CompTIA A+ 2005 HW Exam 220-301: Level 1

• 1.0 CompTIA A+ Introduction
• 1.1 Prerequisites
• 1.2 Tests and objectives
• 1.3 Benefits

• 2.0 Computer basics
• 2.1 Analog vs. Digital
• 2.2 Binary compared to decimal
• 2.3 Safety
• 2.4 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
• 2.5 Multimeter
• 2.6 Other tools

• 3.0 Preventative maintenance
• 3.1 Cleaning exterior components (keyboards, screens)
• 3.2 Cleaning inside
• 3.3 Non-static Vacuums
• 3.4 Verifying UPS and Power Filter

• 4.0 Component overview
• 4.1 How components will be covered
• 4.2 Cases, fans, and power
• 4.3 Motherboard
• 4.4 Processors
• 4.5 Memory
• 4.6 Expansion cards
• 4.7 Storage devices (floppy, hard, SCSI, tape)
• 4.8 Ports

• 5.0 Resource settings
• 5.1 IRQ overview
• 5.2 Typical IRQs
• 5.3 I/O address overview
• 5.4 Typical I/O addresses
• 5.5 DMA overview
• 5.6 Typical DMA assignments
• 5.7 Modifying resource setting

• 6.0 CMOS/BIOS
• 6.1 CMOS vs. BIOS
• 6.2 POST
• 6.3 Default settings
• 6.4 Automatic settings
• 6.5 Common configuration changes
• 6.6 Advanced configuration changes
• 6.7 Troubleshooting
• 6.8 Flashing

• 7.0 Recap of Level 1

CompTIA A+ 2005 HW Exam 220-301: Level 2

• 1.0 Cases, fans, and power
• 1.1 Cases, Fans and Power overview
• 1.2 Different case types
• 1.3 Different cooling methods (heat sinks, thermal compounds, liquid cooling)
• 1.4 AT/ATX power plug and AC adapter
• 1.5 Power Supply voltages
• 1.6 Replacing fans
• 1.7 Replacing power supplies

• 2.0 Motherboards
• 2.1 Motherboard overview
• 2.2 AT vs. ATX
• 2.3 AMR and CNR risers
• 2.4 Identifying components on motherboard
• 2.5 Chipsets
• 2.6 Miscellaneous built-in components
• 2.7 Replacement considerations
• 2.8 Replacing the motherboard

• 3.0 Processors/CPU
• 3.1 Bus architecture
• 3.2 Identifying processors
• 3.3 Different processors
• 3.4 Popular Pentium compatible processors
• 3.5 CPU voltages
• 3.6 Cache Level I, II, and III
• 3.7 CPU speeds
• 3.8 Cooling the processor
• 3.9 Replacement considerations

• 4.0 Memory
• 4.1 RAM types
• 4.2 Form factors
• 4.3 Operational characteristics
• 4.4 Banking
• 4.5 Upgrading and replacing
• 4.6 Diagnosing and troubleshooting

• 5.0 Adapter Cards
• 5.1 Adapter card overview
• 5.2 ISA and EISA
• 5.3 PCI
• 5.4 Diagnosing and troubleshooting
• 5.5 Replacing adapter cards
• 5.6 Configuring adapter cards

• 6.0 Display devices
• 6.1 AGP
• 6.2 CRTs
• 6.3 Flat Panel
• 6.4 Cable and connector
• 6.5 Diagnosing and troubleshooting
• 6.6 Replacing display devices

• 7.0 Input devices
• 7.1 Overview
• 7.2 Common ports
• 7.3 Diagnosing and troubleshooting
• 7.4 Replacing

• 8.0 Miscellaneous peripherals
• 8.1 Overview
• 8.2 Installing and configuring
• 8.3 Diagnosing and troubleshooting

• 9.0 Recap of Level 2

CompTIA A+ 2005 HW Exam 220-301: Level 3

• 1.0 Floppy drives
• 1.1 Floppy drive types
• 1.2 Floppy cable
• 1.3 Replacing the FDD
• 1.4 Diagnosing and troubleshooting

