Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs, 7th Edition (Exams 220-1101 & 220-1102)

see Cover Title Page Copyright Page Acknowledgments About this Book Contents At a Glance Contents Introduction Instructor Materials Chapter 1 Safety and Professionalism 1102 The Professional Tech Professional Appearance and Attire The Traits of a Tech Effective Communication Assertive Communication Respectful Communication Getting Answers Expectations and Follow-Up Be Prepared! Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Antistatic Tools Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) Physical Tools Personal Safety 1101 Troubleshooting Methodology Chapter 1 Review Chapter 2 The Visible Computer Historical/Conceptual The Computing Process The Computing Parts Stages Why the Process Matters to Techs Breaking It Down 1101 Computing Hardware 1102 Computing Software Common Operating System Functions User Interfaces File Structures and Paths The Tech Utility Launch Points Chapter 2 Review Chapter 3 CPUs Historical/Conceptual CPU Core Components The Man in the Box Registers Clock Back to the External Data Bus Memory Memory and RAM Address Bus 1101 Modern CPUs Developers Technology Selecting and Installing CPUs Selecting a CPU Installation Issues Troubleshooting CPUs Symptoms of Overheating Catastrophic Failure Beyond A+ Hybrid Cores Process Nodes Chapter 3 Review Chapter 4 RAM Historical/Conceptual Understanding DRAM Organizing DRAM Practical DRAM DRAM Sticks Consumer RAM Types of RAM SDRAM DDR SDRAM 1101 DDR3 DDR4 DDR5 RAM Variations Working with RAM Do You Need More RAM? Getting the Right RAM Installing DIMMs Installing SO-DIMMs in Laptops Troubleshooting RAM Chapter 4 Review Chapter 5 Firmware 1101 We Need to Talk Talking to the Keyboard CMOS and the System Setup Utility Touring the System Setup Utility Noteworthy BIOS/UEFI Security Settings Exiting and Saving BIOS/UEFI Settings Power-On Self-Test (POST) Before and During the Video Test: The Beep Codes Text Errors POST Cards The Boot Process Care and Feeding of BIOS/UEFI Default/Optimized Settings Clearing CMOS Losing CMOS RTC Settings Flashing the ROM Chapter 5 Review Chapter 6 Motherboards Historical/Conceptual How Motherboards Work Form Factors 1101 Chipset Standard Components Additional Components Expansion Bus Structure and Function of the Expansion Bus PCI PCI Express Installing Expansion Cards Troubleshooting Expansion Cards Upgrading and Installing Motherboards Choosing the Motherboard and Case Installing the Motherboard Troubleshooting Motherboards Symptoms Techniques Options Chapter 6 Review Chapter 7 Power Supplies Historical/Conceptual Understanding Electricity 1101 Powering the PC Supplying AC 1102 1101 Supplying DC Installing and Maintaining Power Supplies Installing Cooling Troubleshooting Power Supplies No Motherboard When Power Supplies Die Slowly Fuses and Fire Redundant Power Supplies Modular Power Supplies Chapter 7 Review Chapter 8 Mass Storage Technologies Historical/Conceptual How Hard Drives Work Hard Drives 1101 Solid-State Drives Connecting Mass Storage PATA SATA eSATA and Other External Drives Refining Mass Storage Communication Protecting Data with RAID RAID Implementing RAID Software Versus Hardware Dedicated RAID Boxes Installing Drives Choosing Your Drive Cabling SATA Drives Connecting Solid-State Drives BIOS Support: Configuring CMOS and Installing Drivers Troubleshooting Hard Drive Installation Chapter 8 Review Chapter 9 Implementing Mass Storage Historical/Conceptual Hard Drive Partitions 1102 Master Boot Record Dynamic Disks GUID Partition Table Other Partition Types When to Partition Partition Naming Problems Hard Drive Formatting File Systems in Windows FAT32 NTFS exFAT File Systems in macOS File Systems in Linux The Partitioning, Formatting, and Pooling Process Bootable Media Partitioning and Formatting with the