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Computer Training > A+ Certification

Computer Training -   A+ Certification Training

8 Days (64 hrs)  -  $1499.00

Learn to build a computer from scratch!

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current schedule of classes.

Register for Florida Computer Training - A+ Certification training

The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry standard for validating the vendor-neutral skills expected of an entry-level computer technician. Having an A+ certification proves that you have a broad base of knowledge and competency in core hardware and operating system technologies including installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

Companies like Best Buy know the value of the A+ certification and require their supervisors to be A+ certified. Many other companies like Sears, Radio Shack and State Farm insurance also have A+ certification requirements for their IT employees.

Every business uses computers, and skilled technicians are a necessity. Your A+ certification opens the door to an exciting career in computer technology at an affordable price. A+ is a solid certification that employers look for.

For A+ certification, the examinee must pass both the A+ Core Hardware exam and the A+ Operating System Technologies exam. Click on the following links for a breakdown of both.

A+ Core Hardware exam

A+ Operating System Technologies exam

 

 

 

A+ Core Hardware exam

Identify basic terms, concepts, and functions of system modules, including how each module should work during normal operation and during the boot process. 

System board

Power supply

Processor /CPU

Memory

Storage devices

Monitor

Modem

Firmware

BIOS

CMOS

LCD (portable systems)

Ports

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)

 

 

Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field replaceable modules for both desktop and portable systems. 

System board

Storage device

Power supply

Processor /CPU

Memory

Input devices

Hard drive

Keyboard

Video board

Mouse

Network Interface Card (NIC)

 

Portable system components 

AC adapter

Digital Camera

DC controller

LCD panel

PC Card

Pointing Devices

Identify available IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses and procedures for device installation and configuration.

Standard IRQ settings

Modems

Floppy drive controllers

Hard drive controllers

USB ports

Infrared ports

Hexadecimal/Addresses

 

 

Identify common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors

Cable types 

Cable orientation

Serial versus parallel

Pin connections

Connectors 

DB-9

DB-25

RJ-11

RJ-45

BNC

PS2/MINI-DIN

USB

IEEE 1394

 

Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring IDE/EIDE devices.

Master/Slave

Devices per channel

Primary/Secondary

Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring SCSI devices.

Address/Termination conflicts

Cabling

Types (example: regular, wide, ultra-wide)

Internal versus external

Expansion slots, EISA, ISA, PCI

Jumper block settings (binary equivalents)

Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring peripheral devices.

Monitor/Video Card

Modem

USB peripherals and hubs

IEEE 1284

IEEE 1394

External storage

Docking stations

PC cards

Port replicators

Infrared devices

 

 

Identify hardware methods of upgrading system performance, procedures for replacing basic subsystem components, unique components and when to use them. 

Memory

Hard Drives

CPU

Upgrading BIOS

When to upgrade BIOS

 

Portable Systems 

Battery

Hard Drive

Types I, II, III cards

Memory

 

 

Identify common symptoms and problems associated with each module and how to troubleshoot and isolate the problems. 

Processor/Memory symptoms

Mouse

Floppy drive

Parallel ports

Hard Drives

CD-ROM

DVD

Sound Card/Audio

Monitor/Video

Motherboards

Modems

BIOS

USB

NIC

CMOS

Power supply

Slot covers

POST audible/visual error codes

Troubleshooting tools, e.g., multimeter

Large LBA, LBA

Cables

Keyboard

Peripherals

 

Identify basic troubleshooting procedures and how to elicit problem symptoms from customers. 

Troubleshooting/isolation/problem determination procedures

Determine whether hardware or software problem

Gather information from user regarding Customer Environment, Symptoms/Error Codes, and Situation when the problem occurred

Identify the purpose of various types of preventive maintenance products and procedures and when to use them. 

Liquid cleaning compounds

Types of materials to clean contacts and connections

Non-static vacuums (chassis, power supplies, fans)

Identify issues, procedures and devices for protection within the computing environment, including people, hardware and the surrounding workspace. 

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and suppressors

Determining the signs of power issues

Proper methods of storage of components for future use

Potential hazards and proper safety procedures relating Lasers 

High-voltage equipment

Power supply

CRT

Special disposal procedures that comply with environmental guidelines. 

Batteries

CRTs

Toner kits/cartridges

Chemical solvents and cans

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

 

ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) precautions and procedures 

What ESD can do, how it may be apparent, or hidden

Common ESD protection devices

Situations that could present a danger or hazard

Distinguish between the popular CPU chips in terms of their basic characteristics. 

Popular CPU chips (Intel, AMD, Cyrix)

Characteristics

Physical size

Voltage

Speeds

On board cache or not

Sockets

SEC (Single Edge Contact)

 

Identify the categories of RAM (Random Access Memory) terminology, their locations, and physical characteristics. 

EDO RAM (Extended Data Output RAM)

DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)

SRAM (Static RAM)

RIMM (Rambus Inline Memory Module 184 Pin)

VRAM (Video RAM)

SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM)

WRAM (Windows Accelerator Card RAM)

Locations and physical characteristics:

Memory bank

Memory chips (8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit)

SIMMS (Single In-line Memory Module)

DIMMS (Dual In-line Memory Module)

Parity chips versus non-parity chips

 

 

Identify the most popular type of motherboards, their components, and their architecture (bus structures and power supplies). 

AT (Full and Baby)

ATX

Components:

Communication ports

SIMM and DIMM

Processor sockets

External cache memory (Level 2)

Bus Architecture

ISA

PCI

AGP

USB (Universal Serial Bus)

VESA local bus (VL-Bus)

Basic compatibility guidelines

IDE (ATA, ATAPI, ULTRA-DMA, EIDE)

SCSI (Wide, Fast, Ultra, LVD(Low Voltage Differential))

 

 

Identify the purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), what it contains and how to change its basic parameters. 

Printer parallel port—Uni., bi-directional, disable/enable, ECP, EPP

COM/serial port—memory address, interrupt request, disable

Floppy drive—enable/disable drive or boot, speed, density

Hard drive—size and drive type

Memory—parity, non-parity

Boot sequence

Date/Time

Passwords

Plug & Play BIOS

Identify basic concepts, printer operations and printer components. 

Types of Printers: Laser, Inkjet, and Dot Matrix

Parallel

Network

USB

Infrared

Serial

Identify care and service techniques and common problems with primary printer types. 

Feed and output

Errors (printed or displayed)

Paper jam

Print quality

Safety precautions

Preventive maintenance

Identify basic networking concepts, including how a network works and the ramifications of repairs on the network.