A+ in Depth

by Andrews, Jean

• ISBN13: 9781592000326
• ISBN10: 1592000320
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-06-30
• Publisher: Cengage Learning PTR

Summary

Only with "A+ In Depth" will you get coverage of both hardware and multiple operating systems. This comprehensive certification solution maps completely to the CompTIA 2003 A+ Core Hardware and OS Technologies exams. The MeasureUp CD contains 100 practice questions for each exam. CompTIA and CAQC approved, "A+ In Depth" marks A+ exam content for quick reference and includes a detailed A+ Table of Contents that allows you to find A+ material quickly. More extensive coverage with an exam-specific focus at a price the competition can't beat. Why study with anything else?

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION	xvii
CHAPTER ONE Introducing Hardware	1	(42)
Hardware Needs Software to Work	2	(3)
PC Hardware Components	5	(30)
Hardware Used for Input and Output	6	(2)
Hardware Inside the Computer Case	8	(2)
The Motherboard	10	(2)
The CPU and the Chip Set	12	(1)
Storage Devices	12	(10)
Motherboard Components Used for Communication Among Devices	22	(5)
Interface (Expansion) Cards	27	(2)
The Electrical System	29	(2)
Instructions and Data Stored on the Motherboard	31	(4)
Chapter Summary	35	(1)
Key Terms	36	(1)
Review Questions	37	(6)
CHAPTER TWO How Hardware and Software Work Together	43	(38)
Hardware and Software Interaction: An Overview	44	(3)
System Resources	47	(14)
The 8-Bit and 16-Bit ISA Slots	48	(3)
Interrupt Request Number (IRQ)	51	(4)
Memory Addresses	55	(3)
I/O Addresses	58	(2)
DMA Channels	60	(1)
How an OS Relates to Other Software	61	(9)
Real (16-Bit) and Protected (32-Bit) Operating Modes	61	(3)
How an OS Uses BIOS and Device Drivers	64	(6)
How an OS Launches Applications	70	(2)
Loading Application Software Using the Windows Desktop	70	(2)
Chapter Summary	72	(1)
Key Terms	73	(1)
Review Questions	74	(7)
CHAPTER THREE Understanding the Boot Process and Command Line	81	(44)
Booting Up Your Computer	82	(13)
Plug and Play	82	(1)
What Is a File System?	83	(4)
Startup BIOS Controls the Beginning of the Boot	87	(4)
Loading the MS-DOS Core of Windows 9x	91	(4)
Emergency Startup Disks	95	(5)
Windows 9x Startup Disks	96	(4)
Using the Command Prompt	100	(16)
Accessing a Command Prompt	100	(2)
Launching a Program Using the Command Prompt	102	(3)
Using Commands to Manage a Floppy Disk or Hard Drive	105	(11)
Using Batch Files	116	(1)
Chapter Summary	116	(2)
Key Terms	118	(1)
Review Questions	119	(6)
CHAPTER FOUR Electricity and Power Supplies	125	(50)
Electricity: A Basic Introduction	126	(10)
Voltage	128	(1)
Amps	129	(1)
Relationship Between Voltage and Current	130	(1)
Ohms	130	(1)
Relationships Among Voltage, Current, and Resistance	131	(1)
Wattage	131	(1)
AC and DC	131	(1)
Hot, Neutral, and Ground	132	(3)
Some Common Electronic Components	135	(1)
Protecting Your Computer System	136	(9)
Protecting Against Electricity	137	(1)
Static Electricity	138	(3)
EMI (Electromagnetic Interference)	141	(1)
Surge Protection and Battery Backup	141	(4)
The Computer Case and Form Factors	145	(7)
Case, Power Supply, and Motherboard Form Factors	145	(5)
