CompTIA A Complete Study Guide (Course & Labs)

(220-901-220-902-complete)/ISBN:978-1-61691-630-5

This course includes
Lessons
TestPrep
Lab
Hand-on Lab (Add-on)

Gear up to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exams with the CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide that contains course and performance based labs. Performance based labs simulate real-world, hardware, software & command line interface environments and can be mapped to any text-book, course & training. CompTIA training course covers all the objectives of 220-901 & 220-902 exams and provides the technical knowledge required to install, configure, and maintain devices, PCs and software for end users; properly and safely diagnose, resolve and document common hardware and software issues.

Here's what you will get

The 220-901 and 220-902 exams are a part of CompTIA's A+ certification. The CompTIA A+ course can benefit you in two ways. Whether you work or plan to work in a mobile or corporate environment where you have a high level of face-to-face customer interaction, where client communication and client training are important, or in an environment with limited customer interaction and an emphasis on hardware activities. The exam also covers the topics like assemble components based on customer requirements; provide appropriate customer support; apply troubleshooting skills; and understand the basics of networking and security/forensics.

Lessons

27+ Lessons | 460+ Exercises | 217+ Quizzes | 335+ Flashcards | 335+ Glossary of terms

TestPrep

180+ Pre Assessment Questions | 6+ Full Length Tests | 97+ Post Assessment Questions | 570+ Practice Test Questions

Hand on lab

150+ LiveLab | 89+ Video tutorials | 51+ Minutes

Video Lessons

142+ Videos | 15:07+ Hours

Here's what you will learn

Download Course Outline

Lessons 1: Motherboards, Processors, and Memory

  • Identifying Components of Motherboard
  • Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Processors
  • Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Memory
  • Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Cooling Systems
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 2: Storage Devices and Power Supplies

  • Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Storage Devices
  • Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Power Supplies
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 3: Peripherals and Expansion

  • Installing and Configuring Expansion Cards
  • Identifying Characteristics of Connectors and Cables
  • Input Devices
  • Output Devices
  • Input and Output Devices
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 4: Display Devices

  • Understanding Display Types and Settings
  • Understanding Video Standards and Technologies
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 5: Custom Configurations

  • Standard Thick Clients
  • Graphic and CAD/CAM Design Workstations
  • Audio/Video Editing Workstations
  • Virtualization Workstations
  • Gaming PCs
  • Home Theater PCs
  • Thin Clients
  • Home Server PCs
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 6: Networking Fundamentals

  • Understanding Networking Principles
  • Identifying Common Network Hardware
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 7: Introduction to TCP/IP

  • Understanding TCP/IP
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 8: Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks

  • Understanding Wireless Networking
  • Installing and Configuring SOHO Networks
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 9: Understanding Laptops

  • Understanding Laptop Architecture
  • Disassembling and Reassembling Laptops
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 10: Understanding Mobile Devices

  • Understanding Mobile Devices
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 11: Installing and Configuring Printers

  • Understanding Print Technologies and Imaging Processes
  • Installing and Configuring Printers
  • Performing Printer Maintenance and Upgrades
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 12: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

  • Troubleshooting Core Hardware Issues
  • Troubleshooting Mobile Devices, Printers, and Networking
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 13: Operating System Basics

  • Understanding Operating Systems
  • Going Virtual
  • Preparing for the Exam
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 14: Operating System Administration

  • Interacting with Operating Systems
  • Administrative Tools
  • Disk Management
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 15: Working with Windows 8/8.1

  • Windows Editions
  • Installing Windows 8
  • Windows 8 Boot Methods
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 16: Working with Windows 7

  • Windows 7 Editions
  • Installing Windows 7
  • The Windows 7 Boot Sequences
  • Windows 7 Features
  • Windows 7 Administrative Tools
  • Unique Control Panel Utilities
  • Networking and Windows 7
  • Windows 7 System Performance and Optimization
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 17: Working with Windows Vista

  • Windows Vista Editions
  • Installing Windows Vista
  • The Windows Vista Boot Sequences
  • Windows Vista Features
  • Windows Vista Administrative Tools
  • Distinctive Utilities
  • Networking and Windows Vista
  • Vista System Performance and Optimization
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 18: Working with Mac OS and Linux

  • Best Practices
  • Tools
  • Features
  • Basic Linux Commands
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 19: Security

  • Common Prevention Methods
  • Common Security Threats
  • Workstation Security Best Practices
  • Working with Windows OS Security Settings
  • Mobile Device Security
  • Destruction and Disposal Methods
  • Securing a SOHO Network (Wireless)
  • Securing a SOHO Network (Wired)
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 20: Network Services, Cloud Computing, and Virtualization

  • Understanding Network Services
  • Understanding Cloud Computing and Virtualization
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 21: Mobile Operating Systems and Connectivity

