Day 31: Storage 1
A+ 220-701 Exam Objective 1
Key Points 1
Storage Devices 1
Hard Drives 1
Floppy Drives 1
Solid-State HDD and NVRAM 2
Tape Drives 2
CD, DVD, and BD Drives 2
Network Drives 3
Interfaces and Cables 3
Homework 4
Funwork 4
Study Resources 4
Day 30: Motherboards, Adapter Cards, Memory Slots, and Power Supplies 5
A+ 220-701 Exam Objectives 5
Key Points 5
Motherboards 5
Adapter Card Interfaces 7
Memory Slots 9
Power Supplies 9
RAID Adapters 11
Homework 11
Funwork 12
Study Resources 12
Day 29: Processors and Cooling 13
A+ 220-701 Exam Objectives 13
Key Points 13
Central Processing Unit 13
RISC and CISC 15
00_9781587132605_fm.qxd 8/29/11 4:07 PM Page x
Processors 15
System Resources 16
Cooling Systems 17
Homework 18
Funwork 18
Study Resources 19
Day 28: Memory 21
A+ 220-701 Exam Objective 21
Key Points 21
Memory 21
RAM 21
Speed 22
Virtual RAM 23
ROM 23
EEPROM 23
NVRAM 23
Memory Slots 23
Homework 24
Funwork 24
Study Resources 25
Day 27: Displays, Peripherals, and Adapters 27
A+ 220-701 Exam Objectives 27
Key Points 27
Resolutions 27
Peripheral and Input Devices 28
Mouse and Touchpad 28
Keyboard 28
Adapter Cards 28
PCI and PCIe Cards 29
AGP Cards 29
Sound Cards 29
TV Tuner Cards 29
Capture Cards 29
NIC and Modem Cards 30
Ports 30
USB Ports 30
PS/2 Ports 31
Serial Ports 31
Parallel Ports 31
Display Adapter Ports 32
Cables 32
Audio Cables 33
FireWire Cables 33
Network Cables 33
SCSI Cables 33
Homework 34
Funwork 34
Study Resources 34
Day 26: Operating Systems Comparisons and User Interfaces 35
A+ 220-701 Exam Objective 35
Key Points 35
Operating Systems and the Layered PC Model 35
Desktop Operating Systems 36
Apple OS X 36
Microsoft Windows 36
Linux 37
OS System Requirements 38
Network Operating Systems 39
The "Multi" Terms 40
GUI Versus CLI 40
Command-Line Syntax 40
Command Prompt Commands 41
Users and Permissions 43
Homework 43
Funwork 43
Study Resources 44
Day 25: Operating System Installation and Booting 45
A+ 220-701 Exam Objectives 45
The Windows User Interface 45
GUI Utilities 45
Windows 7 Libraries 45
My Computer 46
Control Panel 46
Command-Line Utilities 46
Ping 47
Telnet 47
Ipconfig 47
Run-Line Utilities 48
MSConfig 48
MSInfo32 49
Dxdiag 49
Regedit 49
Operating System Installation 50
Hardware Compatibility List 50
Preparing the HDD for an OS Installation 50
Partitioning 50
Formatting 51
Windows Boot Process 51
Clean Operating System Install 52
Boot Modes 52
Logical Memory 53
Windows Boot Options 53
Safe Mode 53
Boot to a Restore Point 53
Recovery Options 54
Automated System Recovery 54
Emergency Repair Disk 54
Recovery Console 55
Homework 55
Funwork 55
Study Resources 56
Day 24: Laptops and Printers 57
A+ 220-701 Exam Objectives 57
Key Points 57
Expansion Devices 57
PCMCIA Cards and PCI Express Cards 57
Docking Stations 58
Laptops and Projectors 59
Communication Connections 59
Bluetooth Devices 59
Infrared Communications 60
Cellular WANs 60
Ethernet NICs 61
Modems 61
Power Settings and Electrical Input Devices 62
Autoswitching Power Supplies and Fixed-Input Power Supplies 62
Batteries 62
ACPI Levels 63
Input Devices 63
Digitizers 64
Function Keys 64
Pointing Devices 64
Printer Types 65
Laser Printers 65
Inkjet Printers 65
Thermal Printers 66
Impact Printers 66
Local Versus Network Printers 66
Printer Drivers (Compatibility) 67
Consumables 67
Homework 67
Funwork 67
Study Resources 67
Day 23: Basic Troubleshooting and Preventive Maintenance 69
A+ 220-701 Exam Objectives 69
Key Points 69
Troubleshooting 69
More on Troubleshooting 70
Memory Dumps 71
Homework 71
Funwork 71
Study Resources 72
Day 22: Troubleshooting Laptops and Printers 73
A+ 220-701 Exam Objectives 73
Key Points 73
Cleaning Laptops 73
Repairing Laptops 73
Common Laptop Problems and Solutions 73
Video Ports 74
Keyboards 75
Wireless Cards 75
A Lifeless Laptop? 75
