A+ Certification

Knowledge and supplies needed to prepare for the A+ Certification test

A+ Certification is created by a non-profit organization called CompTIA. Visit comptia.org to determine CompTIA specific information. CompTIA's certifications are vendor neutral and are used in the computing industry. Though not a prerequisite, A+ Certification is a natural lead-in to other CompTIA certifications, such as Network+, Server+, Linux+, Security+, iNet+ and others. It is the only industry certification based on PC Maintenance.
To obtain A+ Certification, one must have knowledge in many areas of Microsoft Windows, and the IBM style of personal computer. In this course the student will take apart a computer, identify parts, be able to assemble a computer, and practice using different operating systems.
A student attempting the A+ Certification should have approximately 500 hours work experience with operating systems, computer hardware, system files, maintenance, networking, configuration of hardware and software, and troubleshooting computer problems.
Courses and other study materials can be found on the internet.
To study for the exam, the following materials are needed:

• A PC with Microsoft Windows XP and 2000
• Grounding pad
• Anti Static Wrist Strap (ESD Bracelet or Ground Bracelet)
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• Calculator

[edit] Exam details

The A+ certification exam was updated in late 2006, so the structure of the exam is different than it had been for the three years prior to the update. (In September of 2008, CompTIA is holding meetings which appear to be geared towards another revision, possibly for 2010.) The 2003 exams had an average pass rate of between 3% and 10%. The new A+ exam has been redesigned to have a 20% pass rate. A+ certification currently entails two tests: A+ Essentials (220-601) and one of three elective exams, IT Technician (220-602), Remote Support Technician (220-603), or Depot Technician (220-604). Both of these tests must be passed in order to receive A+ certification. CompTIA suggests that one take the A+ Essentials exam before the other, but they can be taken in either order.
As of 2010, the total cost is 336 USD (168 USD for each test). If you are a student check with your school's Career Tech program, most public schools are Jobs+ sites. If your school is a Jobs+ site you can get the A+ voucher for half the price as you would retail. Many companies that offer training are CompTIA affiliates and can also sell you the voucher at discounted prices. The CompTIA A+ Essentials consists of 100 questions, and the elective consists of 90 questions. A passing score on the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam is 675, on any of the electives is 700.
The A+ Essentials test consists of 8 "domains":

Domain	Percentage of exam
Personal computer components	21
Laptop and portable devices	11
Operating systems	21
Printers and scanners	9
Networks	12
Security	11
Safety and environmental issues	10
Communication and professionalism	5
Total	100

[edit] Disassembling and reassembling a computer

One of the best things you can do to prepare for the exam is to learn the function of and how to identify the hardware inside of a computer. The following is a rough guideline for the order in which to disconnect components from your computer system. Be sure to place items in anti-static bags, where appropriate. Static electricity can damage components or destroy data. Always wear an anti-static wrist strap when working inside the case. DO NOT wear one while the power is still attached.

1. Detach external devices
   
   
   
   
   1. Detach power cable
   2. Detach keyboard and mouse
   3. Detach monitor
   4. Detach serial, parallel, and USB devices
   5. Detach network cables, telephone lines, speaker cables, etc.
   6. Detach all other peripheral devices
   7. Remove system case
2. Remove internal components (be sure that the computer is unplugged from any power source before removing components) (but, remember that if you unplug the power, the computer components are no longer grounded and there is increased likelihood of device damage from electrostatic discharge. This is why you should wear an anti-static wrist strap.)
   
   
   
   
   1. Detach internal power cables and connectors from all storage devices
   2. Remove hard drive, floppy drive, CD-ROM and other storage devices
   3. Remove interface cards
   4. Remove power cables from system board
   5. Remove all other cables from the system board
   6. Remove screws or clips holding motherboard in place
   7. Remove motherboard
   8. Remove DIMM or RIMM memory modules
   9. Remove CPU fan, heat sink, and CPU

The computer should be reassembled in the reverse order. For the exam one must know how to install and configure hardware and other input and multimedia devices. There is no practical component to any of the A+ exams.

