CompTIA A+ Complete Lab Manual
Published on 2. October 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
408 pages
978-1-118-32407-3 (ISBN)
Description
Boost your understanding of CompTIA A+ exam principles with practical, real-world exercises
Designed to complement CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, this hands-on companion book takes you step by step through the tasks a PC technician is likely to face on any given day. It supports the theory explained in the test-prep guide with additional practical application, increasing a new PC technician's confidence and marketability. Various scenarios incorporate roadblocks that may occur on the job and explain ways to successfully complete the task at hand. In addition, each task is mapped to a specific A+ exam objective for exams 220-801 and 220-802.
Tasks are divided into categories: hardware and software installation, hardware and software maintenance, and installing and upgrading operating systems, networks, and security systems.
* Designed to enhance factual study with practical application
* Explains step by step how to perform a variety of tasks that PC technicians commonly face on the job
* Tasks include installing or replacing a power supply or a laptop hard drive, installing or upgrading to Windows 7, scanning for and removing viruses, installing printer drivers, and troubleshooting a network
CompTIA A+ Complete Lab Manual gives you the hands-on experience you need to succeed in the real world.
Designed to complement CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, this hands-on companion book takes you step by step through the tasks a PC technician is likely to face on any given day. It supports the theory explained in the test-prep guide with additional practical application, increasing a new PC technician's confidence and marketability. Various scenarios incorporate roadblocks that may occur on the job and explain ways to successfully complete the task at hand. In addition, each task is mapped to a specific A+ exam objective for exams 220-801 and 220-802.
Tasks are divided into categories: hardware and software installation, hardware and software maintenance, and installing and upgrading operating systems, networks, and security systems.
* Designed to enhance factual study with practical application
* Explains step by step how to perform a variety of tasks that PC technicians commonly face on the job
* Tasks include installing or replacing a power supply or a laptop hard drive, installing or upgrading to Windows 7, scanning for and removing viruses, installing printer drivers, and troubleshooting a network
CompTIA A+ Complete Lab Manual gives you the hands-on experience you need to succeed in the real world.
More details
Other editions
Previous edition
James Pyles
PC Technician Street Smarts
A Real World Guide to CompTIA A+ Skills. Updated for the 2009 Exam
Book
10/2009
2nd Edition
Wiley
€25.90
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
James Pyles, A+, Network+, is a freelance consultant, technical writer, and editor. He has been involved in numerous Ethernet rollout projects, software and hardware installations and upgrades, and Windows and UNIX operating system upgrades. He has written and edited numerous books, including Sybex's MCTS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Configuration Study Guide and PC Technician Street Smarts, Second Edition.
Content
Introduction xxxi
Phase 1 Installing Hardware and Software 1
Task 1.1: Preventing ESD Damage 2
Task 1.2: Installing RAM 5
Task 1.3: Installing a PCI Card 11
Task 1.4: Installing a PCI Express Card 15
Task 1.5: Installing a Power Supply 19
Task 1.6: Installing an IDE Hard Drive 22
Task 1.7: Installing a SATA Hard Drive 27
Task 1.8: Moving an Operating System to a New SATA Drive with Acronis True Image 31
