Table of Contents

	Table of Contents
	Index
	Examples

Absolute Beginner's Guide to A+ Certification
By Mark  Edward  Soper
Publisher	: Que
Pub Date	: February 19, 2004
ISBN	: 0-7897-3062-6
Pages	: 888

                           

		Copyright
		About the Author
		Acknowledgments
		We Want to Hear from You!
		Do You Need This Book?
		What You Need to Begin
		How This Book Is Organized
		How to Use This Book
		Conventions Used in This Book
		Chapter 1.   A+ Objectives for the 2003 Exam Revisions
			A+ Objectives for the 2003 Core Hardware Exam
			A+ Objectives for the 2003 Operating Systems Exam
		Chapter 2.   PC Anatomy 101
			Hardware Overview
			Software Overview
			Firmware Overview
			Memory: RAM and ROM
			Dissecting Your Computer
			The Outside Story of Typical Computers
			Inside a Typical PC
			Working Inside Your PC
			The System BIOS
			Hardware Resources
			Study Lab
		Chapter 3.   How Computers Measure and Transfer Data
			File Overhead and Other Features
			Numbering Systems Used in Computers
			Serial Versus Parallel Information Transfer
			Study Lab
		Chapter 4.   The Motherboard and CPU
			The Motherboard
			The CPU
			Processor ( CPU ) Optimization
			Study Lab
		Chapter 5.   Power Supplies and Circuit Testing
			Power Supply Ratings
			Multivoltage Power Supplies
			Causes and Cures of Power Supply Overheating
			Replacement Power Supply Form Factors and Connectors
			Removal and Replacement of the Power Supply
			Testing Power Supplies with a Multimeter
			Determining Power Supply DC Voltage Levels
			Avoiding Power Supply Hazards
			Power Protection Types
			Troubleshooting Power Problems
			Study Lab
		Chapter 6.   BIOS and CMOS Configuration
			What Does the BIOS Control?
			System Configuration with the BIOS
			Getting Support for Your BIOS
			BIOS Upgrades
			Study Lab
		Chapter 7.   RAM
			Memory Types and Forms
			Memory Form Factors
			Memory Banks
			Installing SIMMs
			Installing DIMMs and Rambus RDRAM Modules
			Cache RAM and Main Memory
			Study Lab
		Chapter 8.   Input/Output Devices and Cables
			Parallel Ports
			Parallel Port Configuration
			Serial Ports
			USB Ports
			Modems
			Keyboards
			Mouse and Pointing Devices
			Audio Hardware and Sound Cards
			IEEE-1394 (FireWire)
			Study Lab
		Chapter 9.   Video
			The Video Card and Monitor
			Video Memory
			Common Video Card Bus Types
			Installing a Video Card
			Adjusting Video Displays
			Study Lab
		Chapter 10.   Printers
			The Printing Process
			Dot-Matrix Printers
			Inkjet Printers
			Laser and LED Printers
			Thermal Printers
			Dye-Sublimation Printers
			Solid-Ink Printers
			Installing Firmware and Software Drivers
			Study Lab
		Chapter 11.   Installing and Configuring Common Peripherals
			Interfaces Used for Common Peripherals
			Connecting Digital Cameras to Your PC
			Connecting DV Camcorders to Your PC
			Connecting PDAs and Pocket PCs to Your PC
			Connecting Network Devices to Your PC
			Study Lab
		Chapter 12.   Portables
			Major Components of Typical Portable Computers
			LCD Display
			Input Devices
			Power Sources
			PC Card (PCMCIA Card) Types and Usage
			Mini- PCI Card Types and Usage
			Using the Proprietary Expansion Bus
			Portable Storage
			Infrared Ports
			Memory
			Selecting Upgrades for a Portable Computer
			Study Lab
		Chapter 13.   Safety and Recycling
			Using a Vacuum Cleaner Safely
			Cleaning Inkjet and Laser Printers
			Recycling and Disposal Issues
			How to Read an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
			Electro-Static Discharge ( ESD )
			Hazards
			Study Lab
		Chapter 14.   Storage
			Common Characteristics of Magnetic Storage Devices
			Floppy Disk Drives and Media
			IDE / ATA Hard Disks
			SCSI Interface
			CD - ROM , CD -RW, and DVD Drives
			Removable-Media and Tape Drives
			External Hard Drives
			Study Lab
		Chapter 15.   Preparing Hard and Floppy Drives with Windows
			Creating a Boot Disk Suitable for Hard Disk Preparation
			Understanding File Systems and Partition Types
			Preparing a Hard Disk for Use with Windows 9x/Me
			Preparing a Hard Disk for Use with Windows NT/2000/XP
			Using Format with Floppy and Hard Disks
			Troubleshooting Drive Preparation Problems
