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IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Labs and Study Guide, 3rd Edition

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Features

The only Cisco authorized Lab Companion for the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software course from the Cisco Networking Academy Program

  • New Labs and Study Guide format provides on-line labs from the Academy curriculum as well as challenge labs from the authors
  • Study guide sections offer learning and practice exercises
  • Alignment to A+ objectives prepares students for certification exam

  • Copyright 2008
  • Edition: 3rd
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 1-58713-198-6
  • ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-198-1

IT Essentials PC Hardware and Software

Labs and Study Guide, Third Edition

Patrick Regan

The IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software version 4 course in the Cisco® Networking Academy® is designed to prepare you to take and pass the CompTIA A+ exams based on the 2006 objectives. You must pass both the A+ Essentials and one of the technician exams to earn the A+ certification. Chapters 1 through 10 cover the foundational knowledge that aligns with the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam (220-601). Chapters 11 through 16 explore more advanced concepts in greater depth to prepare you for the specialized CompTIA A+ technician exams (220-602 for IT Technician, 220-603 for Remote Support Technician, and 220-604 for Bench Technician).

IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Labs and Study Guide, Third Edition, is designed as a valuable teaching and learning tool, incorporating new features to improve your hands-on skills and reinforce the key topics of the course. Each chapter contains a Study Guide section and a Labs section.

The Study Guide section is designed to provide additional exercises and questions to reinforce your understanding of the course topics, preparing you for the course assessments and focusing on preparing for the associated certification exams.

The Labs section features the complete collection of the lab exercises and worksheets specifically designed by Cisco to give students hands-on experience in a particular concept or technology.

Chapters 1–10 cover the following skills and competencies:

  • Core competencies in the latest hardware and software technologies
  • Information security skills
  • Safety and environmental issues
  • Soft skills for career development

Chapters 11–16 cover the following skills and competencies:

  • Advanced troubleshooting skills
  • Preparation for all three CompTIA job environment certification exams
  • Advanced installation of computers, peripheral devices, networks, and security components

Use this book with:

IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software

Companion Guide, Third Edition

ISBN-10: 1-58713-199-4

ISBN-13: 978-158713-199-8

Patrick Regan has been a PC technician, network administrator/engineer, design architect, and security analyst for 16 years. He holds many certifications, including the Microsoft MCSE, MCSA, and MCT; CompTIA’s A+, Network+, Server+, Linux+, Security+, and CTT+; Cisco CCNA®; and Novell’s CNE and CWNP Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA).

This book is part of the Cisco Networking Academy Series from Cisco Press®. Books in this series support and complement the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 Introduction to the Personal Computer

Defining a Computer

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

Processors

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

Motherboards

    Concept Questions

RAM

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

Ports

    Identify Ports and Connectors

Expansion Slots and Boards

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

Cases

    Concept Questions

Power Supplies

Hard Drive

    Concept Questions

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

Video Systems

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Worksheet 1.1.2: Job Opportunities

Worksheet 1.4.7: Research Computer Components

Chapter 2 Safe Lab Procedures and Tool Use

Electrostatic Discharge

    Concept Questions

PC Maintenance

    Concept Questions

Power Fluctuations

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

    Concept Questions

Fires and Fire Extinguishers

    Concept Questions

Material Safety and Data Sheets and Component Disposal

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

    Concept Questions

Maintenance Safety

    Concept Questions

Tools of the Trade

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Worksheet 2.2.2: Diagnostic Software

Lab 2.3.4: Computer Disassembly

Chapter 3 Computer Assembly—Step by Step

Installing a Processor

    Concept Questions

Installing RAM

    Concept Questions

Installing the Motherboard

    Concept Questions

Installing a Power Supply

    Concept Questions

Installing Optical Drives

    Concept Questions

Installing Floppy Disk Drives

    Concept Questions

Installing a Hard Drive

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

BIOS and the BIOS Setup Program

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Lab 3.2.0: Install the Power Supply

