Professional Documents
Culture Documents
org/wiki/A%2B_Certification
A+ Certification
From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
To obtain A+ Certification, one must have knowledge in many areas of Microsoft Windows, and the IBM style
of personal computer. In this course the student will take apart a computer, identify parts, be able to assemble a
computer, and practice using different operating systems.
A student attempting the A+ Certification should have approximately 500 hours work experience with operating
systems, computer hardware, system files, maintenance, networking, configuration of hardware and software,
and troubleshooting computer problems.
Exam details
The A+ certification exam was updated in late 2006, so the structure of the exam is different than it had been
for the three years prior to the update. (In September of 2008, CompTIA is holding meetings which appear to be
geared towards another revision, possibly for 2010.) The 2003 exams had an average pass rate of between 3%
and 10%. The new A+ exam has been redesigned to have a 20% pass rate. A+ certification currently entails two
tests: A+ Essentials (220-601) and one of three elective exams, IT Technician (220-602), Remote Support
Technician (220-603), or Depot Technician (220-604). Both of these tests must be passed in order to receive A+
certification. CompTIA suggests that one take the A+ Essentials exam before the other, but they can be taken in
either order.
1 of 5 4/15/2010 12:11 PM
A+ Certification - Wikibooks, collection of open-content textbooks http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/A%2B_Certification
As of 2010, the total cost is 336 USD (168 USD for each test). If you are a student check with your school's
Career Tech program, most public schools are Jobs+ sites. If your school is a Jobs+ site you can get the A+
voucher for half the price as you would retail. Many companies that offer training are CompTIA affiliates and
can also sell you the voucher at discounted prices. The CompTIA A+ Essentials consists of 100 questions, and
the elective consists of 90 questions. A passing score on the CompTIA A+ Essentials exam is 675, on any of the
electives is 700.
2 of 5 4/15/2010 12:11 PM
A+ Certification - Wikibooks, collection of open-content textbooks http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/A%2B_Certification
The computer should be reassembled in the reverse order. For the exam one must know how to install and
configure hardware and other input and multimedia devices. There is no practical component to any of the A+
exams.
IRQ
DMA
3 of 5 4/15/2010 12:11 PM
A+ Certification - Wikibooks, collection of open-content textbooks http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/A%2B_Certification
1. Upon powering on the machine a POST (Power on Self Test) is executed, this does a quick test on things
such as the memory and power supply of a machine. POST transfers control to CMOS (Complementary
Metal Oxide Semiconductor) which contains the BIOS (Basic Input Output System). The BIOS loads
various low level settings such as boot-order and network settings. The BIOS is also a very useful tool for
testing memory or hard drives, as well as finding out basic information such as serial numbers and asset
tags. Note if POST fails it is usually identified by various light or audible beep codes which often can be
searched for by model on the manufacturers' website.
2. The BIOS searches attached disk drives and peripherals (such as USB flash drives) for a valid Master
Boot Record (MBR). The MBR contains a series of tasks for loading an Operating System(OS). If a valid
MBR is found, instructions for loading the OS are read. If no valid MBRs are detected by the BIOS, an
error message is displayed.
3. Instructions from the MBR are read. This instructions check the floppy, CD-ROM, or hard drive (not
necessarily in that order). The MBR points to the boot sector, which locates IO.SYS and loads the file into
RAM.
4. IO.SYS is a file that loads low level drivers for hardware devices like the keyboard, serial and parallel
ports, floppy drive, and hard drive. Next, IO.SYS will run Sysinit which in turn loads Msdos.sys into
RAM.
5. MSDOS.SYS in turn helps manage the input and output for the hard disk. It processes the commands in
Config.sys. Config.sys loads all the other device drivers and manages memory for optimization.
6. Command.com is loaded into RAM. Command.com is a file that stores all your internal commands.
7. Command.com then processes Autoexec.bat which will set the initial configuration of DOS. The user can
add what programs to start each time the computer boots.
8. The last step will get you the command prompt.
4 of 5 4/15/2010 12:11 PM
A+ Certification - Wikibooks, collection of open-content textbooks http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/A%2B_Certification
9. Win.com will start KERNEL32.DLL, KERNEL386.EXE, GDI.EXE, and GDI32.EXE. The Kernel files
are the operating systems. The GDI files are responsible for the graphical functions and display.
10. The Kernel files will load the Explorer user interface, which includes the Desktop, Taskbar, and Start
Menu.
11. The Kernel will then process anything in the Startup folder and restore network connections.
12. The user can now interact with the operating system.
See also
Network Plus Certification
Security+ Certification
LPI Linux Certification
CIW Home
5 of 5 4/15/2010 12:11 PM