IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Lab Manual is a supplemental book that helps the students in the Cisco ® Networking Academy course prepare to take the CompTIA ® A+ exams (based on the 2009 objectives). The hands-on labs, worksheets, and class discussions from the course are printed within this book to practice performing tasks that will help you become a successful PC technician. By reading and completing this book, you have the opportunity to review all key concepts that the CompTIA exams cover and reinforce those concepts with hands-on exercises.
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide,
Fourth Edition
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Course Booklet, Version 4.1
31 Days Before Your A+ Exams, Second Edition
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Personal Computer. 1
1.1.2 Worksheet: Job Opportunities. 1
1.4.7 Worksheet: Research Computer Components. 2
Chapter 2: Safe Lab Procedures and Tool Use. 6
2.2.2 Worksheet: Diagnostic Software. 6
2.3.4 Lab: Computer Disassembly. 7
Chapter 3: Computer Assembly—Step by Step. 11
3.2 Lab: Install the Power Supply. 11
3.3.3 Lab: Install the Motherboard. 12
3.5.2 Lab: Install the Drives. 13
3.6.3 Lab: Install Adapter Cards. 14
3.7.2 Lab: Install Internal Cables. 15
3.8.2 Lab: Complete the Computer Assembly. 16
3.9.2 Lab: Boot the Computer. 17
Chapter 4: Basics of Preventive Maintenance and Troubleshooting. 20
Chapter 5: Fundamental Operating Systems. 21
5.2.2 Worksheet: NOS Certifications and Jobs. 21
5.3.2 Worksheet: Upgrade Hardware Components. 21
5.4.2 Lab: Install Windows XP. 23
5.4.2 Optional Lab: Install Windows Vista. 34
5.4.5 Lab: Create Accounts and Check For Updates in Windows XP. 48
5.4.5 Optional Lab: Create Accounts and Check For Updates in Windows Vista. 53
5.4.8 Lab: Managing System Files with Built-in Utilities in Windows XP. 59
5.4.8 Optional Lab: Managing System Files with Built-in Utilities in Windows Vista. 71
5.4.9 Worksheet: Answer NTFS and FAT32 Questions. 83
5.5.1 Lab: Run Commands in Windows XP. 83
5.5.1 Optional Lab: Run Commands in Windows Vista. 85
5.5.3 Lab: Managing Administrative Settings and Snap-ins in Windows XP. 89
5.5.3 Optional Lab: Managing Administrative Settings and Snap-ins in
Windows Vista. 109
5.5.4 Lab: Install Third-Party Software in Windows XP. 130
5.5.4 Optional Lab: Install Third-Party Software in Windows Vista. 138
5.6.2 Lab: Restore Points in Windows XP. 146
5.6.2 Optional Lab: Restore Points in Windows Vista. 155
5.6.3 Lab: Registry Backup and Recovery in Windows XP. 165
5.7.2 Lab: Managing Device Drivers with Device Manager in Windows XP. 178
5.7.2 Optional Lab: Managing Device Drivers with Device Manager in
Windows Vista. 184
Chapter 6: Fundamental Laptops and Portable Devices. 191
6.1.2 Worksheet: Research Laptops, Smartphones, and PDAs. 191
6.2.3 Worksheet: Complete Docking Stations True or False Questions. 193
6.3.4 Worksheet: Answer Laptop Expansion Questions. 193
6.4.1 Worksheet: Match ACPI Standards. 194
6.7.2 Worksheet: Research Laptop Problems. 194
Chapter 7: Fundamental Printers and Scanners. 196
7.4.2 Lab: Install All-in-One Device and Software. 196
Chapter 8: Fundamental Networks. 201
8.3.2 Worksheet: Identify IP Address Classes. 201
8.9.1 Worksheet: Internet Search for NIC Drivers. 201
8.9.2 Lab: Configure an Ethernet NIC to use DHCP in Windows XP. 202
8.9.2 Optional Lab: Configure an Ethernet NIC to use DHCP in Windows Vista. 212
8.10.3 Worksheet: Answer Broadband Questions. 221
8.12.2 Worksheet: Diagnose a Network Problem. 222
8.12.2 Worksheet: Diagnose a Network Problem. 224
Chapter 9: Fundamental Security. 225
9.1 Worksheet: Security Attacks. 225
9.2.1 Worksheet: Third-Party Anti-Virus Software. 225
9.4.2 Worksheet: Operating System Updates. 227
9.5.2 Worksheet: Gather Information from the Customer. 227
Chapter 10: Communication Skills. 230
10.1 Worksheet: Technician Resources. 230
10.2.2 Class Discussion: Controlling the Call. 230
10.2.3 Class Discussion: Identifying Difficult Customer Types. 231
10.3 Class Discussion: Customer Privacy. 232
Chapter 11: Advanced Personal Computers. 233
11.1 Worksheet: Job Opportunities. 233
11.2.2 Lab: Using a Multimeter and a Power Supply Tester. 234
11.2.2 Lab: Testing UTP Cables Using a Loopback Plug and a Cable Meter. 238
11.3.7 Worksheet: Research Computer Components. 241
