Introduction xv
Chapter 1 Hardware 1
CPUs 1
32-Bit Versus 64-Bit CPUs 1
Clock Rate 2
Cores and Cache 2
Hyperthreading 4
Virtualization Support 4
Integrated Graphics (GPU) 4
CPU Interfaces and Socket Types 4
CPU Cooling Methods 8
System Memory 9
Dual-Channel and Triple-Channel Memory 9
Other Types of RAM 10
VRAM and Virtual RAM 11
Parity and ECC 11
BIOS 11
Motherboards 15
Form Factors 16
Expansion Cards and Slots 17
Adapter Cards and Integrated Ports 19
Integrated Ports 22
Daughter Boards and Riser Boards 22
Storage Devices 23
Magnetic and Solid-State Drives 24
Optical Drives CD/DVD/RW/Blu-ray 24
Installing SATA, PATA, and SCSI Drives 25
RAID 28
Media Cards 29
Other Storage Devices 30
Cooling 30
Power Supplies 31
Monitors and Display Resolutions 33
CRTs 33
LCDs 34
Other Display Devices 34
Display Connectors 34
Multiple Displays 35
I/O Devices 35
Mice and Keyboards 35
Speakers and Microphones 35
Video-Input Devices 36
Other I/O Devices 36
Custom System Configurations 36
Chapter 2 Networking 39
Network Cables and Connectors and Their Characteristics 39
Fiber-Optic Cables and Connectors 39
Ethernet Twisted-Pair Cabling and Connectors 40
Coaxial Network Cables and Connectors 43
TCP/IP Addressing 44
TCP/IP v4 Class A, B, and C Addresses 44
IPv4 Versus IPv6 44
Public, Private, and APIPA IP Addresses 45
Static and Dynamic IP Addresses 46
DHCP 47
Subnet Mask 47
Gateway 47
TCP and UDP Ports, Protocols, and Uses 48
DNS 48
DHCP 49
LDAP 49
SNMP 49
SMB 49
SSH 49
SFTP 49
TCP Versus UDP 49
Wireless Networks 50
Installing and Configuring a SOHO Router 51
Internet Connection Types and Features 52
Cable 52
DSL 53
Dial-Up 55
Fiber 56
Satellite 56
ISDN 57
Cellular (Mobile Hotspot) 57
Line-of-Sight Wireless Internet Service 57
WiMAX 57
Network Types 57
Network Topologies 58
Network Devices 58
Using Networking Tools 59
Chapter 3 Laptops 61
Install and Configure Laptop Hardware and Components 61
Expansion Options 61
Hardware Device Replacement 64
Laptop Display Components 76
Display Types (LCD, LED, OLED, Plasma) 76
Other Laptop Display Components 76
Wi-Fi Antenna Components 77
Compare and Contrast Laptop Features 77
Special Function (Fn) Keys 78
Docking Station Versus Port Replicator 79
Physical Laptop Lock and Cable Lock 80
Chapter 4 Printers 81
Laser 81
Inkjet 84
Thermal 86
Impact Printer 86
Printer Installation and Connections 87
Network Printing 88
Printer Maintenance 89
Chapter 5 Operational Procedures 91
Safety Procedures 91
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge 91
Electrical Shock Protection 92
Lifting and Moving Equipment Safely 92
Fighting Electrical Fires Safely 93
Safe Disposal of CRT Displays 93
Cable Management 93
Installation Regulations 93
Environmental Impacts and Environmental Controls 94
MSDS 94
Temperature, Humidity, and Air Management 94
Component Handling and Protection 94
Communication and Professionalism 95
Dealing with Prohibited Content/Activity 96
First Response 96
Documentation 96
Chain of Custody 96
Chapter 6 Operating Systems 97
OS Concepts 97
Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 Features and Requirements 98
Minimum System Requirements 98
Differences in Windows Editions 98
UAC and the Administrator Account 103
Windows Compatibility Mode 104
Directory Structures 104
Registry 105
Upgrade Options 106
Determining Compatibility 108
Windows Installation and Configuration Options 108
Boot Methods to Use for Installation 108
Installation Types 108
Partitioning the Drive for Windows 109
File Systems 109
Third-Party Disk Drivers 110
Network Settings 110
Time/Date/Region/Language Settings 110
Installing Other Windows Drivers and Updating Windows 110
Factory Recovery Partition 110
OS Repair and Adding Services 111
Command-Line Tools 111
Operating System Features and Tools 113
Control Panel Utilities 118
Common Control Panel Settings 119
Control Panel Options Unique to Windows XP and Vista 120
Control Panel Options Unique to Windows 7 120
Windows Client Networking 121
Windows Network Types 121
Joining a Network 123
Mapping Drives 123
Connecting to a Network 123
Proxy Settings 124
Remote Desktop Connection 124
Home, Work, and Public Network Settings 125
Firewall Settings 125
Configuring IP Addresses in Windows 126
Configuring Network Card Properties in Windows 126
Preventive Maintenance of Windows Installations 127
Operating System Security Settings 128
Users and Groups 128
NTFS Permissions 128
Share Permissions 130
System Files and Folders 130
User Authentication 130
Client-Side Virtualization 131
Virtualization Resource Requirements 131
Emulator Requirements and Features 132
Security Requirements 132
Network Requirements 133
Understanding Hypervisors 133
Chapter 7 Security 135
Common Prevention Methods 135
Physical Security 135
Digital Security 136
Security Best Practices for Workstation Security 141
Passwords 141
User Permissions and Guest Accounts 143
Disabling AutoPlay 143
Data Destruction and Disposal Methods 144
Formatting and Drive Overwriting 144
Drive Wiping 144
Physical Disk Destruction 145
Securing a SOHO Wireless Network 145
Securing a SOHO Wired Network 146
Chapter 8 Mobile Devices 149
Mobile Operating Systems 149
Android (Open Source) 149
Apple iOS (Closed Source) 150
Getting Applications for Your Device 151
Adjusting the Screen Orientation 151
Apple Accelerometer and Gyroscope 152
Android Screen Calibration 152
Resetting the Device 153
GPS and Geotracking 153
Mobile Network Connectivity and Email Configuration 154
Enable/Disable Connectivity 154
Wi-Fi Connections 155
Bluetooth Connections 155
Email Configuration 157
Mobile Device Security 158
Laptop and Tablets: How They're Different 158
Mobile Device Synchronization 159
Chapter 9 Troubleshooting 161
The CompTIA Six-Step Troubleshooting Process 161
Gather Data from the Customer 161
Establish a Theory of Probable Cause (Eliminate the Obvious) 162
Establish a Plan of Action and Implement the Solution 163
Verify Functionality and Implement Preventive Measures 163
Document Your Findings, Actions, Outcomes 163
Troubleshooting Motherboards, RAM, CPU, and Power 164
Troubleshooting Hard Drives and RAID Arrays 170
Troubleshooting Video and Display Issues 178
Troubleshooting Wired and Wireless Networks 182
Troubleshooting Operating Systems 185
Troubleshooting Security Issues 192
Dealing with Malware 196
Troubleshooting Laptop Issues 196
Best Practices for Laptop Disassembly 200
Troubleshooting Printers 200
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