  • Understanding Mobile Operating Systems
  • Network Connectivity and Email
  • Mobile Device Synchronization
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 22: Troubleshooting Theory, OSs, and Security

  • Understanding Troubleshooting Theory
  • Troubleshooting Operating Systems
  • Troubleshooting Security Issues
  • Troubleshooting Mobile Issues
  • Troubleshooting Mobile Security Issues
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Lessons 23: Understanding Operational Procedures

  • Understanding Safety Procedures
  • Understanding Environmental Controls
  • Understanding Policies, Licensing, and Privacy
  • Demonstrating Professionalism
  • Summary
  • Exam Essentials

Appendix A

  • 3d Objects

Appendix B

  • Videos: 220-901

Appendix C

  • Videos: 220-902

Appendix: 3D Game Simulation

Hands-on LAB Activities (Performance Labs)

Motherboards, Processors, and Memory

  • Identifying the CPU package types
  • Identifying components of a motherboard chipset
  • Identifying Types of RAM
  • Understanding the BIOS security options
  • Installing a USB 3.0 PCI Express Card (2.0 x4)
  • Identifying a PCI-Bus Slot
  • Identifying motherboard slots
  • Installing Motherboard Components
  • Installing Expansion Cards on a Motherboard
  • Installing a processor
  • Identifying computer components
  • Identifying computer parts
  • Identifying a CPU Socket
  • Identifying memory modules
  • Installing Memory Modules
  • Identifying computer cooling systems
  • Providing Cooling and Ventilation to a Motherboard

Storage Devices and Power Supplies

  • Formatting a pen drive
  • Supplying Power to a SATA Drive
  • Connecting the Motherboard to the Internal Hard Drive
  • Inserting a Pen Drive into the USB Port
  • Identifying RAID level characteristics
  • Installing SMPS and Connecting it to the Motherboard
  • Replacing the Power Supply
  • Identifying computer power supply connectors

Peripherals and Expansion

  • Installing an Optical Drive and a PCI Sound Card
  • Installing Firewire Cards
  • Installing a PCI Sound Card
  • Identifying sound card ports
  • Identifying video card ports
  • Understanding USB versions
  • Identifying additional ports and connectors
  • Identifying Video Ports and Connectors
  • Identifying I/O ports of a motherboard
  • Identifying desktop PC ports
  • Connecting a digital camera to a computer
  • Connecting Speakers to a Computer
  • Identifying input and output devices

Display Devices

  • Extending monitor displays
  • Changing the refresh rate in Windows 7
  • Changing the display settings of a laptop

Custom Configurations

  • Configuring Windows 7 for media streaming

Networking Fundamentals

  • Understanding advantages and disadvantages of topologies
  • Identifying the purpose of OSI layers
  • Connecting a star topology
  • Identifying network types
  • Identifying OSI layer functions
  • Identifying a network topology
  • Identifying components of a coaxial cable
  • Identifying types of a cable
  • Identifying network connectors

Introduction to TCP/IP

  • Identifying IP address class values
  • Adding and removing an IPv6 address
  • Identifying TCP/IP layers
  • Identifying TCP/IP model layers

Installing Wireless and SOHO Networks

  • Describing 802.11 modulation techniques
  • Describing 802.11 networking standards
  • Understanding QoS levels
  • Identifying key steps to plan a network
  • Connecting to a wireless network
  • Configuring Internet settings on a router
  • Installing a NIC

Understanding Laptops

  • Disabling a touchpad
  • Comparing desktop and laptop
  • Identifying a port
  • Removing a pen drive from a computer
  • Installing Laptop Components

Understanding Mobile Devices

  • Identifying USB cables of devices

Installing and Configuring Printers

  • Installing a printer
  • Identifying a Daisy-Wheel Printer
  • Understanding the electrophotographic print process
  • Inserting Ink Cartridges into a Printer
  • Connecting a USB Printer to a Computer
  • Configuring printer memory
  • Identifying the steps for using an inkjet cleaning solution

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

  • Setting up a boot device priority
  • Running different parameters of the net share command
  • Analyzing domain names with nslookup
  • Analyzing the TCP/IP configuration with netstat
  • Analyzing network paths with tracert
  • Renewing an IP address
  • Stopping and restarting the print spooler service
  • Describing error codes
  • Identifying network cabling tools

Operating System Basics

  • Understanding elements of a notepad window
  • Examining file permissions
  • Changing the system's screen saver
  • Viewing the paging file information
  • Auto-hiding the taskbar
  • Labeling the Start menu of Windows 8
  • Creating a virtual PC machine

Operating System Administration

  • Changing the time zone
  • Showing hidden and system-protected files
  • Observing the Control Panel options in different views
  • Running different parameters of the chkdsk command
  • Configuring Performance Monitor
  • Viewing processes details in the task manager
  • Disabling certain applications and services at startup
  • Viewing sound card driver version
  • Creating a backup of a local disk
  • Changing a basic disk into a dynamic disk

