The ultimate Sybex guide to the A+ certification, fully updated and revised

The CompTIA A+ Complete Deluxe Study Guide: Exams 220-1001 and 220-1002, Fourth Edition is your comprehensive guide for acing the exam and earning A+ certification. Covering 100 percent of the objectives for both exams, this essential study tool gets you up to speed on essential A+ knowledge and skills. Master the critical competencies associated with hardware and software, system maintenance, troubleshooting, connectivity, and more—with practical examples drawn from real-world experience, you’ll develop the skill set employers demand in today’s IT environment. End-of-chapter reviews help you gauge your progress and stay on track for success, while exam highlights give you a sneak preview of what to expect on the big day. This deluxe edition provides access to the Sybex interactive online test bank, featuring bonus sets of electronic flashcards, a searchable glossary, and 4 additional practice exams to help you study from anywhere, any time. It also includes the ebook in multiple formats—prepare for the exam across multiple devices.

CompTIA A+ certification is the industry-leading standard for IT professionals. Hundreds of companies require their computer technicians to hold this valuable credential. Now in its fourth edition, this revised and updated study guide includes expanded coverage of virtualization and cloud computing, mobile hardware installation, network security, and more, to reflect the latest changes in the A+ exam. Providing all the information you need to earn your A+ certification, this invaluable resource will help you:

Understand and troubleshoot network connectivity issues
Install and configure Windows, iOS, Android, Apple OSX, and Linux operating systems
Track your progress and test your understanding with interactive online study tools

The CompTIA A+ Complete Deluxe Study Guide, Fourth Edition arms you with the tools and knowledge necessary to take your skills to the next level. Whether a first-time candidate or IT professional in need of recertification, this essential study guide will help you prepare, practice, and pass with minimal burden and maximum results.

QUENTIN DOCTER, A+, ITF+, MCSE, CCNA, started in the IT industry as a tech support agent for Packard Bell in 1994. Since then he has worked in tech support, network administration, consulting, training, web development, and project management. During his career, he has achieved certifications from CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, Novell, and Sun Microsystems. He is the author of several books, including Sybex's CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Study Guide.

JON BUHAGIAR, Network+, A+, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, BS/ITM,is an information technology professional with two decades of experience in higher education. During the past 19 years he has been responsible for Network Operations at Pittsburgh Technical College and lead several project, such as virtualization (server and desktop), VoIP, Office 365, and many other projects supporting the quality of education at the college. He has achieved several certifications from Cisco, CompTIA, and Microsoft and taught many of the certification paths. He is the author of several books, including Sybex's CompTIA Network+ Review Guide and Network+ exam review course.

