The Path of the PC Tech

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

The Path of the PC TechChapter 1

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

Overview

• In this chapter, you will learn how to

– Explain the importance of gaining skill in managing and troubleshooting PCs

– Explain the importance of CompTIA A+ certification

– Describe how to become a CompTIA A+ Certified Technician

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

Concept of Certifications

• Required in many professions

– Automobile mechanic – ASE

– Accountant – CPA

• Certification shows competency

– Often opens doors

– Helps get your resume noticed

– Helps you land the interview

Certified

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

Importance of CompTIA A+ Certification

• There is a long history of vendor-specific certifications for techs– HP Certified Professional– Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

• There was a need for a general certification for PC techs– Validate that the tech can maintain, upgrade, and

repair PCs

• CompTIA A+ is that certification

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

What Is CompTIA A+ Certification?

• Industry-wide, vendor-neutral

• Sponsored by CompTIA

• Wide recognition in computer industry

• Covers nine months of knowledge

• More than 800,000 CompTIA A+ certified techs worldwide

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

Who Is CompTIA?

• Nonprofit, industry trade association

• More than 20,000 members in 102 countries

• Virtually every company of consequence in the IT industry is a member

• Offers certifications such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, and more

• See www.comptia.org for details

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

The Path to Other Certifications

• CompTIA Network+ – Shows competency as a network technician

• Microsoft Certified Professional– Shows competency in Microsoft operating systems

• Cisco– Shows competency in routing and switching

technologies

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

CompTIA A+ Certification

• How to become CompTIA A+ certified– Pass two computer-based, multiple-choice exams

• Requires that you pay a fee

– CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701)– CompTIA Practical Application (220-702)

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

The CompTIA A+ Exams

• Windows Desktop-centric– No Mac, No Linux, No Windows Server, No Windows

Mobile

• Windows 2000• Windows XP• Windows Vista• Windows 7 is not covered on either

exam

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

Basic Exam Structure

• Multiple choice questions such as

1. A dot-matrix printer is printing blank pages. What should you check first?A. Printer driversB. PlatenC. Print headD. Ribbon

2. Click on the locationof the processorsocket in the picture

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

Essentials (220-701)

• Domains and percentages for the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam

10%6.0 Operational Procedures8%5.0 Security15%4.0 Networking20%20%27%Percentage

3.0 Operating Systems/Software

1.0 Hardware2.0 Troubleshooting/Repair/Maintenance

Domain

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

Practical Application (220-702)

13%4.0 Security15%34%38%Percentage

3.0 Networking

1.0 Hardware2.0 Operating Systems

Domain

• Domains and percentages for the CompTIA A+ Practical Application exam

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

What Chapters Cover Each Exam?

• Objective map in Appendix A– Shows exactly where objectives are covered

• Book focuses on tech skills– Expect the chapter to teach you the material fully.– Each exam tests at different depths:

• 220-701 Identify, install, and configure• 220-702 Maintain and troubleshoot

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

How to Take the Tests

• Offered by Prometric at testing sites worldwide– 800-776-4276 or www.prometric.com

• Offered by Pearson/VUE at testing sites worldwide– 877-551-PLUS (7587) or www.vue.com

• Cost of the exams– $168 (U.S.) per exam – pass or fail– Discount vouchers widely available

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition

How to Pass the CompTIA A+ Exams

• Set a date as your goal

• Set aside enough time for study and lab

• Use the practice exams on the CD that come with the book

• Use good study strategies– Write down information in your own handwriting – Make flash cards– Set aside a special time for study each day

© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to

Managing and Troubleshooting PCs

Third Edition