Essentials, 2009 Edition, Revised
Topic-Level Outline
Days: 5
Prerequisites: One
of the following courses or have equivalent experience:
· Windows 7: Basic
· Windows Vista: Basic
· Windows XP: Basic
· Windows 2000: Basic
Unit 1: Troubleshooting methodology
Topic A: Troubleshooting stages
A-1: Discussing the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting model
A-2: Identifying documentation and information resources
Topic B: Professionalism
B-1: Maintaining professionalism
B-2: Using effective verbal communication
B-3: Using nonverbal communication effectively
B-4: Ensuring customer satisfaction
Unit 2: Operating systems
Topic A: Operating system fundamentals
A-1: Selecting an appropriate Windows operating system
A-2: Locating Windows 7 interface components
A-3: Observing Windows 7 system tools
Topic B: Directory management
B-1: Navigating a directory tree using the Windows GUI
B-2: Creating directories using the Windows GUI
B-3: Copying a directory using the Windows GUI
B-4: Removing a directory using the Windows GUI
Topic C: File management
C-1: Creating a batch file using Notepad
C-2: Modifying file attributes
C-3: Modifying file attributes by using attrib.exe
Topic D: File and folder permissions
D-1: Sharing files in the Public folder with local users
D-2: Exploring homegroups
D-3: Setting NTFS permissions
Unit 3: Electricity and power supplies
Topic A: Electrical safety
A-1: Examining the characteristics of electricity
A-2: Considering electrical safety
A-3: Opening the computer case while following proper ESD precautions
Topic B: Power supplies
B-1: Examining a power supply and connectors
Topic C: Power supply maintenance
C-1: Discussing power conditioning equipment
Unit 4: CPUs and motherboards
Topic A: Central processing units
A-1: Identifying CPUs
A-2: Identifying your CPU’s socket and package type
Topic B: Cooling techniques
B-1: Examining the cooling systems in your PC
Topic C: Motherboards
C-1: Examining motherboard components and form factor
Unit 5: The Basic Input/Output System
Topic A: The BIOS and CMOS
A-1: Examining the CMOS battery
A-2: Examining your PC’s BIOS settings
A-3: Researching BIOS updates for your PC
Topic B: The POST and boot processes
B-1: Observing the POST process
B-2: Checking the boot order
Unit 6: Memory systems
Topic A: Memory
A-1: Identifying memory characteristics
Topic B: Memory packaging
B-1: Comparing RAM packaging
Topic C: Memory monitoring
C-1: Monitoring memory usage
C-2: Changing the size of the Windows page file
Unit 7: Bus structures
Topic A: Buses
A-1: Examining buses
A-2: Examining IRQ assignments
A-3: Viewing your computer’s I/O address assignments
A-4: Viewing your computer’s DMA channel assignments
A-5: Viewing your computer’s base memory address assignments
Topic B: The PCI bus
B-1: Identifying a PCI bus
B-2: Identifying graphics connections
Unit 8: Expansion cards
Topic A: Video cards
A-1: Identifying video adapter types
Topic B: Sound cards
B-1: Identifying the components of a sound card
Topic C: Internal modems
C-1: Identifying your internal modem’s interface
C-2: Identifying modem connections
Unit 9: Peripheral connection types
Topic A: Serial and parallel connections
A-1: Attaching a serial device
A-2: Attaching a parallel device
Topic B: PS/2 connections
B-1: Attaching a keyboard and mouse
B-2: Setting mouse properties
B-3: Setting keyboard properties
B-4: Using a KVM switch
Topic C: USB connections
C-1: Installing a USB device
Topic D: FireWire connections
D-1: Installing an IEEE 1394 device
Topic E: Multimedia connections
E-1: Using a sound card
E-2: Connecting multimedia devices
Unit 10: Data storage devices
Topic A: Drive adapters
A-1: Distinguishing among drive controllers
Topic B: Hard drives
B-1: Partitioning and formatting a hard drive
B-2: Exploring fault tolerance
Topic C: Optical drives
C-1: Using an optical drive
Topic D: Removable storage devices
D-1: Using a USB flash drive
D-2: Examining floppy disks
D-3: Formatting a floppy disk (optional)
D-4: Comparing types of tape drives
Topic E: Drive maintenance
E-1: Using Disk Cleanup
E-2: Scanning a disk for errors
E-3: Running chkdsk.exe
E-4: Defragmenting a disk
Unit 11: Video output and image input devices
Topic A: Monitors
A-1: Choosing a CRT monitor
A-2: Using a CRT monitor
A-3: Choosing an LCD monitor
A-4: Using an LCD monitor
Topic B: Cameras
B-1: Connecting a digital camera
B-2: Making a video call with Skype
Unit 12: Printers
Topic A: Printing technologies
A-1: Examining the dot-matrix printing process
A-2: Examining how inkjet printers work
A-3: Examining how laser printers work
A-4: Identifying other printer technologies
Topic B: Printer installation
B-1: Examining the Windows printing process
B-2: Installing a local printer
Topic C: Printer optimization and maintenance
C-1: Optimizing printing
C-2: Installing printer add-ons and upgrades
C-3: Performing inkjet and laser printer maintenance tasks
Unit 13: Connecting computers
Topic A: Networking concepts
A-1: Describing networking models
A-2: Identifying the basic components of a network
A-3: Identifying cable types
A-4: Researching plenum wiring
A-5: Describing Ethernet standards
A-6: Describing wireless networking
A-7: Discussing WAN bandwidth technologies
