CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 Authorized Cert …

1 CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 Authorized cert guide Third Edition Mark Edward Soper David L. Prowse Scott Mueller 800 East 96th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46240 USA. CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 Authorized cert guide , Associate Publisher Third Edition Dave Dusthimer Copyright 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc. Acquisitions Editor All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in Betsy Brown a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from Development Editor the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the Andrew Cupp information contained herein.

2 Although every precaution has been taken in Managing Editor the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no respon- Sandra Schroeder sibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. Senior Project Editor ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-4850-8 Tonya Simpson ISBN-10: 0-7897-4850-9. Copy Editor Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data is on file. Apostrophe Editing Printed in the United States of America Services First Printing: September 2012. Proofreader Trademarks Megan Wade All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or ser- Technical Editor vice marks have been appropriately capitalized.

3 Pearson IT Certification Chris Crayton cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service Editorial Assistant mark. Vanessa Evans Media Producer Warning and Disclaimer Tim Warner Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information provided Book Designer is on an as is basis. The authors and the publisher shall have neither li- Gary Adair ability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained in this book or from the Compositor use of the CD or programs accompanying it.

4 Bronkella Publishing Bulk Sales Pearson IT Certification offers excellent discounts on this book when or- dered in quantity for bulk purchases or special sales. For more information, please contact Corporate and Government Sales 1-800-382-3419. For sales outside the United States, please contact International Sales Contents iii Contents at a Glance Introduction xxxvii CHAPTER 1 Technician Essentials and PC Anatomy 101 3. CHAPTER 2 Motherboards and Processors 29. CHAPTER 3 BIOS 85. CHAPTER 4 Power Supplies and System Cooling 129. CHAPTER 5 RAM 177. CHAPTER 6 I/O and Input Ports and Devices 207. CHAPTER 7 Video Displays and Video Cards 273.

5 CHAPTER 8 Customized PCs and Multimedia Devices 313. CHAPTER 9 Laptop and Notebook Computers 345. CHAPTER 10 Mobile Devices 397. CHAPTER 11 Printers 449. CHAPTER 12 Storage Devices 501. CHAPTER 13 Installing and Upgrading Windows 565. CHAPTER 14 Using and Managing Windows 605. CHAPTER 15 Troubleshooting and Maintaining Windows 705. CHAPTER 16 Networking 769. CHAPTER 17 Security 869. CHAPTER 18 Operational Procedures and Communications Methods 929. GLOSSARY 953. Index 995. CD Only: APPENDIX A Memory Tables APPENDIX B Memory Tables Answer Key iv CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 Authorized cert guide Table of Contents Introduction xxxvii Chapter 1 Technician Essentials and PC Anatomy 101 3.

6 The Essential Parts of Any Computer 4. Front and Rear Views of a Desktop PC 5. All Around a Notebook (Laptop) Computer 7. Quick Reference to PC Components 8. Hardware, Software, and Firmware 9. Hardware 10. Software 10. Firmware 11. Why Hardware, Software, and Firmware Are Important to Understand 11. Points of Failure 11. Points of Failure on a Desktop Computer 12. Points of Failure on a Notebook Computer 13. The CompTIA Six-Step Troubleshooting Process 14. PC Tools 15. Basic Tools for Assembly/Disassembly of Computers 15. ESD Protection 16. System and Electrical Testing Tools 16. Network Installation and Configuration Tools 17.

7 Printer Maintenance Tools 18. Important Websites 18. Review All the Key Topics 19. Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 19. Define Key Terms 19. Complete Hands-On Labs 19. Lab 1-1: Determine the External Equipment Available on a Desktop or Laptop Computer 20. Lab 1-2: Determine the Tool(s) to Use for Performing Specified Service on a PC 21. Answer Review Questions 21. Contents v Answers to Hands-On Labs 24. Lab 1-1: Determine the external equipment available on a desktop or laptop computer. 24. Lab 1-2: Determine the tool(s) to use for performing specified service on a PC. 26. Answers and Explanations to Review Questions 26.

8 Chapter 2 Motherboards and Processors 29. Motherboards and Their Components 30. Form Factors 31. Integrated I/O Ports 33. Memory Slots 35. Expansion Slots 36. Chipset Components 42. Jumpers and Jumper Blocks 44. Fan Connectors 44. Audio Connectors 45. Front-Panel Connectors 46. Installing Motherboards 48. Step-by-Step Motherboard Removal 48. Preparing the Motherboard for Installation 50. Step-by-Step Motherboard Installation 51. Troubleshooting Motherboards 52. Unexpected Shutdowns 52. Continuous Reboots (Power Supply and BSOD Problems) 53. BIOS Time and Settings Resets 53. System Lockups 54. POST Code Beeps at Startup 54.

9 Blank Screen on Bootup 54. Smoke or Burning Smells 55. System Will Not Start 55. Processors and CPUs 58. Overview of Processor Differences 58. Intel Processors 58. AMD Processors 64. vi CompTIA A+ 220-801 and 220-802 Authorized cert guide CPU Technologies 69. Hyperthreading (HT Technology) 70. Multicore 70. Cache 70. Bus Speeds 71. Overclocking 72. 32-bit Versus 64-bit Architecture 73. Virtualization Support 73. Integrated GPU 74. CPU Cooling 74. Passive and Active Heat Sinks 75. Liquid Cooling Systems 76. Review All the Key Topics 78. Complete the Tables and Lists from Memory 79. Define Key Terms 79. Complete Hands-On Lab 79.

10 Lab 2-1: Determine Available USB Ports, Locations, and Types 79. Lab 2-2: Determine Smallest Form Factor Suitable for a New PC 80. Answer Review Questions 80. Answers to Hands-On Lab 82. Lab 2-1: Determine Available USB Ports, Locations, and Types 82. Lab 2-2: Determine Smallest Form Factor Suitable for a New PC 83. Answers and Explanations to Review Questions 83. Chapter 3 BIOS 85. Understanding BIOS, CMOS, and Firmware 86. Configuring the System BIOS 89. Accessing the BIOS Setup Program 89. UEFI and Traditional BIOS 91. BIOS Settings Overview 92. Automatic Configuration of BIOS/CMOS Settings 95. Main Menu 96. Standard Features/Settings 96.