This course is aimed at system administrators who are preparing for CompTIA's current A+ Core Hardware and OS Technologies Certification exams. In terms of the A+ Core Hardware requirements, it covers the full range of skills and concepts students need to know to install, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot, and repair PC hardware components and systems. Working with notebook computers, PDAs and printers rounds out the Core Hardware portion of the course. In terms of the A+ OS Technologies requirements, it covers the full range of skills and concepts students need to know to support the Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP operating systems. Introducing the Linux and Macintosh operating systems rounds out the OS Technologies portion of the course.

• Describe the relationship between hardware and software; understand the binary and hexadecimal number systems; describe the various peripheral devices attached to a computer; examine the hardware components inside the computer; distinguish between the types of storage devices; describe the working of the CPU and how it communicates with other devices; understand the electrical system; and describe how instructions and data are stored on the motherboard.
• Describe hardware and software interaction; identify system resources; relate an operating system to other software; establish communication between BIOS and device drivers; and launch an application from an operating system.
• Describe the booting process; identify the need for a file system; describe the role of BIOS in the boot process; identify various emergency startup disks; and use the command prompt.
• Identify the properties of electricity; safeguard your computer system against electrical damage; identify computer cases and form factors; determine power requirements; troubleshoot power supply problems; and describe Energy Star systems.
• Identify types of motherboards; identify components on the motherboard; assemble a computer; and install and troubleshoot the motherboard.
• Describe the various types of memory and how they work; upgrade and troubleshoot memory; and discuss how DOS and Windows 9x view and manage memory.
• Discuss how floppy drives work; manage floppy drives by using Windows Explorer; and replace a defective floppy drive or add a second drive.
• Explain hard drive technologies; describe how the hard drive BIOS communicates; explain how a hard disk is logically organized to hold data; and install a hard drive and resolve hard disk installation problems.
• Support hard drives and manage backups; detect computer infestations and implement proper safeguards; and resolve hard drive problems.
• Install peripheral I/O devices; use ports and expansion slots for add-on devices; install and troubleshoot keyboards; install and troubleshoot pointing devices; and install and troubleshoot video cards and monitors.
• Install various multimedia devices; describe optical storage technologies; discuss tape drives; evaluate and install removable drives; and troubleshoot multimedia and mass storage devices.
• Describe the Windows 9x architecture; install Windows 9x and add hardware and software; use tools to manage and troubleshoot Windows 9x; discuss the Windows 9x boot process; and troubleshoot Windows 9x.
• Discuss the Windows NT/2000/XP architecture; plan and install Windows 2000 Professional; install hardware and applications in Windows 2000; and install and support Windows NT.
• Describe the Windows NT/2000/XP boot process; troubleshoot the Windows 2000 boot process; and use maintenance and troubleshooting tools to support Windows 2000.
• Discuss the features and architecture of Windows XP; install Windows and use Windows XP; and install hardware and applications with Windows XP.
• Use Windows XP features to secure the PC; explore and update the Windows NT/2000/XP registry; use tools for troubleshooting and maintaining Windows XP; and troubleshoot the Windows XP boot process.
• Explain how a modem works and how to install it; use the AT command set to control a modem; and troubleshoot problems related to modems.
• Identify the various architectures, topologies, and components that make up a network; identify the networking protocols supported in Windows; install a network card and connect to the network; share resources on a network; troubleshoot network connections; and interconnect networks using routers.
• Discuss the TCP/IP protocol suite; connect to the Internet using dial-up, DSL and cable modem connections; and support common Internet clients such as Web browsers, e-mail clients, and file transfer software.
• Support, upgrade, and add peripheral devices to notebooks; and discuss technologies related to Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).
• Explain how printers work; install printers and share them over a local area network; and troubleshoot printer problems.
• Discuss the basics of SCSI technology and its components; compare SCSI hard drives to IDE drives; install a SCSI device and set device Ids; and troubleshoot SCSI.
• Use guidelines when purchasing a PC; prepare for assembling a PC; and assemble a PC from separately purchased parts.
• Discuss the role of a PC technician in troubleshooting and maintenance and the tools used; approach a troubleshooting problem; and develop a preventive maintenance plan.

This course was written to prepare the individual for the role of computer technician. It provides the skills and knowledge necessary to maintain and repair personal computers. The course also provides thorough preparation for Computing Technology Industry Association’s 2003 A+ Certification Exam.

Students taking this course should be familiar with personal computers and the use of a keyboard and a mouse.

Lesson 1: Introduction to hardware
Hardware’s reliance on software
Understanding number systems
Hardware used for input and output
Hardware inside the computer case
Storage devices
Motherboard components used for communication among devices
The electrical system
Instructions and data stored on the motherboard

Lesson 2: Interface between hardware and software
Hardware and software interaction: an overview
System resources
How an OS relates to other software
How an OS uses BIOS and device drivers
How an OS launches applications

Lesson 3: The booting process
Booting your computer
File systems
Startup BIOS and the boot process
Emergency startup disks
Using the command prompt

Lesson 4: Electricity and power supplies
Introduction to electricity
Protecting your computer system
The computer case and form factors
Determining power requirements
Introduction to troubleshooting
Energy Star systems (the Green Star)

Lesson 5: Motherboards
Types of motherboards
Components on the motherboard
Hardware configuration
Introduction to building a computer
Installing the motherboard
Troubleshooting the motherboard and CPU

Lesson 6: Managing memory
Physical memory
Upgrading memory
How DOS addresses physical memory

Lesson 7: Floppy drives
How floppy drives work
Using Windows Explorer to manage floppy disks and hard drives
Exchanging and supporting floppy drives

Lesson 8: Hard drives
Hard drive technology
Communicating with the hard drive BIOS
How a hard drive is logically organized to hold data
Installing a hard drive

Lesson 9: Optimizing and protecting hard drives
Managing hard drives
Viruses and other computer infestations
Troubleshooting hard drives

Lesson 10: Supporting I/O devices
Basic principles of peripheral installations
Using ports and expansion slots for add-on devices
Keyboards
Pointing devices
Computer video

Lesson 11: Multimedia devices and mass storage
Multimedia on a PC
Optical storage technology
Tape drives
Removable drives
Troubleshooting guidelines

Lesson 12: Supporting Windows 9x
Windows 9x architecture
Installing Windows 9x
Tools to manage and troubleshoot Windows 9x
Booting Windows 9x
Troubleshooting Windows 9x

Lesson 13: Installing Windows 2000 and Windows NT
Windows NT/2000/XP architecture
Installing Windows 2000 Professional 
Installing hardware and applications under Windows 2000 
Supporting Windows NT

Lesson 14: Managing and troubleshooting Windows 2000
Understanding the Windows NT/2000/XP boot process
Troubleshooting the Windows 2000 boot process
Tools for maintenance and troubleshooting

Lesson 15: Installing and using Windows XP Professional
Features and architecture of Windows XP
Installing Windows XP
Using Windows XP 
Installing hardware and applications 

Lesson 16: Managing and supporting Windows XP
Security in Windows NT/2000/XP
The Windows NT/2000/XP registry 
Other maintenance and troubleshooting tools 
Troubleshooting the boot process

Lesson 17: Supporting modems
All about modems
The AT command set
Troubleshooting modems 

Lesson 18: PCs on a network
Physical network architectures
Windows on a network 
Installing a network card and connecting to a network 
Using resources on the network
Troubleshooting a network connection
Connecting networks 

Lesson 19: PCs on the Internet
The TCP/IP suite of protocols
Connecting to the Internet 
Supporting Internet clients

Lesson 20: Notebooks and PDAs
Notebook computers
PDAs

Lesson 21: Supporting printers
How printers work
Installing and sharing printers 
Troubleshooting printers 

Lesson 22: All about SCSI
SCSI basics
Comparing IDE and SCSI 
Installing SCSI devices 
Troubleshooting SCSI devices  

Lesson 23: Purchasing a PC or building your own
Selecting a personal computer
Preparing to build your own PC
Building a personal computer, step by step

Lesson 24: Troubleshooting and maintenance fundamentals
Troubleshooting perspectives and tools
Your approach to troubleshooting
Preventive maintenance

Lesson 25: Error messages
Error messages and their meanings

Lesson 26: The PC technician
Understanding customer needs
Support calls and providing good service
Record keeping and information tools
Professional organizations and certifications
Protecting software copyrights

Lesson 27: Linux
Introduction to Linux
Linux commands