Minnesota and California
877 568-4324
security@ecinetworks.com

A+ Certification Prep Course

Infrastructure and Innovation

A+ Certification Prep Course

Course Description

The A+ certification is the industry standard for validating the foundational skills needed by today’s computer support technicians. In this lecture and lab course you’ll gain the needed knowledge of basic computer hardware and operating systems. You’ll cover the essential principles of installing, building, upgrading, repairing, configuring, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing, and preventive maintenance, and you’ll learn elements of customer service and communication skills necessary to work with clients. Instructor-led practice exams and quizzes help reinforce course concepts and exam readiness.

What You’ll Learn in Class

  • Prepare for the A+ certification
  • Personal computer components
  • Preventative maintenance
  • Operating system technologies
  • Communicate with Customers in a professional manner
  • Computer hardware and peripherals
  • Network connections
  • Laptop and portable computing device components
  • Support printers and scanners
  • Secure personal computers

Who Needs to Attend

  • Individuals seeking educational preparation for A+ certification

Prerequisites

  • End-user skills with Windows-based personal computers
  • Basic knowledge of computing concepts

Certification

  • ECI Certificate of Completion and course journal

Course Content

  1. Troubleshooting Methodology
    • Troubleshooting stages
    • Professionalism
  1. Operating Systems
    • Operating system fundamentals
    • Directory management
    • File management
    • File and folder permissions
  1. Electricity and Power Supplies
    • Electrical safety
    • Power supply troubleshooting
    • Power supplies
  1. CPUs and Motherboards
    • Central processing units
    • Cooling Techniques
    • Motherboards
    • Motherboard and CPU troubleshooting
  1. The Basic Input/Output System
    • The BIOS and CMOS
    • The POST and boot processes
  1. Memory Systems
    • Packaging and installation
    • Monitoring and troubleshooting
  1. Bus Structures
    • Busses
    • The PCI bus
  1. Expansion Cards
    • Video cards
    • Internal modems
    • Expansion card troubleshooting
    • Sound cards
  1. Peripheral Connection Types
    • Serial and parallel connections
    • PS/2 connections
    • FireWire connections
    • Multimedia connections
    • Port, cable, and connector troubleshooting
    • USB connections
  1. Data Storage Devices
    • Drive adapters
    • Hard drives
    • Removable storage devices
    • Drive maintenance
    • Storage device troubleshooting
    • Optical drives
  1. Video Output and Image Input Devices
    • Monitors
    • Cameras
  1. Printers
    • Printer installation
    • Printing technologies
    • Printer optimization and maintenance
    • Printer troubleshooting
  1. Connecting Computers
    • Network concepts
    • Wired network connections
    • Basic internetworking devices
  1. Networking Computers
    • Addressing
    • Client configuration
  1. Network Troubleshooting
    • Troubleshooting basics
    • Troubleshooting the network
  1. Portable Computers
    • Notebook computers
    • Configuration
    • Component replacement
    • Notebook issues
  1. Windows Management
    • System management
    • Resource management
    • Task Scheduler
    • Remote management
  1. Windows Monitoring
    • System monitoring and performance
    • Backup and restore
  1. Operating System Troubleshooting
    • Windows startup
    • System troubleshooting
  1. Security
    • Operating system security
    • Windows Encrypting File System
    • Security hardware
    • Common security threats
    • The human aspects of security
  1. Windows Installation and Upgrades
  1. Safety and Maintenance
    • Safety and hazards
    • Safe work practices
    • Disposing of computer equipment
    • Computer maintenance