Peripheral Problems? 75
No Video? 76
Woeful WiFi? 76
Common Printer Problems and Solutions 76
Managing Print Jobs 76
Homework 77
Funwork 77
Study Resources 78
Day 21: Networking Fundamentals 79
A+ 220-701 Exam Objective 79
Key Points 79
LANs, WANs, and WLANs 79
LANs 79
WANs 79
WLANs 79
OSI Model 80
Simplex, Multicasting, Half-Duplex, and Full-Duplex Communications 81
Network Addressing 81
MAC Addresses 81
IP Addresses 82
Subnets 82
A Class Act 82
Really Big Numbers 83
Network Topologies 83
Physical Topologies 83
Logical Topologies 83
Client/Server Networks and Peer-to-Peer Networks 84
Network Architectures 84
The Physical Layer of Ethernet 85
The Physical Layer of WiFi 85
Bluetooth 85
Homework 86
Funwork 86
Study Resources 87
Day 20: More Networking Fundamentals 89
A+ 220-701 Exam Objectives 89
Key Points 89
Network Protocols 89
Standards Organizations 90
Ports of Call 91
Wire Drill 91
Seeing the Light 92
File Sharing 92
Homework 92
Funwork 92
Study Resources 93
Day 19: Security 95
A+ 220-701 Exam Objectives 95
Key Points 95
Security Threats 95
WiFi Security 97
Antivirus, Spyware Removal, and Definition Updates 98
Firewalls 98
User Training and Password Policies 99
Troubleshooting Security 99
Homework 99
Funwork 99
Study Resources 100
Day 18: Scenario-Based Safety and Environmental Procedures 101
A+ 220-701 Exam Objective 101
Key Points 101
Hazards 101
Fire Safety 101
Material Safety Data Sheets 102
Tools 102
Electrostatic Discharge 103
Disposing of Computer Components 103
Homework 104
Funwork 104
Study Resources 104
Day 17: Scenario-Based Communication and Professionalism 105
A+ 220-701 Exam Objective 105
Key Points 105
Customer Support 105
Service Level Agreements 106
Professional Advice 106
Difficult Scenarios 106
A Geekspeak Translation Guide 107
Homework 108
Funwork 108
Study Resources 108
Day 16: Essentials 220-701 Exam Review Day 111
The Cheat Sheet Study Technique 111
Homework 111
Funwork 112
Day 15: Essentials 220-701 Exam Day 113
The Perfect Score 113
Before the Exam 113
During the Exam 113
RTDQ 113
The Most Important Test-Taking Tip 114
After the Exam 114
Day 14: Installing Storage Devices, Motherboards, and Power Supplies 115
A+ 220-702 Exam Objective 115
Key Points 115
Storage Devices 115
SATA Installation 115
PATA Installation 116
Floppy Drive Installation 116
Motherboards 116
Legacy Expansion Slots 117
Old-School D Plugs 117
Flashing the BIOS: A Closer Look 118
Power Supplies 118
Controller Cards 119
Installing a RAID Controller Card 119
Installing an eSATA Controller Card 119
Homework 120
Funwork 120
Study Resources 121
Day 13: Installing Processors, Memory, Adapter Cards, and Cooling Systems 123
A+ 220-702 Exam Objective 123
Key Points 123
Processors 123
Memory 124
Adapter Cards 124
Cooling Systems 125
Homework 125
Funwork 125
Study Resources 126
Day 12: Troubleshooting Storage Devices, Motherboards, and Power Supplies 127
A+ 220-702 Exam Objective 127
Key Points 127
Maintenance Toolkit 127
Safety First 128
Cleaning Solutions 128
Troubleshooting Storage Issues 128
Troubleshooting Motherboards 129
Testing Power Supplies 129
Homework 130
Funwork 130
Study Resources 130
Day 11: Troubleshooting Processors 131
A+ 220-702 Objective 131
Key Points 131
CPU Architecture 131
32-Bit Processing Versus 64-Bit Processing 131
CPUs and Legos 132
Sockets 132
Cache 132
RAM 132
Multicore CPUs 132
The Future of 64-Bit Processing 132
Front-Side Bus 133
Homework 133
Funwork 133
Study Resources 133
Day 10: Troubleshooting Memory, Monitors, Audio, Keyboards, and Cooling Systems 135
A+ 220-702 Exam Objective 135
Key Points 135
Troubleshooting Memory 135
Troubleshooting Monitors 135
Troubleshooting Audio 136
Troubleshooting Keyboards 137
Troubleshooting Cooling Systems 138
Homework 138
Funwork 138
Study Resources 139
Day 9: Scenario-Based Troubleshooting of Laptops, Printers, and Specialty Tools 141