Task 1.9: Installing a SCSI Drive 36
Task 1.10: Installing a DVD Drive 39
Task 1.11: Installing a Video Card 43
Task 1.12: Installing a Laptop Keyboard 47
Task 1.13: Installing SO-DIMM in a Laptop 51
Task 1.14: Installing a Laptop Hard Drive 55
Task 1.15: Installing a Laptop Optical Drive 58
Task 1.16: Installing a KVM Switch 61
Task 1.17: Installing Drivers from a Disc 64
Task 1.18: Installing Drivers from the Internet 67
Task 1.19: Reformatting a Hard Drive Using Windows XP 70
Task 1.20: Installing Windows XP Professional as a Fresh Install 74
Task 1.21: Installing Windows Vista as a Fresh Install 84
Task 1.22: Installing Microsoft Applications in Windows XP 88
Task 1.23: Uninstalling Software in Windows XP 91
Task 1.24: Uninstalling an Application Using Windows 7
Task 1.25: Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 95
Task 1.26: Shutting Down Background Processes in Windows 7 99
Task 1.27: Installing a Local Printer 102
Task 1.28: Installing Printer Drivers 106
Task 1.29: Installing a Bluetooth Printer on Windows 7 109
Task 1.30: Installing a Bluetooth Device for Pairing with Windows 7 112
Task 1.31: Syncing a Mobile Device with Media Player in Windows 7 114
Phase 2 Maintaining and Documenting Computer Systems 117
Task 2.1: Identifying a Motherboard 118
Task 2.2: Identifying a Power Supply 120
Task 2.3: Performing a Quick Test and Replacing a Power Supply 123
Task 2.4: Searching for Windows Vista Drivers 127
Task 2.5: Listing All of the Drivers Installed on a Windows 7 PC 128
Task 2.6: Cleaning Fans 130
Task 2.7: Oiling Fans 132
Task 2.8: Defragging a Hard Drive 135
Task 2.9: Scheduling Automatic Defragging in Windows 7 138
Task 2.10: Defragmenting a Single File 140
Task 2.11: Updating Security Patches 143
Task 2.12: Checking Internal Connectors 145
Task 2.13: Backing Up with Acronis True Image Home 147
Task 2.14: Flashing the BIOS 150
Task 2.15: Changing the CMOS Battery to Correct a Slow PC Clock 153
Task 2.16: Resetting Passwords 156
Task 2.17: Creating a New Local User in Windows Vista 158
Task 2.18: Testing Ports with an Online Scanner 160
Task 2.19: Changing Printer Toner 162
Task 2.20: Scanning a Document Using Windows 7 165
Task 2.21: Managing Windows Startup and Recovery Behavior in Windows XP 169
Task 2.22: Turning Windows 7 Features On or Off 170
Task 2.23: Controlling AutoPlay Settings in Windows 7 172
Task 2.24: Setting Up Advanced File Sharing in Windows 7 175
Task 2.25: Installing Windows Live Mail 177
Task 2.26: Configuring Mail Accounts in Windows Live 179
Task 2.27: Rolling Back Device Drivers 181
Task 2.28: Disabling and Removing Hardware Devices 183
Phase 3 Networking Computer Systems 187
Task 3.1: Mapping Drives 188
Task 3.2: Creating File Shares 191
Task 3.3: Configuring PCs to Use Dynamic Addressing 195
Task 3.4: Releasing and Renewing a Dynamic Address Assignment 199
Task 3.5: Installing a Network Printer 201
Task 3.6: Making a Straight-Through Cable 205
Task 3.7: Making a Crossover Cable 210
Task 3.8: Testing Network Cables 214
Task 3.9: Joining a Computer to a Domain 216
Task 3.10: Creating a User in Active Directory 220
Task 3.11: Setting Up a Local User ID 224
Task 3.12: Adding a Multi-Port Card to a PC 228
Task 3.13: Setting Up VPN on a PC 231
Task 3.14: Connecting a PC to a Network Printer 236
Task 3.15: Managing Windows Vista Outbound Firewall Settings 239
Task 3.16: Monitoring Network Activity with Windows Vista Firewall 242
Task 3.17: Configuring MAC Filtering on a Wireless Router 245
Task 3.18: Turning Off SSID Broadcasts on a Wireless Router 247
Task 3.19: Changing the Default Username and Password on a Wireless Router 249
Task 3.20: Setting Up a Mobile Phone to Use Email 251
Task 3.21: Setting Up Windows Live Mobile 253
Phase 4 Troubleshooting and Restoring Computer Systems 257
Task 4.1: Scanning for and Removing Viruses 258