• 2.0 Hard Disk Drives
• 2.1 IDE overview
• 2.2 Drive Geometry
• 2.3 IDE Interface types
• 2.4 Primary/Secondary channels
• 2.5 Configuring master/slave/CS jumpers
• 2.6 Cable types
• 2.7 Replacing and/or upgrading
• 2.8 Diagnosing and troubleshooting

• 3.0 SCSI
• 3.1 SCSI overview
• 3.2 SCSI types
• 3.3 Internal vs
• 3.4 SCSI ID�s
• 3.5 Cabling
• 3.6 Diagnosing and troubleshooting

• 4.0 Miscellaneous storage devices
• 4.1 Miscellaneous storage devices overview
• 4.2 Installing and configuring
• 4.3 IEEE 1394 Firewire
• 4.4 Diagnosing and troubleshooting

• 5.0 RAID (0, 1, 5)
• 5.1 RAID overview
• 5.2 Hardware RAID vs. Software RAID
• 5.3 RAID 0
• 5.4 RAID 1
• 5.5 RAID 5

• 6.0 USB
• 6.1 USB overview
• 6.2 USB 1.0 vs. 2.0
• 6.3 Ports, hubs, and installation
• 6.4 Diagnosing and troubleshooting

• 7.0 Ports, cables and connectors
• 7.1 Overview
• 7.2 Port Types – Uses
• 7.3 Port Types – Connectors
• 7.4 Cable types

• 8.0 Modems
• 8.1 Overview
• 8.2 Modem types
• 8.3 Modem commands
• 8.4 Modem connections
• 8.5 Modem troubleshooting

• 9.0 Recap of Level 3

CompTIA A+ 2005 HW Exam 220-301: Level 4

• 1.0 Portable system components
• 1.1 Storage devices
• 1.2 Power Sources
• 1.3 Memory
• 1.4 Input Devices
• 1.5 PCMCIA
• 1.6 Docking stations
• 1.7 Wireless

• 2.0 Replacing and upgrading portable system components
• 2.1 Identifying suitable replacements
• 2.2 Replacement issues
• 2.3 Battery replacement
• 2.4 Diagnosing and troubleshooting

• 3.0 Printer Technologies
• 3.1 Laser
• 3.2 Laser EP Process
• 3.3 Ink dispersion
• 3.4 Dot matrix
• 3.5 Thermal
• 3.6 Dye sublimation

• 4.0 Printer interfaces
• 4.1 Parallel
• 4.2 Network
• 4.3 SCSI
• 4.4 USB
• 4.5 Infrared
• 4.6 Serial
• 4.7 IEEE 1394/Firewire
• 4.8 Wireless

• 5.0 Printer upgrades
• 5.1 Memory
• 5.2 Hard drives
• 5.3 NICs
• 5.4 Trays and Feeders
• 5.5 Finishers
• 5.6 Scanners/fax/copies

• 6.0 Printer Troubleshooting
• 6.1 No output
• 6.2 Garbage output
• 6.3 Paper feed, paper jams
• 6.4 Print quality
• 6.5 Errors (printed or displayed)

• 7.0 Recap of Level 4

CompTIA A+ 2005 HW Exam 220-301: Level 5

• 1.0 Cables and Connectors
• 1.1 Coaxial and BNC
• 1.2 Plenum/PVC
• 1.3 UTP and RJ-45
• 1.4 STP and RJ45
• 1.5 Fiber ST/SC, MIC
• 1.6 IDC/UDC
• 1.7 RS-232
• 1.8 Summary

• 2.0 Networking concepts
• 2.1 Networking overview
• 2.2 Networking models
• 2.3 Networking protocols
• 2.4 Full-duplex vs. half-duplex
• 2.5 Cabling
• 2.6 Addresses
• 2.7 Bandwidth

• 3.0 Installing and Configuring a NIC
• 3.1 Installation
• 3.2 Addressing
• 3.3 Bandwidth
• 3.4 Status indicator

• 4.0 Network technologies
• 4.1 LAN
• 4.2 DSL
• 4.3 Cable
• 4.4 ISDN
• 4.5 Dial-up
• 4.6 Satellite
• 4.7 Wireless

• 5.0 Network Characteristics
• 5.1 Bus
• 5.2 Star
• 5.3 Ring
• 5.4 Mesh

• 6.0 Recap of Level 5