Home > Store

A+ Certification Exam Cram 2 PC Maintenance and Troubleshooting Field Guide

Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.

A+ Certification Exam Cram 2 PC Maintenance and Troubleshooting Field Guide

Book

  • Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
Not for Sale

Description

  • Copyright 2005
  • Edition: 1st
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-7897-3276-9
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-3276-7

The A+ Certification Exam Cram 2 PC Technician's Field Guide is a concise reference for PC technicians that allows you to spend more time getting your job done. The A+ Certification Exam Cram 2 PC Technician's Field Guide gives you quick, easy access to the installing, configuring, troubleshooting and repair information on the Windows operating system and PC components and peripherals that you need while on the job. For A+ candidates, this book will provide the solid troubleshooting and repair information that you will find helpful as a supplemental resource in your exam studies.

Sample Content

Online Sample Chapters

A+ Exam Cram: Hardware Troubleshooting Techniques

Hardware Troubleshooting Techniques

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Troubleshooting Jump Table.

I. INSTALLING, CONFIGURING, AND UPGRADING.

1. Installing, Configuring, and Upgrading Hardware.

    Introduction.

    Installing System Boards.

      Seating the System Board.

      Connecting System Board Cables.

      Installing Adapter Cards.

      Connecting External I/O Systems.

      Installing the System Unit’s Cover.

    Upgrading System Boards.

      Installing Microprocessors.

      Heat Sinks and Fans.

      Configuring the Microprocessor.

      Required Knowledge for Manually Configuring Processors.

      Upgrading Microprocessors.

      Microprocessor Upgrade Paths.

      Upgrading the BIOS.

      Testing the Upgrade.

      Overclocking.

      Matching Processors to Incompatible Sockets 

      Installing Additional Processors.

      Processor and Slot Specifications.

      Installing Memory Modules.

    Upgrading Memory.

      Using the System Board Documentation.

      Advanced SDRAM Technologies.

      Static RAM (SRAM) Technologies.

      RAM Speeds.

      Optimizing Memory.

    Flashing BIOS.

      Required Knowledge for Flashing a BIOS.

      Making Upgrade Decisions.

    HDD Installation.

      Partitioning Physical Drives.

      Disk Drive Subsystem Enhancements.

      Required Knowledge for Installing Hard Disk Drives.

    HDD Upgrading.

      Planning for an HDD Upgrade.

    Installing CD-ROM/DVD Devices.

      Configuring CD-ROM/DVD Devices.

      Installing CD-RW and DVD-RW Drives.

      Required Knowledge for Installing CD-ROM and DVD Drives.

    Installing Tape Drives.

      Required Knowledge for Installing Tape Drives.

    Installing Adapter Card-Based Peripherals.

      Installing Sound Cards.

      Installing Modems.

    Upgrading Adapters.

      Specialized Video Cards.

      Optimizing Network Adapters.

    Installing and Upgrading Peripherals.

      Ports.

      IEEE-1284 Parallel Port Devices.

      Installing Devices Using Advanced Buses and Ports.

      Installing Digital Cameras.

      Upgrading Peripheral Devices.

      Implementing Ports.

    Installing Wireless LAN Components.

      Required Knowledge for Installing Wireless LANs.

    Loading and Adding Device Drivers.

      Windows 9x Device Drivers.

      Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP Device Drivers.

      Finding Updated Device Drivers.

      Driver Signing.

    Power Supply Upgrade Considerations.

      Required Knowledge for Upgrading the Power Supply.

2. Installing, Configuring, and Upgrading Operating Systems.

    Introduction.

    Disk Preparation.

    Installing Windows 95.

    Installing Windows 98.

      Installing Windows 98 from a Network Server.

    Installing Windows Me.

      Adding CAB Files to the Installation.

    Installing Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP Operating Systems.

      Installation Methods.

      Installing Windows 2000 Professional.

      Installing Windows XP Professional.

      Patches and Service Packs.

    Operating System Upgrading.

