Overview
More than 18 hours of video training covering all of the objectives in the CompTIA A+ 220-901 exam. Description CompTIA A+ Complete Video Course is a unique video product that provides a solid understanding of A+ skills. The purpose of these videos is to act as quick, concise, hands-on, solutions-based modules that are easily digestible. They are meant to supplement any A+ training that the viewer is currently involved in. There are a total of 34 lessons, totaling over 18 hours of combined training. The videos cover all of the objectives on the 220-901 exam and include live hands-on demonstrations of the author building hardware solutions, whiteboard teaching, screen captures, audio instruction, animations, and more. This Complete Video Course Covers all of the 220-901 objectives Provides hardware and configuration demos Focuses on hands-on training About the Instructor David L. Prowse is an author, computer network specialist, and technical trainer. Over the past several years he has authored several titles for Pearson Education, including the well-received CompTIA A+ Exam Cram and CompTIA Security+ Cert Guide . As a consultant, he installs and secures the latest in computer and networking technology. Over the past decade he has also taught CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ certification courses, both in the classroom and via the Internet. He runs the website www.davidlprowse.com, where he gladly answers questions from students and readers. About Sneak Peek
Sneak Peek videos are available to Safari Books Online subscribers offering early access to the very latest information on a given topic. Sneak Peek videos do not include post-production editing and may include further revisions before the video is complete.
Skill Level
Beginner to Intermediate What You Will Learn
Covers all of the objectives in the CompTIA A+ 220-901 exam Gives concise and practical real-world advice Provides a step-by-step guide for answering the CompTIA performance-based questions Module 1: Hardware Module 2: Networking Module 3: Mobile Devices Module 4: Troubleshooting Who Should Take This Course
The target audience for CompTIA A+ Troubleshooting Techniques LiveLessons includes anyone studying for the CompTIA A+ exam, computer technicians, help desk technicians, LAN support specialists, and people who are new to the IT field.
Course Requirements
Users should have a basic working knowledge of computers.
Table of Contents Module 1 Hardware Lesson 1 Motherboard Components 1.1 Form Factors 1.2 The CPU, RAM, and the Chipset 1.3 The BIOS, and Lithium Battery 1.4 Expansion Slots 1.5 The Case and Connections 1.6 PC Build: The Motherboard Lesson 2 The CPU 2.1 Socket Types 2.2 CPU Speed 2.3 CPU Characteristics 2.4 Cooling 2.5 PC Build: The CPU Lesson 3 RAM 3.1 Types of RAM 3.2 Calculating the Data Transfer Rate of RAM 3.3 RAM Features 3.4 RAM Compatibility 3.5 PC Build: RAM Lesson 4 PC Expansion Cards 4.1 Types of Expansion Cards I 4.2 Types of Expansion Cards II 4.3 PC Build: Expansion Cards Lesson 5 Power Supplies 5.1 Power Connector Types 5.2 Power Supply Specifications 5.3 PC Build: Power Lesson 6 Storage 6.1 Magnetic Hard Drives 6.2 Solid-State Hard Drives 6.3 Flash-Based Drives 6.4 Optical Drives 6.5 Tape Drives 6.6 RAID Concepts and Hardware 6.7 PC Build: Storage Lesson 7 The BIOS 7.1 Accessing the BIOS 7.2 BIOS Component Information 7.3 BIOS Configurations 7.4 Diagnostics and Monitoring 7.5 PC Build: Flashing the BIOS Lesson 8 PC Connections 8.1 Display Connections 8.2 Audio Connections 8.3 Device Connections 8.4 Wireless Connections 8.5 Adapters and Converters 8.6 PC Build: Connecting Equipment Lesson 9 Custom PC Configurations 9.1 Design Workstations 9.2 Gaming PCs 9.3 HTPCs 9.4 Home Server PCs 9.5 Virtualization Workstations 9.6 Thick Clients versus Thin Clients 9.7 Audio/Video Editing Workstations Lesson 10 Displays 10.1 Display Types 10.2 Refresh Rates and Frame Rates 10.3 Resolution 10.4 Color Depth 10.5 Aspect Ratio 10.6 Brightness and Contrast 10.7 Signal Types, and Filters 10.8 PC Build: The Monitors Lesson 11 Peripherals 11.1 Input Devices 11.2 Output and Hybrid Devices 11.3 Input/Output Devices 11.4 PC Build: The Input Devices Lesson 12 Printers 12.1 Types of Printers & Maintenance 12.2 Configuration Settings 12.3 Device Sharing 12.4 The Laser Print Process 12.5 Virtual Printing 12.6 >PC Build: The Printer Module 2 Networking Lesson 13 Computer Networking Introduction 13.1 What Is a Computer Network? 