Complete A+ Guide to IT Hardware and Software

CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 Exams (V15)

AvCheryl Schmidt,Christopher Lee

Häftad, Engelska, 2025

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Master IT Hardware, Software, and Troubleshooting—and Fully Prepare for the Latest CompTIA® Core 1 and Core 2 Exams (V15)

The Complete A+ Guide to IT Hardware and Software is your all-in-one, real-world, full-color resource for building the skills you need to become a confident, job-ready IT technician--and for passing the updated CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 Exams (V15).

Built around the latest A+ exam objectives, this comprehensive guide helps you connect, configure, manage, and troubleshoot today’s most widely used devices, operating systems, and cloud-based technologies--all in the context of real IT scenarios. You’ll gain hands-on expertise with Windows 11, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS, Android, iOS, mobile and IoT devices, Active Directory, cybersecurity, scripting, and more.

Award-winning instructors Cheryl Schmidt and Christopher Lee combine technical depth with a strong focus on customer service and workplace-ready soft skills. Legacy technologies are also covered to prepare you for any environment you may encounter in the field.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN AND HOW YOU’LL LEARN IT

Covers All Current A+ Exam Objectives: Stay focused with clear coverage of every topic tested on the Core 1 and Core 2 Exams (V15).

Real-World, Visual Learning: Hundreds of full-color photos, illustrations, and tables help you understand how things work.

Hands-On Tech Tips: Practical insights and field-tested troubleshooting advice throughout the book.

Professional Skills Focus: Soft skills tips and team-building exercises help you develop the communication and collaboration abilities today’s employers demand.

Extensive Practice and Review Tools:

Learning Objectives and Key Terms at the start of each chapter
Review questions including multiple choice, true/false, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended formats
Critical thinking activities to reinforce deeper understanding
Certification Exam Tips to help you study smarter

Chapter Summaries & Glossary: Recap and reinforce key takeaways for fast and effective study.

Free Online Companion: Complete A+ Lab Manual

Available for free online, the Complete A+ Guide to IT Hardware and Software Lab Manual offers 140+ hands-on labs that walk you through:

PC components and mobile device repair
Wired and wireless networking
Operating system installation and configuration
Security fundamentals
Real-world troubleshooting scenarios

Step-by-step instructions, built-in challenges, and critical thinking questions help you practice, experiment, and build confidence with core A+ topics. Whether you’re preparing for the exam or the workplace--or both--this lab manual ensures you’re ready.

Perfect for students, instructors, and career changers alike, this guide will prepare you for both certification success and on-the-job performance in today’s fast-moving IT environments.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2025-11-06
Mått:215 x 275 x 40 mm
Vikt:2 234 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Serie:Pearson IT Cybersecurity Curriculum (ITCC)
Antal sidor:1 104
Upplaga:10
Förlag:Pearson Education
ISBN:9780135439777

