Wiley a plus certification for dummies 3rd edition oct 2003 ISBN 0764541870

Prepared by a CompTIA-certified expert and packed with proven tips and practice exams, it’s all you need to get up to speed on core hardware and operating system technologies— and pass t

List of Tables

List of Labs

List of Sidebars

Here’s the fun and easy way to study for the exam—all the rewards in half the time!

Here’s the exam 220-301 and 220-302 test-prep guide

you’ve been waiting for—an economical For Dummies

book that actually makes studying fun Prepared by a CompTIA-certified expert and packed with proven tips and practice exams, it’s all you need to get up to speed

on core hardware and operating system technologies— and pass the test!

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mainframes, minicomputers, and virtually every type of personal

computer and operating system that exists In addition to a wide range ofpositions that have included College Instructor, Customer Service

Manager, Data Processing Manager, Management Information SystemsDirector, and Vice President of Operations in major corporations andsmall businesses, Ron has been a management consultant with an

Ron has authored a number of certification books, including Network+

Certification For Dummies, i-Net+ Certification For Dummies, Server+ Certification For Dummies, CCNA For Dummies, Cisco Networking For Dummies, MCSA All-in-One Reference For Dummies, and PC Repair Bench Book (all for Wiley Publishing), as well as several books on

computer and information literacy, applications programming, and othercomputer hardware topics Ron also acted as the series editor for Wiley

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through ouronline registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include thefollowing:

Introduction

If you have bought or are considering buying this book, you probably fitone of the following categories:

You know how valuable A+ Certification is to a professional

personal computer (PC) technician’s career and advancement.You’re wondering just what A+ Certification is all about

You think that reading this book may be a fun, entertaining way tolearn about computer hardware maintenance and repair

If you’re already aware of the A+ Certified Computer Technician programand are just looking for an excellent study aid, you can skip the next fewsections of this introduction because your search is over However, if youdon’t have the foggiest idea of what A+ Certification is, how it can benefityou, or how to prepare for it, read on!

With over 20 years and layer upon layer of microcomputer hardware andsoftware technology to study, even the most knowledgeable technicianneeds help getting ready for the A+ exams This book is intended toshorten your preparation time for the A+ exams

This book is a no-nonsense reference and study guide for the A+ CoreHardware exam (test #220-301) and the OS (Operating Systems)

Technologies exam (test #220-302) It focuses on the areas likely to be

on the exam, plus it provides background information to help you

understand some of the more complex concepts and technologies

The concepts, processes, and applications included on the exams arepresented in step-by-step lists, tables, and figures without long

explanations in this book The focus is on preparing you for the A+

exams, not on showing off my obviously extensive and impressive

knowledge of computer technology (nor on my modesty, I might add).This book will not provide you with an in-depth background on PC

hardware and software It will, however, prepare you to take the A+ CoreHardware and OS Technologies exams

In developing this book, I made two assumptions:

You have knowledge of electronics, computers, software,

networking, troubleshooting procedures, and customer relations,and need a study guide for the exams

You have limited knowledge of electronics, computer hardware,and the processes used to repair, maintain, and upgrade PCsand could use a little refresher on the basics along with a reviewand study guide for the exams

If my assumptions in either case suit your needs, then this book is foryou

This book is divided into two “mini-books”: one on the Core Hardwareexam and one on the OS Technologies exam Depending on whether ornot you plan to take the two exams during the same sitting or not, youshould study for them separately Although there is a certain amount ofoverlap between the two exams (especially in the networking area), theemphasis of each exam is totally different

Throughout, this book is organized so you can study a specific area

without wading through stuff you may already know I recommend thatyou skim the whole book at least once, noting the points raised at theicons Each part and chapter of the book is independent, and can bestudied in any order, which should be helpful for your last-minute crambefore the exam The following sections tell you what I include betweenthe covers of this book

