A+ Essentials (2009 Objectives)

In this course students will acquire the essential skills and information needed to install, upgrade, repair, configure, troubleshoot, optimize, and perform preventative maintenance of basic personal computer hardware and operating systems.

This is the first in a series of two courses to prepare for the A+ Certification Examination.  The next course is A+ Practical Application (2009 Objectives).

Who Should Attend: 
The target student is anyone with basic computer user skills who is interested in obtaining a job as an IT professional or PC technician. In addition, this course will help prepare students to achieve a CompTIA A+ Certification.

At Course Completion:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: - identify the components of standard desktop personal computers. - identify fundamental components and functions of personal computer operating systems. - identify best practices followed by professional personal computer technicians. - install and configure computer components. - identify technical characteristics of system components. - maintain and troubleshoot peripheral components. - identify troubleshooting techniques for system components. - install and configure operating systems. - maintain and troubleshoot installations of Microsoft Windows. - identify network technologies. - support laptops and portable computing devices. - support printers. - identify personal computer security concepts.

Outline:
Lesson 1: Personal Computer Components
Personal Computer Components
System Unit Components
Storage Devices
Personal Computer Connection Methods 

Lesson 2: Operating System Fundamentals
Personal Computer Operating Systems
Windows User Interface Components
Windows File System Management
Windows System Management Tools 

Lesson 3: PC Technician Professional Best Practices
Tools of the Trade
Electrical Safety
Environmental Safety and Materials Handling
Perform Preventative Maintenance
Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Professionalism and Communication 

Lesson 4: Installing and Configuring Peripheral Components
Install and Configure Display Devices
Install and Configure Input Devices
Install and Configure Multimedia Devices 

Lesson 5: Examining System Components
Storage Devices and Backup Media
Power Supplies
Memory
CPUs and Cooling System Units
System Boards 

Lesson 6: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Peripheral Components
Troubleshoot Display Devices
Maintain and Troubleshoot Input Devices
Troubleshoot Multimedia Devices 

Lesson 7: System Component Troubleshooting Techniques
Adapter Card Troubleshooting
Storage Device Troubleshooting
Power Supply Troubleshooting
Memory Troubleshooting
CPU and Cooling System Troubleshooting
System Board Troubleshooting 

Lesson 8: Installing and Configuring Operating Systems
Install Microsoft Windows
Upgrade Windows
Add Devices to Windows
Optimize Windows 

Lesson 9: Maintaining and Troubleshooting Microsoft Windows
Operating System Utilities
Back up Microsoft Windows
Troubleshoot Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows System Recovery Methods 

Lesson 10: Network Technologies
Network Concepts
Network Communications
Network Connectivity
Internet Technologies
Create Network Connections