Utforska kategorier

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Innehållsförteckning

Introduction .................xxvFeatures of This Book .............................xxviiChapter 1: Introduction to the World of IT .......................... 1Who Needs This Book? ..................... 2Technician Qualities ........................... 2Breaking into IT with the CompTIA A+ Certification .... 5Basic Skills for This Course ............. 5Types of Computers ............................ 8Basic Computer Hardware ................ 8Mice and Keyboards .........................14Common Peripherals ........................171s and 0s ............18Safety Notes ......20Chapter Summary .............................21Key Terms ..........22Review Questions ..............................23Exercises ............25Activities ............27Chapter 2: Connectivity .............................29Introduction to Connectivity ...........30External Connectivity .......................30Mouse and Keyboard Ports .............30Video Ports ........38Audio Ports ........43eSATA Ports ......43Modem and Serial Ports ..................44Network Ports ...46Network Cabling ...............................47Integrated Motherboard Ports .........53Getting to Know Ports......................53Wireless Connectivity for Input Devices ...............55Chapter Summary .............................56Key Terms ..........57Review Questions ..............................58Exercises ............59Activities ............62Chapter 3: On the Motherboard............65Introduction to the Motherboard ....66Processor Overview ..........................66Processor Basics ................................67Speeding Up Processor Operations Overview ....68Cache ..................69Connecting to the Processor ...........70Multicore Processors ........................71Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) ...72Introduction to Virtualization Support .....73Intel Processors .74AMD Processors ............75CPU Sockets .....76Processor Cooling .............77Installing a Processor .......................78Upgrading Processors .......................80Overclocking Processors .................80Installing CPU Thermal Solutions .81Troubleshooting Processor Issues ..82Expansion Slots 83PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) ....................83PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) ..84Motherboard Security Options .......87Types of Motherboards ....................88Upgrading and Replacing Motherboards ..............89Motherboard Troubleshooting ........90Chapter Summary .............................93Key Terms ..........94Review Questions ..............................95Exercises ............97Activities ............99Chapter 4: Introduction to Configuration .....103Configuration Overview ................104BIOS Overview ...............................104UEFI .................105BIOS/UEFI Configuration Settings ...............107CMOS Memory ...............................110Flashing/Clearing the BIOS/UEFI ...............112Other Configuration Parameters ...113Hardware Configuration Overview............115Installing a USB Device ................117Installing an eSATA Card ..............120Installing a Network Interface Card ..........121Troubleshooting Configurations ...122Chapter Summary .........4Key Terms ........124Review Questions .......125Exercises ..........127Activities ..........131Chapter 5: Disassembly and Power ....135Disassembly Overview ...................136Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) ......136Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) ........138Tools .................139Disassembly ....140Reassembly ......147Preventive Maintenance .................147Basic Electronics Overview ..........150Power Supply Overview ................153Replacing or Upgrading a Power Supply ........160Power Protection .............................162Symptoms of Power Supply Problems .........163Chapter Summary .......167Key Terms ........168Review Questions ......169Exercises ..........172Activities ..........173Chapter 6: Memory ...177Memory Overview ........178Memory Physical Packaging.........178Planning a Memory Installation ...179Installing Memory Overview ........190Virtual RAM ...192Monitoring Memory Usage in Windows ......193Older Applications in Windows ...195Troubleshooting Memory Problems ..............195Removable Storage .........................197Chapter Summary ...........................201Key Terms ........202Review Questions ............................203Exercises ..........205Activities ..........211Chapter 7: Storage Devices ....................213Storage Devices Overview ............214Hard Drive Overview .....................215Solid-State Drive (SSD) Overview ..............217Mechanical Drive Interfaces Overview .........219SATA and SAS Connectivity ........220Storage Device Configuration Overview .......222System BIOS/UEFI Configuration for Storage Devices ..........228Hard Drive Preparation Overview ................229Windows Disk Management .........236Fault Tolerance ................................238Windows Storage Spaces ...............240Disk Caching/Virtual Memory .....241Troubleshooting Storage Devices Overview ..............243Data Loss and Corruption .............245Troubleshooting New Storage Device Installation ....246Troubleshooting Previously Installed Storage Devices ......247RAID Issues ....251SSD Issues .......251Chapter Summary ........253Key Terms ........255Review Questions ............256Exercises ..........258Activities ..........261Chapter 8: Video and Multimedia Devices.......63Multimedia Devices Overview .....264Video Overview ...............................264Projectors .........274Introduction to Audio .....................276Sound Cards Using Windows .......279Speakers ...........281Troubleshooting Sound Problems ..............282Optical Drive Overview .................283Optical Drive Installation ..............286Troubleshooting Optical Drive Issues ...............286Scanners ...........287Other Multimedia Devices ............290Chapter Summary ...........................293Key Terms ........294Review Questions ...................295Exercises ..........297Activities ..........298Chapter 9: Printers/Multifunction Devices ...........301Printer/Multifunction Device Overview .........302Categories of Printers ..........302Impact Printers 303Inkjet Printers ..305Laser Printers ..308Thermal Printers ...................311Paper .................313Virtual Printing ................................316Refilling Cartridges, Re-inking Ribbons, and Recycling Cartridges ..317Upgrading Printers ..........................318Printer Maintenance ........................318Printer Installation Overview ........324Installing Multifunction Devices ..326USB Printer Installation .................326Printers in the Windows Environment ........327Printer Sharing 332Cloud Printing/Scanning ................337General Printer Troubleshooting ..338Chapter Summary ...........................349Key Terms ........350Review Questions ............................351Exercises ..........353Activities ..........354Chapter 10: Mobile Devices ...................357Mobile Device Overview ...............358Using Mobile Devices ....................364Cell Phones ......366Mobile Apps ....368Mobile Device Wired Connectivity ........371Mobile Device Wireless Connectivity ......373Mobile Device Email Configuration ............379Mobile Device Synchronization and Backup .............381Other Mobile Software Tools .......385Laptops Overview .....387Laptop Hardware ..............387Laptop Power ..391Laptop Repairs Overview ..............394Mobile Device Security .................410Mobile Device Troubleshooting Overview ...415Chapter Summary .........429Key Terms ........431Review Questions ........432Exercises ..........434Activities ..........436Chapter 11: Computer Design and Troubleshooting Review ........439Design Overview .............................440Computer System Design ..............441Motherboard and Associated Component Design .....447Power Supply and Case Design ...447Storage Subsystem Design ............449Audio Subsystem Design ..............449Display Subsystem Design ............450Troubleshooting Overview ............451Step 1. Identify the Problem .........452Step 2. Establish a Theory of Probable Cause (Question the Obvious) .453Step 3. Test the Theory to Determine the Cause .......461Step 4. Establish a Plan of Action to Resolve the Problem and Implement the Proposed Solution .....463Step 5. Verify Full System Functionality and, If Applicable, Implement Preventive Measures .....463Step 6. Document the Findings, Actions, and Outcomes ..........................463Sample Troubleshooting Flowcharts ............................464Chapter Summary ...........................468Key Terms ........469Review Questions ............................470Exercises ..........471Exercise 11.4 Determining the Troubleshooting Process Step ...........476Activities ..........476Chapter 12: Internet Connectivity, Virtualization, and Cloud Technologies.......479Internet Connectivity Overview ...480Dial-up Connectivity ......................480Cable Modems 482xDSL Modems 483VoIP ..................484Fiber Networks ................................486Satellite Modems .............................488Mobile/Cellular Connectivity Overview .....................489Web Browsers .492Introduction to Virtualization ........498Containers ........503Cloud Computing ............................503Chapter Summary ...........................509Key Terms ........511Review Questions ............................512Exercises ..........513Activities ..........515Chapter 13: Networking ..........................517Networking Overview ....................518Network Media Overview .............525Ethernet over Power .......................534Protecting Your Network and Cable Investment ........535The OSI Model ................................538The TCP/IP Model ..........................540Network Addressing .......................542More IPv4 Addressing ...................543Wireless Networks Overview .......546Wireless Network Standards .........547Wireless Network Components ....548Wireless Network Design ..............550Wireless and Wired Client Device Configuration Overview .....559Configuring an End Device: IP Addressing ................560Adding a Computer to a Windows Domain ................566Wireless NIC–Specific Settings ...567Advanced NIC Properties ..............568NIC Configuration When Using Virtualization ..........569Wireless AP/Router Configuration ............570WWAN Cellular Configuration ....572IoT and Smart Devices ...................572Network Troubleshooting ..............573Networking Multifunction Devices .............582Network Servers ..............................584Embedded, SCADA, and Legacy Systems ......585Software-Defined Networking ......586Network Terminology ....................587The TCP/IP Model in Action ........588More Windows Network Settings 590Introduction to Shared Folders .....594Chapter Summary ...........................598Key Terms ........601Review Questions ............................602Exercises ..........604Activities ..........610Chapter 14: Introduction to Operating Systems ......613Operating Systems Overview .......614User Interaction with Operating Systems ........615Overview of Popular Operating Systems ...........61632-Bit vs. 64-Bit Operating Systems ............617Windows 11 Versions .....................618Workstation Operating Systems ...619Operating Systems for Mobile Devices ........619End-of-Life (EOL) Concerns ........620Update Limitations .........................620Compatibility Concerns .................621Corporate Operating System Needs .....621Basic Windows Usage Overview .623Windows 11 Desktop Components .............624Shortcuts ..........627Recycle Bin .....628Interactions Within a Window ......629Managing Windows Files and Folders ..........630Searches and Indexing ...................635Attributes, Compression, and Encryption .......637Introduction to Windows Settings 640Determining the Windows Version ...............642Windows Registry ...........................643Editing the Windows Registry ......643Backing Up Data .............................644WinRE ..............645Recovering the Windows OS ........645Chapter Summary ...........................647Key Terms ........648Review Questions ............................649Exercises ..........650Activities ..........652Chapter 15: Introduction to Scripting ........655Scripting Overview .........................656Command Prompt Overview ........656Command Prompt Basics ..............657Moving Around from a Command Prompt ...659The md and rd Commands ..........662Two Useful Commands: del and type .....663Copying Files ..664The attrib Command ................665Why Learn Commands? ................666PowerShell .......666Other Commands You Should Look Over .......667Command Format ...........................668Introduction to Scripting ................692Script File Types ..............................693Use Cases for Scripting .................694Mitigating Consequences of Scripting .......695Environment Variables ...................696Script Syntax ...698Introduction to Script Programming .......699Variables ...........699Data Types .......701Examples of Using Variables ........702Comments Within Scripts ..............703Basic Script Constructs ..................704Decisions: The Selection Structure.............704Compound Conditions and Logical Operators ......708Loops: The Repetition Structure ..708A Brief Look at VBScript and PowerShell .......711Chapter Summary ...........................714Key Terms ........715Review Questions ............................716Exercises ..........717Activities ..........718Chapter 16: Advanced Windows ..........721Advanced Windows Overview .....722Preinstallation of Windows ...........722Installation/Upgrade of Windows 732Corporate Windows Deployment .733Verifying the Installation ...............735Troubleshooting a Windows Installation ....735System Restore ................................737Reloading Windows ........................737Windows Updates ...........................739Backing Up the Windows Registry and Data ....740Configuring Windows Overview ..741Configuring Windows ....................743Adding Devices ...............................743Installing/Removing Software ......750Computer Management Console ..754System Tools ...755User Account Management ...........759Managing Storage ...........................765Managing Services and Applications ......769Data Sources (ODBC) ....................770Print Management Console ...........771Overview of the Windows Boot Process ....772Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) .....773Startup Settings Menu ....................776Task Manager ..782Monitoring System Performance .784Speeding Up the Windows Boot Process .....789Troubleshooting the Windows Boot Process ...790Black Screen/Video Issues ............792Troubleshooting a Service That Does Not Start ...793Slow Boot ........795Troubleshooting Windows Network Settings ...796Windows Reboots/System Instability .......797Shutdown Problems ........................798Summary of Troubleshooting Steps ......799Power Options.799Supporting Windows Computers Remotely .....801Preventive Maintenance for Your Operating System ..803Cloud-Based Productivity Tools ..804Chapter Summary ...........................809Key Terms ........811Review Questions ............................812Exercises ..........813Activities ..........815Chapter 17: macOS and Linux Operating Systems ..817Introduction to macOS ...................818Navigating the User Interface .......819Basic System Usage, Applications, Updates, and Backups .....822Management and Troubleshooting Tools ......827Utilities .............830Introduction to Linux .....................839OS Components and Common Configuration Files ..840Navigating the User Interface .......840Basic System Usage, Updates, and Backups .....842Command-Line Interface ...............845macOS and Linux Best Practices .854Chapter Summary ...........................855Key Terms ........856Review Questions ............................857Exercises ..........858Activities ..........859Chapter 18: Computer and Network Security .....861Security Overview ...........................862Security Policy 862Physical Security .............................863Logical Security ..............................870Considering the End User .............875Licensing ..........876Security Threats and Vulnerabilities ........878Protecting Access to Local and Network Resources .884Permissions ......891Folder Options 897Protecting the Operating System and Data .....898Internet Security ..............................906Remote Access to Network Devices .......918Internet Appliances .........................920Wireless Network Security Overview .......921Security Incident Response ...........928A Final Word About Security .......930Chapter Summary ...........................932Key Terms ........934Review Questions ............................935Exercises ..........937Activities ..........939Chapter 19: Operational Procedures .941Operational Procedures Overview ......942Proper Power Handling and Adverse Power Conditions .......951IT Documentation ...........................959Change Management ......................964Chapter Summary ...........................975Key Terms ........977Review Questions ............................978Exercises ..........980Activities ..........981Appendix A: Subnetting Basics ............985 Online Only ElementsAppendix B: Certification Exam ObjectivesGlossary9780135439777, TOC, 8/12/2025