A+ Certification Readiness Review

Author James Karney Pages 304 Disk 1 Companion CD(s) Level All Levels Published 09/12/2001 ISBN 9780735614246 ISBN-10 0-7356-1424-5 Price(USD) $29.99 To see this book's discounted price, select a reseller below.	More Information About the Book Table of Contents Sample Chapter Index Related Series Related Books About the Author Support: Book & CD Rate this book

Objective Domain 1: Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading

• Further Reading
• Objective 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.
• Objective 1.2   Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field replaceable modules for both desktop and portable systems.
• Objective 1.3   Identify available IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses and procedures for device installation and configuration.
• Objective 1.4   Identify common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors.
• Objective 1.5   Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring IDE/EIDE devices.
• Objective 1.6   Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring SCSI devices.
• Objective 1.7   Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring peripheral devices.
• Objective 1.8   Identify hardware methods of upgrading system performance, procedures for replacing basic subsystem components, unique components and when to use them.

Objective Domain 1   Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading

You must know the role each component plays in the function of the system and its relation to its companions, the way the computer operates, and the resources involved in its operation. These resources can include the interrupt request (IRQ), direct memory access channels (DMA), and I/O addresses, which are used to order communications between the CPU and system components. Working with drivers and memory addresses requires an understanding of hexadecimal notation and how it is used to identify memory segments within the machine.

The personal computer relies on a variety of standardized ports and expansion bus standards, as well as standardized connections, fittings, and configuration mechanisms to allow the components to work together and refine easy methods for upgrading the machine or adding peripherals. These include DB-9, DB-25, RJ-11, RJ-45, BNC, USB, IEEE 1394, IEEE 1284, SCSI, IDE, ISA, EISA, PCI, AGP, and slot 1 interfaces; as well as jumpers, DIP switches, and a variety of cabling systems used to connect monitors, printers, keyboards, and other external devices.

Installing and removing field replaceable modules and add-ons requires detailed knowledge of how to safely remove and install a variety of devices including expansion cards, storage devices, memory modules, and chips. The process includes several steps: physically connecting the device to the bus, installing software device drivers, allowing the new device to communicate with the computer's operating system, configuring the device, and possibly troubleshooting it. Changing the configuration of a personal computer means changing the dynamic of how the components interact with each other and how they perform. You must be able to properly configure drivers, address system settings, and reduce any potential conflicts in which system modification creates bottlenecks.

Computers, monitors, printers, and peripherals use electricity. Improperly handled electricity could cause damage to sensitive components and cause harm or even death to you, the technician. Computer personnel must be aware of proper safety precautions and handling procedures for electrical components, especially ones that can store a charge even when unplugged from a power source. Electrostatic discharge, or ESD (commonly known as static electricity), can damage or destroy delicate components. A modern microcomputer does not require a variety of complicated tools for basic repair, maintenance, or enhancement. It does require the ability to properly operate simple hand tools in a manner that is safe and effective for both you and the hardware.

Tested Skills and Suggested Practices

The skills that you need to master the Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading objective domain on the A+ Core Hardware exam include:

• Identifying basic terms, concepts, and functions of system modules, including how each module should work during normal operation and during the boot process.
• Practice 1: Open a personal computer and make a list identifying the major components, their connections, and their functions. The list should include at least the motherboard, CPU, expansion slots, memory slots and modules, primary expansion cards (for example, display, sound, network), storage (such as hard drive, floppy drive, CD-ROM, DVD), I/O ports, monitor, CMOS/BIOS, mouse, keyboard, case, and power supply.
• Practice 2: Follow the boot procedure for the PC from turning it on through the start of the operating system. Refer to the manual and become familiar with warning messages and the beep codes for error states.
• Practice 3: Enter the CMOS setup program and review all the options and their functions.

• Identifying basic procedures for adding and removing field replaceable modules for both desktop and portable systems.
• Practice 1: On a typically configured personal computer, practice removing and replacing the power supply, motherboard, expansion cards, and memory modules. Identify the steps necessary for removing and replacing the central processing unit. Pay particular attention to cabling issues, safety considerations, and ESD, ensuring that components work properly once they are installed.
• Practice 2: On a portable computer identify the appropriate field replaceable modules, how they are removed and reinstalled, and any special considerations for handling them.

• Identifying available IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses and procedures for device installation and configuration.
• Practice 1: On a typical personal computer, examine the system CMOS setup, operating system startup files (CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and so forth), and (on a Windows system) the operating system registry. Make a log noting all the IRQ, DMA, and I/O addresses. Compare those to the settings listed in the owner's manual and for those of a computer from a different manufacturer. Be sure you understand the role of these three resource components in the operation of the computer.
• Practice 2: Carefully modify the settings for one peripheral card so that it interferes with the settings for either the primary printer port or one of the serial ports. Restart the machine and use the proper procedures for the operating system involved to resolve the conflict.

