The Path of the PC Tech
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Transcript of The Path of the PC Tech
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
The Path of the PC TechChapter 1
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
Overview
• In this chapter, you will learn how to
– Explain the importance of gaining skill in managing and troubleshooting PCs
– Explain the importance of CompTIA A+ certification
– Describe how to become a CompTIA A+ Certified Technician
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
Concept of Certifications
• Required in many professions
– Automobile mechanic – ASE
– Accountant – CPA
• Certification shows competency
– Often opens doors
– Helps get your resume noticed
– Helps you land the interview
Certified
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
Importance of CompTIA A+ Certification
• There is a long history of vendor-specific certifications for techs– HP Certified Professional– Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
• There was a need for a general certification for PC techs– Validate that the tech can maintain, upgrade, and
repair PCs
• CompTIA A+ is that certification
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
What Is CompTIA A+ Certification?
• Industry-wide, vendor-neutral
• Sponsored by CompTIA
• Wide recognition in computer industry
• Covers nine months of knowledge
• More than 800,000 CompTIA A+ certified techs worldwide
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
Who Is CompTIA?
• Nonprofit, industry trade association
• More than 20,000 members in 102 countries
• Virtually every company of consequence in the IT industry is a member
• Offers certifications such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, and more
• See www.comptia.org for details
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
The Path to Other Certifications
• CompTIA Network+ – Shows competency as a network technician
• Microsoft Certified Professional– Shows competency in Microsoft operating systems
• Cisco– Shows competency in routing and switching
technologies
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
CompTIA A+ Certification
• How to become CompTIA A+ certified– Pass two computer-based, multiple-choice exams
• Requires that you pay a fee
– CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701)– CompTIA Practical Application (220-702)
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
The CompTIA A+ Exams
• Windows Desktop-centric– No Mac, No Linux, No Windows Server, No Windows
Mobile
• Windows 2000• Windows XP• Windows Vista• Windows 7 is not covered on either
exam
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
Basic Exam Structure
• Multiple choice questions such as
1. A dot-matrix printer is printing blank pages. What should you check first?A. Printer driversB. PlatenC. Print headD. Ribbon
2. Click on the locationof the processorsocket in the picture
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
Essentials (220-701)
• Domains and percentages for the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam
10%6.0 Operational Procedures8%5.0 Security15%4.0 Networking20%20%27%Percentage
3.0 Operating Systems/Software
1.0 Hardware2.0 Troubleshooting/Repair/Maintenance
Domain
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
Practical Application (220-702)
13%4.0 Security15%34%38%Percentage
3.0 Networking
1.0 Hardware2.0 Operating Systems
Domain
• Domains and percentages for the CompTIA A+ Practical Application exam
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
What Chapters Cover Each Exam?
• Objective map in Appendix A– Shows exactly where objectives are covered
• Book focuses on tech skills– Expect the chapter to teach you the material fully.– Each exam tests at different depths:
• 220-701 Identify, install, and configure• 220-702 Maintain and troubleshoot
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
How to Take the Tests
• Offered by Prometric at testing sites worldwide– 800-776-4276 or www.prometric.com
• Offered by Pearson/VUE at testing sites worldwide– 877-551-PLUS (7587) or www.vue.com
• Cost of the exams– $168 (U.S.) per exam – pass or fail– Discount vouchers widely available
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition
How to Pass the CompTIA A+ Exams
• Set a date as your goal
• Set aside enough time for study and lab
• Use the practice exams on the CD that come with the book
• Use good study strategies– Write down information in your own handwriting – Make flash cards– Set aside a special time for study each day
© 2010 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+® Guide to
Managing and Troubleshooting PCs
Third Edition