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Exam: CompTIA A+ Essentials
(220-701)
In order to receive CompTIA A+ certification a candidate must pass two exams.
The first exam is CompTIA A+ Essentials. 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. Hands-on experience or equivalent knowledge includes installing,
building, upgrading, repairing, configuring, troubleshooting, optimizing,
diagnosing, and performing preventive maintenance of basic personal computer
hardware and operating systems.
1.0 Hardware
1.1 Categorize storage devices and backup media
FDD
HDD
o Solid state vs. magnetic
Optical drives
o CD / DVD / RW / Blu-Ray
Removable storage
o Tape drive
o Solid state (e.g. thumb drive, flash, SD cards, USB) o External CD-RW and
hard drive
o Hot swappable devices and non-hot swappable devices
1.2 Explain motherboard components, types and features
Form Factor o ATX / BTX,
o micro ATX
o NLX
I/O interfaces o Sound o Video o USB 1.1 and 2.0
o Serial
o IEEE 1394 / Firewire
o Parallel
o NIC
o Modem
o PS/2
Memory slots o RIMM o DIMM o SODIMM
o SIMM
Processor sockets
Bus architecture
Bus slots
o PCI o AGP o PCIe o AMR o CNR o PCMCIA
PATA
o IDE o EIDE
SATA, eSATA
Contrast RAID (levels 0, 1, 5)
Chipsets
BIOS / CMOS / Firmware
o POST
o CMOS battery
Riser card / daughterboard
1.3 Classify power supplies types and characteristics
AC adapter
ATX proprietary
Voltage, wattage and capacity
Voltage selector switch
Pins (20, 24)
1.4 Explain the purpose and characteristics of CPUs
and their features
Identify CPU types o AMD
o Intel
Hyper threading
Multi core
o Dual core o Triple core o Quad core
Onchip cache
o L1
o L2
Speed (real vs. actual)
32bit vs. 64 bit
1.5 Explain cooling methods and devices
Heat sinks
CPU and case fans
Liquid cooling systems
Thermal compound
1.6 Compare and contrast memory types, characteristics
and their purpose
Types
o DRAM
o SRAM
o SDRAM
o DDR / DDR2 / DDR3
o RAMBUS
Parity vs. Non-parity
ECC vs. non-ECC
Single sided vs. double sided
Single channel vs. dual channel
Speed
o PC100
o PC133
o PC2700
o PC3200
o DDR3-1600 o DDR2-667
1.7 Distinguish between the different display devices
and their characteristics
Projectors, CRT and LCD
LCD technologies
o Resolution (e.g. XGA, SXGA+, UXGA, WUXGA)
o Contrast ratio
Connector types o VGA
o HDMi o S-Video
o Component / RGB
o DVI pin compatibility
Settings
o Refresh rate
o Resolution
o Multi-monitor
o Degauss
1.8 Install and configure peripherals and input devices
Mouse
Keyboard
Bar code reader
Multimedia (e.g. web and digital cameras, MIDI, microphones)
Biometric devices
Touch screen
KVM switch
1.9 Summarize the function and types of adapter cards
Video
o PCI
o PCIe
o AGP
Multimedia
o Sound card
o TV tuner cards
o Capture cards
I/O
o SCSI
o Serial
o USB
o Parallel
Communications o NIC
o Modem
1.10 Install, configure and optimize laptop components
and features
Expansion devices o PCMCIA cards
o PCI Express cards
o Docking station
Communication connections
o Bluetooth o Infrared
o Cellular WAN
o Ethernet o Modem
Power and electrical input devices
o Auto-switching
o Fixed input power supplies
o Batteries
Input devices
o Stylus / digitizer
o Function keys
o Point devices (e.g. touch pad, point stick / track point)
1.11 Install and configure printers
Differentiate between printer types
o Laser o Inkjet o Thermal
o Impact
Local vs. network printers
Printer drivers (compatibility)
Consumables
2.0 Troubleshooting, Repair and Maintenance
2.1 Given a scenario, explain the troubleshooting theory
Identify the problem
o Question the user and identify user changes to computer and perform backups
before making changes
Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious)
Test the theory to determine cause
o Once theory is confirmed determine next steps to resolve problem o If theory
is not confirmed re-establish new theory or escalate
Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution
Verify full system functionality and if applicable implement preventative
measures
Document findings, actions and outcomes
2.2 Given a scenario, explain and interpret common
hardware and operating system symptoms and their causes
OS related symptoms
o Bluescreen
o System lock-up
o Input/output device
o Application install
o Start or load
o Windows specific printing problems
Print spool stalled
Incorrect / incompatible driver
Hardware related symptoms
o Excessive heat
o Noise o Odors o Status light indicators
o Alerts
o Visible damage (e.g. cable, plastic)
Use documentation and resources
o User / installation manuals
o Internet / web based
o Training materials
2.3 Given a scenario, determine the troubleshooting
methods and tools for printers
Manage print jobs
Print spooler
Printer properties and settings
Print a test page
2.4 Given a scenario, explain and interpret common
laptop issues and determine the appropriate basic troubleshooting method
Issues
o Power conditions
o Video
o Keyboard
o Pointer
o Stylus
o Wireless card issues
Methods
o Verify power (e.g. LEDs, swap AC adapter) o Remove unneeded peripherals
o Plug in external monitor
o Toggle Fn keys or hardware switches o Check LCD cutoff switch
o Verify backlight functionality and pixilation
o Check switch for built-in WIFI antennas or external antennas
2.5 Given a scenario, integrate common preventative
maintenance techniques
Physical inspection
Updates
o Driver
o Firmware o OS
o Security
Scheduling preventative maintenance
o Defrag
o Scandisk o Check disk
o Startup programs
Use of appropriate repair tools and cleaning materials
o Compressed air
o Lint free cloth
o Computer vacuum and compressors
Power devices
o Appropriate source such as power strip, surge protector or UPS
Ensuring proper environment
Backup procedures
3.0 Operating Systems and Software - Unless otherwise
noted, operating systems
referred to within include Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional,
XP Home, XP Media Center, Windows Vista Home, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate.