13.2 What Are the Reasons for Having a Computer Network? 13.3 Clients versus Servers 13.4 Network Topologies 13.5 Network Media 13.6 Bandwidth and Data Transfer Rate Lesson 14 Network Architecture Devices 14.1 Switches 14.2 Routers 14.3 Access Points 14.4 Firewalls 14.5 Ethernet-based Devices 14.6 More Network Devices Lesson 15 Wired Networks 15.1 Coaxial and Fiber Optic Types and Connectors 15.2 Twisted-Pair Cable and Connectors 15.3 Twisted Pair Cabling and Testing Tools Lesson 16 Wireless Networks & SOHO Networking 16.1 Wireless Standards 16.2 Encryption Types 16.3 Wireless Channels 16.4 NAT and Port Forwarding 16.5 DHCP 16.6 DMZ Lesson 17 Internet Connection Types 17.1 Cable Internet, DSL, and Fiber Optic Internet Services 17.2 Cellular Internet, Mobile Hotspotes, and Tethering 17.3 Dial-up and ISDN 17.4 Satellite Internet 17.5 WiMAX and Line of Sight Wireless Lesson 18 TCP/IP 18.1 IPv4 18.2 IPv6 18.3 Public versus Private Addresses 18.4 Static versus Dynamic Addresses 18.5 Subnet Masks 18.6 Client IP Settings Lesson 19 Ports and Protocols 19.1 TCP versus UDP 19.2 DHCP 19.3 DNS 19.4 SMB, CIFS, AFP, and SNMP 19.5 SSH 19.6 Common TCP/IP Ports Module 3 Mobile Devices Lesson 20 Laptop Expansion Options 20.1 SODIMMs 20.2 Ports and Adapters Lesson 21 Laptop Hardware Replacement 21.1 Laptop: Hard Drive Removal and Installation 21.2 Laptop: Power and Speakers 21.3 Laptop: Housing and Screen 21.4 Laptop: Keyboard and Touchpad 21.5 Laptop: CPU, System Board, and Mini PCIe Lesson 22 Laptop Displays 22.1 Types of Laptop Displays 22.2 Laptop Components Lesson 23 Laptop Function Keys and Features 23.1 Display Functionality 23.2 Volume and Media 23.3 Keyboard and Touchpad Functionality 23.4 Wireless Functionality 23.5 Docking Stations 23.6 Laptop Security 23.7 Rotating and Removable Screens Lesson 24 Characteristics of Smart Phones and Tablets 24.1 Smart Phones 24.2 Tablets 24.3 Phablets 24.4 Wearable Technology 24.5 e-readers 24.6 Smart Cameras 24.7 >GPS Lesson 25 Ports and Accessories of Smart Phones and Tablets 25.1 USB and Vendor-specific Ports 25.2 Tethering 25.3 Wireless Connections 25.4 Hotspots 25.5 Headsets and Speakers 25.6 Memory Upgrades 25.7 Comparison of other Mobile Accessories
Module 4 Troubleshooting Lesson 26 PC Troubleshooting 26.1 Introduction to Troubleshooting 26.2 Troubleshooting PC Boot Issues 26.3 Troubleshooting Other Common PC Symptoms 26.4 Troubleshooting Example #1: Power Issue 26.5 Troubleshooting Example #2: Failure to Boot to Hard Drive Lesson 27 PC Troubleshooting Tools 27.1 Power Supply Tester 27.2 Multimeter 27.3 POST Devices 27.4 Loopback Plugs 27.5 More PC Tools Lesson 28 Troubleshooting Hard Drives and RAID Arrays 28.1 Hard Drive Issues 28.2 BSOD 28.3 RAID Errors Lesson 29 Hard Drive Troubleshooting Tools 29.1 Physical Tools 29.2 Windows Utilities 29.3 Third-Party Utilities Lesson 30 Troubleshooting Video Issues 30.1 Video Troubleshooting Part 1 30.2 Video Troubleshooting Part 2 Lesson 31 Troubleshooting Wired and Wireless Issues 31.1 Connectivity Problems 31.2 APIPA 31.3 IP Conflicts 31.4 Slow Transfer Speeds 31.5 Low RF Signal Problem 31.6 SSID Not Found Issue Lesson 32 Network Troubleshooting Tools 32.1 Hardware-based Network Troubleshooting Tools 32.2 Software-based Network Troubleshooting Tools Lesson 33 Troubleshooting Mobile Devices 33.1 Troubleshooting Common Mobile Device Issues Part 1 33.2 Troubleshooting Common Mobile Device Issues Part 2 33.3 Troubleshooting Common Mobile Device Issues Part 3 33.4 Troubleshooting Common Mobile Device Issues Part 4 33.5 Mobile Device Disassembling Processes Lesson 34 Troubleshooting Printers 34.1 Troubleshooting Common Printer Issues Part 1 34.2 Troubleshooting Common Printer Issues Part 2 34.3 Troubleshooting Common Printer Issues Part 3 34.4 Troubleshooting Common Printer Issues Part 4 34.5 >Printer Troubleshooting Tools Module 1: Hardware
