Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs
Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

The Path of the PC Tech

Chapter 1

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

Overview

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

In this chapter, you will learn how to

Explain the importance of gaining skill in managing
and troubleshooting PCs
Explain the importance of CompTIA A+ certification
Describe how to become CompTIA A+ certified

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

Concept of Certifications

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Required in many professions

Automobile mechanic ASE
Accountant CPA

Certified

Certification shows competency

Often opens doors
Helps get your resume noticed
Helps you land the interview
2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs
Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Importance of CompTIA A+
Certification

There is a long history of vendor-specific

certifications for techs
HP Certified Professional
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

There was a need for a general

certification for PC techs
Validate that the tech can maintain, upgrade, and
repair PCs

CompTIA A+ is that certification

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

What Is CompTIA A+ Certification?

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Industry-wide, vendor-neutral
Sponsored by CompTIA
Wide recognition in computer industry
Covers twelve months of knowledge
More than 950,000 CompTIA A+ certified
techs worldwide

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

Who Is CompTIA?

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Nonprofit, industry trade association

More than 20,000 member organizations
in 102 countries
Virtually every company of consequence
in the IT industry is a member
Offers certifications such as CompTIA
A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA
Security+, and more
See www.comptia.org for details
2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

The Path to Other Certifications

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

CompTIA Network+
Shows competency as a network technician
Microsoft Certified Information Technology
Professional
Shows competency in Microsoft operating systems
Cisco
Shows competency in routing and switching
technologies

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

CompTIA A+ Certification

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

How to become CompTIA A+ certified

Pass two computer-based, multiple-choice exams
Requires that you pay a fee

CompTIA A+ 220-801
CompTIA A+ 220-802

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

CompTIA A+ Certification

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

No more Lifetime Certification!

Must retake exam every three years OR earn CEUs
CEUs gained by attending industry events, training,
teaching, or earning higher-level certifications
Brings CompTIAs certifications in line with other
industry certifications

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

The CompTIA A+ Exams

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Windows Desktop-centric
No Mac, no Linux, no Windows Server, no Windows
Mobile

Windows XP
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8 will not yet be covered on
either exam

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

Basic Exam Structure

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Multiple choice questions such as

1. A dot-matrix printer is printing blank pages.
What should you check first?
A.
B.
C.
D.

Printer drivers
Platen
Print head
Ribbon

2. Click on the location

of the processor
socket in the picture:

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

Performance Based Questions

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

is a performance based question?

What
Performance-based
questions require the
Performance-based questions require the candidate to perform a task or
candidate
perform
a task or solve a
solve
a problem into
a simulated
environment.
Know
what to expect
problem
in a simulated environment.
The exam will instruct you to perform a specific task or solve a problem.
simulated
environment
is launched and
youll
to completeathe
AThe
exam
will instruct
you
toneed
perform
required steps.
specific
task
or questions
solve a
problem.
Many
performance
based
appear
at the beginning of the test
the individual more time to answer.
allowing
A
simulated
environment
is when
launched
Manage your time wisely.
A clock will be visible
working onand
multiple
choice
questions
cannot
be seen during
performance
based
questions.
youll
needbutto
complete
the
required
steps.
If you dont feel confident about answering a performance based question,
to theperformance
next question.Click the
Done box
if you have completed
anyat
move
Many
based
questions
appear
work toward the answer, mark the question for review, and come back
the beginning
of the test allowing the
later.Your
work will be saved.
individual more time to answer.

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs
Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Manage your time wisely. A clock will be

visible when working on multiple choice
questions but cannot be seen during
performance based questions.
If you dont feel confident about answering a
performance based question, move to the
next question.Click the Done box if you
have completed any work toward the answer,
mark the question for review, and come back
later.Your work will be saved.
http://certification.comptia.org/media/
performancetesting/#/
2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

Essentials (220-801)

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Domain

Percentage

1.0 PC Hardware

40%

2.0 Networking

27%

3.0 Laptops

11%

4.0 Printers

11%

5.0 Operational Procedures

11%

Domains and percentages for the

CompTIA A+ 220-801 exam

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

Practical Application (220-802)

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Domain
1.0 Operating Systems
2.0 Security
3.0 Mobile Devices
4.0 Troubleshooting

Percentage
33%
22%
9%
36%

Domains and percentages for the

CompTIA A+ 220-802 exam

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

What Chapters Cover Each Exam?

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Objective map in Appendix A

Shows exactly where objectives are covered

Book focuses on tech skills

Expect the chapter to teach you the material fully.
Each exam tests at different depths:
220-801 Identify, install, and configure
220-802 Maintain and troubleshoot

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

How to Take the Tests

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Offered by Pearson/VUE at testing sites

worldwide
877-551-PLUS (7587) or www.vue.com

Cost of the exams

$188 (U.S.) per exam pass or fail
Discount vouchers widely available

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

How to Pass the CompTIA A+ Exams

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Set a date as your goal

Set aside enough time for study and lab
Use the practice exams on the CD that
comes with the book
Use good study strategies
Write down information in your own handwriting
Make flash cards
Set aside a special time for study each day

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs

Certification Exam Policies

Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

http://certification.comptia.org/Trainin
g/testingcenters/policies.aspx
Candidate Agreement
Explains the rules and regulations regarding
certification, including the retake policy,
candidate conduct policy and the candidate
appeals process.
Candidate Testing Policies
Includes accommodations during an exam,
exam scoring, exam content and out of
country testing policies.
2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs
Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Candidate ID Policy
Details the acceptable forms of identification
candidates may bring to an exam.
Certification Retake Policy
Details the circumstances in which a
candidate can retake a certification exam.
Exam Delivery Policies
Includes testing center suspensions, delivery
exclusions and beta testing policies.

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

Mike Meyers CompTIA A+

Guide to 801:

Managing and
Troubleshooting PCs
Fourth Edition (Exam 220-801)

Continuing Education Policies

Covers certification renewal, candidate code
of ethics and audit findings as related to the
Continuing Education Program.
Unauthorized Training Materials and
Third-Party Offers Policy
Lists unauthorized training materials related
to CompTIA certifications.

2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved