CompTIA A+ 220-702 (2009 Edition)

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In order to receive CompTIA A+ certification a candidate must pass two exams. The first exam is CompTIA A+ Essentials, exam number 220-701. The CompTIA A+ Essentials examination measures necessary competencies for an entry-level IT professional with the equivalent knowledge of at least 500 hours of hands-on experience in the lab or field. Successful candidates will have the knowledge required to understand the fundamentals of computer technology, networking, and security, and will have the skills required to identify hardware, peripheral, networking, and security components. Successful candidates will understand the basic functionality of the operating system and basic troubleshooting methodology, practice proper safety procedures, and will effectively interact with customers and peers.

Download your copy of the objectives Download Exam Objectives

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1.0 Hardware

1.1 Given a scenario, install, configure and maintain personal computer components (see below list)
1.2 Given a scenario, detect problems, troubleshoot and repair/replace personal computer
components (see below list)

• Storage devices
o HDD
SATA
PATA
Solid state
o FDD
o Optical drives
CD / DVD / RW / Blu-Ray
o Removable
o External

• Motherboards
o Jumper settings
o CMOS battery
o Advanced BIOS settings
o Bus speeds
o Chipsets
o Firmware updates
o Socket types
o Expansion slots
o Memory slots
o Front panel connectors
o I/O ports
Sound, video, USB 1.1, USB 2.0, serial, IEEE 1394 / Firewire, parallel, NIC,
modem, PS/2)

• Power supplies
o Wattages and capacity
o Connector types and quantity
o Output voltage

• Processors
o Socket types
o Speed
o Number of cores
o Power consumption
o Cache
o Front side bus
o 32bit vs. 64bit

• Memory

• Adapter cards
o Graphics cards
o Sound cards
o Storage controllers
RAID cards (RAID array – levels 0,1,5)
eSATA cards
o I/O cards
Firewire
USB
Parallel
Serial
o Wired and wireless network cards
o Capture cards (TV, video)
o Media reader

• Cooling systems
o Heat sinks
o Thermal compound
o CPU fans
o Case fans

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1.3 Given a scenario, install, configure, detect problems, troubleshoot and repair/replace laptop
components

• Components of the LCD including inverter, screen and video card

• Hard drive and memory

• Disassemble processes for proper re-assembly
o Document and label cable and screw locations
o Organize parts
o Refer to manufacturer documentation
o Use appropriate hand tools

• Recognize internal laptop expansion slot types

• Upgrade wireless cards and video card

• Replace keyboard, processor, plastics, pointer devices, heat sinks, fans, system board, CMOS
battery, speakers

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1.4 Given a scenario, select and use the following tools

• Multimeter

• Power supply tester

• Specialty hardware / tools

• Cable testers

• Loop back plugs

• Anti-static pad and wrist strap

• Extension magnet

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1.5 Given a scenario, detect and resolve common printer issues

• Symptoms
o Paper jams
o Blank paper
o Error codes
o Out of memory error
o Lines and smearing
o Garbage printout
o Ghosted image
o No connectivity

• Issue resolution
o Replace fuser
o Replace drum
o Clear paper jam
o Power cycle
o Install maintenance kit (reset page count)
o Set IP on printer
o Clean printer

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2.0 Operating Systems - unless otherwise noted, operating systems referred to within include Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional, XP Home, XP MediaCenter, Windows Vista
Home, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate.

2.1 Select the appropriate commands and options to troubleshoot and resolve problems

• MSCONFIG

• DIR

• CHKDSK (/f /r)

• EDIT

• COPY (/a /v /y)

• XCOPY

• FORMAT

• IPCONFIG (/all /release /renew)

• PING (-t –l)

• MD / CD / RD

• NET

• TRACERT

• NSLOOKUP

• [command name] /?

