CompTIA A+ Fast Track

Course Outline

Duration: 5 Days

 

Description: This course provides fast-track training for students who already have some existing knowledge of, and support experience with, networked desktop and notebook computers running Windows 2000 Professional or any Windows XP operating system. This course will prepare students, at an accelerated pace, for the two exams that make up the IT Technician certification: CompTIA A+ Essentials and CompTIA A+ 220-602. Students will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the following tasks on personal computer hardware and operating systems: installation, PC building, system upgrades, repair, system configuration, troubleshooting, problem diagnosis, and preventative maintenance.

 

Course Content:


Unit 1: Electricity and power systems

  • Topic A: Electricity and electronics
  • Topic B: Static electricity
  • Topic C: Power supplies
  • Topic D: Power conditioning and management
  • Topic E: Power supply troubleshooting

Unit 2: CPUs and motherboards

  • Topic A: Central processing units
  • Topic B: Packaging, slots, and cooling techniques
  • Topic C: Motherboards and system cases
  • Topic D: Motherboard troubleshooting

Unit 3: Basic Input/Output System

  • Topic A: BIOS and CMOS
  • Topic B: The POST process
  • Topic C: Firmware updates
  • Topic D: BIOS and POST troubleshooting

Unit 4: Memory systems

  • Topic A: Memory
  • Topic B: Memory packaging
  • Topic C: RAM installation
  • Topic D: Memory troubleshooting

Unit 5: Bus structures

  • Topic A: Buses
  • Topic B: Host system interaction
  • Topic C: The PCI bus
  • Topic D: Video buses

Unit 6: Expansion cards

  • Topic A: Drive adapters
  • Topic B: Video cards
  • Topic C: Sound cards
  • Topic D: Internal modems
  • Topic E: Legacy device installation
  • Topic F: Expansion card troubleshooting

Unit 7: Ports, connectors, and cables

  • Topic A: Serial and parallel ports, cables, and connectors
  • Topic B: Keyboards, mice, and pointing devices
  • Topic C: USB ports, cables, and connectors
  • Topic D: FireWire ports, cables, and connectors
  • Topic E: Infrared and Bluetooth wireless ports
  • Topic F: Multimedia ports, cables, and connectors
  • Topic G: Port, cable, and connector troubleshooting

Unit 8: Data storage devices

  • Topic A: Hard drives
  • Topic B: Optical drives
  • Topic C: Removable storage devices
  • Topic D: Tape drives and backup systems
  • Topic E: Storage device troubleshooting

Unit 9: Video and multimedia input/output devices

  • Topic A: Cathode ray terminals
  • Topic B: LCDs and other video technologies
  • Topic C: Sound input and output devices
  • Topic D: Scanners and cameras

Unit 10: Printers

  • Topic A: Dot matrix printers
  • Topic B: Inkjet and related printer technologies
  • Topic C: Laser printers
  • Topic D: Other types of printers
  • Topic E: Printer maintenance and troubleshooting

Unit 11: Portable computers and devices

  • Topic A: Notebook computers
  • Topic B: Component replacement
  • Topic C: Handheld computers
  • Topic D: Portable computer problems

Unit 12: Operating system management

  • Topic A: Directory and file management
  • Topic B: System management
  • Topic C: The Registry

Unit 13: Operating system monitoring

  • Topic A: System monitoring
  • Topic B: Event Viewer

Unit 14: Operating system maintenance

  • Topic A: Windows Backup
  • Topic B: Hot fixes and service packs

Unit 15: Operating system troubleshooting

  • Topic A: The Windows boot process
  • Topic B: Operating system troubleshooting
  • Topic C: Remote administration

Unit 16: Connecting computers

  • Topic A: Networking concepts
  • Topic B: Wired network connections
  • Topic C: Wireless network connections
  • Topic D: Network architectures

Unit 17: Networking computers

  • Topic A: LAN configuration
  • Topic B: Resource sharing
  • Topic C: Internet connections
  • Topic D: Wireless nodes

Unit 18: Troubleshooting network connections

  • Topic A: Network troubleshooting

Unit 19: Security

  • Topic A: Operating system security
  • Topic B: Auditing and logging
  • Topic C: Security hardware
  • Topic D: The human aspects of security
  • Topic E: Network protection

Unit 20: Windows installation and upgrades

  • Topic A: Installation
  • Topic B: Upgrades

Unit 21: Safety

  • Topic A: Safety and hazards
  • Topic B: Safe work practices
  • Topic C: Disposing of computer equipment

Unit 22: Maintaining the PC environment

  • Topic A: Toolkits
  • Topic B: PC maintenance

Unit 23: Professionalism and communication

  • Topic A: Customer satisfaction
  • Topic B: Problem and resolution tracking

Appendix A: PC hardware support basics

  • Topic A: Computer components overview
  • Topic B: Hardware, software, and firmware
  • Topic C: Operating system fundamentals

Appendix B: Certification exam objectives map

Appendix C: CompTIA A+ acronyms