Installation Media Disk Management Formatting a Partition Storage Spaces Maintaining and Troubleshooting Hard Drives Maintenance 1101 Troubleshooting Hard Drive Implementation Chapter 9 Review Chapter 10 Essential Peripherals 1101 Supporting Common Ports Serial Ports USB Ports Thunderbolt Ports General Port Issues Common Peripherals Keyboards Pointing Devices Biometric Devices Barcode Scanner/QR Scanner Touchscreens KVM Switches Game Controllers and Joysticks Digitizers Multimedia Devices and Formats Removable Storage Devices Flash Memory Optical Media Chapter 10 Review Chapter 11 Installing and Upgrading Operating Systems 1102 Windows Versions and Editions What About Windows 11? Windows 10 Home Workgroups vs. Domains Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro for Workstations/Windows 10 Enterprise What Version of Windows Do I Have? Installing and Upgrading Windows Media Sources Types of Installation The OS Installation Process Troubleshooting Installation Problems Post-Installation Tasks Windows Updates Upgrading Drivers Restoring User Data Files (If Applicable) Installing Essential Software Migrating and Retiring Systems No Installation Is Perfect Chapter 11 Review Chapter 12 Working with Operating Systems 1102 Registry Accessing the Registry Registry Components Talkin’ Registry Manual Registry Edits Command-Line Registry Editing Tools Your Basic Windows Toolset System Configuration Windows Settings Control Panel Processes, Applications, and Services Tools Task Manager Resource Monitor Microsoft Management Console macOS Preferences and Features System Preferences Apple ID AirDrop Spotlight Keychain FileVault Chapter 12 Review Chapter 13 Users, Groups, and Permissions 1102 Authentication with Users and Groups Standard Accounts Groups Standard Account and Elevated Privileges Configuring Users and Groups in Windows Authentication Options Authorization Through NTFS NTFS Permissions Inheritance Permission Propagation Techs and Permissions Permissions in Linux and macOS Sharing Resources Securely Sharing Folders and Files Locating Shared Folders Protecting Data with Encryption Beyond Sharing Resources Security Policies User Account Control How UAC Works UAC in Modern Windows Chapter 13 Review Chapter 14 Maintaining and Optimizing Operating Systems 1102 Maintaining Operating Systems Patch Management Scheduling Maintenance Controlling Autostarting Software Optimizing Operating Systems Installing and Removing Software Performance Options Preparing for Problems Backup and Recovery Options Backup Testing Backup Rotation Schemes Backing Up Personal Data System Restore in Windows Beyond A+ Third-Party Backup Tools Chapter 14 Review Chapter 15 Working with the Command-Line Interface 1102 Deciphering the Command-Line Interface Shells Accessing the Command-Line Interface in Windows Accessing the Command-Line Interface in macOS and Linux The Prompt Closing the Terminal Drives and Folders Mastering Fundamental Commands Structure: Syntax and Switches Changing Directory Focus: The cd Command Moving Between Drives Making Directories: The md/mkdir Command Removing Directories: The rd/rmdir Command Running a Program in Windows Running a Program in macOS and Linux Working with Files Reading Plaintext Files Using Wildcards to Locate Files Deleting Files Copying and Moving Files Pruning and Grafting Folder Trees Assorted Windows Commands chkdsk (/f /r) format hostname winver gpupdate gpresult sfc shutdown Keyboard Shortcuts Assorted macOS and Linux Commands See Running Processes: top and ps grep find Package Managers: apt-get and yum nano dd df shutdown Scripting Script Types and Languages Ask Not What You Can Do for Scripting Here Be Dragons Beyond A+ Anatomy of a Script Environment Variables Chapter 15 Review Chapter 16 Troubleshooting Operating Systems 1102 Common Windows Troubleshooting Procedures Turning Things