Certificate in Intermediate CompTIA A+ Certification Prep Online Course

Installing Windows

In this first lesson, I'll teach you about installing Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. You'll learn about the preparation required for installing any version of Windows, such as checking hardware requirements and backing up your personal files. I'll also show you the specific installation process for each version of Windows, along with what you need to do after you successfully complete the installation. Finally, I'll describe some common installation errors and how to recover from them.

Understanding Windows

In this lesson, you'll learn about the various versions and editions of Windows covered on the CompTIA A+ exams. I'll teach you about the main elements of the Windows interface, like the taskbar and Start menu, as well as show you how Windows is structured into special directories. Finally, I'll introduce you to some of the basic tools for configuring and maintaining Windows.

Organizing Windows

Today, you'll learn about more advanced features of Windows. I'll teach you about the key user and system folders of Windows. You'll also learn about how users, groups, and other features shape how you interact with Windows. Finally, we'll walk through the boot process for each version of Windows.

Windows Structures

Get ready to explore the structures that power Windows. You'll learn about the Registry, a database that stores everything about your PC. I'll teach you how Windows uses processes and services, the building blocks for everything running in Windows. Finally, you'll learn about special Windows tools for programmers

The Command-Line Interface

In today's lesson, you'll learn how to use the text-based command-line interface. I'll teach you about the command prompt and how to use it to navigate the Windows folder structure. You'll learn about basic commands for listing commands and creating new directories, and we'll discuss advanced commands for moving and copying files.

Maintaining Windows

Maintaining Windows is critical, so today we'll discuss how to download the latest Windows updates and service packs from Microsoft. You'll also learn about the tools and utilities included in Windows that keep it healthy, like Disk Defragmenter and the System Configuration tool. Finally, I'll teach you how to automate your maintenance procedures with the Windows Task Scheduler.

Optimizing Windows

In Lesson 7, you'll learn about how to improve the performance of your PC by optimizing your hardware and software. We'll discuss installing and removing applications and features, as well as updating and rolling back hardware drivers using Device Manager. I'll also teach you how to prepare your PC for any future problems using the various backup and restore tools included with Windows.

Troubleshooting Windows Boot

Today, I'll teach you how to troubleshoot the Windows boot process. We'll discuss the kinds of problems you can encounter in Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, as well as how to deal with them. I'll show you how to use specific utilities like the Windows Recovery Environment and the Windows Preinstallation Environment. Finally, we'll discuss using command-line commands to fix boot errors.

Troubleshooting the Windows GUI

A necessary skill every tech needs is to know how to troubleshoot Windows from multiple perspectives. Today, I'll teach you what to do when the GUI fails to load normally, and I'll point out several troubleshooting tools and the scenarios in which they are most useful. We'll also discuss applications issues like bad installations and Windows compatibility options.

Virtual Machines

In this lesson, we'll discuss virtualization—using special software to run a second operating system within your real OS. I'll show you what virtualization is and explain its many benefits. You'll also learn about the types of virtualization and popular virtualization software.

Printer Technologies

The CompTIA A+ certification strongly stresses the area of printing and expects you to have a high degree of technical knowledge about all types of printers. Today, we'll begin our trip into printers. You'll learn about the types of printers in common use today. I'll teach you how printers connect to PCs and networks; plus I'll talk about how they communicate with computers. Finally, we'll look at the laser printing process in detail so that you can troubleshoot like a printer technician.

Installing and Troubleshooting Printers

In our final lesson, I'll introduce you to installing and troubleshooting printers. First, I'll discuss installation so that you'll learn setup and optimization techniques for all kinds of printers. Next up, I'll give you an inside look at general printer troubleshooting. Finally, we'll discuss troubleshooting the main types of printers: impact, inkjet, and laser.