A+ Core Hardware Service Technician Exam Objectives
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DOMAIN 1.0: Installation, Configuration and Upgrading
This domain requires the knowledge and skills to identify,
install, configure, and upgrade desktop computer modules and
peripherals, following established basic procedures for system
assembly and disassembly of field replaceable modules. Elements
included are listed below with each test objective.
Content Limits
1.1 Identify basic terms, concepts, and functions of system
modules, including how each module should work during normal
operation and during the boot process. Examples of concepts
and modules are:
- System board
- Power supply
- Processor /CPU
- Memory
- Storage devices
- Monitor
- Modem
- Firmware
- BIOS
- CMOS
- LCD (portable systems)
- Ports
- PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
1.2 Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field
replaceable modules for both desktop and portable systems
| Examples of modules: |
| |
System board |
| |
Storage device |
| |
Power supply |
| |
Processor/CPU |
| |
Memory |
| |
Input devices |
| |
Hard drive |
| |
Keyboard |
| |
Video board |
| |
Mouse |
| |
Network Interface Card (NIC) |
|
| Portable system components |
| |
AC adapter |
| |
Digital camera |
| |
DC controller |
| |
LCD panel |
| |
PC card |
| |
Pointing devices |
|
1.3 Identify available IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses and
procedures for device installation and configuration. Content
may include the following:
- Standard IRQ settings
- Modems
- Floppy drive controllers
- Hard drive controllers
- USB ports
- Infrared ports
- Hexidecimal/Addresses
1.4 Identify common peripheral ports, associated cabling
and their connectors:
| Content may include the following:
|
| |
Cable types |
| |
Cable orientation |
| |
Serial versus parallel |
| |
Pin connections |
|
| Examples of types of connectors: |
| |
B-9 |
| |
DB-25 |
| |
RJ-11 |
| |
RJ-45 |
| |
BNC |
| |
PS2/MINI-DIN |
| |
USB |
| |
IEEE 1394 |
|
1.5 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring IDE/EIDE
devices. Content may include the following:
| |
Master/Slave
|
| |
Devices per channel
|
| |
Primary/Secondary
|
1.6 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring
SCSI devices. Content may include the following:
| |
Address/Termination conflicts
|
| |
Cabling
|
| |
Types (example: regular, wide, ultra-wide)
|
| |
Internal vs external
|
| |
Expansion slots, EISA, ISA, PCI
|
| |
Jumper block settings (binary equivalents)
|
1.7 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring
peripheral devices.
| Content may include the following: |
| |
Monitor/Video Card
|
| |
Modem
|
| |
USB peripherals and hubs
|
| |
IEEE 1284
|
| |
IEEE 1394
|
| |
External storage
|
|
| Portables |
| |
Docking stations
|
| |
PC cards
|
| |
Port replicators
|
| |
Infrared devices
|
|
1.8 Identify hardware methods of upgrading system performance,
procedures for replacing basic subsystem components, unique components
and when to use them.
| Content may include the following: |
| |
Memory
|
| |
Hard drives
|
| |
CPU
|
| |
Upgrading BIOS
|
| |
When to upgrade BIOS
|
|
| Portable systems |
| |
Battery
|
| |
Hard drive
|
| |
Types I, II, III cards
|
| |
Memory
|
|