Task 4.2: Using Restore Point in Windows 7 261
Task 4.3: Troubleshooting in Windows 7 Using the Action Center 264
Task 4.4: Scanning for and Removing Malware 267
Task 4.5: Scanning for Rootkits 270
Task 4.6: Backing Up Outlook 273
Task 4.7: Quickly Diagnosing Windows Vista Problems 276
Task 4.8: Troubleshooting a Randomly Rebooting PC 278
Task 4.9: Troubleshooting an Intermittent Boot Failure of a PC 282
Task 4.10: Troubleshooting a Failed RAM Upgrade 286
Task 4.11: Troubleshooting a PC That Can't Print to a Local Printer 289
Task 4.12: Troubleshooting a PC That Can't Print to a Network Printer 293
Task 4.13: Troubleshooting the Error Message "The Specified Domain Either Does Not Exist or Could Not Be Contacted" 298
Task 4.14: Troubleshooting the Error Message "Print Processor Unknown" 304
Task 4.15: Troubleshooting a System Conflict with a Hidden Device 307
Task 4.16: Troubleshooting a Word Template Error Message 309
Task 4.17: Troubleshooting a Serious System Error in Windows 7 312
Task 4.18: Troubleshooting No Monitor Image When the PC Is Powered Up 315
Task 4.19: Troubleshooting the Inability to Connect to a Mapped Drive 318
Task 4.20: Troubleshooting the Inability to Access a Shared Folder on a Remote Computer 320
Task 4.21: Troubleshooting the Inability to Connect to the Network 323
Task 4.22: Troubleshooting Connection Problems with an External USB Hard Drive 326
Task 4.23: Troubleshooting a Scanner Problem 328
Task 4.24: Troubleshooting a Laptop Wi-Fi Connection Failure 331
Task 4.25: Troubleshooting the Failure of a Hard-Disk Drive 333
Task 4.26: Troubleshooting a Persistent "Align Print Cartridges" Message after Cartridges Have Been Replaced and Aligned 336
Index 339
Phase 1 Installing Hardware and Software 1
Task 1.1: Preventing ESD Damage 2
Task 1.2: Installing RAM 5
Task 1.3: Installing a PCI Card 11
Task 1.4: Installing a PCI Express Card 15
Task 1.5: Installing a Power Supply 19
Task 1.6: Installing an IDE Hard Drive 22
Task 1.7: Installing a SATA Hard Drive 27
Task 1.8: Moving an Operating System to a New SATA Drive with Acronis True Image 31
Task 1.9: Installing a SCSI Drive 36
Task 1.10: Installing a DVD Drive 39
Task 1.11: Installing a Video Card 43
Task 1.12: Installing a Laptop Keyboard 47
Task 1.13: Installing SO-DIMM in a Laptop 51
Task 1.14: Installing a Laptop Hard Drive 55
Task 1.15: Installing a Laptop Optical Drive 58
Task 1.16: Installing a KVM Switch 61
Task 1.17: Installing Drivers from a Disc 64
Task 1.18: Installing Drivers from the Internet 67
Task 1.19: Reformatting a Hard Drive Using Windows XP 70
Task 1.20: Installing Windows XP Professional as a Fresh Install 74
Task 1.21: Installing Windows Vista as a Fresh Install 84
Task 1.22: Installing Microsoft Applications in Windows XP 88
Task 1.23: Uninstalling Software in Windows XP 91
Task 1.24: Uninstalling an Application Using Windows 7
Task 1.25: Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 95
Task 1.26: Shutting Down Background Processes in Windows 7 99
Task 1.27: Installing a Local Printer 102
Task 1.28: Installing Printer Drivers 106
Task 1.29: Installing a Bluetooth Printer on Windows 7 109
Task 1.30: Installing a Bluetooth Device for Pairing with Windows 7 112
Task 1.31: Syncing a Mobile Device with Media Player in Windows 7 114
Phase 2 Maintaining and Documenting Computer Systems 117
Task 2.1: Identifying a Motherboard 118
Task 2.2: Identifying a Power Supply 120
Task 2.3: Performing a Quick Test and Replacing a Power Supply 123
Task 2.4: Searching for Windows Vista Drivers 127
Task 2.5: Listing All of the Drivers Installed on a Windows 7 PC 128
Task 2.6: Cleaning Fans 130
Task 2.7: Oiling Fans 132
Task 2.8: Defragging a Hard Drive 135
Task 2.9: Scheduling Automatic Defragging in Windows 7 138
Task 2.10: Defragmenting a Single File 140
