A+ Certification has a LOT of requirements.. ouch

[Paft]

I was wondering where I could get information on the test itself, or more specifically the parts of this outline that DON'T have X's in the boxes.

Installation, configuring and updating (30% of exam)

[X] Identifying basic computer subassemblies like motherboards, power supplies, CPU, RAM, storage devices, add-on cards, firmware, BIOS and CMOS. You need to know how to identify proper function, their role in the boot process, and how to add and replace them in the field.

[] Standard software parameters such as IRQ, DMA and I/O settings for common hardware and software configurations, and how to adjust these settings during installation.

[] Common peripheral ports and the cables & connectors associated therewith like DB-9/25, RJ11/45, BNC, PS/2, USB and IEEE-1394.

[X] Installing and configuring IDE/EIDE and SCSI devices to include Primary/Secondary/Master/Slave, SCSI types, addresses, cabling and jumper block settings.

[X] Peripheral installation, configuration and troubleshooting for monitors, USB devices, and IEEE 1284/1394 devices.

[X] Portable system components. This will be mostly notebook-related. Know PCMCIA card types and implementation of card services. Familiarity with replacement of components like RAM, hard drives and batteries. Care and feeding of docking stations and port replicators.

Diagnosing and Troubleshooting (30% of exam)

[X] Common symptoms and problems with hardware. Isolating problems using error codes, POST audible/visual codes, and troubleshooting instruments like multimeters.

[X] Troubleshooting procedures. Eliciting information from users/customers, determining whether the problem is hardware/software related, isolating problems by eliminating possibilities.

Preventive Maintenance (5% of exam)

[] Types of maintenance tools/materials, and their use in the field. Cleaning compound requirements and non-static tool use.

[] Field procedures for protecting yourself and your equipment. UPS/Suppressors and signs of power issues. Component storage. Hazards from high voltage/laser exposure. Disposal procedures for batteries, toner kits, CRT's, etc.

[] ESD precautions and symptoms of damage.

Motherboards/Processors/Memory (15% of exam)

[] CPU chip types and characteristics. Size, voltage, pin counts and slot types. CPU families and basic history including clock speed progression.

[] RAM categories and characteristics. Generations of system RAM: EDO/FPM/SIMM/DIMM. RIMM (Rambus) types. Video memory technology such as VRAM/WRAM. Memory banks and requirements based on processor generation/8-, 16-, 32-bit width. Parity versus non-parity chips.

[] Motherboard types. AT and ATX form factors, port types and locations, RAM type needed, processor sockets, cache memory. Bus architectures like ISA, PCI and AGP. Compatibility guidelines concerning what hardware works with which generation of motherboard.

[X] CMOS knowledge. Basic CMOS settings for com/parallel ports, hard drive type, basic memory settings, boot sequence, date/time, passwords and Plug & Play.

Printers (10% of exam)

[X] Basic types and operational concepts for laser, inkjet and dot-matrix printers. Interface types such as parallel, USB, network, infrared, serial.

[X] Service techniques and common problems. Feed jams, printed/displayed errors, print quality. Safety precautions and preventive maintenance.

Basic Networking (10% of exam)

[X] Network types and topologies. Cable types, physical architecture, half- and full-duplex, infrared.

[X] Setup such as configuring network cards, hardware protocols and recovering network function when repairs are performed.

OS Fundamentals (30% of exam)

[X] OS functions, structure, major system files and help functionality. Components like Windows Explorer/My Computer/Control Panel. Contrasts between Win 9x and Windows 2000. Contents, use and location of files like io.sys, boot.ini, win.com and the command prompt. Memory management methods including himem.sys. Win 9x files such as win.ini, system.ini, user.dat, system.dat, msconfig, regedit.exe. Windows 2000 files such as boot.ini, regedit/regedit32, ntldr. Some command prompt procedures: dir, ver, attrib, mem, scandisk and others.

[X] File/directory/disk management procedures. File attributes and naming conventions, backup/restore procedures, Windows 2000 Compress/Encrypt. Partitioning/formatting/file systems used with Windows. Utilities such as ScanDisk, msconfig, regedit, defrag, fdisk, asd, hwinfo.

Installation, Configuration and Upgrading (15% of exam)

[X] Install procedure for Win9x and Windows 2000. Appropriate setup utilities, partitioning and formatting, loading drivers.

[X] Upgrade procedures within Win9x OS's, Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2000, replacing Win9x with Windows 2000, dualbooting Win9x/WinNT/Win2k.

[X] Basic boot sequences and methods, including the creation of an emergency boot disk for Win9x, WinNT and Win2k. Use of Startup disks, Safe Mode, NTLDR, boot.ini, making an Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

[X] Loading and configuring device drivers. Win9x Plug and Play and Win2k hardware drivers, installing and launching typical Windows and non-Windows applications. Setting up and configuring the Windows printing subsystem for Default Printer, spool settings and network printing.

Diagnosing and Troubleshooting (40% of exam)

[X] Common error codes and startup messages from the boot sequence. Safe Mode, No OS Found, Error in Config.sys, Command.com and Himem.sys errors, Windows Protection Error, Device Referenced in System.ini/Win.ini.