Book I: The A+ Core Hardware Exam

Part I: Laying Down, Some Fundamentals

Book I begins with an overview of what to study for the A+ exam andother general information about taking the exam It also presents

background information on the concepts of electricity, electronics, andnumbering systems And finally, it covers the tools used in computermaintenance with an emphasis on electrostatic discharge protection andprevention

Part II: Inside the Box

Part II takes you down into the wonderful, incredible world of the

motherboard and other electronic field-replaceable modules (FRMs)found inside the case This part is chock-full of information about themotherboard, memory, bus structures, power supply, disk drives, andother components found inside the case Also covered in this part are theprocesses used to install, remove, troubleshoot, optimize, and upgradethese components

Part III: Outside the Box

You need to know about interfacing input, output, printers, and serial,parallel, USB, and FireWire connections, plus networking and data

communications for the A+ Core Hardware exam

Part IV: Remembering Why It’s Called Hardware

Part IV has everything you need to know about the tools and best

practices to use for repairing, maintaining, and configuring PC hardware.Read about disassembling and reassembling the PC, performing

preventive maintenance, and the processes used to troubleshoot

problems on the PC

Practice Exam

The Hardware Practice Exam on the CD is ready for you to print andevaluate your preparation If you miss a question, it points you back tothe book to improve your knowledge

Part VI: Connecting to a Network

As networking becomes more common in both businesses and homes,the configuration, installation, and troubleshooting of OS networkingfeatures becomes more important, and the amount of coverage on

networking on the A+ OS exam reflects this

This part of the book covers both the technologies involved with

configuring a workstation to a local area network (LAN) and those

Practice Exam

When you think you are ready, print the OS Practice Exam from the CD

If you miss a question, it points you back to the book to improve yourknowledge

A+ Certification For Dummies, 3rd Edition offers a self-paced method ofpreparing for the exam You don’t have to guess what to study; everychapter that covers exam objectives guides you with preview questions,detailed coverage, and review questions This step-by-step structureidentifies what you need to study, gives you all the facts, and recheckswhat you know The structure is as follows:

First page: Each chapter starts with a preview of what’s to come,

including exam objectives and study subjects Not sure that youknow all about the objectives and the subjects in a chapter? Keepgoing

Quick Assessment questions: At the beginning of each chapter

is a brief self-assessment test that helps you gauge your

knowledge of the topics that chapter covers Take this test todetermine which areas you already understand as well as to

determine which areas you need to focus on

Labs: Labs are included throughout the book to step you through

some of the processes you need to know for the exam, such asinstallation or configuration of a particular component

Getting Ready for Work: This feature is included in many

chapters of this book It provides ideas for some hands-on

projects that should help you prepare not only for the A+ exams,but also for the workplace

Prep Tests: The Prep Tests at the end of each chapter gauge

your understanding of the chapter’s content These Prep Testquestions are structured in the same manner as those you maysee on your exam, so try your hand at these sample questions

Warning Warning icons flag problems and limitations of the

technologies included on the exam and things to avoid when working withcertain technologies

Remember Remember icons point out important background

information and advantages of the technology that may appear on theexam

Tip Tip icons flag information that can come in extra-handy during thetesting process You may want to take notes on these tidbits!

I’d like to hear from you If an area of the test isn’t covered as well as itshould be, or if I provide more coverage than you think is warrantedabout a particular topic, please let me know Your feedback is solicitedand welcome E-mail me at feedback@rongilster.com

Book I: A+ Hardware Technology Exam

Part I: Laying Down Some Fundamentals

Chapter 1: The 2003 A+ Certification Exams

Chapter 2: Basic Electronics and Number Systems

Not everything about the world of PC service technicians is on the A+exams There are some things you are just expected to know; for

example, basic electronics, electricity, and number systems CompTIA,the A+ exam organization, has assumed that you know this stuff or youwouldn’t be working (or wishing to be working) as a PC service technicianand getting ready to take the A+ exams

Before you begin preparing for the test, use this part of the book to get anoverview about the two A+ exams and to review some of the basic andunderlying knowledge you’ll need for the exams

Chapter 1: The 2003 A+ Certification Exams

If you are A+ certified from either the 1996, 1998, or 2001 exam versions,

you don’t have to take the 2003 exams Unless you really want to.

Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a membershiptrade organization that was formed in 1982 to promote standards of

excellence in computer technology Its goals are to develop ethical,

professional, and business standards and provide educational

opportunities to the industry Its members include more than 13,000computer resellers, VARs (value-added resellers), distributors,

manufacturers, and training companies in 89 countries around the world(but mostly in the United States and Canada) These companies rangefrom multinational corporations to local computer repair shops and

individual entrepreneurs Visit CompTIA’s Web site at

www.comptia.org/about for more information

Why cram for a pair of tests and sweat bullets over taking them to get apiece of paper that says, “I know computer repair stuff”? Well, I can think

of a number of good reasons The first is that more than 500,000 A+Certified Technicians worldwide may be competing for the same job youwant

The exams are based on an industry-wide analysis of what a PC repairservice technician with six months of on-the-job experience should know

to be considered competent The results of this analysis have been

validated in a worldwide survey of thousands of A+ certified

professionals

301) on microprocessors, displays, storage media and devices, printers,modems, buses, and other hardware components of a PC; and the OSTechnologies exam (Exam 220-302) Neither exam has more than 90questions Each test measures your knowledge over several technicaldomains

The two A+ certification exams are the Core Hardware exam (Exam 220-Each test domain focuses on a specific area of technical service

procedures, tools, and skills Some domains are emphasized more thanothers, so the number of questions from any particular domain varies.Tables 1-1 and 1-2 list the domains, the percentage of coverage of eachdomain on the total test, and the approximate number of test questionsfor each domain

Table 1-1: A+ Core Hardware Exam Domains

of Test

Number of Questions

Test

Number of Questions

www.comptia.org/certification/a/faqs.asp

A+ certification is open to anyone who registers for the exams, pays theexam fees, and passes the exams You don’t need to have the six

months of work experience, be a working PC repair technician, work for aparticular company, or have any specialized training to qualify for A+certification Just pass the exams, and you’re certified

The A+ exams are scored on a scaled method, meaning that some

questions and answers are worth more than others The total possiblepoints on each exam is 900 To pass the Core Hardware exam, you mustget a score of at least 683; to pass the OS Technologies exam, you mustget a score of at least 614 (You get 100 points for just filling out yourname.)

You have 90 minutes to complete each of the two exams You can takethe two exams on the same day or schedule them on different days; it’s

up to you

Tip You must pass both A+ exams before the next update However, if

you’ve passed either 2001 exam version, you can take the remainingexam in either the 2001 or 2003 versions to get your certification

You can find a testing center and register for the exams online on theseWeb sites:

Prometric: www.2test.com

VUE: www.vue.com

The cost of CompTIA’s exams range from $89 USD to $225 USD,

depending on your country and whether or not you or your company areCompTIA members Corporate CompTIA members are given substantialdiscounts on certification exam vouchers, among other benefits

Tip Watch for training or study material vendors that offer discountedexam vouchers

You can find discounted vouchers for slightly more than the member rate

if you shop around

This book and the resources listed, named, or cited throughout itscontents are your sure-fire best first steps to getting there

Chapter 2: Basic Electronics and Number Systems

Identifying the concepts, terminology, and properties of

electronics and electricity in the PC

Identifying ESD (electrostatic discharge) and ESD protectiondevices

Reading and converting binary, decimal, and hexadecimal

number systems

The fundamentals of computer troubleshooting, repair, and maintenancerequire understanding of electricity, electronics, and number systems.You need a basic knowledge of electricity and electronic principles toeven begin preparing yourself for the A+ Certification exams Althoughspecific electronics or electricity questions aren’t on the test, many

questions assume a basic understanding of electricity concepts and

terminology and the function of a few electronic components Even if youknow enough about electricity to repair a PC without destroying either theequipment or yourself, you may need a refresher on the names,

definitions, concepts, and applications of electricity and electronics Thischapter presents the groundwork with a very brief review of electricityand basic electronics