Off and Back On System File Check Uninstall/Reinstall/Update Applications Resource Requirements Recovering When Windows Breaks Rebuild Windows Profiles Troubleshooting Common Windows OS Symptoms Blue Screen of Death Sluggish Performance Boot Problems Frequent Shutdowns Services Not Starting Applications Crashing Low Memory Warnings USB Controller Resource Warnings System Instability No OS Found Slow Profile Load Time Drift 1101 Troubleshooting Problems Related to Motherboard, CPU, RAM, and Power Power-On Self-Test Proprietary Crash Screens Black Screen No Power Sluggish Performance Overheating Burning Smell Frequent Shutdowns Application Crashes Grinding Noise Capacitor Swelling Inaccurate System Date/Time Chapter 16 Review Chapter 17 Display Technologies 1101 Video Displays Flat-Panel Displays Projectors Common Display Features Display Adapters Motherboard Slot Graphics Processor Video Memory Integrated GPUs Connector Types and Associated Cables Installing and Configuring Video Software 1102 Working with Drivers 1101 Troubleshooting Video Troubleshooting Monitors Troubleshooting Projectors Troubleshooting Video Cards and Drivers Beyond A+ Evaluating Monitors Resolution PPI Brightness Viewing Angle Response Rate Refresh Rate Contrast Ratio Color Depth Panel Technology High Dynamic Range Adaptive Sync Additional Display Topics MicroLED eGPUs Chapter 17 Review Chapter 18 Essentials of Networking 1101 Roles Hosts Play in Networks Networking Technologies Frames and NICs Ethernet Ethernet with Twisted Pair Ethernet with Alternative Connections Implementing Ethernet The Typical LAN Structured Cabling Going Wide Chapter 18 Review Chapter 19 Local Area Networking 1101/1102 Interconnecting Networks Network Addressing with IPv4 Network Addressing with IPv6 Domain Name System Entering Client IP Information TCP vs. UDP TCP/IP Settings TCP/IP Tools Configuring TCP/IP Automatic Private IP Addressing Installing and Configuring a Wired Network Installing a NIC Configuring IP Addressing Connecting to a Switch Network Organization and Access Control Shared Resources Organizing with Workgroups Organizing with Domains File Servers and Drive Mapping Sharing Printers Troubleshooting Networks Repairing Physical Cabling Fixing Common Problems Chapter 19 Review Chapter 20 Wireless Networking Historical/Conceptual Wireless Networking Components 1101 Wireless Networking Software Wireless Infrastructure 1102 Wireless Networking Security 1101 Wireless Networking Standards and Regulations IEEE 802.11-Based Wireless Networking Optimizing Wi-Fi Coverage Bluetooth 1102 Installing and Configuring Wireless Networking Wi-Fi Configuration Bluetooth Configuration and Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Hardware Troubleshooting Software Troubleshooting Connectivity Troubleshooting Configuration Troubleshooting Chapter 20 Review Chapter 21 The Internet Historical/Conceptual How the Internet Works TCP/IP: The Common Language of the Internet Internet Service Providers Connection Concepts 1101 Connecting to the Internet DSL Cable Fiber Wi-Fi WISP Cellular Satellite Connection to the Internet Using the Internet Internet Application Protocols 1102 Browsing the Web Communicating with Others Remote Access Sharing and Transferring Files 1101 Embedded Systems Internet Troubleshooting No Connectivity Limited Connectivity Local Connectivity Slow Network Speeds Latency and Jitter Poor VoIP Call Quality Chapter 21 Review Chapter 22 Virtualization 1101 Hardware Virtualization Client-Side Virtualization Benefits of Virtualization Purpose of Virtual Machines Creating a Virtual Machine Server-Side Virtualization To the Cloud The Service-Layer Cake Ownership and Access Cloud Characteristics Desktop Virtualization Chapter 22 Review Chapter 23 Portable Computing Historical/Conceptual Portable Computing Devices Taxonomy 1101 Input Devices Display