Lab 3.3.3: Install the Motherboard

Lab 3.5.2: Install the Drives

Lab 3.6.3: Install Adapter Cards

Lab 3.7.2: Install Internal Cables

Lab 3.8.2: Complete the Computer Assembly

Lab 3.9.2: Boot the Computer

Chapter 4 Basics of Preventive Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Preventive Maintenance

    Concept Questions

Troubleshooting

    Concept Questions

    Troubleshooting Example

Study Questions

Chapter 5 Fundamental Operating Systems

Introduction to Operating Systems

    Concept Questions

Installing Windows

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

    Concept Questions

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

Registry

    Concept Questions

Windows 98 Boot Sequence

    Concept Questions

Windows 2000/XP Boot Sequence

    Concept Questions

Windows 2000 and Windows XP Advanced Boot Menu

    Concept Questions

Windows File Systems

    Concept Questions

File Management

    Concept Questions

Control Panel

    Concept Questions

Troubleshooting Tools

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Worksheet 5.2.2: Search NOS Jobs

Worksheet 5.3.2: Upgrade Hardware Components

Lab 5.4.2: Install Windows XP

Lab 5.4.5: Create Accounts and Check for Updates

Worksheet 5.4.9: Answer NTFS and FAT32 Questions

Lab 5.5.1: Run Commands

Lab 5.5.4: Install Third-Party Software

Lab 5.6.2: Restore Points

Lab 5.6.3: Windows Registry Backup and Recovery

Chapter 6 Fundamental Laptops and Portable Devices

Laptop Fundamentals

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

    Identify the Parts of a Laptop

Power Management

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

    Concept Questions

Laptop Maintenance

    Concept Questions

Troubleshooting Laptop Computers

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Worksheet 6.1.2: Research Laptops, Smart Phones, and PDAs

Worksheet 6.2.3: Complete Docking Stations True or False Questions

Worksheet 6.3.4: Answer Laptop Expansion Questions

Worksheet 6.4.1: Match ACPI Standards

Worksheet 6.7.2: Research Laptop Problems

Chapter 7 Fundamental Printers and Scanners

    Printers

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

    Electrophoto (EP) Stages

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

    Printer Troubleshooting

Scanners

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

Study Questions

Lab 7.4.2: Install All-in-One Device and Software

Chapter 8 Fundamental Networks

Defining a Network

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

Network Devices

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

Cable Types and Connectors

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

Network Topologies

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

Networking Technology

    Concept Questions

Connecting to the Internet

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

Network Troubleshooting Tools

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Worksheet 8.3.2: Identify IP Address Classes

Worksheet 8.9.1: Internet Search for NIC Drivers

Lab 8.9.2: Configure an Ethernet NIC to Use DHCP

Worksheet 8.10.3: Answer Broadband Questions

Worksheet 8.12.2: Diagnose a Network Problem

Chapter 9 Fundamental Security

Importance of Security

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

    Concept Questions

Wireless Security

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

Viruses

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

Denial of Service Attacks

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

Study Questions

Worksheet 9.1.0: Security Attacks

Worksheet 9.2.1: Third-Party Antivirus Software

Worksheet 9.4.2: Operating System Updates

Remote Technician 9.5.2: Gather Information from the Customer

Chapter 10 Communication Skills

Dealing with the Customer

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Worksheet 10.1.0: Technician Resources

Class Discussion 10.2.2: Controlling the Call

Class Discussion 10.2.3: Identifying Difficult Customer Types

Class Discussion 10.3.0: Customer Privacy

Chapter 11 Advanced Personal Computers

Motherboards

    Concept Questions

RAM

    Concept Questions

Cooling the System

    Concept Questions

Power Supply

    Concept Questions

Hard Drive

    Concept Questions

Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID)

