A+ Complete Study Guide

by Groth, David; Buse, Jarret W.; Newland, Dan

• ISBN13: 9780782128024
• ISBN10: 0782128025
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Summary

This updated study guide for the A+ certification exam provides full, in-depth coverage of both the Core and the DOS/Windows modules. Clearly focused and organized, the material covers all the official CompTIA exam objectives. The CD contains the custom A+ test-prep program that simulates the test-taking environment, and hundreds of questions ensure your understanding of the material presented.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xxiii
Assessment Test: Core Hardware Service Technician Exam	xxxiii
Assessment Test: Operating System Technologies Exam	xlii
Part I A+: Core Hardware Service Technician Exam	1	(440)
Basic Computer Service Concepts	3	(52)
Microcomputer Electronic Components	6	(12)
Analog vs. Digital	7	(1)
Vacuum Tubes-The Old Days	7	(1)
Transistors-Turn Them On	8	(1)
Resistors-Keeping Electricity at Bay	8	(3)
Capacitors-Storing a Charge for Later	11	(1)
Integrated Circuits (ICs)-Welcome to the 1980s	11	(2)
Miscellaneous Components	13	(5)
The Physics of Electronics	18	(3)
Electricity Defined	18	(1)
Conductors vs. Nonconductors	19	(1)
Dynamic vs. Static Electricity	19	(1)
Electromagnetic Theory	20	(1)
Numbering Systems	21	(5)
Decimal Numbers	21	(1)
Binary Numbers	21	(2)
Hexadecimal Numbers	23	(3)
Tools of the Trade	26	(9)
Hardware Tools	26	(8)
Software Tools	34	(1)
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)	35	(3)
Antistatic Wrist Strap	36	(1)
Antistatic Bags for Parts	37	(1)
ESD Static Mats	37	(1)
Modifying the Relative Humidity	38	(1)
Safety	38	(4)
The Computer	39	(1)
The Power Supply	39	(2)
The Printer	41	(1)
The Monitor	41	(1)
The Keyboard and Mouse	42	(1)
Environmental Concerns	42	(2)
Cleaning Systems	44	(1)
Summary	45	(3)
Key Terms	47	(1)
Review Questions	48	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	52	(3)
PC Architecture	55	(58)
The System Board	60	(14)
Types of System Boards	61	(1)
System Board Form Factors	61	(1)
System Board Components	62	(12)
The CPU	74	(12)
CPU Manufacturers	74	(9)
Processor Performance Issues	83	(3)
The BIOS	86	(1)
Memory	87	(1)
Storage	88	(3)
Hard Disk Systems	89	(1)
Floppy Drives	89	(1)
CD-ROM Drives	90	(1)
DVD-ROM Drives	90	(1)
Other Storage Media	91	(1)
Input/Output	91	(3)
Input Devices	92	(1)
Output Devices	92	(2)
Interfaces	94	(3)
Parallel Interface	95	(1)
Serial Interface	96	(1)
Power Systems	97	(6)
Power Supply Connectors	98	(2)
Specialized Power Devices	100	(3)
Portable Computer Systems	103	(2)
Portable Computer Accessories	104	(1)
Summary	105	(2)
Key Terms	106	(1)
Review Questions	107	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	111	(2)
PC Memory Architecture	113	(38)
Physical Memory	114	(8)
Physical Memory Types	114	(4)
Memory Chip Package Types	118	(3)
Specialized Memory Types	121	(1)
Logical Memory	122	(11)
Conventional Memory	125	(1)
Reserved Memory	126	(3)
Expanded Memory	129	(2)
Extended Memory	131	(2)
Memory Optimization	133	(8)
Determining How Much Memory You Have Available	134	(4)
Making the Optimization Changes	138	(3)
Memory Troubleshooting	141	(1)
Soft Memory Errors	141	(1)
Hard Memory Errors	141	(1)
Summary	142	(2)
Key Terms	143	(1)
Review Questions	144	(5)
Answers to Review Questions	149	(2)
Disk System Architecture	151	(42)
Storage Types	154	(12)
Punch Cards and Tape	155	(1)
Disk Drives	156	(1)
Fixed Disk Drives	156	(5)
Removable Media Drives	161	(4)
Disk Theory	165	(1)
Floppy Disk Systems	166	(6)
The Medium	166	(1)
The Drives	167	(2)
The Controller	169	(1)
The Cable	170	(1)
Installation and Configuration	171	(1)
IDE Disk Systems	172	(5)
IDE Technologies	172	(1)
Installation and Configuration	173	(4)
Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI)	177	(8)
Types of SCSI	178	(1)
SCSI Device Installation and Configuration	179	(6)
