LearnKey Training

A+® Core Hardware

A CompTIA Certification


A+ Core Hardware

7 Sessions –
21 Hours of Interactive Training
The Core Hardware exam is one of two exams that must be successfully completed to attain CompTIA's A+ ® Certification, the standard credential for anyone beginning an information technology career. In the A+ ® Core Hardware course from LearnKey, you'll delve into the inner workings of the personal computer with Mike Meyers, the world's foremost A+ authority. At the conclusion of this course, you'll feel confident installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining PC hardware, and be prepared to pass the current CompTIA A+ ® Core Hardware exam 220-301.

Benefits
  • LearnKey courses meet or exceed all the latest objectives and requirements to pass the A+ exam 220-301.
  • Gain valuable skills and become a certified IT professional.
  • Acquire basic knowledge that will increase your credibility and marketability in the IT industry.
    • Also Available:
    · Study Guide
    · Test Prep
    About The Author
    Mike Meyers is a dynamic lecturer and leading authority on IT certifications. His A+ Certification Guide (McGraw-Hill) is the world's #1 selling A+ certification text. Meyers, known as the Alphageek to friends and fans, exudes an incredible enthusiasm for high tech. His flair for conceptualizing technical information and providing explanations that make sense is unmatched in the industry. Meyers is president of Total Seminars in Houston.
    Session 1

    Section A: Introduction
    · A+ Certification
    · What is the A+ like?
    · Testing Locations
    · Testing Costs

    Section B: Visible PC
    · Basic PC
    · Monitors
    · Keyboard
    · Wireless Keyboard
    · Mouse
    · Printers
    · Speakers

    Section C: System Unit
    · Overview
    · Common Features
    · Connectors
    · ESD
    · Anti-Static Mat
    · Basic Components

    Section D: Connectors
    · Power
    · PS2 Connectors
    · RJ45
    · USB Connectors
    · Serial Ports
    · Parallel Ports
    · Video/Audio
    · Firewire

    Section E: CPU Concepts
    · External Data Bus
    · Clock
    · Address Bus
    · Memory Controller Chip
    · Cache
    · Buses
    · CPU Considerations
    · Packaging

    Section F: CPU
    · Manufacturers
    · CPU Types
    · XEON Processors
    · 64-Bit Processing


    Session 2

    Section A: Installing/Upgrading CPUs
    · Slotted CPU
    · Motherboard Specs/Jumpers
    · Socketed CPU
    · Cooling
    · Fans
    · Upgrading
    · Liquid Cooling

    Section B: RAM
    · RAM Concept
    · Bits and Bytes
    · Quantities
    · Units
    · Visualizing RAM
    · RAM Packages

    Section C: RAM Types
    · DRAM
    · FPM/EDO
    · SDRAM
    · Banking
    · DDR
    · RDRAM
    · DDR - SDRAM

    Section D: Installing RAM
    · Compatibility
    · Cache Chips
    · SIMMS
    · DIMM
    · Speed
    · RAM Data
    · Double-sided
    · Adding RAM

    Section E: BIOS-FirmWare
    · Mother
    · BIOS
    · BIOS Software
    · Flash ROM
    · CMOS
    · CMOS Settings

    Section F: BIOS Troubleshooting
    · Post Check
    · Error Codes
    · Text Codes
    · Battery
    · BIOS
    · Flash BIOS


    Session 3

    Section A: Expansion Bus
    · Expansion Slots
    · Crystals/Clocking
    · IBM PC Bus
    · ISA

    Section B: I/O Addressing
    · Device Manager
    · I/O Address
    · Hexadecimal
    · Hex to Binary
    · Address Range
    · Interrupts
    · IRQs

    Section C: COM & LPT Ports
    · COM Ports
    · LPT Ports
    · Set Serial Port
    · Set Parallel Port

    Section D: DMA/Memory Addressing
    · Functions
    · Direct Memory Access
    · DRQs/DMA/Ultra DMA
    · Using DMA/Ultra DMA
    · Alternative Memory
    · Memory Addressing

    Section E: EISA/ISA/VESA
    · ISA
    · Micro Channel
    · EISA
    · VESA Local Bus
    · Bus Speeds
    · VESA VL Bus

    Section F: PCI
    · PCI Model
    · Characteristics
    · Interrupt Channels
    · IRQ Steering
    · Extended IRQs
    · AGP
    · Modern Chipsets

    Section G: Speciality Bus
    · CNR/AMR
    · USB
    · USB Connections
    · USB Hub
    · Mini-B
    · Versions/Installation
    · FireWire
    · FireWire Connections


    Session 4

    Section A: Adapter Cards - Legacy
    · Installing/Removing
    · Handling Card
    · Legacy Cards
    · PnP Environment
    · Using Device Drives
    · Set Resources
    ·  Modify Resources

