click here to download the course outline  

is a hands-on instruction book that helps prepare you for CompTIA's

A+ Core Hardware exam #220-221. To this end, we have included an appendix that lists the current

exam objectives and references to the lessons and topics that deal with each objective.

A+ Certification: Core Hardware for the student who has a basic

knowledge and experience with PCs and who wants to pursue a career as a computer service technician.

To ensure your success, we recommend you first take the following Element K courses or have equivalent

knowledge:

Hard Disk Management for DOS 6.22

Introduction to Personal Computers Using Windows 98

each student in the class, one assembled Intel-based microcomputer that

students can disassemble and reassemble during the course. Each system should meet the following

requirements as closely as possible:

ATX mid-tower case with ATX power supply.

ATX-style motherboard using the Intel 440BX chipset.

Pentium II or Pentium III using Slot 1 architecture.

32 MB of RAM.

1.44 MB floppy-disk drive.

4 GB internal IDE hard-disk drive.

AGP video adapter.

Soundblaster 16-bit sound card.

24x internal IDE CD-ROM drive.

56 K 3COM (U.S. Robotics) ISA internal modem.

3COM 3C905B 10/100 PCI network adapter.

PS/2-style Enhanced-101 keyboard.

PS/2-style Microsoft mouse.

PC-compatible microphone.

PC-compatible speaker set.

Windows 98 Second Edition (full version) installed on each PC.

For the instructor, and for

each student in the class, one of each of the following is required:

SCSI host adapter with bootable BIOS (not installed before class).

4 GB SCSI internal hard-disk drive (not installed before class).

IDE internal Zip disk drive, SuperDisk drive, or second CD-ROM drive (not installed before

class)

computer technician's toolkit.

digital multimeter.

blank floppy disk.

Isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs.

A portable computer for demonstration purposes.

Optionally, the instructor should have an assortment of computer components and peripherals to show to

the class throughout the teaching time, including:

RAM.

disk drives.

interface cards.

cables.

connectors.

adapters.

one or more printers (for demonstration purposes).

At least one, preferably one for each student or pair of students, research workstation capable of

running Windows 98. Research stations should have:

Pentium or newer processors.

at least 32 MB of RAM.

500 MB or larger hard drives.

Internet access configured and available.

Describe the development and general functionality of personal computers and their various

components, as well as the basic tools needed to service them.

Maintain safe and healthy work habits while servicing computers.

Identify the characteristics of a PC's internal system components, including problems associated

with them and the procedures for servicing them.

Identify features of various bus architectures, including ISA, EISA, PCI, and Plug and Play.

Differentiate between and work with the ports, connectors, and cables found on most PCs.

Identify the internal expansion capabilities of a PC.

Identify the technical characteristics of storage systems.

Identify the technical characteristics of common peripheral devices.

Acquire the skills necessary for servicing and maintaining portable systems.

Describe the basic components of a network.