardware Requirements
      2. Verify Hardware and Software Compatibility
        1. Web Sites and Lists
        2. Manufacturer Resources
      3. Perform a Clean Installation or an Upgrade
        1. Clean Installation
        2. Upgrade Installation
        3. Multiboot Installation
        4. Other Installation Methods
      4. Back Up and Restore Existing Data, If Necessary
      5. Select an Installation Method
      6. Partition the Hard Drive and Choose a System
      7. Your Computer’s Network Role
      8. Your Computer’s Language and Locale Settings
      9. Post-Installation Tasks
    2. Objective 16.02: Installing and Upgrading Windows XP, Vista, and 7
      1. During the Installation
      2. Installing or Upgrading to Windows XP Professional
        1. Upgrade Paths
        2. XP Hardware Requirements
        3. Hardware and Software Compatibility
        4. Booting into Windows XP Setup
        5. Registration vs. Activation
      3. Installing or Upgrading to Windows Vista
        1. Upgrade Paths
        2. Hardware Requirements
        3. Hardware and Software Compatibility
      4. Installing or Upgrading to Windows 7
        1. Hardware Requirements for Windows 7
      5. Upgrading Issues
      6. The Windows XP Clean Installation Process
      7. The Windows Vista/7 Clean Installation Process
      8. Automating the Installation
        1. Scripting Windows XP Installations with Setup Manager
        2. Automating a Windows Vista or Windows 7 Installation with the Automated Installation Kit
        3. Disk Cloning
      9. Installing Windows over a Network
        1. PXE
      10. Post-Installation Tasks
        1. Identifying Installation Problems
        2. Patches, Service Packs, and Updates
        3. Upgrading Drivers
        4. Restoring User Data Files (If Applicable)
        5. Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
        6. User State Migration Tool
        7. Windows Easy Transfer
        8. Migration Practices
        9. Data Destruction
        10. Recycle
    3. Objective 16.03: InstallingWindows into a Virtual Machine
      1. Purposes and Benefits of VMs
      2. Emulation vs. Virtualization
      3. Installation Process
        1. Hardware
        2. Boot to the Host and Load the VM Manager Software
        3. Set Up VM Parameters
        4. Install the OS into the VM
    4. Objective 16.04: Troubleshooting Installations and Upgrades
      1. Text Mode Errors
      2. Graphical Mode Errors
        1. Hardware Detection Errors
        2. Can’t Read CAB Files (Windows XP only)
      3. Lockups During Installation
        1. Smart Recovery, Repair Installation
        2. Optical Drive, Hard Drive
        3. Log Files
      4. No Installation Is Perfect
      5. CHECKPOINT
      6. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      7. REVIEW ANSWERS
  27. 17. Maintaining and Optimizing Windows
    1. Objective 17.01: Maintaining Windows
      1. Patches, Updates, and Service Packs
        1. Automatic Updates
      2. Managing User Accounts and Groups
        1. Managing Users in Windows XP
        2. Managing Users in Windows Vista
        3. Managing Users in Windows 7
        4. Passwords
      3. Hard Drive Tools and Tasks
      4. Registry Maintenance
      5. Security: Spyware/Antivirus/Firewall
    2. Objective 17.02: Optimizing Windows
      1. Installing and Removing Software
        1. System Information
        2. Installing Software
        3. Removing Software
        4. Adding or Removing Windows Components
      2. Installing/Optimizing a Device
        1. Driver Updates
        2. Driver Signing
        3. Device Manager
        4. Adding a New Device
        5. Performance Options in the System Applet
      3. Hardware Profiles
      4. Resource Tracking
        1. Task Manager
        2. Performance Console
      5. Performance Tools in Windows Vista and Windows 7
      6. Tools for Programmers
        1. Component Services
        2. Data Sources
      7. Preparing for Problems
        1. Back Up Personal Data
        2. Backup Utility for Windows XP (ntbackup)
        3. Backup and Restore Center for Vista/7
        4. System Restore
      8. CHECKPOINT
      9. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      10. REVIEW ANSWERS
  28. 18. Troubleshooting Windows
    1. Objective 18.01: Troubleshooting Windows Boot Problems
      1. Failure to Boot: Hardware or Configuration
      2. Failure to Boot: Windows XP