Types of Cases	150	(2)
Detecting and Correcting Power Supply Problems	152	(15)
Measuring the Voltage of a Power Supply	153	(7)
Upgrading Your Power Supply	160	(2)
Introduction to Troubleshooting	162	(1)
Troubleshooting the Power System	163	(4)
Energy Star Systems (The Green Star)	167	(3)
Power Management Methods and Features	168	(1)
Energy Star Monitors	169	(1)
Chapter Summary	170	(2)
Key Terms	172	(1)
Review Questions	172	(3)
CHAPTER FIVE The Motherboard	175	(66)
Types of Motherboards	176	(5)
Components on the Motherboard	181	(40)
The System Clock	181	(1)
The CPU and the Chip Set	182	(20)
ROM BIOS	202	(3)
Buses and Expansion Slots	205	(3)
Relationship of CPU Speed to Bus Speed	208	(2)
Hardware Configuration	210	(10)
Protecting Documentation and Configuration Settings	220	(1)
Building a Computer: An Introduction	221	(3)
Installing the Motherboard	224	(8)
Preparing the Motherboard to Go into the Case	224	(4)
Installing the Motherboard in the Case	228	(3)
Completing the Installation	231	(1)
Troubleshooting the Motherboard and CPU	232	(1)
Chapter Summary	233	(2)
Key Terms	235	(1)
Review Questions	236	(5)
CHAPTER SIX Managing Memory	241	(39)
Physical Memory	242	(11)
ROM on the Motherboard	242	(1)
RAM on the Motherboard	242	(11)
Upgrading Memory	253	(9)
What to Look for When Buying Memory Chips and Modules	253	(2)
How Much and What Kind of Memory to Buy	255	(2)
Reading Ads About Memory Modules	257	(2)
Installing Memory	259	(2)
Troubleshooting Memory	261	(1)
How DOS Addresses Physical Memory	262	(10)
Areas of the Memory Map	264	(3)
DOS Utilities that Manage Memory	267	(5)
Chapter Summary	272	(1)
Key Terms	273	(1)
Review Questions	273	(7)
CHAPTER SEVEN Floppy Drives 279
How Floppy Drives Work	280	(9)
How Data Is Physically Stored on a Floppy Disk	280	(4)
How Data Is Logically Stored on a Floppy Disk	284	(1)
The Formatting Process for a Floppy Disk	285	(4)
Using Windows Explorer to Manage Floppy Disks and Hard Drives	289	(4)
Shortcut Menu Options	290	(1)
Create a New Folder	291	(1)
Delete a Folder	292	(1)
File Attributes	292	(1)
Folder Properties	292	(1)
Exchanging and Supporting Floppy Drives	293	(8)
Replacing a Floppy Drive	293	(4)
Adding a New Drive	297	(1)
When a Floppy Disk Drive Doesn't Work	298	(2)
Some Common Error Messages and Their Meanings	300	(1)
Chapter Summary	301	(1)
Key Terms	302	(1)
Review Questions	302	(3)
CHAPTER EIGHT Understanding and Installing Hard Drives	305	(50)
Hard Drive Technology	306	(8)
Types of Hard Drive Interfaces	306	(4)
How Hard Drives Work	310	(4)
Communicating with the Hard Drive BIOS	314	(4)
Calculating Drive Capacity on Older Drives	315	(1)
Adjusting for More Complex Hard Drive Organization	316	(1)
Installations Using Legacy BIOS	317	(1)
How a Hard Drive Is Logically Organized to Hold Data	318	(10)
Hard Drive Partitions and Logical Drives	320	(6)
What Happens During Formatting	326	(2)
Installing a Hard Drive	328	(16)
Prepare for Installation	328	(3)
Set Jumpers and DIP Switches	331	(2)
Mount the Drive in the Bay	333	(6)
Use CMOS Setup to Change Hard Drive Settings	339	(1)
Setup for Large-Capacity Hard Drives	340	(2)
Use Fdisk to Partition a Drive	342	(1)
Format Each Logical Drive	343	(1)
