companion workbookpart one

 

TOM   CAR P EN T E R  AND   L E A RNK E Y    

A+ Certification 2012                        Companion Workbook Part One 

© LearnKey 35 North Main

St. George, UT 84770 1.435.674.9733

www.learnkey.com

Table of Contents  

A+ 2012 Workbook – Part One Sessions 1‐3 

 

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... i 

How to use this Workbook  ....................................................................................................................... ii 

Chapter 1 – Introducing Computers 

1.1 – Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 

1.2 – PC Components  ............................................................................................................................... 4 

Chapter 1 Fact Review .............................................................................................................................. 7 

Chapter 2 – Primary Computer Components 

2.1 – Motherboards Overview  ................................................................................................................. 8 

2.2 – Motherboard Expansion Slots  ....................................................................................................... 12 

2.3 – Computer Processors  .................................................................................................................... 16 

2.4 – Processor Installation and Care  ..................................................................................................... 20 

2.5 – System Memory  ............................................................................................................................ 22 

2.6 – Expansion Cards  ............................................................................................................................ 24 

2.7 – BIOS Settings  ................................................................................................................................. 27 

Chapter 2 Fact Review ............................................................................................................................ 30 

Chapter 3 – Computer Storage 

3.1 – Basic Storage Devices  .................................................................................................................... 31 

3.2 – Advanced Storage Devices ............................................................................................................. 35 

3.3 – Optical Media  ................................................................................................................................ 38 

Chapter 3 Fact Review ............................................................................................................................ 39 

Chapter 4 –Building a Computer 

4.1 – External Connections  .................................................................................................................... 40 

4.2 – Working with Power Supplies ........................................................................................................ 43 

4.3 – Building the Dream Machine  ......................................................................................................... 46 

Chapter 4 Fact Review ............................................................................................................................ 48 

   

  A+ 2012 Workbook  

Table of Contents  

  A+ 2012 Workbook  

Chapter 5 – Display Devices 

5.1 – Choosing Display Devices  .............................................................................................................. 49 

Chapter 5 Fact Review ............................................................................................................................ 52 

Chapter 6 – Connectors and Peripherals 

6.1 – Connectors, Connectors, and More Connectors  ........................................................................... 53 

6.2 – Peripherals ..................................................................................................................................... 56 

Chapter 6 Fact Review ............................................................................................................................ 58 

Chapter 7 – Introduction to Networking 

7.1 – Networking Hardware  ................................................................................................................... 59 

7.2 – Network Cabling ............................................................................................................................. 63 

7.3 – Wireless Communications  ............................................................................................................. 66 

Chapter 7 Fact Review ............................................................................................................................ 67 

 

 

 

Introduction  

 i  A+ Certification 2012 Workbook 

 

 

Introduction 

This workbook was created as a companion to LearnKey’s A+ Certification 2012 training. It serves as a reinforcement of and reference to concepts presented in the video training.  

Authored by expert Tom Carpenter and produced in partnership with LearnKey, this workbook follows the training session by session providing A+ candidates with concisely presented topics the map directly to the A+ Certification exam objectives. 

 This workbook represents part one of LearnKey’s A+ workbook series. The complete series will include additional activities and challenges to prepare a student for certification. Part one encompasses the material presented in sessions 1‐3 of the LearnKey training. 

The LearnKey team would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Tom Carpenter whose expertise, dedication, and patience help us to provide a better learning experience.  

Train for today; learn for life. 

Introduction  

 ii  A+ Certification 2012 Workbook 

 

 

How to use this Workbook 

The topics in this workbook are organized by session to match the concepts presented in the LearnKey training. Each topic follows chronologically its counterpart in the video training. While it is recommended that this workbook be used in tandem with the training, it can be used as either a preparatory tool before training to target specific training areas or as a review after training to solidify the concepts presented.  

In either case, familiarize yourself with the table of contents and the corresponding training sections. This way you’ll have a better understanding of when and where to use the workbook.   

Pay particular attention to the section summaries and Chapter Review sections of the workbook. They are typically brief, but provided an excellent condensed review of the material presented.  

The LearnKey A+ Certification 2012 training is extensive. Use the workbook to vary your pathway to learning and break up the somewhat lengthy video sections. The A+ Certification exams are important and cover a great deal of material. Used together, the workbook and training will help prepare you to tackle the exams with confidence! 

Above all, have fun! Challenge yourself. If possible, work with a partner or in groups to quiz one another on the material presented in the workbook and the training. Being prepared is the key to lifelong learning. 

 

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCING COMPUTERS

1.1 – INTRODUCTION The CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) A+ certification tests a candidate’s knowledge of personal computing devices. These devices include desktop computers, laptop computers, and mobile devices like tablets and smartphones. The A+ 2012 certification is the first to test directly against mobile device software such as Apple’s iOS and Google Android.

The A+ certification requires the candidate to pass two exams. The first exam is the Essentials exam and it is number 220-801. The second exam is the Practical Application exam and it is number 220-802. The exams are taken at a testing center and locations can be discovered at http://www.pearsonvue.com/comptia.