Task 2.11: Updating Security Patches 143
Task 2.12: Checking Internal Connectors 145
Task 2.13: Backing Up with Acronis True Image Home 147
Task 2.14: Flashing the BIOS 150
Task 2.15: Changing the CMOS Battery to Correct a Slow PC Clock 153
Task 2.16: Resetting Passwords 156
Task 2.17: Creating a New Local User in Windows Vista 158
Task 2.18: Testing Ports with an Online Scanner 160
Task 2.19: Changing Printer Toner 162
Task 2.20: Scanning a Document Using Windows 7 165
Task 2.21: Managing Windows Startup and Recovery Behavior in Windows XP 169
Task 2.22: Turning Windows 7 Features On or Off 170
Task 2.23: Controlling AutoPlay Settings in Windows 7 172
Task 2.24: Setting Up Advanced File Sharing in Windows 7 175
Task 2.25: Installing Windows Live Mail 177
Task 2.26: Configuring Mail Accounts in Windows Live 179
Task 2.27: Rolling Back Device Drivers 181
Task 2.28: Disabling and Removing Hardware Devices 183
Phase 3 Networking Computer Systems 187
Task 3.1: Mapping Drives 188
Task 3.2: Creating File Shares 191
Task 3.3: Configuring PCs to Use Dynamic Addressing 195
Task 3.4: Releasing and Renewing a Dynamic Address Assignment 199
Task 3.5: Installing a Network Printer 201
Task 3.6: Making a Straight-Through Cable 205
Task 3.7: Making a Crossover Cable 210
Task 3.8: Testing Network Cables 214
Task 3.9: Joining a Computer to a Domain 216
Task 3.10: Creating a User in Active Directory 220
Task 3.11: Setting Up a Local User ID 224
Task 3.12: Adding a Multi-Port Card to a PC 228
Task 3.13: Setting Up VPN on a PC 231
Task 3.14: Connecting a PC to a Network Printer 236
Task 3.15: Managing Windows Vista Outbound Firewall Settings 239
Task 3.16: Monitoring Network Activity with Windows Vista Firewall 242
Task 3.17: Configuring MAC Filtering on a Wireless Router 245
Task 3.18: Turning Off SSID Broadcasts on a Wireless Router 247
Task 3.19: Changing the Default Username and Password on a Wireless Router 249
Task 3.20: Setting Up a Mobile Phone to Use Email 251
Task 3.21: Setting Up Windows Live Mobile 253
Phase 4 Troubleshooting and Restoring Computer Systems 257
Task 4.1: Scanning for and Removing Viruses 258
Task 4.2: Using Restore Point in Windows 7 261
Task 4.3: Troubleshooting in Windows 7 Using the Action Center 264
Task 4.4: Scanning for and Removing Malware 267
Task 4.5: Scanning for Rootkits 270
Task 4.6: Backing Up Outlook 273
Task 4.7: Quickly Diagnosing Windows Vista Problems 276
Task 4.8: Troubleshooting a Randomly Rebooting PC 278
Task 4.9: Troubleshooting an Intermittent Boot Failure of a PC 282
Task 4.10: Troubleshooting a Failed RAM Upgrade 286
Task 4.11: Troubleshooting a PC That Can't Print to a Local Printer 289
Task 4.12: Troubleshooting a PC That Can't Print to a Network Printer 293
Task 4.13: Troubleshooting the Error Message "The Specified Domain Either Does Not Exist or Could Not Be Contacted" 298
Task 4.14: Troubleshooting the Error Message "Print Processor Unknown" 304
Task 4.15: Troubleshooting a System Conflict with a Hidden Device 307
Task 4.16: Troubleshooting a Word Template Error Message 309
Task 4.17: Troubleshooting a Serious System Error in Windows 7 312
Task 4.18: Troubleshooting No Monitor Image When the PC Is Powered Up 315
Task 4.19: Troubleshooting the Inability to Connect to a Mapped Drive 318
Task 4.20: Troubleshooting the Inability to Access a Shared Folder on a Remote Computer 320
Task 4.21: Troubleshooting the Inability to Connect to the Network 323
Task 4.22: Troubleshooting Connection Problems with an External USB Hard Drive 326
Task 4.23: Troubleshooting a Scanner Problem 328
Task 4.24: Troubleshooting a Laptop Wi-Fi Connection Failure 331
Task 4.25: Troubleshooting the Failure of a Hard-Disk Drive 333
Task 4.26: Troubleshooting a Persistent "Align Print Cartridges" Message after Cartridges Have Been Replaced and Aligned 336
Index 339