[X] Recognizing and resolving common problems. Diagnostic procedure involving the customer, identifying recent changes, printing problems. General Protection Faults, Illegal Operations, devices not functioning, inability to log onto network. Virus activities, types, sources, determining the presence of a virus.

Networks (15% of exam)

[X] Identifying network capabilities and connection procedures. Protocols, Ipconfig, Winipcfg. Sharing drives/printers, network type and Network Interface Card (NIC), installing/configuring browsers, configuring OS for network.

[X] Setting up Internet access. ISP's, Internet protocols, E-mail, Ping.exe, HTML/HTTP/FTP. Domain names, Dial-up Networking.

[Norm]

It would be a lot to learn for someone who just started with computers, but not all that much for a veteran.

I don't have an A+, but there was very little in that list I don't have a firm grasp of. You wouldn't have any trouble with an A+ course. And the test is a bunch of multiple choice questions. Easy to eliminate the wrong answers. I believe a 70% is a pass. (not sure it's the exact figure)

[Paft]

Originally posted by Norm
It would be a lot to learn for someone who just started with computers, but not all that much for a veteran.

I don't have an A+, but there was very little in that list I don't have a firm grasp of. You wouldn't have any trouble with an A+ course. And the test is a bunch of multiple choice questions. Easy to eliminate the wrong answers. I believe a 70% is a pass. (not sure it's the exact figure)

Average of 80%, 70% minimum on each section (Harware / Software).

Heeeh..

[Joint Chiefs of Staff]

Piece of cake Paft.

Your a smart enough guy so just do it!

[Ghosthunter]

Go here

http://www.cramsession.com/


one of the best sites for study test, prep, and naything related with getting certs

[Brent]

study the braindumps

[Annalysa]

I have a bunch of stuff on my system for the test at least i think i do

I used the shredder program which i can mail to you i have some kind of comptia i can mail you. The website i felt most useful was http://www.passitnow.com

had alot of the questions on it.

[Dan]

Extra time taken by SG staff to remove spam link in quotes so the affiliate links don't stay effective even after we delete all the spammers quotes..thanks! -Cat.

I'm going to make a dump on your head,

get the f outa here a s s h o l e

9 years ago !!??? really !?!??

s h i t ! too bad speedguide has become a (excuse my pun) a dumping ground for pathetic loser spammer d i c k h e a d s like this !

I'm so tired of weeners like this,all i want to do is take a dump on their heads !
.
.Philip should give me the ban button !

[Paft]

I'm going to make a dump on your head,

get the f outa here a s s h o l e

9 years ago !!??? really !?!??

s h i t ! too bad speedguide has become a (excuse my pun) a dumping ground for pathetic loser spammer d i c k h e a d s like this !

I'm so tired of weeners like this,all i want to do is take a dump on their heads !
.
.Philip should give me the ban button !

Heh, tell us how you really feel?

[Dan]

Heh, tell us how you really feel?

oh no,that would be way to extreme ! LOL

and besides,would you really want it any other way !?

[Leatherneck]

A+ LOL It was useful back when people had 144 games stored on a 3.5" diskette.

[RaisinCain]

Better to get your MCSE or better yet, get your CISCO certification- much more valuable. If you thought the A+ was a pain in the ass- get ready. LoL

[blebs]

Better to get your MCSE or better yet, get your CISCO certification- much more valuable. If you thought the A+ was a pain in the ass- get ready. LoL

Exactly what my son says. He got his and is in constant continuing education for more certifications.

[RaisinCain]

Exactly what my son says. He got his and is in constant continuing education for more certifications.

Because technology is ever changing? You always have to get re-certified. Duh.

[Shinobi]

I would take a seasoned A+ tech over most people that have MSCE..

[Leatherneck]

I would take a seasoned A+ tech over most people that have MSCE..

Of course Shinobi but that's because he would be 50 years old with a ton of real life experience!

[blebs]

Because technology is ever changing? You always have to get re-certified. Duh.

Seems there are many reasons. His employer pays for it all. He spends a couple weeks a year going to other places to learn about the newest of new things coming down the road. He has to be ready for it should his company implement it.

[YeOldeStonecat]

I would take a seasoned A+ tech over most people that have MSCE..

Yup
A+ is important...it's laying the foundation for a good education in the field. Continue to build your education on that foundation.

[Shinobi]

Yup
A+ is important...it's laying the foundation for a good education in the field. Continue to build your education on that foundation.

Correct.. I agree.. but its a bit more then that. Prime example.. tonight I had a Administrator call with a hardware issue. The server logs had it all... and this guy (with more MS certs then just MSCE) was like.. uh.. ya.. uh..

I told this guy, you can see the hardware failure in the event viewer logs! The guy is great on installing and configuring Windows based software. Troubleshooting hardware? .. nope.

[BMED]

A+ is good enough for me...cisco is overrated! That's just me, I retire in two years!

[DV]

A+ is good enough for me...cisco is overrated! That's just me, I retire in two years!

Maybe overrated, but not easy tests (for me anyhow). I passed Security + w/ 5 days of studying. Took me 2 fails and more studying than I care to remember before I passed the Cisco switching exam. I think most certs are overrated, in large part due to the amount of people with no qualms about using brain dumps.

Congrats on the upcoming retirement, I look forward to the day I can say I retire in two years

[RoundEye]

I think I was a MCSA with a Net+ when I quit working on PC's.