Chapter 1
Mobile Devices

COMPTIA A+ CERTIFICATION EXAM CORE 1 (220-1101) OBJECTIVES COVERED IN THIS CHAPTER:

• 1.1 Given a scenario, install and configure laptop hardware and components.
  • Hardware/device replacement
  • Physical privacy and security components
• 1.2 Compare and contrast the display components of mobile devices.
  • Organic light-emitting diode (OLED)
  • Mobile display components
  • WIFI antenna connector/placement
  • Camera/webcam
  • Microphone
  • Touch screen/digitizer
  • Inverter
• 1.3 Given a scenario, set up and configure accessories and ports of mobile devices.
  • Connection methods
  • Accessories
  • Docking station
  • Port replicator
  • Trackpad/drawing pad
• 1.4 Given a scenario, configure basic mobile-device network connectivity and application support.
  • Wireless/cellular data network (enable/disable)
  • Bluetooth
  • Location services
  • Mobile device management (MDM)/mobile application management (MAM)
  • Mobile device synchronization

This chapter will focus on the exam topics related to mobile devices. It will follow the structure of the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 exam blueprint, objective 1, and cover the four subobjectives that you will need to master before taking the exam. The Mobile Devices domain represents 15 percent of the total exam.

1.1 Given a scenario, install and configure laptop hardware and components

Whether you choose to call them laptops, notebooks, tablets, or something different is mostly a matter of semantics. In this section, I'll discuss some of the basic components of laptops and their installation (when possible and called for). In many cases, the components are the same as in a desktop computer.

The following topics are addressed in exam objective 1.1:

• Hardware/device replacement
• Physical privacy and security components

Hardware/device replacement

Replacing hardware and devices in a laptop can be a challenge because of the size limitations. The best way to determine the proper disassembly method is to consult the documentation from the manufacturer.

Many laptop manufacturers will consider a warranty void if an unauthorized person opens a laptop case and attempts to repair it.

Some models of notebook PCs require a special T-8 Torx screwdriver. Most PC toolkits come with a T-8 bit for a screwdriver with interchangeable bits, but you may find that the T-8 screws are countersunk in deep holes so that you can't fit the screwdriver into them. In such cases, you need to buy a separate T-8 screwdriver, available at most hardware stores or auto parts stores.

Prepare a clean, well-lit, flat work surface; assemble your tools and manuals; and ensure that you have the correct parts. Shut down the PC, unplug it, and detach any external devices such as an external keyboard, mouse, or monitor. In this section, with these general guidelines for opening the laptop in mind, you'll look at replacing various components of a laptop. Always ensure that you have grounded yourself before working with computer components of any kind. Use an antistatic wristband and attach it to the case.

Battery

Replacing the battery in a laptop is simply a matter of removing the battery storage bay, removing the old battery from the bay, inserting the new battery into the bay, and replacing the bay. Determining the battery type for the replacement will probably take longer than the replacement procedure. In fact, many users carry extra batteries for situations where they know they will need to use the laptop for longer than the battery life (such as a long plane trip) and change the battery as needed.

If BitLocker encryption is enabled, the laptop will not boot after a battery replacement unless the BitLocker encryption key is provided.

Keyboard/keys

When replacing the keyboard, one of the main things you want to keep in mind is not to damage the data cable connector to the system board.

1. With the laptop fully powered off and unplugged from the wall, remove the battery. Examine the screws on the back of the laptop. Ideally, icons indicating which screws are attached to the keyboard will be available. If not, look up the model online and determine which of the screws are attached to the keyboard.
2. Remove the screws with a T-8 or Phillips-head screwdriver. With the laptop turned back over, open it. If the keyboard is tucked under any plastic pieces, determine whether those pieces need to have screws removed to get them out of the way; if so, remove the screws and the plastic pieces. In some cases, there may just be clamps that are easily removed.
3. With any plastic covers out of the way, remove any screws at the top and remove the keyboard itself from top to bottom. There should be a thin, but wide, data cable to the system board at the bottom. This is the piece to be careful with!
4. Take a pick and lift the plastic connectors that hold this data cable in place. Remove the data cable. Take the new keyboard and slip the data cable back in between the plastic connectors on the system board. Ensure it's all the way in.
5. Put the plastic connector back into place and make sure it's holding the data cable in. Position the keyboard into place and refasten the keyboard in place at the top, replacing any screws that were there before.
6. Replace any plastic pieces that were covering the keyboard, turn the laptop over, and replace all of the keyboard screws. When you replace the battery and turn it on, check the functionality. If the keyboard doesn't work, the main component to check is the data connector.

Random-access memory (RAM)

There should be a panel used for access to the memory modules. If the panels are not marked (many are not), refer to your laptop instruction manuals to locate the panel on the bottom.

1. Remove any screws holding the panel in place, remove the panel from the laptop, and set it aside. If removing an existing memory module, remove it by undoing the module clamps, gently lifting the edge of the module to a 45-degree angle, and then pulling the module out of the slot.
2. Align the notch of the new module with that of the memory slot and gently insert the module into the slot at a 45-degree angle. With all pins in the slot, gently rotate the module down flat until the clamps lock the module into place.
3. Replace the memory access panel, replace any screws, and power up the system. When the computer is powered back up, it may be necessary to go into the computer BIOS to let the system properly detect the new RAM that has been installed in the computer. Please refer to the user manual for the computer system for any additional information.

HDD/SSD replacement

Before changing a hard drive, you should back up the old hard drive if the data is needed. Then, to change the hard drive, follow these steps:

1. Turn the laptop upside down and look for a removable panel or a hard drive release mechanism. Laptop drives are usually accessible from the bottom or side of the chassis. Release the drive by flicking a lock/unlock button and/or removing a screw that holds the drive in place.
2. You may be required to remove the drive from a caddy or detach mounting rails from its sides. Attach the rails or caddy to the new drive using the same screws and washers. If required, remove the connector attached to the old drive's signal pins and attach it to the new drive. Make sure it's right side up and do not force it. Damaging the signal pins may render the drive useless.
3. Reverse your steps to place the drive (and caddy if present) into the case. Replace the screws and start the laptop. The system should recognize the drive. If you or the user created a bootable backup disc or a complete image disc (before the drive failed, by the way), place it in the optical drive and follow the instructions for restoring the data.

SSD drives

Although many devices still use a magnetic disk hard drive, most laptop vendors are moving to using either solid-state drives or hybrid drives, which are a combination of magnetic disk and solid-state technology.

The advantage of solid-state drives is that they are not as susceptible to damage if the device is dropped, and they are generally faster because no moving parts are involved. They are, however, more expensive, and when they fail, they don't typically display any advanced warning symptoms like a magnetic drive will do.

Hybrid storage products have a magnetic disk and some solid-state memory. These drives monitor the data being read from the hard drive, and they cache the most frequently accessed bits to the high-speed flash memory. These drives tend to cost slightly more than traditional hard drives (but far less than solid-state drives), but the addition of the SSD memory for cached bits creates a surprising improvement in performance. This improvement will not appear initially because the drive must "learn" the most frequently accessed data on the drive.

1.8 in vs. 2.5 in

The 2.5-inch hard drives are small (which makes them attractive for a laptop, where space is at a minimum), but in comparison to 3.5-inch hard drives, they have less capacity and cache, and...