Types Extending Portable Computers Single-Function Ports Networking Options Portable-Specific Expansion Slots Storage Card Slots General-Purpose Ports Managing and Maintaining Portable Computers Batteries Power Management Cleaning Heat Protecting the Machine Upgrading and Repairing Laptop Computers Disassembly Process Standard Upgrades Hardware/Device Replacement Troubleshooting Portable Computers Power and Performance Components Chapter 23 Review Chapter 24 Mobile Devices 1101 Mobile Computing Devices Device Variants Mobile Hardware Features 1102 Mobile Operating Systems Development Models Apple iOS and iPadOS Google Android Mobile OS Features 1101 Configuring a Mobile Device Enhancing Hardware Installing and Configuring Apps Network Connectivity Data E-mail Synchronization Mobile Device Communication and Ports Chapter 24 Review Chapter 25 Maintaining and Securing Mobile Devices 1101/1102 Troubleshooting Mobile Device Issues Troubleshooting Tools Touchscreen and Display Issues Apps Not Launching Overheating Update Failures Slow Response Battery Life Swollen Battery Random Reboots and Freezes Cannot Broadcast to an External Monitor No Sound from Speakers Connectivity and Data Usage Issues GPS and Location Services Problems Encryption Problems Securing Mobile Devices BYOD Versus Corporate-Owned Devices Profile Security Requirements Preventing Physical Damage Combating Malware Dealing with Loss Recovering from Theft Securing Your Data Mobile OS and Application Security Issues Troubleshooting Tools Risks, Symptoms, and Clues Chapter 25 Review Chapter 26 Printers and Multifunction Devices 1101 Printer and Multifunction Device Consumables Printers Scanners Copy and Fax Components Automatic Document Feeders Connectivity Physical Installation The Laser Printing Process Processing Charging Exposing Developing Transferring Fusing Cleaning Installing a Multifunction Device Setting Up Printers in Windows 1102 Configuring Print Settings Optimizing Print Performance Managing Public/Shared/Networked Devices 1101 Maintaining and Troubleshooting Printers Maintaining and Troubleshooting General Issues Maintaining and Troubleshooting Impact Printers Maintaining and Troubleshooting Thermal Printers Maintaining and Troubleshooting Inkjet Printers Maintaining and Troubleshooting Laser Printers Troubleshooting 3-D Printers Chapter 26 Review Chapter 27 Securing Computers 1102 Analyzing Threats and Vulnerabilities Threats Vulnerabilities Security Concepts and Technologies Physical Security Logical Security Network Security Malicious Software Malware Signs and Symptoms Malware Prevention and Recovery 1101 Firewalls Internet Appliances 1102 Authentication and Encryption Wireless Issues Chapter 27 Review Chapter 28 Operational Procedures 1102 Implementing Best Practices Associated with Documentation and Support Systems Information Management Asset Management Documentation for Policies, Procedures, Industry Standards, and Compliance Ticketing Systems Knowledge Base/Articles Change-Management Best Practices Documented Business Processes Change-Management Process Environmental Impacts and Local Environmental Controls Temperature, Humidity, and Ventilation Hazardous Materials Prohibited Content/Activity and Privacy, Licensing, and Policies Data Classification Regulated Data Compliance Licensing, End-User License Agreement, and Digital Rights Management Incident Response Beyond A+ Chapter 28 Review Appendix A Mapping to the CompTIA A+ Objectives 220-1101 Exam Objectives 220-1102 Exam Objectives Appendix B About the Online Content System Requirements Your Total Seminars Training Hub Account Privacy Notice Single User License Terms and Conditions TotalTester Online Pre-Assessment Playing the CompTIA A+ Introduction Video Mike’s CompTIA A+ Video Training Sample TotalSims Sample for CompTIA A+ Mike’s Cool Tools Technical Support Glossary Index