    Section B: Adapter Cards - ACPI
    · ACPI Compliant
    · Device Resources
    · Add Device/Driver
    · Signed Drivers
    · Installation Programs
    · Autorun

    Section C: Form Factors
    · Standardization
    · AT Power Supply
    · Connections
    · ATX
    · Standard Options
    · ATX Power Supply
    · AUX Power
    · Soft Power

    Section D: Motherboards/Cases
    · Motherboard
    · Assemble Components
    · I/O Shield
    · Power Supply
    · Mount Board
    · Connect Power
    · Connect Aux Wires
    · Troubleshooting

    Section E: Floppy Drives
    · Storage vs. RAM
    · 3 1/2 Floppy Drive
    · Floppy Drive Connection
    · Ribbon Cable
    · Motherboard Connection
    · Power Connector
    · Floppy Configuration
    · Verify/Troubleshoot

     



    A+ Core Hardware continued

    Section F: ATA Hard Drives
    · Storage Device
    · Drive Geometry
    · Terminology
    · Controller
    · ATA-1 Standard
    · ATA-2 (EIDE) Standard
    · ATA-4, ATA-5 Standard
    · ATA-6 Standard

    Section G: Basic ATA Installation
    · Drive Components
    · Master vs. Slave
    · Configure Drive
    · Connecting Drive
    · Connectors
    · Verify
    · Hard Drive Setting

    Section H: Advanced ATA Installation
    · Mounting Hardware
    · Adding Second Drive
    · High Speed ATA Cable
    · Serial ATA
    · Serial ATA Connector
    · Serial ATA Characteristics
    · Serial ATA Adapters/Cards
    · Verify/Test


    Session 5

    Section A: CD Media
    · Compact Disc
    · CD-ROM
    · CD-ROM Drives
    · CDR/CD-R
    · CD-RW
    · Burning Software
    · DVD
    · DVD Formats

    Section B: CD Media Installation
    · Connections
    · Basic Install
    · Guide Rails
    · DVD Install
    · Hardware Decoder
    · Troubleshooting

    Section C: SCSI
    · Concepts
    · Host Adapter
    · SCSI Chains
    · Termination
    · LUN
    · SCSI Types
    · Termination Types
    · Cable Lengths

    Section D: SCSI Installation
    · SCSI-1 Connector
    · Narrow SCSI
    · Wide SCSI
    · Hot Swappable Drives
    · External Connectors
    · Setup SCSI
    · Install SCSI
    · Verify/Troubleshoot

    Section E: RAID
    · RAID 0 (Striping)
    · RAID 1 (Mirroring)
    · Parity
    · RAID 5
    · Hardware RAID
    · Software RAID

    Section F: Video & Graphics Cards
    · CRT Monitors
    · Function
    · Refresh Rate
    · Resolution

    Section G: Install Video Card
    · AGP Slots
    · AGP Speeds
    · AGP Slot
    · Upgrade
    · CMOS Setting
    · Dual Monitors
    · Advanced Setting
    · Troubleshooting


    Session 6

    Section A: Sound
    · Sound Cards
    · Midi Connection
    · Sound Standards
    · Sound Connections
    · Optical Connector
    · Installation
    · AC Adapters
    · Cable Connections

    Section B: Other Peripheral Devices
    · Graphics Tablets
    · Touch Screens
    · Digital Cameras
    · Removable Media
    · External Storage

    Section C: Laptops
    · Portable Desktop
    · Batteries/Fuel Cells
    · Components
    · Storage Devices
    · PCMCIA
    · DC Power
    · Power Management
    · Docking/Sync

    Section D: Understanding Printers
    · Types of Printers
    · Laser Printer
    · Transfer Process
    · Internal Components
    · Other Print Technologies
    · Dye Sublimation
    · Printer Connectors
    · Printer Options

    Section E: Printer Installation
    · Print Drivers
    · View Installed Printer
    · Maintaining Printers
    · Inkjet Problems
    · Laser Problems
    · Cleaning Printers
    · Troubleshooting
    · Toner Cartridge

    Section F: Networking Hardware
    · NIC
    · Topologies
    · Cables
    · CAT Levels
    · Fiber Optics
    · Fire Ratings

    Section G: Networking Technologies
    · Ethernet
    · AVI
    · IO Base 2
    · IO Base T
    · Duplex/Half-Duplex
    · SC/ST
    · Wireless
    · Configure Wireless


    Session 7

    Section A: Connecting to a Network
    · Network Basics
    · Sharing Resources
    · Hardware Connection
    · Hubs
    · Protocols
    · MS Protocols
    · Modems
    · Internet Connections

    Section B: Maintenance
    · Cleaning
    · Components
    · Keyboards
    · Monitors
    · Printers
    · Drive Maintenance
    · Disposal

    Section C: Power
    · Electrical Consideration
    · Surge Suppressors
    · UPS

    Section D: Troubleshooting
    · Planning
    · Consider Possibilities
    · Documents the Problem