      Upgrading to Windows 2000.

      Upgrading to Windows XP.

      Performing Local Upgrades.

    Installing Dual-Booting Operating Systems.

      Required Knowledge for Establishing a Dual-Boot System.

    Troubleshooting Operating Systems Install Failures.

      Windows 9x Setup Problems.

      Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP Setup Problems.

      Windows XP Setup Problems.

      Troubleshooting OS Upgrade Failures.

    Adding Applications.

      Installing Additional Windows 9x and Windows Me Components.

      Windows 2000 and Windows XP Applications.

      Windows 2000 and Windows XP Application Installer.

      Launching Windows Applications.

    Installing Printers.

      Installing Printers in Windows 9x and Windows Me.

      Establishing Printers in Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

      Printer Properties.

    Configuring LAN Connections.

      Networking with Windows 9X.

    Networking with Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

      My Network Places.

      Windows 2000 and Windows XP Network Control Panel.

      Configuring Windows 2000 and Windows XP Network Shares.

    Networking with Novell NetWare.

      Installing NetWare Clients and Protocols.

    Installing Other Network Protocols.

    Wide Area Networking with Windows 9x and Windows Me.

      The Windows 9x and Windows Me Internet Connection.

    Wide Area Networking with Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP.

      The Windows 2000 and Windows XP Internet Infrastructure.

      Establishing the Windows 2000 and Windows XP Dial-Up Configuration.

      Establishing Dialing Rules.

      Establishing Dial-Up Internet Connections.

      Establishing Internet Connection Sharing.

      The Windows XP Firewall.

    Configuring Internet Options.

      Configuring Security Settings.

      Configuring Script Support.

      Configuring Proxy Settings.

    Optimizing Windows Performance.

      Optimizing Windows 9x and Windows Me Systems That Have Legacy Files.

      Optimizing Virtual Memory in Windows 9x.

      Optimizing Windows 2000 and Windows XP Systems.

II. TROUBLESHOOTING.

3. Hardware Troubleshooting Techniques.

    Introduction.

    Sorting Hardware/Software/Configuration Problems.

    Hardware Troubleshooting Tools.

      Software Diagnostic Packages.

      Using a Multimeter in a PC.

      Cable Testers.

      POST Cards.

    Troubleshooting Power-Supply Problems.

      Checking Dead Systems.

      Other Power-Supply Problems.

    Troubleshooting the System Board.

      System Board Symptoms.

      Configuration Problems.

      Microprocessors.

      RAM.

      ROM.

      CMOS Batteries.

    Troubleshooting Keyboard Problems.

      Keyboard Symptoms.

    Troubleshooting Mouse Problems.

      Mouse Hardware Checks.

      Mouse Configuration Checks.

     Troubleshooting Video.

      Video Hardware Checks.

    Troubleshooting Floppy Disk Drives.

      Basic FDD Checks.

    Troubleshooting Hard Disk Drives.

      HDD Configuration Checks.

      Basic HDD Checks.

      HDD Hardware Checks.

    Troubleshooting CD-ROM Drives.

      Basic Checks.

      Windows Checks.

      CD-ROM/DVD Hardware Checks.

    Troubleshooting Tape Drives.

      Troubleshooting Other Removable Storage Systems.

    Troubleshooting Port Problems.

      Port Problem Symptoms.

      Basic Port Checks.

      Windows Printer Checks.

      Troubleshooting Infrared Ports.

    Troubleshooting Modems.

      Modem Symptoms.

      COM Port Conflicts.

      Windows Modem Checks.

      The Hayes AT Command Set.

      Modem Hardware Checks.

    Troubleshooting Sound Cards.

      Sound Card Configuration Checks.

      Sound Card Hardware Checks.

    Troubleshooting Network Cards.

    Working on Portable Systems.

      Troubleshooting PCMCIA Problems.

      Troubleshooting Portable Unique Storage.

      Troubleshooting Batteries.