Lesson 1: Motherboard Components
This video covers computer form factors, motherboard components, the computer case and connections, and finally shows how to properly install a motherboard. This installation is part of a custom PC build that continues throughout the course.
Lesson 2: The CPU
This video goes into more depth about the CPU, including socket types, speeds, and other characteristics, cooling methods, and how to install a CPU.
Lesson 3: RAM
This video explains the types of RAM that are used commonly in today's computers and shows how to calculate DDR data transfer rates, RAM compatibility, and how to install RAM.
vLesson 4: PC Expansion Cards
This shorter lesson shows how to install expansion cards, and defines the various types of cards (PCIe, PCI, PCI-X) that are in use today.
Lesson 5: Power Supplies
This video shows how to install a power supply into a computer case, make all of the required connections, and defines the various power supply specifications.
Lesson 6: Storage
This video describes magnetic drives, solid-state drives, optical drives, and various flash-based media. It also demonstrates how to configure RAID, and how to install basic SSD and optical drives.
Lesson 7: The BIOS
This video explains how the BIOS works and how it interacts with the CMOS and lithium battery. It also shows how to configure the BIOS, use the BIOS to monitor the system, and how to flash the BIOS in order to update it.
Lesson 8: PC Connections
This video focuses on audio and video connections, wireless connections, adapters and converters, and demonstrates in a hands-on fashion how to connect equipment to a PC.
Lesson 9: Custom PC Configurations
This video explains the types of custom PCs common today, including audio/video workstations, gaming PCs, home theater PCs, home servers, and virtualization workstations. It also uses the custom build and shows typical power-user software, such as Adobe Premiere and ProTools.
Lesson 10: Displays
This video defines the different display types, such as LCD, LED, and OLED and describes video concepts such as refresh rate, aspect ratio, color depth, as well as demonstrating how to connect multiple displays to a single system.
Lesson 11: Peripherals
This video discusses input and output devices and shows how some basic devices such as keyboards, mice, and displays are connected to a computer.
Lesson 12: Printers
This video deals with the four main types of printers laser, inkjet, impact, and thermal but focuses on the laser printer. It demonstrates how to configure printers and share them with other computers.
Module 2: Networking
Lesson 13: Computer Networking Introduction
This lesson delves into the core concepts of computer networking, including a basic definition and purpose for the computer network, as well as topologies, media used, and data transfer rates.
Lesson 14: Network Architecture Devices
Here we define the most common network devices in use today, including switches, routers, wireless access points, firewalls, and network adapters.
Lesson 15: Wired Networks
In this lesson, the focus is on twisted-pair networks, but some attention is also given to coaxial and fiber optic connections. Included in the presentation are cable types, standards, cabling tools, and testing tools.
Lesson 16: Wireless Networks & SOHO Networking
Describes wireless standards, shows how to make wireless connections, and demonstrates how to configure an access point for encryption, DHCP, NAT, DMZ, as well as how to upgrade a typical SOHO device.
Lesson 17: Internet Connection Types
This video describes common Internet connections such as cable, DSL, fiber optic-based connections, cellular, dial-up, ISDN, and WiMAX. It demonstrates cable Internet and cellular connections in a hands-on manner.