Using Windows to Partition and Format a New Drive	343	(1)
Troubleshooting Hard Drive Installations	344	(2)
Chapter Summary	346	(2)
Key Terms	348	(1)
Review Questions	348	(7)
CHAPTER NINE Optimizing and Protecting Hard Drives	355	(46)
Managing Hard Drives	356	(18)
Defrag and Windows Disk Defragmenter	356	(1)
Use ScanDisk to Correct Cross-Linked and Lost Clusters	357	(2)
Disk Compression	359	(2)
Disk Caching	361	(2)
Making Backups	363	(7)
Disk and Volume Types and Fault Tolerance	370	(4)
Viruses and Other Computer Infestations	374	(10)
Understanding Computer Infestations	374	(7)
Protecting Against Computer Infestations	381	(3)
Troubleshooting Hard Drives	384	(10)
An Ounce of Prevention	384	(1)
Resolving Common Hard Drive Problems	385	(9)
Getting Technical Support	394	(1)
Chapter Summary	394	(2)
Key Terms	396	(1)
Review Questions	396	(5)
CHAPTER TEN Supporting I/0 Devices	401	(52)
Basic Principles of Peripheral Installations	402	(4)
Installation Overview	402	(2)
Installing a Hardware Device	404	(2)
Using Ports and Expansion Slots for Add-On Devices	406	(18)
Using Serial Ports	406	(5)
Using Parallel Ports	411	(3)
Using USB Ports	414	(3)
Using IEEE 1394 Ports	417	(3)
Using PCI Expansion Slots	420	(3)
Using ISA Expansion Slots	423	(1)
Keyboards	424	(4)
Keyboard Connectors	425	(2)
Installing Keyboards	427	(1)
Troubleshooting Keyboards	427	(1)
Pointing Devices	428	(4)
Cleaning the Mouse	430	(1)
Other Pointing Devices	430	(1)
Troubleshooting a Mouse	431	(1)
Computer Video	432	(15)
Monitors	432	(5)
Video Cards	437	(4)
Troubleshooting Video Problems	441	(6)
Chapter Summary	447	(1)
Key Terms	448	(1)
Review Questions	448	(5)
CHAPTER ELEVEN Multimedia Devices and Mass Storage	453	(42)
Multimedia on a PC	454	(10)
CPU Technologies for Multimedia	454	(1)
Multimedia Devices	454	(1)
Sound Cards	454	(5)
Digital Cameras	459	(2)
MP3 Players	461	(2)
Video Capture Card	463	(1)
Optical Storage Technology	464	(14)
CD-ROM	465	(6)
CD-R and CD-RW	471	(1)
DVD	472	(6)
Tape Drives	478	(5)
Removable Drives	483	(2)
Troubleshooting Guidelines	485	(3)
Problems with CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD-RW Installation	485	(1)
Troubleshooting Sound Problems	486	(1)
Troubleshooting Tape Drives	487	(1)
Chapter Summary	488	(1)
Key Terms	489	(1)
Review Questions	490	(5)
CHAPTER TWELVE Supporting Windows 9x	495	(72)
Windows 9x Architecture	496	(3)
Virtual Machines	497	(2)
Components of Windows 9x	499	(1)
Installing Windows 9x, Hardware, and Software	499	(22)
Installing Windows 9x	500	(12)
Installing Hardware with Windows 9x	512	(4)
Installing Applications in Windows 9x	516	(5)
Tools to Manage and Troubleshoot Windows 9x	521	(17)
Keystroke Shortcuts in Windows	523	(2)
Managing the Windows 9x Desktop	525	(5)
Device Manager 529 Dr. Watson	530	(1)
The Windows 9x Registry	531	(4)
Managing Memory with Windows 9x	535	(3)
Booting Windows 9x	538	(7)
Files Used to Customize the Startup Process	538	(2)
The Windows 9x Startup Process	540	(4)
Loading an Application at Startup	544	(1)
Troubleshooting Windows 9x	545	(13)
Troubleshooting Windows 9x Installations	545	(1)
Troubleshooting the Windows 9x Boot Process	546	(9)