			Study Lab
		Chapter 16.   Operating System Installation
			Clean Installation Versus Dual-Boot Installation
			Making Sure Your System Is Ready for a Particular Windows Version
			Obtaining Compatible Drivers for Your Version of Windows
			Additional Preparations for Installation
			Backing Up Existing Data and Settings
			Using an Upgrade Version of Windows for a New Installation
			Determining Installation Options
			Installing Windows 9x/Me
			Installing Windows NT 4.0
			Installing Windows 2000 Professional or XP
			Installing Windows 2000 or XP from a Disk Image and Updating the SID
			Installing Windows from a Recovery CD
			Restoring User Data Files
			Troubleshooting Your Installation
			Study Lab
		Chapter 17.   Operating System Upgrades
			Upgrading to Windows 98
			Upgrading to Windows 2000 Professional
			Upgrading to Windows XP Professional
			Study Lab
		Chapter 18.   Using and Optimizing Windows
			Windows 9x/Me Boot Sequence
			Adjusting Default Memory Configurations (Windows 9x)
			Win.com in Windows 9x
			Windows 9x/Me Registry
			Win.ini and System.ini in Windows 9x/Me
			Comparing Windows 9x/Me with Windows NT/2000/XP
			Using the Windows GUI
			Disk Management
			File Management
			Using Command-Prompt Functions and Utilities
			Optimizing Windows
			Study Lab
		Chapter 19.   Installing and Configuring Hardware in Windows
			Printing and Printer Configuration
			Installing and Configuring Hardware
			Troubleshooting Hardware
			Study Lab
		Chapter 20.   Troubleshooting Windows and Windows Applications
			Startup Errors for Windows 9x/Me
			Startup Errors for Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP
			Operating System Error Messages and Solutions
			Swapfile (Paging File) and Hard Disk Access Problems
			Drive Configuration Errors
			Post-Startup Errors
			Using Windows Utilities for Troubleshooting
			Computer Viruses
			Study Lab
		Chapter 21.   Networking and Internet Connectivity
			Network Operating Systems
			Built-In Networking Features in Windows
			Network Models
			Internet Connectivity Technologies
			Network Protocols
			TCP / IP Applications and Technologies
			Network Topologies
			Network Types
			Cable and Connector Types
			Installing Network Interface Cards
			Configuring Network Interface Cards
			Switches and Hubs
			Beyond LANs ”Repeaters, Bridges, and Routers
			Networking Configuration
			Setting Up Shared Resources
			Setting Up the Network Client
			Using Shared Resources
			Browser Installation and Configuration
			Using Network Command-Line Tools
			Study Lab
		Appendix A.   CD-ROM Instructions
			Using PrepLogic Practice Exams, Preview Edition Software
			Software Requirements
			Installing PrepLogic Practice Exams, Preview Edition
			Using PrepLogic Practice Exams, Preview Edition
			Getting More Exams
			Using Chapters 22 and 23
			Using the CD Supplement
			Windows Command Reference
			Using the Study Guide
			Using the Hands-On Labs
			Using the Beep Codes
		Chapter 22.   Troubleshooting Principles
			Troubleshooting Methods Overview
			Determining Whether a Problem Is Caused by Hardware or Software
			Where to Go for More Information
			Useful Hardware and Software Tools
			Troubleshooting Computer Hardware
			Network and Internet Troubleshooting
			Additional Windows Troubleshooting Tips and Tools
			Study Lab
		Chapter 23.   Preparing to Take the A + Certification Exams
			Learning More About the Exams
			Preparing for the Core Hardware Exam
			Preparing for the Operating Systems Exam
			The Exam Scheduling Process
			Final Preparations
			Exam Day
		Glossary
		CD Supplement
			Touchscreen Interfacing to the Computer
			Touchscreen Troubleshooting
			SCSI Technical Supplement
			AMR and CNR Slots
			Printer Options
		Windows Command Reference
			ScanDisk Command Reference
			CHKDSK Command Reference
			Using DIR
			Using DEL ( ERASE )
			Using RENAME ( REN )
			Using ECHO
			Using DELTREE
			Using ATTRIB
			Using MEM
			Using XCOPY / XCOPY32
			Using MSCDEX
			Using SETVER
			Using EDIT
			Using Net
			Using Ping
			Using Tracert
			Using NSLookup
			Using IPconfig
			Using Winipcfg
		Study Labs
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		Index