3.1 Compare and contrast the different Windows Operating
Systems and their features
Windows 2000, Windows XP 32bit vs. 64bit, Windows Vista 32 bit vs. 64bit
o Side bar, Aero, UAC, minimum system requirements, system limits o Windows
2000 and newer upgrade paths and requirements
o Terminology (32bit vs. 64bit x86 vs. x64)
o Application compatibility, installed program locations (32bit vs. 64bit),
Windows compatibility mode
o User interface, start bar layout
3.2 Given a scenario, demonstrate proper use of user
interfaces
Windows Explorer
My Computer
Control Panel
Command prompt utilities
o telnet
o ping
o ipconfig
Run line utilities o msconfig o msinfo32 o Dxdiag
o Cmd
o REGEDIT
My Network Places
Task bar / systray
Administrative tools o Performance monitor, Event Viewer, Services, Computer
Management
MMC
Task Manager
Start Menu
3.3 Explain the process and steps to install and configure
the Windows OS
File systems
o FAT32 vs. NTFS
Directory structures o Create folders o Navigate directory structures
Files
o Creation o Extensions o Attributes o Permissions
Verification of hardware compatibility and minimum requirements
Installation methods o Boot media such as CD, floppy or USB
o Network installation
o Install from image
o Recover CD
o Factory recovery partition
Operating system installation options
o File system type
o Network configuration
o Repair install
Disk preparation order o Format drive o Partition o Start installation
Device Manager o Verify
o Install and update devices drivers
o Driver signing
User data migration User State Migration Tool (USMT)
Virtual memory
Configure power manangement
o Suspend
o Wake on LAN
o Sleep timers
o Hibernate
o Standby
Demonstrate safe removal of peripherals
3.4 Explain the basics of boot sequences, methods and
startup utilities
Disk boot order / device priority
o Types of boot devices (disk, network, USB, other)
Boot options
o Safe mode
o Boot to restore point
o Recovery options
Automated System Recovery (ASR)
Emergency Repair Disk (ERD)
Recovery console
4.0 Networking
4.1 Summarize the basics of networking fundamentals, including technologies,
devices and protocols
Basics of configuring IP addressing and TCP/IP properties (DHCP, DNS)
Bandwidth and latency
Status indicators
Protocols (TCP/IP, NETBIOS)
Full-duplex, half-duplex
Basics of workgroups and domains
Common ports: HTTP, FTP, POP, SMTP, TELNET, HTTPS
LAN / WAN
Hub, switch and router
Identify Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
Basics class identification
4.2 Categorize network cables and connectors
and their implementations
Cables
o Plenum / PVC
o UTP (e.g. CAT3, CAT5 / 5e, CAT6)
o STP o Fiber o Coaxial cable
Connectors o RJ45 o RJ11
4.3 Compare and contrast the different network types
Broadband
o DSL
o Cable
o Satellite
o Fiber
Dial-up
Wireless
o All 802.11 types
o WEP o WPA o SSID o MAC filtering
o DHCP settings
Bluetooth
Cellular
5.0 Security
5.1 Explain the basic principles of security concepts
and technologies
Encryption technologies
Data wiping / hard drive destruction / hard drive recycling
Software firewall o Port security o Exceptions
Authentication technologies
o User name o Password o Biometrics o Smart cards
Basics of data sensitivity and data security
o Compliance
o Classifications
o Social engineering
5.2 Summarize the following security
features
Wireless encryption o WEPx and WPAx
o Client configuration (SSID)
Malicious software protection
o Viruses
o Trojans
o Worms
o Spam
o Spyware o Adware
o Grayware
BIOS Security
o Drive lock o Passwords o Intrusion detection
o TPM
Password management / password complexity
Locking workstation o Hardware o Operating system
Biometrics
o Fingerprint scanner
6.0 Operational Procedure
6.1 Outline the purpose of appropriate safety and environmental
procedures and given a scenario apply them
ESD
EMI
o Network interference
o Magnets
RFI
o Cordless phone interference o Microwaves
Electrical safety
o CRT
o Power supply
o Inverter
o Laser printers
o Matching power requirements of equipment with power distribution and UPSs
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Cable management
o Avoiding trip hazards
Physical safety
o Heavy devices
o Hot components
Environmental consider proper disposal procedures
6.2 Given a scenario, demonstrate the appropriate use
of communication skills and professionalism in the workplace
Use proper language avoid jargon, acronyms, slang
Maintain a positive attitude
Listen and do not interrupt a customer
Be culturally sensitive
Be on time
o If late contact the customer
Avoid distractions
o Personal calls
o Talking to co-workers while interacting with customers o Personal interruptions
Dealing with a difficult customer or situation
o Avoid arguing with customers and/or being defensive o Do not minimize customers
problems
o Avoid being judgmental
o Clarify customer statements
Ask open-ended questions to narrow the scope of the problem
Restate the issue or question to verify understanding
Set and meet expectations / timeline and communicate status with the customer
o Offer different repair / replacement options if applicable o Provide proper
documentation on the services provided o Follow up with customer / user at
a later date to verify satisfaction
Deal appropriately with customers confidential materials o Located on computer,
desktop, printer, etc.