Troubleshooting Windows 9x Hardware and Software	555	(3)
Chapter Summary	558	(3)
Key Terms	561	(1)
Review Questions	561	(6)
CHAPTER THIRTEEN Understanding and Installing Windows 2000 and Windows NT	567	(38)
Windows NT/2000/XP Architecture	568	(10)
Windows NT/2000/XP Modes	568	(3)
Networking Features	571	(2)
How Windows NT/2000/XP Manages Hard Drives	573	(4)
Memory in Windows NT/2000/XP	577	(1)
Installing Windows 2000 Professional	578	(12)
Plan the Installation	579	(5)
Clean Installation	584	(2)
Clean Install When the Hard Drive Has an Operating System Installed	586	(1)
Upgrade Installation	587	(1)
After the Installation: Backing Up the System State	588	(2)
Installing Hardware and Applications under Windows 2000	590	(3)
Installing Hardware	590	(2)
Installing Applications	592	(1)
Supporting Windows NT	593	(5)
Installing Windows NT as the Only OS	593	(1)
Installing Windows NT as the Second OS on the Hard Drive	593	(1)
Troubleshooting the Windows NT Boot Process	594	(4)
Chapter Summary	598	(2)
Key Terms	600	(1)
Review Questions	600	(5)
CHAPTER FOURTEEN Managing and Troubleshooting Windows 2000	605	(42)
Understanding the Windows NT/2000/XP Boot Process	606	(5)
Customizing the Windows NT/2000/XP Boot Process	608	(3)
Troubleshooting the Windows 2000 Boot Process	611	(9)
Advanced Options Menu	611	(7)
Emergency Repair Process	618	(2)
Tools for Maintenance and Troubleshooting	620	(22)
Using the Backup Tool to Restore the System State	620	(1)
Windows 2000 Support Tools	621	(1)
Windows File Protection	622	(2)
Disk Properties Window	624	(1)
Computer Management	625	(3)
Microsoft Management Console	628	(6)
Performance Monitoring and Optimization	634	(6)
Managing Virtual Memory	640	(1)
Dr. Watson and Memory Dumps	641	(1)
Windows Update	641	(1)
Chapter Summary	642	(2)
Key Terms	644	(1)
Review Questions	644	(3)
CHAPTER FIFTEEN Installing and Using Windows XP Professional	647	(36)
Features and Architecture of Windows XP	648	(3)
Windows XP Features	648	(2)
Windows XP Architecture	650	(1)
Installing Windows XP	651	(14)
Planning the Installation	651	(4)
Installation Process	655	(6)
After the Installation	661	(4)
Using Windows XP	665	(7)
Customizing the Windows XP Desktop	667	(4)
Managing Audio and Video	671	(1)
Multiple Logins and Remote Assistance	672	(1)
Installing Hardware and Applications	672	(7)
Installing Hardware	673	(3)
Installing Applications	676	(3)
Chapter Summary	679	(1)
Key Terms	680	(1)
Review Questions	681	(2)
CHAPTER SIXTEEN Managing and Supporting Windows XP	683	(38)
Security Using Windows NT/2000/XP	684	(13)
User Accounts and Profiles	684	(7)
Disk Quotas	691	(1)
EFS (Encrypted File System)	692	(3)
Internet Connection Firewall	695	(2)
The Windows NT/2000/XP Registry	697	(6)
How the Registry Is Organized	698	(2)
Editing the Registry	700	(3)
Other Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tools	703	(6)
Help on the Web	706	(3)
Troubleshooting the Boot Process	709	(7)
System Restore	710	(2)
Windows XP Startup Disk	712	(1)
Automated System Recovery	713	(2)
Error Messages and Their Meanings	715	(1)
Chapter Summary	716	(1)
Key Terms	717	(1)
Review Questions	717	(4)
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Supporting Modems	721	(30)
