Introduction 1
Book I: Setting the A+ Groundwork 7
Chapter 1: The 2012 A+ Exams 9
Chapter 2: A+ Soft Skills 17
Chapter 3: Protecting Yourself and Your PC 33
Chapter 4: An Overview of System Components 49
Book II: Inside the Box 65
Chapter 1: Knowing Your Motherboard 67
Chapter 2: Picking Your Processor 117
Chapter 3: What to Remember about Memory 157
Chapter 4: Telling Your BIOS from Your CMOS 189
Chapter 5: Managing Storage Technology 221
Chapter 6: Working with File Systems261
Chapter 7: Working with Power 299
Book III: Outside the Box 319
Chapter 1: Describing Ports, Cables, and Connectors 321
Chapter 2: Installing and Confi guring Input Devices 349
Chapter 3: Installing and Confi guring Output Devices 385
Chapter 4: Managing Printers 407
Chapter 5: Working with Multimedia Devices 443
Chapter 6: Dealing with Laptops and Mobile Devices 459
Book IV: Maintenance and Troubleshooting 503
Chapter 1: Performing Preventive Maintenance 505
Chapter 2: Troubleshooting Procedures and Guidelines 527
Book V: Operating System Basics 559
Chapter 1: Comparison of Major Operating Systems 561
Chapter 2: Operating System Functions 581
Chapter 3: Installing and Upgrading Windows 617
Chapter 4: Managing Files and Directories 661
Chapter 5: Command Prompt Procedures 697
Chapter 6: Working with System Files and the Boot Process 721
Book VI: Managing the Operating System 737
Chapter 1: Loading and Confi guring Device Drivers 739
Chapter 2: Working with Applications 761
Chapter 3: Optimizing the Windows Environment 795
Chapter 4: Using Windows-Based Troubleshooting Utilities 833
Book VII: Recovering Systems 871
Chapter 1: Managing Error Codes and Startup Messages 873
Chapter 2: Managing Common Problems 891
Chapter 3: Preparing for Disasters with Disaster Recovery 909
Book VIII: Networking 945
Chapter 1: Down to the Networking Basics 947
Chapter 2: Understanding Common Wireless Communications 995
Chapter 3: Networking the Operating System 1025
Chapter 4: Configuring Internet Access 1093
Book IX: Securing Systems 1129
Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Security 1131
Chapter 2: Implementing Security 1167
Chapter 3: Viruses and Malicious Software 1201
Appendix: CompTIA A+ Exam Reference Matrix 1221
Index 1235