• Identifying common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors.
• Practice 1: Identify all of the connectors and cables located directly on the motherboard of a Pentium II or later machine equipped with standard I/O ports. Draw the cable connectors and note the methods used to ensure proper orientation of Pin 1 on both ends of the chain. Note the system used to jumper, ID, and terminate as appropriate.
• Practice 2: Identify all of the potential connectors and cables of a Pentium II or later machine equipped with USB and standard I/O ports. Draw the cable connectors and note the methods used to ensure proper orientation of Pin 1 on both ends of the chain. Note the system used to jumper, ID, and terminate as appropriate. The list should include printers, serial and USB connections, mouse, display, and keyboard.

• Identifying proper procedures for installing and configuring IDE/EIDE devices.
• Practice 1: Install an EIDE hard drive greater than 10 GB in a computer, configuring the drive as a master device on the primary channel, and a CD-ROM or DVD drive as the slave.
• Practice 2: Using the system from Practice 1 for this objective, move the CD-ROM or DVD from the slave on the primary EIDE channel to the master on the second channel.

• Identifying proper procedures for installing and configuring SCSI devices.
• Practice 1: Set up a system with a single SCSI host adapter and three devices. At least one of the devices should be mounted on the chain internally and another externally. The third might be either. During host adapter installation, carefully examine the configuration provided by the SCSI BIOS. Configure the system to boot from a SCSI hard drive using INT 13.
• Practice 2: Add a second device to the chain in Practice 1, making sure to properly adjust the SCSI ID and termination settings as required.

• Identifying proper procedures for installing and configuring peripheral devices.
• Practice 1: Remove the display components (monitor, graphics card, and all related drivers) from a computer. Reinstall them and adjust the resolution, refresh rates, color depth, and similar features.
• Practice 2: Examine the system BIOS of a recently built PC. Pay particular attention to the peripheral port settings and options. Familiarize yourself with any settings and types of connections you are not used to working with on a regular basis. Attach devices to the parallel port and USB port. Then add a USB hub with three or four USB peripheral devices while the Windows 98 or Windows 2000 operating system is running.
• Practice 3: Examine the docking stations for two or three major brand laptop computers. Note the options. Add two PC cards to a laptop, at least one of which is a modem, and configure it for Internet access.

• Identifying hardware methods of upgrading system performance, procedures for replacing basic subsystem components, unique components, and when to use them.
• Practice 1: Open a Pentium-based computer and become familiar with the replaceable system level components including the CPU, RAM modules, and hard drive. Examine the slots and connections. Draw a diagram and table comparing the component level connections for different memory and CPU types.
• Practice 2: Identify the date of the computer's system BIOS and its version number. Check with the manufacturer for possible upgrades. If the computers can make use of the upgrade, perform the procedure. If not, become familiar with the process or perform the task on another computer in need of a BIOS upgrade.

Further Reading

Objective 1.1

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 2, "Understanding Electronic Communication."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1, 2, and 3 in Chapter 3, "An Overview of the Personal Computer."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1, 2, and 3 in Chapter 6, "Motherboard and ROM BIOS."

Objective 1.2

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 20, "Upgrading a Computer."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 7, "Memory."

Objective 1.3

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 3, "An Overview of the Personal Computer."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 4, "The Central Processing Unit."

Objective 1.4

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1, 2, and 3 in Chapter 8, "Expansion Buses, Cables, and Connectors."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lesson 1 in Chapter 9, "Basic Disk Drives."

Objective 1.5

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lesson 2 in Chapter 9, "Basic Disk Drives."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 10, "Advanced Disk Drive Technology."

Objective 1.6

Adaptec, Inc. "SCSI Products." 2001. (View Web page at http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/product/ prodtechindex.html?cat=%2fTechnology%2fSCSI.)

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 3 in Chapter 10, "Advanced Disk Drive Technology."

Objective 1.7

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 8, "Expansion Buses, Cables, and Connectors."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 3 and 4 in Chapter 11, "The Display System."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 15, "Telecommunications: Modems and the Internet."

Objective 1.8

Karney, James. Upgrade and Maintain Your PC. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Hungry Minds, Inc., 1998. Review Chapter 5, "Getting Under the Hood."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 20, "Upgrading a Computer."

Last Updated: September 24, 2001

Top of Page