A+ 220-702 Exam Objectives 141
Key Points 141
LCDs 141
Laptop Hard Drives 142
Networking for Laptops 143
Video RAM 143
Hot-Swappable Devices and Not-Swappable Devices 143
Measuring Memory and Speed: When Size Matters 144
Repairing and Replacing Components 145
Troubleshooting Printers 145
Printer RAM and Firmware 146
Paper Jams 146
Blank Paper 146
Error Codes 146
Lines and Smearing 147
Printing Garbage 147
Ghosted Image 147
Serious Solutions: Laser Printers 147
Serious Solutions: Inkjet Printers 147
Serious Solutions: Paper Problems 148
Toner Cartridges 148
Cleaning Printers 149
Cleaning Inkjet Printers 149
Cleaning Laser Printers 149
Cleaning Dot-Matrix Printers 149
Homework 150
Funwork 150
Study Resources 150
Day 8: Operating System Commands and Directory Structures 151
A+ 220-702 Objectives 151
Key Points 151
Command-Line Switches 151
dir 151
xcopy 152
attrib 153
format 153
ipconfig 153
ping 154
Registry 154
System Folders and Users 155
Shared Folders and Naming Conventions 156
Mapping a Network Drive 156
Accessibility Options 156
Homework 157
Funwork 157
Study Resources 157
Day 7: System Utilities 159
A+ 220-702 Exam Objective 159
Key Points 159
Administrative Tools 159
Disk Management Tools 159
Defrag 160
NTBACKUP 160
Check Disk 160
Permissions 160
Remote Desktop Connection and Remote Assistance 161
Language Packs and Regional Settings 161
Disk Management and Utilities 162
System Monitor 162
Task Manager 162
Device Manager 163
System Information 163
System Restore 163
Task Scheduler 163
Homework 164
Funwork 164
Study Resources 164
Day 6: Troubleshooting Common Operating System Issues 165
A+ 220-702 Exam Objective 165
Key Points 165
Operational Problems 165
Windows Printing Problems 165
Auto-Restart Errors 166
Bluescreen Errors 166
System Lockups 166
Device Driver Problems 167
Last Known Good Configuration 167
Application Issues 167
Service Fails to Start 167
Error Messages and Conditions 167
Boot Errors 168
No Operating System Found or Missing NTLDR 168
Not Enough HDD Space 168
Invalid Boot Disk 168
Startup Errors 169
Service Failed to Start 169
Program Not Found in the Registry 169
Event Viewer 169
System Performance and Optimization 169
Aero Settings 169
Index Settings 170
UAC 170
Sidebar Settings 170
Startup Maintenance 170
Background Processes 171
Msconfig 171
Change File Extension Associations 171
File Attributes 171
Virtual Memory 172
Default Disabled Windows Administrator Account 172
ERD and ASR 172
Homework 173
Funwork 173
Study Resources 173
Day 5: Troubleshooting Networks 175
A+ 220-702 Objective 175
Key Points 175
Troubleshooting the Physical Layer 175
Exploring ipconfig /all Outputs 175
Troubleshooting TCP/IP 176
Other Network Troubleshooting Techniques 176
Follow the Packet 177
Mail Protocol Settings 178
SMTP 178
IMAP 178
POP3 179
FTP Settings 179
Homework 179
Funwork 179
Study Resources 180
Day 4: Install and Configure a SOHO Network 181
A+ 220-702 Exam Objective 181
Key Points 181
Connection Types 181
The Basic SOHO 182
The Better SOHO 183
The Hardened SOHO 183
Network Defense 183
Host Defense 184
User Education 184
Homework 185
Funwork 185
Study Resources 185
Day 3: Scenario-Based Security 187
A+ 220-702 Exam Objectives 187
Key Points 187
Antivirus Software 187
Malware Types 187
Adware 188
Trojan 188
Virus 188
Worms 188
Firewalls 189
SHA and MD5 189
Encryption 189
Authentication 190
BIOS 190
Virtual Private Networking 190
Homework 190
Funwork 191
Study Resources 192
Day 2: Practical Application 220-702 Exam Review Day 193
By Any Other Name 193
Brain Dumps 193
Write Your Own Practice Questions 194
Good Answers Versus Correct Answers 194
Homework 194
Funwork 194
Day 1: Practical Application 20-702 Exam Day 195
Before the Exam 195
During the Exam 195
After the Exam 195
9781587132605 TOC 8/31/2011