Lesson 18: TCP/IP
For this video, we cover the basics of TCP/IP. As this is not a networking course, the sub-lessons will be kept very brief. However, the foundational concepts of IPv4 and IPv6 are covered, as well as the types of IP addresses: private, public, static, and dynamic. Subnet masks and other client IP settings are covered as well and shown in a hands-on manner.
Lesson 19: Ports and Protocols
This video covers TCP/UDP, DHCP, DNS, SNMP, SSH, and other networking protocols that are common today. More importantly, the ports used by these protocols are presented in an easy-to-memorize manner. Once again, these topics are presented in a concise way to emphasize their meaning for the A+ exam.
Module 3: Mobile Devices
Lesson 20: Laptop Expansion Options
This video describes SO-DIMMs and how to install them in a laptop. It also covers the basics of ExpressCard devices and the ports and adapters you will find for a laptop.
Lesson 21: Laptop Hardware Replacement
Here we get more into the hands-on demonstrations concerning laptops including hard drive and optical drive installation, battery replacement, and keyboard and touchpad replacement. This video also shows other devices such as the CPU and system board, and discusses best practices when dealing with them.
Lesson 22: Laptop Displays
In this quick lesson, we talk about the different types of laptop displays and the components within them.
Lesson 23: Laptop Function Keys and Features
Here we demonstrate how to configure and manipulate a laptop's display, volume, media, and wireless. The lesson also discusses docking stations and laptop security, as well as rotating and removable screens.
Lesson 24: Characteristics of Smart Phones and Tablets
With the growth of mobile devices, CompTIA has increased its coverage of smart phones and tablets. This lesson delves into these devices, wearable technology, e-readers, smart cameras and GPS.
Lesson 25: Ports and Accessories of Smart Phones and Tablets
This lesson covers the ports of mobile devices but focuses more on wireless connections, mobile hot spots, tethering, and accessories such as headsets and memory upgrades.
Module 4: Troubleshooting
Lesson 26: PC Troubleshooting
This lesson introduces the A+ troubleshooting methodology and gives examples of troubleshooting scenarios, solved in a hands-on manner.
Lesson 27: PC Troubleshooting Tools
This lesson expands on the last one by demonstrating the use of various tools, including the PSU tester, multimeter, POST card tester, and loopback plugs.
Lesson 28: Troubleshooting Hard Drives and RAID Arrays
This video defines the common hard drive issues that can occur, plus the blue screen of death error, as well as the fundamentals of troubleshooting RAID errors.
Lesson 29: Hard Drive Troubleshooting Tools
This lesson expands on the last one by demonstrating some of the physical and software-based tools used to troubleshoot hard drives.
Lesson 30: Troubleshooting Video Issues
This short lesson covers basic video troubleshooting, including screen adjustments, driver issues, and configuration problems, and briefly discusses problems with physical displays and inverters.
Lesson 31: Troubleshooting Wired and Wireless Issues
This video covers connectivity issues, IP conflicts, slow transfer speeds, and wireless, RF, and SSID issues.
Lesson 32: Network Troubleshooting Tools
Here we give a concise demonstration of hardware and software-based networking troubleshooting tools and examples of how they are used.
Lesson 33: Troubleshooting Mobile Devices
This video discusses the most common issues that plague smart phones and tablets, and demonstrates how to troubleshoot them in a methodical manner. It also shows some basic disassembly procedures for mobile devices.
Lesson 34: Troubleshooting Printers
This video discusses the most common issues that hamper printers (especially laser printers), and demonstrates how to troubleshoot them in a logical manner. It also shows some of the troubleshooting tools used when dealing with printer issues.
About LiveLessons Video Training
LiveLessons Video Training series publishes hundreds of hands-on, expert-led video tutorials covering a wide selection of technology topics designed to teach you the skills you need to succeed. This professional and personal technology video series features world-leading author instructors published by your trusted technology brands: Addison-Wesley, Cisco Press, IBM Press, Pearson IT Certification, Prentice Hall, Sams, and Que. Topics include: IT Certification, Programming, Web Development, Mobile Development, Home and Office Technologies, Business and Management, and more. View all LiveLessons on InformIT at http://www.informit.com/livelessons.