Working with Windows 8/8.1

  • Installing Windows 8
  • Describing boot files

Working with Windows 7

  • Installing Windows 7 using VMware
  • Rolling back to a restore point
  • Turning on Windows 7 firewall logs
  • Configuring password policies
  • Creating a homegroup
  • Connecting to a remote desktop
  • Running power troubleshooter
  • Configuring the TCP/IP values
  • Understanding network card properties
  • Exploring installed applications
  • Customizing user account notification settings

Working with Mac OS and Linux

  • Identifying tools used in Mac OS and Linux
  • Working with local Ethernet connection
  • Listing Files in a Directory
  • Understanding Linux commands
  • Verifying the working directory
  • Modifying the ownership of a file
  • Creating and listing directories
  • Working with Directories

Security

  • Identifying types of firewall
  • Describing types of viruses
  • Disabling the guest account
  • Configuring BitLocker for an identification field
  • Locking an iPhone with a Password
  • Configuring settings to allow pop-ups

Network Services, Cloud Computing, and Virtualization

  • Configuring Windows 7 to use a proxy server
  • Understanding email protocols
  • Using Google's cloud services
  • Enabling Hardware Virtualization

Mobile Operating Systems and Connectivity

  • Activating Google Now
  • Downloading Instagram from the Google Play Store
  • Downloading Instagram from the App Store.
  • Configuring an Email in Android
  • Disabling cellular data on an iPhone
  • Turning on the Personal Hotspot of an iPhone
  • Setting Up a VPN in Android
  • Connecting an iPhone to the Wi-Fi network
  • Establishing a Bluetooth connection
  • Turning on Airplane Mode of an iPhone
  • Viewing the iOS version

Troubleshooting Theory, OSs, and Security

  • Cleaning up the hard disk drive
  • Configuring system in the event of a BSOD
  • Running Disk Defragmenter in Windows 7
  • Running Microsoft Security Essentials and removing infected files
  • Identifying symptoms of problems with the mobile OS

Understanding Operational Procedures

  • Understanding personal safety while moving equipment
  • Identifying guidelines for effective communication

Hands-on LAB Activities

Motherboards, Processors, and Memory

  • Retrieving System Information

Introduction to TCP/IP

  • Configure IPv4 and IPv6 Addressing
  • Understand TCPIP Services Part 1
  • Understand TCPIP Services Part 2
  • Understand TCPIP Services Part 3

Installing and Configuring Printers

  • Understand Virtual Printing
  • Configuring and Managing Printers

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

  • Troubleshoot Network Connectivity Issues

Operating System Administration

  • Performing System Maintenance
  • Troubleshoot Windows Operating System Errors
  • Securing Windows User Account Access
  • Using Windows Features and Tools
  • Understand Domains, Workgroups and Homegroups
  • Managing System Storage

Working with Windows 7

  • Installing Windows Part 1
  • Installing Windows Part 2

Working with Mac OS and Linux

  • Working with Linux Command Line
  • Performing Basic File Management in Linux
  • Understand Internet Protocols and Basic Linux Network Configuration
  • Understand Basic Network Troubleshooting in Linux

Security

  • Configuring Windows Firewall
  • Deploying Anti-Malware Programs
  • Configuring Security Policies
  • Managing File System Security
  • Managing BitLocker Drive Encryption

Network Services, Cloud Computing, and Virtualization

  • Understand Computer Virtualization

Mobile Operating Systems and Connectivity

  • Configuring a Mobile Device
  • Configuring E-mail on a Mobile Device

Troubleshooting Theory, OSs, and Security

  • Troubleshoot Common System Problems

Exam FAQs

CompTIA recommends the following:

  • 9 to 12 months hands-on experience in the lab or field

USD 211 per exam.

The exam fees are subject to change.

Multiple choice questions (single and multiple response), drag and drops, and performance-based questions.

The exam contains 90 questions.

90 minutes

  • 220-901: 675
  • 220-902: 700

(on a scale of O-900)

In the event that you fail your first attempt at passing the A+ examination, CompTIA's retake policies are:

  1. CompTIA does not require a waiting period between the first and second attempt to pass such examination. However, if you need a third or subsequent attempt to pass the examination, you shall be required to wait for a period of at least 14 calendar days from the date of your last attempt before you can retake the exam.
  2. If a candidate has passed an exam, he/she cannot take it again without prior consent from CompTIA.
  3. A test result found to be in violation of the retake policy will not be processed, which will result in no credit awarded for the test taken. Repeat violators will be banned from participation in the CompTIA Certification Program.
  4. Candidates must pay the exam price each time they attempt the exam. CompTIA does not offer free re-tests or discounts on retakes.

CompTIA A+ certification expires after three years from the date of issue, after which the certification holder will need to renew their certification via CompTIA's Continuing Education Program.