A+ Certification

technonerd · Jan 4, 2005, 11:13 PM

I just applied a job that require A+ Certification. They said they'll have me if I take an exam. So I will.

I went to a book store and found about 10 different A+ books. For people who took interested in A+ or exam; Do you have any A+ study book recommended?

Thks

drakesteakn · Jan 5, 2005, 12:53 AM

i used the course technology book. but they all should be fine.

germanjulian · Jan 5, 2005, 01:09 AM

pretty easy right?
is this it?

CompTia A+ Certification

Course Content

Introduction
A+ Certification overview and Exam Guide
History of Computer Systems
Technology and Future
Introduction to Computer Hardware

Computer Hardware
Motherboard structure
Function of the Motherboard, Components of the Motherboard, Expansion Bus, I/O Interfaces

Processors
Processor Families, Different type of Processors, Microprocessor, Clock Speed
Memory

Memory
ROM, RAM, DRAM, SIMM, DIMM, Memory Diagnostics

Peripherals Input and Output Devices
IRQs, Keyboard, mouse, scanner, Digital Camera, TV Card, Video Display, VGA, LCD, Printers, Monitors,

Storage Devices
Floppy and IDE Controllers, Floppy and HD Drives, SCSI Devices, HD configuration

Assembling Computer
Safety Issues, Putting hardware together and Configuring Hardware

Troubleshooting Hardware
Troubleshooting Technique, IRQ, DMA, and I/O Ports, CMOS Problems, Beep Codes, Identifying Hardware and Software problems

DOS
Configuring MS-DOS, Basic and Advance Commands, Partitioning HD, System Transferring, Formatting Disks

File Systems
FAT16, FAT32, NTFS

Networking
Introduction to Networks
History of Networks
Different types of Network Technology
LAN (Local Area Network)
WAN (Wide Area Network)
MAN (Metropolitan Area Networks)
Setting up Local Area Networks
Protocols
User Accounts
Files and Folders Security
Network Card Installation
Setting up Internet in LAN

Windows Installation
Windows Server Installation
Windows XP Installation
Troubleshooting Installation
Hardware Requirements
Setting up File system
Partitioning HD
Hardware Troubleshooting
Drive Installation
Network Installation
File Sharing
User Configuration.
Domain Controller and Domain Environment

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jan 5, 2005, 02:08 AM

The adaptive test comptia uses sounds hard....
the cost of the two compatia tests expensive

MiDKnYtE · Jan 5, 2005, 05:50 AM

I took mines a long time ago,but I use the Mike Meyers book. I think that was his name anyways.

ReV smokey255 · Jan 7, 2005, 01:08 AM

i am currently getting my a+ i am using computia. kind of long and boring

. the elextricty chapter and the rescue disc mcdos command prompt for windows 9x is hard stuff

blade5545 · Jan 7, 2005, 01:26 AM

The PrepLogic test sim are word for word 99% same as the test, also to make the test cheaper go to http://www.getcertify4less.com/ and buy the vouchers thats what I did saved a lot of money, one more thing study up on laser printers, the components that make up the laser printers and what each of them does, and how to troubleshoot one, trust me on this a large portion of my hardware test was over the stupid laser printers a lot of my people are caught off guard by that and fail the hardware portion, and for the OS portion of the test it is heavy on the WIN 2000 and WIN 95,98,ME, i got my A+ last summer, and one more thing get the Exam Cram books they will have all the info you need read them from front to back and they also include a demo of the PrepLogic Test Sim which has tons of questions and answers.

technonerd · Jan 7, 2005, 01:45 AM

Wow thanks for the head start. I just brought Cram Exam 2 (2books) and will be getting Voucher from what Blade recommended.

Thanks alot

Logla · Jan 8, 2005, 12:16 AM

Good luck with the A+. I have to take the exam before april for my yearly appraisal. If I fail I lose £500 a year off my salary but if I pass I may get a 2grand raise. Guess I better get learning.