Introduction xxxiii

Assessment Test for Exam 220-1001 lxxvi

Assessment Test for Exam 220-1002 lxxxvii

Part I 220-1001 1

Chapter 1 Motherboards, Processors, and Memory 3

Understanding Motherboards 5

Understanding Processors 38

Understanding Memory 44

Understanding Cooling Systems 59

Summary 68

Exam Essentials 68

Review Questions 70

Performance-Based Question 1 74

Performance-Based Question 2 74

Chapter 2 Internal Expansion, Storage Devices, and Power Supplies 75

Installing and Configuring Expansion Cards 77

Understanding Storage Devices 84

Understanding Power Supplies 113

Summary 124

Exam Essentials 124

Review Questions 126

Performance-Based Question 130

Chapter 3 Peripherals and Connectors 131

Understanding Cables and Connectors 133

Understanding Uses of Peripheral Devices 161

Summary 194

Exam Essentials 195

Review Questions 197

Performance-Based Question 201

Chapter 4 Custom PC Configurations 203

Exploring Custom Configurations 205

Thin Clients 221

Summary 228

Exam Essentials 229

Review Questions 230

Performance-Based Question 234

Chapter 5 Installing and Configuring Printers 235

Understanding Print Technologies and Imaging Processes 237

Installing and Maintaining Printers 267

Summary 303

Exam Essentials 303

Review Questions 305

Performance-Based Question 308

Chapter 6 Networking Fundamentals 309

Understanding Networking Principles 311

Identifying Common Network Hardware 333

Summary 357

Exam Essentials 357

Review Questions 359

Performance-Based Question 362

Chapter 7 Introduction to TCP/IP 363

Understanding TCP/IP 365

Summary 395

Exam Essentials 396

Review Questions 398

Performance-Based Question 402

Chapter 8 Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks 403

Understanding Wireless Networking Technologies 406

Installing and Configuring SOHO Networks 426

Summary 478

Exam Essentials 478

Review Questions 480

Performance-Based Question 484

Chapter 9 Network Services, Virtualization, and Cloud Computing 485

Understanding Network Services 487

Understanding Virtualization and Cloud Computing 511

Summary 533

Exam Essentials 534

Review Questions 536

Performance-Based Question 539

Chapter 10 Understanding Laptops 541

Working with Laptops 543

Input Devices 566

Internal Expansion 575

Laptop Displays 580

External Peripherals 591

Summary 595

Exam Essentials 595

Review Questions 597

Performance-Based Question 600

Chapter 11 Understanding Mobile Devices 601

Understanding Mobile Devices 603

Summary 635

Exam Essentials 635

Review Questions 637

Performance-Based Question 640

Chapter 12 Mobile Device Connectivity and Synchronization 641

Understanding Network Connectivity and Email 643

Configuring Mobile Device Synchronization 687

Summary 699

Exam Essentials 700

Review Questions 702

Performance-Based Question 706

Chapter 13 Troubleshooting Methodology and Resolving Core Hardware Problems 707

Using the Troubleshooting Best Practice Methodology 710

Troubleshooting Core Hardware Issues 721

Summary 735

Exam Essentials 736

Review Questions 737

Performance-Based Question 741

Chapter 14 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 743

Troubleshooting Storage and Video Problems 748

Troubleshooting Common Mobile Device Issues 758

Troubleshooting Printer Problems 772

Troubleshooting Networking Problems 797

Summary 819

Exam Essentials 820

Review Questions 823

Performance-Based Question 826

Part II 220-1002 827

Chapter 15 Operating System Basics 829

Understanding Operating Systems 831

Preparing for the Exam 866

Summary 869

Exam Essentials 869

Review Questions 871

Performance-Based Question 874

Chapter 16 Operating System Administration 875

Interacting with Operating Systems 877

Administrative Tools 917

Disk Management 938

Summary 945

Exam Essentials 945

Review Questions 947

Performance-Based Question 950

Chapter 17 Working with Windows 10 951

Introduction to Windows 10 953

Installing Windows 10 968

Booting the Windows 10 Operating System 995

Windows Applications 999

Networking in Windows 10 1003

Summary 1011

Exam Essentials 1012

Review Questions 1013

Performance-Based Question 1016

Chapter 18 Working with Windows 8/8.1 1017

Windows Editions 1018

Installing Windows 8 1025

Windows 8 Boot Methods 1032

Summary 1035

Exam Essentials 1035

Review Questions 1036

Performance-Based Question 1040

Chapter 19 Working with Windows 7 1041

Windows 7 Editions 1043

Installing Windows 7 1050

Booting the Windows 7 Operating System 1056

Windows 7 Features 1059

System Restore 1059

Windows Defender 1060

Windows Firewall 1060

Action Center 1064

Windows 7 Administrative Tools 1066

Windows 7 Control Panel Utilities 1073

Networking and Windows 7 1081

Summary 1090

Exam Essentials 1090

Review Questions 1091

Performance-Based Question 1094

Chapter 20 Working with macOS and Linux 1095

Best Practices 1096

Tools 1102

Features 1104

Basic Linux Commands 1109

Summary 1120

Exam Essentials 1121

Review Questions 1122

Performance-Based Question 1126

