Overview

31 Days Before Your CompTIA A+ Exams Second Edition Ben Conry      A Day-by-Day Review Guide for the CompTIA A+ 220-701 and 220-702 Exams   31 Days Before Your CompTIA® A+ Exams, Second Edition offers you a personable and practical way to understand the certification process, commit to taking the exam, and finish your preparation using a variety of study resources.   The 31-Day format breaks down key exam topics into 31 daily review sessions using short summaries, lists, tables, examples, and graphics. This edition includes a Study Resources section at the end of each day that provides you with a quick reference for locating more in-depth treatment of a day’s topics within relevant textbook resources.   Use this day-by-day guide to organize, prepare, and review all the CompTIA A+ objectives for the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam (220-701) and the CompTIA A+ Practical Application exam (220-702).   ·         The features of the book empower you to fit exam preparation into an otherwise busy schedule: ·         Tear-out visual calendar summarizes each day’s study topics ·         Checklist highlights important tasks and deadlines leading up to your exam ·         Description of the CompTIA A+ exams and sign-up process ·         Strategies from the author help you to be mentally, organizationally, and physically prepared for exam day ·         Conversational tone makes your study time more enjoyable   Who Should Read This Book?   This book is for anyone preparing for the CompTIA A+ exams working with learning resources published by either Cisco Press, Que, Addison-Wesley, Cengage, or McGraw-Hill listed on page xxvii of this book.  

Full Product Details

Author:   Ben Conry
Publisher:   Pearson Education (US)
Imprint:   Cisco Press
Edition:   2nd edition
Dimensions:   Width: 16.70cm , Height: 1.40cm , Length: 22.00cm
Weight:   0.334kg
ISBN:  

9781587132605

ISBN 10:   1587132605
Pages:   240
Publication Date:   17 October 2011
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   In Print  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

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

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Author Information

Ben Conry teaches a cybersecurity magnet program at Sollers Point Magnet High School. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1995 with a Bachelor’s degree in music education with an emphasis in composition. He earned a Master’s degree in instructional technology from Johns Hopkins University in 2002. Currently, he holds CCNA, CCAI, and CompTIA A+ certifications. He has received awards and citations for his commitment to educational excellence and for preparing students for college and the workforce. Ben lives with his wife and two children in Lutherville, Maryland.

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