Will agree with some that some of the books can be very confusing. The book I am using a the moment is not helping me at all and I keep scoring less that 60% in the practice tests. Its just confusing me so I need to find a new book.
Considering I took an example win XP MCSE exam yesterday and scored 80% on the first try with no studying says a lot. I'll be going for MSCE as soon as the A+ is out the way.

ReV smokey255 · Jan 9, 2005, 07:12 AM

i picked this book up very good read covers everything from half life 2 to water cooling
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...lance&n=507846

swimtech · Jan 11, 2005, 05:38 PM

If you've been working with computers for more than a couple years it shouldn't be that difficult, but nail the details - it is very comprehensive - an excellent check of your foundational knowledge.

Logla · Jan 11, 2005, 11:14 PM

yeah its the details that are catching me out. I know how to fix computers but knowing why I did what I did worked is the hard part for me to comprehend.
I think its because I've been spoiled by knowin that I just have to enter a certain command and it works. I've never needed to know why it works before now.

swimtech · Jan 12, 2005, 01:15 PM

...And then once you get the details, it's a revelation - you can do "divide and conquer" type troubleshooting, configuration, etc., to make the stuff work together in ways that only you can dream up!

Jan 4, 2005, 11:13 PM	#1
technonerd DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 594 Rep Power: 0	A+ Certification I just applied a job that require A+ Certification. They said they'll have me if I take an exam. So I will. I went to a book store and found about 10 different A+ books. For people who took interested in A+ or exam; Do you have any A+ study book recommended? Thks

Jan 5, 2005, 12:53 AM	#2
drakesteakn boo!!!! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ft. Meyers, FL Posts: 2,041 Rep Power: 0	i used the course technology book. but they all should be fine. __________________

Jan 5, 2005, 01:09 AM	#3
germanjulian Back in London Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: London Posts: 1,797 Rep Power: 0	pretty easy right? is this it? CompTia A+ Certification Course Content Introduction A+ Certification overview and Exam Guide History of Computer Systems Technology and Future Introduction to Computer Hardware Computer Hardware Motherboard structure Function of the Motherboard, Components of the Motherboard, Expansion Bus, I/O Interfaces Processors Processor Families, Different type of Processors, Microprocessor, Clock Speed Memory Memory ROM, RAM, DRAM, SIMM, DIMM, Memory Diagnostics Peripherals Input and Output Devices IRQs, Keyboard, mouse, scanner, Digital Camera, TV Card, Video Display, VGA, LCD, Printers, Monitors, Storage Devices Floppy and IDE Controllers, Floppy and HD Drives, SCSI Devices, HD configuration Assembling Computer Safety Issues, Putting hardware together and Configuring Hardware Troubleshooting Hardware Troubleshooting Technique, IRQ, DMA, and I/O Ports, CMOS Problems, Beep Codes, Identifying Hardware and Software problems DOS Configuring MS-DOS, Basic and Advance Commands, Partitioning HD, System Transferring, Formatting Disks File Systems FAT16, FAT32, NTFS Networking Introduction to Networks History of Networks Different types of Network Technology LAN (Local Area Network) WAN (Wide Area Network) MAN (Metropolitan Area Networks) Setting up Local Area Networks Protocols User Accounts Files and Folders Security Network Card Installation Setting up Internet in LAN Windows Installation Windows Server Installation Windows XP Installation Troubleshooting Installation Hardware Requirements Setting up File system Partitioning HD Hardware Troubleshooting Drive Installation Network Installation File Sharing User Configuration. Domain Controller and Domain Environment __________________ /\|\ Asus P5W DH Deluxe, Intel C2D E6600, 2GB Corsair XMS2-6400C4 DDR2, E-VGA GeForce 7800 GT, Creative X-Fi Extreme Music, 500GB Seagate 7200.10 SATA, Lian Li PC-V1100 Aluminum Case Black, etc. http://germanjulian.com /\|\

Jan 5, 2005, 02:08 AM	#4
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	The adaptive test comptia uses sounds hard.... the cost of the two compatia tests expensive __________________