Summary	185	(2)
Key Terms	186	(1)
Review Questions	187	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	191	(2)
PC Bus Architectures	193	(34)
What Is a Bus?	195	(1)
Expansion Bus Features	196	(2)
The Connector, or Slot	196	(1)
Interrupt Lines	196	(1)
DMA Channels	197	(1)
I/O Addresses	197	(1)
Clock Signals	197	(1)
Bus Mastering	197	(1)
The 8-Bit Expansion Bus	198	(3)
Information and Identification	198	(2)
Bus Configuration	200	(1)
The Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) Bus	201	(4)
Information and Identification	201	(2)
Bus Configuration	203	(2)
The Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) Bus	205	(2)
Information and Identification	205	(1)
Bus Configuration	206	(1)
The Extended ISA (EISA) Bus	207	(3)
Information and Identification	207	(2)
Bus Configuration	209	(1)
VESA Local Bus (VL-Bus)	210	(3)
Information and Identification	210	(2)
Bus Configuration	212	(1)
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)	213	(2)
Information and Identification	213	(1)
Bus Configuration	214	(1)
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)	215	(1)
Information and Identification	215	(1)
Bus Configuration	216	(1)
PCMCIA---What Does It Stand For?	216	(3)
Information and Identification	216	(1)
Bus Configuration	217	(2)
Summary	219	(2)
Key Terms	220	(1)
Review Questions	221	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	225	(2)
Peripheral Devices	227	(42)
Input Devices	230	(15)
Keyboards	230	(3)
Mice	233	(6)
Other Pointing Devices	239	(3)
Scanners	242	(3)
Output Devices	245	(9)
Printers	245	(3)
Computer Display Systems	248	(6)
Other Peripherals	254	(7)
Multimedia Devices	255	(1)
Communication Devices	256	(5)
Summary	261	(2)
Key Terms	262	(1)
Review Questions	263	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	267	(2)
How Printers Work	269	(32)
Impact Printers	270	(3)
Daisy-Wheel Printers	271	(1)
Dot-Matrix Printers	272	(1)
Bubble-Jet Printers	273	(1)
Laser Printers (Page Printers)	274	(12)
Electrophotographic (EP) Laser Printer Operation	274	(10)
LED Page Printers	284	(2)
Printer Interfaces and Supplies	286	(7)
Interface Components	286	(4)
Printer Supplies	290	(3)
Summary	293	(2)
Key Terms	294	(1)
Review Questions	295	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	299	(2)
Networking Fundamentals	301	(42)
What Is a Network?	304	(20)
LANs vs. WANs	304	(3)
Primary Network Components	307	(3)
Network Resource Access	310	(2)
Network Topologies	312	(5)
Network Communications	317	(5)
Network Architectures	322	(2)
Network Media	324	(8)
Cabling	324	(4)
The Network Interface Card (NIC)	328	(3)
Media Access Methods	331	(1)
Connectivity Devices	332	(3)
Repeaters	332	(1)
Hubs	333	(1)
Bridges	333	(1)
Routers	334	(1)
Brouters	334	(1)
Gateways	334	(1)
Summary	335	(2)
Key Terms	336	(1)
Review Questions	337	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	341	(2)
Installation and Upgrades	343	(40)
Disassembling the Computer	346	(7)
Preparing Your Work Area	347	(1)
Disassembly Prerequisites	348	(1)
Removing the Case Cover	348	(2)
Removing the Expansion Cards	350	(1)
Removing the Power Supply	351	(1)
Removing the Disk Drives	352	(1)
Removing the Motherboard	353	(1)
Installation and Upgrades	353	(13)
Determining Available Resources	354	(7)
Configuring New Devices	361	(2)
Installing the Component	363	(1)
Installing the Software	364	(1)
Testing the Components	365	(1)
Reassembling the Computer	366	(9)
Installing the Motherboard	366	(1)
Installing the Disk Drives	367	(2)
Installing the Power Supply	369	(1)
Installing the Expansion Cards	369	(1)
Installing Memory	370	(2)
Installing Universal Serial Bus Peripherals and Hubs	372	(1)
Upgrading the System BIOS	372	(1)
Installing the Case Cover	373	(2)
Portable Computers	375	(1)
Docking Stations	375	(1)
Summary	376	(1)
Key Terms	376	(1)
Review Questions	377	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	381	(2)
Troubleshooting Techniques	383	(58)