• SFC

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2.2 Differentiate between Windows Operating System directory structures (Windows 2000, XP and Vista)

• User file locations

• System file locations

• Fonts

• Temporary files

• Program files

• Offline files and folders

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2.3 Given a scenario, select and use system utilities / tools and evaluate the results

• Disk management tools
o DEFRAG
o NTBACKUP
o Check Disk

• Disk Manager
o Active, primary, extended and logical partitions
o Mount points
o Mounting a drive
o FAT32 and NTFS
o Drive status
Foreign drive
Healthy
Formatting
Active unallocated
Failed
Dynamic
Offline
Online

• System monitor

• Administrative tools
o Event Viewer
o Computer Management
o Services
o Performance Monitor

• Devices Manager
o Enable
o Disable
o Warnings
o Indicators

• Task Manager
o Process list
o Resource usage
o Process priority
o Termination

• System Information

• System restore
• Remote Desktop Protocol (Remote Desktop / Remote Assistance)
• Task Scheduler
• Regional settings and language settings

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2.4 Evaluate and resolve common issues

• Operational Problems
o Windows specific printing problems
Print spool stalled
Incorrect / incompatible driver / form printing
o Auto-restart errors
o Bluescreen error
o System lock-up
o Devices drivers failure (input / output devices)
o Application install, start or load failure
o Service fails to start

• Error Messages and Conditions
o Boot
Invalid boot disk
Inaccessible boot drive
Missing NTLDR
o Startup
Device / service failed to start
Device / program in registry not found
o Event viewer (errors in the event log)
o System Performance and Optimization
Aero settings
Indexing settings
UAC
Side bar settings
Startup file maintenance
Background processes

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3.0 Networking

3.1 Troubleshoot client-side connectivity issues using appropriate tools

• TCP/IP settings
o Gateway
o Subnet mask
o DNS
o DHCP (dynamic vs.static)
o NAT (private and public)

• Characteristics of TCP/IP
o Loopback addresses
o Automatic IP addressing

• Mail protocol settings
o SMTP
o IMAP
o POP

• FTP settings
o Ports
o IP addresses
o Exceptions
o Programs

• Proxy settings
o Ports
o IP addresses
o Exceptions
o Programs

• Tools (use and interpret results)
o Ping
o Tracert
o Nslookup
o Netstat
o Net use
o Net /?
o Ipconfig
o telnet
o SSH

• Secure connection protocols
o SSH
o HTTPS

• Firewall settings
o Open and closed ports
o Program filters

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3.2 Install and configure a small office home office (SOHO) network

• Connection types
o Dial-up
o Broadband
DSL
Cable
Satellite
ISDN
o Wireless
All 802.11
WEP
WPA
SSID
MAC filtering
DHCP settings
o Routers / Access Points
Disable DHCP
Use static IP
Change SSID from default
Disable SSID broadcast
MAC filtering
Change default username and password
Update firmware
Firewall
o LAN (10/100/1000BaseT, Speeds)
o Bluetooth (1.0 vs. 2.0)
o Cellular
o Basic VoIP (consumer applications)

• Basics of hardware and software firewall configuration
o Port assignment / setting up rules (exceptions)
o Port forwarding / port triggering

• Physical installation
o Wireless router placement
o Cable length

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4.0 Security

4.1 Given a scenario, prevent, troubleshoot and remove viruses and malware

• Use antivirus software

• Identify malware symptoms

• Quarantine infected systems

• Research malware types, symptoms and solutions (virus encyclopedias)

• Remediate infected systems

• Update antivirus software
o Signature and engine updates
o Automatic vs. manual

• Schedule scans

• Repair boot blocks

• Scan and removal techniques
o Safe mode
o Boot environment

• Educate end user

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4.2 Implement security and troubleshoot common issues

• Operating systems
o Local users and groups: Administrator, Power Users, Guest, Users
o Vista User Access Control (UAC)
o NTFS vs. Share persmissions
Allow vs. deny
Difference between moving and copying folders and files
File attributes
o Shared files and folders
Administrative shares vs. local shares
Permission propogation
Inheritance
o System files and folders
o Encryption (Bitlocker, EFS)
o User authentication

• System
o BIOS security
Drive lock
Passwords
Intrusion detection
TPM