All About Modems	722	(14)
How Modems Are Rated	725	(8)
Installing and Configuring a Modem	733	(3)
The AT Command Set	736	(5)
Troubleshooting Guidelines for Modems	741	(4)
Chapter Summary	745	(1)
Key Terms	746	(1)
Review Questions	746	(5)
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN PCs on a Network	751	(70)
Physical Network Architectures	752	(15)
Ethernet	753	(5)
Wireless LANs	758	(2)
Token Ring and FDDI	760	(1)
How NICs Work	760	(3)
Segmenting a Network	763	(4)
Windows on a Network	767	(13)
Addressing on a Network	768	(11)
How Computers Find Each Other on a LAN	779	(1)
Installing a Network Card and Connecting to a Network	780	(13)
Installing a NIC Using Windows 9x	781	(6)
Installing a NIC Using Windows 2000/XP	787	(3)
Installing a Wireless NIC	790	(3)
Using Resources on the Network	793	(8)
Sharing Files, Folders, and Applications	793	(6)
Network Drive Maps	799	(2)
Direct Cable Connection	801	(1)
Troubleshooting a Network Connection	801	(3)
Connecting Networks	804	(5)
Routers	804	(2)
Bandwidth Technologies	806	(3)
Chapter Summary	809	(2)
Key Terms	811	(1)
Review Questions	812	(9)
CHAPTER NINETEEN PCs on the Internet	821	(40)
The TCP/IP Suite of Protocols	822	(8)
Using IP and Port Addresses to Identify Services	822	(2)
TCP/IP Protocol Layers	824	(4)
TCP/IP Utilities	828	(2)
Connecting to the Internet	830	(14)
Dial-Up Networking	830	(9)
DSL and Cable Modem Connections	839	(2)
Sharing Internet Connections	841	(3)
Supporting Internet Clients	844	(9)
Supporting Web Browsers	844	(5)
Supporting E-mail	849	(1)
Supporting FTP	850	(3)
Chapter Summary	853	(2)
Key Terms	855	(1)
Review Questions	855	(6)
CHAPTER TWENTY Notebooks and PDAs	861	(28)
Notebook Computers	862	(19)
Windows	98	(765)
Notebook Features	863	(1)
Windows 2000 Notebook Features	864	(1)
Windows XP Notebook Features	864	(1)
Power Management	865	(5)
Upgrading Memory	870	(3)
Other Field Replaceable Units for Notebooks	873	(1)
Connecting Peripheral Devices to Notebooks	874	(5)
Online Resources for Troubleshooting Notebooks	879	(2)
PDAs	881	(4)
Battery Life on a PDA	882	(1)
Applications on a PDA	883	(1)
Connecting a PDA to a PC	883	(1)
PDA Manufacturers and Operating Systems	884	(1)
Chapter Summary	885	(1)
Key Terms	886	(1)
Review Questions	886	(3)
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE Supporting Printers	889	(30)
How Printers Work	890	(10)
Laser Printers	890	(5)
Ink Jet Printers	895	(2)
Dot-Matrix Printers	897	(1)
Thermal Printers and Solid Ink Printers	898	(1)
How Windows Handles Print Jobs	899	(1)
Installing and Sharing a Printer	900	(5)
Install a Local Printer	900	(1)
Share a Printer with Others in a Workgroup	901	(4)
Troubleshooting Guidelines for Printers	905	(10)
Printer Maintenance	906	(1)
General Printer Troubleshooting	906	(7)
Problems Printing from Windows	913	(1)
Troubleshooting Networked Printers	914	(1)
Chapter Summary	915	(1)
Key Terms	915	(1)
Review Questions	916	(3)
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO AII About SCSI	919	(26)
SCSI Basics	920	(13)
The SCSI Subsystem	920	(2)
Host Adapters	922	(2)
SCSI Device Drivers	924	(1)
Variations in SCSI	924	(9)
Comparing IDE and SCSI	933	(1)