        1. Attempt to Repair Using a Repair Installation
        2. Attempt to Repair Using Recovery Console
        3. Attempt to Restore
        4. Rebuild
      3. Failure to Boot: Windows Vista and Windows 7
        1. WinPE and the Death of the Recovery Console
        2. Enter Windows RE
        3. Getting to Windows RE
        4. Using Windows RE
    2. Objective 18.02: Troubleshooting Windows GUI Problems
      1. Device Drivers
      2. Registry
        1. Replacing the Registry in Windows XP
        2. Replacing the Registry in Windows Vista/7
      3. Advanced Startup Options
        1. Safe Mode (All Versions)
        2. Safe Mode with Networking (All Versions)
        3. Safe Mode with Command Prompt (All Versions)
        4. Enable Boot Logging (All Versions)
        5. Enable VGA Mode (XP)/Enable Low-Resolution Mode (Vista and 7)
        6. Last Known Good Configuration (All Versions)
        7. Directory Services Restore Mode (All Versions)
        8. Debugging Mode (All Versions)
        9. Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure (All Versions)
        10. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement (Vista and 7)
        11. Start Windows Normally (All Versions)
        12. Reboot (All Versions)
        13. Return to OS Choices Menu (All Versions)
      4. Troubleshooting Tools in the GUI
        1. Event Viewer
        2. Autoloading Programs
        3. Services
        4. System Configuration
        5. System Files
        6. System Restore
      5. Troubleshooting Tools in Windows Vista and Windows 7
        1. Problem Reports and Solutions
        2. Action Center
        3. Performance Information and Tools
    3. Objective 18.03: Troubleshooting Windows Application Problems
      1. Application Installation Problems
      2. Problems with Uninstalling
      3. Compatibility
      4. Missing File or Incorrect File Version
      5. Crashing Programs
      6. Volume Shadow Copy Service and System Protection
      7. Troubleshooting (Windows 7 Only)
      8. CHECKPOINT
      9. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      10. REVIEW ANSWERS
  29. 19. Networking
    1. Objective 19.01: Networking Components for the PC
      1. Installing Network Adapters and Drivers
        1. The Link Between Networking Hardware and Data Frames
      2. Client Service
      3. Software Protocols
    2. Objective 19.02: Types of Networks
      1. LANs, Routing, and WANs
      2. Topologies
      3. Star Bus
    3. Objective 19.03: Network Cabling Standards
      1. Ethernet
        1. Shielded Twisted Pair
        2. Implementing 10/100/1000BaseT
        3. Plenum versus PVC Cabling
        4. Link Lights
        5. Fiber-Optic Ethernet
        6. Switches
    4. Objective 19.04: Network Operating Systems
      1. Network Organization
        1. Client/Server
        2. Peer-to-Peer
        3. Domain-Based
        4. Homegroups
    5. Objective 19.05: Installing and Configuring a LAN
      1. Network Infrastructure
      2. Installing a NIC
      3. Configuring a Network Client
        1. Client for Microsoft Networks
      4. Configuring TCP/IP
        1. Network Addressing
        2. TCP/IP Services
        3. TCP/IP Settings
        4. TCP/IP Tools
        5. Steps for Configuring TCP/IP
        6. Automatic Private IP Addressing
      5. Sharing and Security
        1. Simple File Sharing
        2. Sharing Drives and Folders
        3. Setting Up a Homegroup
        4. Accessing Shared Drives/Directories
        5. Issues with NTFS vs. Share Permissions
        6. Administrative Shares
        7. Universal Naming Convention
        8. net
        9. nbtstat
        10. Sharing Printers
    6. Objective 19.06: Troubleshooting Networks
      1. OSI Seven-Layer Model
      2. Repairing Physical Cabling
        1. Symptoms
        2. Diagnosing Physical Problems
        3. Check the Lights
        4. Check the NIC
        5. Cable Testing
        6. Toners
      3. Other No Connectivity Problems
      4. Fixing Common Problems
        1. Failing to Connect to a New Resource
        2. Failing to Connect to a Previously Used Resource
      5. CHECKPOINT
      6. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      7. REVIEW ANSWERS
  30. 20. Wireless Networking
    1. Objective 20.01: Wireless Networking Basics
      1. Wireless Networking Components
      2. Wireless Networking Software
      3. Wireless Network Modes
        1. Ad Hoc Mode
        2. Infrastructure Mode