Chapter 21 Scripting and Remote Access 1127

Scripting 1128

Remote Access 1146

Summary 1151

Exam Essentials 1151

Review Questions 1152

Performance-Based Question 1155

Chapter 22 Security Concepts 1157

Physical Security Concepts 1161

Logical Security 1171

Network Policies 1185

Common Security Threats 1187

Common Software Threats 1196

Mitigating Software Threats 1203

Destruction and Disposal Methods 1212

Securing a SOHO Network (Wireless) 1216

Securing a SOHO Network (Wired) 1221

Summary 1225

Exam Essentials 1225

Review Questions 1227

Performance-Based Question 1230

Chapter 23 Securing Operating Systems 1231

Workstation Security Best Practices 1233

Working with Windows OS Security Settings 1247

Mobile Device Security 1265

Summary 1274

Exam Essentials 1275

Review Questions 1276

Performance-Based Question 1280

Chapter 24 Troubleshooting Operating Systems and Security 1281

Troubleshooting Microsoft Windows OS Problems 1283

Troubleshooting Security Issues 1329

Best Practices for Malware Removal 1339

Troubleshooting Mobile Issues 1346

Troubleshooting Mobile Security Issues 1355

Summary 1360

Exam Essentials 1360

Review Questions 1362

Performance-Based Question 1366

Chapter 25 Documentation and Professionalism 1367

Documentation and Change Management 1370

Disaster Prevention and Recovery 1384

Demonstrating Professionalism 1395

Summary 1408

Exam Essentials 1408

Review Questions 1409

Performance-Based Question 1412

Chapter 26 Safety and Environmental Concerns 1413

Understanding Safety Procedures 1416

Understanding Environmental Controls 1437

Understanding Policies, Licensing, and Privacy 1453

Summary 1464

Exam Essentials 1464

Review Questions 1466

Performance-Based Question 1470

Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 1471

Chapter 1: Motherboards, Processors, and Memory 1472

Chapter 2: Internal Expansion, Storage Devices, and Power Supplies 1474

Chapter 3: Peripherals and Connectors 1476

Chapter 4: Custom PC Configurations 1478

Chapter 5: Installing and Configuring Printers 1480

Chapter 6: Networking Fundamentals 1481

Chapter 7: Introduction to TCP/IP 1483

Chapter 8: Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks 1484

Chapter 9: Network Services, Virtualization, and Cloud Computing 1486

Chapter 10: Understanding Laptops 1488

Chapter 11: Understanding Mobile Devices 1490

Chapter 12: Mobile Device Connectivity and Synchronization 1492

Chapter 13: Troubleshooting Methodology and Resolving Core Hardware Problems 1494

Chapter 14: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 1496

Chapter 15: Operating System Basics 1498

Chapter 16: Operating System Administration 1499

Chapter 17: Working with Windows 10 1501

Chapter 18: Working with Windows 8/8.1 1503

Chapter 19: Working with Windows 7 1505

Chapter 20: Working with macOS and Linux 1507

Chapter 21: Scripting and Remote Access 1509

Chapter 22: Security Concepts 1511

Chapter 23: Securing Operating Systems 1514

Chapter 24: Troubleshooting Operating Systems and Security 1516

Chapter 25: Documentation and Professionalism 1518

Chapter 26: Safety and Environmental Concerns 1521

Appendix B Answers to Performance-Based Questions 1525

Chapter 1: Motherboards, Processors, and Memory 1526

Answer to Performance-Based Question 1 1526

Answer to Performance-Based Question 2 1526

Chapter 2: Internal Expansion, Storage Devices, and Power Supplies 1527

Chapter 3: Peripherals and Connectors 1527

Chapter 4: Custom PC Configurations 1528

Chapter 5: Installing and Configuring Printers 1529

Chapter 6: Networking Fundamentals 1529

Chapter 7: Introduction to TCP/IP 1531

Chapter 8: Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks 1532

Chapter 9: Network Services, Virtualization, and Cloud Computing 1532

Chapter 10: Understanding Laptops 1533

Chapter 11: Understanding Mobile Devices 1533

Chapter 12: Mobile Device Connectivity and Synchronization 1534

Chapter 13: Troubleshooting Methodology and Resolving Core Hardware Problems 1534

Chapter 14: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 1535

Chapter 15: Operating System Basics 1535

Chapter 16: Operating System Administration 1537

Chapter 17: Working with Windows 10 1538

Chapter 18: Working with Windows 8/8.1 1541

Chapter 19: Working with Windows 7 1543

Chapter 20: Working with macOS and Linux 1546

Chapter 21: Scripting and Remote Access 1548

Chapter 22: Security Concepts 1548

Chapter 23: Securing Operating Systems 1549

Chapter 24: Troubleshooting Operating Systems and Security 1549

Chapter 25: Documentation and Professionalism 1550

Chapter 26: Safety and Environmental Concerns 1551

Index 1553

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

Rent More, Save More! Use code: ECRENTAL

Rent More, Save More! Use code: ECRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

CompTIA A+ Complete Deluxe Study Guide Exam Core 1 220-1001 and Exam Core 2 220-1002

How To: Textbook Rental

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Rewards Program