A+ Core Hardware Exam

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The A+ Hardware Exam is a certification exam for hardware in computing.

Below is a summary of the 2003 A+ Hardware Exam objectives:

Contents

[edit] Test Core Hardware Exam

[edit] Domain 1 Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading

1.1 Identify the names, purpose, and characteristics, of system modules. Recognize these modules by sight or definition. Examples of concepts and modules are:

1.2 Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for desktop systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequences. Desktop components:

1.3 Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for portable systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequences. Portable components:

  • Storage devices
  • FDD
  • HDD
  • CD/CDRW
  • DVD/DVDRW
  • Removable storage
  • Power sources
  • AC adapter
  • DC adapter
  • Battery
  • Memory
  • Input devices
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse/pointer devices
  • Touch screen
  • PCMCIA/Mini PCI Adapters
  • Network Interface Card (NIC)
  • Modem
  • SCSI
  • IEEE 1394/Firewire
  • USB
  • Storage (memory and hard drive)
  • Docking station/port replicators
  • LCD panel
  • Wireless
  • Adapter/controller
  • Antennae

1.4 Identify typical IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses, and procedures for altering these settings when installing and configuring devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration steps in a given scenario. Content may include the following:

1.5 Identify the names, purposes, and performance characteristics, of standardized/common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors. Recognize ports, cabling, and connectors, by sight. Content may include the following:

1.6 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common IDE devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios. Recognize the associated cables. Content may include the following:

1.7 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common SCSI devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios. Recognize the associated cables. Content may include the following:

1.8 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common peripheral devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios. Content may include the following:

1.9 Identify procedures to optimize PC operations in specific situations. Predict the effects of specific procedures under given scenarios. Topics may include:

  • Cooling systems
  • Liquid
  • Air
  • Heat sink
  • Thermal compound
  • Disk subsystem enhancements
  • Hard drives
  • Controller cards (e.g., RAID, ATA-100, etc.)
  • Cables
  • NICs
  • Specialized video cards
  • Memory
  • Additional processors

1.10 Determine the issues that must be considered when upgrading a PC. In a given scenario, determine when and how to upgrade system components. Issues may include:

  • Drivers for legacy devices
  • Bus types and characteristics
  • Cache in relationship to motherboards
  • Memory capacity and characteristics
  • Processor speed and compatibility
  • Hard drive capacity and characteristics
  • System/firmware limitations
  • Power supply output capacity

Components may include the following:

[edit] Domain 2 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting

2.1 Recognize common problems associated with each module and their symptoms, and identify steps to isolate and troubleshoot the problems. Given a problem situation, interpret the symptoms and infer the most likely cause. Content may include the following:

  • I/O ports and cables
  • Serial
  • Parallel
  • USB ports
  • IEEE 1394/Firewire
  • Infrared
  • SCSI
  • Motherboards
  • CMOS/ BIOS settings
  • POST audible/visual error codes
  • Peripherals
  • Computer case
  • Power supply
  • Slot covers
  • Front cover alignment
  • Storage devices and cables
  • FDD
  • HDD
  • CD/CDRW
  • DVD/DVDRW
  • Tape drive
  • Removable storage
  • Cooling systems
  • Fans
  • Heat sinks
  • Liquid cooling
  • Temperature sensors
  • Processor /CPU
  • Memory
  • Display device
  • Input devices
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse/pointer devices
  • Touch screen
  • Adapters
  • Network Interface Card (NIC)
  • Sound card
  • Video card
  • Modem
  • SCSI
  • IEEE 1394/Firewire
  • USB
  • Portable Systems
  • PCMCIA
  • Batteries
  • Docking Stations/Port Replicators
  • Portable unique storage

2.2 Identify basic troubleshooting procedures and tools, and how to elicit problem symptoms from customers. Justify asking particular questions in a given scenario. Content may include the following:

  • Troubleshooting/isolation/problem determination procedures
  • Determining whether a hardware or software problem
  • Gathering information from user
  • Customer Environment
  • Symptoms/Error Codes
  • Situation when the problem occurred

[edit] Domain 3 PC Preventive Maintenance, Safety, and Environmental Issues

3.1 Identify the various types of preventive maintenance measures, products and procedures and when and how to use them. Content may include the following:

  • Liquid cleaning compounds
  • Types of materials to clean contacts and connections
  • Non-static vacuums (chassis, power supplies, fans)
  • Cleaning monitors
  • Cleaning removable media devices
  • Ventilation, dust and moisture control on the PC hardware interior.
  • Hard disk maintenance (defragging, scan disk, CHKDSK)
  • Verifying UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and suppressors

3.2 Identify various safety measures and procedures, and when/how to use them. Content may include the following:

3.3 Identify environmental protection measures and procedures, and when/how to use them. Content may include the following:

[edit] Domain 4 Motherboard/Processors/Memory

4.1 Distinguish between the popular CPU chips in terms of their basic characteristics. Content may include the following:

4.2 Identify the types of RAM (Random Access Memory), form factors, and operational characteristics. Determine banking and speed requirements under given scenarios. Content may include the following:

4.3 Identify the most popular types of motherboards, their components, and their architecture (bus structures). Content may include the following:

4.4 Identify the purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) memory, what it contains, and how and when to change its parameters. Given a scenario involving CMOS, choose the appropriate course of action. CMOS Settings:

  • Default settings
  • CPU settings
  • 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—speed, parity, non-parity
  • Boot sequence
  • Date/Time
  • Passwords
  • Plug & Play BIOS
  • Disabling on-board devices
  • Disabling virus protection
  • Power management
  • Infrared

[edit] Domain 5 Printers

5.1 Identify printer technologies, interfaces, and options/upgrades. Technologies include:

Interfaces include:

  • Parallel
  • Network
  • SCSI
  • USB
  • Infrared
  • Serial
  • IEEE 1394/Firewire
  • Wireless

Options/Upgrades include:

  • Memory
  • Hard drives
  • NICs
  • Trays and feeders
  • Finishers (e.g., stapling, etc.)
  • Scanners/fax/copier

5.2 Recognize common printer problems and techniques used to resolve them. Content may include the following:

  • Printer drivers
  • Firmware updates
  • Paper feed and output
  • Calibrations
  • Printing test pages
  • Errors (printed or displayed)
  • Memory
  • Configuration
  • Network connections
  • Connections
  • Paper jam
  • Print quality
  • Safety precautions
  • Preventive maintenance
  • Consumables
  • Environment

[edit] Domain 6 Basic Networking

6.1 Identify the common types of network cables, their characteristics and connectors. Cable types include:

Connector types include:

6.2 Identify basic networking concepts including how a network works. Concepts include:

6.3 Identify common technologies available for establishing Internet connectivity and their characteristics. Technologies include:

Characteristic include:

  • Definition
  • Speed
  • Connections

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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