      4. Securing a SOHO Wireless Network
        1. SSID and Administrator User Name and Password
        2. MAC Filtering
        3. WEP
        4. WPA
        5. WPA2
        6. WPS
        7. Access Point Placement and Radio Power
      5. Wireless Networking Speed
      6. Wireless Networking Range
    2. Objective 20.02: Wireless Networking Standards
      1. IEEE 802.11–Based Wireless Networking
        1. Wi-Fi Wireless Networking Standards
      2. Infrared Wireless Networking
        1. Infrared Data Association Standard
      3. Bluetooth
    3. Objective 20.03: Configuring, Connecting, and Troubleshooting Wireless Networking
      1. Configuring Wi-Fi
        1. Ad Hoc Mode
        2. Infrastructure Mode
      2. Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network
      3. Troubleshooting Wi-Fi
      4. CHECKPOINT
      5. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      6. REVIEW ANSWERS
  31. 21. The Internet
    1. Objective 21.01: Connecting to the Internet
      1. Dial-up Networking
        1. Modems
        2. Network and Internet Connections
        3. ISDN
      2. Dedicated Connections
        1. DSL
        2. Cable
        3. Fiber
      3. LAN
      4. 802.11 Wireless
      5. Cellular
      6. Satellite
      7. Internet Connection Sharing
    2. Objective 21.02: Internet Software Tools
      1. The World Wide Web
        1. Configuring Internet Explorer
        2. Configuring Other Web Browsers
        3. Web Security with HTTPS
      2. E-mail
        1. E-mail Security
        2. Web Mail
      3. File Transfer Protocol
      4. Telnet and SSH
      5. SFTP
      6. Remote Applications
        1. Remote Desktop
        2. Remote Assistance
        3. System Applet Options
      7. Voice over IP
      8. Virtual Private Networks
        1. PPTP VPNs
      9. Support Applications (Internet Utilities)
        1. LDAP
        2. SNMP
        3. SMB
      10. CHECKPOINT
      11. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      12. REVIEW ANSWERS
  32. 22. Securing Computers
    1. Objective 22.01: Analyzing Security Threats
      1. Unauthorized Access
      2. Social Engineering
        1. Infiltration
        2. Telephone Scams
        3. Phishing
      3. Data Destruction
      4. Administrative Access
      5. System Crash/Hardware Failure
      6. Physical Theft
      7. Malware
    2. Objective 22.02: Security Concepts and Technologies
      1. Access Control
        1. Secure Physical Area and Lock Down Systems
        2. Authentication
        3. NTFS, not FAT32!
        4. Users and Groups
        5. User Account Management Through Groups
        6. Security Policies
      2. Data Classification and Compliance
      3. Reporting
        1. Auditing
        2. Incidence Reporting
        3. Evidence Handling
    3. Objective 22.03: Protect Computers from Network Threats
      1. Malicious Software
        1. Grayware
        2. Spam
        3. Virus
        4. Worm
        5. Macro
        6. Trojan Horse
        7. Rootkit
      2. Malware Signs and Symptoms
      3. Malware Prevention and Recovery
        1. Dealing with Malware
        2. Antimalware Programs
        3. User Education
        4. Malware Prevention Tips
        5. Boot CD Antimalware Tools
        6. Malware Recovery Tips
      4. Firewalls
        1. Hardware Firewall Settings
        2. Software Firewalls
      5. Authentication and Encryption
        1. Network Authentication
        2. Data Encryption
        3. Application Encryption
      6. CHECKPOINT
      7. REVIEW QUESTIONS
      8. REVIEW ANSWERS
  33. Appendix A: Career Flight Path
    1. CompTIA Network+ Certification
    2. CompTIA Security+ Certification
    3. Microsoft Technical Series Certifications
    4. Cisco Certification
  34. Appendix B: About the Download
    1. Media Center Downloads
      1. Playing Mike Meyers’ Introduction Video
      2. Viewing the CompTIA A+ Exam Objectives
    2. Downloading the Total Tester
      1. Installing and Running Total Tester
      2. About Total Teste
    3. Mike Meyers’ Video Training Download
    4. Mike’s Cool Tools Download
    5. Technical Support
  35. Glossary
  36. Index

Product information

  • Title: Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+ Certification Passport, Fifth Edition (Exams 220-801 & 220-802), 5th Edition
  • Author(s): Mike Meyers
  • Release date: December 2012
  • Publisher(s): McGraw-Hill
  • ISBN: 9780071795630