Troubleshooting Resources	385	(2)
Intellectual Resources	386	(1)
Hardware and Software Resources	387	(1)
Software Troubleshooting	387	(11)
DOS Troubleshooting	389	(4)
Windows Troubleshooting	393	(5)
Hardware Troubleshooting	398	(14)
POST Routines	398	(4)
Motherboard Problems	402	(1)
Hard Disk System Problems	402	(1)
Peripheral Problems	403	(3)
Keyboard and Mouse Problems	406	(1)
Display System Problems	407	(2)
Floppy Drive Problems	409	(1)
Sound Card Problems	409	(1)
BIOS Issues	410	(1)
Power Supply Problems	410	(1)
Miscellaneous Problems	410	(2)
Printer Troubleshooting	412	(15)
Dot Matrix Printer Problems	412	(3)
Bubble-Jet Printers	415	(1)
Laser and Page Printers	416	(11)
Top 10 Troubleshooting Steps	427	(4)
Define the Problem	427	(1)
Check the Simple Stuff First	427	(1)
Check to See If It's User Error	428	(1)
Reboot the Computer	429	(1)
Determine If the Problem Is Hardware or Software Related	430	(1)
If the Problem Is Hardware Related, Determine Which Component Is Failing	430	(1)
If the Problem Is Software Related, Boot ``Clean''	430	(1)
Check Service Information Sources	431	(1)
If It Ain't Broke...	431	(1)
Ask for Help	431	(1)
Summary	431	(2)
Key Terms	432	(1)
Review Questions	433	(5)
Answers to Review Questions	438	(3)
Part II A+: Operating System Technologies Exam	441	(366)
Introduction to Computer Operating Systems	443	(28)
Types of Software	445	(1)
Types of PC Operating Systems	446	(1)
Operating System Terms and Concepts	447	(1)
``Classic'' Operating Systems	448	(10)
CP/M	449	(1)
MS-DOS and PC-DOS	450	(4)
Microsoft Windows	454	(2)
OS/2	456	(1)
Windows 95	457	(1)
Other Current Operating Systems	458	(4)
Windows NT Workstation	459	(1)
LINUX	460	(2)
Macintosh OS 9	462	(1)
Choosing an Operating System	462	(1)
Summary	463	(2)
Key Terms	464	(1)
Review Questions	465	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	469	(2)
Using the Microsoft Operating System GUI	471	(48)
The Windows 9x/2000 Interface	473	(16)
The Desktop	474	(3)
The Taskbar	477	(1)
The Start Menu	478	(7)
Icons	485	(4)
What's in a Window?	489	(3)
Program Windows	489	(3)
Using the Command Prompt	492	(5)
Running a Utility or Program from the Command Prompt	493	(1)
Issuing Text Commands	494	(3)
Windows Configuration	497	(15)
File Management	497	(6)
System Tools	503	(3)
The Control Panel	506	(3)
The Registry Editor	509	(3)
Summary	512	(1)
Key Terms	512	(1)
Review Questions	513	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	517	(2)
Installing and Using Windows 95/98	519	(64)
Installation Prerequisities	521	(2)
Hardware Requirements	521	(2)
Preparing the Computer for Installation	523	(8)
The Windows Startup Disk	524	(2)
Partitioning Using a Windows 95 Boot Disk	526	(5)
Starting a Windows 9x Installation	531	(16)
Collecting Information about Your Computer	533	(10)
Copying Files to Your Computer	543	(1)
Restarting the Computer and Finishing Setup	544	(3)
Final Installation Steps	547	(1)
Upgrading to Windows 98 from Windows 95	547	(6)
Starting the Upgrade	548	(5)
Configuring Windows 9x Software	553	(15)
Important System Files	554	(7)
The Windows 9x Registry	561	(7)
Windows 9x Management	568	(7)
Disk Management	568	(3)
Resource Monitoring	571	(3)
DOS Optimization	574	(1)
Summary	575	(2)
Key Terms	576	(1)
Review Questions	577	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	581	(2)
Installing and Using Windows 2000 Professional	583	(46)
Installing Windows 2000	588	(10)
Installation Prerequisities	588	(2)
Accessing the Setup Files	590	(1)
Starting a Windows 2000 Installation	591	(2)
Advanced Attributes	593	(2)
Installing Windows 2000	595	(3)
Upgrading to Windows 2000	598	(6)
Starting Setup	598	(6)
Logging On to Windows 2000	604	(2)
Windows 2000 System Information	606	(3)
Key Boot Files	606	(1)
The Boot Process	607	(2)
Modifying Windows 2000 Settings	609	(10)
The 2000 Professional Administrative Tools	609	(2)
The System Properties Icon	611	(8)
Summary	619	(2)
