Synopses & Reviews
Build Your Computer Career on a Solid FoundationWhether you’re setting out to earn your A+ certification or just want to know more about how a PC works, A+ JumpStart: PC Hardware and Operating Systems Basics is the place to start. Inside, an experienced PC technician and author demystifies every aspect of PC technology, giving you a firm footing from which you can work towards and realize your goals. Coverage includes:
- PC safety and preventive maintenance
- Motherboard selection and setup
- CPU and memory types
- How video cards and monitors work
- Setting up hard drives
- Selecting and configuring expansion boards
- Electricity basics
- Selecting, installing, and troubleshooting printers
- Selecting and setting up network components
- Configuring Windows for network file and printer sharing
- Device resource management in Windows
- Troubleshooting Windows
- Setting up Internet connections
Synopsis
A+ from CompTIA is the most popular, general computing, vendor-neutral certification. Over 500,000 people are A+ certified, and thousands more sit for the exams every week. The two exams required to attain the A+ certification are Core Hardware and Operating Systems Technologies. Before embarking on a comprehensive A+ study program, individuals need a solid foundation in computer fundamentals, and that's exactly what this book provides.
Synopsis
Build Your Computer Career on a Solid Foundation
Whether you're setting out to earn your A+ certification or just want to know more about how a PC works, A+ JumpStart: PC Hardware and Operating Systems Basics is the place to start. Inside, an experienced PC technician and author demystifies every aspect of PC technology, giving you a firm footing from which you can work towards and realize your goals. Coverage includes:
* PC safety and preventive maintenance
* Motherboard selection and setup
* CPU and memory types
* How video cards and monitors work
* Setting up hard drives
* Selecting and configuring expansion boards
* Electricity basics
* Selecting, installing, and troubleshooting printers
* Selecting and setting up network components
* Configuring Windows for network file and printer sharing
* Device resource management in Windows
* Troubleshooting Windows
* Setting up Internet connections
About the Author
Faithe Wempen, A+, teaches entry-level PC courses at an Indianapolis-based training facility. She has authored over 20 computer books and has a Master's degree in English from Purdue University.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
Chapter 1: Safety and Preventive Maintenance.
Preventing the PC from Hurting You.
Avoiding Hurting the PC.
Preventing Power Fluctuations.
Cleaning a PC.
Chapter 2: A Look Inside a PC.
What You See from the Outside.
Removing the Cover.
A First Look at the Inside.
Chapter 3: A Closer Look at the Motherboard.
Motherboard Form Factors.
What Makes Up a Motherboard?
Working with the BIOS Setup Program.
Chapter 4: Understanding CPUs.
How a CPU Works.
Types of CPU Packaging.
A History of CPU Features.
Chapter 5: Understanding Memory.
Types of Memory.
Understanding the Differences in RAM.
Virtual Memory: The Un-Memory.
Installing and Removing Memory.
Chapter 6: How Video Cards and Monitors Work.
The Video Subsystem.
Video Cards.
Monitors.
Adjusting Display Settings in Windows.
Troubleshooting Display Problems.
Chapter 7: Introduction to Disk Drives.
Types of Drives.
How a Drive Operates Physically.
How Disks Store Data.
Chapter 8: Focus on Hard Drives.
Introducing the Hard Drive.
Drive Interfaces.
Measures of Hard Drive Performance.
Installing Hard Drives.
Preparing a Hard drive for Use.
Common Hard Drive Problems.
Chapter 9: Focus on Removable Disk Drives.
Installing Removable Disk Drives.
Working with Floppy Disks.
Chapter 10: A Look at Some Expansion Boards.
Installing an Expansion Board.
Selecting and Configuring a Modem.
Selecting and Configuring a Sound Card.
Chapter 11: A Few Other Essential Components.
Keyboards.
Mouse.
Cases.
Electricity Basics.
Power Supplies.
Chapter 12: Printing Basics.
Common Printer Features.
Measurements of Printer Performance.
Printer Types.
How a Printer Communicates with a PC.
Cleaning a Printer.
Common Printer Problems.
Chapter 13: Introduction to Networking.
Basic Network Concepts.
Networking Hardware.
Sharing Files and Printers on a Network.
Accessing Shared Network Resources.
Chapter 14: Operating System Basics.
What an Operating System Does.
Windows Versions.
Windows Setup.
Chapter 15: Starting Up a PC.
What Happens When a PC Starts Up?
Alternative Windows Startup Modes.
Starting with a Windows 9x Startup Disk.
The Windows Recovery Console.
Chapter 16: Essential Windows Tools and Skills.
Checklist of File Management Skills.
A Tour of Windows Tools and Utilities.
Installing and Removing Windows Programs.
Using a Command Prompt.
Chapter 17: Working with Devices in Windows.
Introduction to Device Resources.
Resolving Resource Conflicts.
Chapter 18: Troubleshooting Windows Problems.
Avoiding and Removing Viruses.
Correcting Windows Problems.
Working without a Mouse.
Doing a Controlled Shutdown.
Correcting the Underlying Problem.
Chapter 19: Setting Up Internet Connections.
Understanding Internet Connectivity.
Understanding Internet Protocols.
Setting Up an Internet Connection.
Internet Connection Sharing.
Troubleshooting Internet Connections.
Conclusion.
Appendix A: What’s in a PC Technician’s Toolkit?
Appendix B: Answers to Review Questions.
Appendix C: Glossary.
Index.