Binary and hexadecimal number systems are used in the PC for

addressing and data display You may be asked to convert a binary

number or two on the exam, and you can count on binary and

hexadecimal references in several questions That’s why this chapterreviews the binary and hexadecimal number systems I also include acouple of labs to help you review the process of converting hexadecimaland binary numbers to and from decimal values

Quick Assessment

Identifying the concepts, terminology, and properties of

electronics and electricity in PCs

1 measures the electrical pressure in a circuit.

2 measures an electrical current’s strength

3 A semiconductor that can store one of two toggled values isa(n)

4 Households use current electricity

5 PCs use current electricity

6 A(n) is a device that can measure more than oneproperty of electricity

7 Electrostatic discharge Read “Don’t Give Me Any Static.”

8 Binary Review “Reading binary numbers.”

9 Hexadecimal See “Working with hexadecimal numbers.”

Everything inside or attached to the PC system unit runs on electricity.Electricity is both the lifeblood and the mysterious evil of the personalcomputer It’s a flowing entity, measured in amps, ohms, and volts

Approach it with respect, if not outright fear

Nothing helps you understand a complex technical topic better than areal-life analogy that you can relate to I tried hard to create a new andoriginal analogy to help you understand electrical properties and

measurements and to dazzle you with my cleverness Unfortunately, Ihave failed One analogy that I thought had a lot of potential involvedTwinkies and beer, but it fell flat So I am forced to use the same old

Counting electrons

The forces of electricity inside the computer can be measured, and eachtype of measurement tells you something different about the computer Iinclude the electrical measurements in Table 2-1 to provide you with anintroduction to these units of measurement Chapter 9 provides moreinformation on the power used in the PC and how it is measured

Table 2-1: Common Electrical Measurements

Measurement Description Application

Amps Measures a current’s

strength or rate of flow

The amount of currentneeded to operate adevice; for example, ahard disk drive needs2.0 amps to start up,but only 0.35 ampsfor typical operation

Ohms

Measures aconductor’s resistance

to electricity

Resistance of lessthan 20 ohms meansthat current can flowthrough a computersystem

Volts

Measures theelectrical pressure in acircuit

A PC power supplygenerates 4 levels ofvoltage: +5 volts (V),–5V, +12V, and –12V

Watts

Measures theelectrical power in acircuit range

A PC power supply israted in a range of

200 to 600 watts

Continuity

Indicates theexistence of acomplete circuit

A pin in a DINconnector registers5V on a digital voltagemeter (DVM or

multimeter) whengrounded to anotherpin

Measuring the current

The primary measurements of electricity are volts and amps Voltsmeasure pressure, and amps measure current Current isn’t needed forvoltage When a water faucet is off, water pressure still exists There isjust no current Likewise, when an electrical circuit is open, voltage

of its pressure as a shock.

Tip Several devices can read the power and fury of an electrical current.Ammeters, ohmmeters, and voltmeters measure specific properties; amultimeter or DVM combines these instruments into one tool

DC (direct current): DC is the type used inside the computer.

When the flow of the electricity is in one direction only, it is directcurrent What happens in direct current is that negatively chargedparticles seek out and flow toward positively charged particles,creating a direct electrical current flow DC power maintains aconstant level and flows in only one direction — always,

predictably, and measurably, from a negative charge to a positivecharge

The PC uses DC power The PC’s power supply converts power from the

AC wall outlet into DC power for the computer Peripheral devices, such

as printers, external modems, and storage drives (including CD-ROMand Zip drives), use an AC power converter to convert AC power into DCpower