Introduction .xxv Features of This Book .xxvii Chapter 1: Introduction to the World of IT . 1 Who Needs This Book? . 2 Technician Qualities . 2 Breaking into IT with the CompTIA A+ Certification . 5 Basic Skills for This Course . 5 Types of Computers .
8 Basic Computer Hardware . 8 Mice and Keyboards .14 Common Peripherals .17 1s and 0s .18 Safety Notes .20 Chapter Summary .21 Key Terms .22 Review Questions .
23 Exercises .25 Activities .27 Chapter 2: Connectivity .29 Introduction to Connectivity .30 External Connectivity .30 Mouse and Keyboard Ports .30 Video Ports .38 Audio Ports .
43 eSATA Ports .43 Modem and Serial Ports .44 Network Ports .46 Network Cabling .47 Integrated Motherboard Ports .53 Getting to Know Ports.53 Wireless Connectivity for Input Devices .55 Chapter Summary .
56 Key Terms .57 Review Questions .58 Exercises .59 Activities .62 Chapter 3: On the Motherboard.65 Introduction to the Motherboard .66 Processor Overview .66 Processor Basics .
67 Speeding Up Processor Operations Overview .68 Cache .69 Connecting to the Processor .70 Multicore Processors .71 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) .72 Introduction to Virtualization Support .73 Intel Processors .74 AMD Processors .
75 CPU Sockets .76 Processor Cooling .77 Installing a Processor .78 Upgrading Processors .80 Overclocking Processors .80 Installing CPU Thermal Solutions .81 Troubleshooting Processor Issues .82 Expansion Slots 83 PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) .
83 PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) .84 Motherboard Security Options .87 Types of Motherboards .88 Upgrading and Replacing Motherboards .89 Motherboard Troubleshooting .90 Chapter Summary .93 Key Terms .94 Review Questions .
95 Exercises .97 Activities .99 Chapter 4: Introduction to Configuration .103 Configuration Overview .104 BIOS Overview .104 UEFI .105 BIOS/UEFI Configuration Settings .107 CMOS Memory .
110 Flashing/Clearing the BIOS/UEFI .112 Other Configuration Parameters .113 Hardware Configuration Overview.115 Installing a USB Device .117 Installing an eSATA Card .120 Installing a Network Interface Card .121 Troubleshooting Configurations .122 Chapter Summary .
4 Key Terms .124 Review Questions .125 Exercises .127 Activities .131 Chapter 5: Disassembly and Power .135 Disassembly Overview .136 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) .136 Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) .
138 Tools .139 Disassembly .140 Reassembly .147 Preventive Maintenance .147 Basic Electronics Overview .150 Power Supply Overview .153 Replacing or Upgrading a Power Supply .160 Power Protection .
162 Symptoms of Power Supply Problems .163 Chapter Summary .167 Key Terms .168 Review Questions .169 Exercises .172 Activities .173 Chapter 6: Memory .177 Memory Overview .
178 Memory Physical Packaging.178 Planning a Memory Installation .179 Installing Memory Overview .190 Virtual RAM .192 Monitoring Memory Usage in Windows .193 Older Applications in Windows .195 Troubleshooting Memory Problems .195 Removable Storage .
197 Chapter Summary .201 Key Terms .202 Review Questions .203 Exercises .205 Activities .211 Chapter 7: Storage Devices .213 Storage Devices Overview .214 Hard Drive Overview .
215 Solid-State Drive (SSD) Overview .217 Mechanical Drive Interfaces Overview .219 SATA and SAS Connectivity .220 Storage Device Configuration Overview .222 System BIOS/UEFI Configuration for Storage Devices .228 Hard Drive Preparation Overview .229 Windows Disk Management .236 Fault Tolerance .
238 Windows Storage Spaces .240 Disk Caching/Virtual Memory .241 Troubleshooting Storage Devices Overview .243 Data Loss and Corruption .245 Troubleshooting New Storage Device Installation .246 Troubleshooting Previously Installed Storage Devices .247 RAID Issues .251 SSD Issues .
251 Chapter Summary .253 Key Terms .255 Review Questions .256 Exercises .258 Activities .261 Chapter 8: Video and Multimedia Devices.63 Multimedia Devices Overview .264 Video Overview .
264 Projectors .274 Introduction to Audio .276 Sound Cards Using Windows .279 Speakers .281 Troubleshooting Sound Problems .282 Optical Drive Overview .283 Optical Drive Installation .286 Troubleshooting Optical Drive Issues .
286 Scanners .287 Other Multimedia Devices .290 Chapter Summary .