A+ Certification Electives (AG168)

Synopsis
This five-day practical "hands-on" course will teach support newcomers the essentials of installing and troubleshooting all types of PC hardware.


Course Objectives
On completion of this CompTIA A+ Certification Electives course, students will be able to:

• Describe PC support industry job roles
• Manage Windows using command line tools and edit the Registry
• Use Remote Tools to deploy, maintain, optimise, and troubleshoot systems
• Use tools to recover or restore a damaged installation
• Configure and troubleshoot local network and wireless connections
• Configure and manage users, groups, and shared resources
• Configure and secure internet connections and web browser software
• Perform preventative maintenance using approved tools and products
• Assemble, disassemble, and upgrade PC and notebook components
• Configure and update BIOS/CMOS
• Troubleshoot, optimise, and upgrade hardware
• Troubleshoot and maintain printers and scanners

This course (when completed in conjunction with "CompTIA A+ Essentials") will prepare students to take one of the CompTIA A+ Certification Elective exams:

• 220-602 CompTIA A+ Certification IT Technician
• 220-603 CompTIA A+ Certification Remote Support Technician
• 220-604 CompTIA A+ Certification Depot Technician

The course consists of two volumes, with a study volume, containing indexed notes and review questions, and a companion volume, containing exam objectives mapping, exam information, practical labs, answers to review questions, and a comprehensive glossary.


Prerequisites
Students should have successfully completed the "CompTIA A+ Essentials" course or have previous experience of PC support. Specifically, it is recommended that students have the following skills and knowledge before starting this course:

• Identify types and characteristics of PC components, including motherboard, CPU, memory, and storage, input, and output devices
• Install and configure basic peripheral devices
• Identify types and characteristics of portable computers
• Install and configure Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows XP
• Perform basic PC maintenance and troubleshooting
• Understand fundamental principles of securing IT systems and working safely
• Communicate effectively with customers
• Install and configure print and imaging devices
• Understand fundamental principles of implementing LANs and internet access

Suitable for
students wanting to improve their skills in PC support and administration.

Course Contents
Module 1 PC Support Industry

• PC Support Industry
  • IT Technicians
  • Remote Support
  • Depot Technicians
  • Problem Management
  • Quality Assurance

Module 2 Configuring and Troubleshooting the OS

• Using the Command Prompt
  • Command Prompt and Text Editors
  • Navigating Directories at the Command Prompt
  • File Management using a Command Prompt
• System Management Tools
  • Options for Deploying Windows
  • Microsoft Management Console
  • Windows Optimisation Tools
  • Remote Utilities
  • Windows Registry
• System Recovery
  • Windows Troubleshooting
  • System Restore
  • Emergency Repair
  • Data Backup

Module 3 Network Support

• Connectivity and Client Options
  • TCP/IP
  • Configuring Network Properties
  • Configuring Wireless Connections
  • Configuring Client Options
• Sharing Resources
  • Local and Domain User Accounts
  • Creating User Accounts
  • Planning and Implementing Groups
  • Setting Share Permissions
  • NTFS Folder and File Permissions
  • Encrypting Files and Folders
  • Auditing
• Internet Standards and Applications
  • Overview of the Internet
  • Development of the Internet
  • Internet Services
  • The World Wide Web
  • Electronic Mail (Email)
  • Newsgroups (Usenet)
  • File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
  • Telnet
  • Instant Messaging
  • Virtual Private Networks
  • Domain Names
  • Uniform Resource Indicator
  • Internet Email Addresses
• Configuring Internet Access
  • Accessing the Internet
  • Web Browser Security
  • Network Maintenance and Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Networks
  • Testing TCP/IP

Module 4 PC Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• PC Maintenance
  • Electrical Circuits
  • Maintenance Toolkit
  • Hazards
  • Preventative Maintenance
  • Maintaining Display Devices
  • Maintaining Disk and Tape Drives
  • Cleaning Inside the Case
  • Power Problems
• Installing and Removing Hardware
  • Disassembling a PC
  • Removing Peripheral Devices
  • Removing Storage Devices
  • Reassembling the PC
  • Adding and Removing Notebook Devices
• BIOS, CMOS, and System Resources
  • BIOS and CMOS
  • BIOS/CMOS Setup Programs
  • System Resources
  • Plug-and-Play
• Troubleshooting and Optimisation
  • Diagnostic Hardware and Software
  • Troubleshooting Upgrading, and Optimising Hardware
• Maintaining Printers and Scanners
  • Dot Matrix Printers
  • Inkjet Printers
  • Laser Printers
  • Other Printer Types
  • Scanners
  • Installing, Maintaining, and Upgrading Printers and Scanners
  • Printer Troubleshooting
  • Configuring and Troubleshooting Scanners