Installing SCSI Devices	934	(3)
Installing a Host Adapter Card	935	(2)
Setting Device IDs During Installation	937	(2)
Installing a SCSI Hard Drive	938	(1)
Troubleshooting SCSI Devices	939	(1)
Chapter Summary	940	(1)
Key Terms	941	(1)
Review Questions	942	(3)
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE Purchasing a PC or Building Your Own	945	(36)
Selecting a Personal Computer to Meet Your Needs	946	(5)
Purchasing a Brand-Name PC vs. a Clone	947	(1)
Selecting Software	948	(1)
Selecting Hardware	949	(1)
Selecting a Total Package	950	(1)
Preparing to Build Your Own PC	951	(3)
Getting Ready for Assembly: Selecting Parts	952	(1)
Getting Ready for Assembly: Final Preparations	953	(1)
Building a Personal Computer, Step by Step	954	(22)
Overview of the Assembly Process	954	(1)
Step 1:Verify You Have All the Parts	955	(1)
Step 2: Prepare the Computer Case	956	(2)
Step 3: Install Drives	958	(3)
Step 4: Set Jumpers or Switches on the Motherboard	961	(3)
Step 5: Install the CPU and CPU Fan	964	(2)
Step 6: Install RAM on the Motherboard	966	(1)
Step 7: Install the Motherboard and Attach Cabling	967	(5)
Step 8: Install the Video Card	972	(1)
Step 9: Plug In the Computer and Attach External Devices	973	(1)
Step 10: Boot the Computer, Check Settings, and Verify Operation	974	(2)
Chapter Summary	976	(1)
Key Terms	977	(1)
Review Questions	977	(4)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR Troubleshooting and Maintenance Fundamentals	981	(22)
Troubleshooting Perspectives and Tools	982	(3)
Troubleshooting Tools	982	(3)
Your Approach to Troubleshooting	985	(7)
Fundamental Rules	986	(2)
Gathering Information	988	(4)
Preventive Maintenance	992	(7)
When a PC Is Your Permanent Responsibility	992	(3)
A Preventive Maintenance Plan	995	(2)
Moving Equipment	997	(1)
Disposing of Used Equipment	997	(2)
Fire Extinguishers	999	(1)
Chapter Summary	999	(1)
Key Terms	1000	(1)
Review Questions	1000	(3)
APPENDIX A Error Messages and Their Meanings	1003	(4)
APPENDIX B ASCII Character Set and Analysis	1007	(4)
APPENDIX C The Hexadecimal Number System and Memory Addressing	1011	(10)
Learning to "Think Hex"	1012	(1)
Place Value	1012	(4)
How Exponents Are Used to Express Place Value	1016	(1)
Binary Number System	1016	(1)
Memory Addressing	1017	(1)
Displaying Memory with DOS DEBUG	1018	(3)
APPENDIX D The Professional PC Technician	1021	(12)
What Customers Want: Beyond Technical Know-How	1021	(1)
Support Calls: Providing Good Service	1022	(6)
Planning for Good Service	1022	(1)
Making an On-Site Service Call	1023	(1)
Phone Support	1024	(3)
When You Can't Solve the Problem	1027	(1)
Recordkeeping and Information Tools	1028	(1)
Professional Organizations and Certifications	1029	(1)
Why Certification?	1030	(1)
Protecting Software Copyrights	1030	(3)
What Does the Law Say?	1031	(1)
What Are Your Responsibilities Under the Law?	1031	(2)
APPENDIX E Introducing Linux	1033	(12)
Root Account and User Accounts	1034	(1)
Directory and File Layout	1035	(2)
Linux Commands	1037	(4)
Using the vi Editor	1041	(2)
Window Managers	1043	(2)
APPENDIX F Answers to Chapter Review Questions	1045	(20)
APPENDIX G What's on the CD	1065	(2)
GLOSSARY	1067	(30)
INDEX	1097