Jan 7, 2005, 01:26 AM	#7
blade5545 Shoots first ask's questions later Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 330 Rep Power: 0	The PrepLogic test sim are word for word 99% same as the test, also to make the test cheaper go to http://www.getcertify4less.com/ and buy the vouchers thats what I did saved a lot of money, one more thing study up on laser printers, the components that make up the laser printers and what each of them does, and how to troubleshoot one, trust me on this a large portion of my hardware test was over the stupid laser printers a lot of my people are caught off guard by that and fail the hardware portion, and for the OS portion of the test it is heavy on the WIN 2000 and WIN 95,98,ME, i got my A+ last summer, and one more thing get the Exam Cram books they will have all the info you need read them from front to back and they also include a demo of the PrepLogic Test Sim which has tons of questions and answers. __________________ Dell Inspiron 700m 2 ghz Intel Mobile 2mb L2 cache 12.1 Ultrabrite 1.25 gig ram 80gig hdd 8x DVD-RW 4.5lbs 1.5" thick 5 hours battery DFI NF4 Ultra - D AMD Winchester 64 3200+ @4125+ 2.62ghz sold Swiftech H20-120-BB REV. 3 LIQUID COOLING KIT 2x512 OCZ EL DDR PC-3200 Dual Channel sold Platinum Rev 2 OCZ POWERSTREAM 520W sold ATI X700 PRO SEAGATE 160GIG SATA Windows XP PRO SP2 / PearPC - Apple OS X 10.2 Unknown "The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself."

Jan 5, 2005, 05:50 AM	#5
MiDKnYtE Caffeine Machine Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hell is empty. All the devils are here. Posts: 670 Rep Power: 0	I took mines a long time ago,but I use the Mike Meyers book. I think that was his name anyways.

Jan 7, 2005, 01:08 AM	#6
ReV smokey255 John Kerry of video cards Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 574 Rep Power: 0	i am currently getting my a+ i am using computia. kind of long and boring . the elextricty chapter and the rescue disc mcdos command prompt for windows 9x is hard stuff

Jan 7, 2005, 01:45 AM	Thread Starter #8
technonerd DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 594 Rep Power: 0	Wow thanks for the head start. I just brought Cram Exam 2 (2books) and will be getting Voucher from what Blade recommended. Thanks alot

Jan 8, 2005, 12:16 AM	#9
Logla HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,311 Rep Power: 0	Good luck with the A+. I have to take the exam before april for my yearly appraisal. If I fail I lose £500 a year off my salary but if I pass I may get a 2grand raise. Guess I better get learning. Will agree with some that some of the books can be very confusing. The book I am using a the moment is not helping me at all and I keep scoring less that 60% in the practice tests. Its just confusing me so I need to find a new book. Considering I took an example win XP MCSE exam yesterday and scored 80% on the first try with no studying says a lot. I'll be going for MSCE as soon as the A+ is out the way.

Jan 9, 2005, 07:12 AM	#10
ReV smokey255 John Kerry of video cards Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 574 Rep Power: 0	i picked this book up very good read covers everything from half life 2 to water cooling http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...lance&n=507846

Jan 11, 2005, 05:38 PM	#11
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 124 System Specs	If you've been working with computers for more than a couple years it shouldn't be that difficult, but nail the details - it is very comprehensive - an excellent check of your foundational knowledge. __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Jan 11, 2005, 11:14 PM	#12
Logla HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,311 Rep Power: 0	yeah its the details that are catching me out. I know how to fix computers but knowing why I did what I did worked is the hard part for me to comprehend. I think its because I've been spoiled by knowin that I just have to enter a certain command and it works. I've never needed to know why it works before now.

Jan 12, 2005, 01:15 PM	#13
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 124 System Specs	...And then once you get the details, it's a revelation - you can do "divide and conquer" type troubleshooting, configuration, etc., to make the stuff work together in ways that only you can dream up! __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.