Key Terms	620	(1)
Review Questions	621	(5)
Answers to Review Questions	626	(3)
Application Installation and Configuration	629	(26)
Application Basics	631	(3)
Comparing Windows 9x to Windows 2000 for Application Support and Install Methods	631	(2)
Other Considerations	633	(1)
Installing Applications	634	(6)
Running a Basic Setup Program	634	(4)
Installing Microsoft Office 2000 Using the New Windows Installer	638	(2)
Repairing or Uninstalling Applications	640	(5)
Repairing an Application	640	(2)
Uninstalling an Application	642	(3)
Dealing with Older DOS/Windows 3.x Applications	645	(3)
Installing an Application by Copying	645	(1)
Installing an Application with a Setup Routine	646	(1)
Launching an Application	647	(1)
Uninstalling an Application	648	(1)
Summary	648	(1)
Key Terms	648	(1)
Review Questions	649	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	653	(2)
Using and Configuring Additional Peripherals	655	(28)
Peripheral Connection Methods	656	(2)
Serial	656	(1)
Parallel	657	(1)
SCSI	657	(1)
USB	657	(1)
Fire Wire (IEEE 1394)	658	(1)
Windows Printing Configuration	658	(12)
Local Printing Configuration	658	(8)
Network Printing	666	(4)
Installing and Configuring Peripheral Drivers	670	(5)
Windows 95/98	670	(3)
Windows 2000	673	(2)
Summary	675	(1)
Key Terms	675	(1)
Review Questions	676	(5)
Answers to Review Questions	681	(2)
Preventative Maintenance	683	(36)
Backing Up Your Data	685	(17)
Backup Devices	686	(1)
Backup Types	686	(2)
Backing Up in Ms-Dos: Using Msbackup.Exe	688	(3)
Backing Up in Windows 3.x: Using Mwbackup.Exe	691	(1)
Backing Up in Windows 95: Using Backup for Windows 95	692	(10)
Guarding against Virus Attacks	702	(3)
Anti-Virus Software	703	(2)
Creating and Using an Emergency Disk	705	(6)
Windows 9x Startup Disk	705	(2)
Windows NT Emergency Repair Disk (ERD)	707	(2)
Windows 2000	709	(2)
Summary	711	(2)
Key Terms	712	(1)
Review Questions	713	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	717	(2)
Configuring Network Software	719	(52)
Microsoft Networking Basics	721	(2)
Windows 95 and Beyond	723	(1)
Installing Networking Hardware and Software	723	(8)
Configuring Windows 9x as a Network Client	724	(4)
Configuring Windows 2000 Professional as a Network Client	728	(1)
Configuring Clients for NetWare Network Access	729	(2)
Configuring Windows to Share Files and Printers	731	(6)
Enabling File and Printer Sharing on Windows 9x	731	(6)
Using Shared Resources	737	(6)
Sharing Options with Windows 2000	739	(1)
Using a Shared Printer	740	(3)
Networking and the Internet	743	(2)
Types of Connections	743	(2)
A TCP/IP Printer	745	(7)
Computer Name Resolution	746	(3)
Configuring TCP/IP	749	(1)
Managing TCP/IP	750	(2)
Configuring Internet Access Software	752	(10)
Creating a Windows 9x DUN Connection	752	(4)
Installing DUN on Windows 2000	756	(2)
Connecting to the Internet	758	(4)
Summary	762	(2)
Key Terms	763	(1)
Review Questions	764	(5)
Answers to Review Questions	769	(2)
Windows and Application Troubleshooting	771	(36)
Troubleshooting Steps	775	(2)
Talk to the Customer	775	(1)
Gather Information	776	(1)
Eliminate Possibilities	776	(1)
Document Your Work	776	(1)
Windows File-Related Problems	777	(3)
System Files Not Found	777	(1)
Configuration File Issues	778	(1)
Swap File Issues	779	(1)
Windows NT Boot Issues	779	(1)
Windows Printing Problems	780	(1)
Other Common Problems	781	(3)
Windows-Based Utilities	784	(14)
Safe Mode	785	(1)
Scandisk	785	(2)
Device Manager	787	(2)
System Manager	789	(1)
Computer Manager	789	(1)
Event Viewer	790	(1)
Msconfig.Exe	790	(1)
Regedit.Exe	791	(1)
Attrib.Exe	792	(1)
Extract.Exe	792	(1)
Defrag.Exe	792	(1)
Edit.Com	793	(1)
Fdisk.Exe	793	(1)
Sysedit.Exe	794	(1)
Scanreg.Exe	795	(1)
Wscript.Exe	795	(1)
Hwinfo.Exe	795	(1)
Asd.Exe (Automatic Skip Driver)	796	(1)
Cvt1.Exe	797	(1)
Summary	798	(2)
Key Terms	799	(1)
Review Questions	800	(4)
Answers to Review Questions	804	(3)
Glossary	807	(65)
Index	872