[edit] Identifying hardware components

One of the essential requirements for A+ Certification is identifying names, purposes, and characteristics of specific hardware components, including the following:

• Floppy disk drive
• Hard disk drive
• Optical disc drive
• Motherboard
• Power supply
• Cooling system
• CPU
• RAM
• Display devices
• Adapter card
• Ports
• Cables

These are not devices:

• IRQ
• DMA

[edit] Identifying operating systems

Although the examination focuses almost exclusively on Microsoft's Windows operating system (OS), one should also know about differences among other operating systems.
Microsoft operating systems:

• Legacy Windows OS's (need only to know upgrade paths):
  
  
  
  
  • Windows 95
  • Windows 98
  • Windows ME
  • Windows NT 4.0
• Current Windows OS's (focus on these for the new exam):
  
  
  
  
  • Windows 2000
  • Windows XP
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows 7

Apple operating systems:

• Mac OS X (which is based on Unix-like system-exam question)
• Mac OS 9

Unix-like operating systems:

• BSD (and derivations like FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and NetBSD)
• NextStep
• GNU/Linux

[edit] Boot Process for Operating Systems

[edit] DOS BOOT PROCESS

1. Upon powering on the machine a POST (Power on Self Test) is executed, this does a quick test on things such as the memory and power supply of a machine. POST transfers control to CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) which contains the BIOS (Basic Input Output System). The BIOS loads various low level settings such as boot-order and network settings. The BIOS is also a very useful tool for testing memory or hard drives, as well as finding out basic information such as serial numbers and asset tags. Note if POST fails it is usually identified by various light or audible beep codes which often can be searched for by model on the manufacturers' website.
2. The BIOS searches attached disk drives and peripherals (such as USB flash drives) for a valid Master Boot Record (MBR). The MBR contains a series of tasks for loading an Operating System(OS). If a valid MBR is found, instructions for loading the OS are read. If no valid MBRs are detected by the BIOS, an error message is displayed.
3. Instructions from the MBR are read. This instructions check the floppy, CD-ROM, or hard drive (not necessarily in that order). The MBR points to the boot sector, which locates IO.SYS and loads the file into RAM.
4. IO.SYS is a file that loads low level drivers for hardware devices like the keyboard, serial and parallel ports, floppy drive, and hard drive. Next, IO.SYS will run Sysinit which in turn loads Msdos.sys into RAM.
5. MSDOS.SYS in turn helps manage the input and output for the hard disk. It processes the commands in Config.sys. Config.sys loads all the other device drivers and manages memory for optimization.
6. Command.com is loaded into RAM. Command.com is a file that stores all your internal commands.
7. Command.com then processes Autoexec.bat which will set the initial configuration of DOS. The user can add what programs to start each time the computer boots.
8. The last step will get you the command prompt.

[edit] WIN95/98/ME BOOT PROCESS (Similar to DOS)

1. POST is performed.
2. Master Boot Record (MBR) is loaded into RAM and locates the boot sector. The boot sector then locates the Io.sys.
3. The Io.sys runs Sysinit and loads Msdos.sys into RAM.
4. Io.sys then loads System.dat, but does not process at this time.
5. Io.sys then loads Config.sys and Autoexec.bat. These are not necessary to load the operating system, but are needed when 16 bit (real mode) drivers are used.
6. Io.sys then loads Win.com which start the operating system.
7. Win.com loads drivers specified by the registry.
8. Win.com processes the System.ini and Win.ini files. System.ini is used to configure the memory cache and buffers. Win.ini is used for 16-bit applications. Otherwise, they are run by the registry.
9. Win.com will start KERNEL32.DLL, KERNEL386.EXE, GDI.EXE, and GDI32.EXE. The Kernel files are the operating systems. The GDI files are responsible for the graphical functions and display.
10. The Kernel files will load the Explorer user interface, which includes the Desktop, Taskbar, and Start Menu.
11. The Kernel will then process anything in the Startup folder and restore network connections.
12. The user can now interact with the operating system.

[edit] WIN2000/NT/XP BOOT PROCESS

1. BIOS runs POST.
2. Computer finds the boot device and loads Master Boot Record (MBR) into RAM.
3. MBR looks for the active partition on the boot device and loads the boot sector.
4. The boot sector in turn starts the Ntldr file which will load the operating system.
5. Ntldr configures the computer’s processor to recognize all of the memory.
6. Ntldr will start the file system, and the operating system will load, whether it is FAT or NTFS.
7. Ntldr checks the Boot.ini file to find the operating system(s) and to create the boot menu.
8. After the operating system is selected, Ntldr will run Ntdetect.com which will make the hardware list.
9. Ntldr will load Ntoskrnl.exe which is the kernel of the operating system.
10. The operating system will start the graphical interface.
11. Ntoskrnl.exe loads Smss.exe which is the Session Manager.
12. The user logs on.

[edit] WINDOWS VISTA BOOT PROCESS

TODO todonote

1. BIOS run POST.
2. Computer finds the boot device and loads Master Boot Record (MBR) into RAM.
3. MBR looks for the active partition on the boot device and loads the boot sector.
1. The boot sector in turn starts the bootmgr file which will load the operating systems.http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/A%2B_Certification
2. 05/13/10