11.4.1 Lab: Install a NIC in Windows XP. 246
11.4.1 Optional Lab: Install a NIC in Windows Vista. 266
11.4.3 Lab: Install Additional RAM in Windows XP. 285
11.4.3 Optional Lab: Install Additional RAM in Windows Vista. 288
11.4.4 Lab: BIOS File Search. 291
11.4.5 Lab: Install, Configure, and Partition a Second Hard Drive in Windows XP. 293
11.4.5 Optional Lab: Install, Configure, and Partition a Second Hard Drive
in Windows Vista. 305
11.6.3 Lab: Repair Boot Problem. 314
11.6.3 Lab: Remote Technician: Repair Boot Problem. 315
11.6.3 Lab: Troubleshooting Hardware Problems in Windows XP. 318
11.6.3 Optional Lab: Troubleshooting Hardware Problems in Windows Vista. 320
Chapter 12: Advanced Operating Systems. 322
12.2.2 Lab: Advanced Installation of Windows XP. 322
12.2.2 Optional Lab: Advanced Installation of Windows Vista. 346
12.2.3 Lab: Create a Partition in Windows XP. 374
12.2.3 Optional Lab: Create a Partition in Windows Vista. 388
12.2.4 Lab: Customize Settings in Windows XP. 402
12.2.4 Optional Lab: Customize Settings in Windows Vista. 483
12.2.5 Optional Lab: Install an Alternate Browser. 557
12.4.1 Lab: Schedule Task Using GUI and “at” Command in Windows XP. 565
12.4.1 Optional Lab: Schedule Task Using GUI and “at” Command in
Windows Vista. 574
12.4.2 Lab: Restore Points in Windows XP. 584
12.4.2 Optional Lab: Restore Points in Windows Vista. 593
12.5.3 Lab: Fix Operating System Problem. 603
12.5.3 Lab: Remote Technician: Fix an Operating System Problem. 603
12.5.3 Lab: Troubleshooting Operating System Problems in Windows XP. 605
12.5.3 Optional Lab: Troubleshooting Operating System Problems in
Windows Vista. 607
Chapter 13: Advanced Laptops and Portable Devices. 609
13.2. Worksheet: Investigating Repair Centers. 609
13.3.1 Worksheet: Laptop Batteries. 610
13.3.2 Worksheet: Docking Station. 611
13.3.3 Worksheet: Research DVD Drives. 612
13.3.4 Worksheet: Laptop RAM. 613
13.5.3 Worksheet: Verify Work Order Information. 614
13.5.3 Worksheet: Investigating Support Websites and Repair Companies. 615
13.5.3 Optional Lab: Troubleshooting Laptop Problems in Windows XP. 616
13.5.3 Optional Lab: Troubleshooting Laptop Problems in Windows Vista. 617
Chapter 14: Advanced Printers and Scanners. 619
14.2.4 Lab: Install an All-in-one Printer/Scanner. 619
14.3.2 Lab: Share the All-in-one Printer/Scanner in Windows XP. 624
14.3.2 Optional Lab: Share the All-in-one Printer/Scanner in Windows Vista. 628
14.4.2 Lab: Optimize Scanner Output. 634
14.5.1 Worksheet: Search for Certified Printer Technician Jobs. 636
14.6.3 Lab: Fix a Printer Problem. 637
14.6.3 Lab: Remote Technician: Fix a Printer Problem. 637
14.6.3 Lab: Troubleshooting Printer Problems in Windows XP. 639
14.6.3 Optional Lab: Troubleshooting Printer Problems in Windows Vista. 644
Chapter 15: Advanced Networks. 650
15.2.2 Worksheet: Protocols. 650
15.3.2 Worksheet: ISP Connection Types. 651
15.4.2 Lab: Configure Browser Settings in Windows XP. 652
15.4.2 Optional Lab: Configure Browser Settings in Windows Vista. 656
15.4.2 Lab: Share a Folder, Share a Printer, and Set Share Permissions in
Windows XP. 663
15.4.2 Optional Lab: Share a Folder, Share a Printer, and Set Share Permissions
in Windows Vista. 670
15.5.1 Lab: Install a Wireless NIC in Windows XP. 675
15.5.1 Optional Lab: Install a Wireless NIC in Windows Vista. 681
15.5.2 Lab: Configure Wireless Router. 687
15.5.3 Lab: Test the Wireless NIC in Windows XP. 692
15.5.3 Optional Lab: Test the Wireless NIC in Windows Vista. 696
15.8.3 Lab: Fix Network Problem. 699
15.8.3 Lab: Remote Technician: Fix Network Problem. 700
15.8.3 Lab: Troubleshooting Network Problems in Windows XP. 702
15.8.3 Optional Lab: Troubleshooting Network Problems in Windows Vista. 706
Chapter 16: Advanced Security. 711
16.1.1 Worksheet: Answer Security Policy Questions. 711
16.2.3 Worksheet: Research Firewalls. 711
16.3.1 Lab: Configure Wireless Security. 714
16.3.2 Lab: Configure Windows XP Firewall. 723
16.3.2 Optional Lab: Configure Windows Vista Firewall. 727
16.4.3 Lab: Data Backup and Recovery in Windows XP. 737
16.4.3 Optional Lab: Data Backup and Recovery in Windows Vista. 752
16.5.3 Lab: Fix a Security Problem. 763
16.5.3 Lab: Remote Technician: Fix a Security Problem. 764
16.5.3 Lab: Troubleshooting Access Security with Windows XP. 767
16.5.3 Optional Lab: Troubleshooting Access Security with Windows Vista. 772
9781587132629 TOC 3/31/2010