PREREQUISITES CompTIA suggests that A+ students have the equivalent knowledge of at least 12 months in the lab or field. Large company experience is not required. Typical PC installation, maintenance, and repair provide such experience. This training and workbook will help to fill all remaining gaps in your knowledge as you prepare for the A+ exams.

Technically, however, there are no required prerequisites. This simply means that you do not have to take any other exams before the A+ exams. However, you should still meet some recommended prerequisites:

• Understand the objectives • Gain experience working with Windows 7 • Gain experience working with either Android or iOS devices • Gain experience working with PC hardware

If you have this knowledge base and this training program, you will be well prepared for the A+ exams.

KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS A knowledge domain is a named collection of information. It is like the difference between Social Studies and Health or Science and English classes in schools.

Exam 220-801 includes the following knowledge domains:

• PC Hardware • Networking • Laptops • Printers • Operational Procedures

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Exam 220-802 includes the following knowledge domains:

• Operating Systems • Security • Mobile Devices • Troubleshooting

WHY UNDERSTAND PCS PC devices have gone from self-contained rather small units (early Commodore, Tandy, and Apple computers) to large desktop IBM PCs and now to even smaller, self-contained devices like tablets and Netbooks. During this evolutionary time, more and more computers came into use and today computer implementation, maintenance, and support demands hundreds of thousands of employees throughout the world.

Computers are everywhere:

• In companies • In personal lives • Few jobs exist without requiring PC use

Commodore 64 Computer (Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Commodore_C64G.JPG)

Another important factor impacting computer support today is Bring Your Own Computer (BYOC) and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Users supply their own computing devices and the organizations provide the software to get the job done. This requires the users themselves to have basic computer knowledge so they can assist support professionals in troubleshooting and repairing their own devices.

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PREPARING FOR THE EXAM When preparing for the A+ exams, consider the following guidelines:

1. Read the objectives. Many questions can be answered through simple familiarity with the objectives.

2. Watch all of the training and read this entire workbook. Do not assume you know everything required within a given knowledge domain.

3. Take notes as you learn. Note the facts. Draw your own diagrams. 4. Review sections that are new. When you read or watch a section that is completely new to you,

note that section and watch it a second time when the training is completed. a. Take more notes during this review.

5. Review all notes and diagrams on exam day. The items you noted or diagrammed are probably new to you and this final review will make the facts certain in your mind.

VIEWING THE OBJECTIVES Reading and understanding the objectives is an essential part of preparing for an exam. CompTIA objectives are broken into the following sections:

• Introduction • Knowledge Domains • Acronyms • Proposed Hardware and Software

By reviewing these objectives, you gain the following benefits:

• A better understanding of the purpose for the exam. • A better knowledge of the terms and acronyms used on the exam. • A clear understanding of the hardware and software used to prepare for the exam.

As an example, the proposed hardware and software section for exam 220-802, lists an iPad tablet and an Android tablet as recommended hardware used in preparation for the exam. If you do not have access to either of these devices, considering borrowing them from a friend and learning to use the Settings tools in both. These are the key tools tested on the exams.

Finally, play close attention to the terms configure, define, and differentiate in the objectives. The word configure indicates that you know how to work with the stated item. The words define and differentiate indicate that you can describe or define the stated item.

SUMMARY Investigating the objectives is a key part of your exam preparation. Be sure to print them out and review them several times before exam day.

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1.2 – PC COMPONENTS PC components have remained relatively the same for several decades. They include processors (CPUs), memory, and storage. In this section, you will explore an overview of these components by looking at an older gaming system from the late 1980s and then a newer gaming PC from the modern era.

INSIDE A GAME SYSTEM The Nintendo was a very popular gaming system first released in the 1980s. It included many of the components used in modern computers, including:

• CPU • Memory • Software interface • Controller interfaces • Expansion port

Nintendo Gaming System (Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NES_nn.jpg)

These early gaming systems were computers; however, the processors were very different from what we use in computers today. They were usually included “on die” with other circuitry. This simply means that the processor was includes on a chip with other capabilities.

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A Printed Circuit Board from the Family Computer released by NES (Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HVC-CPU-07_02.jpg)

INSIDE A PC A modern desktop computer is much larger than a Nintendo Entertainment System. Modern computers include:

• CPU • Memory • Graphics Adapter • Expansion Ports

o Multiple Types: USB, FireWire, eSATA, etc. • Keyboard and Mouse Connectors • Motherboard • Hard Drive • Optical Drive • Memory Card Reader • Power Supply

Typical Gaming Desktop (Source: CyberpowerPC)

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SUMMARY This overview of computer components is intended introduce you to the individual parts and pieces that comprise a computer. The most important thing to remember is that no computing device is really a single component, but instead is a collection of components working effectively together to provide a computing experience.

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CHAPTER 1 FACT REVIEW • The A+ certification requires candidates to pass two exams: 220-801 and 220-802. • 220-801 is the Essentials exam and focuses primarily on hardware concepts and operational

procedures. • 220-802 is the Practical Application exam and focuses on operating systems, security, and

mobile computing. • The troubleshooting objectives really bring together the knowledge from all other objectives in

the exams. • Computers typically include processors, memory, storage, and input devices • All computers are collections of components working effectively together to provide a

computing experience.

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