We continue to offer a popular range of computer training courses at Elstree Film Studios:

Virtual Training Company s CompTIA A+ Certification (2003 Objectives) tutorial is a wonderful resource tool in preparing for the A+ Certification test. Certified instructor Bill Ferguson begins by taking you through the basics: terminology, how computers function, software and hardware relationships, BIOS and CMOS, memory management, storing data, and how video and audio are produced. Learn about electricity and power supplies, such as UPS (uninterrupted power supplies), and different methods of communication. Several operating systems, including Windows XP, are covered in detail. He even goes over tips for taking and passing the CompTIA A+ Certification test. To get started, simply click one of the topics below.


Section 1 - Overview and Terminology
Overview
Hardware Terminology
Software Terminology

How Software and Harware Work Together
The Boot Process
Key Files for OS s
Key Resources for Devices Continued

The System Board
The System Board Overview
Components
The Evolution of the CPU
Challenges to Overcome
Buses and the Bus Evolution
Setting Speeds and Summary

Memory
Types of Memory
DRAM vs. SRAM
How OS s View Memory
Memory Management
DOS Memory Management
Window 9X Memory Management
Tips on Upgrading Memory

Data Storage
Logical and Physical on Floppy Disks
Formatting Floppy Disks
Managing Data Storage with DOS
Managing Data Storage with Windows 9X
Supporting Floppy Drives
Replacing Damaged Floppy Drives
Removable Drives
Hard Drive Terminology
IDE Hard Drives
SCSI Hard Drives
Installing SCSI Hard Drives
Other Types of Hard Drives
How Hard Drives Hold Data
How Hard Drives Communicate with BIOS and the OS
Commands and Utilites to Manage Data Storage
How to Install a Hard Drive
Considerations and Precautions
Configuring the System for a Hard Drive
Partitioning and Installing Programs
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Utility Programs
Hard Drive Troubleshooting Guidelines

Troubleshooting Tools
Troubleshooting Tools
Troubleshooting Viruses
Troubleshooting Fundamentals
Problems That Keep a Computer from Starting
Troubleshooting Memory
Troubleshooting the OS
Problems After a Computer Boots
Problems with the Keyboard and Monitor
Troubleshooting Printers
PC Maintenance

Adding and Changing Hardware
Basic Principles of Installation
Device Drivers
Using Ports and Expansion Slots
The UART Chip
Univeral Serial Bus Ports
1394 Firewire
PCI Expansion Slots
Resource Conflicts
Small Computer Systems Interface

Multimedia Technology
Multimedia Technology Defined
Requirements and Sampling Fundamentals
Standardization and Technologies
Stages of Computerization of Sound
MPEG Standards
Video Reproduction

Electricity
Electricity Terminology
AC vs. DC Current
Common Electronic Components
Troubleshooting a Power Supply
Surge Protection and Battery Backup
Fire Safety

Supporting Windows 9X
Bridging the Gap
Configuration
Performation the Installation
Windows 9X Setup
Plug and Play
The Registry
Built-In Tools

Supporting Windows NT
Windows NT vs. Windows 9X
Minimum Requirements and Upgrading NT
FAT16 vs. NTFS
NT Architecture and Design
Preparing for the Installation
The Boot Sequence
Troubleshooting the Boot Process
Customizing an NTVDM for DOS
The Windows NT Registry
Windows NT Tools
Windows NT Networking

Supporting Windows 2000
The Windows 2000 Family
Comparing to Windows NT and Windows 98
New Features
Installing Windows 2000
Understanding the Boot Process
Troubleshooting Tools
File Maintenance Tools
Management Consoles and Support

Communication Over Telephone Lines
Layered Communication and Modems
Modem Properties
Modem Features
Terminology
Installing and Configuring Modems
Troubleshooting Modems

Communication on an Intranet
Communication Layers and the OSI Model
Network Technologies - Ethernet
Network Technologies - Token Ring && FDDI
Networking Hardware
Using Resources on Networks

Communication Over the Internet
What the Internet Is and How it Works
TCP/IP and IP Addressing
Routing Using TCP/IP
Default Gateways and Subnets
Internet Services

Printers
Laser Printers
Ink-Jet Printers and Dot Matrix Printers
Troubleshooting Printers
Sharing Printers on a Network

Notebook Computers
Power Management
Connecting Peripheral Devices
Supporting Notebooks

Preventative Maintenance
The Goals of Preventative Maintainence
What is a Virus?
Where Viruses Hide
Virus Prevention

Backups and Fault Tolerance
Backup Technology and Strategies
Fault Tolerance

Summary and Study Tips
A+ Certification Test Tips

Section 2 - What Has changed on the Tests?
Overview

Command Line functions
Management Commands pt. 1
Management Commands pt. 2
Troubleshooting Commands pt. 1
Troubleshooting Commands pt. 2

Windows XP Operating System
Similarities to Other Windows Systems
Differences from Other Windows Systems Overview
New Interfaces and Look
New Fault Tolerance (Restore Points)
New Security
Windows XP (Clean Installation)
Upgrading to Windows XP
Managing and Navigating Files and Folders

Networking
New and Old Cables and Connectors
New Internet Connectivity
Networking with Windows XP

Tips and Tricks
Tips for Taking the Tests

Credits
About this Author

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