Topic B: Wired network connections
B-1: Discussing fiber optic connectors
B-2: Examining twisted-pair connectors
B-3: Examining coaxial connectors
B-4: Examining your NIC
B-5: Examining your modem
Topic C: Basic internetworking devices
C-1: Differentiating between basic internetworking devices
Unit 14: Networking computers
Topic A: Addressing
A-1: Examining addresses
A-2: Using IPCONFIG to view IP configuration
A-3: Testing TCP/IP connectivity
A-4: Discussing the TCP/IP architecture
A-5: Using port numbers
A-6: Comparing wireless network protocols
Topic B: Client configuration
B-1: Configuring TCP/IP parameters
B-2: Discussing the DHCP lease process
B-3: Examining wireless devices
B-4: Identifying the technology used to implement WLANs
B-5: Configuring a wireless access point (instructor demo)
B-6: Configuring a wireless client (instructor demo)
B-7: Creating a dial-up connection
B-8: Examining a dial-up connection object’s properties
Unit 15: Portable computers
Topic A: Notebook computers
A-1: Identifying the components and integrated peripherals in a notebook
A-2: Comparing wireless networking standards
Topic B: Power configuration
B-1: Using the Windows Mobility Center
B-2: Putting a notebook into hibernate and sleep modes
Topic C: Component replacement
C-1: Adding and removing hot-swappable components
C-2: Adding peripherals
C-3: Docking and undocking a notebook
Topic D: Notebook issues
D-1: Troubleshooting notebook problems
D-2: Identifying power problems
Unit 16: Windows management
Topic A: System management
A-1: Personalizing the appearance of Windows
A-2: Configuring Windows Desktop Gadgets
A-3: Configuring power settings
A-4: Putting a desktop computer into Hibernate and Sleep modes
A-5: Configuring Wake on LAN
Topic B: Resource management
B-1: Managing services
B-2: Configuring Windows 7 services
B-3: Viewing Registry information
B-4: Searching the Registry
B-5: Backing up Registry files
Unit 17: Windows monitoring
Topic A: System monitoring
A-1: Running Windows Diagnostics
A-2: Running msinfo32 from a command line
A-3: Running the DirectX Diagnostic tool
A-4: Monitoring applications
A-5: Ending a process
A-6: Monitoring services
A-7: Monitoring network utilization
A-8: Monitoring users
A-9: Viewing the event logs
Topic B: System performance
B-1: Viewing real-time performance data in Resource Overview (optional Instructor demonstration on Windows Vista)
B-2: Monitoring performance with Performance Monitor
B-3: Customizing Performance Monitor
Topic C: Backup and restore
C-1: Scheduling a backup
C-2: Restoring files from backup
Unit 18: Operating system troubleshooting
Topic A: Windows startup
A-1: Identifying phases in the startup process
Topic B: System troubleshooting
B-1: Troubleshooting Windows startup errors
B-2: Booting the computer in various startup modes
B-3: Using the System Configuration utility
B-4: Explaining recovery option basics
B-5: Creating a system restore point
B-6: Restoring a computer to a previous state
Unit 19: Security
Topic A: Operating system security
A-1: Creating local user accounts
A-2: Creating a password
A-3: Requiring a new password
A-4: Understanding authentication technologies
A-5: Using local security policies to set password restrictions
A-6: Observing UAC settings
Topic B: Windows Encrypted File System
B-1: Encrypting a file
B-2: Testing encryption
B-3: Encrypting a folder
Topic C: Security hardware
C-1: Identifying biometric authentication systems
C-2: Examining BIOS security measures
Topic D: The human aspects of security
D-1: Discussing physical access restrictions
D-2: Displaying the status of Windows Firewall
D-3: Configuring Windows Firewall
D-4: Discussing social engineering attacks
D-5: Examining data destruction techniques
D-6: Considering corporate security policies
Unit 20: Windows installation and upgrades
Topic A: Windows installation
A-1: Identifying hardware requirements
A-2: Running the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor
A-3: Discussing installation partition and file system requirements
A-4: Installing Windows 7 Professional
A-5: Installing device drivers and Windows updates
A-6: Configuring driver signing
Topic B: Upgrades
B-1: Identifying upgrade paths
B-2: Upgrading to Windows 7 Ultimate
B-3: Using the Windows 7 Program Compatibility Wizard
Unit 21: Safety and maintenance
Topic A: Safety and hazards
A-1: Identifying typical office and computer-related hazards
A-2: Finding sources of static electricity and interference
Topic B: Computer maintenance
B-1: Discussing preventive maintenance
B-2: Discussing power conditioning equipment
B-3: Cleaning computer equipment
B-4: Reading a material safety data sheet
Topic C: Safe work practices
C-1: Avoiding injury and strain when working with PCs
Topic D: Disposing of computer equipment
D-1: Selecting the proper methods for computer equipment disposal
Appendix A: System cases
Topic A: System cases
A-1: Examining system cases
Appendix B: The Open Systems Interconnect Model
Topic A: The OSI model
Appendix C: 802.11x
Topic A: Standards and amendments
Appendix D: CompTIA A+ acronyms
Topic A: List of abbreviations
Appendix E: Certification exam objectives map
Topic A: Comprehensive exam objectives