The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

This series will give you the study guide you need for the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam, which is the first of two exams now required to earn CompTIA A+ certification. This certification validates the knowledge and skills of entry-level computer service technicians. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification recognized by major hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers. CompTIA A+ certification confirms a technician's ability to perform tasks such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

1. Computer Components
Time: 4 hours
This course provides information on computer components such as ports and cables, cooling systems, input and storage devices, and motherboard form factors. It also covers troubleshooting and preventive maintenance for computer components.
Objectives

• Identify the power supply, motherboard, CMOS, CPU, IDE, SATA, card and slot type, display devices, ports, cable and connector types, and input and storage devices
• Install and configure hard disk drives, the CPU, storage devices, display devices, input devices, and multimedia devices
• Discuss troubleshooting and preventive maintenance procedures

Topics

• The central processing unit
• Slot types and display devices
• Input devices, ports, cables, and cooling systems
• Storage devices
• Installing and configuring computer components
• Troubleshooting computer components
• Performing preventive maintenance

2. Operating Systems
Time: 2 hours
This course provides information on installing and upgrading operating systems. It also covers hardware compatibility, backing up data, and configuring Windows XP driver-signing options.
Objectives

• Use Microsoft's online Hardware Compatibility List
• Recognize common Windows operating system components and configuration tools
• Create a directory
• Install, configure, and optimize operating systems
• Perform an operating system upgrade
• Backup and restore data
• Configure driver-signing options in Windows XP

3. Diagnosing Problems
Time: 2 hours
This course provides techniques and procedures for diagnosing problems with computers.
Objectives

• Identify the major recovery options
• Enable TCP/IP
• Install Remote Desktop
• Describe common diagnostic procedures
• Perform preventive maintenance for operating systems

Topics

• Recovery and restoration
• TCP/IP and Remote Desktop
• Diagnostic procedures
• Preventive maintenance

4. Laptops and Portable Devices
Time: 2 hours
This course demonstrates concepts and procedures related to the effective use and maintenance of laptops and portable devices.
Objectives

• Identify the fundamental principles of using laptops and portable devices
• Distinguish between hot-swappable and cold-swappable devices
• Use tools, diagnostic procedures, and troubleshooting techniques for laptops and portable devices
• Perform preventive maintenance on laptops and portable devices

Topics

• Working with laptops and portable devices
• Configuring laptop power options
• Using laptop peripherals
• Troubleshooting laptops
• Preventive maintenance for laptops

5. Printers and Scanners
Time: 2 hours
This course demonstrates concepts and procedures related to the installing, configuring, and troubleshooting printers and scanners.
Objectives

• Differentiate between impact and non-impact printers
• Describe the various types of printers and their functions
• Install, configure, and optimize printers and scanners
• Identify common errors and troubleshooting techniques for printers and scanners

Topics

• Working with printers and scanners
• Installing printers and scanners
• Troubleshooting printers and scanners

6. Networks
Time: 2 hours
This course identifies basic networking concepts. It discusses networking models, network technologies, and different network architectures. Troubleshooting network problems is also covered.
Objectives

• Identify the fundamental principles of networks
• Define various network technologies
• Install and configure networks
• Identify tools, diagnostic procedures, and techniques for troubleshooting networks

Topics

• Network protocols and hardware
• Network technologies
• Installing and configuring networks
• Troubleshooting networks

7. Security
Time: 2 hours
This course explains various procedures and techniques to configure and troubleshoot security settings to maximize the protection of confidential company information.
Objectives

• Discuss the security options for a computer network
• Describe the methods used to secure company data
• Install and configure security settings
• Add a user account and password to a computer
• Recall troubleshooting techniques for security
• Demonstrate preventative maintenance techniques for computer security

Topics

• Hardware, software, and wireless security
• Data and physical security
• Installing and configuring security
• Troubleshooting security
• Maintaining security

8. Safety, Environment, and Customer Issues
Time: 2 hours
This course describes the potential safety hazards involved in computer repair. It also explains how to provide good customer service.
Objectives

• Identify potential safety and environmental hazards
• Implement proper safety procedures
• Identify proper disposal procedures
• Use good communication skills with customers and colleagues
• Use professional behavior on the job

Topics

• Safety in the workplace
• Hazards and safety precautions
• Proper disposal procedures
• Communication skills
• Professional behavior

9. Practice Exam 1
Time: 1 hours
This course presents questions that will help you prepare for the CompTIA A+ Essentials 220-601 exam. The feedback for each question provides in-depth background on the topic, including why each incorrect option was wrong and what to look for in correct answers.
Objectives

• Complete the practice exam questions

Topics

• Practice Exam

10. Practice Exam 2
Time: 1 hours
This course presents questions that will help you prepare for the CompTIA A+ Essentials 220-601 exam. The feedback for each question provides in-depth background on the topic, including why each incorrect option was wrong and what to look for in correct answers.
Objectives

• Complete the practice exam questions

Topics

• Practice Exam

11. Practice Exam 3
Time: 1 hours
This course presents questions that will help you prepare for the CompTIA A+ Essentials 220-601 exam. The feedback for each question provides in-depth background on the topic, including why each incorrect option was wrong and what to look for in correct answers.
Objectives

• Complete the practice exam questions

Topics

• Practice Exam

12. Practice Exam 4
Time: 1 hours
This course presents questions that will help you prepare for the CompTIA A+ Essentials 220-601 exam. The feedback for each question provides in-depth background on the topic, including why each incorrect option was wrong and what to look for in correct answers.
Objectives

• Complete the practice exam questions

Topics

• Practice Exam

13. Practice Exam 5
Time: 1 hours
This course presents questions that will help you prepare for the CompTIA A+ Essentials 220-601 exam. The feedback for each question provides in-depth background on the topic, including why each incorrect option was wrong and what to look for in correct answers.
Objectives

• Complete the practice exam questions

Topics

• Practice Exam

14. Practice Exam 6
Time: 1 hours
This course presents questions that will help you prepare for the CompTIA A+ Essentials 220-601 exam. The feedback for each question provides in-depth background on the topic, including why each incorrect option was wrong and what to look for in correct answers.
Objectives

• Complete the practice exam questions

Topics

• Practice Exam