      Troubleshooting Docking Stations/Port Replicators.

4. Operating System Troubleshooting.

    Introduction.

    General Computer Startup Problems.

      Types of Startup Troubleshooting Tools.

      Troubleshooting Bootup/Startup Problems.

    General Operational Problems.

      Operational Troubleshooting Tools.

      Memory Usage Problems.

      General Troubleshooting for Application Problems.

      Optional Devices Will Not Operate.

      Windows-Related Printing Problems.

      General Network Troubleshooting.

      General WAN Troubleshooting.

      Dealing with Viruses.

    Windows 9x and Windows Me Startup Problems.

      Troubleshooting Windows 9x Startup Problems.

      HIMEM.SYS Problems.

      Initializing the Display Adapter.

      Windows 9x and Windows Me Boot Problems.

      Missing Windows Core File Problems.

      Swap File Problems.

      Initialization File Problems.

      Windows 9x and Windows Me Troubleshooting Tools.

      Creating a Windows 95 Emergency Start Disk.

      The Windows 98 Emergency Start Disk.

    Windows 9x and Windows Me Operational Problems.

      Drive Space and Memory Problems.

      Applications Will Not Install.

      Stalled Applications.

      Troubleshooting Windows 9x Application Problems.

      Optional Devices Will Not Operate in Windows 9x or Windows Me.

      Troubleshooting Windows 9x and Windows Me Printing Problems.

      Windows 9x and Windows Me Networking Problems.

    Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP Startup Problems.

      Windows 2000 and Windows XP Network Startup Problems.

      Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP Startup Troubleshooting Tools.

      Alternative Windows NT 4.0 Startup Modes.

      Alternative Windows 2000 and Windows XP Startup Modes.

      Windows NT and Windows 2000 Emergency Disks.

      Windows 2000 and Windows XP Recovery Console.

      Altering BOOT.INI.

      Using Device Manager.

      Using the Windows XP Driver Rollback Feature.

      Windows XP System Restore.

    Windows 2000 and Windows XP Operational Problems.

      Optional Devices Will Not Operate in Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

      Windows 2000 and Windows XP Application Problems.

      Problems with Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP Files, Folders, and Printers.

      Locating Hidden Files.

      Applications Will Not Install.

      Windows 2000 and Windows XP Operational Troubleshooting Tools.

    Troubleshooting Windows 2000 and Windows XP Printing Problems.

      Troubleshooting Windows 2000- and Windows XP-Related Network Printing Problems.

    Troubleshooting Windows 2000 and Windows XP Blue Screen Errors.

      Windows 2000 and Windows XP Networking Problems.

III. TECHNICAL DATA.

5. Important Resources.

    Introduction.

    Using the Windows Command Line.

      Accessing the Windows Command Prompt.

      Working from the Command Line.

      Microsoft Drives and Disks.

      Drive and Disk-Level Command Operations.

      Directory-Level Functions.

      File-Level Commands.

      Command-Line Shortcuts.

      Windows Command-Line Utilities.

    Linux Commands and Utilities.

      Linux Paths.

      Directory-Level Linux Commands.

      File-Level Linux Commands.

    I/O Buses and Cabling.

      Twisted-Pair Cabling.

      CAT5 Crossover Cables.

      Ethernet Cabling Standards and Specifications.

      Telephone Cabling.

      Serial Cable Pinout Descriptions.

      SCSI Cables and Connectors.

    Universal Serial Bus.

      USB Cabling and Connectors.

      FireWire.

      Infrared Ports.

      Common Router Default Settings.

    IP Addresses.

      Subnets.

      Private IP Classes.

      Well-known TCP/UDP Ports.

    Standard PC Resource Usage.

      Interrupts.

      PC Address Allocations.

    Support Sources.

      Information Resources.

      Third-Party Utility Websites.

      Product Support Websites.

      FTP Utility Site Listings.

      Manufacturer Support Phone Numbers.

Index.

Updates

Submit Errata

More Information

Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020