    Concept Questions

Video Systems

    Concept Questions

Performance Bottlenecks

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

    Worksheet 11.1.0: Job Opportunities

Worksheet 11.3.7: Research Computer Components

Lab 11.4.1: Install a NIC

Lab 11.4.3: Install Additional RAM

Lab 11.4.4: BIOS File Search

Lab 11.4.5: Install, Configure, and Partition a Second Hard Drive

Lab 11.6.3: Repair Boot Problem

Remote Technician 11.6.3: Repair Boot Problem

Chapter 12 Advanced Operating Systems

Using the Command Prompt

    Concept Questions

Installing Windows 2000 and Windows XP

    Concept Questions

Windows Folder Structure

    Concept Questions

Control Panel and Administrative Tools

    Concept Questions

Fonts

    Concept Questions

Disk Management

    Concept Questions

Windows Boot Options

    Concept Questions

Troubleshooting Tools

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Lab 12.2.2: Advanced Installation of Windows XP

Curriculum Lab 12.2: Creating a Partition in Windows XP Pro (12.2.3)

Lab 12.2.4: Customize Virtual Memory Settings

Lab 12.2.5: Install an Alternate Browser (Optional)

Lab 12.4.1: Schedule Task Using GUI and at Command

Lab 12.5.3: Fix an Operating System Problem

Remote Technician 12.5.3: Fix an Operating System Problem

Chapter 13 Advanced Laptops and Portable Devices

Processors and RAM

    Concept Questions

Expansion Cards

    Concept Questions

Mobile Wireless Devices

    Concept Questions

Batteries

    Vocabulary Exercise: Completion

    Concept Questions

Mobile Video Systems

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Worksheet 13.2.0: Investigating Repair Centers

Worksheet 13.3.1: Laptop Batteries

Worksheet 13.3.2: Docking Station

Worksheet 13.3.3: Research DVD Drive

Worksheet 13.3.4: Laptop RAM

Worksheet 13.5.3: Verify Work Order Information

Chapter 14 Advanced Printers and Scanners

Printer Technology and Interfaces

    Concept Questions

Troubleshooting Printers

    Concept Questions

Printing in Windows

    Concept Questions

Scanners

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Lab 14.2.4: Install an All-in-One Printer/Scanner

Lab 14.3.2: Share the All-in-One Printer/Scanner

Lab 14.4.2: Optimize Scanner Output

Worksheet 14.5.1: Search for Certified Printer Technician Jobs

Lab 14.6.3: Fix a Printer

Remote Technician 14.6.3: Fix a Printer Problem

Chapter 15 Advanced Networks

OSI Model

    Identify the OSI Layers

TCP/IP Protocol Suite

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

    Vocabulary Exercise: Matching

    Identify the TCP/IP Ports

IP Addressing

    Concept Questions

Configuring Windows

    Concept Questions

Troubleshooting Tools

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Worksheet 15.2.2: Protocols

Worksheet 15.3.2: ISP Connection Types

Lab 15.4.2a: Configure Browser Settings

Lab 15.4.2b: Share a Folder, Share a Printer, and Set Share

Permissions

Lab 15.5.1: Install a Wireless NIC

Lab 15.5.2: Configure a Wireless Router

Lab 15.5.3: Test the Wireless NIC

Lab 15.8.3: Fix Network Problem

Remote Technician 15.8.3: Fix Network Problem

Chapter 16 Advanced Security

Access Control

    Concept Questions

NTFS and Share Permissions

    Concept Questions

Auditing

    Concept Questions

Wireless Security

    Concept Questions

Social Engineering

    Concept Questions

Denial of Services Attacks and Other Forms of Attacks

    Concept Questions

Study Questions

Worksheet 16.1.1: Answer Security Policy Questions

Worksheet 16.2.3: Research Firewalls

Lab 16.3.2: Configure Windows XP Firewall

Lab 16.5.3: Fix a Security Problem

Remote Technician 16.5.3: Fix a Security Problem

1587131986    TOC    12/19/2007

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